Black Corporation: Joseon - Chapter 93
Episode 93: Eastward Route (1)
Said, who landed at Jemulpo, sent a pre-written general order to Hanseong.
After reading the general decree, King Sejong summoned the local government and ministers.
“Let me read the precepts.”
The ministers and ministers who took turns reading the general looked at King Sejong.
“Crown, please explain again the necessity of glass artisans.”
“Yes Abama. Glass existed until the Three Han Dynasties, but now there are no craftsmen. The reason it is like that is because we have ceramics.
The reason for this is that glass was considered only for producing vessels and ornaments.
However, considering the characteristics of glass, we must secure glass production technology.
The first is the need in the industrial sector. To give a simple example, various acids are used when making gunpowder or processing metal.
To store these acids, containers made of ceramics are used, which is very inconvenient.
The biggest inconvenience is that you cannot check the contents. In order to check the contents, you have to open the lid and look directly inside, and even the slightest mistake can cause serious injury to the craftsman.
However, the glass allows you to check the contents without opening the lid.
It’s not just acid. Even in the case of food, you can check for spoilage without opening the lid.”
“That might be useful.”
Since Sejong enjoyed food, he responded right away. Hyang sighed softly at Sejong’s reaction.
‘My Abama, when are you going to lose weight… No matter how healthy you are, I told my boss to exercise more…’
“Ceja?”
Hyang, who had been distracted by the sight of King Sejong still showing off his handsome appearance, came to his senses at King Sejong’s call and immediately opened his mouth.
“yes? yes! Hwang Gong-ha. I took a moment to gather my thoughts… Let me explain the second reason, it’s the military part. Glass can be processed to create an object called a lens, which allows you to see distant places up close. “You can also send light far away by putting a glass object on your back.”
“Hmm… it’s okay. Listen to the sutras. “The reason why Gwain explained to the crown prince again the need for a glass craftsman is because of the way Saidu, Said’s Idu tuning fork, and Hundo saved the glass craftsman.”
The ministers nodded at Sejong’s explanation, and Hyang smiled bitterly.
‘Side was fooled…’
* * *
‘Find the glassmaker and bring him back.’ Hassan and Said, who received orders from the local government, contacted the Muslim community in Ming, but were unable to find a glass craftsman.
“Brother, I am coming back from my hometown.”
“It’s my hometown… Distance is a problem, but will I be able to find a glass artisan? Side, you heard it too, right? “That ‘plate glass’ is something the Italians are making these days.”
“But if I go back empty-handed, I’m sure I’ll miss out on the golden string, so what should I do? “You should try walking.”
Hassan nodded at Said’s words.
As things changed from Goryeo to Joseon, the situation was getting worse. There was no choice but to pack up everything and move to a famous country or return to one’s hometown, and even if one did return, the probability of success in reestablishing one’s position and creating a family was very low.
In this situation, the hand extended by Hyang was literally a ‘golden rope’.
In the end, Hassan had no choice but to agree with Said’s decision.
“Please be careful. “My brother.”
In this way, Said boarded another merchant’s ship and headed for his hometown.
However, even after arriving in his hometown, Said could not easily obtain a glass artisan.
Although there were glass craftsmen, they were either working at the target person’s factory or at a workshop belonging to an influential family.
“I guess I should go to Alexandria.”
Said made his decision and asked for help from his family.
‘A member of the family from Joseon asks for help.’
The elders of the Otaibi family, who heard the story through Said’s uncle, shared their opinions.
“We need to find a glassmaker?”
“I say so. He is also said to be a craftsman capable of making plate glass.”
“Isn’t plate glass something that only artisans on the island of Murano in Italy or Venice can make?”
“I heard for a while that Florentines are making it too.”
“A craftsman like that would have to go to the slave market in Alexandria, right?”
“That’s why I say I’m asking for help.”
“How are you asking for help?”
“This includes transportation to and from Alexandria, funding for the purchase of slaves, and shipping back to Joseon.”
“Shipbuilding?”
“This is a country that arose after overthrowing Goryeo.”
“Hmm…”
The elders who heard the explanation began to argue. Although the atmosphere was quite rough, the elders were able to come to a conclusion.
“Let me support you!”
The letter that Said brought along was behind the decision made by the eldest member of the family.
-If you help me find a glass artisan, I will help the Otaibi family with their trade in Joseon. I guarantee it as the crown prince of Joseon.
“The prince who will inherit the throne of Joseon has provided a guarantee, so wouldn’t it be a good idea to help him?”
“He’s barely a prince.”
“That’s right. He’s barely a prince. However, in Joseon, such letters could never be written without the king’s permission.”
There were objections until the end, but after Said’s uncle explained the value of the letter, support was decided.
With the full support of his family, Said headed to the slave market in Alexandria.
Shortly after Said’s arrival, with the help of heaven (as Said’s edicts say, the help of Allah), the Barbary pirates placed Italian plate glass artisans on the slave market.
Since the precious glass artisan was also a plate glass artisan, fierce competition broke out with not only Arab merchants but also merchants from Northern Europe joining in, and Said was barely able to acquire the glass artisans.
However, the money spent in the process of acquiring the glass artisan was a large amount for the Otaibi family, so the main content of the account was that two elders of the Otaibi family accompanied Said to Joseon.
The reason King Sejong summoned the local government and ministers was because of the amount of money the Odaibi family spent in the process of acquiring these craftsmen.
“As written in the account, the amount that Saidu Hundo’s family spent was 20,000 Ducato (Ducato) with the money of the people. Converting this to 2,000 nyang (7 kg) of gold. It’s not a small amount. “The idea is to check whether it is reasonable to pay this large sum of money to hire a glass craftsman.”
Sejong paused for a moment and looked at the scent.
“Of course the crown prince would ask for it, but since it is not a small amount, I would like to hear the opinions of the officials.”
“Hmm…”
The ministers were deep in thought at King Sejong’s words.
I knew very well that Hyang did not spend money unnecessarily. ‘Why do I buy this?’ There were things I did, but when I looked back later, they were essential items.
That’s why ministers easily say ‘No!’ It was impossible to say that. At the very least, ‘even if it’s only 10 nyang of silver, you’ll start foaming at the mouth!’ Even Judge Kim Jeom, who heard these words, looked worried with a serious look on his face.
While the ministers were pondering, Hyang came forward.
“Abama. “Soja, I have something to tell you.”
“Speak.”
“If you just think about the price of the artisans, the amount is enormous. But when you think about the glass they make, it is worth more.”
“Of course it is. But aren’t you doing this because you can’t be sure of that?”
“Abama. “I told you earlier that you can use glass to create objects that allow you to see distant places up close.”
“It did.”
“Think of the military value. How much of a benefit would it be for us if we could identify the Jurchen tribesmen or Japanese pirates from a greater distance? Think of the benefits of being able to prepare your allies one step faster than your enemies. “You may not get it back in just 12 years, but you will get back your initial investment in at least 10 years.”
King Sejong’s scales tipped at Hyang’s words. But I was anxious to make a decision right away.
“Are you sure you can make that?”
“Soja will step forward and make it herself!”
Sejong looked at the ministers at Hyang’s firm answer.
The ministers opened their mouths one by one in response to the silent question.
“The military aspect alone seems to be valuable.”
“God also has the same opinion.”
When the ministers agreed, King Sejong made the decision.
“Then let’s make the glass artisans pay their due.”
* * *
Meanwhile, the people of the Otaibi clan who had settled in the Muslim community near Hanseong were equally worried.
“Will Joseon really pay the price?”
“I will pay.”
Despite Said’s answer, the elders of the Otaibi family were full of worry.
It came all the way to Joseon, and if the prince of Joseon did not pay the proper price, the family would suffer a great loss. The powerful people they encountered were people who had a routine of not giving small amounts because they were small amounts and not paying large sums properly because they were large sums.
“Italian glassmakers could have made a lot of money just by reselling it…”
Seeing the elders’ worried expressions, Said and Hassan did their best to reassure them.
“Do not worry. “The prince of Joseon will definitely pay the right price.”
“I am working close to the prince of Joseon. “Based on my experience so far, I don’t think anything you worry about will happen.”
“is it?”
Despite what Hassan and Said said, the elders were worried until the end.
“What a shame!”
“What’s the name?”
Hearing a shout coming from outside, Hassan and Said quickly got up and went outside.
“Are they brothers Hassan and Said?”
“That’s right.”
“Receive the decree!”
At the propagandist’s shout, the brothers adjusted their clothes, bowed towards the palace, and knelt down.
“This is an order to bring the family elders and glass artisans to Geunjeongjeon by noon tomorrow.”
“I follow your orders!”
The two brothers bowed again and politely accepted the scroll.
When the propaganda pavilion returned, the elders who had been watching came out.
“What is it?”
“This is an order and an invitation containing the king’s orders.”
“Right. Tomorrow, everything will finally be resolved.”
“But is the order coming this quickly?”
One of the elders, a more experienced one, asked a question. Even if he wanted to see the powerful people he knew, he had to wait at least three days. However, upon arrival in Joseon, the report written by Said was uploaded, and the announcement was made on the same day it arrived in the community outside Hanseong.
Hassan smiled slightly and answered the elder’s question.
“His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince who currently rule over Joseon are quick to get things done.”
* * *
Noon the next day.
Hassan and Said headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace with elders and glass artisans.
The soldiers who saw Hassan and Said dressed in official uniform politely bowed and opened their mouths.
“Who are these people in the back?”
“These are people who follow the commandments.”
Hassan reached into his sleeve, took out a scroll with the name of the deceased, and handed it to the gatekeeper.
After checking the contents of the scroll, the gatekeeper returned the scroll and stepped aside.
“Pass!”
* * *
“Please, Your Majesty, please!”
Arriving at the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, the Hassan brothers knelt down and paid their respects to the merchant ship.
The elders who accompanied him also knelt down and paid respects to Brother Hassan. The same was true for slaves. At least they had the sense that if they made a mistake at this moment, their lives would be in danger.
“You can stand up.”
“I am devastated.”
Brother Hassan, who stood up at King Sejong’s words, bowed politely.
“Who are the people who came with us after us?”
“The elders of our family are coming.”
“is it? “Tell them you had a hard time coming.”
The elders who heard Hassan’s interpretation responded by bowing politely.
“Are those behind there glass artisans?”
“So it is.”
“Hmm…”
Sejong, who had been observing the glass artisans’ movements for a moment, said to Hassan.
“I will accurately calculate and pay the amount your family spent rescuing them. And we pay an additional 10% for the hard work we have done for nearly two years.”
“I am devastated!”
Hearing Sejong’s words, Hassan and Said bowed their heads. The elders who heard the words through Said also bowed more politely than before.
“From now on, let’s talk with the crown prince.”
When Sejong stood up from his chair, Hassan and Said bowed loudly again.
When Sejong left, the fragrance came out in earnest.
“First, I will talk to the glass artisans.”
“So be it. God will interpret.”
“No.”
Hyang stopped Hassan from coming forward to interpret and spoke directly to the craftsmen.
“Exspectata ut Hao Coreanica regnum. (Welcome to Joseon.)”
The glassmakers looked at the incense in amazement as the familiar, though slightly messed up, Latin words came out from the Eastern pagan.
“Hic autem non est servus. (You are not slaves here),”
said the commander to Hassan.
“Release the things that bind them.”
At the Hyang’s command, the elders gave orders to those who followed and released the handcuffs and shackles of the glass artisans.
The glass artisans, who were now free, bowed to Hyang sincerely and offered him respect.
“Venite post verba autem ex illis. (Let’s talk about it with you later.)”
“Ita! (Old!)”
The craftsmen answered immediately, and the incense beckoned to the soldiers.
“Take them to Area 51.”
“insect!”
The soldiers disappeared, taking the glass artisans with them.
The elders who saw all this could not come to their senses.
When the scent first spoke in Latin, one of the elders asked Hassan softly:
“Did you teach Latin?”
“You already knew.”
‘What kind of person is this Crown Prince of Joseon?’
Although I had heard the words ‘tremendous talent’ from brothers Hassan and Said, I couldn’t believe it even more when I saw him in person.
Meanwhile, the county that had sent the artisans looked at the elders and opened its mouth.
“Now then, let’s talk about how to process the payment.”