Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 674
Episode 674: Yoo Yu-sang-jong (4)
Students from Europe flocked to the school in groups, and it wasn’t long before a flood of appeals came to Hyang.
The reason was their behavior and clothing.
* * *
Although everyone came from different countries, this was not a big problem for international students.
This was because the universities they attended, regardless of country, spoke in Latin and read and wrote in Latin.
And a problem arose when several international students – at least four to five or as many as 120 – who communicated well and had the same spirit, gathered together.
Most of the students studying abroad were the second or third sons of noble families or the sons of wealthy merchants or rich farmers.
To put it simply, they were from families that had a lot of weight on their shoulders in one area, so their actions were unhesitating.
The notoriety of these college students was so high that, before the intervention of Hyang, British aristocrats in the 18th century encouraged their children to travel around Europe rather than go to college.
In fact, during this time, an English noblewoman sent a letter like this to her niece.
– To my beloved nephew.
It’s almost time to graduate from Eton School.
From what I heard, you said you were planning to graduate from Eton School and go to Oxford.
If you go to a university that is a den of scoundrels, I will not support you even a penny.
However, if you choose to travel to Europe instead of going to college, I will cover your travel expenses and share a portion of your inheritance with you.
To this extent, the reputation of college students was not very good.
* * *
It was true that the college students who were passionate about Area 51 and the high level of academics they saw upon arriving in the Empire attended classes with enthusiasm.
They attended class with all their heart and enthusiasm, and if they didn’t understand something, they chased after the professors and asked questions.
They were so passionate that professors at engineering schools, industrial academies, and medical schools said this to graduate students from the empire.
“Look at the international students from Europe! “How hard are you working on math!”
Despite their enthusiasm, they were also energetic people in their 20s.
And the monarchs and nobles of their countries of origin provided them with solid tuition.
“Don’t worry about money! There is only one thing for you to do! “Do your best to learn the empire’s knowledge and then return!”
Thanks to this, international students with deep pockets and liveliness flocked to Gibang Street in Seoul every day when there were no classes and caused accidents.
The incident started when he was rejected by the gisaeng.
“I can’t accept it because it’s dirty and smelly!”
After hearing the words of the interpreter who accompanied them, the international students got angry and pushed into the gibang, but what came back was Geomgye, who guarded the gibang, and the male servants hitting him with sticks.
Eventually, this matter reached Hyang’s ears and he warned the international students.
“I think you guys are dirty and smell bad. Take a proper bath first. If you fail to comply, we will immediately expel you via the next trade ship.”
Due to the warning of incense, international students had to bathe diligently and put on clean clothes.
-I haven’t even started yet, but if I get kicked out, I’ll have to spit out everything!
-No, I don’t know what punishment I will receive, let alone vomiting!
However, their overflowing blood continued to cause accidents.
After getting drunk, he tried to mess with the courtesans and was beaten with a stick. He said that this was unfair, so he gathered his gang and attacked them and started a fight. Then, he was dragged by the police and thrown into prison.
“These things are really… They say that if the favor continues, it will be considered patronizing…”
Hyang, who was reading the report with a frown on his face, immediately gave an order.
“Choose the five most misbehaving international students who caused trouble and have them expelled immediately! No matter how excellent their grades are, if they behave badly, expel them without mercy! “If there are no trade ships leaving right now, please select a special ship and send it, and charge the parties for the freight!”
“I follow your orders!”
“ah! Give orders to the judges in Europe! “If those who were expelled this time take the test again, they will be denied admission regardless of their grades!”
“You are right!”
The ministers responded to Hyang’s command by bowing their heads in unison.
Although their light has faded, they were also Neo-Confucian scholars. One of the most important things that Neo-Confucian scholars considered was ‘the mean.’
-There is moderation and a line to keep when it comes to drinking, singing, and dancing.
To those with this way of thinking, the behavior of international students was something that could be met with all kinds of double insults.
-How can those who study mathematics fail to maintain moderation?
As a result, the five most troublesome international students had to pack their bags.
The good news was that there was a trading ship that departed at the right time.
* * *
After all the commotion, the international students were able to live peacefully.
He still went to the gisaeng on days when there were no classes, but he still ended up drinking quietly and flirting with the gisaeng.
However, there were still many appeals coming to Hyang. And the main topic of those appeals was the clothes worn by international students.
* * *
Looking at the clothing of European men during this period, they wore a shirt and bra as their underwear.
Also, something similar to today’s stockings, called a hose, was worn over the bra and fastened to the top with a string.
This hose was not elastic, but it was something that fit tightly to the leg. And although there were some things where left and right were attached, there were also many things where left and right were separate.
Naturally, the braai in the groin area had no choice but to be exposed, and the nobles and wealthy class covered this area by attaching a pocket called a codpiece to the hose.
However, this codpiece was a problem. To exaggerate masculinity, this codpiece was worn in a large size.
In addition, daggers, which were everyday items for European men at the time, were also a problem.
Instead of wearing it on the waist, close to the hand where it was easy to use, it was worn around the navel or hung from a string so that it dangled between the crotch.
Naturally, upon entering the empire, the wearing of this dagger was prohibited. However, since only daggers were prohibited, international students wore dagger chains with luxurious decorations.
The reaction of the people of the empire to the sight of such a bulging codpiece clearly exposed and a colorfully decorated dagger string hanging between the crotch was very negative.
“Tsk! What kind of ridiculous outfit is that? “Take off your clothes!”
“Are you wearing it or taking it off?”
“oh! “Oh my!”
The older noblemen and men clicked their tongues, and the women glanced, pretending to cover their eyes with their hands.
Because of this situation, there were a lot of complaints saying, ‘The absurd clothes of the people are damaging the taste and morals of the empire.’
* * *
After reading the appeals, Hyang placed her hand on her forehead and muttered to herself.
‘In the past, when I was upgrading military uniforms, I was worried about the stickiness, but this time it’s sticking out!’
When new military uniforms were issued to soldiers, there was a trend of shortening the length of pants among soldiers and military officers who thought they were stylish in their own way.
During training or combat, they wore pants that were slightly shortened to allow for movement, but when on vacation, it was popular to wear tight-fitting pants and cavalry shoes to show off slim legs. Fortunately, the trend of tight pants has subsided to some extent, but cavalry shoes that make you look taller are still a ‘must have item’.
“Whoa~.”
After taking a long sigh and sorting out the situation, Hyang gave orders to his ministers.
“Please order professors and students from Europe not to wear the current attire because it does not suit our customs.”
“I follow your orders!”
* * *
However, at some point, the influence of international students was spreading throughout the empire.
‘Duke Eunpyeong’s outfit is disgusting!’
At some point, this rumor began to circulate within Gyeongbokgung Palace, and it even reached Hyang’s ears.
“Seul? Hmm…”
After thinking for a moment, Hyang ordered the merchant ship.
“Please call Duke Eunpyeong. “Let’s meet in the front yard of Geunjeongjeon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After a while, Seul arrived at the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, saw the incense, and offered a military salute.
“insect! “Did you call me?”
“Yes…”
Hyanghyang, who was examining Seul’s clothes, answered roughly and placed her hand on his forehead.
‘It’s a combination of kokkini and kotuktu! ‘What a horrible hybrid!’
“Whoa~.”
Hyang heaved a long sigh and looked at Seul’s clothes once again.
“Why is this guy sitting in the Ministry of National Defense looking at numbers so cavalry-like?”
“I originally volunteered for the cavalry, and I wore them because they were comfortable to ride on and off the horse.”
“good night. Let’s say that’s the case. What are those pants? “Isn’t it stuffy?”
Seul blushed slightly and answered Hyang’s question.
“It’s a little stuffy.”
“But why are you wearing it?”
“Isn’t it cool?”
In response to Seul’s response, Hyang placed her hand on her forehead.
‘Either the 15th century or the 21st century!’
Hyang, who was shouting inwardly, asked Seul again.
“Didn’t your superiors say anything?”
“There was none.”
“Tsk!”
Hyang clicked his tongue slightly at Seul’s answer.
‘Of course you didn’t! ‘Because he’s my child!’
In the end, Hyang said something to Seul.
“It’s nice, but make it a little wider.”
“…Yes”
“It’s not good for your stamina.”
“We will expand it immediately!”
“If you widen it too much, it will be uncomfortable for your actions, so widen it moderately.”
“ancient!”
“Then go back and take care of your work.”
“insect!”
Hyang muttered softly as he watched Seul’s back turn around.
“Was the dress code too lax?…”
* * *
The repercussions of Hyang’s remarks to Seul were quite severe.
People who had been wearing tight pants started to change to pants with a loose fit.
What’s interesting is that it wasn’t just soldiers who wore such tight pants.
Not only young government officials but also young men from noble families wore tight pants.
Men wearing such tight pants often tied the lower part of their pants back and walked around with their waists exposed.
The men who were walking around dressed like that suddenly returned to their original pants.
Thanks to this, women who sewed in downtown Seoul began to earn unexpected income.
And here an unexpected incident occurred.
European professors and international students, who had hesitated for various reasons despite the order given by the head of government, suddenly began to change their attire.
And among those who changed their clothes like this, there were monks. And both professors and international students expressed doubts about the monks’ actions.
“Why you? “There’s nothing to write about, is there?”
“If you have a healthy body, shouldn’t you be able to focus on research without getting tired?”
“… let’s say so.”
After hearing the report later, Hyang smiled bitterly.
“As soon as the word ‘virility’ is mentioned…”
And this aftermath spread to Europe.
After seeing the letters sent by professors and international students, they began to request new, loose-fitting clothing.
“Do you have a solid basis for this?”
“I heard the emperor of the empire said that?”
“okay? Then….”
The weight of Hyang’s remarks, not only for the Europeans at the time but also for the people of the empire, was enormous. Thanks to this, European clothing began to change in a different direction from the history before Hyang intervened.