Chapter 494

Episode 494 Alliance (3)

For Genoa, Florence could have been the benefactor that enabled it to gain sovereignty.

Genoa escaped from Milan as a result of the four ‘Lombard Wars’.

However, there was no such thing as returning favors or making concessions in the competition for economic interests in the Mediterranean region, including the Levant region, and the African continent.

In such competition, Spain – to be exact, the United Kingdom of Leon and Castile – was the best prey for Genoa.

* * *

While recovering the Iberian Peninsula, the nobility of the Kingdom of Leon-Castillia expelled the Islamic and Jewish forces that dominated the commercial world from the peninsula.

As a result, it was natural that the economy was in shambles, and Genoese merchants filled the place.

Afterwards, as the United Kingdom of Leon-Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon began to pursue one political community, Genoa became more deeply involved. Although the maritime commercial power of the Kingdom of Aragon was formidable, Genoa, which controlled the finances and economy of the Kingdom of Leon-Castillia, had the upper hand.

* * *

Because of this situation, Genoa was closely watching the movements of Portugal, Spain’s strongest competitor, and Florence, Portugal’s strongest supporter – Cosimo de’ Medici, to be exact.

Therefore, no matter how carefully Cosimo moved, he could not completely avoid being caught in Genoa’s surveillance network.

“Cosimo de’ Medici went to the Morea?”

“Didn’t you go to Edirne not too long ago?”

“It was like that. It’s suspicious. “Ask me to dig into more detail.”

Genoese merchants and politicians who sensed something strange in Cosimo’s movements sent messages to those with whom they were in close contact.

Just as Cosimo had an intelligence network in many countries, transcending nationality and religion, so did Genoa.

And the people in power in Genoa began to have doubts about the information received through such helpers and agents.

“10 years of truce?”

“What is missing from the Ottomans that they are pushing for a truce?”

Although Morea was a powerful country, it was completely inferior compared to the Ottomans.

Moorea boasted a large fortress called the ‘Hexa Million Wall’ (Εξαμίλιον τείχος 6-mile wall), but everyone who knew how the world was going recognized the complete superiority of the Ottomans.

In such a situation, the truce was promoted, and it was not difficult for those in power in Genoa to know who was behind it.

“also! “It’s Cosimo de’ Medici’s masterpiece!”

“Why him? Did he suddenly repent?”

“That guy is repenting? If that were the case, Judas Iscariot would not have betrayed the Lord!”

Those in power in Genoa all came to the same conclusion.

-The reason why Cosimo de’ Medici promoted peace was because another schemer was aiming for even greater profits!

“Then what is he aiming for?”

The Genoese authorities, who had been trying to guess what Cosimo’s plan was, finally found the answer.

“Portugal is having fun with the Joseon route right now! But Africa stands in the way!”

“Alexandria!”

“What Cosimo is targeting is Egypt!”

Genoa, having figured out Cosimo de’ Medici’s move, began to think about what Cosimo’s next move would be.

“Obviously Portugal will also move.”

“If Portugal and the Ottomans unite, no matter how Mamluk they are, they will have no choice but to give up Egypt!”

“no! The Mamluks themselves may fall! “The Mamluks of today are not the Mamluks of the past!”

After the war of words that followed, Cosimo’s goals predicted by those in power in Genoa were as follows.

-What the Portuguese-Ottoman alliance is targeting is Egypt. No, not all of Egypt. Only the area containing the shortest route connecting Suez and the Mediterranean Sea needs to be secured.

-The reason is that Suez is the starting point for cargo from Joseon. Therefore, it is likely that Alexandria would not be of much value to the Portuguese and Ottomans.

Those in power in Genoa who had reasoned this far felt a sense of discomfort.

“The great Cosimo is barely satisfied with this?”

“This is great, but is there something missing?”

“Not like Cosimo de’ Medici.”

While those in power in Genoa were agonizing over the strange sense of discomfort that was tickling the backs of their heads, urgent news arrived from France.

When Jenova and Aragorn confirmed that it was true, Luna’s messenger muttered with a white face.

“Then it’s a really big deal! “Is there any solution?”

The Consul of Genoa who received the question answered immediately.

“We have no choice but to build alliances.”

“alliance? With whom?”

“First of all, the Mamluks.”

“Nonsense!”

When the Genoese consul mentioned the Mamluks, the Lion of Luna screamed in a fit of rage.

“Let’s join hands with those damn Islamists? “Do you think that makes sense?”

“Otherwise you’ll just be ruined.”

“Huh...”

At the consul’s cold reply, Luna’s messenger sat down on the chair with a devastated expression.

At that sight, the Lion of Aragorn opened his mouth.

“No matter how much it is because of Portugal and the Ottomans, there will be severe backlash if we simply form an alliance. “You have to give them the right carrot.”

“Is there anything suitable?”

The messenger of Aragorn briefly answered the consul’s question.

“Jerusalem.”

As soon as the word ‘Jerusalem’ was mentioned, the room became heated.

“Will the Mamluks give up Jerusalem? Even now, they are the same Jews who were in Jerusalem and are trying to stop the seeds of Christians?”

The messenger of Aragorn smiled slightly and responded to the consul’s point.

“Will the Muslims give it up easily? “We are only guaranteed safe passage.”

“Hmm...”

The Consul nodded at what the messenger of Aragorn said. After thinking for a moment, the Consul opened his mouth.

“It’s okay. “That alone is a great harvest and may serve as another cause later.”

“That’s right.”

Before we knew it, the messenger of Aragon and the consul of Genoa were taking the lead in carrying out the work, and the messenger of Luna was left to just watch.

“Aren’t the Mamluks alone not enough?”

“of course. So I thought about it, and I wonder if we should bring in the Habsburgs and England. “Those two would be perfect to keep France in check.”

“Very good!”

* * *

While a complex power structure was being created in Europe, Joseon was also busy moving forward.

March 1444.

Sejong had finally set off for Shinji.

Sejong looked back at the newly launched large engine ship in front of him.

“Are you sure you have no regrets about being good?”

“That’s right. Shouldn’t we keep the agreement we made with Soja Abama? “I will dress you in the most beautiful yellow dragon robe in the world.”

In response to Hyang’s response, King Sejong lightly patted Hyang’s shoulder but did not forget his request.

“Don’t just trust you. But don’t do it first. “The most important thing is the cause.”

“I will keep this in mind again and again.”

“You will do well.”

After showing his strong belief in incense, King Sejong boarded the ship.

As the ship carrying King Sejong disappeared into the distance under escort, Hyang turned around.

Hyang approached the four people who were waiting a little distance away and opened his mouth with a grin.

“Okay then, let’s get to work! “I’m going to be very busy from now on.”

At Hyang’s words, the four people internally screamed at the same time.

‘I’m still very busy, but I’m even busier? ‘I’d rather kill you!’