Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 430

430. What Was Expected, and What Wasn’t (7)

Three months later.

Dressed in a silk robe and a stylish *gat* [traditional Korean hat], Im Sun-wook was riding in a rickshaw through the streets. Sporting a newly fashionable horsehair *gat* and a *chailgyeong* [ornamental jade pendant], Im Sun-wook exuded an air of nobility that anyone could see.

However, Im Sun-wook, sitting in the rickshaw, was muttering to himself with a bitter smile as he looked out at the streets.

“It’s true that you never know what life has in store…”

* * *

Just a few years ago, Im Sun-wook was the head of a reasonably successful merchant guild. But then, the rickshaw that Hyang made led to an unexpected connection, and he became a government official wearing a *gwanbok* [official’s robe].

Although he entered the civil service through a special appointment, he went through all sorts of hardships, including night shifts and all-nighters, alongside other officials, and steadily rose through the ranks.

When he reached the position of Vice Minister through fierce night shifts, all-night work, and competition, Im Sun-wook’s heart swelled with pride.

“A man from the Northwest, who was once looked down upon, has risen to the position of Vice Minister! Hahaha!”

Unable to contain his overwhelming emotions, Im Sun-wook burst into laughter and returned to his hometown to throw a feast.

“Well done! Truly well done!”

Im Sun-wook’s parents, who had seen their son, who had no choice but to go into business because he was from the Northwest, return as a high-ranking official, shed tears and congratulated him.

With Im Sun-wook’s success, many relatives and villagers in his hometown who had aspirations for government service greatly increased in number.

However, Im Sun-wook, who had been living a busy life as Vice Minister, had to take off his *gwanbok* and move to a new position by order of Sejong.

The position he moved to was the president of the Joseon Railway Corporation under the Ministry of Land Development.

According to the newly created law, it was a position that received the rank of Vice Minister. However, from the outside, it looked like a merchant guild, and Im Sun-wook was the head of the guild.

In the end, Im Sun-wook had come full circle and become a merchant again.

* * *

“Sir, we have arrived.”

Im Sun-wook, who had been sitting blankly, lost in thought, came to his senses at Malbok’s words and got out of the rickshaw.

“Thank you for your trouble.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Malbok, who bowed deeply, now had his hair in a topknot [a hairstyle worn by married men in Joseon].

“That young man with the shaggy hair has already gotten married. Is the Wang Daebuin (a respectful term for someone else’s grandmother) still doing well?”

“Yes, she is still very healthy.”

“Take good care of her.”

Im Sun-wook lightly patted Malbok’s shoulder and entered the newly built Railway Corporation building at the end of Yukjo Street.

“Have you arrived?”

“Yes. When did they say the merchants from Ming would arrive?”

At Im Sun-wook’s question, the head of the General Affairs Department looked at the clock on the wall and immediately answered.

“They will arrive in one *shijin* [approximately two hours].”

“Is everything prepared without any issues?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t forget that the first hurdle we faced was the highest hurdle, but if we overcome this hurdle, the path ahead will be smooth. Understand? His Majesty didn’t spend money and time just to scam Ming.”

At Im Sun-wook’s urging, the head of the General Affairs Department, as well as the other subordinates, answered in loud voices.

“We will keep that in mind!”

“Good!”

Im Sun-wook, who had bolstered the morale of his subordinates, rubbed his hands lightly and got up from his seat.

“Then let’s prepare to start the fight!”

* * *

At the appointed time, the representatives of the Ming merchant guilds entered the conference room.

“Welcome.”

When Im Sun-wook greeted the Ming merchants in fluent Chinese, the Ming merchants also returned the greeting politely.

“Thank you for the welcome.”

“This way.”

And so, the two sides that faced each other soon began to engage in fierce verbal battles.

The first point of contention between the two sides was the price of the actual ironclad to be delivered.

“3,500 taels of gold per unit is too expensive, isn’t it? We understand that the cost of making an ironclad in Joseon is 2,000 taels of gold!”

“It is not expensive at all.”

Im Sun-wook explained in detail why it was not expensive at all.

-There are no ships that can carry the ironclad, which has a huge size and weight, in its completed state.

-Therefore, it must be disassembled appropriately and transported, and then reassembled in Ming.

-Not only the disassembly process, but also the reassembly process requires a large number of artisans.

-Not only artisans, but also various facilities required for assembly must be installed together.

“…Considering this time and cost, 3,500 taels of gold per unit is receiving the minimum profit.”

“Still…”

“Then Ming can transport the completed ironclad directly. Whether you carry it by ship or drag it by laying railroad tracks, if Ming moves it directly, we will reduce it to 3,000 taels of gold.”

“Why 3,000 taels of gold?”

“It is already difficult to supply the ironclads that Joseon needs, and we are taking out three units from there. Shouldn’t there be additional costs? If Ming buys all the ironclads that Ming needs from our Joseon, and also gives us a generous delivery period, we will reduce it to 2,500 taels of gold.”

“This…”

At Im Sun-wook’s suggestion, the Ming merchants looked embarrassed.

There were no ships in Ming that could carry the completed ironclad as it was. A small number of the super-large ships used by Zheng He’s fleet in the past still remained. However, a major renovation was required to carry the ironclad, and the cost was not insignificant.

In the end, after three days of continuous give-and-take, it was agreed to pay 3,200 taels of gold per completed ironclad, instead of handing over the installation facilities needed for assembly for 500 taels of gold.

And in the subsequent talks, another fierce debate broke out over the intellectual property royalties for the design drawings.

“If we were only going to make one or two units, we would pay the amount that Joseon is asking for, but we expect to make at least a hundred units. Therefore, we cannot meet the ratio that Joseon is asking for.”

Again, fierce debates continued for several days, and this time, a compromise was reached based on Ming’s proposal.

* * *

“…And so, we received a royalty of 150 taels of gold per unit.”

“Well done. Im President’s efforts are evident. I think it was the best decision to entrust the position to Im President after all.”

At Sejong’s praise, Im Sun-wook bowed his head respectfully.

“You flatter me.”

“The merchants from Ming said they would return tomorrow, didn’t they?”

“That is correct. And the shipment of ironclads to Ming is scheduled to begin in three months.”

“Good.”

When Sejong was nodding at Im Sun-wook’s answer, Hyang, who was sitting under the main building and listening to the story, looked at Sejong.

“Father, may I ask Im President something for a moment?”

“You may.”

Hyang, who had received permission from Sejong, asked Im Sun-wook.

“Is the condition that the Ming merchants put forward only to hand over the installed facilities?”

“Yes.”

“Is that really all?”

“That is correct, but? Is there anything I missed?”

At Im Sun-wook’s question, Hyang shook his head.

“No. It’s just that Ming seems to have made a very fatal mistake.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong and the ministers all looked at Hyang with curious expressions.

“A fatal mistake? Is there something else besides handing over the design drawings?”

“Yes. The people of Ming seem to have taken the Joseon artisans very lightly. Those guys. They forgot about the artisan training. If it were me, I would have included a clause asking them to provide training while the artisans are here.”

“Artisan training? Ah!”

Sejong, who had been tilting his head slightly at Hyang’s answer, exclaimed. The ministers who had been listening to Hyang’s story were also the same.

This was because they knew very well how the artisans of the 51st district, who made the ironclads, had evolved under Hyang’s guidance.

Sejong, who had been pondering Hyang’s words for a moment, chuckled and muttered to himself.

“So, they thought they could easily make it if they only had the design drawings?”

At Sejong’s words, Hwang Hee replied.

“They are the ones who consider themselves the center of the world. It has been like that for a while.”

At Hwang Hee’s words, Sejong nodded.

“It was.”

* * *

Ming’s level of technology and knowledge had overwhelmed the surrounding areas to the extent that they freely used the word ‘Zhonghua (中華),’ which means ‘center of the world.’ Of course, Joseon was ahead in a few areas, but overall, they were the ones who accepted Ming’s advanced civilization.

However, as Hyang moved actively, the technology side slowly began to surpass Ming, and then the ideology side also began to take a slightly different path from Ming.

Ming also noticed these movements of Joseon, but Ming forcibly ignored them in order to protect their pride.

“At best, it is the technology and knowledge of a vassal state! If we put in a little effort, we can surpass them right away! The center of the world is us!”

* * *

Hyang, who pointed out Ming’s mistake, suggested to Sejong.

“Father, may I ask Im President for something?”

“You may.”

Hyang, who had obtained Sejong’s permission, ordered Im Sun-wook.

“From now on, tell the artisans who will be dispatched to Ming to keep this in mind.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“Tell them to put up a strong curtain around the assembly site.”

“A curtain?”

Im Sun-wook’s face brightened up in an instant as he pondered Hyang’s order for a moment.

“Ah! I understand what you mean!”

“If possible…”

Hyang, who was about to continue speaking, suddenly stopped and looked at Sejong.

“I ask of Father! There is a high possibility that Ming will try to appease the artisans when they go to Ming! I ask that you send people from our side to stop this together!”

“That makes sense.”

Sejong, who answered briefly, stroked his beard and pondered.

After pondering for a while, Sejong looked at Im Sun-wook and opened his mouth.

“I hope Im President will take on that task.”

“I will follow your orders.”

* * *

Although they were moving busily here and there, Joseon was generally peaceful. The Jurchen people, who had been rampant in the north, continued to pledge allegiance, and the Japanese pirates in the south had no choice but to remain quiet while watching the Joseon navy and the Ouchi family.

And as abundant underground resources were discovered on Daeseol Island, Joseon was gradually easing its resource supply.

As Joseon was slowly moving to break out of its stagnation, Mansur arrived in Hanseong with urgent news.

“I must see the King! It’s urgent!”

At Mansur’s request, Hassan headed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Two days later, Mansur was able to have an audience with Sejong.

Sejong, looking at Mansur who was bowing respectfully, opened his mouth.

“So, what is this urgent news?”

“Portuguese and Spanish ships have begun to be discovered off the east coast of Africa.”

“*Seo-i* [Western barbarians] off the east coast of Africa?”

“Yes.”

Mansur, who answered briefly, took out a map from his arms and handed it over.

“This is a map that Cosimo de’ Medici of Italy is sending to Your Majesty.”

“Merchant ship.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sejong, who received the map through the merchant ship, examined the map.

The east of the African continent was still blank, but the west coast and the south were meticulously drawn.

“Let the ministers also examine it.”

Sejong, who handed the map to the merchant ship, asked Mansur.

“When did you receive this map?”

“It was just before departure, so about three months ago.”

“So you didn’t know until then?”

“Only rumors were circulating.”

“Only rumors…”

Sejong closed his mouth at Mansur’s answer.

Hyang, who was quietly listening to the story under the main building, muttered to himself.

‘They have finally come. The incarnations of desire.’

The time had finally come for large-scale contact between the West and the East.