Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 965: Everyone is a bully except me…. (2)

“The criminals are to be hanged!”

Naples soldiers who were tried on charges of theft were sentenced to death by hanging.

“Please have mercy!”

“Mercy!”

The soldiers who heard the verdict shed tears and begged for mercy, but the commander in charge of the trial answered in a cold voice.

“This is a ruling based on military discipline. There is no overturning. Take them away.”

“Mercy!”

Even as they were taken to a temporary prison built on one side of the camp, the soldiers longed for mercy. The expressions on the faces of all the soldiers watching the scene – from the Kingdom of Naples to those of the Imperial Army – were grave.

“Unlucky…”

And this was the same for the commanders. The battlefield was a place where instinct took precedence over any other place. Looting and theft were almost common among soldiers going into battle. Therefore, it was customary for commanders to turn a blind eye ‘to a certain extent’. The problem was when it went beyond that ‘certain level’. In that case, the army would instantly become a band of thieves with enormous military power.

Therefore, commanders used these ‘unlucky soldiers’ to establish discipline in their units. What made the soldiers who were now sentenced even more unfortunate was that the place where they attempted the theft was, of course, the Imperial Army camp.

“If you went in to steal, you might get caught! What a shame! This is at the most important time!”

It was an added ‘offensive’ that hurt the pride of Alfonso, the commander-in-chief of the Kingdom of Naples.

* * *

Before the soldiers were tried and sentenced, the commanders of the Kingdom of Naples interrogated the criminals.

“How did you get caught?”

Although he couldn’t boast about it openly, Naples was famous for its many thieves. From pickpockets who steal the wallets of passers-by, to full-blown thieves who climb over walls at night. It was not easy for people who were so good at stealing to be caught hiding in a temporary camp that was not a properly built fortress.

This meant that the imperial army’s discipline and capabilities were unusual. The criminals’ answers to the commanders’ questions were the same.

“It was like they knew we were coming.”

“It moved without any sign. It was like a ghost! It was like a ghost!”

“The persistence was like meeting a pack of wolves!”

The commanders muttered with serious faces in response to the criminals’ answer.

“If you look at the story, they are almost like wild beasts? What kind of people are they?”

Soon after, strange rumors began to circulate among the Naples Kingdom army.

-I heard there are wizards in the imperial army who use strange techniques! It is said that if those wizards cast a spell, they can see at night as if it were day, and a person becomes as strong as a bear!

-It is said that Imperial soldiers turn into beasts when the moon rises!

It was a rumor created by imperial soldiers from Shinji.

* * *

As the empire’s territory expanded, various races began to mix in the imperial army. In particular, the percentage of people from the New World was very high in the imperial troops stationed in Italy. This was because the main supply line was Shinji. And the imperial army preferred soldiers from the New Territories.

As the development of New Land progressed, the empire recognized the military talent of the New Land natives. The indigenous people living in the plains of the Northern New Territories were good at group warfare and had a strong will to fight.

“Once a fight starts, he bites until the end, and when he hears orders, he moves in unison. He has the best qualities as a soldier!”

On the other hand, people from forest tribes had exceptional skills in stealthy movement and ambush shooting.

“I haven’t gone through any special training, but my skills are as good as Chakho’s! That’s amazing!”

And the soldiers from Namsinji endured better than others even in harsh environments such as the jungle. They were the best human resources for the imperial army, which was suffering from troop supply issues. It wasn’t a bad thing from the natives’ perspective either. For the indigenous people, where warriors were treated with respect and belonging to a powerful group of warriors was an honor, the imperial army was the best place to work.

* * *

In addition to this background, the Italians misunderstood because most of the troops who arrived in Italy were from New Zealand. Many of the military doctors in the imperial army from Shinji were native shamans. Although they received proper medical education and wore formal uniforms of the imperial army, they always wore their tribe’s traditional decorations.

And to ensure the mental and physical stability of the indigenous soldiers from the east, traditional tribal dances and songs were periodically performed. Each time this happened, soldiers from the relevant tribe or indigenous warriors from nearby areas gathered together to join them. It was ‘the birth of a wizard who uses strange techniques.’ And as already mentioned, thanks to the talent of the soldiers from Shinji, the rumor gained weight and spread.

* * *

In any case, after receiving a serious nose injury, the Kingdom of Naples army did not target the imperial army. At the same time, the Italian soldiers of the alliance did not move hastily and only watched the imperial army. Meanwhile, the troops heading to the Duchy of Romagna and the soldiers of the Duchy of Romagna arrived in Rome.

Soon after, imperial officials, led by Han Myeonghoe, and monarchs of allied cities, led by Lorenzo de’ Medici, arrived in Rome. Meanwhile, a messenger from the Kingdom of Naples arrived in Rome and quickly looked for Alfonso.

“Your Majesty has commanded you to participate in the negotiations on behalf of the Kingdom of Naples. Your Majesty also said, ‘I trust that your tongue will be as sharp as your sword.’”

The messenger who delivered Ferdinand I’s words presented the edict to Alfonso. After breaking the seal and checking the contents of the edict, Alfonso answered calmly.

“Please tell me that I will fight with the determination to die.”

“Yes, prince.”

The next day, politicians such as Han Myeonghoe, Lorenzo de Medici, Alfonso and Cesare Borgia gathered and had a formal meeting. After the tense meeting, the politicians decided to send a joint letter to the Pope.

-Open the gates for peace!

A brief but firm joint letter was delivered, and the gates of Rome were opened the next day.

* * *

Soldiers carrying the flags of the Empire, allied cities, the Kingdom of Naples, and the Duchy of Romagna entered through the wide open gates. The vanguard unit entered after the flag corps, followed by politicians.

“Hmm… If you look at the librarian I found and read in my home country, it said that the movies of Rome are incomparable…”

The faces of the Italians, including Lorenzo, turned red at Han Myeong-hoe’s exquisitely blurry words. This was because the Rome they entered now had declined incomparably with the Rome of the past. The Colosseum, which was responsible for the entertainment of Roman citizens, collapsed on one side and was in ruins, and all the public buildings and public buildings disappeared, leaving only a few pillars and cornerstones.

Only the magnificent Aurelian Wall reminded us of the mighty and splendid Rome of the past.

“No matter how extravagant a movie is, it is ultimately just a dream… it is fleeting.”

This was Han Myeonghoe’s sincerity.

*

…

“I ask you to remain here while the negotiations proceed.”

“Thank you for your favor.”

When Han Myeong-hoe expressed his gratitude, Cardinal Giovanni smiled and responded politely.

“It is my honor.”

Politicians from allied cities, including Genoa and Milan, and Alfonso also dressed as women in the mansions of cardinals or archbishops with whom they had ties. The only courtesy was Cesare Borgia. He stayed at his mansion in Rome. As the locations for politicians to stay were decided, soldiers surrounded the mansion to protect them.

What is interesting is that as they settled in like this, the imperial army and the soldiers of the allied Kingdom of Naples and the Duchy of Romagna ended up surrounding the Apostolic Palace, where the Pope was staying. After a war of words that lasted until the sun set, the venue for negotiations was decided to be the conference room at Sado Palace.

* * *

Two days later, full-scale negotiations began. Negotiations began to explode as soon as they began. And the first plosive sound was caused by Cesare Borgia.

“Why is a traitor worse than Judas Iscariot here? As long as that traitor is present, there can be no negotiations!”

Juan, who appeared as the Pope’s representative, pointed a finger at Cesare and screamed. It was Han Myeong-hoe who responded to Juan’s protest.

“The Duke of Romagna is a member of the alliance. So of course the Duke of Romagna must also attend. If you do not accept this, there will be no negotiations.”

In response to Han Myeong-hoe’s firm reply, the negotiations were declared adjourned as soon as they began. While the adjournment continued, negotiations for negotiation took place. However, the response of the Hanmyeonghoe was resolute, and in the end, Juan had to acknowledge Cesare’s attendance. And with this, superiority and inferiority were clearly differentiated.

The first thing discussed in the resumed negotiations was ‘whether the Pope’s decree exists.’

“I recognize the unification of Italy. No, I welcome it. But I want to maintain the current Papal States.”

Lorenzo gave a short answer to Juan’s request.

“Impossible. The current Papal States is too large. Only 10 leagues (approximately 42 km) in all directions around Rome will be recognized. The remaining Papal States will elect leaders through the votes of their citizens.”

“Voting? Huh! Isn’t this a sign that you will share in the end?”

“Even if we share it, it is still one Italy. If you don’t like it, you can break the negotiation.”

“Ugh…”

When Lorenzo forced him to choose between ‘war or surrender,’ Juan groaned and closed his mouth. Myung-hoe Han joined the conversation as he watched Juan grinding his teeth.

“When I came to Italy, I saw that even though it was a Papal territory, tyrants had taken their place in each region. The church is run through donations from believers anyway, so why insist on a Papal territory?”

“That’s…”

“His Majesty the Great Taehyang once said, ‘To Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God.’ Didn’t the dogma preach, ‘To God what is God’s.’ How can those who are called to save sentient beings give up worldly worldly desires? “Can’t you?”

“……..”

Juan kept his mouth shut at Han Myeong-hoe’s point. Although the scent had already been removed once, this was the most painful and delicate part of the Vatican. After two days of squirrel-like negotiations, King Juan Alexander VI and the Vatican gave in.

“In return, the safety of Rome and the Vatican has been secured. I guess I’ll be satisfied with this.”

With these words, Alexander VI surrendered. But this wasn’t the end.

“Since we’ve come this far, I’d like to hear a definitive answer on this as well.”

What Han Myeong-hoe requested an answer to was the ‘issue of rituals for ancestors.’

“In the main and northern regions of the empire, as well as in the new region, ancestral rites are very important. If you want to spread your faith, I hope you will give an answer to this question. Right here and now!”