Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 23

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

23. A Fresh Start in the Year of Gapjin (1)

The most dangerous time for smallpox was during the spring famine. Smallpox primarily spread through respiration and skin contact.

Because of these factors, smallpox was most prevalent from autumn until the spring famine. People huddled together indoors with their families as the weather turned cold. However, even in the depths of winter, the spread wasn’t particularly rapid.

This was because the cold kept people from venturing outside. Also, autumn brought plentiful food after the harvest, increasing survival rates even if someone contracted smallpox, though they might suffer lasting effects like pockmarks or disabilities.

The spring famine, however, was devastating. People roamed the mountains and fields searching for food, rapidly spreading smallpox across vast areas. Malnutrition weakened their bodies, causing mortality rates to soar.

Therefore, the court aimed to complete smallpox inoculations before the spring famine arrived.

* * *

While preparations for smallpox inoculation in Hanseong [present-day Seoul] were underway, the envoys who had journeyed to Ming [China’s Ming Dynasty] returned.

The envoys reported the results of their mission.

“…Therefore, Ming will now dispatch all envoys to Joseon [Korea] as civil officials. Here is the document issued by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“You have worked hard.”

Sejong [King Sejong the Great, r. 1418-1450], after unrolling the scroll presented by Chief State Councilor Ryu Jeong-hyeon and confirming its contents, looked at his ministers.

“It would be wise to have this mounted and displayed in the banquet hall of Mohwaru (the predecessor of Mohwagwan [a guesthouse for receiving foreign envoys]).”

“That is a wise decision.”

The ministers all agreed with Sejong’s words. No matter how arrogant an envoy might be, they wouldn’t dare to act presumptuously in front of the Emperor’s handwritten document. To do so would be an act of self-sabotage.

“We have overcome one major hurdle, but what about the trading post?”

“As expected, reaching an agreement was difficult. In short, we have decided to establish a trading post in Shandong Province.”

“Is that so?”

According to the Chief State Councilor, Joseon strongly preferred the area near Shanhaiguan [a major pass in the Great Wall], while Ming wanted the area near the Amnok River [Yalu River, marking the border between Korea and China].

The problem was the security of the Liaodong region [a region in northeastern China]. Although Ming maintained national defense and security through the Weisuo system [a military system], Jurchens [a Tungistic people who later established the Qing dynasty] and bandits still roamed Liaodong. Therefore, the envoy group always traveled with a military escort.

Establishing a permanent trading post would attract many merchants, requiring a sizable garrison to protect them. This was the core of the issue.

Joseon didn’t want Ming troops permanently stationed near the Amnok River, and Ming didn’t want a large number of Joseon troops stationed right in front of Shanhaiguan.

Thus, Ming officials and Joseon envoys engaged in fierce debates.

The Chief State Councilor recounted a humorous anecdote from the negotiations.

“In the midst of the stalemate, one of the Ming officials proposed a new idea.”

“A new proposal?”

“He suggested creating a market exactly halfway between Ming and Joseon.”

“Oh? What happened?”

“He didn’t show up the next day.”

“Hahaha!”

After that brief moment of levity, Ming and Joseon continued to go around in circles. Eventually, the Chief State Councilor offered a different suggestion.

“Then, how about opening a port?”

“A port?”

“Yes.”

The Ming officials considered the suggestion. After a long pause, they nodded.

“That’s a good idea.”

“It’s worth considering.”

Having reached an internal consensus, the Ming officials asked the Joseon envoys:

“Do you have a suitable location in mind? We will report it to His Majesty the Emperor.”

In response, the Chief State Councilor suggested:

“How about Shandong?”

“Shandong?”

“Shandong, hmm…”

Upon hearing Shandong, the Ming officials retreated and whispered amongst themselves.

After a lengthy discussion, the Ming officials stepped forward.

“We will report it to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“We hope for a favorable response.”

Three days later, Ming and Joseon officials reconvened.

“His Majesty has decided. He permits the establishment of a Joseon trading post in Shandong.”

At the Ming official’s words, the Joseon envoys, including the Chief State Councilor, bowed politely and replied:

“We are deeply grateful for His Majesty’s grace.”

With Emperor Yongle’s [r. 1402-1424] decision, matters progressed smoothly.

“How about naming the trading post Joseon Hall and locating it at the site of the old Silla Bang [Silla Village, a historical Korean settlement in China]?”

“The Silla Bang site…”

The Ming official pointed to the Silla Bang’s location on a map. After confirming it, the Chief State Councilor nodded.

“That place seems suitable.”

The next item on the agenda was the method of maintenance, specifically the construction and maintenance costs of the trading post.

“How about paying port taxes?”

“We have to cross the sea by boat. You should also consider the risk.”

Ming continued to push for more concessions, while Joseon tried to concede as little as possible.

Finally, after tedious negotiations, Ming and Joseon agreed to collect 1% of the transaction amount as customs duties from merchants trading at Joseon Hall. In return, Ming agreed to construct all the buildings within Joseon Hall.

“Not bad…”

Sejong nodded, calculating the gains and losses as he listened to the Chief State Councilor’s report. Seeing Sejong’s positive reaction, the Chief State Councilor and the other ministers who had served as envoys breathed a sigh of relief.

“Alright. So, when can Joseon Hall open?”

“We expect it to be next summer.”

“Is that so? Hmm…”

Sejong paused to gather his thoughts before speaking.

“Let’s move on… Did the merchants who accompanied you do well in business?”

At Sejong’s question, the Chief State Councilor turned to the Minister of Taxation, who quickly responded, sensing the pressure.

“Everyone made substantial profits. Even the least profitable ventures tripled their investment, while the most successful increased it twentyfold.”

“Twentyfold? What did they sell to make that much?”

At the words “twentyfold,” Sejong and the ministers widened their eyes. The Minister of Taxation quickly answered Sejong’s question.

“It was a hundred-year-old wild ginseng.”

“Ah…”

“Wild ginseng explains it.”

Sejong and the ministers nodded. Wild ginseng was considered the best of all medicines. Even in Joseon, it was rare and expensive.

“So, how much did the Ministry of Taxation collect?”

“One thousand four thousand nyang [a unit of currency].”

“Four thousand nyang!”

“Heop!”

Sejong and the ministers were astonished. One sipseong silver or cheoneun (1 nyang, 37.5g) could buy one seom (approximately 144kg) of white rice, even in a famine year. And one seom of white rice was enough for a typical commoner family to eat for at least a month.

What surprised them even more was that the 4,000 nyang represented 10% of the total net profit.

“So, the total profit is 40,000 nyang of cheoneun?”

“Heo~. Four millionaires have emerged from a single trading trip.”

“Four millionaires…”

The influence of a ‘millionaire’ was enormous, capable of swaying not only their village but also half the province. The saying, ‘When a millionaire moves, the governor comes out barefoot to greet him,’ was common.

Of course, dozens of merchants participated in the trading trip, making the comparison to millionaires who had accumulated wealth over decades an exaggeration. However, a significant number of people had undoubtedly become considerably wealthier.

All from a single trading trip.

“The Crown Prince has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

Hyang [the Crown Prince], arriving at the pyunjeon [informal audience hall] at Sejong’s summons, paid his respects.

“You called for me, Father?”

“Yes. I thought you should know. The amount collected from the merchants who went with this envoy group is 4,000 nyang of cheoneun.”

“4,000 nyang is not a small amount.”

“The Crown Prince doesn’t seem very surprised?”

Sejong was surprised by Hyang’s calm demeanor, as were the ministers.

“Is he being audacious? Or does he simply not understand the significance?”

Amidst the ministers’ whispers, Hyang calmly replied:

“Is it really that surprising? The merchants calculated their potential profits and participated with confidence. They fulfilled their part, so what is there to be surprised about?”

21st century. Despite facing constant economic uncertainty, Hyang had lived in Korea, a consistently top-tier economic power. He had even worked as a public official in the economic sector, though he had quit. Accustomed to dealing with trillions (兆), thousands of units – even converted to 21st-century values, only a few hundred million – weren’t particularly impressive.

“That’s true. Quick-witted merchants wouldn’t have acted without expecting a substantial profit.”

Sejong nodded, understanding. The ministers also nodded in agreement, and Hyang continued.

“It’s time to study how to consistently obtain these benefits.”

“Isn’t that why we’re creating a trading post?”

“The trading post itself isn’t the key; it’s the goods we sell there. Minister of Taxation, what goods were most in demand from the Ming merchants?”

“Demand exceeded supply for most items, but gold brushes were the most sought-after, followed by yakgwa [Korean honey cookies] and medicinal herbs.”

Sejong was intrigued by the unexpected popularity of certain items.

“Medicinal herbs?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Ming is a large country. They shouldn’t lack Tangjae [Chinese medicinal ingredients], right?”

“It’s said that many fake products are circulating.”

“Heo~. It’s a matter of people’s lives, yet they’re selling fakes.”

Sejong sighed, and the ministers shook their heads. Hyang also shook his head.

‘As expected, the country of knockoffs!’

“Even considering medicinal herbs, what specific types were they seeking?”

“They were looking for Woohwang Cheongsimhwan [ox gall清心丸, a traditional herbal medicine]. Again, many fakes were available…”

“I see. Crown Prince…”

Sejong stopped, about to ask for Hyang’s opinion, noticing the intense gleam in his eyes.

“Do you have a good idea?”

“Please gather herbalists and simmani [wild ginseng collectors]! I believe we can significantly increase the country’s financial income while improving the health of the people!”

“Herbalists and simmani?”

Sejong paused, then grasped Hyang’s point.

“Wait… Is the Crown Prince suggesting we cultivate medicinal herbs?”

“Yes!”

‘As expected of King Sejong! If I say A, he immediately understands it as B!’

Hyang bowed, his face beaming. Unlike the joyful Sejong, the ministers looked puzzled. Only the Minister of Taxation seemed to understand.

“Crown Prince, please explain in more detail.”

“Yes, Father.”

At Sejong’s command, Hyang began to explain.

-Medicinal herbs and wild ginseng are primarily supplied by herbalists and simmani. This creates a problem: the supply is inconsistent. It’s said that unless the mountain spirit wills it, you won’t find more than one root of wild ginseng older than fifty years in your entire life.

-However, with careful investigation, we can identify soil and feng shui [geomancy] conditions conducive to medicinal herb growth, which experienced herbalists will know well.

-Therefore, if we identify these characteristics and artificially create such environments, we can cultivate medicinal herbs and ensure a stable supply. This would also lower prices, making them more accessible to the people.

“…In addition, we will secure a product that we can consistently sell to Ming.”

As soon as Hyang finished, the ministers nodded.

“The Crown Prince’s idea is excellent.”

Starting with the Chief State Councilor, the ministers voiced their approval. Having witnessed the enormous wealth flowing into the country, they had no reason to object.

So far, so good. Then, the Minister of Taxation dropped a bomb, albeit unintentionally.

End

ⓒ Gukbbong