Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 645

645. The Country Bumpkins Come to Seoul (1)

Year 31 of Sejong (1449, Year of the Ox), end of the year. Florence.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

The butler, having received Cosimo’s permission, entered and announced a visitor.

“Gonfaloniere [a high-ranking magistrate in certain Italian city-states]. You have a guest.”

“Hmm? Who is it?”

“He says he is an envoy from the King of France.”

Cosimo, who had been indifferently organizing documents, leaned back in his chair and replied.

“Show him in.”

“Yes.”

A moment later, the envoy, guided by the butler, entered the office and respectfully greeted Cosimo.

“Greetings, Gonfaloniere.”

“Welcome.”

Cosimo replied curtly and ordered the butler.

“Show him to a seat and bring coffee.”

“Yes, Gonfaloniere.”

Shortly after, with teacups between them, the conversation between Cosimo and the envoy began.

“So, how is the King?”

“He is well.”

“That’s good. So, what reason did the Victorious King have for sending you?”

At Cosimo’s question, the envoy opened the leather bag he had placed on his lap and took out a letter.

“It is a personal letter from His Majesty.”

“A personal letter?”

Cosimo, having received the envelope, examined it. The seal on the red wax was clearly marked with the coat of arms of the Valois dynasty.

“Hmm…”

Cosimo broke the seal, took out the letter, and read its contents, letting out a long sigh.

“Hoo~. Tell the Victorious King this: ‘I will let you know as soon as the path is open.'”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Then, since you have a long journey back to Paris, I will arrange a place for you to rest.”

* * *

After sending the envoy away, Cosimo sighed again and grumbled.

“Hoo~. It’s been a while since I’ve been threatened.”

The contents of the personal letter sent by Charles VII could be summarized as follows:

-I request that professors from the University of Paris be included in the inspection team sent to the ‘Land of Flowers.’

Considering our future friendly relations, I expect your wise decision.

The words ‘friendly relations’ and ‘wise decision’ were, in fact, a threat.

-If you do not allow them to join the inspection team, we will not cooperate in the future!

It was a threat that Cosimo had no choice but to accept.

Cosimo, looking at the letter in his hand, shook his head.

“Just who was bragging? These damn professors!”

Cosimo was certain that there was a likely suspect among the professors at the University of Florence.

Considering the state of European universities at this time, Cosimo’s conviction was understandable.

They were constantly bickering, saying, ‘You’re great. I’m great,’ but they also formed a spiderweb-like network. That was the professors of European universities.

The reason was that the number of ancient philosophical books that those professors mainly researched and lectured on was extremely small. Therefore, in order to read or even copy ancient books that they did not have, they had no choice but to rely on their connections.

And this created a strong and tenacious network among university professors in various European countries.

Therefore, Cosimo could easily guess why this had happened.

It was certain that one of the professors had written a letter to his nemesis and bragged.

– I’m going to the ‘Land of Flowers’! I’m going to go and see it with my own eyes and touch it! Aren’t you jealous?

He must have written and sent a letter with such content to rub it in.

Cosimo filled an empty glass with wine and grumbled as he looked out the window.

“Soon, envoys will be flocking from all directions.”

Although he was grumbling like that, Cosimo’s expression was surprisingly not bad.

“Anyway, to get to the Empire, they have to go through me. ‘A guide to learning’… It’s not bad for me and my family.”

And, as Cosimo expected, envoys sent by the kings of various countries flocked in.

* * *

Early March of the 32nd year of Sejong (1450, Year of the Horse).

Giovanni, sent by Cosimo, arrived in Seoul with the envoys of Mehmed II.

Giovanni and the envoys, having paid their respects to Hyang and stepped back, proceeded to have interviews with Heo Hu one after another.

“Thank you for your hard work on the long journey. So, did you bring the answer?”

“We are doing our best to proceed with that matter. This time, we came because of another matter.”

“Another matter? What is it?”

“The professors of Florence and European universities have requested to see the Empire. Therefore, we would like to obtain His Majesty’s permission regarding this matter.”

“Hmm?”

At Cosimo’s words, Heo Hu pondered for a moment before answering.

“I understand. I will inform His Majesty.”

* * *

Hyang, having heard Florence’s request through Heo Hu, shared his views with the ministers.

“So, to what extent should we consider these university professors?”

At Hwangbo In’s question, Heo Hu dredged up his memory and answered.

“If what I heard in the past is correct, they are similar to those who are in charge of education at the Empire’s various academies and researchers who work at research institutes.”

“Oh? They are highly educated people.”

“That is so.”

The ministers, nodding at Heo Hu’s explanation, had greedy looks in their eyes. Seeing the expressions of those ministers, Yi opened his mouth.

“They are already respected in Europe. They will not easily come over.”

At Hyang’s words, Kim Jongseo, unable to let go of his lingering feelings, asked Hyang.

“There are similar people among the Western monks in the research institute, so wouldn’t it be possible?”

At Kim Jongseo’s words, Hyang shook his head.

“The monks only have honor, but they also have wealth. They already have both wealth and honor, so how many of them would give that up and come?”

“Ah…”

At Hyang’s point, the ministers could not hide their disappointment and sighed or smacked their lips.

Seeing those ministers, Hyang continued.

“According to what I learned through the monks at the research institute, European universities learn something called the ‘Seven Liberal Arts’ and then choose one of three subjects to study.”

Hyang explained the ‘Seven Liberal Arts,’ which are divided into ‘3 Arts [Grammar, Rhetoric, and Logic] and 4 Sciences [Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy, and Music],’ and the specialized courses, ‘Specialized 3 Arts [Medicine, Law, and Theology].’

“Therefore, I would like to accept their requirements, but we should also set conditions. Those who will visit the Empire should only be professors of medicine from the Specialized 3 Arts, and professors of arithmetic (called algebra and geometry), astronomy, and music from the Seven Liberal Arts.”

Hwang Hui, having pondered for a moment after hearing Hyang’s proposal, asked Hyang.

“Are you expecting students to come from abroad (渡來學生) [Torai Gakusei, a historical term for foreign students, particularly from Japan, studying in Korea]?”

“That’s right. It is clear that our Empire is ahead of them, so they will send students to learn this. That is what I am aiming for.”

Lee Sacheol cautiously pointed out a problem.

“It is true that it is a good opportunity to easily obtain talent, but if we are not careful, there may be a problem with the budget.”

“A problem with the budget?”

“That is so. As I recall, during the old Three Han period, many talented people from the Three Han went to Tang [ancient Chinese dynasty] to learn. At this time, the cost of obtaining scriptures was supported by the home country, but I know that food, clothing, and shelter were borne by Tang. It is truly gratifying that European students admire and come to learn the learning of our Empire, but if the number is too large, there will be a problem with the budget.”

At Lee Sacheol’s point, Hyang asked with a face that he did not understand.

“Why should we provide them with food, clothing, and shelter?”

“Yes?”

“We can provide housing. However, they should naturally pay for eating, clothing, and learning. Even the people of our Empire pay tuition from the Junior Academy and above. It is not fair.”

At Hyang’s words, Lee Sacheol stammered and retorted.

“Bu, but, they admire the learning of our Empire…”

Hyang immediately cut off Lee Sacheol’s words.

“Didn’t we ask them to come? Didn’t they come voluntarily? If they don’t want to pay the cost, they can work like the Japanese.”

At Hyang’s words, this time Kim Jeom pointed out a problem.

“We may lose talent if we do that.”

“The ones who are coming this time are different from the monks who came from the West. Rather, they are similar to the Japanese. How many of the Japanese who came to Joseon to learn administration and even learn practical skills remained?”

“There were almost none.”

As Kim Jeom answered, most of the Japanese who came to Joseon to learn administration and even learn practical skills returned to Japan.

This was a natural choice.

If they returned to Japan, they could work at the heart of power.

Hyang continued to speak.

“It’s the same. Think about it carefully. Cosimo, who made the offer this time, is a well-known merchant in Europe. Would he try to send students without any preparation? Even if we provide the necessary goods, including tuition, he will fill the students’ pockets in advance and send them. He will make them indebted so that they will return later. So, it is best to take what we can get.”

At Hyang’s words, Lee Sacheol continued to point out problems.

“What Your Majesty said is truly right, but we may lose talent.”

“There is a solution to that problem. We can also give them benefits.”

“Benefits? Please let me know what kind of benefits you are going to give.”

“What would be good?”

‘This person! He’s trying to freeload!’

As Hyang’s tone changed, the ministers became tense and began to rack their brains.

After a while, Kim Jongseo opened his mouth.

“Isn’t it best to answer wealth with wealth? Methods such as attaching women can rather become a scandal. If we pay bonuses and exempt tuition fees to those who have a good attitude toward learning, have excellent grades, and are expected to have a bright future, we can secure at least six out of ten.”

“That’s what I was thinking too.”

As Hyang responded with a satisfied face, the ministers breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

‘Hoo~. We got through it!’

While looking at those ministers, Hyang added an explanation.

“If necessary, we can also set a period for them to stay and work. If they work hard for about 10 years, we will guarantee their return home and pay a considerable bonus. Then, the person concerned will be less burdened. Even if they stay for 10 more years, they will still be returning to their hometown, and they will also be able to take wealth with them. In addition, they will be returning with more learning than those who returned earlier, so the monarchs of their home countries will not take issue with it.”

At Hyang’s words, the ministers nodded. But soon after, Kim Jeom raised an objection.

“Isn’t it dangerous to send them back? If we are not careful, we may create strong competitors for the Empire.”

“That’s what I’m aiming for.”

At Hyang’s answer, all the ministers opened their eyes wide and asked in unison.

“Yes?”

Looking at those ministers, Hyang calmly explained the reason.

“As I said before, it is to prevent the stagnation (停滯) [stagnation] of the Empire. Everyone knows the saying, ‘Stagnant water rots.’ To prevent this stagnation, it is a good method to continue to seek and inject fresh talent from the outside, but it is not everything. There must be competitors to not stop. Everyone has had a running race with their friends or competed with their peers when studying when they were young, right?”

“Ah!”

At Hyang’s words, the ministers all exclaimed. However, Kim Jeom could not hide his concern.

“However, we may be overtaken as time passes.”

At Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang answered firmly.

“The guy who gets overtaken in this situation is stupid.”

At Hyang’s firm answer, the ministers all had the same thought.

‘His Majesty is confident that he will never be overtaken during his time! The problem is that it’s not arrogance! The bigger problem is that we’re going to have a lot of work thanks to that!’