Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 124

Jjangra

Hello, Bomb!

124. To Arabia (3)

Sejong, having tasted the coffee, introduced it to his ministers.

“This is the tea brewed from the Qahwa [coffee beans] brought by the Huihui people.”

“Is that so?”

The ministers, seated around the conference room next to the main hall of Geunjeongjeon [the main throne hall of Gyeongbok Palace], stared at the teacups before them at Sejong’s words.

“The color is quite peculiar.”

Yi Jik commented, observing the black color of the coffee.

He was trying to soften his true feelings, which were, ‘The dark color is not appealing at all.’

Sejong smiled and agreed with Yi Jik.

“Indeed. The color is quite unique. When I first saw it, I thought it was medicine.”

“The aroma is also unique.”

Meng Sa-seong’s assessment after smelling the bitter scent of roasted coffee prompted Sejong to nod.

“I felt the same way. Now, let us drink! First, take a light sip, and then add some sugar to suit your taste. Adding milk will make the flavor even smoother, but milk is hard to come by, and it is good to drink even without it.”

“Yes, yes…”

As Sejong offered the coffee, the ministers nodded repeatedly, but their faces were filled with hesitation.

‘Judging by the color alone, it looks like herbal medicine… Both tonics and poisons have the same color. Is this Qahwa a tonic or a poison?’

“Hmm? Why aren’t you all drinking?”

“We, we are drinking!”

At Sejong’s urging, the ministers squeezed their eyes shut and raised their teacups.

‘Bitter, bitter!’

The ministers who took their first sip quickly searched for the sugar bowl and added sugar.

As the sweetness made it easier to drink, the ministers began to savor the coffee with more relaxed expressions.

“How is it?”

At Sejong’s question, the ministers began to share their impressions one by one.

“At first, it was only bitter, but afterwards, a slight nuttiness and sourness are felt, making it truly mysterious.”

“The aroma is also unique. It is difficult to define in a single word, but it has its own charm.”

“Indeed? I think so too.”

In such a relaxed atmosphere, Sejong and his ministers enjoyed the coffee while engaging in various conversations.

After drinking a cup of coffee and returning to the main hall, Sejong ascended to the throne and asked the ministers.

“How do you feel?”

At Sejong’s question, the ministers replied with surprised expressions.

“It is truly amazing! Before drinking that tea, I was feeling tired, but now I am full of energy!”

“That’s right! It is truly a miraculous tea!”

Sejong looked pleased as he saw the ministers’ faces, which were more energetic than before drinking the tea.

“The Crown Prince has discovered something truly wonderful.”

“Indeed!”

“Well, now that we seem to have regained our energy, let’s work! Work!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Ah, and I will have this Qahwa powder distributed appropriately to each government office, so have a cup when you are tired.”

“Your benevolence is boundless!”

Later, Hyang, hearing this news through the eunuchs, chuckled.

“Those nobles who always drank green tea are now drinking coffee… In 21st-century terms, it’s like drinking a highly concentrated caffeine drink after only drinking decaf. The effect will be amazing! If Father knew this and did it on purpose, he is truly a sly one.”

Hyang shook his head at Sejong’s trick and brought the coffee cup to his lips.

* * *

Not long after, the ministers were shocked by Sejong’s scheme.

“I, I can’t sleep!”

The officials who had a leisurely cup of coffee after their evening meal were amazed to find that they had escaped the sleepiness that always plagued them.

“What is the reason?”

The officials who had escaped sleepiness sought the cause.

“The only thing different from usual is this Qahwa. Could it be that it not only invigorates but also chases away sleep!”

Realizing the reason, the officials looked towards Gangnyeongjeon [the King’s residence] and Donggungjeon [the Crown Prince’s residence].

“Is he telling us to work without sleeping now!”

* * *

Despite saying that, from Sejong to the high and low officials, they quickly became addicted to coffee.

The powerful, high-concentration caffeine effect of drinking a cup of coffee with sleepy eyes upon arriving at the office at dawn, which sharpened their focus and restored their energy, was something they could not escape once they tasted it.

“It was a poison after all!”

“But why can’t I quit?”

The officials shed tears as they refilled their empty cups with coffee.

The reaction of the officials, who grumbled, ‘Is he telling us not to sleep!’ when they first tasted the caffeine effect, changed like this.

“I can only endure with this!”

As the high and low officials sought coffee, the ajun [lower-level officials] and government slaves who handled the miscellaneous affairs of the government offices had more work to do.

Before the officials arrived at the office, they would place kettles filled with water on the brazier and prepare clean cotton cloths to brew the coffee. Afterwards, preparing jars filled with roasted coffee powder and jars filled with sugar was their morning routine.

And whenever they had a chance, they would clean the cups that the officials had used, constantly replenish the clean, washed, and dried cotton cloths, and finally roast raw beans and grind them to replenish the consumed coffee powder.

However, after several trials and errors, the officials who grasped the importance of roasting petitioned Sejong, and a minor post called ‘Black Bean Tea Official (黑豆茶員)’ was newly established as a miscellaneous job for a Jong9 rank [lowest rank] ajun.

And this miscellaneous job became Joseon’s, no, the world’s first official barista.

All of this happened in less than a month after Hyang introduced the taste of coffee to Sejong.

* * *

However, the side effects of coffee occurred in an unexpected place.

The Queen’s bedchamber. Sejong, who had engaged in marital relations with Queen Soheon and had fallen into a light sleep, asked in a sleepy voice as Queen Soheon, lying next to him, continued to move.

“Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”

“No, it’s just that I can’t fall asleep…”

At Queen Soheon’s words, Sejong rose.

“Is there something you are worried about?”

“No. It’s just that I can’t fall asleep.”

“Shall I call the royal physician?”

“It’s not that serious. Ah…”

Queen Soheon, who had trailed off, muttered to herself.

“Is it because of that tea?”

“Tea? What tea?”

“I’ve been feeling a bit down lately, so I drank some black bean tea.”

“Ah… Drinking that tea does make it hard to fall asleep.”

Sejong nodded at Queen Soheon’s words. Sejong gently patted Queen Soheon’s shoulder.

“Don’t focus too much on not being able to sleep, and you will be able to sleep soon if you relax. Let’s sleep.”

“Aii~ [a cute sound] .”

At Sejong’s words, Queen Soheon made a coquettish sound. As Queen Soheon snuggled into his arms and acted coquettishly, Sejong coughed dryly.

“Ahem! Ahem… It’s late at night…….”

“Aii~.”

“This…….”

In any case, Sejong, who had just turned 30, was also in his prime. At the sight of his wife’s coquetry after a long time, Sejong started the engine.

The next day, Sejong overslept for the first time in a long time.

As this happened frequently not only to Queen Soheon but also to the concubines, Sejong eventually issued a royal decree.

-The concubines are forbidden from drinking more than two cups of black bean tea a day!

-Drinking black bean tea after dinner is forbidden!

* * *

Meanwhile, merchants who heard the rumors of black bean tea visited the Ministry of Taxation.

“We also want to buy black bean tea.”

“Black bean tea?”

At the merchants’ words, the Ministry of Taxation official examined the records and wore a troubled expression.

The amount of coffee beans brought by Mansur’s group was not large, and even though only a month or so had passed, the amount consumed by the palace and government offices was considerable.

“They will only come again in a year… Then, if we exclude the maximum amount to be retained…….”

The Ministry of Taxation official, calculating the amount while flicking the abacus beads, replied.

“There wasn’t much that came in this time. If we were to sell it, we could only sell about 1 kwan (approximately 3.75kg) [8.27 lbs].”

“Is it 1 kwan per merchant?”

“No, 1 kwan in total.”

“I will buy it!”

“No, I will buy it!”

At the merchants’ outcry, the Ministry of Taxation official leisurely brought the coffee cup to his lips and asked.

“Well, how much will you buy it for?”

After a fierce price competition, a merchant was decided, and the Ministry of Taxation official handed over a sack containing 1 kwan of coffee beans and asked.

“But has the rumor about this tea already spread?”

“Oh my! Don’t even mention it! Those preparing for the civil service examination are desperately looking for it!”

The rumor about coffee had spread widely among the people as some of the officials working in the government offices took some home little by little.

With the rumor that ‘If you drink just one cup, you can stay up all night without any problems!’ coffee was even given the nickname ‘Study Tea (修學茶)’.

At the merchant’s answer, the Ministry of Taxation official chuckled and muttered.

“Even if you pass, the door to hardship will be wide open. What’s so good about it…….”

The merchant grumbled inwardly at the official’s words.

‘That’s because you’ve already made it, so you can say such things!’

Whether it was the 21st century or 15th century Joseon, ‘civil servant’ was a symbol of ‘stability’. In particular, as Sejong promoted reforms, the recruitment of officials increased, and the stipends were also paid to the extent that actual living was possible, so the number of those studying for the civil service examination gradually increased.

In addition, with the rumor that ‘The ban on entering government service for the people of the Northwest and the children of concubines will be lifted soon!’ even the marginalized people of the Northwest and the children of concubines had joined the competition.

* * *

As Joseon was gradually changing like this, the departure of Mansur’s group was approaching.

“Has the investigation of the ship that the Huihui people came on been completely completed?”

“Yes.”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s answer, Sejong continued to confirm.

“Was there anything new?”

“The strength of the hull was not comparable to our Panokseon [a type of Korean warship], but the material used for waterproofing was truly unique.”

“What did they use?”

“They used pitch. Although it is pitch, it was not made using pine resin that we know, but made using black, sticky oil that springs from the ground.”

“Is that so? Heo~.”

Sejong exclaimed.

“There are still many things in this world that we do not know.”

“That is so.”

“Father, I have something I would like to ask the Minister of War for a moment.”

“I permit it.”

“Thank you very much.”

Hyang, expressing his gratitude to Sejong, asked Jo Mal-saeng a question.

“By any chance, do you know the cost of the pitch they use?”

“Yes. I have investigated it. It was 1/10 the price of pitch made using pine resin.”

At Jo Mal-saeng’s answer, Hyang proposed to Sejong.

“Father. The most important thing in building and maintaining a ship is waterproofing. If we purchase their pitch, we can do it cheaply. How about adding pitch to the purchase list to request from them?”

“That would be good. Do so.”

“Thank you very much!”

As the ‘import of pitch’ was decided, Sejong moved on to another agenda item.

“Has the selection of naval officers and interpreters to accompany this voyage been completed?”

At Sejong’s question, the Minister of Rites and Jo Mal-saeng immediately answered.

“Preparations have already been completed. We have selected six young men from among the interpreters who are fluent in the Ming language [the official language of the Ming Dynasty].”

“The navy has also selected six men who are well-versed not only in artillery but also in navigation.”

“You have worked hard. You have made it clear to them that they have a lot to do on this voyage, right?”

“We have already made it clear enough, and everyone is full of enthusiasm.”

“Is that so?”

Sejong, who was thinking about something for a moment, opened his mouth.

“Prepare a banquet for the naval officers and interpreters who are leaving this time. I will encourage them.”

At Sejong’s decision, the ministers bowed their heads all at once and answered.

“If Your Majesty personally encourages them, they will do their best. Your benevolence is boundless!”

Two days later, a banquet was held at Gyeonghoeru [a pavilion in Gyeongbok Palace]. At the event for those who were leaving Northeast Asia for the first time in Joseon’s history, Sejong personally filled the cups of the naval officers and interpreters and encouraged them.

“When our Joseon leaves this corner and goes out to distant foreign lands, the work you have done will shine. Therefore, do your best on this voyage and fulfill your assigned duties.”

“We will engrave it in our bones and devote ourselves to the task!”

Five days later, Mansur’s fleet left Jemulpo [present-day Incheon].

They were the first people in Joseon to go to the open sea.