Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 215

215. The Challenger (3)

Mansur chose a variety of goods.

Among them were many unusual items, including rooting fertilizer, ginseng, and, newly added, Woohwang Cheongsimwon [a traditional Korean medicine used to treat stroke and nervous disorders].

“Woohwang Cheongsimwon? Have you tried it?”

At Kim Jeom’s question, Mansur nodded.

“I was about to collapse from too much stress in Aden, but it helped me then.”

“Hmm… That’s fortunate.”

“Thanks to that, I’m planning to keep it as an emergency medicine for the family rather than for sale.”

Kim Jeom tilted his head at Mansur’s answer.

“Isn’t that a lot for that purpose?”

“There are three families, and quite a few old people.”

“Hmm… I see.”

However, Mansur’s mass purchase of Woohwang Cheongsimwon faced an unexpected obstacle.

The royal physicians of the Internal Medicine Department, a related department, opposed it.

“Woohwang Cheongsimwon is an emergency medicine, but the dosage must be adjusted according to the patient’s condition. Selling it indiscriminately is absolutely unacceptable! If done wrong, it will become known as a poison, not a medicine!”

After the royal physicians opposed, Sejong, who received the report, summoned them. Sejong asked the prostrated royal physicians.

“Why are the royal physicians opposing? Didn’t it sell well in Ming [China] and Wa [Japan] countries?”

“Don’t they have doctors who know Woohwang Cheongsimwon well?”

“That’s right.”

Sejong nodded at the royal physicians’ explanation and turned to Kim Jeom.

“I think the royal physicians’ opinion is reasonable. Medicine and poison are said to be separated by a single sheet of paper. If misused or abused, we will be criticized. Explain this to him.”

“I obey your command.”

As Sejong’s decision was made, Kim Jeom explained the decision to Mansur.

“That’s a shame. Does that mean it can’t be sold at all?”

“For the time being. If you really need it, send a doctor. You need to know the proper usage to avoid danger.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Mansur had no choice but to wait for the next time.

Meanwhile, Hyang, who heard the news, wore an unexpected expression.

“Huh? The nobles of this period are more strict than I thought?”

In the 21st century, Woohwang Cheongsimwon was a medicine easily available at pharmacies. Thanks to this, it was a medicine used in various situations. Hyang also had the experience of chewing one before going in when her parents were about to scold her.

However, the royal physicians of Joseon were very strict about using Woohwang Cheongsimwon.

Of course, Hyang’s hand also went into this Woohwang Cheongsimwon. What Hyang interfered with was removing cinnabar from the ingredients of Woohwang Cheongsimwon.

“Cinnabar is a traditional medicine…”

“The problem is mercury.”

“Mercury is also used as a medicine…”

“According to the records of the Westerners, taking mercury causes physical deformities and has a negative impact on children.”

“But…”

When the royal physicians continued to show negative reactions, Hyang forcibly conducted an actual experiment. She actually showed that feeding mercury to chickens caused problems. Of course, it was a long-term experiment that lasted almost a year.

After confirming that there were actual problems, the royal physicians decided to exclude cinnabar from the raw materials.

* * *

Apart from these medicines, Mansur purchased a large quantity of perfume and fragrance oil products.

“Fragrances are surprisingly divisive items, but do they sell well?”

At Kim Jeom’s question, Mansur nodded.

“Yes. The scent is subtle and long-lasting, so it’s popular. Even the damn Catholics like it.”

“Is that so?”

Kim Jeom muttered inwardly at Mansur’s answer.

‘The response to fragrances is good. I must remember this.’

As Kim Jeom noted, Joseon-made fragrances were surprisingly well-received and sold well in the Middle East and Europe.

The fragrance manufacturing technology of Joseon, which had been passed down since the Three Kingdoms period, shone.

In the meantime, Hyang was urging the artisans who supplied fragrances to the royal family and trying to manufacture new fragrances.

Hyang’s new attempt was a fragrance made by dissolving it in alcohol.

The reason Hyang made this attempt was simple.

“I need skin lotion!”

As she got older and her beard became thicker, Hyang became concerned about shaving and attempted to make skin lotion, a necessity.

* * *

The transaction between Mansur and Kim Jeom lasted for several days. The reason why it took so long was not the unit price.

There was a difference between the quantity Mansur wanted and the quantity Joseon could supply, so they had to keep adjusting.

“No! I’m paying the price!”

“Who’s talking about payment issues? It’s because the quantity is not enough.”

“What are all those things in the warehouse in Jemulpo [modern-day Incheon]?”

“Those are already spoken for.”

“Then if I buy it with a premium…”

“No way!”

When Mansur mentioned ‘premium,’ Kim Jeom cut him off.

“I may not be a merchant, but I know the importance of trust! Don’t even mention such dirty words!”

At Kim Jeom’s firm reaction, Mansur turned to Hassan. After seeing Hassan’s nod, Mansur apologized politely.

“I apologize. I was too greedy…”

“Be careful. The leader also leads a large merchant group, so he knows the importance of trust, right?”

“But I brought a lot of ships, but the quantity is small…”

“Still, isn’t it more than last time? More and more workshops are being created in our Joseon, so the day will soon come when we can fill all the warehouses of those ships and have more left over. In that sense…”

Kim Jeom, who stopped talking for a moment to draw Mansur’s attention, subtly dangled the bait.

“Are you interested in cotton cloth?”

“Cotton cloth?”

“We call it Gwangmok. It’s also called Gyehoekmok.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Mansur pondered for a moment.

‘If this man recommends it, it must be an unusual item!’

“Can I see the real thing?”

“Of course!”

When Mansur showed interest, Kim Jeom cheered inwardly.

‘I caught him!’

Mansur’s eyes sparkled when he saw the cotton cloth Kim Jeom showed him.

“The width is quite wide! And I like the dense weave!”

Aden, where the Ottabi family lived, faced the sea and was hot and humid. However, just a little further inland, the intense sunlight dried up people and animals. In addition, the daily temperature range was considerable. In such a climate, fabrics with a dense weave that blocked sunlight well were popular.

Therefore, Mansur confirmed the marketability of the cotton cloth recommended by Kim Jeom.

“How much of this can I get?”

“How much do you need?”

That’s how Kim Jeom was able to reap an unexpected harvest.

* * *

After seeing Mansur off, Kim Jeom handed over the related documents to his subordinates.

“Organize it well and bring it to me.”

“Yes.”

“As soon as possible. I have to report to His Majesty.”

The face of the Ministry of Taxation official turned black. Kim Jeom said a word at the sight.

“Have you only worked overtime once or twice?”

“It’s been four days now…”

“Just do it. I’ll take care of the overtime pay.”

“…Yes.”

Kim Jeom, who passed the documents to his subordinate, poured water from the kettle he had prepared next to him and quenched his thirst.

“I was thirsty from talking so much.”

Kim Jeom muttered with a much lighter face after quenching his thirst.

“Anyway, I’ve solved one homework assignment.”

The homework he mentioned was cotton cloth.

Hyang, as well as the merchants, had predicted that cotton cloth would be a big hit. However, when cotton cloth actually came out on the market, the reaction was far from their expectations.

“You’re buying cotton cloth with money?”

“You’re buying cotton cloth that you can just weave with money? Is money rotting?”

The commoners, who were used to weaving cotton cloth at home, showed a lukewarm reaction. As time passed, cotton cloth flowed into even small villages, but the commoners’ reaction was still negative.

“It’s good, but buying it with money is…”

“The current cotton cloth is fine…”

The cotton cloth produced in the factory did not satisfy the commoners in terms of cost-effectiveness. In the end, the cotton cloth produced in the factory was only sold to the wealthy, who were accustomed to high-quality cotton cloth.

“To sell such high-quality goods at this price!”

It was a cheap price for the wealthy, so it was popular, but there were few such wealthy people throughout Joseon.

As a result, more and more inventory began to pile up in the warehouse. The government and merchants conducted promotional activities in Ming and Wa countries to find sales channels, but the situation was similar to Joseon.

Ming had similar quality cotton cloth readily available – Hyang commented that it was a victory for human wave tactics – and Wa did not have the money to buy such cotton cloth.

In the end, Mansur became the solution while they were struggling to find sales channels.

* * *

Finally, on the third month of his stay in Joseon, Mansur finally left Joseon.

Mansur, who visited Geunjeongjeon [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace] and prostrated himself before Sejong, expressed his gratitude to Sejong.

“I am deeply grateful for the generous treatment of an insignificant merchant.”

“I’m glad you had no discomfort. I hope you return safely to your hometown.”

“I am only grateful for Your Majesty’s concern.”

“Your success is our Joseon’s success, so I hope you have good results.”

“I will do my best.”

When Mansur, who had said goodbye to Sejong, came out of Geunjeongjeon, Kim Jeom saw him off until the end.

“Return safely as His Majesty said.”

“Thank you. I am truly grateful for the kindness you have shown me, starting with the cannons.”

“What… Isn’t it all for each other’s benefit?”

“That’s true.”

Listening to Mansur’s answer, Kim Jeom gestured to the Ministry of Taxation official who was following behind. At Kim Jeom’s gesture, the Ministry of Taxation official quickly handed over a large bundle.

“Take this.”

“What is this?”

“It’s a tonic. The most important thing is always health, so boil it well and eat it.”

“Yes…”

Mansur, who received the tonic, had a strange expression. He had also heard rumors about the tonics that went around among Joseon officials. Seeing Mansur’s expression, Kim Jeom immediately added.

“There are strange rumors going around about tonics these days, but this is a genuine act of kindness. Kindness!”

“…Thank you.”

“An era of distrust where kindness has to be doubted!”

“Thank you so much!”

After saying goodbye to Kim Jeom, Mansur asked Hassan, who was accompanying him.

“It’s a real act of kindness, right?”

“It must be an act of kindness.”

‘Maybe?’

Hassan was hiding the last word in his mouth.

* * *

Five days after Mansur and his party left, Sejong headed to Gyeonggi-do with Hyang and the ministers.

“Is this the newly paved road?”

“Yes, Father.”

Sejong wore a satisfied expression as he looked at the straight road stretching out before him.

“What a wide and straight road! I hope our Joseon’s future will be like this!”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang immediately replied.

“Your Majesty’s will is firm, and there are competent ministers, so it will surely be so.”

“You are right.”

Sejong, who smiled and answered Hyang’s words, looked back at the ministers who were following behind.

“I trust you all.”

“We will do our best!”

The ministers answered in unison with a loud voice. But their insides were burning black.

‘This is definitely a sign that he will make us work more!’

‘I have to run! I have to submit my resignation!’

The place where Sejong and his party headed was the shipyard of Gyeonggi Navy Headquarters.

The place where the ships of Gyeonggi Navy Headquarters were built was located in Nanyang Hwaryang Bay, Gyeonggi-do.

And this was where the construction of the new type of ship, which Hyang was at the center of, was in progress.

“We greet His Majesty!”

“Chung [Loyalty]!”

Sejong, who entered the navy headquarters, answering the military salute of the navy soldiers starting with the Naval Commander of Gyeonggi Navy Headquarters, got off his horse and looked around the navy headquarters.

In particular, Sejong examined the condition of the warehouse storing various spears and swords, the warehouse storing cannons, and finally the warehouse inspecting gunpowder, and praised the naval commander.

“There is no rust on the spears, swords, and cannons, so I know the hard work of the naval commander and soldiers. Because there are generals and soldiers, the sea of this Joseon is peaceful, so I am truly grateful!”

The naval commander and soldiers wore proud expressions at Sejong’s praise.