Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 310

310. The Road to the Land of Flowers (7)

Having heard Mansur’s reply, the manager rummaged through the indicated boxes, retrieved the wooden boxes containing the sunshades, and moved them into the store.

“Please, hold on a moment!”

The manager called out to the merchants and, with the help of his employees, began displaying the sunshades by grade.

He presented four grades, ranging from three silver flowers to one gold flower, and announced the prices.

“Silver flowers, from three to five, are priced at 6, 7, and 8 silver ducats, respectively. One gold flower is 1 gold ducat.”

“The price is a bit steep….”

“These are goods from the Land of Flowers [a respectful term for Joseon/Korea, emphasizing its refined culture].”

The merchants grumbled at the higher-than-expected prices as they examined the sunshades.

However, their interest quickly waned.

“No matter how I look at it, the price is still too high.”

Losing interest in the sunshades, the merchants soon turned their attention elsewhere.

The crystal products immediately caught their eye.

Starting at a base price of four gold flowers, the crystal products commanded enormous sums, yet the merchants flocked to them.

“Give me a set of these wine glasses!”

“I’ll take two!”

“I’ll take two sets of plates.”

“Yes! Yes! Please wait a moment!”

“Do you deliver?”

“We do!”

Despite the expensive starting price of 50 gold ducats, the merchants purchased the goods as far as their finances allowed.

The sunshades, which barely covered the eyes, seemed overpriced, but the sparkling crystal tableware felt like a bargain even at that price.

‘With this level of quality, I can get at least three times the price!’

The merchants emptied their pockets, envisioning the profits they would make by reselling the crystal products.

Merchants continued to come and go, but the sunshades remained largely unsold.

In this situation, the manager began to feel anxious.

“This hardly ever happens…. Did the head of the trading company set the price too high?”

So far, more than 30 merchants had entered and bought goods, but only three of the cheapest sunshades had been sold.

“It’s not just these sunshades that are the problem….”

The manager sighed softly.

There was another item that was likely to become dead stock.

It was the folding fan.

The folding fan, which had caught Mansur’s eye in Joseon, was being neglected in a corner.

“Why did the head of the trading company buy such a thing….”

The manager sighed again.

* * *

While the merchants were bustling about, Cosimo appeared with his entourage.

“There are many merchants.”

A merchant who had been dispatched to Alexandria and was working there replied to Cosimo’s observation.

“They are small and medium-sized merchants. They make a living by traveling around with one or two camels.”

“Oh? Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Usually, they pay a fee and travel with a large merchant’s caravan.”

“I see.”

Cosimo replied briefly and was about to enter the store when the Joseon soldiers guarding the entrance blocked their way.

“What is this! Do you know who this is!”

The merchant shouted at the Joseon soldiers’ restraint, but they did not budge. This was understandable, as the Joseon soldiers did not understand the local language. They were simply following orders.

“Hey, you guys!”

As the merchant’s voice grew louder, Cosimo’s guards subtly placed their hands on their swords. In response, the Joseon soldiers also placed their hands on the horse-mounted rifles they carried on their waists.

‘Should I observe a little longer?’

In the tense situation, Cosimo chose to stand by. He was curious about the capabilities of these foreign soldiers, and his pride prevented him from backing down first.

‘I am Cosimo de Medici!’

As the situation escalated, Mansur and Oh Ha-seok arrived, having received a report.

“Stop! One step back!”

At Oh Ha-seok’s command, the soldiers blocking Cosimo’s group took a step back in unison.

Cosimo’s guards felt a chill at their orderly movements. Although they couldn’t see the soldiers’ eyes behind those strange visors [likely refers to helmets or face coverings], they could tell they were constantly watching their hands and eyes.

“Their movements are excellent.”

The captain of the guard, standing next to Cosimo, replied quietly.

“They are elite. And I’m curious about the weapons they have. It looks like a hand cannon, but I can’t see the matchlock [the firing mechanism of the gun].”

“Is that so?”

At the captain’s words, Cosimo became interested in the horse-mounted rifles the Joseon soldiers carried.

At that moment, Mansur and Oh Ha-seok stepped forward.

“Where are you from?”

At Mansur’s question, the Medici family’s merchant raised his voice.

“We are from the Medici family! And this person here is the head of the Medici family!”

At the merchant’s words, Mansur bowed politely.

“By the grace of Allah, it is an honor to meet the head of the great Medici family. I am Mansur Mohammed Kamal Al-Otaibi, the head of the Otaibi family.”

“Nice to meet you. But why did those people block me?”

At Cosimo’s question, Mansur calmly explained the reason.

“I ordered them to maintain order because there were many people gathered before the opening.”

“Is that so? I apologize, but may I enter immediately? I am a man of limited time.”

At Cosimo’s words, Mansur walked in front of the merchants waiting in line.

“Could you make way a little?”

“Of course!”

The merchant who was waiting immediately nodded at Mansur’s request. Although they were damned Catholics, Cosimo de Medici was a powerful merchant. Yielding at this time was conducive to a long and healthy life.

* * *

“Oh!”

Cosimo, having entered after receiving the concession from the waiting merchants, exclaimed.

All sorts of strange and beautiful objects from the distant East, Joseon, were on display. Cosimo, constantly exclaiming and examining the items, stopped at the sunshades.

“This is what the Joseon soldiers outside are using, correct?”

“That’s right.”

After hearing the merchant’s reply, Cosimo asked Mansur.

“What is this used for?”

“It is used to protect the eyes from strong sunlight.”

“Oh?”

Curious, Cosimo picked up a sunshade and held it up to the light. He nodded after observing the scenery through it.

“I see.”

Cosimo put down the sunshade and looked at the gold flower version, asking Mansur, “How much does this grade cost?”

“It’s 1 gold ducat.”

“How many are in stock?”

“There are 40 currently.”

“I’ll take all of them.”

“Understood.”

After that, Cosimo purchased crystal tableware and many other items in large quantities.

As he was shopping, Cosimo stopped in front of the folding fan.

“What is this?”

“It’s a fan.”

“A fan….”

Fans were not unfamiliar to Europeans like Cosimo. They had been introduced when soldiers returning from the Crusades in the 13th century brought them back.

“Hmm….”

Cosimo took out a fan neatly folded in a box and unfolded it.

“Oh!”

The unfolded fan displayed a beautiful oriental painting and calligraphy.

Cosimo examined other fans. Some were made of silk with beautiful embroidery instead of Korean paper [Hanji], and some were made of fragrant wood, emitting a subtle scent.

“I’ll buy all of these as soon as they’re in stock!”

“Thank you!”

As mass purchases continued, the relationship between Mansur and Cosimo warmed.

“I am personally very interested in the ‘Land of Flowers.’ Would you have some time to spare later?”

At Cosimo’s words, Mansur immediately agreed.

“I would be happy to make time!”

Cosimo smiled and replied, “Let’s meet once before I return to Italy. With that gentleman from the East as well.”

“Yes!”

Having made the promise, Cosimo left the store.

“Pack and deliver the items that gentleman ordered as quickly as possible!”

“Yes!”

The manager, whose worries had vanished, answered excitedly.

Mansur and Oh Ha-seok went back inside, and the merchants’ entry resumed with the Joseon soldiers standing guard.

However, one thing had changed: the merchants who had been watching from outside began to snatch up the sunshades.

‘There are many people who will open their wallets simply because Cosimo de Medici bought them in bulk!’

‘It’s something that the world-renowned Cosimo de Medici bought! It can’t be useless!’

The value of the name ‘Cosimo de Medici’ was immense to merchants in Europe and the Mediterranean region.

* * *

Cosimo, who had given a happy smile to Mansur’s manager, sat relaxed on his saddle, fanning himself. Wearing a sunshade and enjoying the breeze, he exclaimed, “Ha! This sunshade is really good!”

“Um, Cosimo-nim [a respectful title, similar to ‘Sir’],” the merchant asked cautiously.

“Why?”

As Cosimo turned around, the merchant continued, “I wonder if you bought the sunshade and fan without a specific reason….”

“You think I bought unnecessary items at an expensive price?”

“Yes. The sunshade blocks sunlight, but a parasol can do the same. And that fan isn’t a commonly used item, is it?”

The merchant pointed out his concerns carefully. Cosimo de Medici was not just a wealthy man who had become rich through banking. He was a man of great learning and skilled in commerce. He had further increased his wealth through banking.

However, the merchant also knew Cosimo de Medici’s weaknesses. Cosimo had developed expensive hobbies and a taste for ostentation through frequent contact with the aristocratic French royal family. He was known to spend large sums on paintings by famous artists like Botticelli.

Because of the atmosphere in Florence, where the bourgeoisie were gaining power, he couldn’t openly indulge in luxury, but Cosimo enjoyed it in various ways.

At the merchant’s criticism, Cosimo smiled and asked, “Which do you think is more convenient: a sunshade that can be put in a small box and carried in your pocket, or a parasol that you have to roll up and carry around or put on a horse?”

“In that respect, the sunshade is definitely more advantageous, but the price is too high.”

“When you saw the Joseon soldiers earlier, what did you feel?”

“Rudeness. And… an unknown sense of oppression.”

“Why did you feel oppressed? Because you couldn’t see their eyes. When you talk to someone, you can tell to some extent whether they are afraid of you, whether they are trying to deceive you, or whether they are looking down on you just by looking at their eyes. But if you can’t see their eyes?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“That’s right. Then who are the people who need to hide their emotions the most?”

“The nobles.”

As the merchant immediately answered, Cosimo nodded and continued, “The same goes for fans. Noble women like to stand out more than others. You can stand out in a fancy way with jeweled ornaments, but women who stand out subtly are more attractive.”

“I understand.”

The merchant was sincerely impressed. Cosimo de Medici had recognized the value of the items so quickly.

Cosimo muttered inwardly as he looked at the merchant’s expression.

‘Those Joseon soldiers earlier, they’re not just using it to block the sunlight. Someone knows it well. Who is it?’

While Cosimo was pondering, Hyang was scratching his ear excitedly.

“Why is my ear so itchy? Is someone talking about me? Who could it be?”

* * *