Switzerland was currently waging a war of independence against the Holy Roman Empire, or to be more precise, against the Habsburgs. As emperors from the House of Habsburg continued to emerge, Switzerland’s autonomy was increasingly eroded, and in response, their war for independence was intensifying.
It was into this situation that France interjected.
- Recognition of Switzerland’s independence.
- Employment of 10,000 Swiss mercenaries.
Up to this point, the terms were very favorable for Switzerland. However, the condition that followed was the problem.
- Conclusion of an alliance with France.
- If France requests mercenaries, they will be contracted under very ‘favorable’ terms.
Although they were already fighting a war of independence against the Habsburgs, accepting the conditions above would make Switzerland a true enemy of the Habsburgs. For Switzerland, with its meager national strength, to take on the Habsburgs was like ‘hitting a rock with an egg.’ Of course, in that case, France, as their ally, would provide support, but France’s ulterior motive was all too obvious.
- Use Switzerland to deplete the Habsburgs’ military strength.
“Their intentions are a little too transparent…”
“But, considering the Habsburgs…”
While the leaders of the Swiss Confederation were gathered and deliberating over France’s proposal, the Habsburgs also sent an envoy to Switzerland.
The proposal sent by the Habsburgs could be summarized as follows.
- Guarantee the expansion of autonomy for the cantons belonging to the Swiss Confederation.
- Reduce the various taxes imposed on the Swiss Confederation and lower the tax rates.
- All mercenary contracts are to give priority to the Habsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire.
- If necessary, the Habsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire can intervene in mercenary contracts between Switzerland and other nations.
At the Habsburgs’ proposal, which showed its carrots and sticks just as clearly as France’s, the leaders of the Swiss Confederation placed their hands on their foreheads.
“If I had my way, I’d turn this into kindling right now…”
“They may be our oppressors, but they are also one of our biggest employers…”
This was the problem. Although they were fighting a war of independence against the Habsburgs and the Holy Roman Empire, it was not yet a full-blown state of war. For this reason, whenever the Holy Roman Empire waged war, a significant number of Swiss mercenaries were hired and participated in the conflict. In other words, while they were fighting for independence on one hand, on the other, the Habsburgs were a large and long-standing client.
Of course, the Habsburgs were well aware of this situation.
- For now, we have a slight advantage, but as long as France exists, there is a limit.
- Therefore, we need an alternative.
- The best alternative is a standing army, but the cost is a problem. We must cultivate other mercenary groups.
And so, France and the Habsburgs had come to a situation where they were both wielding carrots and sticks over Switzerland. And neither France nor the Habsburgs had any intention of yielding Switzerland. For both of them, the path down into Italy had fallen into the hands of their rival.
To gain control of Switzerland, both France and the Habsburgs simultaneously tried to win over influential Swiss figures while also engaging in shows of force. Thanks to this, the mood among the Swiss people grew increasingly grim.
“Is there no future for us…”
It was while the Swiss were mired in grief that the empire intervened.
***
News regarding the competition between France and the Habsburgs over Switzerland, whether rumor or fact, was all sent to Seoul.
“Considering the time it takes to get to Seoul, analyzing it here is a waste of time! Just filter it appropriately and send it!”
The embassy officials responded to Shin Sukju’s order, which was a mix of practical difficulty and petulance, by simply complying.
The officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense had to go through hell to analyze the documents sent to Seoul.
Hyeon, who received the report that came up, pondered it for a while and then rose from his seat.
“I have an idea, but I’m not sure how it will be.”
Letting out a comment that could have been either to himself or for others to hear, Hyeon left, and the ministers gathered around Han Myeonghoe.
“What do you think His Majesty has in mind?”
At the ministers’ question, Han Myeonghoe looked back at Lim Sunwook.
“Don’t you think he is thinking of mercenaries?”
“I believe mercenaries are correct. However…”
Lim Sunwook trailed off for a moment, then sighed and looked back at the Minister of Finance.
“The Ministry of Finance’s coffers are about to be thoroughly raided, so be prepared.”
“Oh no…”
At Lim Sunwook’s words, the Minister of Finance’s face turned haggard.
***
After leaving Geunjeongjeon Hall, Hyeon headed for Suganggung Palace, where Hyang was staying.
Hyang, who had been looking over various schematics, hid them all at the news that Hyeon had arrived and rose from his seat.
“You must be busy with state affairs, so for what reason have you come?”
“I have come to seek the Emperor Emeritus’s counsel.”
“You have brilliant talents around you, including the Prime Minister. Of what help could the advice of an old man in the back room be?”
“If they oppose me, I must start by fighting them, but if the Emperor Emeritus opposes me, I can understand the reason and naturally rethink the matter.”
Hyang nodded at Hyeon’s words.
***
Unlike the period just before the Reformations, the empire was now in a state where the emperor and his subjects coexisted peacefully. No, it was a situation where the emperor’s authority was slightly superior to that of his subjects.
The biggest reasons this was possible were that Sejong had carried out a great purge just before the Reformation era, wiping out the elder statesmen of the pro-subject-power faction, and had suppressed the Giyu Rebellion, wiping out the fundamentalist scholar-officials. Since then, most of the monarchs, starting with Sejong, had not carelessly wielded their authority for expediency, and the subjects, in turn, had maintained coexistence by discerning the monarch’s will in advance and presenting reasonable alternatives.
However, the possibility of a fierce clash of opinions between the emperor and his subjects always existed. In particular, the more unconventional the emperor’s idea was, the higher the possibility of a clash became. For this reason, the existence of the Regent or the Emperor Emeritus had become even more important. The Regent or the Emperor Emeritus was the highest and strongest mediator.
“If that is what he has said…”
This was because whenever the Regent’s or the Emperor Emeritus’s words were relayed, both the emperor and the subjects would acquiesce, saying such things. Of course, for this to be possible, the Regent or Emperor Emeritus had to have a solid track record. And Sejong and Hyang had a track record that was more than sufficient; it was overflowing. And Wan, who would follow them, also had a formidable track record.
Furthermore, the Regents who would follow in the future would also have formidable track records. This was because of the New Frontier. As long as the Regent was in charge of managing New Frontier, there would be no room to find fault with their track record.
***
“Very well. Then let us hear what our emperor has on his mind.”
“Yes.”
At Hyang’s words, Hyeon began to lay out his thoughts. Hyang listened to Hyeon’s words with a serious expression.
“Hmm…”
Even after Hyeon had finished speaking, Hyang stroked his chin for a long while, running the numbers, before reaching a conclusion.
“I believe it is a good idea. However, I would like to flesh it out a bit more…”
“…Will that be possible? In that case…”
The two, grandfather and grandson, put their heads together and continued to revise and coordinate. The scribes and royal secretaries who were recording all of this typed away at their keyboards with haggard, pale faces.
“How is it?”
“This should be fine. It is a great relief that the Emperor Emeritus is with us.”
“You praise me too highly.”
“If you come up with a schematic for an interesting device, you must show me. You can’t keep it to yourself.”
“…I shall endeavor to do so.”
Having finished their conversation, Hyeon rose from his seat with a relieved expression.
Meanwhile, the scribes who recorded this added the following.
- Is this possible? Only for our empire?
The next day, Hyeon spoke of the plan he and Hyang had made before his ministers. As Hyeon’s story continued, the ministers’ faces grew more and more dazed. Even the great Han Myeonghoe could not close his agape mouth, and the Minister of Finance’s face was drained of all color. The Minister of Finance, his face as pale as a corpse’s, looked at Lim Sunwook.
Did you anticipate this?
Lim Sunwook, who received the silent question, shook his head, his own face just as pale.
“What are your thoughts?”
“…”
When Hyeon, having finished his story, asked for their opinions, no one could open their mouths.
Hyeon quietly waited for the ministers’ reply. Finally, Han Myeonghoe gathered all his strength and spoke.
“…It could be seen as a brilliant strategy, but from another perspective, it could be called the standard move. It is worth contemplating.”
Following Han Myeonghoe’s words, Lim Sunwook chimed in.
“It is just that the plan Your Majesty has conceived is so far beyond the limits of a common man like myself that I could not answer right away. Please forgive my disloyalty.”
“Disloyalty… It is merely that I have thought in a different direction. I too am well aware that this is no ordinary strategy. Therefore, contemplate it well and give me an answer by the day after tomorrow.”
“As you command.”
And for two days, the ministers debated, forgetting the night.
Two days later, Han Myeonghoe, his face haggard with fatigue, spoke to Hyeon on behalf of the ministers.
“Considering the current circumstances of the empire, we believe it is the best possible plan.”
“Then let us proceed with this.”
***
A few months later, a special envoy sent from the empire arrived at the Imperial Embassy in Florence.
“Welcome. But for so many of you to come so suddenly, has something urgent happened?”
At Shin Sukju’s question, the Minister of Finance, who was leading the special delegation, replied at once.
“We have come because there is an urgent matter to handle to win the coming war in Italy.”
“An urgent matter… Is it Switzerland, as expected?”
“That is correct. Please arrange a meeting.”
A short while later, a meeting was hastily arranged in the embassy conference room. With the three ambassadors and all the high-ranking officials stationed in Italy gathered, an official from the homeland began the explanation.
“From this point on, I will explain the operation to be conducted targeting Switzerland. First…”
The official flipped the first page of the presentation chart. On the second page that was revealed, only two characters were written in large script.
“Battle of Coin? A money fight?”
The official immediately replied to Seong Sam-mun’s question.
“Yes. It is the name of the operation for the first victory our empire will achieve against Europe.”
“Hoh~.”
“Hmm…”
The three ambassadors reacted with great curiosity to the official’s answer. In contrast, the Minister of Finance continued with a weary face.
“Among ourselves, we call it ‘a goddamn money war’.”
“What?”
“What does that…”
“You will understand when you hear it.”
At the Minister of Finance’s words, the three ambassadors and the other officials listened intently to the ensuing report.
“…That is all.”
“…”
When the explanation was over, none among the three ambassadors, let alone the officials stationed in Florence, could open their mouths.
“Good heavens…”
After some time had passed, Seong Sam-mun was the first to regain his senses and looked at the Minister of Finance.
“There is only one person who could create such a crazy… no, such a bold plan. It’s the Emperor Emeritus, isn’t it?”
At Seong Sam-mun’s words, everyone present, including Shin Sukju and Yu Eung-bu, nodded in agreement.
However, the Minister of Finance shook his head.
“No, it was His Majesty. The Emperor Emeritus only gave his counsel.”
“Gack! Cough! Cough!”
Seong Sam-mun, who had momentarily choked, let out a series of short coughs, and everyone around him muttered the same words to themselves.
That bloodline, I swear!