The reason for Heo Hu’s smirk was that the licensing fee issue was a trap deliberately set for negotiations.
Having fallen into this trap, Norihiro and the Japanese envoys became fixated solely on the licensing fees.
“I wonder when they’ll realize that simply passing over the steel and powder aspects was their worst mistake?”
Contrary to Heo Hu’s mockery, Norihiro and the envoys had no choice.
The technology for matching the steel quality remained far beyond Japan’s capabilities, and they couldn’t produce primer powder at all. Particularly for the primer powder, they had to accept whatever price was demanded as there were no alternatives.
Given this background, Norihiro and the Japanese envoys persistently haggled over the licensing fees, which seemed to be the only negotiable aspect.
With both sides aware of these circumstances, after some back-and-forth, they agreed to reduce the fees to one Imperial silver tael per Eulshik firearm and seven Imperial silver taels per Eulshik artillery piece.
“I am truly grateful, my lord! Not only I but the Shogun himself will never forget this kindness!”
As Norihiro expressed his gratitude with a deep bow, Heo Hu waved his hand dismissively and replied, “I did little! This is all thanks to His Majesty’s desire to maintain continued trust between the Empire and Japan!”
“I, Norihiro, shall never forget His Majesty’s grace!”
After concluding the negotiations with Japan, Heo Hu massaged his stiff neck and wore an expression full of mixed emotions.
“Heh. At first, I disliked doing this…”
Initially, Kim Jeom, Park Jong-wu, and Ministry of Finance officials exclusively handled foreign weapons sales.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs merely received foreign envoys and relayed information to Kim Jeom and Park Jong-wu.
This led to growing discontent within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“It makes no sense for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be excluded from inter-state transactions!”
Finally, right after Mehmet II and Henry’s party departed, Heo Hu stepped forward to argue that his ministry should handle such matters.
“What should we do?”
To Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom immediately replied, “The Foreign Minister’s argument is reasonable. As this involves interstate relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should handle it. The only concern is their unfamiliarity with such transactions…”
After a brief pause, Kim Jeom continued with a slight smile, “That issue can be easily resolved with assistance from the Ministry of Finance.”
Seeing the smile on Kim Jeom’s face as he answered, both Hyang and Hwang Hui broke into cold sweats.
This man is angry!
The Ministry of Finance officials shared similar sentiments.
“We did all the hard work, and they’re trying to steal our rice bowl?”
“Oh yeah? We’ll show these bastards how it’s done!”
The united Ministry of Finance officials proceeded to show their Foreign Affairs counterparts what it meant to be a “wicked sister-in-law.”
“What? You want to reveal everything? Why?”
“To build trust between nations…”
“Save that for your wife!”
“They say it’s expensive and want to negotiate a lower price for future dealings? Hey! Which country’s official are you?”
“Damn it! It’s not lying, just not telling everything! Don’t you know the difference between omission and deception?!”
As they were harassed by Finance officials, Foreign Affairs officials complained:
“Are we officials or merchants…”
“Why do we have to take abuse from Finance department guys…”
“These idiots don’t even know the first thing about diplomacy…”
Heo Hu felt similarly.
“I don’t know if I’m this Empire’s Foreign Minister, a market broker, or a con artist.”
Kim Jeom responded with an expression suggesting it was no big deal, “What’s wrong with being a broker when Imperial interests are at stake? And about being a con artist… I swear we’ve never told lies. Of course, we haven’t told the whole truth either.”
“Considering the trust between nations…”
“As I said, we never lied. We just didn’t reveal everything.”
“But…”
When Heo Hu tried to argue further, Kim Jeom exploded, “Did I do this for personal gain? It’s for national interest! What’s wrong with being a broker or con artist if it’s for the Empire’s security and benefit?”
“Still…”
“Have you forgotten about former Minister Han-jae? He even skipped meals to feign illness to deceive Ming’s emperor! What have you learned? I heard Han-jae said something to you and the Foreign Affairs officials before his death! What was it?”
At Kim Jeom’s questioning, Heo Hu stammered his reply, “‘Those responsible for diplomacy must wear a thousand masks if necessary to protect national dignity and interests.'”
“You know this yet still say such things!”
Though they grumbled while doing the work, before long, Foreign Affairs officials became adept at fleecing foreign envoys.
However, psychological resistance remained. Thus, when Japanese envoys departed, Foreign Affairs officials gathered at a gisaeng house to drink.
“Finally, it’s over!”
“No more playing broker!”
“Even hearing the word ‘firearm’ made me sick, but now that’s done too!”
“Is it really?”
At the sudden question, Foreign Affairs officials looked for who had spoken.
“What’s the problem!”
“Why kill the mood when we’re just getting started!”
Despite their colleagues’ complaints, the official who raised the question filled his cup with a gloomy expression.
“Have you forgotten? There’s still one left.”
“Huh? Who’s left?”
“Portugal.”
As soon as ‘Portugal’ was mentioned, all nearby Foreign Affairs officials threw down their cups and cursed.
“Oh shit!”
Similar scenes were unfolding at the Lisbon court in Portugal.
The Duke of Coimbra, Pedro, who had stepped down as regent last year to become the kingdom’s prime minister, thundered through the great hall.
“Duke of Viseu! What nonsense is this! Do you truly believe the conditions demanded by Joseon—no, the Great Han Federal Empire—are reasonable?”
Despite Pedro’s rebuke, Henry persisted in his persuasion.
“But considering the performance of the firearms the Empire offers…”
“Forget about the guns! How can you suggest abandoning national interests for mere weapons!”
“Haven’t you seen their performance!”
Upon returning to Portugal, Henry had presented twenty Eulshik firearms and two Eulshik artillery pieces gifted by Joseon to Alfonso V.
During the demonstration of these weapons, Alfonso V, Pedro, and Portuguese nobles were amazed by their overwhelming performance.
“If we arm our soldiers with these weapons, we can resolve the stagnant war situation!”
At this time, the African front could be described in one word: ‘stalemate.’
Like Portugal, Spain and the Mamluks also deployed combinations of gunners and pikemen in battle.
With similar weapons and forces clashing, the battlefield situation had devolved into tedious back-and-forth exchanges.
However, the Empire’s new weapons seemed capable of instantly resolving this situation.
The breech-loading firearms, which didn’t require standing to reload, eliminated the need for pikemen’s protection and would clearly increase gunners’ survival rates significantly.
It wasn’t just about survival rates. Eliminating the need for heavily armored pikemen carrying long, heavy pikes would dramatically increase the gunners’ mobility while enabling various tactical options.
Conversely, the Eulshik artillery was optimal for delivering devastating blows to densely packed enemies.
Consequently, Pedro and other Portuguese nobles and officials began calling for immediate large-scale imports of Imperial weapons.
However, this atmosphere reversed when Henry returned to court and revealed the Empire’s conditions.
“Yes! I acknowledge their performance! But aren’t the Empire’s conditions too much? Demanding four-tenths? How is this different from theft!”
Despite Pedro’s criticism, Henry continued his persuasion.
“If we only think about the war, Prime Minister, your words are correct! But consider the post-war situation! Whether laying railways or digging canals, we absolutely need the Empire’s help! And that’s not all! Think about the Ottomans! We may be allies now, but to maintain good relations after the war, we need the Empire!”
At Henry’s words, Pedro fell silent, while nobles and officials split into opposing camps and began arguing.
Finally, as the commotion grew, Pedro addressed Alfonso V.
“Your Majesty, given the gravity of this matter, I believe we need more time for careful consideration and decision. Might I suggest giving the ministers and nobles time to think?”
Alfonso V, still showing traces of youth, immediately nodded at Pedro’s words.
“Y-yes, let’s do that.”
Having obtained Alfonso V’s permission, Pedro commanded the nobles and officials gathered in the great hall.
“Let us adjourn for today and reconvene tomorrow. Consider this matter carefully until then. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.”
At Pedro’s order, the nobles and officials paid their respects to Alfonso V and his consort before leaving the great hall.
After all nobles and officials, including Henry, had left, Alfonso V questioned Pedro.
“Prime Minister, I have something to ask.”
“Please speak, Your Majesty.”
“You seemed to show little opposition to the Empire’s proposed ‘company.’ Is there a reason?”
Pedro immediately answered Alfonso V’s question.
“It’s because of our post-war relationship with the Ottomans, as Duke Viseu mentioned. If Portugal, Florence, and the Ottomans become directly involved without a company, conflicts will inevitably arise. And if these conflicts escalate to military confrontation, the Ottomans would have the advantage. However, if a company is established and we receive profit shares through it, we can check the Ottomans while securing substantial permanent gains.”
“Ah…”
Alfonso V nodded at Pedro’s explanation. However, Pedro’s expression remained troubled.
“That’s what worries me. An Empire capable of such thinking is frightening.”
“Then shouldn’t we reject the Empire’s proposal? Ah! Is it because of the Ottomans?”
“Yes. Ultimately, our best option is to moderately reduce the Empire’s share and take it for ourselves.”
The problem is that to do so, we must beg the Empire. Whatever the outcome, the Empire has nothing to lose. That’s why the Empire is even more frightening.
Pedro couldn’t bring himself to voice these final thoughts.
Meanwhile, in Florence.
Hearing Giovanni’s report, Cosimo burst into laughter with a defeated expression.
“Hahaha! I thought no merchant could match Cosimo de’ Medici, but how arrogant I was!”
“Pardon?”
“They got us good, they really got us good! Hahaha!”
After this outburst, Cosimo ordered Giovanni with a satisfied expression.
“Return to the Empire immediately and negotiate. Tell them Florence will actively cooperate with the Empire, but ask them to reduce their share to thirty-five hundredths and secure the remaining five hundredths for us. In secret, of course.”
“What?”
Cosimo continued with a more detailed explanation.
“Though we provided Portugal with war funds and mercenaries, looking at the big picture, it’s difficult for us to claim a large share compared to the Ottomans and Portugal. They’re the ones who fought the war directly. Therefore, thinking about the future, you understand that the Empire’s proposed company is more advantageous for us, right?”
“Yes.”
Giovanni nodded at Cosimo’s words. After wetting his throat with wine, Cosimo continued.
“The biggest issue is that Mehmet II accepted the Empire’s proposal. The fact that the most likely next Sultan accepted means the remaining six-tenths must be divided among three parties. In that case, no matter how hard we try, it would be difficult to secure more than one-tenth. However, if we can secure at least fifteen hundredths for ourselves, we can extract maximum profit between the Empire, Ottomans, and Portugal.”
“Ah!”
Having heard Cosimo’s explanation, Giovanni immediately stood up.
“I shall depart as soon as preparations are complete!”