Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 966: Everyone is a fanatic except me…. (3)

“That part is because he is not a monk…”

Juan was sweating and avoided answering, but Han Myeong-hoe pressed Juan even more.

“Because you’re not a monk? Well, that’s possible. But isn’t this Rome? It’s the holy capital of your religion! What’s the problem with you wandering around so much that as soon as you open the door and go out, the monks of your religion get kicked?”

“But it is a matter that will take a long time to decide right away…”

“Decades have passed since His Majesty Tae Sang-tae first asked, and we still need more time? Huh!”

Han Myeong-hoe snorted and gave an ultimatum.

“I’ll give you two days! If you refuse, not only European monks, but no Europeans will be able to set foot in the empire’s territory!”

“Two days…”

“I’ll say it again, if you open the door and go out, the streets will be overflowing with monks and the Pope’s residence is just around the corner! Just giving me two days is a mercy from His Majesty the Great Emperor!”

“…..All right.”

That was the end of the day’s negotiations.

* * *

That night, in the imperial lodgings provided in the annex of Cardinal Giovanni’s mansion, Han Myeong-hoe and Seong Sam-moon Shin Suk-ju were talking about today’s events.

“But, do you really need a confirmation from someone called the Pope?”

Seong Sam-moon, who raised a question, continued speaking.

“There are already quite a few people in the headquarters of the empire who believe in Islam, also known as Islamism. Isn’t Islam as popular and as eager to spread Islam as the Catholic religion that Europeans believe in? But isn’t there much noise caused by it? The imperial law already contains information about it. “There is a clause.”

The first laws of the empire clearly contained provisions related to religion.

-Empires can believe in any god they wish as long as they are loyal to the empire and the emperor, follow the laws of the empire, and do not cause harm to others.

And quite a few Muslims had already been living there since the end of the Goryeo Dynasty. However, since it was not causing any problems, Seong Sam-Moon saw it as excessive and pointed it out. Han Myeong-hoe shook his head lightly in response to Seong Sam-moon’s comment.

“The saints are similar, but there is a big difference between Islam and Catholicism. Islam does not have a pope, but Catholicism does have a pope, right? There will certainly be people who will honor the pope more than the empire and the emperor and risk their lives to follow him.”

Han Myeong-hoe, who lightly quenched his thirst with a cup filled with black bean tea, continued speaking.

“Even now, the number of people in the empire who believe in Catholicism, knowingly or unknowingly, is gradually increasing. The issue of ancestral rites is not limited to simple rites. Through this, the Pope must be subdued. It must be clearly revealed that His Majesty the Emperor and the laws of the Empire are superior to the Pope, so that East Ti will be able to do so later. It will not happen. We must not forget how the monks who believed in Buddha created the country in the previous dynasty.”

“I see…”

Seong Sam-moon and Shin Suk-ju nodded at Han Myeong-hoe’s explanation. Although several generations had passed since the founding of Joseon, the ruling class in Joseon was showing a rejection that bordered on paranoia when it came to religion. And there were other reasons as well.

“…And there is another reason. To increase the number of people.”

“Ah…”

“Is this finally the beginning…”

At Han Myeong-hoe’s words, Seong Sam-moon and Shin Sook-ju’s faces became more serious.

* * *

The urgent problem that the empire had to solve first was ‘population’. In the meantime, it was an empire that promoted a policy of encouraging fertility with compensation that was worthy of the word ‘unconventional’ and actively absorbed the indigenous people of the new land. Thanks to this, the empire’s population recently exceeded 30 million. However, imperial officials were not very pleased.

“It has increased significantly, but if you think about the size of the entire empire…”

“There is no need to go all the way. If we live together like the main site, it will be fortunate if it only fills 1/5 of the new site.”

This was also the case with scent.

“If we compare it to the 21st century, it means that the number has exceeded 100 million. There is a saying, ‘If the population exceeds 100 million, the economy will run only through domestic demand.’ But that is still not enough.”

In the end, the conclusion reached through discussions between successive emperors and officials was ‘acceptance from outside.’

“The question is… ‘Where?’”

The first place that came to mind was Ming and Wae. But just as it was the first thing that came to mind, it was also the first to be excluded.

-Ming people, or rather Chinese people, are ‘Chinese people’ whether they live in the Ming or elsewhere. It never blends together. The Japanese also show similar tendencies as the Ming people, although the intensity is weaker. Therefore, Ming and Wa were excluded first. Next, we gradually expanded the scope and predicted possibilities, but the results were not very good.

-Countries such as Daewue and Seomla also have problems. Just Buddhism. Considering the influence Buddhism has on the people of that country, it is absolutely impossible.

-Arab Muslims also have problems. This is because of Islamic law. Currently, the Muslims residing in the empire do not cause any major problems, but if their numbers increase, they will definitely cause trouble due to legal issues.

There are so many things to eat there! People from the empire who are serious about eating are sure to clash, especially with the local people!

-The five ghosts of Africa also have many problems. It takes too much time and manpower budget to educate people to the point where they can do basic math, such as following minimum communication and etiquette. Just ‘imperializing’ the indigenous people of Shinji would be enough, but doing it to even the five ghosts of Africa would not be enough. In addition, the imperialists’ perception of African ghosts is also a problem. It was while traveling to and from Alexandria that the imperial people truly learned about the Five Ghosts.

The problem is that most of the ghosts encountered there were slaves. Less than 10 years had passed since Sanobi completely disappeared, and it was an empire where people who committed serious crimes equivalent to treason still worked as government slaves. It was clear how the five ghosts, who had difficulty even communicating properly with the people of the empire, would be treated.

Of course, there were also nobles who achieved considerable achievements as free people in Italy and elsewhere. However, it was impossible for them to put down the wealth and status they had worked hard to build and raise it to an empire. In the end, after filtering and filtering, those who remained were Europeans.

-The Europeans that most imperialists came into contact with were wealthy merchants, scholars, outstanding craftsmen, and talented sailors. Thanks to this, he left a good impression on the people of the empire.

– Accustomed to following the law and following orders from officials.

-Many of the people are having a hard time due to the exploitation of the nobles. If they can afford to pay just the right amount of taxes, they will voluntarily emigrate.

-There are many craftsmen with good dexterity.

-As we can see from the example of the Swiss, we are well aware of the importance of trust. If the Empire treats them right, they will be absolutely loyal.

-Europeans have a lot of hostile relationships with each other. If civilians take advantage of the scheme of IJI, Europeans will watch each other and fight to be loyal to the empire.

“It’s good up to this point, but the problem is the religion they believe in.”

Most Europeans were Catholic, and the influence of priests and popes on them was absolute. That is why Han Myeong-hoe put so much pressure on Juan that he said it was excessive. This was because the future would become easier only if the authority of the Pope and the Church was broken. As a side note, this wasn’t a plan that Han Myeong-hoe came up with alone. As expected, my scent was behind it.

At that time, Han Myeong-hoe, who came out after finishing the meeting with Hyang, looked back at the closed door and muttered softly.

“This is why there is a rumor going around that ‘His Majesty Tae Sang-tae is behind all the conspiracies.’…”

Meanwhile, Hyang, who sent Han Myeong-hoe out, muttered while reviewing the plan.

“If this plan fails, we should at least give ginseng and eel to every newlywed couple in the empire… Or should we give them a 100-day vacation each…” * * *

Two

days later, Juan told Han Myeong-hoe about Alexander VI’s The answer has been delivered.

“The conclusion reached by the Pope and the Council of Cardinals was, ‘If family members gather together to honor their ancestors, we judge that it does not violate the law.’”

Han Myeong-hoe, who had already heard about it through Cardinal Giovanni, nodded lightly and answered.

“I am deeply moved by the fact that the answer to a problem that has been waiting for a long time has been decided. Bio expresses my gratitude on behalf of His Majesty Taesangwang. However, if possible, I would also like to receive an official document.”

At Han Myeong-hoe’s words, Juan gestured to the priest behind him. On the silver tray the priest brought was a document containing what Juan had said. The document was adorned with wax ribbons bearing the seals of Alexander VI and the cardinals.

Juan’s face was as stiff as ever as he handed over the tray containing the historic document to Han Myeong-hoe. This was because this document was the official document of surrender that the Pope had lost to secular power.

* * *

With Han Myeong-hoe receiving the Pope’s document, the issue of the Pope and the Papal States was settled. However, the participants of the meeting continued the meeting by staying in the conference hall of the Apostolic Palace. They had entered into a division of shares regarding Italy after today. It was the beginning of real negotiations.

“The Empire has no reason or intention to interfere in Italy’s internal affairs, but I think advice is possible. So, I would like to give you some advice. Would that be okay?”

“Of course! Of course it’s okay!”

Lorenzo answered the meeting’s question with a bright expression. However, the other leaders of the alliance responded with a shocked expression.

“it’s okay.”

“This is advice, so I will listen.”

‘shit! I’d like to tell you to go since I’ve done all my business!’

‘It is clear that if the Empire falls, the Kingdom of Naples will be established…’

‘It would be better for the Empire and Florentine people to establish it rather than the Neapolitan countrymen to establish it.’

This was the reason why they accepted Han Myeong-hoe’s proposal even though they looked hesitant. The one with the most power in this place was the Empire. It wasn’t just powerful, it was overwhelmingly powerful. The next most powerful was, surprisingly, the Kingdom of Naples.

Florence, which received direct support from the empire, was also powerful. However, if the Imperial Army was withdrawn, the Swiss Army would also be withdrawn, and Florence would be pushed behind the Kingdom of Naples. Because of this, Lorenzo actively kept pace with Han Myeong-hoe, and the tyrants of Milan, Genoa, and Venice had no choice but to be dragged around with a shocked expression on their faces.

“I am truly grateful that you said so. The Empire, looking at Italy’s pitiful situation, could not help but feel sorry. Now that the unification of Italy is just around the corner, we sincerely hope for the development of Italy, the Empire’s benign neighbor. I’m praying.”

Han Myeong-hoe, who had given a long introduction full of all kinds of fancy modifiers, cleared his throat for a moment and continued.

“The people gathered here are the leaders of cities and kingdoms who stepped up for the unification of Italy. In order for Italy and your cities to develop together…”

Later, he was evaluated as ‘except for the empire, they were all noble.’ The received meeting has begun.