Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 431

431. Expected and Unexpected (8)

“Hmm.”

“Is this the world we live in?”

The ministers turned the map Mansur presented, evaluating it with voices full of curiosity.

Seeing this, Lee Maeng-gyun corrected the statement.

“Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say it’s the western part of the world we live in?”

“That’s true….”

As the ministers nodded at Lee Maeng-gyun’s reply, Hwang Hee spoke to Sejong.

“If the world is like this, it may be difficult to continue calling it the Middle Kingdom [a traditional Chinese term for their country, reflecting a belief in their central importance].”

At those words, Sejong nodded slightly and replied.

“Indeed. Not only is there the land of Tianzhu [ancient name for India], but also the continent of Africa, which is of enormous size…. If we were to draw it properly on paper, the Ming, our Joseon, and Wa [ancient name for Japan] would be pushed to the east.”

Mansur continued Sejong’s words.

“Among Catholic countries, Ming and Joseon are already referred to as ‘Absit Orientis’.”

“What does that mean?”

“Uh….”

At Sejong’s question, Mansur trailed off with a troubled expression. Although he had become somewhat fluent in the Joseon language through his travels, advanced expressions were still beyond him.

When Mansur couldn’t answer properly, Hyang opened her mouth.

“It probably means the Far East.”

‘It’s a term that has become somewhat obsolete in the 21st century, but it’s still the most familiar term.’

* * *

Thanks to the fierce backlash that the term ‘Far East’ itself symbolized Western superiority, the frequency of its use decreased significantly in the 21st century. However, there were still those who favored the term in both the West and the East.

* * *

“The Far East, is it…. Hmm….”

Sejong stroked his beard and muttered softly after hearing Hyang’s words. Watching Sejong’s expression, the ministers muttered inwardly.

‘He doesn’t seem to like it.’

Sejong, who had been quietly pondering the term ‘Far East,’ asked Mansur.

“The Far East, you say…. Do the Westerners not know that this world is round?”

“There are not a few who know, but they have traditionally used it as if it were not round.”

Sejong couldn’t hide his displeasure at Mansur’s answer.

“How amusing.”

Mansur, sensing the displeasure in Sejong’s voice, bowed deeply.

‘I succeeded in making the King of Joseon look unfavorably upon the Catholic bastards. I have to stop here! Or else I’ll get caught up in it!’

Sensing the danger, Mansur shut his mouth and bowed deeply.

“By the way…. Why did the merchant Cosimo from Italy give us this map? Judging by the precision of the map, it is definitely not an ordinary object. No, the map itself is not something ordinary merchants can freely possess. How did he get his hands on this map?”

At Sejong’s question, Mansur cautiously replied.

“Cosimo de Medici is the head of a large merchant family. Even the kings of most Catholic countries cannot treat him lightly.”

“Ah, I remember now.”

Sejong nodded at Mansur’s answer.

“I remember hearing that he is similar to Yeo Buwi [a powerful merchant and politician in ancient China]. Is that why he obtained this map and sent it to me…. Yes, if it is him, I can understand how he obtained the map. But why did he send this map to me?”

“It is because the nature of those who made this map is violent, so he wants you to prepare in advance, just in case.”

Mansur explained about Portugal, the maker of this map, and Spain, Portugal’s strong competitor.

-As Joseon knows well, Joseon’s products are explosively popular not only in Islamic countries but also in Europe.

-Portugal and Spain are the most enthusiastic in their efforts to open a sea route to Joseon. Of course, England and France have also joined this competition, but the two countries have not yet properly established themselves due to internal problems.

-Such large-scale exploration activities require a lot of money. Portugal and Spain are engaging in slave trading and plunder to raise these funds.

“Slave trading, is it…. Do Catholics use many slaves?”

Sejong’s question made Mansur shut his mouth. After pondering for a moment, Mansur made up his mind and opened his mouth to answer Sejong’s question.

“Catholics do use slaves, but…. The Islamic nobles are the ones who trade and use the most slaves.”

“Aren’t Catholics and Muslims on bad terms with each other?”

“When wealth is involved, even enemies become friends. And there are slave traders in between, so there are hardly any direct transactions.”

“When wealth is involved, even enemies become friends…. Hmm…. That is true.”

Nodding, Sejong continued his questioning.

“Is the merchant Cosimo against Portugal and Spain because of slaves?”

“No.”

Mansur explained what Cosimo wanted.

-The sea route discovered by Portugal and Spain requires bypassing the African continent. This would incur very high costs, and in order to make up for the losses and gain profits, Portugal and Spain are likely to use very harsh methods.

-If Portugal and Spain monopolize trade rights without using violence, Italian merchants will suffer great losses.

-Therefore, Cosimo de Medici and the merchants who have joined hands with Cosimo de Medici have begun to think that maintaining the existing trading methods is the best option.

“So, that merchant Cosimo de Medici handed over the map?”

“That is correct. He wanted me to inform Your Majesty of what happened while making that map.”

Sejong nodded slightly at Mansur’s answer and gestured.

“His heart for Joseon and your heart are truly beautiful. I am grateful. I will give him a corresponding reward, so you may return today.”

“Your benevolence is boundless! May Allah protect you!”

Mansur bowed respectfully and left Geunjeongjeon Hall [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace].

* * *

Italy, Florence.

Around the time Mansur was reporting to Sejong, Cosimo de Medici was gazing at the eastern sky and muttering.

“Mansur, I wonder if that fellow has arrived in Hanseong [old name for Seoul] by now?”

Cosimo, who had been muttering while looking at the eastern sky, turned and looked inside the room.

A huge world map hung on one wall of Cosimo’s office. It was a huge world map created by combining geographical information obtained from Portugal, which had joined hands with him, geographical information stolen from Spain through bribes, and maps of the East obtained through Mansur.

Looking at the blank areas on the east coast of Africa, Cosimo muttered.

“Three years at most….”

Given the frantic competition between Portugal and Spain, those blank areas would be filled in within three years at most.

“And then it will be India, Kitai [old name for China], Joseon, and Zipangu [old name for Japan]….”

Cosimo muttered softly as he estimated what would happen in the future.

“After all, you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

Although he was currently cooperating with Portugal, the future was uncertain. There was a possibility that Portugal, blinded by huge profits, would monopolize the profits, and there was also a possibility that Spain would monopolize the sea route first.

Therefore, Cosimo handed the map to Mansur. Maintaining trade lines by building friendship with Joseon using Mansur as a stepping stone was one of the alternatives. It was a bonus to have Joseon, who had received Mansur’s warning, check Portugal and Spain.

“If Joseon’s ships are as powerful as the rumors say, Portugal and Spain won’t be able to run wild.”

And another alternative was to dig a canal from Suez to the Mediterranean.

Cosimo thought that building the canal would maximize his profits. It was a project that would require quite a lot of money, but considering the losses that would occur in the process of bypassing the African continent, he could permanently obtain even greater profits.

“The problem is Alexandria, the Mamluks, and the Ottomans, isn’t it?”

* * *

When the story of ‘building a canal’ came out, the people of Alexandria protested most fiercely.

The most economical route was to pass through the narrowest area between Suez and the Mediterranean. The problem was that the area was about 53 leagues (about 224 km) east of Alexandria. If the northern entrance of the canal was built there, it was certain that Alexandria would be left behind.

And then the next problem was who would own the land where this canal would be built. Currently, Egypt was under the rule of the Mamluk dynasty. However, the Ottomans were eyeing it.

To be precise, it was not the planned canal construction site, but Alexandria. The canal was still just a rumor.

However, those among the Mamluk and Ottoman leaders who had even a little insight knew that the moment the rumored canal was built, not seawater but gold would flow there.

Therefore, the Ottomans put off attacking the Vatican and began to move south. The Mamluks, who had noticed this movement of the Ottomans, also began to gather troops in the area.

Cosimo, who was once again checking the current situation, crossed his arms and stared at the map, muttering.

“There’s no need to pay attention to Alexandria’s whining, hmm…. Mamluks and Ottomans, which side should I bet on?”

* * *

While Cosimo was looking at the map and wondering where to place his bet, Sejong and his ministers were also pondering in Hanseong.

“Take this map and start the correction work.”

The eunuch, who had received the map through a merchant ship, moved the map to the Office of Astronomy.

Then Sejong began the discussion in earnest.

“The possibility of contacting the Westerners called Portugal and Spain is increasing, so what should we do? According to Mansur, they seem to be quite violent people?”

Kim Jeom was the first to answer Sejong’s question.

“If they want to trade, it is right to trade, but if they use violence, we must respond firmly.”

Following Kim Jeom’s words, Lee Maeng-gyun continued.

“That’s right. The problem is that what they mainly trade is slaves. Slaves are not very necessary for our Joseon. In other words, it is not easy to trade.”

“Or they may force us to buy slaves.”

“There is a high possibility of that.”

While the ministers were expressing various opinions, Sejong nodded silently, stroking his beard.

Meanwhile, Hyang, who was watching the situation from below the hall, muttered inwardly.

‘It’s definitely the Joseon Dynasty.’

Most of the opinions of the ministers who spoke to Sejong were based on the following facts.

‘Slaves are not marketable to Joseon.’

In other words, the problem was not that the slave system itself was immoral, but that they opposed it because slaves were not marketable.

Hyang sometimes forgot, but there were slaves in Joseon.

In the process of seizing power from the Sadaebu [scholar-officials] and expanding finances, the number of private slaves decreased significantly. However, since those who committed serious crimes became government slaves, a considerable number of slaves still existed in Joseon.

In other words, in Joseon at this time, slaves were not immoral or unfamiliar beings to own.

“I also agree with your opinions. Preparing in advance, being wary, and welcoming them is the proper response.”

Jo Mal-saeng stepped forward and answered Sejong’s decision.

“That is indeed the case. According to Mansur, their behavior is like that of the Jurchens [nomadic people north of Korea], so it is reasonable to prepare accordingly.”

Using the Jurchens as an example, who engaged in normal trade when Joseon’s power was strong, and plundered villages and took people as slaves when they saw even a slight gap, the ministers all nodded.

“That is indeed the case!”