Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1003

1003. Meanwhile, Elsewhere… (8)

Hyeon nodded lightly after hearing about these circumstances.

“It seems the palates of the people, which are sometimes said to be excessively picky, are helpful in times like these. Still, we must be wary of people becoming addicted to alcohol.”

“I will engrave that in my heart.”

While Hyeon and the ministers assessed the situation, Hyang shook his head after hearing the report.

“It’s not just because the people’s palates are picky. It’s because they have enough to eat and live comfortably. Otherwise, the toad [referring to himself] wouldn’t have been able to endure like that in my previous life. The reason diluted soju, which was only soju in name, could be sold like that was because there were many people who were grateful for even that.”

Hyang, recalling his memories from his previous life, gave a negative assessment. He then reread the report and wore a peculiar expression.

“Candy soju has addicted the lower classes of Europe… Annual sales are… Let’s see… Sales of aged candy soju are…”

Hyang flipped through various related reports, analyzing the figures, and shook his head.

“Although sales have decreased due to various policies, the absolute numbers are still enormous. The European monarchs sending letters of protest isn’t just an exaggeration. This is…”

Hyang paused for a moment, looking out the window with a serious expression.

“Is it Qing addicted to opium, or Europe addicted to candy soju? Have the East and West switched places?”

After muttering this, Hyang’s expression became even more serious.

“In the end, it was the Opium War, wasn’t it? The possibility is definitely there. Resorting to force before diplomacy is commonplace in today’s international society. I smell war. No, something even worse could happen.”

Hyang could foresee something even worse than war. He tapped the desk with his finger and continued.

“Drugs…”

* * *

From the time Sejong implemented reforms, drugs, symbolized by opium, were strictly controlled.

-Opium can only be used for medical purposes.

-Doctors must have their opium inventory and usage records checked monthly.

-Those who cultivate poppies without permission for medical cultivation will receive a heavy sentence of more than 10 years.

-Those who illegally possess, use, or distribute opium will have all their assets confiscated and receive a heavy sentence of more than 20 years.

-Those who create anything that confuses and addicts the people, other than opium, will be charged with the same crime as in the case of opium.

As an aside, a nationwide debate regularly erupted in the Empire because of this last clause. Hyang included this clause because of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine. However, the phrase ‘anything that confuses and addicts the people’ ignited controversy.

-Alcohol and tobacco also confuse and addict the people, so they must be banned!

Puritans and principled moralists argued this way, advocating for the enactment of prohibition and smoking bans, causing a nationwide debate. Whenever such debates arose, the reviewers and judges, as well as the people, stepped in to thwart the attempts to enact the laws.

However, they would try to enact the laws again when people had almost forgotten, making the Empire noisy. Due to this issue, the reviewers amended the law by adding the term ‘psychoactive substances’ and its definition, but those advocating for prohibition and smoking bans continued to nitpick and continue the dispute.

* * *

This was what Hyang was worried about.

“It would be fortunate if they just send letters of protest and impose taxes. Even if they implement protectionist policies, we can just get by. But, if they try to spread drugs in the Empire in reverse, it will be the worst.”

Even though Qing was weakened by a national disease, it was still more than qualified to be called a great power. But what brought down this Qing was opium. No, all the blame cannot be placed on opium, but opium was one of the main factors that brought about the collapse of Qing.

“It’s not paranoia. The possibility is definitely there.”

Looking at the trade balance between the Empire and Europe, no, between the Empire and all other countries, the Empire was always in surplus. Of course, thanks to Hyang’s orchestrated ‘sophisticated imperialist policy,’ the individual countries did not consider the situation serious.

But the total was enormous. Another problem was that not many countries benefited from exporting to the Empire. The country that benefited the most from the Empire was the Bengal Sultanate, which sold saltpeter [potassium nitrate, used in gunpowder] to the Empire. However, as saltpeter mines were discovered in Shinji, the amount imported from the Bengal Sultanate was gradually decreasing.

“India…”

Hyang’s expression did not ease easily.

-Opium is still widely cultivated in India during this period.

-European merchant ships constantly come and go to obtain saltpeter from the Bengal Sultanate.

-Opium is being introduced to Europe through these merchant ships.

-According to reports from the secret agents in Europe, this opium is gradually increasing its power.

-According to reports from the secret agents in India, the Indian feudal lords, including the Bengal Sultanate, have begun to cultivate poppies strategically for economic gain.

“…So, if Europe decides to spread it in the Empire, it is entirely possible. There are more than one or two routes to bring it in besides trading ports. Damn it!”

Hyang cursed after analyzing the situation up to this point.

“We’re still suffering because of that damn coca leaf!”

The problem during the conquest of Mexica [the Aztec Empire] and the imperialization of the natives in the region was the coca leaf.

Thanks to its analgesic and stimulant effects, it was common for the natives of the Mexica region to chew coca leaves. However, the military doctors dispatched to the area confirmed that coca leaves were highly addictive and were designated as drugs, and they were still struggling to prevent people from chewing coca leaves.

“Opium and coca leaves, when you think about it, the current period is quite lax about drugs. In other words, if it gets through, it can spread incredibly quickly. If it becomes a reality, not just a concern… then it’s war again.”

In the end, Hyang unfolded the paper and picked up the pen.

“The stock investors of my previous life said, ‘It’s better to be envied than pitied.’ It’s the same. It’s better to have a stomach ache than to have your house and wallet robbed. At the same time, we make them fight among themselves, so they can’t turn their eyes to us. Anyway… how should I explain the secret agents’ reports on India so that it sounds okay?”

* * *

Hyang’s report, which analyzed the current international situation and pointed out several problems that were likely to occur, made Hyeon and the ministers very nervous.

“Hmm… what do you all think?”

Han Myeong-hoe answered as the representative to Hyeon’s question.

“Some may say it is paranoia, excessive, but the possibility is considered sufficient.”

Following Han Myeong-hoe’s words, Jang Hang-seon continued.

“If we consider the safety of the Empire, we must never take even the slightest risk lightly.”

Im Sun-wook, who spoke after Jang Hang-seon, also had a similar tone.

“Even if I have earned a lot of wealth, I feel jealous when I see my neighbor earning wealth. Moreover, the amount of wealth the Empire earns is enormous, so it will naturally provoke envy.”

As the Prime Minister and the two Deputy Prime Ministers all spoke in a similar tone, the atmosphere inside the Daejeon [the royal audience chamber] became even heavier. This atmosphere continued. Shin Suk-ju, who returned from Italy and became the Minister of Foreign Affairs, continued.

“I have heard many stories about opium. I heard that if you bring just one *geun* [approximately 600 grams or 1.3 pounds] from India, you can earn enough wealth to live and eat for a year. And once someone gets a taste, it is impossible to escape, and they pay whatever price is called.”

“Serious…”

While Hyeon and the ministers were continuing the conversation with serious expressions, the Minister of General Affairs expressed doubt, no, injustice.

“As far as I know, among our Empire’s products, only expensive luxury goods and weapons are made and sold entirely in the Empire from start to finish. Most of them are made and sold in workshops established in other countries in partnership with merchants from other countries, and the profits are shared. It’s not like our Empire is monopolizing it, but there are constant complaints even though we share it, so I feel frustrated.”

Im Sun-wook immediately responded to that point.

“Isn’t it human nature to begrudge even that sharing?”

“Ah…”

As the Minister of General Affairs nodded, Hyeon summarized the situation.

“Do you agree that the concerns of the Supreme Emperor are not excessive?”

“We agree.”

“Then, I hope you will devise various policies to prepare for this and submit them to me.”

“We will obey the command.”

“Then, let’s discuss the Supreme Emperor’s plan of ‘using barbarians to control barbarians’.”

The plan Hyang proposed was ‘selling candy soju distilleries to other countries.’

-Candy soju is not popular with the people of the Empire, but it is very popular with the people of other countries.

-Therefore, if we sell these candy soju distilleries, there will be more than one or two countries that are greedy.

-The distilleries in Seonam Province will be sold to surrounding countries such as Ming [China], Japan, and Daewol [Vietnam], and the distilleries in Shinji will be sold to Europe.

-The Empire only needs to receive land use fees and raw material supply payments for the distilleries.

-Other countries will compete to take over these distilleries. Candy soju is already boasting huge sales.

-These countries will fight each other, distracted by this competition and the subsequent profits, and the Empire will be able to buy some more time.”

Hyang smiled bitterly after completing and reviewing this plan.

“It seems my infamy will increase even more.”

* * *

Months later, envoys from the Empire visited the palaces of Ming, Japan, and the great powers of Europe. The envoys, politely paying their respects according to etiquette, delivered the Empire’s documents to the emperors and kings. The monarchs, after confirming the documents signed by Hyeon, all expressed doubt.

“Selling candy soju distilleries? Why?”

The envoys answered the monarchs’ questions coolly.

“The people of the Empire do not particularly like candy soju, so sales are sluggish. However, other countries like candy soju very much. Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor has made a decision to continue friendly relations with other countries.”

“Is that so? I understand. I will give you an answer after discussing it with my ministers.”

After sending the envoys out, the monarchs shared their opinions with their subjects.

“Why?”

The ministers had to rack their brains fiercely at the monarchs’ simple and clear question. The reasons that came out were as follows.

-The Empire knows that we are not happy with the problem that only the Empire is taking huge profits through candy soju.

-And they want us to compete among ourselves for the huge profits that can be made through candy soju.

“Then, is it right to give up acquiring the candy soju distillery?”

The ministers answered in unison to the monarchs’ question.

“No! If we can have it, we must have it!”

“At least we must prevent one country from monopolizing the distilleries!”

“We should have at least one. Even if we can’t sell it to other countries and only sell it domestically, it will create financial leeway!”

The monarchs made a decision at the ministers’ words that it would create financial leeway.

“Is that so? Then let’s join the game that the Empire has set up.”