Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1006 Meanwhile, elsewhere….. (11)

Considering profitability, this method of transportation was very uneconomical. That’s why when Europeans called it a ‘great circular route’ and even added the word ‘great’ to it, the imperialists tilted their heads. Of course, Europeans were not unaware of this either.

“If only I could use those ports at will…”

Europeans were drooling over the ports of the Namsinji Islands, where sugar liquor distilleries were located. It was certain that if those ports could be freely used, not only the development of Gloria but also the operational efficiency of the Great Circular Route could be increased several times.

But for now, all I could do was use the excuse of ‘transporting sugar liquor’ to get in. Eventually, not only England and France, but also Portugal and Italy began to have different feelings.

“Is there any way to make those islands ours?”

* * *

The first method that the European powers came up with and the first to give up in order to claim the islands of the Southern New Island Islands as their own was ‘force’.

“We have to cross the Atlantic, but they are just a stone’s throw away, so we are at a huge disadvantage.”

“The distance is not only a distance, but have you forgotten how vicious the imperial soldiers in Shinji are? Think about the war in Italy. They were people who were throwing shells like crazy when they were far away, shooting bullets like crazy when they got closer, and throwing axes when they got closer. ”

The European powers gave up the use of force due to the distance being too great to project force and the difference in military power.

“It’s impossible now, but someday…”

For now.

* * *

The Empire did not ignore the use of European powers. Letters were constantly exchanged between the township, county, and Wan, and officials also exchanged opinions on this every day.

“I think it was the right thing to do to hand over the sugar distilleries.”

“Many people say that it is small and large.”

When Hyeon raised the issue on behalf of Wan and the ministers, Hyang nodded.

“It may seem so. But the sugar distilleries had to be passed over. The profits were too overwhelming.”

“Are you saying they would have turned against the Empire if we hadn’t handed it over?’

“Maybe.”

Hyeon sighed in response to Hyang’s response.

“Whew~. Prime ministers and ministers have also said similar things. They say there’s even a rumor going around down there saying, ‘They shouldn’t have made it in the first place.’”

Hyang snorted at Hyun’s words.

“Hmph! Pointing out problems like that after something happens is the most common characteristic of small people. A gentleman would have risked his life before something happened. “If you are a great person, you will acknowledge the reality and find the best way to deal with it.”

Hyang, who declared like that, glared at the officers. The officers, who flinched under Hyang’s gaze, tapped hard on their typewriters. Hyang, who dismissed the rumors that were going around underneath, spoke to Hyeon. “I’m worried about the islands of the Namsinji Islands where the sugar liquor distillery is located, but aren’t they also good points?” Hyeon

,

who was thinking about something at Hyang’s words, brightened his eyes.

“The precepts of Emperor Dangrang. Is it?”

Hyang nodded when an old saying meaning ‘a mantis is so preoccupied with targeting cicadas that it doesn’t see the bird targeting it from behind’ was mentioned. ”

It’s similar.”

Hyang answered . It was explained in more detail.

-The place where the empire’s interests are most at stake is the mainland of Xinji.

-We are strengthening the control and defense of the mainland of Xinji by taking advantage of the European powers being distracted by the islands of the Southern Xinji Archipelago.

-Empire If this mainland is firmly controlled, the European powers will not be able to covet the new land for the time being. Then, the empire will not miss the opportunity to further strengthen its defenses. -If

this cycle is repeated, the empire’s borders will become safer.

-Ah! I see! Instead of seeing the problem that arose while handing over the sugar distilleries as a problem, they are using it as a stepping stone for a new plan!”

“exactly.”

Hyun’s face, which had been answering Hyang’s explanation with a bright smile, soon darkened.

“But the budget is the problem. Even now, there are many complaints that the budget allocated to the Ministry of Defense is excessive.”

Hyang frowned and responded to Hyeon’s words.

“The problem is that those idiots are the loudest.”

At the end of each year and the beginning of the year, the imperial court posted budget-related notices in government offices across the country. The post posted at the end of the year was to inform where and how much of next year’s budget would be spent, and the post posted at the beginning of the year was to inform how much was spent last year.

And every time, appeals came in like a flood. Among them, the most common appeals were those criticizing that the proportion of defense spending was too high.

“joy!”

Hyang snorted and continued.

“What did you say? Even if the wall that protects the small man’s hometown is low, a warrior cannot easily overcome it, and even if the moat is shallow, no one can jump over it. This empire is surrounded by a wide sea on all sides, so what else is this but a natural moat? No matter how powerful the artillery fire is, it cannot cross the sea, so what else is it but a fortress blessed by nature? Since ancient times, it has been said that those who rise by the sword will perish by the sword. The true royal road is to educate the four worlds by cultivating virtue rather than honing martial arts. Tsk tsk tsk!”

Seeing Hyang shaking her head and clicking her tongue, Hyeon asked a question without realizing it.

“Do you remember all that?”

“It was so absurd that I remembered it. Well, no matter how powerful the artillery fire is, it can’t cross the sea? You don’t know it’s possible! Huh!”

Hyang, who had spoken her true feelings without realizing it, quickly shut her mouth. But Hyeon did not miss this.

“Is it possible? “Maybe you’ve already thought of it?”

“Ah… that’s…”

Hyang, who was trying to stammer and evade his words, gave up when he saw Hyeon’s expression

. ‘It’s my business!’

“I had that thought while thinking about the magic sword.”

“Hmm…”

“Just a thought.”

“Hmm… I understand.” As Hyun,

who had a strange expression on his face, stepped back, Hyang urgently said. He concluded,

“I believe that the European powers must not let down their guard as they are a group of people who do not give up when it comes to their own interests. However, I don’t think it should put a strain on the government and the people’s livelihood. The Emperor is probably already well aware of this, but I am telling you this out of old age.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

After some time, everyone left and Hyang, who was left alone in the room, sighed.

“Whew~. It was breathtaking. By the way, is it time for me to go? A lot has been resolved. Anyway…”

Hyang looked out the window with a worried expression.

“The smell of war is getting stronger again. “If even one of the European powers produces smokeless gunpowder, it will be the start of a real race.”

Meanwhile, soon, rumors began to spread to Area 51 and across the sea to Area 52.

– Tae Sang-tae is capable of launching fireballs across the sea . He said it was possible with canvas!

– No! He said it was possible with oxidation technology!

“So~?”

The craftsmen who heard the rumor began to light up. And then something they were worried about happened.

Smokeless smoke in England . Gunpowder was released.

* * *

The story began in a village located on the outskirts of Southampton, England. In Mar, where about 60 households gathered around a church, there was a unique presence.

Bad people such as delusions, dreamers, braggarts, and crazy people He was an amateur alchemist with many nicknames. The neighbors clicked their tongues every time they saw the alchemist in question.

“Tsk!” In the past, he was still a good friend.”

“That’s right. Still, when he was working, he was a hard-working friend…”

“What is that guy’s wealth…”

“The most pitiful thing is his wife.”

It was in France that problems arose with Dobby, an amateur alchemist who made his neighbors click their tongues. This was after hearing a rumor that the person who made the silver was sitting on a money cushion. Dobby, who had always been interested in gunpowder, had a lifelong goal as soon as he heard the rumor.

“I became rich through the silver?” Then gunpowder! It’s gunpowder! They say the gunpowder of the Eastern Empire is powerful with less smoke, right? If I create something like that, I can become rich too!’

After setting a goal, Dobby devoted himself to research. And as time passed, there was constant discord in Dobby’s family. This was because Dobby devoted himself to research and his wife took full responsibility for maintaining the household.

For the first two or three years, Dobby’s wife did not complain much. However, as the five and ten years passed, Dobby’s wife became unable to tolerate it.

“You damned bastard! You’re going to be stuck on something that’s never going to work! You’re supposed to be working!”

“Just wait a little while. I think I just need a little more.”

“It’s already been a few years! You damned squire! Work, work!”

Dobby continued his research even though he was caught off guard by this mistreatment. One day, Dobby, who was conducting research in the laboratory – the kitchen and living room, to be exact – had an accident.

Clink!

The sulfuric acid and nitric acid bottles that had been placed on the laboratory table were dropped.

“this!”

Dobby hastily grabbed a nearby towel with his chicle-gloved hands and wiped the floor. Dobby wiped the floor, enduring the stinging smell of nitric acid, and was horrified when he saw the messed up towel. It wasn’t a towel, but the wife’s favorite apron.

“How can I do this…”

Dobby, who was staring blankly at the messed up apron, seemed to already be hearing his wife’s swearing. And at some point, Dobby’s reason was lost.

“Why me? I want to succeed too!”

Dobby lost his temper due to the stress he had accumulated and threw his apron into the fireplace in front of him.

Moment.

pop!

The moment the apron touched the flames in the fireplace, the flames exploded. Unfortunately, there were a lot of vehicles around the fire pit, and the fire spread here.

“Fire! Fire!”

As the fire spread inside the house, Dobby rushed out. Dobby, who was standing there devastated while neighbors who discovered the fire rushed to put it out, suddenly opened his eyes.

‘Fire, like an explosion…..explosion? explosion!’

At that moment, Dobby started laughing like crazy.

“Hahahahahaha!”

“You’re laughing because you did a good job! I can’t take it anymore! I’m getting a divorce!”

And over time, Europe’s first smokeless gunpowder, also known as ‘Divorce gunpowder’. Alternatively, gunpowder called ‘D-gunpowder’ was born. European powers received intelligence and used bribes and spies to discover the secret of smokeless gunpowder in England. And soon after, European powers began producing similar smokeless gunpowder.

Aside from Dobby making a fortune with the smokeless gunpowder he developed, this also signaled the beginning of Europe’s second arms race. It was around this time that Japanese merchants in Naniwa smelled the smell of money mixed with blood.

-War costs money.

The Japanese merchants of Naniwa, who had this clearly in mind through past experience, began to move quickly.