Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 209

209. Homecoming (2)

“What’s going on that we have to protect the family?”

At Hassan’s question, an elder next to Mansur stepped forward to explain.

“Aden is currently split in two.”

* * *

The goods Mansur’s fleet brought from Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] caused a stir in Aden.

Since the quantity was much larger than the last time, the Otaibi and Azram families once again made their way to Alexandria to sell the goods.

At the Alexandria auction house, Joseon goods were sold at enormous prices—an average of 30 times the purchase price in Joseon.

“It’s good for us since we’re making more profit, but why is this happening?”

At Mansur’s question, an Arab merchant who had purchased a large quantity of Joseon goods pointed to a box.

The merchant’s finger was pointing at the golden plum blossom engraved on the inside of the box.

“It’s because of that flower.”

“Ah….”

Mansur nodded at the merchant’s explanation.

* * *

Before starting the first auction, and this one, Mansur had explained about the plum blossom engraved on the goods.

Merchants who heard that the quality varied depending on whether the plum blossom was made of gold, silver, or copper, and on the number of plum blossoms, asked Mansur questions.

“I understand the difference in quality, but why that flower pattern specifically?”

Mansur explained the reason for the merchants’ questions.

“That flower is a symbol of the Joseon royal family. In other words, it signifies that the King of Joseon guarantees the quality of these goods. Of course, there is also a certificate to verify this.”

“Let’s see the certificate.”

“Which product’s certificate do you want to see?”

At Mansur’s question, the merchant pointed to a set of tea utensils made of porcelain that he was particularly interested in obtaining.

“I want to see that one.”

Mansur opened the box, took out the certificate, and handed it over.

The merchant, familiar with Chinese characters, skillfully read the contents of the certificate and nodded.

“It’s authentic. The date of manufacture, the names and seals of the manufacturer and inspector are stamped, and the official seal is also present.”

Mansur, who received the certificate back from the merchant, closed the box again and replied.

“An honest merchant never lies.”

“That’s right.”

* * *

As they became more confident in the goods, the competition intensified.

Thanks to Mansur bringing Joseon goods of various types and grades, many merchants participated in the auction.

The merchants competed with others of similar financial standing for goods of a grade that matched their ability to pay.

Of course, there were also merchants with significant capital who attempted to buy everything, but the variety and quantity of goods Mansur brought made that impossible.

In the midst of this, some European merchants exhibited unusual behavior.

“That’s a gonne [archaic word for gun], right?”

“I think so.”

“That’s a very unique gonne. Ask if they’re willing to sell it.”

They were interested in the Masangchongtong [hand cannon] that Joseon military officers carried for self-defense.

“They are asking if you can sell that Chongtong [hand cannon] you are wearing.”

After several rounds of interpretation, Oh Ha-seok replied in a blunt voice.

“Tell them it’s not for sale.”

“They say they will pay 20 times the purchase price.”

“Tell them it was given by the country, so we can’t sell it.”

The European merchants who heard Oh Ha-seok’s answer through the interpreter stepped back with disappointed expressions. However, their eyes were still filled with avarice.

Seeing the behavior of these European merchants, Oh Ha-seok issued an order to the other military officers.

“Those guys’ eyes are not normal. Pay close attention to the security of your Chongtong [hand cannon]. No. Don’t even think about leaving the 숙소 [Sookso, accommodation] until we return.”

“Yes.”

* * *

The auction ended successfully.

A merchant from Alexandria who had mediated the auction approached Mansur, who was preparing to return with a large amount of gold and silver.

“Thanks to you, I also made a substantial profit.”

“We too. Thank you for conducting a fair auction.”

The merchant, seeing Mansur expressing his gratitude politely in the Arab style, warned him cautiously.

“Be careful on your way back. There are many who are after your wealth.”

“Yes?”

“Where would you not find wolves aiming for plump sheep?”

“Ah….”

“May Allah’s blessings be with you on your way back….”

“Inshallah [God willing].”

* * *

The Alexandria merchant’s warning proved accurate.

As Alexandria disappeared over the horizon, bandits rushed in, aiming for the wealth the group possessed.

Mansur’s party had to fight their way through a bloody gauntlet, fending off attacks from genuine bandits as well as other merchants disguised as such, to return to Aden.

Of course, Mansur had anticipated this, so he had secured the assistance of the Azram family and brought a large number of private soldiers, but the situation was still precarious.

It was the Joseon military officers who broke the deadlock in this situation.

The military officers made effective use of their equipment.

While scouting the area with a Danmanggyeong (單望鏡) [monocular telescope], they detected the approach of bandits from afar and issued a warning.

“We have guests.”

“Good ones? Bad ones?”

“They’re drawing their swords as they approach, so they’re not friendly.”

At his subordinate’s report, Oh Ha-seok called the interpreter.

“Uninvited guests are arriving.”

Soon after, shouts rang out from all directions, and the private soldiers began to form a circular defensive formation.

The Jangchongtong [long-barreled hand cannon] possessed by the military officers demonstrated its power in the ensuing battle.

“The guy riding the black horse and lingering in the back seems to be the boss.”

“Understood.”

When Oh Ha-seok pointed out the target, the military officers aimed their Chongtong [hand cannon] at him.

“Fire!”

Tatatang!

When such an important figure fell, the attacking bandits often retreated.

Of course, if the one who fell was not the boss or a key leader, contrary to expectations, they had to fight a more difficult battle. And in that case, the Masangchongtong [hand cannon] had to continuously spit fire.

* * *

“Aden!”

“Waaaaa!”

“We’re back!”

When the earthen wall (土壁) [earthen wall] defending Aden came into view in the distance, everyone shouted with relief.

The group that returned to Aden congratulated each other on their safe arrival.

However, the real battle was just beginning.

“Hold a banquet!”

“Uwaaaa!”

At Mansur’s words, the private soldiers and merchants who were unloading their luggage cheered. However, the elders of the Otaibi family and members of the Azram family rushed forward.

“Postpone the banquet for now!”

“Why?”

When Mansur frowned and asked the reason, the elder replied.

“The Sind and Pa families are preparing to make a move.”

“What!”

* * *

Originally, Aden was controlled by five families.

These five families maintained their dominance over Aden through mutual checks and cooperation.

However, the Otaibi family, led by Mansur, had disrupted this balance.

The Azram family, hearing rumors that the Sind family was pressuring the Otaibi family with force, immediately joined forces with the Otaibi family.

This was not out of altruism, but a strategic move to prevent the Sind family’s power from growing too strong.

As a result, they were at odds with the Sind family, but the Azram family remained confident.

This was because the Azram family possessed the strongest power base in Aden.

Based on that confidence, the Azram family cooperated with the Otaibi family and embarked on a trading voyage to Joseon.

The Sind family, witnessing this, scoffed.

“Humph! Do you think their good fortune will last a second time!”

The sea route to Joseon, or more precisely to China, required passage through the narrow straits between Malacca and Majapahit. And this strait was notorious for pirates.

Even if they managed to navigate this strait safely, it was still a perilous route infested with Chinese and Japanese pirates.

Therefore, when the Otaibi family returned after successfully completing their first trade voyage to Joseon, the Sind family reached a firm conclusion.

-Their luck won’t last! Trade with Joseon will only happen once!

Based on that conclusion, the Sind family suppressed the Otaibi family with force and sneered as they watched the second voyage, this time allied with the Azram family.

But the second voyage also returned successfully.

Although there were signs of fierce battles, they returned without losing a single ship.

The executives of the Sind family, observing the cargo being unloaded from the six merchant ships, wore grim expressions.

“At this rate, it won’t be five families, but six!”

“It would be fortunate if that were the only consequence. The Azram family’s dominance could begin.”

The Sind family, sensing the impending crisis, began to persuade the other families.

-If we continue down this path, the Azram family will seize control of Aden!

-We must defeat the Azram and Otaibi families!

Soon, rumors began to circulate throughout the city of Aden.

‘The Sind family is planning to attack the Azram family!’

The Azram family, confirming the truth of the rumors, also took action.

The head of the Azram family sent a messenger to the Zayed family, another major family with whom they had a marriage alliance.

‘Let’s join forces! If we defeat them this time, Aden will be ours!’

The Zayed family, upon receiving the Azram family’s proposal, immediately convened a meeting with their elders.

The problem was that marriage alliances were not exclusive to the Azram family.

All five families were interconnected through marriage, like a tangled web.

“Leaving everything else aside, let’s consider what is most beneficial to our family. Looking at the Joseon goods that have arrived at the port, where does the greatest profit lie? Who holds the exclusive rights to trade with Joseon?”

At the head of the Zayed family’s prompting, the elders set aside their concerns and quickly reached a conclusion.

“We must join forces with the Azram family!”

In this way, the Otaibi, Azram, and Zayed families formed an alliance, while the Sind family and two other families rallied their forces around them.

Aden was now divided into two opposing factions, but neither side could immediately initiate hostilities.

This was because the combined power of the Azram and Zayed families was roughly equal to the combined power of the other three families.

As a result, a tense standoff ensued, with each side growling at the other.

This was the situation just before Mansur left for Alexandria.

* * *

“Unless Sindwa [leader of Sind family] is insane….”

When Mansur displayed an expression of complete incomprehension, the elder explained succinctly.

“The profit gained this time was too significant.”

“Has the news already spread?”

“The Sindwa [Sind family] sent people to Alexandria.”

“This….”

Mansur’s eyes darkened, and he looked bewildered.

“What should we do….”

Mansur’s gaze fell upon the Joseon military officers as he searched for an answer.

“It’s them! We must ask them for help!”

Mansur’s eyes lit up.

Those Joseon military officers were soldiers. They had proven in previous battles that they were not merely simple warriors, but individuals who had learned and mastered systematic tactics.

“Allah Hu Akbar [God is the greatest]!”

Mansur, having found a solution, unknowingly uttered words praising Allah.

“Huh? Why is he doing that?”

“This doesn’t feel right?”

“Me neither.”

When Mansur shouted ‘Allah Hu Akbar [God is the greatest]’, Oh Ha-seok and the other military officers felt uneasy.

This was because nothing good had ever come before or after those words were uttered.

* * *

“‘Allah Hu Akbar [God is the greatest]’ means ‘Allah is great’.”

Oh Ha-seok, who had learned the meaning through the 역관 [interpreter] of the Sayukwon [government agency] during the voyage, frowned and muttered.

“Great my ass….”

This was because the sailors, starting with Mansur, had been shouting ‘Allah Hu Akbar [God is the greatest]!’ after every battle with the pirates.

“If he is such a great god, he should have prevented us from fighting the pirates in the first place.”

Oh Ha-seok, who had lost some of the military officers who had accompanied him from Joseon, could not agree with the sentiment at all.

* * *

That’s why Oh Ha-seok felt uneasy when Mansur shouted ‘Allah Hu Akbar [God is the greatest]’.

“The leader is asking for help. He says his family is in crisis now.”

Oh Ha-seok’s face crumpled when he heard the message through the interpreter.

“What the hell!”