Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 644

644. Medici, Europe, The Challenge Records. (4)

“The canal should be done that way… what’s left?”

Cosimo lightly swirled his wine glass, lost in thought. He pondered what was giving him such an unsettling feeling, and then, he nodded.

“That’s right. The Challenge Records are left… It’s definitely a difficult item to obtain, but I can’t give up. What should I do?”

Cosimo, contemplating the best approach, suddenly brightened.

“That’s it!”

Having found a viable solution, Cosimo shook the small bell on his desk.

*Ting-a-ling!*

“Did you call for me?”

As the head butler entered upon hearing the bell, Cosimo immediately gave his orders.

“Tomorrow at noon, I will visit the University of Florence. Arrange an appointment with the president.”

“Yes, I will send someone immediately.”

* * *

The next day at noon.

Cosimo arrived at the University of Florence on time.

At the entrance of the university, the president and professors of the University of Florence were waiting for Cosimo.

“Welcome.”

Seeing Cosimo step out of the carriage, the president and professors bowed respectfully, welcoming him.

“Sorry for the trouble.”

“Not at all. How could welcoming our benefactor be a bother?”

The president’s words were sincere.

The University of Florence had originated as a humanities research institution.

However, the war with Milan, which lasted for six years from 1423, posed a problem. In the process of procuring war funds, the humanities research institution faced closure due to a lack of funds.

At this time, Cosimo de Medici appeared as a savior. Cosimo, who was in a public office overseeing Florence’s finances (Ufficiali del Monte), elevated the struggling research institution to the ‘University of Florence.’

Cosimo was the first to call the university the ‘House of Wisdom (Casa di sapienza).’

With Cosimo’s support, the university’s professors collected ancient Greek and Roman texts. And based on those ancient books, the humanities of ancient Greece and Rome began to revive.

At that time, Cosimo declared:

“Florence will no longer be ruled by the words of clergymen!”

(Note 1)

* * *

Cosimo, the president, and the professors gathered in the president’s office, and soon servants entered with trays containing silver teapots and cups, pouring caffè (coffee).

Cosimo took a sip of the caffè in his cup and asked the president,

“Do you know about this?”

“Know about what?”

“This caffè, it started in Islam, then went to Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom], no, the Empire, and then spread to Italy.”

At Cosimo’s words, the president nodded.

“I’ve heard something like that.”

* * *

In the history before the intervention of the Scent, coffee spread to Europe after the Battle of Vienna in 1683.

The same was true for Arabia. Coffee did not spread easily due to conservative Imams who believed that the effects of coffee were against Islamic law. Coffee became mainstream around 1554 when Cafe Kiva Han was established in Istanbul.

(Note 2)

However, the intervention of the Scent twisted this.

The Scent, unable to forget the taste of coffee he had in the 21st century, brought coffee to Joseon through Mansour. The coffee, named ‘Black Bean Tea,’ became a popular drink that helped government officials suffering from overwork and those preparing for the civil service examination to endure.

As a result, coffee became an essential item that had to be stocked along with traditional tea in Joseon’s tearooms (茶樓) [traditional tea houses].

Interestingly, iced Black Bean Tea became a delicacy in the middle of winter.

Hwang shook his head and muttered when he heard the story.

“Even in this era, ‘Iced Americano in winter’ is a uniquely Korean trait?”

And, Joseon people who became accustomed to coffee in Joseon began to look for coffee in Alexandria, which in turn became the reason why coffee spread to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

* * *

Cosimo, having set the mood with caffè, got to the point.

“Originally from Islam, this caffè was not well-received. However, after entering Joseon, or rather the Empire, it became a popular drink not only in Islam but also in Europe. It’s not just caffè, is it?”

At Cosimo’s words, the president nodded.

“Indeed, that is true. There are rumors that the famous crystal was created by artisans from Venice.”

“Is it just crystal? The ironclad ship and its magnificent iron bridge, which all those who study mathematics want to see, also owe a great deal to Archimedes’ mathematics, right? So, I have a request for you.”

At Cosimo’s words, the president asked with a serious face.

“Do you want me to go to the ‘Land of Flowers’ [a metaphorical name for a country possessing advanced technology and scholarship]?”

Cosimo nodded at the president’s words.

“I want you and trustworthy individuals to go to the Empire to examine their technology and scholarship and return. The stories circulating in the market these days are absurd. Do you think ‘magic’ makes sense?”

“It is the work of the ignorant. If they cannot understand something, they immediately label it as ‘magic’ or ‘selling their souls to the devil’ and try to condemn it as heresy.”

“That’s why you need to go and investigate. And, if there is a need to learn the knowledge they have accumulated, select those who will study in the Empire and return.”

At Cosimo’s words, the president immediately replied.

“There is certainly value in learning. Then, by when and how many people should we select?”

At the president’s words, one of the professors next to him pointed out a problem.

“There is a high possibility that the ‘Land of Flowers’ will not agree. Sharing the knowledge they have worked so hard to accumulate means creating competitors with their own hands.”

Cosimo nodded repeatedly at the criticism.

“Of course, that’s right. Therefore, negotiating that part is also your responsibility.”

At Cosimo’s command, the president replied with a determined expression.

“I will do my best.”

Satisfied with the president’s answer, Cosimo emptied his caffè and continued.

“First, I will send someone to the Empire to inform them of your visit. Since it is said to be a country that values scholars, the treatment will not be poor. And, if they accept the proposal, select and send as many people as possible. That way, there will be more people who return. Isn’t that so? If 10 people go and 5 remain, the loss is great, but if 50 or 100 people go and half return, we will still secure a significant workforce, won’t we?”

“There is a very high possibility that they will demand expenses.”

At the president’s words, Cosimo smiled and replied.

“Have you forgotten? I am Cosimo de Medici.”

* * *

After finishing his business at the University of Florence, Cosimo returned to his mansion and immediately summoned Giovanni.

“Did you call for me?”

“When can you depart for the Empire? Officially.”

Giovanni pondered the dates for a moment at Cosimo’s question and replied.

“Considering the time it takes to get to the Empire and the direction of the wind, we can depart in January next year.”

“Then I will ask the Ottomans to provide escort. You must depart for the Empire as soon as January arrives.”

“What is my task in the Empire?”

“The president and professors of the University of Florence will be visiting, so your job is to discuss it in advance.”

Giovanni’s eyes sparkled at Cosimo’s words.

“If it’s the president and professors of the university, will you be sending students?”

“That’s right. If we can’t physically take the Challenge Records, we have to make them bring it back in their heads. And if that’s difficult, shouldn’t we nurture those who can create our own Challenge Records?”

“I think that is the best option.”

“So, do your best to produce good results.”

“Yes, I understand.”

As Giovanni left the office, Cosimo stroked his chin and muttered.

“After all, I should pass the bank on to that fellow.”

* * *

Cosimo de Medici had two sons and one illegitimate child.

The eldest son, Piero, was in poor health. Therefore, judging that it would be unreasonable to entrust everything to him, Cosimo decided to have Piero, the eldest son, take charge of Florence’s politics, and Giovanni, the second son, take charge of banking and trade. And, Carlo de Medici, the illegitimate child, was to enter the path of priesthood.

Because of that plan, Cosimo entrusted external affairs to Giovanni. Thanks to this, Giovanni had to diligently travel between Portugal, the Ottoman Empire, and the Empire.

“I heard that the Empire’s tonics are so good, I should get some and feed them to him.”

* * *

Having entrusted the task to Giovanni, Cosimo headed to Paris.

“Welcome!”

Charles VII, who greeted Cosimo at the Louvre Palace, welcomed Cosimo politely. Cosimo also bowed politely in response to Charles VII’s excessive reception.

“I greet the Victorious King who ended the Hundred Years’ War.”

“Hahaha! The Victorious King! An excessive title!”

Charles VII laughed heartily and ordered a servant to prepare a chair for Cosimo to sit on.

As Cosimo sat down, Charles VII asked with a curious face.

“The merchant who holds the vaults of all the kings of Europe, no, except for that bumpkin from England. Anyway, what brings you here?”

“I have a proposal for Your Majesty.”

Charles VII’s curiosity grew stronger at Cosimo’s words.

“A proposal? For me?”

“Yes.”

“What proposal is it?”

“Would you like to share the road to the ‘Land of Flowers’?”

The smile disappeared from Charles VII’s face at Cosimo’s words.

After a moment of silence, Charles VII asked Cosimo.

“Although I don’t know much about the outside world because of the bumpkins from England and the arrogant nobles, I know that Portugal and the Ottoman Empire have joined hands to secure that road. And, I also know that the Iberian bandits and the Egyptian bandits have joined hands to oppose them. In particular, I haven’t forgotten that you were the one who asked me to tie up the Iberian bandits, have I?”

“How could I forget? But I realized that Portugal alone is not enough to deal with the Ottoman Empire.”

“So you’re telling me to replace Portugal?”

There was a slight hint of anger in Charles VII’s voice as he asked the question. Cosimo shook his head with a look that it was out of the question at Charles VII’s question.

“How could I do anything that would tarnish Your Majesty’s honor?”

‘That problem is enough with the Maid of Orléans – Joan of Arc.’

“Then what is it?”

“I would be grateful if you would join Portugal to prevent the Ottoman Empire’s tyranny.”

Afterward, Cosimo explained about the ‘joint venture’ that the Empire had proposed.

“Hmm….”

As Cosimo’s explanation continued, Charles VII’s expression became increasingly cold.

Eventually, Cosimo’s explanation ended, but Charles VII remained silent.

‘It’s definitely not a bad proposal. If that trade route is created, it will create the shortest trade route to the Empire as well as India. If that happens, all the merchant ships in Europe will flock there. The tolls earned there and the profits from operating the port city would definitely not be a loss. The problem is the stake, but if I get involved, the Ottoman Empire won’t be able to make loud noises. The problem is the weapons that the soldiers will equip.’

As if he had noticed Charles VII’s thoughts, Cosimo continued.

“The Land of Flowers said they are selling new-style rifles. If you wish, I can help you purchase those rifles.”

In the end, Charles VII bit the bait that Cosimo had thrown.

“I will discuss it with the ministers and officials. But it’s not a bad thing for my France either, so there will be good results.”

* * *

(Note 1)

https://www.mk.co.kr/opinion/columnists/view/2020/02/107170/

(Note 2)

https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%BB%A4%ED%94%BC