Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 851

851. Their Ambitions (2)

The Milwei agents, having settled in Paris, were awaiting the arrival of the French alchemist, the Jeonju merchant [a merchant from Jeonju, a city in Korea known for its commerce], and the Medici merchant.

As if their prayers were answered, the individuals in question located the ‘Red Moon (lune rouge)’ [likely a high-end establishment or meeting place] shortly thereafter.

“Oh my! Welcome!”

As the head courtesan greeted them with a sweet voice, the Medici merchant responded with an enthusiastic tone.

“Hahaha! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I’m counting on you today!”

“Don’t you worry!”

The head courtesan, still speaking sweetly, lightly gestured to a servant who had followed them and gave an order.

“Escort the esteemed guests to the private quarters!”

“Yes! This way, please.”

“Oh! Private quarters are perfect! You truly understand my desires!”

The Milwei agent, disguised as a servant, led the three men to a separate building within the complex.

The private quarters, prepared specifically for this purpose, were ideal for discreet conversations. Naturally, they also provided an excellent vantage point for Milwei agents to conceal themselves and eavesdrop.

As the three men settled in, a lavish array of drinks was promptly arranged on the table. Once the snacks were set out, the head courtesan, who had accompanied them, inquired of the Medici merchant in her ever-sweet voice.

“What kind of drink would you prefer? Dasaekju [a traditional Korean liquor]? Vin Brule [an early form of mulled wine]? Grappa [an Italian grape-based pomace brandy]?”

Vin Brule was an early precursor to what would later become brandy. Grappa was a distilled spirit crafted from the leftover grape skins, seeds, and stems from winemaking in Italy.

Naturally, Dasaekju was the most expensive, followed by Vin Brule and Grappa.

At the head courtesan’s question, the Medici merchant grew even more animated.

“If we’re drinking here, it’s 당연히 [dangyeonhi – Korean for ‘of course’] Dasaekju! Do you have a good vintage?”

“Oh my! You’re in luck! We just received some exceptional bottles recently! Truly exceptional!”

“If it’s that good, the price will be equally impressive?”

“Oh my, is the lord concerned about the price?”

At the head courtesan’s prompting, the Medici merchant confidently declared.

“How could that be! Bring it on!”

“Yes~. Please wait a moment!”

Shortly after, the head courtesan returned carrying a wooden box as large as her torso. Upon opening the lid of the meticulously lacquered black box, Dasaekju in an exquisite crystal bottle revealed its splendor.

“Ooh~.”

The alchemist and Jeonju merchant couldn’t help but admire the liquor bottle and the liquor inside, shimmering brilliantly in the light of the chandelier. The Medici merchant, while also feigning admiration, was already sweating nervously inside.

‘Damn it! This is going to cost a fortune! I have to make this deal work! Otherwise, I’m ruined!’

The Medici merchant, having steeled his resolve, raised his voice again with an enthusiastic expression.

“Come on! Open the bottle! Let’s raise our glasses!”

* * *

After two bottles of the ultra-expensive Dasaekju had vanished, the Medici merchant, who had ordered a third, gestured to the courtesans.

“Leave us for a moment.”

At the Medici merchant’s command, the courtesans quietly rose and exited the room. As soon as they were gone, the Medici merchant cut to the chase.

“So, have you given it some thought?”

As the Medici merchant asked in a low voice, the alchemist and Jeonju merchant appeared slightly uncomfortable.

“Well… a little….”

“It’s not a difficult request, is it? Just allow three of our people into the 폭은 [pokeun – likely a type of gunpowder or explosive] factory. I’m not asking you to reveal every detail from start to finish—the exact ingredients, quantities, and processes. I simply want you to permit us to observe the materials you use and the methods you employ while we work alongside you. That’s a sufficient reward for your cooperation.”

At the Medici merchant’s words, the Jeonju merchant replied with a troubled expression.

“But, even with a reward, considering the profits we stand to gain from 폭은….”

Before the Jeonju merchant could finish, the Medici merchant interrupted him with a cold look and pointed out.

“Do you honestly believe France will become the ‘Country of Flowers’ [a leading power or innovator] in this field? Will England purchase France’s 폭은? Or Spain, or the Habsburgs?”

The Medici merchant’s point was grounded in reality.

* * *

As the Empire’s military equipment made its way into Europe, imitations began to appear in various countries. Of course, thanks to the 향 [hyang – likely a security measure or proprietary technique]’s trick, replicas weren’t produced immediately, but over time, versions with similar performance emerged.

This was achieved either by overcoming the 향’s trick through persistent effort or by understanding the underlying principles and developing their own technology.

As a result, there were no particular secrets to the 을식 [eulsik – likely a model or type] musket, and imitations of it began to proliferate.

However, even with these muskets, they were unable to produce 폭은, leaving them with no choice but to purchase large quantities from the Empire.

“The most profitable items are consumables.”

As 향’s monologue suggested, the Empire was generating substantial profits solely from 폭은.

Consequently, Imperial 폭은 occupied a position akin to an international standard.

Even muskets with varying lengths and calibers adhered to the Empire’s specifications, at least for the part where the copper cap containing 폭은—referred to as 동화모(銅火帽) [donghwamo – copper fire cap] in the Empire—was inserted.

Even France and England, Portugal and Spain, despite being enemies, maintained the same standards for this component.

* * *

The Medici merchant’s argument centered on this very point.

Even if the 폭은 produced by France were cheaper than the Imperial version, there was little chance that neighboring countries would adopt it.

The only countries with any possibility were Portugal and some city-states in Italy.

Therefore, it was virtually impossible for the alchemist and Jeonju merchant to dominate the European market with their 폭은.

“England and Spain will attempt to buy Imperial 폭은 even at a higher cost. Or, they will try to manufacture it themselves, just like you.”

At the Medici merchant’s point, the alchemist and Jeonju merchant nodded. They were aware that they had been somewhat fortunate.

Even now, throughout France, countless individuals were attempting to create new 폭은 while circumventing their patents. There would be even more in England or Spain.

Seeing the expressions of the alchemist and Jeonju merchant, the Medici merchant coaxed them in an even more subtle voice.

“So, let’s join forces with us. Again, I’m not asking you to hand over your secrets. I’m simply requesting that you allow three of our artisans to work in the factory.”

At the Medici merchant’s words, the alchemist and Jeonju merchant fiddled with their glasses and pondered the proposition.

After a moment of contemplation, the Jeonju merchant addressed the Medici merchant.

“Please excuse us for a moment.”

“Of course.”

The Medici merchant, nodding, rose from his seat and opened the door.

“Ugh! This 술 [sul – Korean for alcohol] is quite potent! Hey! I need to cool off for a bit; do you have a place to relax? I also need to attend to some personal matters!”

“Oh my! This way, please!”

As the Medici merchant departed, the alchemist and Jeonju merchant engaged in a serious discussion.

“May I come in?”

“You may.”

The Medici merchant, returning to the room, questioned the two men as soon as he sat down.

“Have you reached a decision?”

“We will accept the Medici family’s proposal. We simply wish to adjust the compensation slightly.”

What followed was a period of bargaining.

After some back-and-forth, the three men arrived at mutually agreeable terms.

“Okay. We’ll proceed with that compensation, and the payment will be split into half in advance and half upon completion. Correct?”

“Correct.”

The three men, having reconfirmed each other’s conditions, raised their glasses with satisfied expressions.

“For the mutual benefit!”

“For the benefit!”

The Medici merchant, who emptied his glass with a sense of accomplishment, opened the door and shouted.

“Hey! Tell the courtesans to return!”

“Yes~.”

* * *

The agreement reached in the private quarters was immediately formalized into a document by the Milwei agents.

“Oh, geez….”

One of the Milwei agents, reviewing the written document, muttered with a weary expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, even though they’re merchants, I don’t see any ‘loyalty’; they’re only pursuing profits….”

At his words, one of the agents next to him chuckled and responded.

“Why? Doesn’t the Medici merchant faithfully follow the orders of his lord?”

“Even so….”

“During our training, why did we refer to Europe as the Spring and Autumn period [a time of warring states and shifting alliances in Chinese history]? This place hasn’t escaped the feudal era yet. Well, no, it’s like Japan is fifty steps away from a hundred steps [a Japanese proverb meaning there’s little difference between two things]….”

The agent who raised the issue had no choice but to nod at his colleague’s words.

* * *

Like the Milwei agent’s words, Europe had not yet fully embraced the concepts of ‘nation’ and ‘people.’

The country that was establishing itself the fastest was France. While fighting the Hundred Years’ War with England, the concepts of ‘France’ and ‘French people’ began to take shape.

Other countries were still largely confined to the feudal era.

England was still divided into England, Scotland, and Wales. Of course, England and Wales were 통합 [tonghap – Korean for unified], but they still distinguished each other as ‘I am English, you are Welsh,’ not ‘same compatriots.’

Scotland was a completely separate country.

In this environment, Europeans were not citizens of a country but were primarily recognized as residents of the territory to which they belonged.

France was also in the process of establishing the concepts of nation and people, so it was common to prioritize one’s own private interests over ‘national interest’ and ‘loyalty.’

* * *

After finishing their brief conversation, the Milwei agents speculated about the future.

“Since the Medici family has become involved, our workload will be reduced somewhat.”

“That’s a relief, a genuine relief.”

“But will the Medici family handle the job effectively?”

“They’re a family that aspires to become the ‘European 여불위 [Yeo Bulwi – a Chinese merchant who became a powerful politician]’, so they’ll do it properly.”

The Milwei agents, having reached their own conclusion, compiled the report and submitted it to their superior.

The executive in charge of Paris, upon receiving the report, reviewed its contents and immediately issued an order.

“Make a copy and send it to Seoul. As soon as possible.”

“Yes.”

The Paris executive, after giving the order to his subordinate, stroked his chin and gazed at the ceiling.

“The European 여불위… We need to convene once again. Regardless of how influential the Medici are, this is a dangerous move. I believe we need to take action.”

His premonition, honed over time through numerous trials and tribulations, was telling him that Milwei had to intervene.

* * *

The news of the successful agreement in Paris was promptly delivered to Florence.

“That’s good….”

Cosimo, lying in bed and reviewing the report, muttered with a noticeably more relaxed expression.

“That’s good. The likelihood of my final endeavor succeeding is increasing.”

Cosimo, uttering these meaningful words, pulled the string attached to the bed.

Shortly after, when the door opened and a servant entered, Cosimo gave an order.

“Tell Giovanni and Lorenzo to come.”

“Yes.”

After a short while, Lorenzo de Medici and Giovanni de Medici, having received Cosimo’s message, entered Cosimo’s bedroom.

“Did you call us?”

“Sit down.”

At Cosimo’s command, Giovanni and Lorenzo sat in chairs next to the bed. Cosimo, leaning against the bed, looked at the two men with eyes filled with a mixture of emotions.

“Lorenzo, are you learning your responsibilities well?”

“Yes.”

At Cosimo’s question, Lorenzo replied with a confident expression. In place of his father, Piero, Lorenzo had assumed control of Florence’s political affairs.

It was a significant burden for Lorenzo, still in his early 20s, but he was receiving positive feedback for his youthful energy and talent.