1597 Fall

“Your majesty. Your father and the king of Spain - Felipe II – has sent you a message. Would you allow me to read it on behalf of him?”

“…Go on.”

“I, the King of Iberia, Felipe II humbly asks the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Netherlands (* The United Kingdom for short from now) – Eduardo I (*Referring Edward VII in Spain) – to become allies and fight against the Muslim heretics and protect the Christianity world.”

Spain officially asked to join the war, which was asking the United Kingdom to join the Holy League and fight against the Ottomans. The request was not out of the ordinary, but the message was. Is hell freezing over? My arrogant father, Felipe II was begging for my help, for the first time in his life.

Which means that the victory was necessary to him at this war against the Ottomans. Then, he truly is a fervent Catholic and a Protector of Faith. Although he’s a tyrant and not-so-much a good ruler to his people, announcing default for 4 times and never letting his men rest, with waging war almost every year.

Anyway, I replied to the Spanish messengers

“I shall discuss this matter with the UK parliament.”

It was an indirect ‘No’.

The congress would never, ever allow joining the war, which the United Kingdom has nothing to earn.

Of course, with an overwhelming majority, the parliament voted ‘Nay’ to the bill of war participation. Instead, a special bill which allows the United Kingdom to sell Spain all sorts of war supplies, including the battleships, was introduced. And that special bill was passed with an overwhelming majority.

‘Hahaha…so they only love money. How great!’

Meanwhile, Congress passed a revision of the Constitution. Major changes were the standard of the freemen and the additional rights and duties of a freeman. The former was changed into a 20 years old or older male who sincerely pays tax earns at least 1 ￡ per year. (*It was 25 years old or older male who sincerely pays tax and earns at least 2 ￡ per year before.) And the right to be educated and the duty of national defense was added. But the standing army was still a recruitment system, not a compulsory system and the freeman can be relieved of being drafted by paying additional defense tax.

Also, the Jews were given freedom of movement. (the right to travel) It was a result of the continuous Jewish lobby, which strengthened their voice with their influence growing at the financial sector. This caused the anti-Jewish revolt in London, and the police were put to silence the riot, which took 2 weeks.

1597 Winter

Felipe II again asked me and my kingdom to fight with him and Spain against the Ottomans. I only heard that it was a neck-and-neck situation, but later, I’ve learned that the Holy League lost the Crete and almost lost Tunisia.

I again replied to the messenger

“I shall discuss this matter with the Congress.”

And the Parliament rejected the participation in the war. Instead, a bill which lends the Iberian Kingdom (*The United Kingdom of Spain and Portugal) 30 million Ducat worth of battleships and other war supplies with 2% interest was passed. However, since 30 million Ducat worth of battleships and other war supplies cost an arm and a leg and leg to the United Kingdom, it was decided that the Philippines be held as a warrant. The Iberian Kingdom had no choice but to say yes since the size of war supplies was almost equivalent to that of war participation.

1598 Spring

In Joseon, the Dongnae Castle – Joseon’s castle which was occupied by Japan from 1592, fell under the Joseon and Ming alliance army.

Although Francis Drake’s saying ‘Your majesty, I’ve killed 30,000 enemies at a single battle.’ was bragging, it was true that privateers led by him blasted the Tsushima Strait and shattered the supplies ships of Japan. And Drake claimed in his report that only he and his 3,000 pirates seized the Tsushima Island.

Excuse me, 3,000? That’s the twice the size of the pirates the East India Company sent to the Korean peninsula. Come on, you must have had help from the famous Joseon admiral, Yi Sun-sin and his fleets.

Whatever the reason was, as a result of a series of defeats, Toyotomi (*Ruler of Japan at that time.)’s authority was shattered. So, the Shimadzu Clan revolted against him, claiming to conquer the entire Kyushu Island (*The far-west island in the Japan Isles), with the help of the East India Company.

Of course, Toyotomi went bananas, but he didn’t have enough power to silence the rebels since most of his troops were either dead or captured in Joseon (*Korean dynasty at that time.) and most his fleets blasted in the Tsushima Strait.

Adding insult to injury, Tokugawa Clan, which was silent till now also rebelled against him.

“Look! Toyotomi put our nation in jeopardy with an unnecessary war against Joseon! Not only Ming but also the East India Company is fighting against us, taking Joseon’s side! We’ve didn’t acquire any new territory in the Korean peninsula, only losing Tsushima island! It’s time to kick that serf (*Toyotomi was born as a serf but rose to power with luck and wit.) out of power!”

And they sided with the Shimadzu Clan. So, the East India Company formally established branches in both clan’s feud and supported their rebellion.

“Splendid, your majesty!”

“What say we support the Joseon-Ming Alliance and help them land at the Japan Isles, your majesty?”

The parliament became bold at the continuous news of victory and suggested me to help Joseon and Ming to capture Japan and colonize them.

‘Hey, I’m not MacArthur. And it’s not an Operation Downfall, you fool.’

“No, it’s too much burden. We only need to change Japan’s regime into a more friendly one, not colonizing Japan. Plus, it would shatter the balance in the Far East, by making Joseon and Ming too powerful.”

“…Understood, your majesty.”

I clearly know that Joseon and Ming don’t have enough strength to invade Japan for revenge, and I don’t want to lose the Japanese market by putting my men in the Far East soil.

And the congress obeyed to my decision.