Chapter 969

Episode 969: Everyone is a slut except me... (6)

As soon as they heard the empire’s proposal put forward by Han Myeong-hoe, the Italian leaders who were about to immediately express opposition suddenly fell silent and began to think carefully.

‘Wait a minute... if I do this well...’

If I did well, I was starting to see the possibility of eliminating other competitors.

* * *

During this period, Europe either completely closed off or, even if it did open, protectionism was the basis. The most stark example was England. Florence’s famous woolen industry was also based on wool exported from England. England implemented extreme protectionist policies to develop its woolen industry.

Not only was it not enough to impose a huge tax on woolen textiles coming from overseas, especially Italy, but restrictions were placed on the amount of imports. England, which not only restricted the import of woolen fabrics but also restricted the export of wool, the raw material, began scouting for woolen craftsmen in Italy and Europe. Thanks to the implementation of these active development policies and protectionist policies, England’s woolen textile industry grew to the point where it could compete with Italy.

* * *

As in the example of England, protectionism was the basis in Europe during this period. The only exception here were items made in the empire. The main products exported by the empire are expensive luxury items only used by nobles, such as crystal chandeliers, or medicines good for stamina, such as ginseng, that can only be obtained in the empire. Lastly, ceramics that can only be made in the empire – in history before the intervention of incense, ‘bone china’ Known as -products and ‘carbide’.

Therefore, European countries did not prevent it at all, but replaced it with imposing a high rate of authority. The problem here was that the tariffs on products such as ceramics and carbide used by the common people were higher than on the luxury goods and medicines demanded by the nobility. Naturally, public opinion expressing dissatisfaction with this increased significantly, and European governments offered the following excuse.

-The tax rate is low, but the price is so high that the tax amount is much higher.

-And the tax rate is not that low.

This was half the truth. It was true that the tax rate was low, but not very low. And since it was such an expensive product, it was also true that the tax itself was a huge amount. However, the problem was that the main consumers were the aristocrats who were in power. The nobles were also dissatisfied with taxes.

So the tax rate was lowered to an appropriate level.

* * *

Because of this background, Italian leaders were unable to immediately express opposition and began to worry. In northern city-states, including Florence, commerce and industry were the center of the economy. The southern Kingdom of Naples was largely agricultural, but the core of its power was urban aristocrats who made their fortune through commerce and industry in the city.

-Until now, goods imported from the empire were subject to high tariffs. In particular, imperial goods coming through other city-states were subject to higher tariffs.

-However, if there are no tariffs, even if the price is lowered a little, the profits can be big.

-It is impossible in places where merchants from those countries already dominate distribution, such as England, France, Spain, and the Habsburgs, but it is possible to secure overwhelming price competitiveness in markets such as Eastern Europe and the Principality of Moscow in the Hanseatic League.

‘It’s okay in its own way, but doesn’t the empire benefit the most?’

“It seems like a good intention since it is a tariff-free agreement, but isn’t it only the empire that is benefiting one-sidedly?”

“That’s right. Wouldn’t it be a good agreement if it goes in a direction that is mutually beneficial?”

When the Italian leaders made a deal disguised as a counterargument, Han Myeong-hoe smiled slightly and agreed to the bargain.

“That is correct. It is a good agreement if it goes in a direction that is mutually beneficial. So...”

Han Myeong-hoe, who was speechless for a moment, once again sent a hand signal and the imperial officials distributed a new report.

“Looking at the goods coming into the empire these days, I see a lot of woolen fabrics from Italy and high-quality lace silverware from France coming in. The empire is taxing these items. If there were no taxes, wouldn’t the people of the empire buy more?”

As Han Myeong-hoe said, Italian wool and leather products were very popular in the empire. Wool was a fresh material for the people of the empire who were only accustomed to cotton fabrics. The same was true for leather products. Unlike imperial-made products, which were only functional and had a simple appearance, leather products made in Italy were very flashy and popular.

“Hmm...”

“Hoo...”

The Italian leaders’ eyes lit up after checking the report.

“Give me a moment. This is not something that anyone can decide on their own. Everyone’s will must come together.”

“Of course.”

Negotiations were temporarily suspended due to the concession of Han Myeong-hoe. The Italian leaders moved to another conference room and listened to Lorenzo de’ Medici.

“How much do you know about this!”

“Florence is close to the Empire, so it would not have been unaware of this proposal!”

Lorenzo waved his hands with an embarrassed expression in response to pressure from other leaders.

“I didn’t know either! I knew something about national politics! But I didn’t know about this part! I swear to the Virgin Mary that I don’t know!”

“That can’t be possible...”

“Honestly, isn’t this part of the empire’s internal affairs? But would you have told me?”

“.....Right.”

“That makes sense.”

The other leaders nodded at Lorenzo’s protest. When the leaders were satisfied and withdrew, Lorenzo hurried to get to the point.

Lee Si-ae, who was looking at the commanders leaving with an arrogant look on his face, turned his head to look at Corleone and his subordinate commanders.

“It seems we went to war too easily because we looked so lightly on France and Spain.”

“It’s going to be a bit of a struggle.”

Lee Si-ae shook her head and responded to her subordinate commander’s words.

“It’s lucky if we don’t lose the war.”

And the battle that followed was a series of vicious struggles.

* * *

Before the battle began, the morale of the French and Spanish troops was at its lowest point. According to the information brought by the scouts, the size of the troops coming towards them was much larger than theirs.

“Should we prepare to withdraw.....”

“Even if we do withdraw, shouldn’t we fight at least once?”

“Can you fight and win when the soldiers’ morale is at its lowest?”

While the commanders of the French and Spanish armies were having these conversations and worrying, the scouts were constantly asking for information. When receiving reports from such scouts, the French military commanders felt something strange and expressed doubts.

“Wait? The scouts are wandering around like this, but they all come back safely?”

“Nonsense?”

If it were the Imperial Army they knew, something like this could never have happened. One of the first things the empire did was eliminate as many enemy scouts as possible.

-Fight comfortably with the enemy’s eyes and ears removed.

This was the basic tactic of the imperial army.

“Something is strange!”

“Send out more scouts!”

The French commander’s expression became fierce after confirming the information he had obtained by releasing more scouts.

“These?”

-The enemy’s leaders are Genoa, Milan, Venice, Naples and Romagna.

-The Imperial Swiss Army and the Florentine Army are located in the rear.

“These? Do they think they can deal with us as well as Genoa or Milan?”

“What a disgrace!”

The commanders, enraged with shame, exploded at the information that followed. This was information brought by bold scouts who disguised themselves as farmers and merchants and infiltrated bars on the Italian army’s route of

advance. At the strong request of the commanders of the advanced army, the imperial and Swiss Florentine forces were pushed to the rear.

-The soldiers of the leading unit consider their allies to be cowards.

“Ha! These really are!”

The French and Spanish military commanders were angry but could not move easily.

“Find out where the Imperial Artillery is that would be worthy of being thrown into the brimstone of that damn hell!”

“Same goes for the assault corps!”

The information brought by the scouts who moved after receiving the order was as follows.

-No imperial artillery in the leading units. There are no assault troops either.

“Is that so?”

After confirming the information, the French and Spanish commanders sent messengers to each other.

“They seem to be looking at us funny, so let’s make a point of it!”

“Sure!”

And this atmosphere also spread among the soldiers who heard the rumor.

“Are these guys who know how to play soldiers making fun of us?”

“I’ll make you shed bloody tears!”

“Do you think they are imperial soldiers? Just look where they are!”