Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1079 Tosagupin (9)

While great upheaval was taking place in Persia, a storm began to rise in the Ottomans as well. It started with an earthquake. A huge earthquake struck Konstantinye.

“The final judgment has begun!”

The earthquake was so strong that the people who came out in shock cried out, “The final judgment.” Due to the psychological shock caused by the earthquake and the subsequent recovery process that consumed excessive mental strength, Bayezid II rapidly weakened, and this news was conveyed to governors throughout the Ottoman Empire.

‘Either live and become sultan, or die or run away from the Ottomans.’

It was news announcing the start of a race in which one of the three must be chosen.

* * *

As the race began, the attention of those in power gathered in Konstantiniye was ‘Who will be the winner?’ The most influential people now were, of course, Korkud and Ahmad Selim.

“This is a real melee…”

All the nobles who were reading the situation shook their heads. This was because Korkud and Selim, who suffered heavy losses at the beginning of the competition and thought they would be eliminated early, joined hands with Europeans to make a comeback.

Because of this, the nobles gathered in Constantine did not have a positive view of Korkud and Selim. ‘It’s passive. It was a good cause for Ahmed, who maintained his full potential despite being criticized for not being brave. However, their insistence on conserving all of their power became an obstacle.

In a situation where the leading candidates all had flaws, the nobles looked to the Janissaries.

“It depends on who they choose.”

Meanwhile, a war of words broke out within the Janissaries over who to support.

“Korkud doesn’t even have to think about it, it’s right to choose between Ahmed and Selim.”

“No Ahmed. It’s too passive. “A sultan shouldn’t do that.”

“The problem is not that we are being passive, but that we suffered a huge loss by acting so passively.”

“that’s right. “If Ahmed becomes sultan, we will literally become expendable.”

“Then Selim?”

“Selim has a problem too. They pretended to grant our demands, but ended up joining hands with the Italians. There is no trust. “Trust.”

“You can’t do this or that, so you have to choose someone, then!”

“Inshallah~.”

“hey!”

The race had already started and there was a war of words over who to support, but most Janissaries were in a relaxed mood.

-Even if you win the race, you must receive the Sultan’s approval to become a clear winner.

-If he does not get our support, the Sultan will not be able to recognize it.

-Also, the end of the race is the beginning of a civil war.

-The winner who has suffered a lot of losses during the race has no choice but to give us his hand.

-In the end, the final winner is our Janissaries.

Because of this, the Janissaries were able to relax. Because it has been like that until now. But this race exceeded their expectations from the start.

* * *

As the race began, a French messenger visited Habsburg Vienna.

“There have been many unpleasant incidents in the past, but this time, how about joining hands?”

After hearing the messenger’s proposal, Maximilian I asked back with a sarcastic expression.

“Does that mean France will also support Korkud?”

“No, I just want you to take your hands off Korkud.”

“what! “What a mockery we have of our Holy Roman Empire!”

“I am not looking down on you, but this is advice and recommendation to your Majesty. “The idea is to avoid doing things that are sure to result in big losses.”

“under! France is proud to have had a little fun in Lotharingen! I need to properly show the true nature of the Holy Mora Empire! Something that is sure to result in a loss? joy!”

Although Maximilian I seemed to be trying to move in the opposite direction, the French lion did not show any signs of being intimidated. No, on the contrary, he looked at Maximilian I with an expression full of worry.

“Your Majesty, you might want to reconsider. It’s not just France that is moving. Italy and Portugal are also joining us in France.”

“huh?”

As soon as he heard the words, Maximilian I looked shocked. The French lion did not miss this and struck once again.

“ah! Didn’t you know? “Isn’t this something that most people know?”

This was a very powerful herbal medicine.

‘There are people who don’t know that France, Italy and Portugal are moving together, but they don’t know? Are you blind? Are you willing to bet in a situation like that? ‘You’re a hot guy?’

Maximilian I’s expression became serious at the words of the French envoy.

-France alone is a military power on par with the Holy Roman Empire. Italy is an emerging military power, and Portugal’s naval power can be said to be the strongest in the Mediterranean region.

-According to the information provided to me, Italy is said to have joined hands with Selim.

-So, it means that Italy, France, and Portugal are behind Selim.

‘But how can France, Italy and Portugal be together?’

In the last war of Italian unification, France was the enemy of Italy and Portugal. At the time, a lot of blood was shed between the three countries on the battlefield, and thanks to that, a very uneasy relationship continued between the three countries, France, and the Italian-Portuguese alliance.

‘how?’

Maximilian I, who was pondering why three countries that were not easy to get along with, joined hands, immediately remembered the reason.

‘Suez and oil!’

Maximilian I, who realized the reason, ordered the French envoy.

“I knew what you meant. However, it is not easy to decide right away. “Go back and wait.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

When the French messenger disappeared, Maximilian I roared at his subjects.

“Are you all blind and deaf! Is that so!”

* * *

After scolding his subjects for a long time, Maximilian I took a breath and gave an order.

“Think about what is the best way to handle the current situation.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

-Since France, Italy, and Portugal join hands, they are clearly inferior in terms of military power.

-Of course, we also have Spain as an ally. But Spain is not of much help.

-Korkud’s political base is too weak as it was the first to be pushed out.

“…If you look at it up to this point, it seems best to let go of your grip with Korkud. But…”

“But?”

“Considering the investment made in Korkud so far and the diplomatic gains and losses, it is also problematic to let it go right away.”

“Then what should I do?”

The subjects who were analyzing the situation again answered Maximilian I’s question.

“It is best to attract the Janissaries.”

“Janniserry? “Aren’t they the first to break away from Korkud?”

“you’re right. We have to engage them.”

-No matter what anyone says, it is the most powerful military group in the Ottomans.

-The value of the Janissaries has increased in the battle to determine the successor that has continued from generation to generation.

“…I understand why. But as I said before, the Janissaries were the first to break away from Korkud.”

“But the fact that France, Italy and Portugal chose Selim is a variable.”

-As the value of the Janissaries becomes more valuable, it is certain that they will demand more and more from their successors in the competition.

-Until now, only Italy was known to support Selim.

-However, if France and Portugal join in, Selim has less need to secure the support of the Janissaries. No, on the contrary, the Janissaries will be viewed as a nuisance.

-If so, the Janissaries are more likely to support someone who can meet their demands to some extent.

“…Hmm. It’s a reasonable decision. But if that happens, wouldn’t Ahmad be more advantageous than Korkud, who has already cut off?”

“The Janissaries regard Ahmad as passive and greedy.”

-Many Shiites live in various places, including the border areas between the Ottomans and Persians.

-Rebellions frequently occur in this region due to sectarian conflict between Sunni and Shia.

-In the process of suppressing this rebellion, Ahmad showed a very passive attitude, and on the contrary, the troops dispatched from the center, including the Janissaries, suffered a lot of damage.

-For this reason, it is very unlikely that the Janissaries will support Ahmad.

-On the other hand, the reason Korkud was evaluated as being left out of the competition was because it suffered serious losses in the process of suppressing these rebellions.

“….This loss was compensated by our Holy Roman Empire. Then, as soon as we secure the Janissaries, Korkud will become the most obvious successor.”

“Hmm…”

Maximilian I nodded to his subjects’ explanation, but soon glared at them with an expression full of distrust.

“It makes sense, but I feel uneasy. Even though France, Italy and Portugal had already joined hands, we were unaware of that fact until now. So, can we be confident that the Ottoman plan described by the scriptures is accurate?”

In response to Maximilian I’s criticism, the subjects protested with pale faces.

“The issues with France, Italy and Portugal are clearly our fault. But I can assure you that it is not Osman!”

“That’s right! This may be an excuse, but I was so focused on the Ottomans that I just missed France!”

“Osman can be confident!”

In response to his subjects’ words, Maximilian I stroked his chin and spoke.

“good night. I will trust the words of the gentlemen once again. But remember, this is the last time.”

“yes!”

“We will definitely make it a success!”

Maximilian I came to a conclusion based on the pledges of his subjects.

“good night! “Let’s go to the end of this round.”

Two days later, Maximilian I, who summoned a messenger from France, informed him of his decision.

“The Holy Roman Empire will reject France’s offer.”

“You will regret it.”

Maximilian I responded to the messenger’s warning with a chuckle.

“Have you ever seen a fool who accepts his opponent’s instructions win at the chessboard?”

“But it is also foolish to hold out even when defeat is certain.”

“The board has only just opened. “No one knows yet who will win.”

In response to Maximilian I’s reply, the French envoy quietly bowed and left the palace.

* * *

The Habsburgs worked diligently to win this gamble.

“The race has started, but no one can move in earnest yet! “You must not miss this time!”

The Habsburg envoy secretly visited the Janissaries stationed in Constantine. The Habsburg envoy, who met with the Janissary commanders, announced his business.

“Please support Korkud. Then I will accept your offer.”

“Why Korkud?”

“Selim joined hands with Italy, Portugal, and France. So I don’t need you. Ahmad only values himself and sees you as expendable items. But Korkud is brave and active, if not impatient. “Isn’t this the quality of a monarch that suits you?”

The Janissary commanders looked at each other with serious expressions upon hearing the words of the messenger sent by the Habsburgs. The commanders, who were eagerly exchanging whispers with each other, responded to the Habsburg messenger.

“I will give you the conclusion within two days.”