In the end, Wan ordered a thorough analysis of the ‘Florentine rifle’ that Hyang had sent.

While he had accepted the opinion of the cautious faction symbolized by Lim Sun-wook, it was also because of Wan’s own authority as Emperor.

“Everyone knows well the Emperor Emeritus’s thoroughness. However, as they say, even the wise make mistakes. Since this matter greatly concerns the Empire’s future, it’s right to examine and consider it once more.”

“We receive your command!”

The ministers bowed their heads and answered Wan’s order. Even while bowing, the ministers glanced sideways at Shin Sukju.

Already marked by Wan once, Shin Sukju was bowing with a deathly pale face.

In the back alleys of Six Ministries Street, rumors about Shin Sukju were overflowing.

• -They say the Emperor and even the Crown Prince are targeting Shin Sukju!
• -The Board of Audit is already digging into Shin Sukju’s background, they say!

The rumors circulating among officials had somehow reached Shin Sukju’s ears. After that, Shin Sukju began working even more diligently and watching his step.

However, people were already distancing themselves from him.

Watching Shin Sukju, all the ministers clicked their tongues inwardly.

Tsk! He should have kept himself in check!

He should have stopped when he was bickering with the Finance Minister!

***

While Shin Sukju desperately worked to recover from his mistake, Area 51 meticulously analyzed the Florentine rifle.

The firearms craftsmen of Area 51 burned with enthusiasm. Since Hyang went to New Frontier, as firearms made in Area 51 were increasingly adopted as standard issue, their competitive spirit had grown even stronger.

After diligently disassembling, testing, and analyzing the Florentine rifle, the craftsmen all looked at it with ambiguous expressions.

“As expected of the Emperor Emeritus…”

“It seems well-made but it’s truly an ambiguously poor rifle.”

While the original Mosin-Nagant developers would have been unable to hide their frustration at such words, the craftsmen were sincere.

The firearms Hyang had added his touch to were basically excellent originals enhanced with ergonomics.

Therefore, the Florentine rifle, stubbornly designed true to the original with added inconveniences, could only be seen as an “ambiguously poor piece.”

“But it’s far superior to the Type B.”

“That’s what makes it scarier.”

“Anyway, write up the report and submit it.”

A few days later, a report was submitted to Wan through Crown Prince Hyeon.

Hyeon and the ministers who had reviewed the report beforehand all wore ambiguous expressions.

“Why those expressions?”

“You’ll understand when you see the report.”

“Hmm…”

At Hyeon’s answer, Wan stopped questioning and opened the report.

The report’s contents could be summarized as follows:

• -The Florentine rifle’s accuracy is inferior to the Type C rifle. However, it’s not significantly inferior.
• -The weight is actually slightly lighter for the Florentine rifle. But again, it’s not significantly lighter.
• -The steel materials composing the rifle’s barrel and mechanism are one grade lower than those used in the Imperial Army’s rifles, pistols, and artillery vehicles.
• -Both the barrel thickness and bolt thickness are slightly thinner than the Imperial Army’s.
• -Therefore, the Florentine rifle’s durability barely meets the Imperial Army’s requirements at best.
• -Testing with the latest European steel materials obtained by Area 51, manufactured to specifications, confirmed they cannot guarantee proper performance.
• -Its advantage over the Type C rifle is its simple structure. Even countries with lower technical levels compared to the Empire can produce it.

“Well now…”

After reading the entire report, Wan wore an incredulous expression.

He had already confirmed this through actual firing tests and knew the content from Hyang’s documents. However, a report written and submitted by experts carried different weight.

“Hmm…”

After examining the report once more, Wan looked at Lim Sun-wook.

“Finance Minister. Let me ask you.”

“Please inquire.”

“Can the Florentine rifle resolve your concerns?”

After briefly organizing his thoughts at Wan’s question, Lim Sun-wook bowed his head again and answered.

“If we don’t sell the Type A armored vehicles at all, and they purchase all artillery vehicles and cannons from the Empire, then it seems acceptable to hand over the Florentine rifle. Also, we should make it an optional condition that while we provide the technology, tools, and blueprints, they purchase materials from the Empire.”

“Optional?”

“If we force it from the start, it will feel like coercion, but once they make them themselves and realize they can’t match the Empire’s quality, they’ll come seeking them on their own.”

“I see.”

Nodding at Lim Sun-wook’s words, Wan turned to Shin Sukju.

“Foreign Minister.”

The moment Wan called, Shin Sukju immediately bowed and answered.

“Yes, Your Majesty! I will certainly conclude negotiations according to the conditions the Finance Minister stated!”

At Shin Sukju’s answer, Wan responded in an emotionless voice.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

“I will certainly make it happen!”

This occurred while Giovanni was causing a commotion.

***

“The Foreign Minister said he would like to see you tomorrow at 2:30 PM.”

Giovanni, who had been anxiously waiting for an answer at the Medici residence in Seoul, brightened at the Foreign Ministry official’s message.

“I’ll definitely be there at that time!”

“Understood. Then.”

The next day, Giovanni visited the Foreign Ministry at the appointed time. Led by an official to the Foreign Minister’s office, Giovanni immediately greeted Shin Sukju upon seeing him.

“It’s been a while, Minister.”

“It has been a while. This way.”

After offering Giovanni a seat, Shin Sukju sat across from him.

“So, has His Majesty made a decision?”

“His Majesty has made great concessions for Florence, the Empire’s good neighbor.”

“Then!”

At Shin Sukju’s answer, Giovanni’s face brightened. Seeing Giovanni’s expression, Shin Sukju continued.

“He has permitted the dispatch of an instructor corps to train Florence’s army. They will be dispatched as soon as Florence is ready.”

“I’m truly grateful for His Imperial Majesty’s bold decision!”

After expressing gratitude for Wan’s decision, Giovanni soon moved on.

“But how was the decision made regarding weapons?”

After pausing briefly, Shin Sukju stated the requirements.

“There are several conditions. Artillery vehicles and cannons must be purchased from the Empire without exception. Ammunition for the vehicles and rifles must be purchased from the Empire.”

“Hmm…”

At Shin Sukju’s words, Giovanni fell into serious thought. After calculating various things internally, Giovanni soon nodded.

“I’ll accept.”

This much was expected.

***

Before coming to Seoul, Giovanni had debated with working-level staff in Florence about what conditions the Empire might impose.

Among the outcomes were the conditions Shin Sukju had just mentioned.

And the answer to these conditions was “accept.”

-With Florence’s current steel facilities and technology, we cannot make cannons with the same performance as the Empire’s.

• -Similarly, with Florence’s production facilities and capabilities, mass-producing ammunition is impossible.
• -Therefore, if the Empire presents the above conditions, we have no choice but to accept.
• -In exchange for accepting these conditions, we must obtain permission to produce rifles. Starting with rifles, we’ll catch up to the Empire.

This was the conclusion from that discussion, and he had come to Seoul with Cosimo’s approval.

***

“I’ll accept the conditions presented by the Empire. However, we also have conditions. We want to directly produce and supply the rifles used by the Imperial Army in our Florence.”

“Hmm…”

At Giovanni’s request, Shin Sukju fell silent. As Shin Sukju’s silence lengthened, Giovanni added more.

“The Empire and Florence are good neighbors sharing interests. If there’s giving, shouldn’t there also be receiving? At least rifles should be made directly by our Florence.”

Giovanni emphasized the legitimacy of his demand. After maintaining silence a bit longer, Shin Sukju leisurely spoke.

“We’re already aware of that part through your previous request. However, it’s impossible to permit production of the Type C rifle our military uses.”

“Minister!”

“It’s not only a matter related to the Empire’s security, but also Florence’s problem. Our Empire judges that mass-producing Type C rifles with Florentine craftsmen’s skills is impossible.”

“Well, couldn’t the Empire send craftsmen to teach?”

Since this part was also anticipated, Giovanni immediately presented an alternative.

“The Empire doesn’t carelessly send out craftsmen. Instead…”

Pausing briefly, Shin Sukju wet his throat with black bean tea. At Shin Sukju’s leisurely behavior, Giovanni desperately suppressed his rising anger.

“Phew…”

After letting out a small sigh, Shin Sukju continued.

“Instead, we’ve made rifles that Florence can manufacture and use. We call them ‘Florentine rifles.'”

“Florentine rifles?”

“Is there a soldier familiar with rifles in your party?”

“There is.”

“Then let’s meet at Imperial Army Command tomorrow. The time is…”

***

The next day, Giovanni visited the command with his party.

The soldier who greeted Giovanni’s party at the entrance led them to the firing range.

“These are the Florentine rifles.”

Seeing the rifles placed before him, Giovanni turned to the officer who had come with him.

Receiving the unspoken command, the officer headed to where the rifles were placed with the soldiers.

After hearing how to handle them through an interpreter, the officers and soldiers loaded five rounds into the Florentine rifles and pulled the triggers toward the targets.

“Excellent!”

After finishing the test, the officer reported to Giovanni with a highly excited face.

Though they stumbled a bit at first, after ten rounds the soldiers became familiar and demonstrated incredible rapid fire.

“Much superior rate of fire compared to the Type B rifle! A truly wonderful rifle!”

At the officer’s report, Giovanni’s expression became peculiar. As far as he knew, the Type C rifle’s greatest advantage was being able to fire five rounds continuously.

In a situation of numerical inferiority, qualitative superiority was essential to seize victory, which was why they had requested Type C rifles.

But they made rifles with the same performance as Type C rifles separately for us? Only saints show favor without price, and these Empire bastards are closer to Satan than saints. Why exactly?

Giovanni couldn’t hide his ominous feeling.

Eventually, Giovanni confronted them directly.

“Why did the Empire make dedicated rifles for us?”

“Because Florentine craftsmen’s skills can’t properly make Type C rifles. These Florentine rifles…”

After hearing the Florentine rifle’s characteristics, Giovanni felt even more puzzled and confronted them again.

“Why such favor from the Empire? Receiving such favor feels too unfamiliar.”

At Giovanni’s words, Shin Sukju smiled and answered.

“A big game is certainly about to unfold, and the Empire doesn’t want to bet money on the losing side.”

“Ah…”

At Shin Sukju’s answer, Giovanni instead looked relieved as if a troublesome tooth had been pulled.

Right! This is what these Empire bastards are like!