There Is No Sejong In My Joseon [EN]: Chapter 263

Byeokrando was recovering its old reputation from the Goryeo Dynasty, even surpassing it.

Cheonghaejin, backed by the Ming Dynasty and Majapahit, stably participated in the Indian Ocean trade. The number of trading ships regularly traveling back and forth exceeded a hundred, which was only natural.

With Biak [a powerful medicinal tonic] becoming a sensation, Byeokrando’s docks were overflowing with ships.

– The prince of the country called Joseon in the east is a magician, skilled in alchemy, and makes medicine that revives even the dead!

– The people of Joseon receive help from divine beasts and never age or get sick!

– That divine beast is also a horse controlled by the Joseon prince, and its blood heals people!

“Speak Joseon, not Chinese! Do you think this is Ming? No one understands you!”

“I can’t stay here this long. I’m telling you, give me some Biak!”

“Didn’t I tell you it’s not possible?”

“I heard from Jowa that there are Islamic brothers in Joseon too. Is it possible to trade Biak through them?”

“Seriously, Ming people, Japanese, Ryukyuans, and now even Huihui Arabs [Chinese Muslims] are coming?”

“I don’t know where you’re from, but find out the facts before you buy. Biak loses its effectiveness over time.”

As mentioned, Biak has an expiration date.

In an era where trade takes months, there was a high risk of it spoiling.

Of course, that’s not a reason to give up trade.

“I can’t stop trading just because of an expiration date. Then I’ll just buy it in bulk.”

It has the disadvantage of a short efficacy, but what medicine doesn’t?

If it really works, the price is no object. How can I come all the way here and not buy it?

The Mamluk merchants who came chasing rumors knew very well that if they succeeded, they could bleed the Sultan dry.

“If I buy a hundred, one or two will still be effective!”

“Sweep up everything you can get!”

“Ah, these barbarian bastards! Where in the world is there such a rule?”

“We are not barbarians. Come to our country if you have any complaints.”

“Damn it, I came here avoiding the maritime ban!”

“I can’t go back like this… Even if I have to sit and wait until the next shipment comes out…”

“I can’t wait. Since I came to Joseon, I have to load up on something else.”

There was a lot of hoarding, and some even tried to buy everything, disregarding the expiration date, so many merchants went home empty-handed.

In particular, even those who managed to get Biak after all sorts of hardships didn’t get much, so no matter how much they loaded, the hold seemed empty.

Since they came all the way to Byeokrando, they had to load up on other trade goods.

“I heard that Biak is a medicine made from ginseng. Give me all the ginseng!”

“Don’t you need dried sea cucumbers or shiitake mushrooms? What about ceramics?”

“This is a cosmetic that is presented to the Chinese Empress.”

It didn’t matter that Empress Inhyomun Seo [King Sukjong’s first queen consort] was already deceased; the truth didn’t matter.

Even ceramics and silks imported from Ming were selling like hotcakes with the label of Joseon products.

Biak was acting as a loss leader [a product sold at a loss to attract customers].

The sold products would establish themselves as a separate demand with favorable reviews, and would once again draw merchants to Joseon.

It was a craze that couldn’t be compared to spices like pepper.

In the original history, the Age of Discovery wouldn’t begin in earnest for nearly a century, but the seeds that Crown Prince Lee Je had sown were now blooming brilliantly.

===

There was a lot of resentment in Byeokrando about not being able to easily obtain Biak, but we had our own countermeasures.

Next to the Gun Gi監 Byeolchang [a military arms depot], a new building was constructed, filled with lead containers used to extract sulfuric acid.

The sight of artisans covered in cloth constantly going in and out through the hazy rising steam was reminiscent of an industrial-era factory.

In terms of scale alone, it was by no means inferior to one.

It was more than enough facilities to simply manufacture smokeless gunpowder, but this was all possible because of the hit product called Biak.

Everyone wants Biak.

Whether it’s because of lower body problems or money, the current situation is that you can’t get it because it’s not available.

“We need to increase the amount of sulfur we bring in from Japan. The amount we bring in from Daenae will be severely insufficient.”

I nodded at Lee Cheon’s words.

“Even those Muslims are sending people to get it.”

“Hmm.”

We haven’t even formally exchanged national letters yet, but merchants are moving one step faster.

The network with Ortok merchants [medieval merchant organizations] seems to be playing a role.

Of course, there’s nothing to lose if we can reach that side as well.

‘Of course, I won’t release a lot of quantity.’

I don’t know about spices, but we are the only ones with the technology to make nitroglycerin.

Why should I release enough for everyone to use?

Even if I just hold onto it, the price is hundreds of times the price of gold.

“Then we don’t need such a big factory, do we?”

The artisans asked as if they were curious, and I smiled wryly.

These people, nitroglycerin is not something developed as an aphrodisiac.

“Shouldn’t the rest be made into gunpowder and stockpiled?”

If we use the power of Biak, can’t we switch the entire Joseon to smokeless gunpowder tech?

‘Then I need to get sulfur first.’

I have to negotiate directly with the shogunate to open a sulfur import route.

However, we didn’t need to take the initiative, and the opportunity came soon after.

===

“The Japanese country, Minamoto no Yoshimochi [Ashikaga Yoshimochi], has sent an envoy to respond to the dispatch of the previous envoy.”

It hasn’t been long since we sent an envoy, and they’re sending a reply envoy in a hurry.

Unlike the previous shogun, who paid tribute to the Ming Dynasty and got along with us, the current shogun had been indifferent.

That’s because there are no urgent diplomatic issues to resolve.

However, seeing that they brought a lot of tribute to strengthen friendship, the effect must have been very good.

‘Well, it’s not just Japan.’

Currently, requests are coming in through all sorts of official and unofficial routes asking if they can get Biak.

From the Ming Dynasty, official documents came in the name of the emperor, the Ministry of Rites, and the Liaodong governor, saying that they would import additional Biak, and Ryukyu and Majapahit had the same reaction.

It’s not just a simple tonic, but something that can chemically erect almost everyone except for some who can’t stand up, so it’s strange not to be tempted.

Even Annam and Siam (Thailand), which did not directly give Biak but had trade relations with Cheonghaejin, are sending inquiries about the drug.

Lee Bang-won and I looked at the accumulating tributes with beaming faces.

There were traditional trade goods such as swords, fans, and folding screens, and there were also considerable precious metals such as gold and silver.

What’s even better is that this was given as a ‘gift’ simply to start trade, not to purchase Biak.

“It’s not over yet, Your Majesty. Our general admires His Majesty the King of Joseon’s virtue and has offered an elephant, so please accept it.”

The envoy said, mentioning Lee Bang-won’s virtue, and I sighed as I listened from the side.

The size of an elephant cannot be hidden.

I already knew because it was reported through Janggye [urgent official reports] while coming up from Dongnae to Hanyang.

I knew, but….

‘They only give me things that are terribly useless as gifts.’

An elephant, what use is it other than receiving snacks with its trunk?

‘I already import ivory in abundance.’

Some might say that the existence of an elephant itself is a rare sight for people of this era, but not really for me.

I can see it just by going to the zoo.

“Wow, an elephant. It’s been a while.”

That was the same for Joo So-hwa.

Joo So-hwa, who grew up seeing all kinds of rare animals presented by various countries from the Ming Dynasty, was not very impressed.

‘Why don’t they give me something that will make money?’

It’s difficult to manage, and there’s no suitable place to put it.

I want to return it.

When I, who was not impressed, was about to persuade Lee Bang-won to send the elephant back with kind words.

However, there were some who were overwhelmed by the elephant’s magnificent appearance.

“Our grandson is seeing an elephant for the first time, right?”

First of all, Lee Dan, who was held in Joo So-hwa’s arms.

He had never seen such a huge creature since he was born, so he stared at it with wide eyes even though he was a baby.

It was because the enormous size was engraved in his mind.

“Bbuah!”

As he reached out his small hand and struggled towards the elephant, the elephant looked at him with a bored expression.

“······.”

It was when the elephant, who was looking at Lee Dan, turned its eyes slightly as if it was bored.

“The elephant turned its eyes first! The elephant seems to have recognized the dignity of the grandson because it is a spiritual being!”

The Japanese envoy, who was watching my expression with itchy lips, suddenly shouted.

‘No way.’

It just stared blankly and turned its head.

However, Lee Bang-won’s lips slightly curled up when he heard the envoy’s flattery that came in with good timing.

‘This doesn’t feel good.’

“Although it is a Buddhist saying, Maya [mother of Buddha] also conceived Sakyamuni after dreaming of an elephant entering her right armpit, so it can truly be said to be the most spiritual of spiritual beings.

The elephant brought by the Japanese envoy is indeed worthy of its name.”

“······.”

My face is getting hot, please stop.

All the myths about elephants retreating in surprise at the dignity of the king are created from this.

Such a quick-witted envoy.

Pleased, Lee Bang-won began to praise the Japanese envoy instead of returning the elephant.

“I was going to strengthen friendship with Japan anyway, and the King of Japan sent a precious spiritual being, so I am very pleased.”

“The general will be pleased to hear Your Majesty’s words, Your Majesty.

If you could share some precious medicine between neighbors….”

Looking at the envoy’s smooth words, the economic animal Japanese DNA is engraved in their bones.

‘What should I do with this elephant?’

Should I just give it to my younger brother?

My nephew was born recently.

Maybe he’s Moonjong [future king of Joseon].

I asked Do while looking at him.

“Do you want to have it?”

Then he hurriedly waved his hand and said.

“Brother. The grandson seems to like the elephant very much, so how can this younger brother receive it?”

When I stared at Do, he revealed the real reason.

“Elephants eat beans and grow, but I can’t handle it. I spent a lot of money making gunpowder the other day, so I can’t recklessly take on such an animal.”

I corrected the two misunderstandings that Do was having.

“First of all, I mixed your stake in the Biak manufacturing plant.”

“Yes?”

Do’s eyes widened.

He’s the developer of nitroglycerin, so it’s only natural that he gets a share.

I processed it properly, so my share is bigger, but this is outside the scope because it’s originally under the name of Naesu Byeoljwa [official in charge of royal household finances].

‘Anyway, Naesu Byeoljwa is also my slush fund.’

Anyway, in just a few years, Do will be one of the richest people in Joseon as an individual.

And second.

“Elephants like grass more than beans.”

So take it with you.

That nuisance.

End

ⓒ Pitkong