Chapter 899

Episode 899: The Imperial March (2)

A few days later, the leader of a Swiss mercenary company hired in Florence visited the imperial embassy.

* * *

The size of the Florentine standing army was gradually growing from over 20,000 to 25,000, but this was clearly not enough.

“Wouldn’t you trust Reisläufer?”

“You can trust them.”

In response, Lorenzo and Giovanni hired Swiss mercenaries.

Swiss mercenaries were popular for their strong fighting skills and credibility.

At Lorenzo and Giovanni’s choice, 5,000 Swiss mercenaries signed a contract and joined the Florentine army.

However, Lorenzo and Giovanni sighed when they saw the Swiss mercenaries who had just joined them.

“This is it...”

It was because of the armament of the Swiss mercenaries who had joined. Most of the mercenaries were still armed with traditional long spears and halberds.

Swiss mercenaries were not unaware that guns and cannons were the main players in modern battlefields.

However, guns were expensive items, and bullets and gunpowder were the worst consumables for cost-effectiveness.

Still, in order to keep up with the times, they worked hard to acquire firearms and train musketeers. However, the firearms they could obtain were almost all flintlock rifles that were one generation behind. Also, imperial flintlock rifles were expensive, so most of them were large and heavy European flintlock rifles.

To solve this problem, they attempted to smuggle breech-loading single-barreled guns made in France or Habsburg, but the cost was too high.

It was a price that poor Swiss or Swiss people could not easily afford.

Of course, there were also Swiss mercenaries armed with Japanese style rifles. They were mercenaries stationed in Suez .

However, due to a lifetime contract, they could not leave Suez.

And as we face the current chaotic situation, this lifetime contract has become a contract that makes both parties feel regret. France’s disappointment was especially great.

-A unit with extensive combat experience that skillfully uses Japanese rifles.

This was because the units that could be used as the most powerful cards in the coming war were shackled.

This was because there were five countries in total that signed the contract – France, Portugal, Ottoman Florence, and finally the Empire.

Among these countries, the Ottomans most strongly opposed France whenever they mentioned ‘moving mercenaries’ or ‘renewing contracts’.

Even though they shared the Suez and shared profits, they still did not completely trust each other.

In this situation, it was unacceptable for France or Portugal, or rather France, to bring in the most powerful force.

To resolve this, they had to compete based on stakes, but each time Florence and the Empire sided with the Ottomans, France’s attempts failed.

* * *

Against this backdrop, the Swiss mercenary leader who visited the imperial embassy sighed softly.

“Whoa~. “I wonder why these strangers are looking for us, but...”

The smell of blood from war was getting thicker. Among the countries that would enter the war in Italy, the country furthest away was the Empire.

In order to prepare for a war that could break out at any time, if they brought in a large number of their own troops – 20,000 to 30,000 – and stationed them in advance, the enormous maintenance costs would be a problem. However, if troops were sent after the war broke out, the timing would be delayed and unnecessary losses would be incurred.

The best solution was mercenaries.

This was because maintenance costs could be reduced and time would not be missed.

“If negotiations go well, the gun issue can be resolved to some extent... Because the long guns from the ‘Flower Country’ are much better than those made in France.”

The carrot offered by France in addition to the ‘contract for 20,000 mercenaries’ was the ‘supply of French-made long guns and ammunition’.

But the stick that came with the carrot was the problem.

“It’s a losing business if you only sign a contract for about 5,000. “If you think about the whip that France and the Habsburgs will wield.”

They said it was only 5,000, but even for national contracts, 5,000 was the limit. Of course, in case of a major war, there were cases where up to 10,000 people were contracted. However, it was a number that could only be mobilized in a war where the rise and fall of a real country depended on it.

“I think I made the right choice.”

“Because they are that desperate.”

“I feel a bit uneasy because it feels like they are taking advantage of such desperate people.”

“Let’s call it mutual aid. Mutual aid.”

The three people who were talking in the imperial language soon straightened their expressions when they found Hans sitting blankly.

“Big big! First, we plan to hire 1,000 people on short-term contracts. The purpose is to guide our imperial delegation to Bern.”

“Are you just hiring 1,000 people as receptionists?”

Shin Sook-ju, who saw Hans with an expression of not understanding, answered with a serious face.

“If you think about the negotiations that will take place in Bern, 1,000 is not enough. “First, I will only show it to the captain.”

With these words, Shin Suk-ju handed Hans a folder that had been placed on one side. As time passed, Hans’ hands began to tremble as he opened the folder and read its contents.

“This, this...”

“This is the employment contract the empire wants. “This is something we will discuss in Bern.”

Hans responded immediately to Shin Sook-ju’s answer.

“I will assign 3,000 people as guides. “The price is enough for 1,000 people!”

In response to Hans’ response, the response department stepped forward and responded.

“1,000 is enough. There are already 2,000 troops prepared to escort the delegation. “If it’s too much, it can overstimulate others.”

“All right! Then I will prepare 1,000 right away!”

“What about the contract?”

“I’ll get it right away tomorrow! See you tomorrow then!”

“Let’s do that.”

Hans quickly bowed and hurried out. Hans, who returned to the unit and regained some sense of reason, suddenly shook his head.

“3,000 mercenaries is too much stimulation? “What are 2,000 imperial troops?”

* * *

Three days later, the imperial delegation headed to Bern, escorted by Swiss mercenaries and imperial troops.

As they left Florence’s territory, the mercenaries and imperial troops in charge of escorting them began to look around without relaxing.

The route chosen by the delegation was to pass through the neutral zone created between Milan and Venice.

By passing through the neutral zone between the two city-states, one could avoid the risk of provoking either side, but on the other hand, the possibility of being attacked by disguised bandits was also very high.

Knowing this danger well, the Swiss mercenaries cleaned their rifles and refilled them with gunpowder whenever they had time. This was to prevent the gunpowder from becoming wet and misexploding.

The imperial army executives who observed the mercenaries’ meticulousness scolded the imperial soldiers.

“Did you see it? saw? “That’s how you manage guns!”

“That’s what combat readiness is!”

As a result, imperial soldiers began to manage their weapons thoroughly.

* * *

About two months after departing from Florence, the imperial delegation was able to arrive in Bern.

Upon hearing that the imperial delegation had arrived, not only the mayor of Bern but also the members of the Swiss Federal Council came out to the castle gate to welcome the imperial delegation.

“welcome!”

“Thank you for welcoming me like this.”

The imperial delegation entered Bern, welcomed by the Swiss.

It was the first time the empire appeared on the European diplomatic stage.