Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 885

885. Generational Shift (16)

The product that truly unleashed the potential of Chicle was, without a doubt, the Chicle Shoes.

“This shape is similar to Tanghye…”

Indeed, Hyang designed the Chicle Shoes with inspiration from the Tanghye [a type of formal Korean shoe], commonly worn by the Sadaebu [scholar-officials] and the wealthy. For women, the design was based on the Woonhye [a type of embroidered Korean shoe].

“The shape is alright, but the price is…”

The initial reaction of the Imperial citizens to the Chicle Shoes was lukewarm.

While significantly cheaper than expensive Woonhye and Tanghye, they were still considerably more expensive than Jipsin [straw sandals], which could be made for practically nothing with just straw and a bit of skill.

“And the color…”

The limited color choice – only white – was another major deterrent for potential buyers.

“If we’re going to spend money, shouldn’t they look a little more… fancy?”

“Exactly! Exactly!”

Contrary to initial hopes, sales were sluggish, practically frozen, giving the administrators a major headache.

* * *

It was Im Soon-wook who devised a solution.

Im Soon-wook sought out Hyang, immediately prostrating himself and bowing deeply as he made his request.

“Your subject, Im Soon-wook, humbly requests an audience with the Grand Emperor! I have an audacious proposal!”

“An audacious matter? What is it?”

“To boost the sales of Chicle products, especially Chicle Shoes, I wish to leverage Your Majesty’s prestige!”

“My name? Hmm…”

Hyang stroked his chin, considering Im Soon-wook’s words.

‘Is the advertising method I was used to in the 21st century popping up? There shouldn’t be any particular problems… Ah! I’m the Grand Emperor!’

As Hyang thought, using celebrities for advertising was a common practice.

However, even then, political or religious leaders weren’t typically used as models.

Moreover, this was the 15th century. Casually invoking the Grand Emperor’s name could easily lead to accusations of insulting the supreme being, punishable by death.

“By the way…”

Hyang paused, fixing Im Soon-wook with a sharp look.

“Did you obtain permission from the Emperor for this, or are you acting independently?”

“This matter is known only to His Majesty the Emperor. Too many ears would only lead to unnecessary complications.”

“Is that so? Then… wait a moment.”

Hyang retrieved a blank sheet of paper, wrote something on it, and signed it. Not content with just a signature, he also stamped it with the seal he kept nearby and handed it to Im Soon-wook.

“This is confirmation of my approval. Submit it to the Emperor. It will silence anyone who tries to find fault.”

Im Soon-wook, receiving the confirmation, was deeply moved and bowed profoundly.

“I am overwhelmed by your great grace! Truly overwhelmed!”

“I also bear responsibility for Chicle-related matters, so this is only natural. I hope it yields positive results.”

“It undoubtedly will.”

Hyang’s document served as a solid shield against potential backlash, but it couldn’t quell the gossip entirely.

“Goodness, as they say, ‘one who stays near ink gets stained black’… I never imagined Minister Im Soon-wook would resort to such tactics! He’s certainly been influenced by Minister Han Myung-hoi!”

“But he’s not completely corrupted yet. If it were Minister Han, he would have gone straight to the Grand Emperor. It’s only because it’s Minister Im that he sought permission from His Majesty first.”

“Isn’t that essentially the same thing?”

* * *

In any case, before long, a large banner was displayed in front of the Chicle Shoe shop.

-Chicle Shoes, personally endorsed by the Grand Emperor! Step into comfort!

“Did the Grand Emperor really say to use them instead of hands?”

“Well, that changes everything!”

Hyang held almost religious significance for the Imperial citizens, who had greatly benefited from the various tools and systems he had introduced.

Consequently, the mere mention of Hyang’s name was enough to sway those who had been hesitant, and they began purchasing Chicle Shoes.

Interestingly, the new owners exhibited a peculiar behavior. They would spread a mat in their yard, carefully place the shoes on it, and bow deeply.

“It is an honor to wear these precious shoes made by the Grand Emperor.”

After paying their respects in this manner, they would carefully put the shoes on and take a stroll around the yard, exclaiming in admiration.

“Wow! It’s definitely different!”

The Chicle Shoes that Hyang had created had undergone some improvements. The soles were made thicker than traditional rubber shoes to significantly reduce impact on the feet. For women’s shoes, the heels were slightly raised to enhance the style.

The waterproof nature of the shoes was particularly well-received. Unlike straw shoes, which became unusable when wet, Chicle Shoes could be worn even in wet conditions, requiring only a thorough drying in the sun.

As word of mouth spread, Chicle Shoes began to sell like hotcakes.

The way people wore Chicle Shoes was also quite telling.

In households with some financial stability, they were worn as everyday shoes. However, in poorer homes, people typically wore straw shoes and reserved the Chicle Shoes for special occasions.

Another interesting development was that the Imperial citizens began calling Chicle Shoes ‘Squeaky Shoes’.

It was said that when worn wet, the shoes made a squeaking sound with each step, hence the nickname.

And these Squeaky Shoes gradually replaced the name Chicle Shoes. It reached the point where Japanese merchants coming to purchase them would say:

“Chikkakushin kudasai!” [Squeaky shoes, please!]

“How many pairs would you like?”

Before anyone realized it, Chicle Shoes had become an essential item for the common people of the three Northeast Asian countries.

* * *

The popularity of Chicle Shoes created difficulties for the Ggachibachi [traditional shoemakers].

The income of the Ggachibachi had significantly decreased as even wealthy Sadaebu began buying and wearing Chicle Shoes.

In response, the Ggachibachi residing in Seoul gathered and marched to the Ministry of Finance.

“We are also subjects of the Empire! Are you telling us to starve to death!”

Im Soon-wook immediately appeared upon hearing of the commotion.

“I have heard your concerns. There is indeed a problem.”

“This is not something to be taken lightly! This is a matter of our livelihoods!”

Faced with the desperate pleas of the Ggachibachi, Im Soon-wook smiled gently and replied.

“I have something to show you.”

“You have something to show us?”

“Indeed.”

At Im Soon-wook’s gesture, a Ministry of Finance official brought in a box.

“It’s a shoe sole made of Chicle.”

“A sole?”

“That’s right. Isn’t the sole the part that requires the most effort and care when making Ggatshin [leather shoes]?”

The Ggachibachi all nodded in agreement.

They had to use the toughest leather and carefully hammer in the studs to prevent slipping. The toughness of the leather made it difficult to pierce with needles or awls, making it one of the most challenging steps.

Im Soon-wook held up the sole and explained.

“As you can see, the Chicle has been molded with bumps and grooves. This eliminates the need for laborious stud hammering and solves the waterproofing issue. And I deliberately added grooves on the sides, right? Sewing along those grooves will make it easy to attach the Dori [the side of the shoe] to the sole. What do you think?”

Having heard Im Soon-wook’s explanation, the Ggachibachi examined the sole closely from every angle.

After a lengthy inspection, one of them asked Im Soon-wook.

“Are you saying you will sell these soles to us?”

“That’s right.”

“The shape of the sole of the Ggatshin that I make is a little different from this.”

“If you insist on that shape, you can order it separately. However, the price will increase significantly. I recommend using the sole as it is.”

“However, then it will be the same as other Ggatshin…”

“Haha. People who wear Ggatshin don’t buy them because of the sole, do they? They buy them for the 멋들어지고 [stylish] eyes and patterns engraved on the shoe. If you put more effort and care into that part instead of struggling to make the sole, it will sell even better, right?”

“Ah…”

Thus, the Ggachibachi, persuaded by Im Soon-wook, signed the sole purchase agreement.

The Ministry of Finance officials who witnessed this scene whispered amongst themselves.

“No matter how you look at it, ‘one who stays near ink gets stained black’ is right.”

“Didn’t Minister Im originally engage in commerce? Isn’t haggling the basis of a merchant? Minister Im was originally a capable merchant, so he must be good at haggling.”

“Haggling is haggling, but the Minister Im I know is not the kind of person who can skillfully coax people like that. He’s definitely been influenced.”

“By whom… Ah!”

“Shh!”

Later, when the rumor reached Han Myung-hoi’s ears, he immediately sought out Im Soon-wook.

“You’ll have to buy me some penalty liquor [a drink offered as an apology].”

It was a nonsensical remark, but Im Soon-wook immediately nodded.

“I will.”

* * *

After overcoming the initial aversion to Chicle with Chicle Shoes, the next product released was wheels with Chicle rims.

The rickshaw wheels with air pockets made of Chicle and the cartwheels with solid rims made by pouring Chicle over a wire mesh frame became very popular as soon as they were released.

“It’s much better than leather rims!”

“The customers like it because it’s quiet and doesn’t bounce as much!”

“It’s really nice because it’s quieter than steel rims!”

“It’s the best because it doesn’t slip as much on wet roads.”

As they gained popularity, the first to act were the Japanese merchants.

“Ano…” [Excuse me…]

“Are you here to buy Chicle-rimmed wheels?”

“Hai, hai!” [Yes, yes!]

The same was true for the Ming Dynasty.

Seeing the Ming Dynasty merchants returning with ships full of Chicle-rimmed wheels, the Ministry of Finance officials smiled with satisfaction.

“You guys won’t be able to copy that.”

The Ming Dynasty’s unauthorized copying had been notorious for ages. They couldn’t replicate products with complex and precise structures like high-end gold pens, abacuses, and counting frames, but counterfeit versions of ordinary products would appear as soon as they became profitable.

On the other hand, if a product sold well in their country, the Japanese would come to the Empire and sign a legal contract.

Of course, there were those who attempted illegal copying within Japan as well. However, with the entire ruling class being pro-Empire and with the Empire, which had a stronger military force than Japan, right next door, they couldn’t avoid severe punishment if caught, so illegal copying was gradually disappearing.

As this unique situation settled down, merchants from other countries, including those from Europe, took full advantage of it.

-Imported goods that can be used and discarded without regard to quality are from the Ming Dynasty.

-Imported goods with a certain level of quality and a reasonable price are from Japan.

-Things that must be guaranteed to be of the highest quality must be from the Empire.

And the items made of Chicle threatened to disrupt this structure.

However, the Ming Dynasty was the Ming Dynasty.

As time passed, the Ming Dynasty began to copy Chicle-rimmed wheels.

“Where did these guys get Chicle from?”

The Imperial citizens, who obtained information and launched an investigation, soon smiled helplessly.

The Ming Dynasty people had collected Chicle from old, unusable Chicle-rimmed wheels, melted it down, and reused it.

“Really, they’re persistent!”

* * *

Meanwhile, in a field that no one had considered, no, in a part that Hyang had anticipated, items made of Chicle hit the jackpot.

The product in question was erasers.

Those who used writing brushes, from students in schools to clerks in trading companies to officials in the court, all welcomed erasers.

“Now I don’t have to put saliva on my fingers!”