Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 107

107. Partnership (1)

It wasn’t just sunglasses. Teaware and dishes made from clear and colored glass were presented to Sejong and Queen Soheon—the concubines received them as gifts from Queen Soheon—as soon as the test products were made.

Sejong and Queen Soheon were greatly pleased with the gifts, and glass tableware began to be used extensively in the palace.

As glass tableware became prevalent in the palace, news quickly spread to the noble families.

This created a significant demand.

“Start mass production immediately,” Hyang ordered.

“Yes, Your Highness,” came the reply.

Hyang, having issued the mass production order, smiled and muttered.

“This is what VIP marketing is all about.”

* * *

The glass that began to be mass-produced in Joseon soon garnered a great response in Ming [China] and Japan.

A Ming envoy who visited the Joseon palace reported back to the emperor, and an order arrived from Ming, via the envoy, requesting plate glass for use in the Forbidden City [the Chinese imperial palace].

Hyang volunteered to deal with the Ming envoy who brought the order.

“Plate glass for use in the Forbidden City… you mean the entire Forbidden City?”

“The entire thing.”

“Since you want it as tribute, I will provide it as tribute. But can Ming’s finances handle it?”

“What do you mean, Crown Prince?”

At the Ming envoy’s question, Hyang explained in detail.

“According to past practices, when Joseon presents tribute, His Majesty the Emperor bestows gifts in return, several times the value of the tribute.”

“That is correct.”

“However, this plate glass costs 8 silver *nyang* [Joseon currency] to produce a single sheet. If you were to use glass for all the buildings in the Forbidden City, how much would that cost? And how much wealth would be needed for the corresponding return gift?”

“Ah….”

The envoy, calculating based on Hyang’s words, began to sweat profusely. He recalled the debate that had taken place within the Forbidden City.

Ming’s finances were severely strained due to Emperor Yongle’s excessive expeditions. To remedy this, the current emperor was desperately trying to cut costs.

Therefore, when the idea of receiving glass as tribute from Joseon was suggested after hearing the report, there were considerable objections. The grounds presented by those who opposed it were the same as what the Crown Prince of Joseon was saying now.

“Wouldn’t it be better to ask Joseon to send artisans…?”

“Are you suggesting we declare war on Joseon now? Have you forgotten what happened to the Jurchens in Liaodong recently? Have you forgotten why the emperors of the past told us to be wary of Joseon?”

Although Joseon presented itself as a vassal state, Ming never let its guard down.

In a situation where they were already wary of Joseon, the Xuande Emperor, who had newly ascended the throne, was refraining from unnecessary disputes as much as possible in order to restore finances.

In the end, the conclusion reached after a fierce debate was as follows:

‘Even the vassal state of Joseon decorates its palace with glass, so the suzerain state cannot simply stand by. However, His Majesty the Emperor is frugal, so we will only request enough to decorate the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, and negotiate to minimize the return gift.’

However, the envoy who came on the mission, driven by his own ambition, demanded enough to cover the entire Forbidden City, but now he was being countered by Hyang.

Watching the envoy sweating profusely, Hyang continued.

“And, in terms of Joseon’s production volume, it would take at least five years to cover the entire Forbidden City. Of course, it would take longer if we encounter storms during transport, or if we are attacked by the Jurchens. What should we do?”

At Hyang’s question, the envoy immediately presented the original plan.

“It is fine to present only the amount to be used in the Hall of Supreme Harmony first!”

“Then we would be happy to oblige, but wouldn’t the envoy be in trouble?”

“For the sake of friendship between the two countries, would my safety be a problem? Instead, I will minimize the return gift.”

“Hmm….”

Hyang, pretending to ponder the envoy’s words, threw out bait.

“For the sake of friendship between the two countries, Joseon must also make concessions. Since it is for the glory of His Majesty the Emperor, we will supply the glass to be used in the Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿), the Hall of Central Harmony (中和殿), and the Hall of Literary Glory (文華殿). We will only receive the price of the glass used in those three halls as a return gift. How is that?”

“Really? Thank you so much!”

The Ming envoy bowed deeply and expressed his gratitude at Hyang’s words. Hyang then set a hook for the envoy.

“However, there is one condition. Do not send any more *Gongnyeo* [tribute women] and eunuchs.”

“Ah….”

The envoy had a difficult expression at Hyang’s offer. After diligently calculating the gains and losses, the envoy replied.

“The issue of *Gongnyeo* is beyond my authority, so I must report to the Emperor (*稟議*). I will return immediately to ask His Majesty and get an answer. I will definitely receive an answer that benefits both countries, so please keep your offer, Your Highness!”

“Let’s do that.”

Hyang, who had reached a tentative agreement with the envoy, immediately visited Sejong and explained the results.

“…So, I decided to cover the outside of the three outer halls (外殿) of the Forbidden City with glass, calculate the return gift at 8 silver *nyang* per sheet, and proposed that they not send *Gongnyeo* and eunuchs in addition.”

Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyang’s explanation.

“You have worked hard.”

Following Sejong’s praise, the ministers also praised Hyang.

“You have worked hard.”

“You have truly worked hard.”

Among them, Chief State Councilor Yi Jik pointed out one problem.

“But, as I understand it, it only costs 1 silver *nyang* to make one sheet of plate glass?”

Hyang smiled at Yi Jik’s question.

Sejong and the ministers’ hearts sank at Hyang’s expression. This was because whenever the Crown Prince made such an expression, things that exceeded imagination—Sejong called it ‘slapping the back of the head in broad daylight’—frequently happened.

Most recently, there was a major incident in which half of the Insoon Department’s treasury was emptied while mass-producing plate glass.

It was an accident that made Sejong sincerely consider throwing Hyang into the Office of Records because of his excuse that he did it out of fear that those who did not know the utility and value of plate glass would argue and hinder budget execution.

“It was like that at first. But now it costs 4 silver *don* [a smaller denomination of Joseon currency].”

“How?”

“Do you remember Han Seok-gu’s work some time ago?”

“Did the technology he came up with reduce the cost so much?”

Hyang nodded at Sejong’s question.

“Yes, that’s why I gave him equity.”

* * *

Han Seok-gu receiving equity became a hot topic among the artisans.

Working on the spot, the artisans could predict that glass would generate a huge amount of money.

Therefore, Han Seok-gu was envied by the artisans.

“If you’re jealous, you guys should think about it too!”

“Yes!”

The artisans were burning with a sense of challenge at Hyang’s words.

No, not only the glass workshop but everyone in Area 51 and the research institute was burning with a sense of challenge.

* * *

At Hyang’s explanation, the Chief State Councilor immediately asked.

“Then, if we cover the three outer halls of the Forbidden City with glass, will there be a lot of money left over?”

“That is correct.”

As soon as Hyang’s answer was finished, Sejong continued.

“But, the better thing is that we don’t have to send *Gongnyeo* and eunuchs. Of course, it is still a possibility.”

Hyang answered firmly at Sejong’s point.

“We must make it an established fact.”

Sending *Gongnyeo* and eunuchs to Ming was an act of turning countless families into a sea of tears.

If he succeeded in this, the people’s support would increase further, and Sejong’s political position would become even stronger.

Hyang suggested to Sejong.

“Therefore, when the envoy who came this time returns, we must also send an envoy to get a firm commitment.”

“That’s right. We must get a commitment.”

As Sejong nodded, Hyang continued with his usual heart-sinking smile.

“So, I will go.”

“You son of a bitch!”

* * *

Sejong shouted, but Hyang calmly explained the reason.

“If an envoy goes, he must negotiate with the emperor. Then, the status must be somewhat appropriate.”

“Negotiate with the emperor?”

“Think about it. We still haven’t received a definite answer regarding the conquest of the Tumen River area last time. Even though the Chief State Councilor went as the chief envoy.”

“Keueung….”

Sejong groaned at Hyang’s point.

As Hyang said, the delegation went with the Chief State Councilor as the chief envoy, but returned empty-handed.

Therefore, the current development of the Tumen River was being carried out unilaterally by Joseon.

Hyang, who poked at Sejong’s sore spot, continued to explain why he had to go.

“But, this time, there is the glass issue, which involves huge expenditures, as well as the *Gongnyeo* issue. Even if I were the Emperor of Ming, I would try to negotiate, and I would start by questioning the status of the envoy in order to gain an advantage in the negotiation. So, I have to go. So please allow me! Please have mercy!”

“There is a point, but it is not necessary for the Crown Prince to go.”

Sejong refused, but Hyang brought up another reason why he had to go.

“Joseon is currently conducting a lot of trade between Ming and Japan. In order to keep this trade safe and free in the future, we must make the emperor our ally.”

“Make the emperor our ally? More than that, does the Crown Prince think there will be a problem with trade?”

“That is correct.”

“The reason?”

“There is not a single person in the world who likes others taking away the wealth from their own vault.”

“Ah….”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong nodded without realizing it.

* * *

Trade with Ming was increasing rapidly. However, Joseon was making huge profits from most of the trade.

Of course, they were purchasing large quantities of grain to use as relief rice and large quantities of sugar to use for monopoly purposes.

However, in terms of absolute amount, the expenditure was very small compared to the amount earned.

Therefore, information that bad stories were circulating in Ming had been coming in through merchants for some time.

* * *

“So you’re going to make the emperor our ally? How?”

“I will propose a partnership.”

“Partnership?”

“Yes.”

Hyang explained to Sejong in more detail.

-The Joseon court and the Ming emperor jointly create a merchant group.

-The joint merchant group purchases products produced by the Joseon royal workshops and sells them to Ming merchants.

-The profits earned from the sale are distributed between Joseon and the Ming emperor at a certain rate.

“…The reason for limiting it to the royal workshops is that most of the products that are currently making the most profit in trade are made by the royal workshops.”

“That’s true.”

“That is correct.”

Sejong and the ministers nodded at Hyang’s words. Hyang continued, watching the reactions of Sejong and the ministers.

“In addition, glass products will be on sale soon. Looking at the current situation in Joseon, Ming, Jurchen, and Japan, glass products produced by the royal workshops are completely monopolized. In this case, even a fool can predict that a dispute will occur.”

“That’s right.”

“So, it seems like a loss right now, but if we can prevent disputes, we will actually benefit.”

“I understand. But still, the Crown Prince going in person….”

“To deal with the Emperor of Ming, the status must be appropriate.”

“Why only the Emperor of Ming… Ah!”

Sejong, who suddenly exclaimed, glared at Hyang.

“You scary guy.”

Hyang smiled as usual at Sejong’s words.

‘As expected, King Sejong! You noticed right away!’

The atmosphere was slowly leaning towards Hyang going.

“But you know what? Creating a joint merchant group only for the purpose of securing trade safety and avoiding Ming’s pressure feels a bit like a loss. Isn’t there a way to secure more of our interests?”

Hyang immediately answered Sejong’s question.

“Although it was omitted in the explanation, there is another important thing. It is to protect the value of the royal emblem.”

“That’s it!”

Sejong clapped his knees and was delighted at Hyang’s words.

The feeling that was slightly lacking until just now was filled with Hyang’s words.

“Ming merchants are notorious for making fakes! We are the only ones making glass products right now, but if they know it’s profitable, Ming merchants will hire glass artisans from the West and make similar products! And, they will make fakes that imitate the royal emblem to easily make profits!”

Sejong, who realized the value of the plum blossom pattern stamped on the products that passed the quality inspection, made a decision.

“Okay! Crown Prince, go and come back!”