Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 871

Episode 871: Generation Change (2)

The war of words over Lim Sun-wook and Han Myeong-hoe’s proposal continued for a long time, but in the end, Wan had no choice but to reach a conclusion.

“I really listened to your opinions carefully. “I cannot hide my joy because I can see in every word that you have worked hard for the well-being and strength of my empire and my empire.”

The ministers responded to Wan’s praise by bowing their heads.

“That is an undeserved compliment.”

“I simply fulfilled my duty as a subject.”

After softening the mood with praise, Wan shared his thoughts.

“Jim thinks that the opinions of the Minister of Finance and Economy and the opinions of the Minister of General Affairs both have advantages and disadvantages.”

To summarize Wan’s words, they were as follows.

-The Minister of Finance and Economy’s plan is sound, but it is difficult to get the timing right. If the timing of advance and retreat is not properly determined, the empire will have to prepare for more burden than necessary.

-The problem is that Italy and the empire are far away. Even if something happens in Italy, it takes a long time for Seoul to hear about it, and vice versa.

-The Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications’ plan is bold, but it can save time and money.

-However, there is a high possibility that the divided Europe will unite and oppose the empire.

-Because in the eyes of Europeans, our empire is pagan and alien. These are the people who suffered greatly due to the Mongol invasion. Why is there a saying ‘Tacho Gyeongsa’?

-If we look at the current situation of our empire, the Ming, Japan, and Mongolia are surrounding the Inland and Northern regions. Currently, they and our empire are friendly and in good relations with each other, but there is always a possibility that they will become enemies at any time. Increasing the number of enemies is not a good strategy.

“...But other than these two options, there is nothing good. So I thought why not combine the two.”

The strategy revealed by Wan was as follows.

-Establish an imperial embassy in Florence. Through this embassy, the situation in Italy is officially observed and reported to Seoul.

This way, those who want to intervene in Italy will be aware of the empire’s intervention and will bring out their hidden cards.

-Never show all your cards from the beginning. Only at Florence’s request will the empire move. In this way, the empire can gain justification and reduce those who doubt the empire as much as possible. You can also find European countries to join the Empire and Florence.

-If a situation arises where the empire must deploy military power, it will mobilize all available troops to Europe and fight in a short-term war.

-And when military power is deployed like this, the starting point is Shinji.

“Did you say Shinji?”

“exactly. “I’ve already discussed this with Jim and decided it was the best plan.”

At Wan’s answer, the eyes of all ministers, including Hwang Bo-in, turned to the Minister of National Defense and the Chief of Staff.

With the attention of the ministers focused, Jang Hang-seon and the Chief of Staff analyzed Wan’s proposal with serious expressions.

The two people exchanged opinions while whispering among themselves, nodding as if they had finally reached a conclusion, and then turned their heads to look at Wan and the other ministers.

“I think Shinji is the most suitable in the opinion of the minor gods.”

“Is it possible with Shinji’s capabilities?”

Jang Hang-seon immediately responded to Kim Jong-seo’s point.

“It’s not enough right now. However, this applies not only to Florence but also to anyone else who tries to intervene in Italy. “If the 10 or 15 years we expected have passed, and if we carefully cultivate Shinji’s naval power, there is a good chance.”

Shin Sook-ju listened to Jang Hang-seon’s words.

“Most European countries are already vaguely aware of Shinji’s existence. “Of course you won’t be on guard when work begins, right?”

“The whole of Europe will take defense in the direction of Shinji?”

“What happens if I refuse?”

“We will be forced to build roads and railways in the Messica region in the south.”

“I don’t think there’s any difference between the two?”

“There is a big difference. The first is that sufficient wages are paid and you can rest when you want. “The second time, there is no such thing.”

“Is there no option to return home?”

“If that was possible, why did they sink your ship?”

“....”

Eventually, Europeans came to work at the railway construction site in Jinpyeong.

“This is more important than people...”

But what Hyang saw as most important were the navigation logs and charts obtained from the expedition ship.

Through the voyage logs and charts, the empire’s charts of the Great East became more and more complete.

* * *

The Chief of Staff continued speaking.

“It is impossible for the Europeans to defend all their vast coasts and ports when we do not know where we will come.”

“That’s true, but...”

“And the Europeans know the habits of our people, so they won’t pay much attention to the new world.”

“The habits of our people?”

Not only Shin Sook-ju, but also other ministers paid attention to the Chief of Staff’s words this time.

“exactly. The habits of our people are very famous. ‘A little more profit’ and ‘A little faster’. Europeans probably judged it this way. ‘If the route from Shinji to Europe had been faster and more profitable than the route from Seoul to Europe via Suez, imperial ships would have already been coming and going. ‘I’m not doing it because it doesn’t make money.’ And you can clearly see this by looking at the behavior of Europeans. According to reports, the number of exploration ships approaching the New World has almost disappeared, but the number of exploration ships heading to the Southern New World, which was finally discovered not long ago, has increased significantly.”

As the Chief of Staff said, Australia was finally discovered not long ago.

“It was real!”

“let’s go!”

European explorers, excited by the discovery of the New World, sailed straight to Australia.

When explorers arrived in Australia, they followed the coastline, recorded it thoroughly, and dug inland.

It did not end with the discovery of Australia. On the way to Australia, while looking for a place to rest and resupply, numerous islands in the South Pacific were discovered.

* * *

“Thanks to the Southern New Continent, Europe’s attention is now focused south. “I calculated the future in 10 or 15 years based on the current national power of European countries, but I don’t know...”

The Chief of Staff trailed off, but the ministers could guess what he was going to say next.

‘Even after 10 or 15 years, Europe will not be able to handle the empire!’

Hwang Bo-in looked at the Chief of Staff with a bitter smile.

‘I thought he was a natural warrior, but it turned out to be a bad thing.’

The Chief of Staff’s vague remark was in case his prediction turned out to be wrong in the future.

‘You weren’t that confident! But what is this?’

Of course, neither he nor the Chief of Staff would be present until then, but being cursed in their presence was more painful.