After watching the demonstration and returning to their lodgings, Henry’s group gathered again in the main room.

“Hmm…”

Looking at the three Eulshik rifles, six first-generation rounds, and three second-generation rounds laid out on the desk, Henry’s group wore troubled expressions.

“Hmm… this is quite…”

Unable to decide where to begin, Henry kept stammering, while Giovanni continued examining the Eulshik rifle’s mechanism and fiddling with the first-generation gunpowder.

Meanwhile, Mehmet II stood with folded arms, silently staring at the Eulshik rifle.

During this, Giovanni examined the first-generation cartridge more closely. The body was made of oiled paper, with a copper base plate. The mouth was tightly bound with thread.

Giovanni lightly poured tea over the paper cartridge. Watching the tea run off without being absorbed, he nodded.

“This could withstand moderate rain in battle…”

It was well known that gunpowder weapons became useless in the rain. But with this level of moisture resistance, many options became available.

Nodding, Giovanni gripped the first-generation round and twisted it.

Rip!

“What kind of damn paper…”

Giovanni involuntarily cursed at the unexpectedly tough paper. He was unaware of Joseon paper’s famous durability.

Anyway, after tearing open the paper cartridge, Giovanni examined its contents.

“The gunpowder’s similar, but the rest…”

Examining the contents, Giovanni fixed his gaze on the bullet and copper base plate.

“The bullet aside, this copper plate interests me…”

While examining the copper base plate, Giovanni confirmed the presence of a primer in the center. Flipping over the copper plate, he drew his dagger and positioned its tip on the circular section in the center.

“What are you—”

Before Henry could finish speaking, Giovanni struck the dagger’s pommel with its sheath.

Bang!

A loud explosion erupted from the copper plate, causing everyone nearby to leap up in shock.

“As I thought…”

Sniffing at the copper plate still emitting thin smoke, Giovanni nodded with an expression suggesting he’d expected this.

“What in the world did you do? Please explain!”

To Henry’s words, Giovanni immediately responded.

“This is why Joseon was so confident. This round, or rather, the substance inside this copper plate is the key. This substance is what enables those Joseon rifles to achieve rapid fire.”

At Giovanni’s explanation, Mehmet II posed a question.

“Given the explosion, it looks like gunpowder, so why call it a ‘substance’?”

“It doesn’t smell like the gunpowder we know. No, there’s a slight similarity, but it’s very different.”

At Giovanni’s words, Henry gestured to his military officer nearby. Seeing Henry’s gesture, the officer approached Giovanni and politely extended his hand.

After receiving the copper plate from Giovanni and confirming its smell, the officer immediately reported to Henry.

“He’s certainly correct.”

At the officer’s response, Henry immediately asked Giovanni.

“Can we make it?”

“Impossible without knowing the manufacturing method.”

At Giovanni’s answer, Henry’s face grew troubled.

“Should we meet those stubborn monks again?”

“Stubborn monks?”

“The monastics, I mean.”

At Henry’s words, Mehmet II shook his head.

“Even if we meet them, we won’t get what we want.”

“Why not?”

“If it could be obtained through them, do you think the Joseon people would have given these to us as gifts? Don’t you know what kind of people they are? After all your dealings with them, you still don’t understand?”

At Mehmet II’s point, Henry and Giovanni’s faces crumpled. Kim Jeom’s face had suddenly come to mind.

“This is… quite the dilemma.”

Finally, Henry and Giovanni had to admit they were cornered.

***

The flintlock rifles from Florence had spread, knowingly or unknowingly, and were being manufactured and sold not only in Genoa but also in the northern Hanseatic cities.

And through the Holy Roman Empire and Spain, they were being passed on to the Mamluks as well.

Though they maintained the upper hand using combinations of musketeers and pikemen, the situation was slowly bleeding them dry.

In this situation, the combination of Joseon’s rifles and fire carts promised victory.

Particularly, none present could dispute that this was the perfect combination for facing Mamluk and Spanish cavalry in the open desert and plains.

***

While they finally understood they needed to purchase Joseon’s Eulshik rifles, the problem was Mehmet II who had thrown in his lot with them.

Especially troubling was Mehmet II’s mention of a “deal that would shock Joseon.”

Considering the division of interests in Suez, they would need to purchase almost the same quantity as Mehmet II.

The problem is money.

Funding is the issue. I wonder if the regent would agree.

As Henry and Giovanni worried about funding issues, they recalled something they’d forgotten.

Wait a minute? He’s not even Sultan yet, is he? Then how can he be so confident?

Though the Ottoman Empire is powerful, it’s not wealthy enough for a mere heir to the throne to make such claims?

Finally, Henry and Giovanni began leaning toward the conclusion that Mehmet II’s words were mere bluster.

“Governor, you mentioned a ‘deal that would shock Joseon,’ but what quantity are you expecting?”

“That’s a secret.”

At Mehmet II’s simple answer, Henry threw a direct question.

“How will you handle the payment?”

“That’s also secret. Just keep in mind that these weren’t words thrown around carelessly.”

“Hah…”

***

Two days later, the three men visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again.

As expected, that old man is here too.

Just seeing that old man’s face raises my blood pressure.

Henry and Giovanni had to suppress their internal frustration at seeing Kim Jeom sitting in the main seat with a relaxed expression to greet them.

“Welcome, gentlemen. Let’s start with a cup of tea first. The black beans in this recent batch of black bean tea are particularly excellent.”

Having thus taken control by offering black bean tea, Kim Jeom leisurely emptied his cup before speaking.

“Well, have you made your decisions?”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Mehmet II spoke first.

“I’ll purchase all fifty thousand rifles Joseon has offered and all first-generation ammunition. Also, one hundred fire carts with one million second-generation rounds, and one hundred scatter shot cannons with ten thousand shells.”

“Gasp!”

“What!”

Henry and Giovanni were shocked by Mehmet II’s order. Regardless, Mehmet II continued.

“Ah! If you can offer additional rifles, I’ll purchase those too.”

“My, my~”

Even the formidable Kim Jeom showed slight surprise at Mehmet II’s proposal.

“Hmm…”

Setting down his teacup and thinking briefly, Kim Jeom asked Mehmet II.

“The payment for such an enormous quantity must be equally enormous, how do you plan to pay?”

“I’ll pay over ten years after I become Sultan.”

“What!”

At Mehmet II’s answer, Henry and Giovanni wore incredulous expressions.

Similarly wearing a slightly incredulous expression, Kim Jeom asked.

“Are you suggesting such a large transaction, and between nations at that, should be done on credit?”

At Kim Jeom’s response, Mehmet II answered with an even more confident expression.

“Because it’s such a large transaction, and between nations, I believe it’s possible.”

“You think our country would conduct business on credit? Without any guarantees?”

As he spoke, Kim Jeom looked at Henry and Giovanni. Seeing Kim Jeom’s expression, Henry and Giovanni stepped forward to stop Mehmet II.

“Governor! This is no place for bravado!”

“Let’s think about this rationally!”

However, Mehmet II continued speaking without acknowledging the two men’s persuasion.

“Of course, I’m not suggesting unconditional credit. I’ll offer collateral.”

“Collateral?”

“I’ll put up the Ottoman Empire’s share in the Suez region as collateral.”

At Mehmet II’s words, Henry and Giovanni’s faces hardened.

This guy! He’s gambling!

This isn’t just aimed at Suez—it’s a gamble targeting the entire Ottoman Empire!

“Hmm…”

At Mehmet II’s proposal, Kim Jeom fell into serious thought. Then, Heo Hu, sitting beside him, challenged Mehmet II in Kim Jeom’s place.

“We understand that in your country, when the monarch dies, whoever wins the competition among heirs becomes the next monarch. If you lose that competition, wouldn’t all promises between you and our country become meaningless?”

To Heo Hu’s point, Mehmet II answered with a smile.

“If that’s your concern, wouldn’t selling me more weapons be the solution?”

At Mehmet II’s answer, Kim Jeom, who had been silent, reached a conclusion.

“It’s quite an interesting proposal. However, I believe this requires His Majesty’s approval. Therefore, we cannot make an immediate decision, but we will contact you later.”

“I look forward to the Emperor making a wise decision.”

After the consultation ended and Henry’s group left, Kim Jeom broke into a small laugh.

“Hah! It’s been a while since I’ve been caught off guard! But this might work out exactly as His Majesty wishes.”

Heo Hu also nodded at Kim Jeom’s words.

When Hyang had heard the suggestion to ‘dig a canal at Suez,’ he had proposed to Sejong and the ministers.

“How about we put one foot in their game?”

***

Two days later, Henry’s group was invited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and again sat across from Kim Jeom.

“Has His Majesty reached a conclusion?”

At Mehmet II’s question, Kim Jeom nodded.

“Indeed. So I have a proposal for all of you.”

“A proposal?”

At the word ‘proposal,’ Henry and Giovanni’s ears perked up. With all three men’s attention focused, Kim Jeom conveyed Hyang’s proposal.

“His Majesty commanded me to convey this proposal.”

• Portugal, Florence, the Ottoman Empire, and the Great Han Federal Empire will establish a joint venture company.
• The company jointly established by the four countries will have full authority not only to construct the Suez Canal but also to manage the canal and its facilities, and collect passage fees.
• As the joint venture company exercises authority independently, the four countries will not exert influence on the company beyond receiving profit distributions according to their shares.
• If this proposal is accepted, the Empire will supply the weapons needed by Portugal, Florence, and the Ottoman Empire in the quantities they require.
• Additionally, the Empire will supply the materials and construction equipment needed for the future canal construction in the Suez region.
• Payment for the weapons will begin three years after completely securing the Suez region, and the Empire will accept either physical payment in gold and silver or shares in the joint venture company at half the calculated price.

“What do you think?”

The faces of the three men who heard Hyang’s proposal through Kim Jeom were filled with greed.

We can buy as many overwhelmingly superior weapons as we want? At half price?

And we don’t have to pay immediately but three years after completely controlling Suez!

However, Giovanni desperately maintained his rationality and asked Kim Jeom.

“It’s an excellent proposal, but what share does Joseon want in the joint venture company?”

“Forty percent.”

“What!”