At the French representative’s words that “only the Empire makes money,” all participants nodded.
Though meetings continued for days, the participants couldn’t reach a conclusion, their expressions distinctly unhappy.
The reason for their concern was precisely “the Empire.”
They had waged war to monopolize trade routes with the Empire.
Even while fighting and clashing over religious conflicts, goods from the Empire, also known as the “Country of Flowers,” sold steadily. When expensive luxury items slowed, mid-range products filled the gap, and whenever conflicts briefly subsided or small agreements were reached, luxury items immediately sold like hotcakes.
Therefore, the alliance that monopolized trade routes with the Empire stood to gain enormous profits.
***
The composition of these alliance member nations was truly exquisite.
The Ottoman Empire, which participated most actively despite suffering the heaviest losses, could claim the Middle East, Arab regions, and Eastern Europe as its market.
France could claim its homeland and the northern Holy Roman Empire—the region that would later become Germany—as its market.
Portugal claimed northern and eastern Africa and England as its market.
“Africa?”
When Portugal declared it would claim Africa as its market, except for Florence’s Cosimo, other participants expressed doubt.
Their common sense held that Africa was a poor, primitive land only suitable as a source of slaves.
However, Cosimo and Henry knew well this was only half the truth.
North African nations like Morocco and Algeria had surprisingly many wealthy people, and below them were many wealthy Islamic local magnates.
They made excellent markets.
As a rosy future approached with the monopolization of trade routes, the allied nations once again felt the Empire’s shadow.
***
“The biggest problem is that neither digging waterways nor laying rails can be done properly without borrowing the Empire’s hand.”
At the Florentine representative’s words, other representatives exhaled long sighs.
“Sigh~ That’s the problem. Isn’t this meeting going in circles because we have no solution to this issue?”
“Sigh~”
The Empire already earned enormous profits through trade. Then came the Empire’s demand for a 40% share in the merchant organization that would manage the trade routes.
This was not welcome to the allied nations.
-We shed the blood!
The allied nations had gone through all sorts of hardships to win the war. Even Cosimo de’ Medici supported mercenaries and provided enormous military funds.
But the Empire was an irritating presence that just sat back and made money selling weapons.
-Creating a joint merchant organization to invest capital and manage trade routes is the best idea.
-However, accepting the Empire into this organization is the worst idea.
Therefore, the allied nations agreed to achieve their goals without borrowing the Empire’s hand.
Even Mehmet II, who had sworn by Allah’s name and written a memorandum, agreed with this opinion.
Though Mehmet II had secured power by purchasing massive amounts of weapons at significantly discounted prices or on credit, and held the largest share among alliance members, he disliked keeping promises to the Empire.
In such circumstances, the other allies’ proposal to “exclude the Empire” was truly sweet.
-I wanted to keep my promise, but other allies reached a different conclusion.
-Therefore, regrettably, I cannot keep the promise to the Empire.
-However, as this is due to unavoidable circumstances, the purchase payment will be handled according to the conditions written in the memorandum.
Mehmet II planned to save on weapons purchase payments with such excuses.
“Though the specialized ammunition issue is somewhat regrettable, someone will surely solve it given more time. Once the specialized ammunition is solved, we won’t need to buy weapons from the Empire. Of course, the Empire will object, but they’ll have to accept it if they want to sell their goods.”
Though he joined the same boat as the allied nations while thinking of such alternatives, that boat was about to run aground.
“Sigh~”
The Ottoman representative, exhaling another long sigh, asked the other participants:
“I hear everyone is researching steam engines and iron horses—is there any good news?”
Bang!
At the Ottoman representative’s question, the French representative slammed the table in frustration.
“Dammit! All those so-called scholars ever say is ‘just a bit more time and budget…!'”
“The prototype they finally produced is slower than walking… And it’s not like it carries much cargo either. It’s infuriating to see their proud faces after making a toy that barely pulls one wagon!”
“I hear the Empire is already releasing their second-generation iron horse… How about the Ottoman Empire?”
The Ottoman representative, receiving the question, also exhaled a long sigh.
“We too are stuck with that damned ‘time and budget’ refrain. Sigh~”
The Ottoman representative, releasing another long sigh, suddenly brightened.
“Ah! Come to think of it! I heard Ming is also making iron horses! Do you know anything about that?”
At the Ottoman representative’s question, the Florentine representative shook his head.
“I do know something. From what I’ve gathered, they built them based on blueprints imported from the Empire during their previous emperor’s time.”
“How’s the performance?”
“They say repair time is longer than operating time.”
“Still, wouldn’t it work as an alternative? Breakdowns can be fixed, and if the price is right, we could buy and operate them in bulk, couldn’t we?”
To the Ottoman representative’s attempt to maintain hope, the Florentine representative shook his head.
“Word is they’re not much cheaper compared to the Empire’s either. And the biggest problem is that both output and durability of the core steam engine are far inferior to the Empire’s. And there’s an even bigger problem. Due to Jipangu pirates’ raids during the last war capturing many craftsmen, many iron horse craftsmen were transferred to weapons production facilities. Simply put, Ming’s iron horses should be considered discontinued.”
At the Florentine representative’s explanation, the Ottoman representative shook his head repeatedly.
“What was Ming’s emperor thinking with such a decision?”
The French and Portuguese representatives felt the same way.
Iron horses and rails were the best means for transporting large amounts of cargo and people over long distances. Ming, having the world’s largest territory—other countries still didn’t properly know about the New World—would surely understand the utility of railways.
Yet they discontinued iron horses?
The representatives couldn’t understand Ming’s decision by their standards.
The Florentine representative, noting other participants’ expressions, continued his explanation.
“Ming has a Grand Canal that crosses the country north to south. Since most cargo uses this Grand Canal, railways would merely be supplementary means.”
“Ah…”
Only then did the other participants nod in understanding. As they nodded, the French representative asked the Florentine representative:
“How does Florence know so much?”
“To do business properly, shouldn’t one know their counterpart properly?”
“Ah…”
At the Florentine representative’s answer, representatives from other countries nodded while thinking the same thing:
‘Indeed, merchants!’
***
After considering all sorts of alternatives without finding a good answer, the participants had no choice but to wave the white flag.
“It seems we have no choice but to request the Empire.”
“That appears to be the best option.”
“Sigh~ His Majesty will have words for us.”
As the Portuguese representative lamented, the monarchs of each country unanimously showed anger upon hearing their representatives’ final decision.
“You bring this as the best solution?!”
“There is no other answer, Your Majesty.”
“Urgh…”
Finally, when similar answers came even after consulting other ministers and scholars, the allied monarchs picked up their pens.
“Tch! We have no choice!”
And finally, Cosimo de’ Medici called his son Giovanni.
“You must go to the Empire.”
“Yes.”
***
A few months later, when Hyang received the personal letter brought by Giovanni, he handed it to Kim Jeom.
“What do you think?”
At Hyang’s question, Kim Jeom, taking the letter, showed slight surprise.
“A personal letter written in the Empire’s language using Jeongeum?”
“Yes. They must have been quite urgent.”
Examining the letter’s contents carefully while listening to Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom reported his thoughts to Hyang.
“In my opinion…”
Kim Jeom’s opinion was as follows:
-They had railways in mind from the beginning. However, after coming to the Empire and hearing our talk, they changed direction to water transport.
-But their insistence on returning to railways shows they’ve changed their minds.
-The biggest reason for doing so was to exclude the Empire.
“…But since circumstances aren’t favorable, I think they’ve reached out to us.”
“We think the same.”
Nodding at Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang asked with a mischievous smile:
“Then we needn’t show them any mercy, right?”
At Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom returned a similar smile and bowed his head.
“Most certainly, Your Majesty. Since they tried to stab us in the back, shouldn’t we knock their jaws off?”
“I agree.”
The court historian recording all this added the following note:
-The historian says: Though newly appointed Prime Minister Lord Kim Jeom is outstanding in ability, his tone is too frivolous, and thus he cannot be considered a model for the scholar-officials.
However, it is satisfying.
True words. It’s proper etiquette to return what you receive.
Having reached agreement with Kim Jeom, Hyang immediately took out paper and began writing something.
After checking the content of the written text and pressing his seal, Hyang handed the paper to an eunuch.
“Order the Chief Secretary to deliver this to Duke Jinpyeong of the Northern Territory. As quickly as possible.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Watching the eunuch leave Injeongjeon Hall, Hyang muttered internally:
‘It’ll take at least two weeks to reach the Northern Territory’s construction site, so I’ll see that fellow in about a month.’
However, exactly 21 days later:
“Brother! No, Your Majesty! What is this imperial order?”
At Jinpyeong’s shout echoing through Injeongjeon Hall, Hyang slightly shook his head and muttered quietly:
“Did this fellow fly here?”
“Imperial Brother! No, Your Majesty! What truly is this imperial order?”
As Jinpyeong pressed again, Hyang narrowed his eyes and asked:
“Does the Duke not know proper etiquette?”
At Hyang’s point, Jinpyeong made an “ah” expression and immediately performed proper courtesy.
“Your subject Duke Yi Yu of Jinpyeong greets Your Majesty!”
“Yes. It’s been a while. But you came faster than I expected?”
“How could I take my time after receiving such an imperial order?”
Hyang’s imperial order was simple:
-Select and send personnel to handle surveying and cost estimation for the railway to be constructed at Suez.
“Such a task naturally requires my presence! Your Majesty well knows that laying railways across the world is my dream!”
To Jinpyeong’s words, Hyang gave a short answer:
“That’s precisely why you cannot go.”
“What?”