Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 852

852. Their Ambition (3)

In a way, Cosimo de’ Medici underwent the most dramatic transformation in the history Hyang intervened in.

Even before Hyang’s intervention, Cosimo de’ Medici, or rather, the Medici family, was among the wealthiest in Europe.

However, their wealth was largely ‘pretty but useless’.

Under the guise of ‘returning wealth to society,’ Cosimo invested heavily in the construction of various public facilities and other projects.

Unfortunately, many of these projects ended in failure.

He also spent enormous sums on wars between city-states and political expenses to appease foreign monarchs, gradually weakening the family from within.

However, Hyang’s active intervention in history led to a significant change in Cosimo’s trajectory and the Medici family’s fortunes.

The most significant change was the Medici Bank’s transformation from a gradually failing business into a profitable and stable institution.

This turnaround was largely due to the Empire’s influence.

Initially, they profited by selling goods from the ‘Land of Flowers’ [referring to Joseon/Korea] in Europe. Cosimo, recognizing the potential for significant profits, actively engaged in intermediary trade.

Compared to the saturated spice and slave trade markets, the intermediary trade with the ‘Land of Flowers’ had few major competitors.

Thanks to Cosimo’s bold decision, the Medici family earned substantial profits through this trade.

However, the Suez Railway provided the most significant and lasting source of income.

* * *

As time passed, the intermediary trade market became increasingly saturated.

The goods from the ‘Land of Flowers’ ranged from extremely expensive luxury items to affordable goods, ensuring stable demand. However, the market became crowded with suppliers.

Countries like England, Habsburg, and Spain, all prominent powers, entered the trade with the Empire.

To protect their own merchants, these countries imposed high tariffs on foreign traders or outright banned them.

However, these countries still relied on the Suez Railway to transport goods, as the alternative involved significant time delays and risks from storms or pirates.

Using the railway significantly reduced transportation time and the risk of pirate attacks.

While pirates began targeting the Suez area, merchants could receive protection from the Allied Fleet stationed at Prince Henry Port.

The railway usage and fleet protection fees were considerable, but reasonable compared to the potential losses from pirate encounters.

Consequently, all Europeans trading with the Empire used the Suez Railway, generating substantial dividends for the Medici family.

These funds allowed the Medici Bank to solidify its position.

Beyond the Medici Bank’s financial health, Cosimo’s personal fate also changed.

He lived much longer than in the history before Hyang’s intervention.

Ironically, the Empire’s ‘tonics’ [traditional herbal medicines] and Hyang’s incense significantly contributed to Cosimo’s longevity.

* * *

Shortly after starting trade with the Empire, Cosimo heard an intriguing rumor.

“The vassals of the ‘Land of Flowers’ are all old, yet incredibly energetic?”

Intrigued, Cosimo ordered an investigation.

“Check if it’s true.”

“Yes, Gonfaloniere [a historical Florentine title, similar to mayor].”

The merchant who received the order confirmed the rumor.

“It’s true. They regularly take ‘tonics’.”

“Tonic?”

“They call medicine that benefits the body a ‘tonic’.”

Upon hearing this, Cosimo immediately issued a new order.

“Acquire that tonic.”

“Yes.”

However, the merchant returned a few days later with a troubled expression.

“Gonfaloniere, that ‘tonic’ isn’t something anyone can simply buy.”

“Huh?”

The merchant explained:

-Most of the medicinal ingredients in the tonic are readily available. However, their combined effect is crucial. That specific combination constitutes the tonic.

-But that combination requires expertise. A skilled doctor must carefully assess the individual’s condition and adjust the ingredients accordingly.

-Therefore, tonics aren’t sold indiscriminately to just anyone.

Cosimo licked his lips after hearing the merchant’s explanation.

“Do I need to travel to the ‘Land of Flowers’ to consult a doctor?”

“There are doctors from the ‘Land of Flowers’ merchant group stationed in Alexandria.”

“Really? Then I should visit Alexandria for the first time in a while.”

Thus, Cosimo visited Alexandria, had his pulse taken by a doctor, and received a tonic prescription.

“It takes over half a year to prepare one medicine…”

Cosimo, observing the medicinal packets prepared according to the prescription, noticed the medicine pots nearby.

“What are these?”

“These are for boiling the tonics. The ones tied with red strings require this silver pot, and the ones tied with blue strings require this porcelain one.”

“It’s complicated.”

“So, I hired someone from the ‘Land of Flowers’ to teach the servants how to prepare the medicine for a month.”

“You’ve done well.”

After experiencing the tonic’s benefits, Cosimo held up the medicine bowl and exclaimed.

“This is the elixir!”

From then on, Cosimo regularly visited Alexandria for medical examinations and tonics.

Later, Hyang, upon hearing the rumor, muttered in disbelief.

“Some are worried about developing Western medicine, while others are shouting ‘Hanyak [Korean traditional medicine] hooray’….”

Meanwhile, ministers who heard the same rumor exchanged knowing glances.

“The best part of tonic isn’t ‘eating’ it, but ‘feeding’ it….”

Cosimo’s ‘tonic love’ continued unabated. Later, when Joseon became the Empire, Hyang sent the royal physician to Cosimo.

“His Majesty the Emperor wishes you continued good health.”

“Convey to His Majesty my sincere gratitude, Cosimo de’ Medici, leader of Florence.”

Cosimo expressed his heartfelt appreciation.

The royal physician, after carefully examining Cosimo and writing a new prescription, presented him with a small booklet.

“What is this?”

“This is a health book that His Majesty created and distributed to the people when he was the Crown Prince.”

“Health book? What’s that?”

“It’s a book describing how to maintain good health.”

Cosimo, after hearing the explanation through an interpreter, examined the book’s cover.

“It’s written in the Imperial language?”

“Yes. He distributed it as the people became familiar with Jeong-eum [Korean alphabet].”

“Is that so?”

Cosimo handed the book to the interpreter.

“Translate it.”

Hyang’s health book, further popularized by the subtitle ‘You can also live a long and healthy life if you do this!’, spread throughout Europe.

* * *

Despite the sensational subtitle, the content focused on basic health practices, such as the importance of hand washing and bathing.

As part of the Gyeongjang [a series of reforms], Hyang promoted improved public and personal hygiene.

Public and personal hygiene significantly improved through the efforts of Sejong [a previous Joseon king] and Hyang, but Hyang still saw room for improvement.

As time passed, Jeong-eum was promulgated, and the people became familiar with it, Hyang created a health book.

“I made it… but how can I capture the people’s attention?”

After much deliberation, Hyang created the sensational subtitle.

And, as Hyang expected, the health book quickly gained popularity.

* * *

Cosimo, having finished his examination, cautiously asked the royal physician.

“Could you examine my son as well?”

The son Cosimo referred to was his eldest, Piero.

He worried about Piero, who had been weak and prone to illness since childhood.

“Hmm… Heo… [sound of contemplation]”

The royal physician, after taking Piero’s pulse, sighed with a pitying expression upon leaving the room.

“How is he?”

“Both Qi [vital energy] and Shin [spirit/essence] are severely weakened.”

“Is there no effective medicine?”

“Only Jeong-yang (靜養, taking care of the body and mind comfortably) is the true medicine.”

“He is the eldest son. He has many responsibilities.”

“Then his lifespan will only be shortened.”

Cosimo was speechless at the royal physician’s firm response.

“…I understand. Thank you.”

Cosimo, after contemplating for a long time, even after the royal physician’s departure, reached a decision.

“In that case, I have no choice but to change the plan. I must entrust it to Lorenzo….”

Cosimo’s original plan was to entrust politics to Piero and the Medici Bank to his second son, Giovanni.

However, given Piero’s condition, he chose Piero’s son, Lorenzo, as the next best option.

Following Cosimo’s decision, Lorenzo began training as a political successor. Renowned scholars taught him humanities, philosophy, Greek, and Latin.

He also accompanied Cosimo on visits to the Pope of Rome and other monarchs, gaining practical experience.

While Lorenzo learned theory and practice, Cosimo’s second son, Giovanni, gradually established himself within the Medici Bank.

This Giovanni di Cosimo de’ Medici was another change resulting from Hyang’s intervention.

* * *

In the history before Hyang’s intervention, Giovanni died a year before Cosimo.

Giovanni’s death forced Piero to take on all responsibilities, deviating from Cosimo’s original plan. This significantly impacted Piero’s already declining health, contributing to his death only five years after assuming power.

Furthermore, Lorenzo had to assume responsibility for finance and commerce, an area where he lacked expertise.

Lorenzo excelled in diplomacy and politics but was a poor manager, even struggling to understand the books.

This ultimately led to the Medici family’s downfall.

However, Giovanni survived in this altered timeline.

The person with the most intimate knowledge of the Medici family’s finances lived on.

This was a significant variable within the Medici family’s history.

* * *

Against this backdrop, Cosimo touched the Fowk [likely referring to a type of currency or financial instrument] developed by France.

“…So, the deal in Paris was successful.”

Lorenzo and Giovanni’s faces lit up at Cosimo’s words. Observing their reactions, Cosimo continued.

“You know what to do, right?”

Giovanni answered Cosimo’s question.

“I believe we can strike a favorable deal with Edward of London.”

“Fowk instead of gold coins… that’s good.”

Cosimo nodded, approving of Giovanni’s suggestion. Lorenzo, seated beside him, mirrored his sentiment.

Edward IV of England was a troublesome, no, a very unstable customer.

‘Be especially careful when lending money to kings or nobles.’

Edward IV exemplified why that saying was passed down within the Medici family.

—-

Hello?

This is Gukbbong, the author of ‘Black Company Joseon’.

I will be taking a break tomorrow.

I need to take my mother to the hospital, so I have no choice but to take a day off.

I apologize for the interruption.

I will strive to update as frequently as possible without taking breaks.

Thank you.

Gukbbong.

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