Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1012: The name of firewood is the arms race (5)

“In a way, I am addicted to the ‘sweetness of capitalism.’”

It was a self-evaluation full of self-deprecation, but compared to the European powers, it could be seen as the most ‘refined’ and ‘fair’. This was the luck brought by the times. According to the remaining records, at least the Korean Peninsula has had active exchanges with the outside world since the Three Han Dynasties.

Although there were many problems due to the cries of Japanese pirates and Red Turban enemies just before the fall of the country, Goryeo was also a country with active foreign trade. Therefore, the people of the early Joseon Dynasty had relatively less resistance to outsiders than the later Joseon Dynasty. On the contrary, in the late Joseon Dynasty, which suffered a fatal blow from foreign powers during the Japanese Invasion of Korea and the Manchu War, extremely defensive poetry and painting were created.

Not only the entire country but also each and every small village worked together to block access from outside entities. In a situation where everything was blocked, I ended up living my life satisfied with today being the same as yesterday and tomorrow being the same as today. Those who wanted to come out and break the society and system that had become hardened and had fallen into a vegetative state due to arteriosclerosis were treated as impurities and buried.

However, since this was not the case in the early Joseon Dynasty, it was easy for people and cultures from outside, starting with the Jurchen people, to live together. Another piece of luck was outdated technology. The reason why European powers in the 19th century, which could be said to be the peak of imperialism, were able to operate vast colonies was because they had superior technology, especially communication technology, compared to their colonies.

By taking advantage of their superiority in communication technology, including the telegraph, the powers were able to effectively respond to the reactionary movements of the colonial natives. However, even the empire did not have the communication technology of Zhou Shun in the 19th century. In this situation, rule by force was impossible, especially in the newly secured territory, especially the new territory. With the strength of the empire at the time, symbolized by a small population and still growing capital, the option of military rule was an impossible option.

With the addition of the scent MSG to the above historical background, a ‘refined and fair imperial style’ was created.

* * *

Whatever the background, ironclad ships became like a ‘poison or holy grail’ to European powers.

“I think it’s too much for our current capabilities…” “

But other guys are making it, right? “I can’t help it.”

If you give up on building an ironclad ship because it is impossible in a prosperous situation where ‘everyone is the enemy except me’, you will be the only one left behind. No, it was a relief to end up just falling behind. It was clear that he would lose many things, including his territory, and fall into a miserable situation.

“This is an excessive leap! We have enough military power to protect our territory and people! “It’s a waste!”

Regardless of the country, counterarguments like this arose from time to time, but the answers from those in power were the same regardless of the country.

“Think colonial poetry! In order for our country to grow into a strong country, we must protect our colonial city and take away the colonial city of other countries! For that to happen, an ironclad ship is absolutely necessary!”

Thanks to the incense-sprinkled red meat powder and egg roe, the competition between European powers to invade became more intense. This was because the remaining pie itself became smaller. Thanks to this, European powers were able to advance in the form of a ‘colonial city’ rather than a ‘new colony’.

As colonialism took the form, the situation became even more difficult. The place where the colonial city was located was a bay area where ships could safely dock and drinking water could be obtained nearby. It would be even better if it was located close to a mine developed in the country.

The problem is that places with such good conditions are not common. As a result, in the case of quite large bays, there were cases where several countries divided the territory and built colonial cities. Naturally, conflict was bound to occur.

This was to a lesser extent in Africa, where geographic information had already been secured in several countries. This was because it was easy to find suitable places other than those already occupied by other countries.

However, the situation was serious in Terra – Australia – where geographic information was lacking. This was because there was a very low possibility of finding a better one beyond the one that was currently being shared, as well as one that deep down one thought one was being shared with.

In the end, the leaders and citizens of the colonial city came to think the same thing while glaring at the colonial cities of other countries located nearby.

“We need to chase those guys out, but what should we do?”

After much deliberation, what came out was ‘advance into the inland’.

If you find a good place to raise cows or sheep, a good place for farming, or a gold or silver mine, more people will come from their homeland, which means more troops.

We and they alike had to wait at least a year for support to come from the home country that heard the news after the incident occurred. In that case, if you prepare well in advance and work hard, you will be able to take over everything before the enemy’s support arrives.

“It is the best situation if the home country’s fleet subdues the enemy country’s fleet.”

“I guess I’ll have to write a letter to my home country.”

The various requests sent from Terra were in line with the wishes of those in power at home. Thanks to this, European powers more eagerly sent their people to the colony of Terra.

And Terra’s situation was gradually speeding up toward a critical point. Terra wasn’t the only one heading towards the critical point. The situation in mainland Europe was also slowly picking up speed. It was because of Gloria – South America – that the empire had handed over to Portugal and Italy.

* * *

As Bartolomeo Dias built the first colonial city, ‘Porta de oportunidade’, in Private ‘Gloria’, ‘Terra da Gloria’ under the orders of King Juan II, Portugal and Italy became competitive. We started targeting Gloria.

Initially, Portugal was very far ahead. This was thanks to his extensive experience in ocean sailing and colonial city construction. But Italy had capital power. Using this capital power, he ordered a ship suitable for ocean sailing from the imperial shipyard in Prince Henry’s Port and hired an experienced captain and crew.

Italy, who bought time and experience with money, quickly caught up with Portugal. Although competition was fierce, the relationship between the two countries was amicable. This was because there was a link between the empire and the map it gave.

Although it was an unfinished map, we were able to obtain considerable information from it alone. Thanks to this, Portugal and Italy were able to attack Gloria step by step, avoiding unnecessary conflict. However, as other powers intervened, Gloria’s situation became complicated.

* * *

The two methods by which the powers other than Portugal and Italy entered Gloria were ‘following’ and ‘robbing’. Through the first method, tailing, European powers learned the route to the ‘Gate of Opportunity’.

European powers, having secured information on the route, attempted to build a bridgehead. But Gloria was a more difficult place than Terra. It was because of the jungle. There were many instances where they attempted to build a bridgehead based solely on the lush jungle, but failed because they could not find a source of drinking water. In the end, the great powers chose the second method, ‘robbery.’

The routes of ships traveling from Gloria to Portugal and Italy were roughly as follows.

Eastern Gloria] Namsinji Islands Distillery] Azores Islands] Portugal or Italy.

Gloria west] Terra] Suez.

Gloria West] Terra] Africa] Portugal or Italy home country.

Here, the place where the European powers mainly ambushed was the road leading to the distillery from the eastern part of Gloria. The great powers were also well aware of the existence of the imperial navy. So the ships of the powerful powers disguised themselves as merchant ships going to and from the distillery and waited for their time.

It was a gamble-like mission in which one had to be prepared to be sunk if caught by the Imperial Navy during a naval battle against Portuguese or Italian ships. However, if successful, there was a huge prize money at stake, enough to last a lifetime.

“Even if it’s just one map, if you get the ‘complete map,’ it’s a gamble worth taking!”

Thanks to this, the sea between the Namsinji Islands and northeastern Gloria has become a graveyard for those who dreamed of making a fortune. Then some people tried to ‘hijack’ in another direction. He approached the captains and sailors employed in Italy and persuaded them by offering a considerable amount of money.

“It’s okay to just bring a map, but it’s even better if you bring a boat too. ah! “It would be great if it was loaded with cargo!”

No matter how you look at it, it was an unfair method, but after such a challenge, the powers were able to obtain Gloria’s charts. And this situation further emphasized the need for ironclad ships and the presence of the empire.

This was thanks to the fact that many of the Imperial Navy warships patrolling the Namsinji Islands were replaced by steamships that appeared to be ironclad ships. Looking at the Imperial Navy ships with enormous firepower, defense, and mobility, sailors from all powers muttered the same thing, regardless of country.

“If only we had a ship like that…”

* * *

In this way, the worst vicious cycle occurred, with internal and external situations biting each other.

-Making an ironclad ship requires a large amount of steel.

-A large steel mill is needed to supply large quantities of steel.

-Building a large CJF mill requires a lot of capital.

-In order to obtain capital, economic power must be supported.

-Now we need to quickly grow our economic power.

-In order to quickly increase economic power, more colonies are needed.

-To secure more colonies, a stronger navy is needed.

-For a stronger naval power, an ironclad ship…..

(infinite repetition omitted below)

“I’m embarrassed…..”

“I feel like Sisyphus from old Greek and Roman mythology.”

The officials of the great powers, faced with a situation like dogs running around trying to bite each other’s tail, struggled to find a silver bullet.

“First of all, let’s sort out the situation. We cannot give up on ironclad ships. “This is for sure, right?”

“If I say I give up, will my hair fall off my body the next day?”

“Then the ironclad ship will go as is, and the problem is finding the financial resources for it.”

“That’s right…”

While the officials of the great powers were struggling to find a solution, Italian officials found the answer. Funnily enough, it was because of an appeal submitted by an imperial merchant.

-According to the treaty concluded during the last war, no additional customs duties or toll taxes will be levied within Italy. However, it has not yet been implemented, and the empire’s merchants are suffering a lot of damage. Is this anything other than looking down on His Majesty the Emperor and the Empire?

We officially protested this through the embassy, which confirmed our appeal. In the end, in the process of solving this problem, Italian officials found an answer.