Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 309
Episode 309: The road to the land of flowers. (6)
The morning after the auction ended.
People flocked to Mansur’s mansion in Alexandria.
To be precise, they gathered in front of a store that had been renovated from one side of the mansion.
It was yesterday’s auction that caused such a crowd of people. Small and medium-sized merchants who saw yesterday’s auction or heard rumors flocked there.
“The store might have something we can buy!”
“I guess there is! “Even though the number of flowers will drop!”
“What if I fall! “As long as there are flowers, we can at least double the business!”
Small and medium-sized merchants, hoping to make a profit and carrying pockets full of gold coins and placer gold pieces, waited for the store doors to open.
After a while, the door to the store opened. But merchants could not enter easily.
This was because Korean sailors came out through the open door and stood guard in front of the store.
It wasn’t simply that foreigners were standing guard in front of the store, preventing them from entering.
The sailors guarding the front of the store were wearing sunglasses.
The sight of the Joseon sailors, whose eyes were obscured by the awning, gave off a strangely intimidating feeling that made the merchants hesitate.
After a while, the store manager came out and shouted at the merchants.
“To ensure a smooth operation, we will be taking three people at a time! So get in line!”
The merchants, shocked by the manager’s shouts and the sight of the Joseon sailors, began to line up one after another.
Once the line had formed to a certain extent, the manager began letting merchants into the store, three at a time.
The merchants who entered the store all glanced at the Joseon sailors before going inside.
Everyone was curious about what was covering their eyes, but no one was bold enough to ask.
However, one merchant who could not overcome his curiosity asked the manager.
“Those people are from the ‘Land of Flowers,’ right?”
“That’s right.”
“What are they covering their eyes with?”
“I guess it’s Cha Il-kyung.”
“Cha Il-kyung?”
“I would say it is an object that blocks sunlight.”
“Hoo?”
The merchant who questioned the manager’s words and the merchants around him began to show interest.
Many of those living in Egypt and the Arab world had poor eyesight or suffered from eye diseases. It was because of the strong sunlight in the desert.
The merchant, who was looking at the Joseon sailors with eyes full of curiosity, asked the manager.
“Are you selling that too?”
* * *
After Pietro and Master Go made the chail mirror, they ordered Hyang to make things for other craftsmen as well.
“I am devastated that you think so much of our humble craftsmen!”
When the late leader bowed deeply and expressed his gratitude on the spot, Hyang smiled and responded.
“Aren’t your eyes the life? Rather, I feel sorry for not paying attention in advance.”
In this way, Cha Il-kyung was created and the truth became known to King Sejong.
“Your eyes are cool!”
King Sejong was very satisfied with the use of Cha Il-gyeong, and it was then given to ministers.
But as time passed, the scent became somewhat unpleasant.
“They said that wearing poorly made sunglasses would be bad, but there was an answer, but what was it…”
Hyang, who had been thinking about it for several days, suddenly woke up from his sleep.
“UV-rays! You remembered! “That’s great, my head!”
“What is going on with you!”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
The scent that blocked the inner tube that was trying to enter the room grumbled softly.
“I forgot about this…”
* * *
When I was living in Gwangdeok in the 21st century, Hyang visited sites named Wiki every day. This was because it was the easiest way to find materials when there was an item I wanted to work on.
Of course, sometimes there was no information on domestic wiki sites, so I searched foreign wiki sites, especially the United States.
Then, when he entered college, Hyang (Kim Jin-ho at the time), who wanted to be stylish in his own way, began searching the Internet.
“After all, sunglasses are cool!”
After selecting the item, Hyang automatically went to the wiki site and noticed a contradiction there.
-Sunglasses must be chosen with high UV protection. (Note 1)
“I see.”
Hyang nodded and continued searching. Hyang, who was searching for items such as ‘lens’ and ‘glass’, twisted his head.
“huh?”
-Glass blocks ultraviolet rays.
“Aren’t the lenses on the sunglasses made of glass? What happened?”
Intrigued, Hyang continued his search and came to his own conclusion.
-Glass blocks ultraviolet rays. This is UVB. UVA passes.
-The lenses of sunglasses are polycarbonate or acrylic CR39. Glass is rarely used.
-The reason ordinary soda-lime glass blocks ultraviolet rays is because of iron oxide, which exists as a common impurity. (Note 2)
-Green provides comfortable vision, and gray is good for long-term outdoor activities. (Note 1)
* * *
Hyang, who brought back old memories, sat with his arms crossed and muttered.
“Is that so? Then you can’t just let go.”
After that, the late Yajang and Pietro Raphael had to suffer from incense.
“It’s iron oxide… simply put, it’s rusty iron.”
For the incense, the rust from the peeled iron was gathered together, ground into fine powder as much as possible, and put into a glass kiln.
There was a lot of trial and error as to how much to mix to get the optimal result, and eventually I was able to find the right ratio.
“You said you liked gray, right? And to be exact, it’s not gray, but light black.”
So this time, trial and error to find the right concentration continued.
* * *
After going through such trial and error, Hyang found the optimal result at the current level, and this time he took on the challenge of design – or, to be precise, stole it.
“When it comes to sunglasses, it’s definitely a lie!”
Mispronunciation of Ray-Ban: Rai-Bang.
However, in the 21st century, the words of not only her father but also the male elders in her family were engraved in her head.
The scent design that mobilized these memories was finalized.
The newly created Cha Il-gyeong had a satisfactory level of scent.
Looking at the new Cha Il-kyung that was created in this way, Yajang Ko and Pietro Raphael nodded and had a conversation.
“If the crown prince steps forward, the right product will definitely come out.”
“Though those below suffer to death.”
“But it definitely performs better than just soot on the glass, right?”
“That’s why you’re not saying anything.”
* * *
Sejong, wearing the newly created Cha Il-gyeong, was very satisfied.
“It’s even better than what I made last time! “I especially like the frame surrounding Cha Il-kyung’s colored glass!”
King Sejong was so pleased that he ordered a large quantity again and gave it to his subjects.
Not long after, Hyang received a call from Queen Soheon.
“Did you call me?”
“yes. “I’m sorry for calling the crown prince busy, but I have a favor to ask.”
“If it’s your request, would being busy be a problem? “What are you asking?”
“Cha Il-gyeong, written by the Lord Sang….”
Before Queen Soheon could finish her words, Hyang answered.
“We will make it for you as soon as possible!”
And the incense was made and sprinkled not only for Queen Soheon, but also for her concubines and crown prince Yangwon Yangje.
This was not just a favor.
“Well, I’ve spread it to influencers, so I’m sure the answer will come soon.”
* * *
And some time later, as Hyang was on his way to Area 51, the sight of a well-dressed young man wearing a sunglasses came into view.
“It’s already a trend…”
Hyang, who was muttering with a happy face, stopped talking.
“Is something strange?”
Hyang quickly headed to Area 51 and called Director Go to check the situation.
“… therefore. Are you sure that Cha Il-gyeong left here and did nothing other than what I ordered?”
“That’s right.”
“Okay, go and get some work done.”
After sending out the report, Hyang tapped the desk with her fingers and muttered.
“So you’re saying there’s a person who fucked me? “Then… there is the right person.”
Hyang immediately went to Kim Branch and explained the situation. After hearing Hyang’s explanation, Kim Jeom raised his voice.
“Is there someone who committed such a heinous crime? I’ll take care of it! “These guys!”
Hyang muttered softly as he saw Kim Jeom quickly disappearing outside.
“You are very excited. “A few more people will be ripped off.”
* * *
After those who attempted to make illegal copies failed, merchants officially ordered Cha Il-gyeong from the Royal Workshop in Area 51.
There were two types of orders from merchants. Some people ordered the finished product, while others only ordered the lens.
Soon, a variety of lens shapes – from simple circles to oval – and price ranges – from low-priced models with basic iron frames plated with tin to high-priced models with silver or gold plating – were released on the market.
Hyang was truly impressed by seeing Cha Il-kyung in so many different ways.
“What is the power of capitalism!”
* * *
As Cha Il-kyung became an everyday item, a new demand arose.
It was military.
The first units supplied with Cha Il-gyeong were the guards guarding the palace. This was because it reduced the eye fatigue caused by standing guard with eyes wide open under strong sunlight, and made the mission easier by reducing the sense of intimidation and rejection that arises from not being able to see.
The next place to be supplied was the cavalry.
The cavalry, which suffered from the problem of strong sunlight in the summer and the reflection of sunlight from the snow accumulated on the Liaodong Plain in the winter, used windshields made using Cha Il-gyeong’s lenses.
The last place where Cha Il-gyeong was supplied was the naval forces.
The naval forces, who had suffered from the sunlight shining from the open sea and the light reflected from the sea surface, which would have made the Liaodong Plain look ridiculous, welcomed Cha Il-gyeong.
And soon, it became common for sailors to purchase and use their own favorite mirrors at the temple, keeping aside the military mirrors that had been issued in bulk from above.
Ministers and high-ranking commanders who received the report talked about punishment, but the village opposed it.
“They didn’t throw away the items that Abamama gave them, so why are you holding them guilty?”
When King Sejong also came out and said that he would not hold the soldiers responsible for the soldiers’ strong opposition, the ministers and high-ranking commanders remained silent.
Hyang grumbled inwardly at that sight.
‘Why are you being such a brat when the spearmen customized their greatswords? ‘What kind of emperor are you?’
* * *
When the merchants asked whether they were selling the Chailgyeong used by Joseon army sailors, the manager answered with a puzzled expression.
“Well, let’s come… I haven’t checked. “Please wait a moment.”
The manager who told the merchant to wait went straight into the main house and found Mansour and Oh Ha-seok.
After hearing the manager’s words, Mansour smiled in remorse.
“Tell them it’s for sale. The price is 6 silver coins for 3 silver flowers and 1 ducat gold coin for 1 gold flower. You still have the box closed, right? “It’s there.”
The manager responded with joy to Mansour’s answer.
“Is that so? “I will do it right away!”
Mansour sent the manager away and explained to Oh Ha-seok what was going on. Oh Ha-seok, who heard the story through the interpreter, nodded as if he understood.
“Somehow… So you asked our soldiers to guard the front of the store?”
“In Korean, they say it’s both a business and a business, right? “Cha Il-kyung also shows off and protects the store.”
Mansour answered with a grin.
As Joseon took charge, the types of goods available were reduced, so Mansour had to do something about it.
While I was wandering around like that, what caught my eye was Cha Il-kyung. After listening to the explanation and actually wearing it, Mansour immediately decided that it would be worth the money and bought it in bulk.
Then, Joseon sailors were mobilized for propaganda and security purposes.
Mansur was also a worn-out merchant.
* * *
Note 1) https://namu.wiki/w/Sunglasses
Note 2) https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass