Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 302

Episode 302: Heavenly Kingdom. (3)

Oh Ha-seok and his party, seeing that the governor’s mood was favorable, began to harden.

“We need your help in order to continue the good relationship between Joseon and your country in the future. So I prepared a small gift for you.”

“gift?”

The governor’s eyes sparkled as he heard what was said through the interpreter. It wasn’t just the governor. The officials near the governor all also had their eyes shining.

For an item from the ‘Land of Flowers’, there was nothing that was not valuable. However, it was a gift I brought from the ‘Land of Flowers’. It must have been carefully selected, and it was certain to be a great luxury item.

After a while, the governor’s servants brought large and small wooden boxes and placed them in front of the governor.

“Huh… starting with the boxes…”

The governor and officials who saw the wooden boxes let out exclamations of exclamation. The boxes, which were painted with the highest quality lacquer and had edges finished with thin bronze decoration, were unusual at first glance.

* * *

When Joseon began exporting in earnest, Hyang emphasized the importance of packaging.

“Why is there a saying, ‘If you can, go for a red skirt’ or ‘a rice cake that looks good is also good to eat’!”

Hyang, who zealously emphasized the importance of packaging, even gathered separate painters and woodworkers to focus solely on packaging design research.

Flower gardens and ranches had to go through indescribable hardships to satisfy the eyes of those with experience in the extremely developed capitalist society of the 21st century. But the results were clear.

Even at first glance, it was clear that the royal workshop’s products, which used packaging made at the direction of the mayor, were expensive items. Thanks to this, the eyes of royal officials, including King Sejong and Queen Soheon, as well as ministers, also increased. And as a result of the trickle-down effect, the eyes of middle and lower-level officials became higher, and the eyes of the general public also became higher and began to be picky about the level of packaging.

Thanks to this, the Royal Workshop has come to the point of releasing wooden boxes exclusively for packaging as a product. Additionally, the private sector has also begun to pay attention to packaging.

As things became like this, there began to be luxury enthusiasts who only collected these wooden boxes.

As a side note, in the distant future, among the wooden boxes made this way, those that survived the test of time were traded at high prices at auction houses.

* * *

Anyway, Tae-su, who was enjoying the feel of the smooth wooden boxes by stroking them with his hands, opened the lid of the wooden boxes.

When I opened the lid, an inner lid wrapped in red silk was revealed. After looking at the inner lid, Tae-su checked the upper left part of the inside of the outer lid.

Traditionally, Joseon products had flowers attached to the upper left part of the inside of the box lid.

And this box also had a flower pattern engraved on the same part.

The governor couldn’t hide his joy after checking the flowers.

This was because five golden pear flowers were engraved on it.

“huh? “The center of the flower?”

Taesu slightly tilted his head. At the center of the golden flowers engraved on the box was a small piece of sparkling glass. It was a pattern I had never seen before.

“Excuse me, but what is stuck among these flowers? “Is this your first time seeing it?”

In response to the governor’s question, an official from the Ministry of Finance and Economy came forward and explained.

“This time, another new level has been created. “What the Governor sees is the mark of the newly created highest level.”

“Really!”

“yes.”

After hearing the explanation, the governor’s face brightened and the officials’ curiosity deepened.

Taesu’s fingers were trembling slightly with excitement as he opened the seal connecting the inner lid and the box.

“Oh oh!”

Taesu opened the inner lid and looked inside, immediately letting out an exclamation. Inside was a long-necked glass kettle and teacups with handles.

What the governor was impressed by was the glass used in the kettle and tea cup. Glass products were not unfamiliar to the governor. This was because there were many glass products from as far away as Italy and Arab as well as those from Joseon.

But I swear to Allah, I have never seen glass that shines so brilliantly.

Taesu took out the teacup with trembling hands and lifted it up. The flower pattern engraved on the teacup glowed brightly in the light coming through the window.

“Oooh~.”

The officials who saw the teacup shining brightly also expressed their admiration.

Then, the opened boxes contained plates and bowls made of crystal.

“It is indeed the ‘land of flowers’! I will definitely do my best to ensure that your country can trade with us! “I swear to Allah, I will make sure you succeed!”

The governor’s words were not simply because he was tempted by the gift. If such a precious item were brought to Chittagong, all the merchants in India would flock to it, which meant a huge amount of money would flow in.

Tae-soo could not miss this genius opportunity.

The governor proceeded with the work at lightning speed.

“It will take me some time to prepare, three days! Come with me to Pandua in three days! The Shah will definitely allow trade with the ‘Land of Flowers’!”

“Thank you so much!”

Oh Ha-seok and his group bowed with joy.

* * *

The group’s steps after leaving the governor’s residence and returning to the port were lighter than ever before.

“This is going to work out better than expected.”

“That’s right.”

The Korean group all had bright faces, but Mansour’s face was not so bright. An official from the Ministry of Finance and Economy who saw Mansour’s face spoke to him.

“Why are you so full of worry?”

Mansur, who heard the words through the interpreter, immediately complained.

“If Chosun sells such products directly, I think the only thing left to do is ruin.”

An official from the Ministry of Finance and Economy, who heard Mansour’s complaints through an interpreter, responded with a smile.

“ha ha ha! A person kills someone so violently! How many people would buy such expensive items? And in Joseon, there are many things you can take and make money from, so don’t worry!”

Mansur, who heard the words through an interpreter, grumbled slightly.

“That gentleman said the same thing. shit! “I was wondering if I could make some easy money… but I guess I’ll have to work around diligently again.”

* * *

As promised, three days passed and the governor appeared at the port, ready to set off.

“He tells us to follow his boat carefully.”

“I understand.”

Following the ship carrying the governor, the joint fleet of Joseon and Mansur left Chittagong and headed for Pandua.

After crossing the sea on a three-day voyage, the fleet began to ascend a large river.

The fleet sailed up the river and soon docked at the port.

“Is this Pandua?”

Mansour shook his head when asked by Oh Ha-seok and his party who got off the boat.

“no. This is near Kolkata. Pandua requires a few more days to travel by land from here.”

Gangnam-gil, who was looking around while listening to Mansour’s explanation, asked Mansour.

“It’s a huge river, but can’t I go any further? “Chittagong is also a place next to a river, so didn’t you go there?”

“Chittagong is a trading port, so successive governors paid attention to dredging. But not here.”

“is it? “It’s a shame.”

Gangnam-gil couldn’t hide his disappointment after hearing Mansour’s answer.

After confirming that he could not go any further by boat, Oh Ha-seok turned to the Ministry of Finance and Economy officials.

“From now on, I think it is True Justice’s turn to use his power.”

Park Hyun-soo, a member of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, responded with a smile to Oh Ha-seok’s words.

“I need to pay for the medicine I took. “Could you please arrange for the cart first?”

“Of course.”

With the help of Mansur and the satrap, a large cart appeared at the dock.

“careful! careful!”

Once the cart was ready, the wheeler installed on the Mujeokho took the large box out of the dock and lowered it onto the dock. When a box large enough to fit two people was unloaded, the governor showed interest.

“The box is very big.”

“It is a gift to the Shah.”

The workers at the dock rushed to load the box onto a cart, and the soldiers who were to guard Park Cham-ui got off the ship with their weapons.

“How long will it take?”

“If everything goes well, I’ll be back in 15 days.”

“I understand. Well then, I hope you have a safe trip. Captain Jang. “Have a nice trip.”

At Oh Ha-seok’s words, the captain of the Invincible smiled and nodded.

“Then let’s go.”

Thanks to the governor’s consideration, Captain Jang, interpreter Park Hyeon-su, and Mansour, who saved the horse, left the dock with the governor.

* * *

After five days of marching, the Koreans arrived at Pandua. The procession stopped for a moment just before the gate of the earthen fortress surrounding Pandua. While I was taking a break while waiting for the messenger sent by the governor, the governor approached me and spoke to me.

“The quality of the soldiers is truly good.”

“They are good soldiers. thank you.”

Jang Gwang-seok, the captain of the Invincible, responded with a smile to the governor’s favorable comment.

The Governor’s evaluation was sincere. After departing from the port near Kolkata, the discipline of the Joseon army was strict.

While taking a short rest, the messenger sent by the governor returned and reported to the governor.

After hearing the messenger’s answer, the governor conveyed the answer to the Joseon people.

“An order has come to allow entry. let’s go.”

* * *

In this way, the Koreans who entered Pandua were able to enter the Shah’s palace.

“So you’re from the land of flowers?”

“That’s right.”

“The reason is?”

“It’s for trade.”

“It’s trade…”

Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah, who ruled the Sultanate of Bengal, looked at the Koreans while tapping his fingers on the armrest.

‘It’s not tribute, it’s trade…’

The governor interjected as the Shah was reticent, gauging the intentions of the Koreans.

“This is the ‘land of flowers,’ where all kinds of precious things grow. “I don’t think there will be any loss.”

“I see…”

Park Hyun-soo, looking at Shah’s expression, opened his mouth and lightly bowed his head.

“We have prepared a gift to thank you for allowing us to enter.”

Shah’s eyes sparkled at Park Hyun-soo’s words.

“It’s a gift… I’m interested because it’s from the ‘Land of Flowers.’ “Bring it in.”

When the Shah gave permission, the palace servants came in carrying a large wooden box. The servants holding the box threaded wooden poles into the rings along both sides of the wooden box and carefully set it down in front of the Shah.

“Open it.”

At the Shah’s command, the servants carefully dismantled the wooden box. When the front of the wooden box was torn off with a crowbar, the gift covered with a high-quality blue cotton cloth was revealed.

“Take away the cloth.”

At the Shah’s command, the soldiers rushed and surrounded the gift. After preparations for any possible danger were completed, a soldier came forward and rolled up the cloth.

“Oh oh!”

When the cloth was lifted, the Daejeon hall was filled with exclamations. Even Xia, who had been sitting on a chair with a stoic expression just moments ago, got up from his seat and walked forward.

The object that surprised everyone in the Shah’s palace was a large crystal chandelier.

“This is…”

“If you light a candle in a candlestick and hang it from the ceiling, it will brighten up the entire hall.”

Following Park Hyun-soo’s explanation, the Shah immediately gave an order.

“Bring candles and lamps right now!”

The chandelier, which consisted of lighted candles and lamps placed on candlesticks, was soon hung from the ceiling using string. The crystals sparkled brightly in the light of candles and lamps, and the ceiling of Daejeon sparkled with light.

Seeing that sight, Sha muttered without realizing it.

“It is indeed the ‘Land of Flowers’… It seems as if a star has been brought from the sky.”

The chandelier shining brightly from the ceiling was so amazing that it even filled me with awe.

Shah, who had been staring blankly at the chandelier on the ceiling, looked back at Hyunsoo Park and the Koreans.

“It’s impossible for people to create something like that with their own hands… What kind of place is the ‘Land of Flowers’?”

Hyunsoo Park answered Shah’s question with a smile.

“It’s not the country of flowers, it’s Joseon. shaman.”