Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 607

607. The Opening of Heaven – The Foundation Law Debate (10)

Two days before the Opening of Heaven ceremony.

Hanseong—scheduled to be renamed Seoul after the proclamation of the empire—was bustling with envoys from various countries who had come to Joseon to celebrate the event.

The Mohwagwan, renamed ‘Foreign Guest Hall,’ as well as Dongpyeonggwan and Bukpyeonggwan, were filled with envoys.

“We don’t have enough accommodations!”

“Huh? Already?”

“There are many officials forming the envoy groups, but the number of people escorting them is enormous!”

Heo Hu wore a troubled expression at his subordinates’ report.

“It’s a bit difficult to ask those elders for favors…”

Although he was called ‘daegam’ [a high-ranking official] outside, Heo Hu was still considered young among the ministers. Therefore, he felt intimidated whenever he stood before figures like Hwang Hui and Kim Jeom.

“But there’s no other way…”

In the end, Heo Hu sought out Hwang Hui and presented the issue.

“To resolve the envoy issue, it seems we’ll have to borrow the giru (妓樓, traditional Korean courtesan houses).”

“The giru? Hmm…”

Hwang Hui pondered for a moment before nodding.

“That might work. Those working in the giru are skilled in hospitality, and there shouldn’t be any major issues in holding banquets. In fact, they might be even more suitable?”

When envoys came from foreign countries, it was customary to hold banquets to entertain them, and gisaengs (Korean courtesans) were mobilized to liven up the festivities.

“The problem is the cost, isn’t it?”

“Ah…”

Hwang Hui nodded at Heo Hu’s point.

Just like the saying, ‘The dumbest guy in the world is the one who runs up a tab at a giru,’ the gisaengs were the most reliable when it came to calculations.

Kim Jeom, who caught Hwang Hui and Heo Hu’s attention, immediately nodded.

“I’ll prepare the budget. We can’t have bad news right before the celebration.”

As soon as the decision was made, famous giru in Jongno and Bukchon were assigned as accommodations for the envoys.

* * *

Amidst all the busyness,

Unexpected individuals visited Joseon as envoys.

Enrique of Portugal, Giovanni di Cosimo de’ Medici (the second son of Cosimo de’ Medici), and Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire came as congratulatory envoys.

Due to the ongoing wars, they had to cross the Arabian Desert by land, then take a Joseon ship from Aden to reach Joseon.

The arrival of the three countries’ envoys immediately garnered attention. Portugal and Italy had been the biggest players in trade with Europe. However, after the wars, they had not only disrupted trade routes but also devastated the European economy, causing immense damage.

After arriving at the trade port of Mokpo and undergoing quarantine, the envoys boarded specially assigned iron horses [trains] and headed to Hanseong.

“Hoo~. Is this the rumored iron horse?”

“Indeed… indeed…”

Enrique nodded as he watched Giovanni and Mehmed II, who were constantly looking around with fascination.

“That’s right. I hope you observe carefully as we go to Hanseong. Consider why a war had to be waged to lay down the iron horse tracks.”

The two nodded at Enrique’s words.

‘Are these the next rulers of the Medici and Ottoman empires?’

Enrique quietly assessed the two before him.

In Giovanni’s case, he was Cosimo’s second son. However, since the eldest son was very sickly, Giovanni was the most likely successor.

Mehmed II’s situation was a bit more complicated.

When Mehmed II was 12 years old, his father, Murad II, suddenly abdicated the throne and went into seclusion.

However, after struggling in the subsequent battle with Hungary, Murad II returned to the throne, and Mehmed II stepped down from his position as Sultan.

Afterward, rumors circulated that Mehmed II was leading a promiscuous life in Manisa, not distinguishing between men and women. The truth was never revealed, but it was a highly damaging rumor.

Therefore, Murad II appointed Mehmed II as an envoy to Joseon.

“Go and clear your head!”

* * *

Thus, the envoys from the three countries, each with their own stories, arrived in Hanseong.

The reactions of the three countries’ envoys upon arriving in Joseon’s capital were divided.

“It’s changed a lot in three years, hasn’t it?”

“It’s becoming more and more splendid!”

The Portuguese, who had already visited several times, were only slightly surprised, but the Italians and Ottomans stared around in a daze with wide eyes.

“Building a bridge over that wide river is nothing short of a miracle, but these magnificent buildings…”

“Rome and the Vatican pale in comparison…”

“This is just a station where the iron horses stop. The real gem is inside.”

“Really?”

“I can’t believe it!”

“See for yourselves. Ah! That Joseon official coming over there seems to be our guide!”

Enrique took the lead and moved forward.

* * *

The three countries’ envoys, guided by the official, were led to their accommodations.

“If we had received prior notice, we would have prepared proper guest quarters, but we hastily prepared them, so there may be some shortcomings. We ask for your understanding.”

Enrique, relaying the words of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official through an interpreter, replied on behalf of the others.

“No, it’s a very excellent facility.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official’s face brightened at Enrique’s words.

“Thank you.”

“When would it be possible to have an audience with His Majesty the King?”

At Enrique’s request, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official took out a notebook from his sleeve, checked the time, and replied.

“If there are no special circumstances, we can arrange it in one shijin (approximately 2 hours).”

“I understand.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs official finished the conversation and left, and Enrique and his party entered the giru, guided by the interpreter.

After being assigned rooms and unpacking their luggage, they sat down in a small pavilion in one corner of the giru’s courtyard and drank tea.

“Joseon’s tea has a different flavor than Chinese tea.”

“Indeed.”

“If the war is successfully concluded, we should consider importing Joseon’s tea in large quantities.”

While the three were chatting, a group of men in one corner of the giru’s courtyard were setting up their painting tools and observing the surroundings.

Seeing this, Enrique asked Giovanni.

“How did you think of bringing painters with you?”

“Haven’t we only received letters from monks until now? There’s a big difference between imagining based on writing and seeing with your own eyes. Thanks to that, there are so many ridiculous things in the paintings about Joseon. You’d know it’s absurd if you just thought about it a little.”

Enrique nodded at Giovanni’s words.

* * *

For the European upper class, ‘Joseon’ was a keyword that led trends.

Tea caddies and accessories sold by Joseon were essential items for those who wanted to show off their status.

As they heard more and more stories about Joseon over time, they were no longer satisfied with Joseon-made accessories or ceramics.

And taking advantage of this demand, European painters created paintings.

They painted imaginary paintings based on the contents of letters sent by monks staying in Joseon.

Some of these paintings were decent, but most were truly imaginary. Therefore, those who had actually seen Joseon while traveling back and forth would scoff at these paintings every time they saw them.

“Hmph!”

“Pfft! This is Joseon? Hahaha!”

The painters were upset by these sneers, but they had no other way. Going to Joseon was quite expensive.

Adding people to a ship was not an easy task. There was already a shortage of space to load goods to sell in Joseon, so adding space for passengers was a problem, but adding drinking water and food for them was also an issue.

Naturally, the shipowners demanded a fee that would compensate for the loss, and the painters did not have that kind of money. Of course, the sponsors who supported the painters had the means. However, the road to Joseon was still dangerous, so the sponsors had not accepted the painters’ requests.

In this situation, Giovanni, who had the opportunity to come to Joseon, brought the painters he supported.

* * *

As the appointed time approached, the three men tidied their attire and waited for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official.

After a while, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official visited them again and led them outside.

“A carriage has been prepared.”

“Thank you.”

The three men boarded the ceremonial carriage prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the carriage soon moved towards Gyeongbokgung Palace.

“I felt it earlier, but Joseon’s carriages are very comfortable!”

Mehmed II nodded at Giovanni’s words.

“At first, I thought it was just because the road was well-paved, but that wasn’t it.”

The two nodded repeatedly, admiring the carriage they were riding in.

* * *

Their admiration was not an exaggeration. Most carriages in other countries at this time had the passenger compartment directly on the axle. Without any shock absorption in between, passengers could feel even the smallest stones on the road.

However, Joseon’s carriages had large leaf springs between the axle and the passenger compartment. Thanks to this, they provided absolute comfort compared to other countries.

Interestingly, it started with Hyang’s rickshaw. The artisans, having properly confirmed the usefulness of the rickshaw’s shock absorption, applied it to carriages without any resistance.

And this was immediately incorporated into the production of iron horse passenger cars without any hesitation.

In short, Hyang’s rickshaw had skipped at least three generations at once.

* * *

Enrique, who had been listening to Giovanni and Mehmed II’s conversation, joined in.

“I saw before that there was a shock absorber made of steel plates between the axle and the passenger compartment of the carriage. So I tried to make one myself… Tsk!”

Enrique ended his words with a smack of his lips. Giovanni and Mehmed II nodded at Enrique’s expression.

“I’ve heard that Joseon’s ironmaking technology is beyond imagination.”

“I’ve also heard rumors that swords made with all their might by Damascus artisans were cut in half by the daggers carried by Joseon soldiers.”

As the rumors they had heard were combined with what they had seen with their own eyes, Giovanni and Mehmed II shook their heads.

“What exactly is this country called Joseon?”

“Why has a country with such technology been hidden all this time?”

* * *

As foreign envoys, they passed through Gwanghwamun Gate by carriage, but all three had to get out of the carriage in front of Geunjeongmun Gate.

The three men and the officials assisting them walked past Geunjeongmun Gate and across the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon Hall.

On both sides of the road leading to Geunjeongjeon Hall, soldiers belonging to the Naegeumwi (Royal Guards) stood at attention, looking at them.

The design of the uniforms and hats that Hyang had modified was the same as that of the general combat units, but the Naegeumwi were all in black from top to bottom. The envoys felt a strong sense of pressure as they looked at the Naegeumwi soldiers standing expressionlessly in their black uniforms and black cavalry boots.

‘They’ve become even stronger than when I came before. Was what I saw then not everything?’

Enrique, who was at the front, swallowed hard. He had felt tremendous pressure when he first came to Joseon and saw them. But the pressure he felt now was like a joke compared to the pressure he felt then.

As he moved his feet, pressed by the pressure, Enrique soon realized one thing.

‘I see! This is the power that the victor possesses!’

Enrique found the answer as he recalled feeling the same way from his brother Pedro, who had executed Duke of Braganza, a powerful rival.