Black Corporation: Joseon

To Genoa, Florence might have been a benefactor who helped them gain sovereignty.

Genoa had broken free from Milan after four Lombard Wars.

However, in the competition for economic interests in the Mediterranean region, including the Levant and Africa, concepts like repaying favors or making concessions simply didn’t exist.

In such competition, Spain – or more precisely, the United Kingdom of León-Castile – was Genoa’s prime prey.

****

While reclaiming the Iberian Peninsula, the nobles of the León-Castile Kingdom had expelled the Islamic and Jewish forces that dominated the commercial sector.

Naturally, this devastated the economy, and Genoese merchants filled the void.

Later, as the United Kingdom of León-Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon moved toward forming a single political community, Genoa became even more deeply involved. Despite Aragon’s formidable maritime commercial power, Genoa gained the upper hand by controlling León-Castile’s finances and economy.

***

Given this situation, Genoa kept a close eye on Portugal, Spain’s strongest rival, and Florence – specifically Cosimo de’ Medici – Portugal’s most powerful ally.

Thus, no matter how carefully Cosimo moved, he couldn’t completely evade Genoa’s surveillance network.

“Cosimo de’ Medici went to Morea?”

“Didn’t he just visit Edirne recently?”

“Indeed. Suspicious. Have them dig deeper.”

Sensing something odd about Cosimo’s movements, Genoa’s merchants and politicians contacted their connections.

Just as Cosimo had information networks transcending national and religious boundaries, so did Genoa.

The information flowing in through these allies and spies raised questions among Genoa’s power brokers.

“A ten-year truce?”

“What the hell does the Ottoman Empire lack that they’d pursue a truce?”

Though Morea was powerful, it was completely outmatched compared to the Ottomans.

While Morea boasted the massive Hexamilion fortress wall, anyone who understood world affairs acknowledged the Ottomans’ complete superiority.

In such circumstances, a truce was being pursued, and Genoa’s power brokers easily identified who was behind it.

“Of course! This is Cosimo de’ Medici’s scheme!”

“But why? Has he suddenly found religion?”

“That bastard, find religion? Hell would freeze over before that – Judas would’ve stayed loyal to Christ first!”

Genoa’s power brokers all reached the same conclusion.

Cosimo de’ Medici’s pursuit of peace must be hiding some other scheme, aiming for even greater profits!

“Then what’s his target?”

As they tried to deduce Cosimo’s scheme, Genoa’s power brokers finally found the answer.

“Portugal’s making a killing with the Joseon route! But Africa stands in their way!”

“Alexandria!”

“Egypt is Cosimo’s target!”

Having grasped Cosimo de’ Medici’s strategy, Genoa began contemplating his next move.

“Portugal will definitely make a move.”

“If Portugal and the Ottomans unite, even the Mamluks will have to surrender Egypt!”

“No! The Mamluks themselves might collapse! Today’s Mamluks aren’t what they used to be!”

After heated debate, Genoa’s power brokers predicted Cosimo’s objectives:

The Portuguese-Ottoman alliance targets Egypt. No, not all of Egypt – just the region containing the shortest route connecting Suez to the Mediterranean.

The reason is that Suez is the starting point for cargo from Joseon. Therefore, Alexandria likely holds little value for Portugal and the Ottomans.

Having reasoned this far, Genoa’s power brokers felt uneasy.

“Would the great Cosimo really settle for just this?”

“It’s impressive enough, but something’s missing.”

“This isn’t like Cosimo de’ Medici at all.”

As they pondered this nagging discomfort, urgent news arrived from France in autumn 1443.

Cosimo de’ Medici has made contact with Charles VII of France.

“This is it!”

Genoa’s power brokers identified the source of their unease and added to their conclusion.

“Cosimo aims to strangle Spain! No, he wants to grip and manipulate the entire Mediterranean in his hands!”

****

Spain – specifically the Kingdom of Aragon – and France weren’t on good terms.

They had clashed over Catalonia and even fought a war over Provence.

Continued conflicts over the Occitania region followed, and the defeat at the Battle of Muret in 1213 forced them to acknowledge French dominion.

Consequently, France, which saw Spain’s ambitions toward southern France as a thorn in its side, would certainly join hands with Cosimo.

Though weakened by the Hundred Years’ War, France remained a European power. Its abundant agricultural products and population from vast territories were unmatched by other countries.

Ironically, the Hundred Years’ War had given France a battle-hardened army. Though exhausted from the prolonged conflict, Cosimo had the ability to restore their strength.

While complete recovery might be impossible, Cosimo possessed sufficient capability to restore them to fighting condition.

After compiling all the news from France, Genoa’s power brokers reached their final conclusion.

Cosimo de’ Medici aims to isolate Spain!

Isolate and strangle Spain, then seize control of the Mediterranean economy!

***

Having discovered Cosimo de’ Medici’s schemes, Genoa moved quickly.

“First, we should contact the Spanish court?”

When one of Genoa’s Consuls mentioned the Spanish king, the other Consuls collectively let out long sighs.

“God… Will that idiot be able to understand the situation?”

***

The current king of the United Kingdom of León-Castile, Juan II, was incompetent.

No, he wasn’t merely incompetent – he showed no interest in state affairs whatsoever. Consequently, Chancellor Álvaro de Luna handled all state matters.

With the king completely hands-off, proper governance was impossible. Juan II’s cousins led a noble alliance, while Queen Maria from Aragon created endless conflicts, accusing Luna of manipulating state affairs.

Ironically, this situation had made it easier for Genoa to dominate the economy.

***

“Though he’s incompetent, he’s still nominally king and royalty, so we should contact him?”

“Those fools might be obsessed with their petty power struggles, but they’ll grasp the gravity of the situation. After all, they might lose even their precious bowls if things go wrong.”

“We can’t forget Aragon.”

“Perhaps Aragon might be more suitable for this matter.”

When the Kingdom of Aragon was mentioned, Genoa’s Consuls’ eyes lit up, but their faces soon filled with concern.

“The problem is Aragon’s merchants. We know how cunning those bastards are.”

“That’s the issue.”

To repeat, while the Kingdom of Aragon was technically separate from the Kingdom of León-Castile, they were practically one kingdom. They were firmly bound by generations of marriages, and Fernando I of Aragon had even served as Juan II’s regent.

Thus, Genoa’s Consuls mentioned Aragon as a second option. However, Aragon had their powerful competitors – Aragon’s maritime merchants.

Having dominated Sicily, southern Italy, and the Levant region, they were Genoa’s greatest rivals.

Though troubled by these formidable opponents, the Consuls had to reach a conclusion.

“We have no choice but to inform Aragon. Those guys know they’ll starve if they lose here.”

Having reached this decision, Genoa’s Consuls immediately dispatched their envoys.

***

February 1444.

Upon receiving Genoa’s urgent message, the power brokers of León-Castile and Aragon promptly sent envoys to meet with Genoa’s Consuls.

“Is this true?”

The Consuls nodded at the question from Luna’s envoy. Aragon’s envoys followed up.

“We’ve done our own investigation, and it’s highly likely to be true.”

With both Genoa and Aragon confirming it, Luna’s envoy muttered with a pale face.

“Then this is truly dire! Do we have a plan?”

The Genoese Consul answered immediately.

“We must build our own alliance.”

“Alliance? With whom?”

“First, the Mamluks.”

“That’s insane!”

Luna’s envoy erupted when the Consul mentioned the Mamluks.

“Join hands with those damned Muslims? Are you out of your mind?”

“We’ll perish otherwise.”

“Ah…”

At the Consul’s cold response, Luna’s envoy collapsed back into his chair, dumbfounded.

Seeing this, Aragon’s envoy spoke up.

“Even with the threat of Portugal and the Ottomans, there will be fierce resistance to a simple alliance. We need to offer an appropriate carrot.”

“Do we have something suitable?”

To the Consul’s question, Aragon’s envoy answered briefly.

“Jerusalem.”

The word ‘Jerusalem’ instantly heated up the meeting room.

“Would those Mamluk bastards give up Jerusalem? They’re still wiping out the Jews and Christians there!”

The Consul’s pointed out, to which Aragon’s envoy responded with a slight smile.

“Would Muslims give it up easily? We just need to secure safe passage.”

“Hmm…”

The Consul nodded at Aragon’s envoy’s words. After brief consideration, the Consul spoke.

“Not bad. That alone would be a significant gain, and it could provide another justification later.”

“Indeed.”

Before they knew it, Aragon’s envoy and the Genoese Consul had taken charge of proceedings, while Luna’s envoy became a mere spectator.

“Wouldn’t the Mamluks alone be insufficient?”

“Of course. I was thinking we could bring in the Habsburgs and England. They’d be perfect for checking France.”

“Excellent!”

***

While this complex power structure was forming in Europe, Joseon was also bustling with activity.

March 1444.

Finally, King Sejong was departing for New Territory.

Standing before the newly launched large mechanized sailing vessel, Sejong turned to Hyang.

“Are you truly free of regrets about the succession?”

“Yes, Father. Shouldn’t I keep my promise to you? I’ll dress you in the finest dragon robe in all the realm.”

While patting Hyang’s shoulder lightly at his response, Sejong didn’t forget to add a warning.

“I trust only you. But don’t make the first move. Remember, justification is paramount.”

“I’ll keep it deeply in mind.”

“I know you’ll do well.”

Showing his strong faith in Hyang one last time, Sejong boarded the ship.

As Sejong’s escorted vessel disappeared into the distance, Hyang turned around.

Approaching the four who were waiting a short distance away, Hyang grinned and spoke.

“Well then, let’s get to work! We’re going to be very busy from now on.”

At Hyang’s words, the four simultaneously screamed internally.

We’re already swamped with work, and now we’ll be even busier? Just kill us instead!