Chapter 492

Episode 492: Alliance (1)

“What a mess?”

At Mansour’s words, all kinds of Chinese characters swirled in Hu Hu’s mind.

‘Reform? Open table?介阪?’

When it became clear that Hehu did not understand properly, Mansour added.

“A mess has unfolded.”

“ah! “Is that what you meant?”

Only then did Mansour recall the rumors about Hu Hu as he nodded as if he understood.

‘They said he was a typical saennim, but really....’

“What is the situation? Are you calling me a mess?”

Mansour answered Hu Hu’s question.

“It’s not so obvious that even a child can recognize it, but there’s an evil atmosphere everywhere.”

“Is it really enough to say ‘war clouds are high’?”

“It is only when a war has already broken out that it is said that even children can recognize it.”

“Hmm...”

In response to Mansour, Heohu groaned and fell into thought.

‘It’s definitely not bullshit. Not only is this person’s answer, but the reports prepared and submitted by the captains who went to Alexandria and the upper management all contain similar content.’

Heo Hu, who judged that the situation was getting more serious, asked the last question.

“Every fight, from war to street fights, takes place when there is an opponent. Where is the difference between where and where? Is it really possible that Alexandria is trying to become independent from the Mamluks as rumored?”

* * *

As time passed from the beginning of trade, the Mamluk dynasty began to falter.

Many of the Joseon-made products that made Joseon called the ‘Land of Flowers’ were expensive luxury goods.

Alexandria, where these goods were unpacked and sold, soon became very wealthy.

And the accumulated wealth flowed to the Mamluk royals and nobles who were the sponsors of the merchants.

As enormous wealth came in, the Mamluk royal family and nobles indulged in luxury.

The problem was that, as time went by, they used Joseon’s luxury goods not to sell them but to show off.

Naturally, profits decreased, and in order to make up for the decreased profits, the Mamluk royal family and nobles began to squeeze out the merchants and people of Alexandria.

In Alexandria, which could not endure such economic exploitation, people slowly began to talk about independence.

“Let us protect our wealth and our freedom!”

“Let’s protect it!”

Because of this situation, Heohu pointed to Alexandria itself as the first suspect.

* * *

In response to Heo Hu’s question, Mansour shook his head.

“If only that were the case, there would be no need to say it was a mess. According to rumors on the wind, the city-states of Ottoman Portugal, Spain, Byzantine France, England, and Italy. One way or another, all the countries that are in the know are saying that they are moving.”

Heo Hu muttered involuntarily at Mansour’s words.

“It’s a real mess.”

After sending Mansour away, Hu Hu fell into deep thought.

Heo Hu, who had been thinking for a while, unfolded a blank piece of paper, grabbed a gold pen, and muttered.

“This is something we shouldn’t just pass over as something happening in a distant country.”

* * *

After receiving Heo Hu’s report, Hyang immediately headed to Gangnyeongjeon to visit King Sejong.

Kim Jeom responded to Sejong’s point with a stern expression.

“I have no choice. Fortunately, national defense and education have been stockpiled, so even if cuts are made, they have the stamina to endure for a while, but other areas are not in the same situation. In particular, considering the budget being spent on new resources, we have no choice but to reduce national defense and education. step!”

Kim Jeom paused for a moment, took a breath, and continued speaking.

“This will only happen if trade routes are completely closed due to conflict between the two countries. “If it is open to some extent, a fatal blow can be avoided, and the government will have to plan in advance for this.”

“Right.”

Sejong nodded at Kim Jeom’s words and turned to Hwang Hee.

“Do you think the Left Deputy Prime Minister’s words are reasonable? “What do you think, Prime Minister?”

“God’s opinion was shallow.”

As Hwang Hee waved the white flag, King Sejong settled the situation.

“Please discuss with the Crown Prince and come up with appropriate measures.”

“I follow your orders!”

* * *

After receiving King Sejong’s order, Hyang and the ministers who left Geunjeongjeon moved to the conference room of Seunghwadang.

The local government officials who took their seats in the conference room began to exchange opinions about this incident.

“Anyway, what you said was a bit harsh. “Are you saying you’re going to block the production of artillery pieces?”

Kim Jeom snorted at Jo Mal-saeng’s complaints.

“joy! “What are you going to use for making so many guns when there is no gunpowder to fire them and the soldiers are starving and can’t even lift the guns?”

“It can’t be that bad....”

“No way, that’s the way to catch people!”

“Keuung....”

It was Jo Mal-saeng, who finished groaning and waving a white flag.

* * *

When Kim Jeom and Jo Mal-saeng’s skit ended, Hyang presided over the meeting.

“Actually, just considering the distance, it is certain that even if a conflict were to break out in Alexandria, it would be far away for us. But if you think about profit, it becomes a crisis of wind power.”

The ministers nodded at Hyang’s words. When the ministers all agreed, Hyang moved on to the next step.

“First of all, I would like to predict how the game will play out based on the information gathered so far. “What materials are needed for that?”

In response to Hyang’s question, the ministers immediately thought about what they needed and answered. After a while, officials and eavesdroppers working at Seunghwadang rushed to Yukjo Street and the Record Office.

* * *

While the eunuchs and officials were moving diligently, Hyang opened his mouth to the ministers.

“This is my shallow opinion, but it is certain that the person who ignited the conflict was Henry of Portugal.”

In response to Hyang’s words, Kim Jeom immediately asked a question.

“If you are Henry... do you mean the great Portuguese army?”

“yes.”

Kim Jeom, who had been pondering for a moment in response to Hyang’s answer, nodded.

“It’s definitely a possibility if it’s him. I can tell you that my behavior when I first came to Joseon was unusual. I said I wanted to buy an iron horse and a railroad. ah! Later, I even proposed a partnership and it worked out well.”

Hwang Hee intervened in Kim Jeom’s words.

“ah! I remember! “You said something absurd like building a railroad across the huge African continent, right?”

“yes.”

Heo Hu opened his mouth in response to Hwang Hee and Kim Jeom’s answers.

“If he has that kind of history, he will definitely be the one to ignite the spark.”

While Joseon was pushing Henry as the prime suspect, the true arsonist was busy.