Black Corporation: Joseon

Late in the 28th year of King Sejong’s reign (1446, Year of the Byeongin).

Pedro’s edict reached Joseon as well.

Mansur had obtained the edict that had spread through merchants traveling between Portugal, Italy, and Alexandria.

“I hear this is why the Mediterranean region has been in such turmoil lately.”

“Is that so?”

The customs official who received the problematic edict from Mansur immediately forwarded it up the chain of command.

After being translated by the interpreters, multiple copies of the edict were immediately made and distributed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, the Prime Minister’s Office, and Seunghwadang.

Gathered in Seunghwadang’s conference room, Hyang and the ministers discussed the problematic edict.

“This seems more like a declaration than an edict.”

All the ministers nodded at Foreign Minister Heo Hu’s assessment.

Education Minister Lee Sachul wore the most serious expression of all.

“This isn’t what the ‘Heaven’s Mandate’ means… This isn’t what it means at all…”

Repeatedly muttering “this isn’t what it means,” Lee Sachul finally turned to the Finance Minister.

“Could the officials who wrote that document have strayed into heterodoxy?”

“I’ve seen the copy of their document, and that’s absolutely not the case. If you wish, I can bring it to show you.”

The Finance Minister growled in response to Lee Sachul’s question.

“I suppose so? Indeed, such problems arise when proper teachings aren’t received. Hmm…”

Lee Sachul continued as he examined the edict’s contents once more.

“Perhaps we should print this in bulk and distribute it to all Four Classes Learning Halls across the country…”

“Huh?”

“What?”

As everyone, including Hyang and the ministers, gave him puzzled looks at this unexpected suggestion, Lee Sachul smiled slightly and raised the edict, pointing to various parts.

“Looking at how the content is expressed, truly every character deserves a critique mark, and every sentence merits a circle of excellence.”

A critique mark was a red dot placed on well-expressed passages when grading examination papers, while a circle of excellence was a red circle drawn around excellent sentences.

Lee Sachul continued while repeatedly nodding.

“Hmm… Indeed… As expected of someone renowned for scholarship in Europe, these are truly excellent sentences. If only the content weren’t problematic.”

“Isn’t the problematic content the biggest issue here?”

Lee Sachul smiled and responded to Hwang Hui’s point.

“Indeed. However, the excellence of the writing is worth learning from. Of course, we must attach a warning: ‘The surface is worth learning from, but the underlying meaning is not. Those who harbor such underlying meanings will become treacherous ministers or traitors remembered in history and bring destruction to their family.'”

Hwang Hui drew a brief and simple conclusion to Lee Sachul’s words.

“If you truly wish to do that, first submit your resignation. Or drink poison instead of medicine.”

With that, the ministers ceased their interest in the edict.

It was, after all, something happening in the distant West.

The ministers had shown interest in the edict because Portugal was one of the countries gaining significant profits through trade with Joseon. They had examined the contents just in case, but lost interest when they found no negative references to trade.

After the meeting, Hyang remained alone organizing documents and muttered while re-examining the problematic edict.

“Looking at it again… What is this terrible hybrid?… The ‘Divine Right of Kings’ mixed with ‘the end justifies the means’ from ‘The Prince’… It’s got everything mixed in there.”

After examining the edict once more, Hyang drew his conclusion.

“I wish I had popcorn. Given that they’ve additionally purchased flintlock muskets, this probably won’t end with just unrest.”

Speaking with a voice full of regret, Hyang muttered while looking at the map on the wall.

“Anyway, since Europe is more unstable than expected, we can buy some time. In this situation, it’ll be hard to find sponsors, so explorations of the New Frontier will likely happen around the same time I remember, or perhaps even later. That means we’ll have enough time to properly digest the new territories. Then Father’s planned ‘maritime barrier’ can be properly completed too.”

While examining the map and gauging future events, Hyang broke into a smirk as he looked at the Mediterranean region.

“Hah! If the discovery of the New Frontier is delayed, only the Italian merchants will be happy about this. Maybe I should receive a plaque of appreciation?”

***

Meanwhile, Pedro, having seized all power in the nation, moved swiftly.

He incorporated the private armies of the executed noble traitors into the national army while simultaneously converting their confiscated territories into state lands. Though quite a few soldiers left to become mercenaries during this process, he managed to retain the best talents by actively recruiting them into the army.

Alfonso V, frightened by the tragedy that unfolded before his eyes, awarded a considerable portion of the confiscated territories to Pedro as a reward, but Pedro rejected them all.

“You’ve rendered great service in this matter, so why won’t you accept the reward?”

To Alfonso V’s question, Pedro responded firmly.

“My greatest reward will be seeing Portugal become a great power and Your Majesty commanding the monarchs of Europe. I desire nothing else.”

“Regent…”

Alfonso V’s expression was complex as he looked at Pedro. On one hand, he was moved by Pedro’s loyalty, but on the other, he feared him.

However, Alfonso V was inherently weak-willed. With the Braganza Duke’s faction purged, there were no other options.

Simply leaving everything to Regent Pedro was the best course of action.

***

Around the time the edict reached Joseon, Pedro summoned the nobles and ministers to issue new orders.

“Nobles, surrender your private armies immediately! We must prepare for war!”

“War?”

“Did he say war?”

At the word ‘war,’ the nobles and ministers began stirring greatly.

“Are we finally facing Spain?”

Amidst the commotion, one noble posed a question. Pedro shook his head in response.

“No, the Mamluks.”

“The Mamluks?”

“Absolutely not!”

“That’s right! We absolutely cannot face the Mamluks!”

As soon as Pedro spoke, voices of opposition erupted from everywhere.

Portugal had suffered continuous defeats against Islamic forces except for the Battle of Ceuta. And that was against the Moroccan Sultanate, which was weaker than the Mamluk dynasty being mentioned now.

The opposition systematically listed reasons against going to war.

-The Mamluk soldiers, especially their cavalry, are famously powerful.

-Not only is the soldiers’ strength an issue, but funding the war is also problematic. Everyone knows the Mamluks’ wealth. We cannot compete when they can recruit soldiers with such financial power.

-Supply is also an issue. The Mamluks have no supply problems with the fertile Nile Delta, but we must cross the Mediterranean. Spain and Morocco won’t sit idle.

Pedro nodded at the opposition’s statements.

“True. It would be impossible to face the Mamluks with Portugal’s power alone. That’s why we’ll form an alliance.”

“An alliance? Will you ally with those Spanish bastards?”

To the question mentioning Spain, Pedro shook his head again.

“No! Not Spain! Those bastards would send their soldiers to Lisbon rather than Cairo. Our alliance partner will be the Ottomans.”

“The Ottomans? The Ottomans, you say!”

“Impossible! They are infidels!”

“That’s right! They are infidels! It cannot be done!”

“Allying with infidels is somewhat problematic.”

The opposition raised their voices again. This time, even Pedro’s supporters expressed concern.

As many opposed, Pedro raised the Bible he had set aside and raised his voice.

“What is written in the Bible! It says ‘The Lord works all things together for good’! Joining hands with infidels now is not simple collusion but following God’s will! I’ve joined hands with the Ottomans because it relates to Jerusalem!”

When the word ‘Jerusalem’ came up, everyone fell silent.

“Regent. What connection is there between joining hands with the Ottomans and Jerusalem?”

To Alfonso V’s question, Pedro explained the agreement with the Ottomans.

“The Ottomans have provided written assurance allowing free passage to Jerusalem and the stationing of Templar Knights. Here is the document.”

Pedro took papers from a box he had set aside and presented them to Alfonso V.

After confirming the contents of the documents written in Latin and Arabic, Alfonso V nodded.

“Indeed, that is so.”

After Alfonso V’s confirmation, the nobles and ministers approached the table to verify the treaty’s contents.

After verifying the treaty’s contents, the opposition’s mood subsided considerably. Pedro put even more force into his voice.

“Don’t you know what the Mamluks have done after taking Jerusalem! They claimed to allow pilgrimages, but blocked pilgrims’ paths claiming poor harvests or plagues! Poor harvest in the Nile Delta, the world’s granary? We had to believe their lies even though we knew better! And what has become of Jerusalem meanwhile!”

For a while after the Mamluks drove out the Crusaders and destroyed the Kingdom of Jerusalem, many Christians and Jews still lived in Jerusalem. However, the Mamluks expelled or killed them citing various reasons, and Christians and Jews living in Jerusalem had almost disappeared.

Pointing out this situation, Pedro held up the treaty and continued.

“Therefore! Reclaiming Jerusalem from such wicked hands is truly carrying out God’s will, and joining hands with the Ottomans is merely choosing the best tool to carry out God’s will! Think carefully about the Bible verse ‘The Lord works all things together for good’! What is working together if not this!”

At Pedro’s words, the nobles and ministers wore confused expressions. Pedro’s statement seemed both plausible and implausible.

Seeing such reactions from the nobles and ministers, Pedro placed the treaty on the table and pointed to it.

“Examine the treaty’s contents carefully! Written there are also the rewards God might bestow if we succeed in following His will.”

At Pedro’s words, the nobles and ministers examined the treaty again. The nobles who had focused only on the word ‘Jerusalem’ finally confirmed the other contents and their eyes began to shine.

“Free import of grain from the Nile Delta, and creating and jointly managing the shortest route from Suez without passing through Alexandria?”

Until now, goods from Joseon had to pass through Alexandria after being unloaded at Suez. The amount extorted by Alexandria’s merchants and customs officials during this process was considerable.

Moreover, the Nile Delta had been famous since ancient times as the finest granary. If grain could be supplied stably, the kingdom’s development would be assured.

Seeing the nobles and ministers’ eyes shine, Pedro delivered his finishing point.

“If we join hands with the Ottomans in following God’s will and recapture the holy city of Jerusalem, we can receive both heaven’s blessings and worldly benefits! Making the holy city freely accessible for pilgrimage will bring heaven’s blessing, and freer trade with Joseon will bring worldly wealth!”

In the end, Alfonso V and the Cortes (Royal Council) came to actively support Pedro’s decision for war.