Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1015: The name of firewood is arms race (8)

The relationship between Italy and Switzerland deepened. Most of the land transportation routes leading to Northern Europe and the Italian Mediterranean passed through Switzerland. Therefore, the railway connecting Italy and Switzerland brought enormous benefits to Switzerland. Here, Italian working groups signed an agreement with Switzerland on railway management.

The idea was to reduce costs by jointly managing the iron horses and railways operated by Switzerland with Italy. Through this agreement, Italy was able to realize economies of scale and Switzerland was able to significantly reduce maintenance costs. Meanwhile, Switzerland, which had confirmed that railways were profitable, risked its life to manage the railways.

This was not an idiomatic expression, but reality. This was because heavy snowfall and avalanches were frequent in the Alps in winter, and casualties constantly occurred in the process of clearing blocked railway tracks. Since Switzerland had no special resources or industry, they had no choice but to risk their lives on the railroad, which was a major source of money. Just as in the past they risked their lives as mercenaries for their families, the Swiss risked their lives on the railroad.

* * *

The region most affected by this railway was Northern Europe, where the Hanseatic League was located. The route from Italy through Switzerland was fast and safe thanks to the railway. In particular, its biggest strength was that it was possible to move even in winter, when it was impossible to move freely in the past. Of course, as soon as we left the northern part of Switzerland, the speed of movement slowed down to a turtle’s pace and we had to suffer from dirty inns and bandits. However, compared to going through France or other routes, costs – such as tariffs – could be reduced and some time could be saved.

It was not only goods from the Empire, Italy, or Ottoman India that moved through this route. The culture of the empire and the culture of Italy and Switzerland, which were strongly influenced by it, also moved together. And at some point, the monarchs and intellectuals of the Northern European princely states and the Grand Duchy of Poland and Moscow, a union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden (different countries but serving the same king) began to become ‘imperialized’.

“Even the hillbillies in Italy and Switzerland seem to live better than us. We need to change too.”

The movement of intellectuals who called for ‘change and reform’ soon turned into a political movement. And, as always, this caused conflict with vested interests. Secularly, aristocrats and royalists clashed, and religiously, the flames of religious reform slowly began to smolder.

Meanwhile, the shock waves brought by the imperial ironclad ships began to spread throughout Europe.

-War costs money.

The words that the Japanese merchants of Naniwa had uttered as if they were chanting Buddhist prayers were coming out of the mouths of imperial officials.

* * *

Rumors and information about the ironclad ships that Portugal and Italy had begun to introduce also reached the monarchs of Northern Europe. After confirming the information, the monarchs of Northern Europe met face-to-face with their ministers.

“Should we also bring in ironclad ships?”

“I think so.”

“No! It’s about the budget.”

“Budget may be an issue, but you have to buy what you want! Have you forgotten England and Scotland?”

At this time, England and Scotland were still separate countries. And Hanseatic merchants were making significant profits in Scotland. However, England was gradually breaking away from the influence of the Hanseatic League and making independent movements, and its influence on Scotland was becoming stronger. In the end, the first to move was the ‘Kalmar Alliance’ of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

“England is a problem, but the Hanseatic League is also a problem! We will use this opportunity to push out the Hanseatic League!”

In this way, an envoy departed from the distant North Sea toward Seoul.

* * *

The envoys who arrived in Seoul immediately began consultations.

“How long have you been looking into it?”

If I were to express in a sentence the attitude of the officials of the Imperial Ministry of Finance and Economy in charge, it would be exactly the sentence above. The attitude was polite, but not friendly at all. The attitude of these Ministry of Finance and Economy officials was notorious.

“I’m so busy right now, but if you want to buy it, buy it or go!”

This notoriety also reached Hyang’s ears, and she muttered to herself as she licked her lips.

‘Wow, it reminds me of bad memories from my past life? ‘That luxury store’s cheap stuff.’

When she was a civil servant, Hyang visited a department store luxury store to buy a gift for her parents. However, the employee who greeted him was particularly rude. In the end, Hyang ended up buying a gift for her parents at another luxury store. And later, when I visited the luxury store in question again, the cheap person was not there.

In the end, Hyang wrote a subtle but deep proposal to Hyeon.

“Still, you came to buy us something, so you have to be nice to us.”

Even though we had changed hands in that way, the attitude of ‘How long have you been looking into it?’ emerged. After finishing their consultation with officials from the Empire’s Ministry of Finance, the envoys of the Kalmar Alliance had serious expressions.

“I think this is more expensive than expected.”

“I agree. I expected to be able to buy five ships, but two ships would be the best…”

* * *

Imperial Finance Ministry officials looked troubled after confirming the amount the Kalmar Alliance could pay.

“You want an ironclad ship like the ones used by the Portuguese and Italian navies, right?”

“exactly.”

“Right now, for the amount the alliance says it can pay, two ships is the best we can get.”

“Huh? According to the information we heard from Portugal and Italy…”

“Of course, if you only consider the price of the ironclad ships, up to five ships are possible. Mathematically speaking, that is.”

“Arithmetic?”

“Have you ever handled a ship powered by a steam engine? What about breech-loading guns?”

“Ah…”

“If you consider the training costs of the crews who will operate the ironclad ships and other costs, two ships are the best option for the cost that the alliance said it can pay. Well, there will be some spare change left over.”

“How much change?”

“That leaves the cost of building 1,000 and a half ironclad ships.”

“Ugh…”

The envoys looked despondent as the result turned out to be far from what they had expected.

“There should be five so that even France and England won’t act carelessly…”

“Should we recalculate from the beginning…”

“Or give up on steamships…”

“I won’t give up. It’s going to happen!”

“But think about the maintenance costs! It’s not like the imperial officials made wasted statements!”

Envoys from the Kalmar Alliance were even considering canceling the plan, but imperial officials had no intention of letting them go.

“The ironclad ship I ordered from Japan has been completed. Would you like to take a look?”

“japan?”

“This is the same ship that Portugal and Italy ordered.”

“Then let’s go!”

“Let’s take a look!”

* * *

The envoys who saw the new ironclad ship that had just begun trials at the shipyard in Wonsan were caught in a dilemma.

“Looking at its performance, I think I really need to buy it…”

“But two ships are not enough.”

The envoys who were contemplating to find the best answer turned to the sea to cool their aching heads. At that moment, as if they had been waiting, two sea emergency ships glided past the envoys.

“That’s fast.”

“Quick… just go!”

One of the Shinigami opened his eyes and looked at his comrades.

“How about purchasing a sea emergency with the remaining cost?”

“huh?”

-The sea emergency is a sailing ship. In other words, training costs can be greatly reduced.

-Hae emergency is famous for its speed and firepower. The defense power is also considerable.

As long as England and France do not change their fleets to ironclad ships, they can be fully used.

-Looking at the examples of Portugal and Italy, old battleships are being retired as ironclad ships are being commissioned. The same would be true for the empire.

-Then, you will be able to get a lot of reasonably old emergency cables at a reasonable price.

“It looks okay, but maybe the cannon to be mounted is the problem?”

“That part needs to be negotiated! What is the purpose of us coming as envoys? Or, why do we want to buy an ironclad ship?”

“Let’s go back to Seoul and talk a little more.”

The next day after arriving in Seoul, envoys from the Kalmar Alliance began negotiations again with the goal of adding sea emergency ships to the two ironclad ships. Hyun, who received the report, shook his head lightly.

“He is truly a ‘descendant of Dondok Kim Jeom.’”

Ministry of Finance and Economy officials who later heard the county’s evaluation could not hide their resentment.

“The person who planned this time is Tae Sang-tae!”

* * *

Lim Sun-wook and Jang Hang-seon sighed after hearing the officials’ protests.

“Whoa. How can you say that about Tae Sang-tae? Emperor Wen was also a great person. He was very knowledgeable in making boards and commanding people. Just think of Grand Master Hwang Hee.”

“I agree. By the way, I felt sorry for Captain Hwang Hee every time Sajikso was rejected, but now that we are in that situation… I think it is right to say, ‘You can’t steal seeds.’”

“Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say, ‘I watched and learned.’ Come to think of it, Captain Jang was number 8?”

“Yesterday was number 11. What about Captain Lim?”

“That’s number 10.”

The two people who were talking about the number of times their resignation was rejected shook their heads.

“Your Majesty, you are Your Majesty, but Captain Han and Captain Seong are also very harsh people. I can’t believe they haven’t submitted a resignation letter yet.”

“It is said that it is not just the two of them, but among the four, there is not a single one who has submitted a resignation letter.”

“They are truly poisonous people. Please think about the people waiting below.”

The four people who had to roll under the old incense were still flying around on the front lines. It was a kind of battle of pride for them to endure until the end. Except for the common feature of good ability, everyone had different personalities, which led to competition.

“I will never submit my resignation before those guys!”

“I will not resign until I die!”

“I don’t know about dismissal, but there is no resignation!”

* * *

Regardless of the behind-the-scenes stories, negotiations between the Empire and the envoys of the Kalmar Alliance went smoothly. As a result of the negotiations, two ironclad ships and three sea emergency ships were handed over to the alliance.

“The three sea rescue ships will be handed over as soon as the alliance crews arrive. The two ironclad ships will be built in Shinji and then handed over to the Azores. Would you like to change the location to another location?”

“No, I will receive it in the Azores.”

After confirming minor details such as the timing of acquisition and means of payment, the negotiations were concluded and an agreement was written. As envoys from the Kalmar Alliance returned home, the empire secretly leaked rumors.

-Sea emergency battleships were purchased from the Kalmar Alliance at the same time as ironclad ships.

“Huh? Emergency?”

“ah!”

Navy officials from each country bowed their knees after hearing the rumor.

“It’s your chance!”

Among the imperial navy’s battleships, the most coveted ship was the sea emergency ship.

-Charge return? A ship that the Empire would put in the furnace and never sell.

-Challenge level? Damn scoundrel. It is strong and sturdy, but it costs too much to maintain.

-Emergency? best! It’s fast, has decent firepower, and good defense. Although it has range issues, it is the most useful in many ways!

-conclusion. With a small number of ironclad ships and a naval emergency team supporting them, there is no need to worry for the time being!

Soon, envoys from as close as Japan’s Ryukyu Islands to as far away as France flocked to Seoul once again.