Black Corporation: Joseon

“The Ottomans?”

“The Ottomans.”

Rather than anger, Henry felt curiosity at Cosimo’s response.

“Listen here. Have you forgotten my title?”

“I know it well. You’re the Grand Master of the Order of Christ.”

“Then surely you know how my homeland, the Kingdom of Portugal, came to be?”

“I know that as well. Through the Reconquista…”

“Reconquista.”

“Ah! My apologies. Through the Reconquista, reclaiming the Iberian Peninsula.”

Henry’s correction prompted Cosimo to amend his statement, while he muttered internally.

Reconquista or Reconquista… what’s the difference…

Seeing Cosimo’s response, Henry’s expression grew even more incredulous as he pressed further.

“And yet you suggest we join hands with the Ottoman?”

Leaning back deeply in his chair, Cosimo responded with his own question.

“Can Portugal acquire that region alone?”

“…”

Henry’s mouth snapped shut at Cosimo’s question. Observing Henry’s silence, Cosimo began pointing out the harsh realities one by one.

“Even if Portugal manages to acquire the region alone, what then? Not only the Mamluks but also the Ottoman will keep coming for that territory – are you confident you can defend it? How will you maintain the defensive forces, and how will you secure the war funds? Do you plan to make it another Ceuta?”

Searching for answers to Cosimo’s questions, Henry stammered out a response.

“If we organize a crusade for troops…”

“Then you won’t be able to secure much of the railway rights, will you? Even setting aside the troops, what about the war funds?”

“If the Grand Duke would invest more…”

At Henry’s words, Cosimo pulled out a gold coin from the purse at his waist and replied.

“We merchants are the kind who would risk our lives, and in extreme cases even our souls, for the profit of just one gold coin like this. And I am a renowned merchant. Do you know what someone of my caliber cares about most? Distinguishing between investment and speculation. And what you’re suggesting, Duke, is neither investment nor speculation – it’s merely a delusion.”

“I’ll seek Joseon’s cooperation instead! Anything but Islam!”

Cosimo shook his head at Henry’s desperate words.

“Unrealistic. I’m not convinced that Joseon’s capabilities are as remarkable as the rumors and you claim.”

“Joseon is powerful!”

“Then why has such a powerful nation remained idle until now? Have you considered that Joseon might have already calculated the profits and losses and determined there’s no benefit?”

“…”

Henry’s mouth closed again at Cosimo’s pointed observation.

Cosimo’s observations were the cold reality. Even now, Joseon was taking sufficient profits. In such a situation, if he were Joseon’s monarch, there would be absolutely no reason to embark on such an adventure.

Cosimo continued pointing out the harsh reality.

“With Portugal’s capabilities alone, your dream can never be realized. It will only repeat the ‘Tragedy of Tangier.'”

“Kugh!”

Henry gritted his teeth at Cosimo’s observation. Though frustrating, he had no material to properly refute Cosimo’s words. As for organizing a crusade, there was neither justification nor timing. The Holy Roman Empire, Poland, and Albania had already moved to support Hungary, Serbia, and Karaman forces fighting against the Ottoman in the Balkans.

Wait!

While analyzing the overall situation, Henry found material to counter with.

Having found his counterargument, Henry looked at Cosimo with a knowing smile.

“I’ve heard… that crusaders are mobilizing to fight the Ottoman in the Balkans. In such a situation, do you think it’s possible for Portugal to join hands with the Ottoman?”

Cosimo replied with a relaxed expression to Henry’s observation.

“I don’t see why not.”

“Huh?”

At this unexpected answer, Henry momentarily experienced cognitive dissonance. Seeing Henry’s confused expression, Cosimo smirked and continued.

“Heh! The current conflict in the Balkans is due to the Thessalonica region. To be precise, it started because the Ottoman ruler began expanding from Thessalonica. Therefore, if Ottoman ruler Murad II abandons his northward expansion, the primary justification disappears. And the Holy Roman Emperor, who leads the crusaders, owes me quite a bit. So in such a situation?”

“Damn it!”

Though Cosimo shortened his explanation, Henry recognized the situation and immediately cursed.

***

No monarch in Western Europe was free of debt to the House of Medici. During this period, European monarchs and nobles had almost no concept of finance. Rather, they believed that the more lavish they were, the more authority they gained, and thus pursued ever greater extravagance. Naturally, this led to overspending, and they had no choice but to borrow lacking funds from great merchants like the Medici.

And in return, all sorts of privileges were granted to these merchants.

In such circumstances, when someone like Medici intervened, even wars against infidels had to stop.

After all, no war, however noble its cause, could be waged without money.

***

Though he cursed, Henry didn’t immediately back down.

“Do you think Murad II will listen?”

“Money, and lots of it steadily flowing in, versus northward expansion where he’d have to share with nobles even if he succeeds – which would you choose if you were the Duke?”

“…”

After repeatedly trying to counter but continually finding himself at dead ends, Henry finally raised the white flag.

“I know that’s the best path too. But convincing the parliament is the problem. They won’t welcome joining hands with Islam.”

“That’s just a matter of offering appropriate carrots.”

“Carrots?”

“There are things that could serve as justification, aren’t there? Jerusalem, for example.”

“Jerusalem? Isn’t Jerusalem under Mamluk control?”

“Have you forgotten that the Ottoman must pass through Jerusalem to acquire the region you want?”

“Even so, would the Ottoman hand over Jerusalem after acquiring it?”

“What’s needed is the right for Christians to safely make pilgrimages to the holy city and for the Order of Christ, Order of Santiago, and Order of Avis to maintain a presence to protect the pilgrims. I think that would be sufficient?”

“Hmm…”

At Cosimo’s words, Henry stroked his beard thoughtfully.

The Order of Christ, successor to the Knights Templar, was nominally a knightly order under papal command. If the Order of Christ could establish itself in Jerusalem, the papal court would likely support it. Especially Eugene IV, who needed political achievements, would certainly give his full support.

Of course, Eugene IV was also supporting the crusaders moving to the Balkans now, but the Balkans and Jerusalem were incomparable in terms of name value alone.

“Hmm… I still feel it’s insufficient to convince the regent.”

At Henry’s words, Cosimo smiled slightly and posed a question.

“Do you know what the Ottoman and Portugal have in common?”

“In common?”

“Both rulers are trying to suppress their nobles. And in this process, economic power is most crucial.”

“Ah…”

Nodding his head, Henry’s expression brightened considerably compared to before.

“Duke Pedro might accept that. But there are several problems. It will take considerable time, and the carrots you mentioned, starting with the Jerusalem issue, must be firmly guaranteed.”

“Honestly, it’s an issue that will take some time. It’s unrealistic to expect resolution in just a few days or months. But is that really a problem? When you make one trip to Joseon it takes almost a year – wouldn’t results be in by the time you make two or three more trips?”

Unconsciously nodding at Cosimo’s words, Henry demanded confirmation.

“But are you confident you can obtain such things from the Ottoman?”

At Henry’s question, the smile on Cosimo’s face deepened.

“Have you forgotten? I’m a merchant. What’s a merchant’s specialty? Bargaining. And I’m very good at bargaining.”

“That’s true…”

***

Watching Henry’s back as he left through the window, Cosimo turned to examine the map.

“If this succeeds, we can keep Europe’s economic center tied to the Mediterranean for at least 50 years.”

Studying the map, Cosimo analyzed the situation coldly.

The sudden appearance of Joseon, whose existence was unknown in the Middle East and Western Europe, had thrown Western Europe into shock and greed.

Joseon’s products – strange, splendid, and equipped with overwhelming practicality – had become items that couldn’t be bought enough of in Europe.

Naturally, those jumping into the routes to Joseon were not few.

Starting with Portugal and Spain, amateur France and rustic England joined the competition, resulting in large-scale colonies being established throughout Africa.

However, the colonies were secondary; the main objective remained the route to Joseon.

And as Portugal pioneered this route first, strange ideas began to emerge among countries falling behind in the competition.

-If the world is round as scholars say, couldn’t we reach Joseon by going west?

Such ideas were gradually gaining buoyancy and surfacing.

“This is dangerous.”

The first to recognize the danger signal was Cosimo de’ Medici.

Alexandria takes quite a bit, but the current situation benefits me most. My Florence and those damned Genoa and Venice almost completely dominate trade between Europe and the Mediterranean. But if a western route is discovered, we’re finished.

After explaining the situation, Cosimo ordered his merchant subordinates.

“Contact the cardinals and bishops connected to us and ask them to silence those speaking nonsense.”

“Understood. But…”

“But what?”

“Does a western route really exist?”

When one subordinate merchant expressed this doubt, the others nodded in agreement.

At his subordinates’ reaction, Cosimo’s expression turned fierce.

“What do you make of the information obtained from Joseon sailors in Alexandria?”

“…”

The merchant subordinates fell silent at Cosimo’s question. Looking at them, Cosimo muttered a small curse.

“These pathetic fools…”

***

As trade between Alexandria and Joseon became regular, interest in Joseon people staying in Alexandria had largely diluted. To Alexandria’s residents and merchants, Joseon people were now viewed simply as new neighbors.

However, Cosimo noticed something strange here.

“Hmm? This isn’t the captain from last time?”

To Cosimo’s question, Mansur responded respectfully.

“Yes, this is the new captain commanding this voyage.”

“What about the previous captain?”

“I heard he was assigned other duties.”

“Other duties? Then is this a different ship too?”

“That’s correct.”

“Hmm…”

Growing suspicious, Cosimo ordered his subordinates to keep watching the Joseon sailors coming to Alexandria.

As a result, Cosimo discovered surprising facts.

-The number of non-Joseon sailors is gradually increasing.

-Joseon is advancing further and further east!

“And yet no Joseon people have appeared from there?”

Analyzing the situation, Cosimo reached a conclusion.

“Then there are two possibilities. Either the eastern sea is wider than expected, or there’s an unknown new continent in between. Either way…”

Cosimo muttered with a grave expression.

“The moment Europe’s eyes turn west, the House of Medici is finished.”

***

Key historical terms and context:

– Reconquista: The historical period of Christian kingdoms reconquering the Iberian Peninsula from Islamic rule

– Order of Christ: Portuguese military order, successor to the Knights Templar

– Ceuta: Portuguese possession in North Africa

– Tangier: Reference to failed Portuguese expedition

– House of Medici: Powerful Italian banking family

– Murad II: Ottoman Sultan during this period

– Eugene IV: Pope during this period