Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 305

305. The Road to the Land of Flowers (2)

As the Joseon [Korean] people unpacked their belongings at Mansur’s mansion, the attention of Alexandria’s residents and merchants focused on a single question:

‘When will the goods be released at the auction house and market?’

This anticipation only grew as the Joseon delegation remained inside for more than two days without showing any sign of activity.

In the meantime, a rumor began to circulate throughout Alexandria.

-Soon, the Joseon people, from the ‘Land of Flowers,’ will meet with the Alexandria market officials!

And on the third day,

As the sun slowly began its descent in the west, the gates of Mansur’s mansion swung open, and Mansur and his Joseon entourage emerged.

The Joseon people, dressed in unfamiliar attire and led by Mansur, made their way towards the Alexandria City Hall, accompanied by two camels laden with large boxes.

“The Joseon people are out!”

“The people from the Land of Flowers are here!”

“Where? Where!”

At these shouts, Alexandria citizens and merchants from across Europe flocked to the scene.

Under the watchful eyes of sailors carrying Gapsik muskets [a type of Korean musket] on their shoulders, Mansur and Oh Ha-seok’s group proceeded towards Alexandria City Hall.

“What are those things on their shoulders?”

“It’s not a spear, is it?”

Those unfamiliar with weaponry were simply curious, but Europeans and Middle Eastern soldiers alike cast knowing glances.

“Is it a new type of gunpowder weapon?”

Receiving a mix of curiosity and scrutiny, Mansur and Oh Ha-seok’s group arrived at Alexandria City Hall.

An official who had been waiting greeted them warmly.

“Welcome! Welcome to those who have come from the distant East!”

Oh Ha-seok, hearing the official’s words through an interpreter, stepped forward and offered a slight bow.

“Thank you for the welcome.”

“Please, come in.”

At the official’s invitation, Oh Ha-seok turned and gestured to his subordinates.

Following his lead, they unloaded the large boxes from the camels’ backs and inserted poles to carry them.

As Oh Ha-seok’s subordinates carefully moved the wooden boxes, the official in charge of guiding them showed keen interest.

“What are in those boxes?”

“One is a gift for the governor of Alexandria, and the slightly larger one is a tribute to the monarch who rules this land.”

“Ah! Is that so!”

The increasingly curious official eagerly led the group inside.

* * *

Having entered the City Hall, Oh Ha-seok’s group was soon directed to the mayor’s office.

“This place seems just as busy in the evening.”

At Oh Ha-seok’s observation, Mansur chuckled and replied.

“The Arab day truly begins in the evening. It’s far too hot during the day.”

Oh Ha-seok nodded in agreement. The daytime in this city was indeed scorching.

* * *

After a short while, Oh Ha-seok’s group was ushered into the reception room to meet the mayor of Alexandria.

“With Allah’s blessing, we have the honor of welcoming esteemed guests from the East. Welcome. I am Abdul Hamad Sakum, the mayor of Alexandria.”

Oh Ha-seok bowed respectfully in response to the mayor’s welcoming remarks.

“I am truly grateful for such a warm reception. I hope that the good relations between Joseon and Alexandria will continue to flourish. I am Oh Ha-seok, captain of the Challenger.”

“I share that hope. By the way, was your journey here comfortable?”

“Fortunately, the weather was favorable, so we arrived without incident. We were attacked by bandits on the land route, but we managed to repel them safely.”

“Oh dear!”

Mayor Abdul’s eyes widened in surprise at the mention of bandits.

“I am truly relieved that you defended yourselves successfully. We must thank Allah for that.”

Oh Ha-seok simply nodded.

“Hmm…. If we are to continue trade between Alexandria and Joseon, ensuring the safety of the land route is paramount.”

Oh Ha-seok responded promptly.

“Indeed. I heard along the way that there used to be a canal. Perhaps redeveloping it would be beneficial?”

Upon hearing the suggestion of a canal, Abdul paused to consider, then replied with a regretful expression.

“Constructing a canal between Suez and Alexandria would be a monumental undertaking. Even after completion, managing it would be a constant challenge. Therefore, building a canal is simply not feasible.”

Oh Ha-seok readily agreed.

“Indeed, managing a canal would be no easy task.”

With the topic of the canal concluded, the two sides moved on to discuss tax matters.

“I trust you are aware that Joseon goods are highly sought after by our merchants. Therefore, in the hope that Joseon will maintain its relationship with Alexandria for many years to come, I will reduce the tax. We will only levy half the usual tariff on Joseon goods.”

“I am truly grateful!”

Oh Ha-seok expressed his sincere appreciation for Abdul’s generosity. Abdul waved his hand dismissively.

“Again, this decision was made with the hope that Joseon will continue its relationship with Alexandria indefinitely.”

“Joseon will not forget the Mayor’s kindness. In that spirit, I would like to present a gift from Joseon with a joyful heart.”

“Thank you.”

As Abdul expressed his gratitude, Oh Ha-seok gestured to his subordinates.

They placed the two boxes on the floor, and Oh Ha-seok explained their contents to Abdul.

“This is a gift for the Mayor, and this slightly larger one is a tribute to the monarch who rules this land. Ordinarily, an envoy would personally pay respects to the monarch and present the tribute. However, as this voyage is the first, I was uncertain about the safety of such a journey, so I have only brought the tribute itself. I apologize for this discourtesy.”

As Oh Ha-seok apologized, Abdul replied with a smile.

“Hahaha! It is no small feat to travel all the way from the distant East. Do not worry! I will inform the Sultan in Al-Qahira (القاهرة, the Arabic name for Cairo)!”

“Thank you.”

“Then, if you don’t mind, may I inquire as to what these gifts are? I would hate for them to be something that violates our laws.”

Oh Ha-seok replied simply.

“It is a lampshade made of crystal glass.”

“Crystal glass?”

Abdul’s curiosity was piqued by the unfamiliar term, and Oh Ha-seok replied confidently.

“It is a newly developed glass from Joseon, as beautiful as crystal.”

“Oh ho?”

Seeing the curious expressions on the faces of the other officials present, Oh Ha-seok smiled slightly and gave an order.

“Open the boxes.”

“Yes.”

At Oh Ha-seok’s command, the soldiers used a crowbar to pry open the boxes. One of them retrieved a warranty from inside and handed it to Oh Ha-seok.

Abdul, receiving the warranty through Mansur, examined the copper plate attached to it with great interest. Five golden flowers, the emblem that earned Joseon the name ‘Land of Flowers,’ were engraved upon it, signifying the highest quality.

“The shape of those flowers indicates the highest grade of the newly created ranking system.”

“Is that so?”

At Mansur’s explanation, Abdul looked at the gift covered with cloth with anticipation.

* * *

The crystal chandelier sent as a gift from Joseon left Abdul and the other officials speechless.

As the largest trading city in the Mediterranean, Alexandria was no stranger to precious jewels and artifacts.

“I swear to Allah, I have never seen such a treasure!”

However, even for Abdul, such a splendid item was unprecedented.

With the chandelier as the centerpiece, the conversation with the mayor concluded on a highly amicable note.

“The Sultan will be most pleased with such a tribute!”

“Thank you!”

* * *

After seeing Oh Ha-seok and Mansur’s group off, Abdul remained in the room, admiring the chandelier hanging from the ceiling and repeatedly exclaiming his amazement.

“It is truly an extraordinary item. The title ‘Land of Flowers’ is well-deserved.”

“According to my sources, there are several more boxes like that one.”

Abdul shook his head at his subordinate’s words.

“A war will break out at the auction house. A great war, indeed.”

The subordinate officials nodded in agreement. They themselves had been unable to take their eyes off the chandelier since it had been unveiled.

“Prepare it for transport to Al-Qahira. Take every precaution, as there will be many who covet it.”

“Yes.”

Among the officials responding to Abdul’s order, one offered a suggestion.

“Shouldn’t we reconsider the waterway? If the waterway were completed, wouldn’t even more goods flow from the ‘Land of Flowers’?”

Abdul shook his head firmly.

“The waterway is not an option. The moment the waterway is dug, Alexandria will be ruined.”

“Yes?”

Abdul explained his reasoning.

“I once found and read records about the waterway. Do you know where it would connect? To the easternmost branch of the great Nile River. Transporting goods from there to Alexandria? With goods as extraordinary as these from Joseon, it would be more efficient to build a city there. If that were to happen, Alexandria would be finished.”

“Ah….”

The officials nodded in understanding. Given the limited transportation options of the time, building a new city would indeed be more cost-effective.

“And another reason is those treacherous Timurids [a Turko-Persian empire]. If there were a trading city nearby where so much wealth was exchanged, do you think they would remain idle?”

The officials fell silent.

Although the Timurids had been weakened by civil war after Timur’s death, they were regaining strength under Shah Rukh.

And what they needed most in that process was capital.

If there were a trading city nearby overflowing with wealth, they would undoubtedly seize the opportunity.

“So, do not even think about the canal.”

“Yes.”

“Now, go and attend to your duties.”

“Yes.”

After dismissing the officials, Abdul gazed at the chandelier and turned his head southward.

“I worry if sending it to Al-Qahira is truly the right decision.”

Abdul’s murmur was filled with apprehension.

Alexandria was currently part of the Mamluk Sultanate.

Al-Qahira, the capital where the Burji dynasty resided after the Bahri dynasty, was the largest city in the world at that time.

As the largest city in the world, its splendor was unmatched. And, captivated by this splendor, the Sultans of the Burji dynasty were becoming increasingly extravagant.

Therefore, Abdul was concerned.

He feared that the Sultan might lose all restraint the moment he laid eyes on an item of such ‘terrible’ magnificence.

“Should I arrange for it to be broken?”

Abdul quickly dismissed the thought of orchestrating an accident during transport – perhaps an attack by bandits.

“If that were to happen, I would have to send the item hanging there as a replacement. And Joseon wouldn’t just send it this once. It would be a waste of effort.”

With his anxiety growing, Abdul muttered a desperate plea.

“Inshallah (God willing.).”

* * *

Through the staff at City Hall, rumors quickly spread throughout Alexandria.

-Extraordinary items have arrived from the Land of Flowers!

As the rumors spread, influential figures in the city, driven by curiosity, visited City Hall under various pretenses. And the moment they saw the chandelier hanging from the ceiling, they were rendered speechless.

“It’s an amazing item!”

“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life!”

“Any merchant who acquires that item will make a fortune!”

Those who had seen the chandelier raved about it to their acquaintances, and their words quickly spread throughout the city.

As the rumors intensified, merchants burned with ambition.

“If it’s such a magnificent item, I must have it!”

“Halt all unnecessary transactions! We must gather funds!”

As Abdul had predicted, a fierce competition was about to erupt.