Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 215
Episode 215: Challenger. (3)
The products Mansour chose were diverse.
Among them, there were many unusual ones. In addition to root root and ginseng, the newly added product was Woohwangcheongsimwon.
“Woohwangcheongsimwon? “Have you tried it?”
Mansour nodded in response to Kim Jeom’s question.
“There was an incident in Aden where I almost collapsed because I was too nervous, and that was when I saw the benefits.”
“Hmm… I’m glad.”
“Thanks to you, I plan to stock it as a family emergency medicine rather than for sale.”
Kim Jeom tilted his head in response to Mansour’s answer.
“Isn’t there a lot of quantity for that?”
“There are three families and quite a few old people.”
“Hmm… I understand.”
However, Mansour’s bulk purchase of Woohwangcheongsimwon encountered an unexpected reef.
The lawmakers of the National Assembly, a related department, opposed it.
“Although Woohwang Cheongsimwon is an emergency medicine, the dosage must be adjusted based on the patient’s condition. You should never sell it indiscriminately! If you do it wrong, it will be known as poison rather than medicine!”
When the medical doctors objected, King Sejong, who received the report, called the medical doctors. King Sejong asked a question to the prostrate doctors.
“Why are the medical doctors opposed? “Didn’t it sell well in the Ming and Wa countries?”
“Aren’t there lawmakers there who know Woohwang Cheongsimwon well?”
“Right.”
Sejong nodded to the medical doctors’ explanation and then looked back at Kim Jeom.
“I think the doctors’ opinions are reasonable. They say the difference between medicine and poison is just a page. If we misuse it or abuse it, we will be criticized. “Let me explain this.”
“I follow your orders.”
Now that Sejong’s decision had been made, Kim Jeom explained the decision to Mansour.
“It’s a shame. So does that mean it can’t be sold at all?”
“For the time being. Send a congressman if necessary. “You can avoid danger if you know how to use it properly.”
“yes. All right.”
Mansour had no choice but to promise what would happen next.
Meanwhile, Hyang, who heard the rumor, looked surprised.
“what? Rather, the noblemen of this period are more strict, aren’t they?”
In the 21st century, Woohwang Cheongsimwon was a drug that was easily available at pharmacies. Thanks to this, it was a drug used in a variety of situations. As for incense, I had the experience of chewing a piece beforehand and eating it when I was in a situation where my parents would break it.
However, Joseon’s medical doctors were very picky when it came to using Woohwangcheongsimwon.
Of course, a touch of incense was also added to this Wohwang Cheongsimwon. The reason for the interference with the scent was the exclusion of root silt from the ingredients of Woohwang Cheongsimwon.
“Injection is a traditionally used medicine, but….”
“Mercury is the problem.”
“Mercury is also used as a medicine….”
“Looking at the records of the children, it is said that taking mercury causes deformities in the body and has a negative effect on children.”
“But…”
As the medical doctors continued to respond negatively, the Hyang pushed ahead with the actual experiment. This actually showed that feeding mercury to chickens causes problems. Of course, it was a long-term experiment that lasted almost a year.
After confirming that it was actually causing problems, doctors excluded rosacea from the raw materials.
* * *
Aside from these medicines, what Mansour purchased in large quantities were perfumes and scented oils.
“Perfumery is a product that has surprisingly different likes and dislikes. Are they selling well?”
Mansour nodded in response to Kim Jeom’s question.
“yes. It is popular because it has a subtle yet long-lasting scent. Even damn Catholics like it.”
“is it?”
In response to Mansour’s answer, Kim Jeom muttered to himself.
‘The response to the perfume is good. ‘I must remember this.’
As Kim Jeom noted, the spices made in Joseon were selling well and receiving surprisingly favorable reviews in the Middle East and Europe.
Joseon’s spice manufacturing technology, which had been passed down since the Three Kingdoms period, shone.
Meanwhile, Hyang was trying to manufacture new perfumes by training the artisans who supplied perfumes to the royal family.
The new attempt indicated by the scent was a perfume made by dissolving it in alcohol.
The reason Hyang attempted this was simple.
“I need skin lotion!”
As I got older and my beard grew darker, I began to pay more attention to shaving and attempted to make skin lotion, which is a necessity.
* * *
The transaction between Mansour and Kim Jeom went on for several days. The reason it took so long was not because of the unit price issue.
There was a difference between the quantity Mansour wanted and the quantity that Joseon could supply, so continuous coordination had to be made.
“no! “I’m paying the bill!”
“Who would say that because of payment issues? “It’s because of the limited supply.”
“What are the things that are filling up the warehouse in Jemulpo?”
“Those are items that already have an owner.”
“Then, if I buy it with extra money….”
“That’s not possible!”
When Mansour mentioned ‘Utdon’, Kim Jeom struck him down with a single sword.
“Even though I am not a merchant, I understand the importance of faithfulness! “Don’t even say such dirty words!”
At Kim Jeom’s resolute response, Mansour turned to Hassan. Mansour, seeing Hassan’s nod, politely apologized.
“I was rude. Because my greed took precedence….”
“Be careful. “The leader also leads a large company, so don’t you know the importance of trust?”
“But we brought a lot of boats, but the quantity is small…”
“But it’s still more than last time, right? As more and more workshops are opening up in our Joseon Dynasty, the day will soon come when there will be more than enough to fill the warehouses of those ships. In that sense…”
Pausing for a moment, Kim Jeom caught Mansour’s attention and hinted at the bait.
“Are you not interested in fabric?”
“Cloth?”
“We call it Gwangmok (廣木). “It is also called a machine tree.”
Mansour thought for a moment about Kim Jeom’s words.
‘If this gentleman recommends it, it’s probably not something out of the ordinary!’
“Can you see the real thing?”
“of course!”
When Mansour showed interest, Kim Jeom was delighted.
‘I caught it!’
Mansour’s eyes sparkled when he saw the bright eyes that Kim Jeom showed.
“It’s quite wide! And I like how dense it is!”
Aden, where the Otaibi family lives, faces the sea, so it was hot and humid. However, if you go a little bit inside, it is a dry climate where the strong sunlight dries out both people and animals. Additionally, the daily temperature difference between day and night was significant. In such climates, fabrics with dense texture that effectively blocks sunlight were popular.
Therefore, Mansour confirmed the marketability of the cotton cloth recommended by Kim Jeom.
“How much of this can I get?”
“How much do you need?”
In this way, Kim Jeom was able to reap an unexpected harvest.
* * *
Kim Jeom, who saw Mansour off, handed over the relevant documents to his subordinates.
“Please organize it well and bring it with you.”
“yes.”
“ASAP. “I have to report it to His Majesty the Lord.”
At Kim Jeom’s words, the Hojo official’s face turned black. Seeing that, Kim Jeom said something.
“Do you work overtime once or twice?”
“It’s been four days now…”
“Just do it. “I will pay you overtime pay.”
“… yes.”
Kim Jeom handed over the documents to his subordinate and quenched his thirst with water from the kettle he kept next to him.
“I kept talking and I got thirsty.”
Kim Jeom cleared his throat and muttered with a much lighter expression.
“Anyway, I solved one homework.”
The homework he mentioned was light.
In addition to incense, merchants expected that cotton would be a big hit. However, when Gwangmok was released on the market, the response was far beyond their expectations.
“You buy cotton cloth with money?”
“You’re paying money to buy cotton cloth that can just be woven? “Is the money rotting?”
People who were accustomed to weaving cotton cloth at home reacted indifferently. As time passed, cotton began to flow into small villages, but the people’s reaction was still negative.
“It’s good, but it’s not worth paying money to buy it…”
“The cotton cloth is good now…”
The cotton cloth produced from the factory did not satisfy the people in terms of cost-effectiveness. In the end, the cotton cloth that came out of the factory was sold only to the wealthy who were accustomed to high-quality cotton cloth.
“You can’t believe they sell such luxury goods at this price!”
It was popular among the wealthy because it was cheaper, but there were few such wealthy people throughout Joseon.
Eventually, more and more inventory began to pile up in the warehouse. The government and merchants carried out promotional activities in Ming and Japanese countries to find sales channels, but the situation was similar to Joseon.
The Ming Dynasty was in a situation where cotton cloth of similar quality was common – Hyang commented that it was a victory of the Incheon tactics – and the Japanese Empire did not have the money to buy such cotton cloth.
In the end, while struggling to find a sales channel, Mansour became the solution.
* * *
Finally, after three months in Joseon, Mansour finally left Joseon.
Mansur, who visited Geunjeongjeon and prostrated himself before King Sejong, expressed his gratitude to King Sejong.
“I am so flattered by the generous treatment given to a humble merchant.”
“I’m glad there was no inconvenience. “I hope you return to your hometown safely.”
“I can only take note of your Majesty’s concern.”
“Your success is the success of our Joseon Dynasty, so I hope there will be good results.”
“I will do my best.”
When Mansour came out of Geunjeongjeon after bowing to King Sejong, Kim Jeom saw him off until the end.
“As you said, I hope you return safely.”
“thank you. “I am truly grateful for the generosity shown, starting with the canvas.”
“What… Isn’t this something we all want to be good for?”
“Of course.”
While listening to Mansour’s answer, Kim Jeom gestured to the Hojo official who was following him. At Kim Jeom’s gesture, the Hojo official quickly handed over the large bundle.
“Take this.”
“What is this?”
“It’s a good medicine. “The most important thing is always your health, so eat it well.”
“Yes…”
Mansour had a strange expression after receiving the medicine. This was because he had also heard rumors about medicinal herbs being passed around among Joseon officials. Kim Jeom, who saw Mansour’s expression, immediately added his words.
“There is a strange rumor going around about tonics these days, but they are given out of genuine kindness. favor!”
“… thank you.”
“This is an age of distrust where favors must be questioned!”
“thank you!”
After saying goodbye to Kim Jeom, Mansur asked Hassan, who was accompanying him.
“It must be a real favor, right?”
“You will be favored.”
‘maybe?’
The last word was Hassan, hiding it in his mouth.
* * *
Five days after Mansour and his party left, King Sejong headed to Gyeonggi-do with his government and ministers.
“Is this road newly paved?”
“Yes Abama.”
Sejong looked at the road stretched out in front of him with a pleased expression.
“What a wide and straight road it is! “I hope our Joseon future is like this too!”
Hyang immediately responded to Sejong’s words.
“Because Abamama’s will is firm and there are capable ministers, it will definitely happen.”
“You are right.”
King Sejong answered Hyang’s words with a smile and looked back at the ministers following him.
“I will only believe in the scriptures.”
“I will do my best!”
The ministers answered in a loud voice all at once. But my insides were burning black.
‘This clearly means that he wants to give us more work!’
‘You have to jump out! ‘I have to submit my resignation!’
The place where King Sejong and his party headed was the shipyard in Suyeong, Gyeonggi Province.
In Namyang Hwaryang Bay, Gyeonggi-do, there was a place where Gyeonggi Swimming’s ships were built.
And this was where the construction of the new ship, centered on the scent, was taking place.
“See you, His Majesty the Lord!”
“insect!”
King Sejong, who entered the swimming pool while responding to the military courtesy of the naval soldiers, starting with the Gyeonggi Suyeong naval jeoldosa (investigation), got off his horse and looked around Suyeong.
In particular, King Sejong inspected the warehouse where various spears and swords were stored, the warehouse where artillery was stored, and lastly, the warehouse where gunpowder was inspected, and he looked back on the investigation and praised it.
“There is no rust on the spears and guns, so I can understand the hard work of the investigators and soldiers. “The seas of Joseon are peaceful because of the generals and soldiers, and I am truly grateful!”
Under King Sejong’s rule, the monks and soldiers looked proud.