Black Corporation: Joseon

Episode 1007 Meanwhile, elsewhere….. (12)

The first thing the Japanese merchants in Naniwa touched was ‘polysilver’.

* * *

Before and after the start of the Italian War, numerous European merchant ships entered and exited the open ports near Yamaguchi and Naniwa. Naniwa merchants who were doing business with European merchants discovered something unusual.

“The guns of the Europaeans have changed?”

Until then, I saw that sailors who had been carrying rifles with long guns or percussion caps were carrying breech-loading, single-shot rifles that looked similar to the rifles carried by Japanese government soldiers.

“Did the Empire sell new long guns? They must have been raising money again.”

But soon, the merchants of Naniwa learned the truth and their expressions changed.

“Did Pokyun come out of Europa?”

The merchants of Naniwa who heard the rumor soon began to think.

“It is difficult to make a lot of money with sulfur alone. You can only make a lot of money by selling things that have been made by humans.”

“In that sense, silver is a very good item. There is constant war in Europa.”

Naniwa merchants, who focused on silver as a new product, took advantage of European merchants. However, even in Europe, silver was a product whose manufacturing method was strictly controlled. In addition to the trust they had built up over the years, Naniwa’s merchants, who had tried to find out the manufacturing method by bribing and beauties, but had failed repeatedly, changed direction.

“I’ll have to talk to the court.”

“If that happens, Yamaguchi’s raccoons will get involved, right?”

“I have to accept that. Aren’t silver and gunpowder things that can be made carelessly? It’s better to give some away to the raccoons than to lose them all because they are accused of being traitors.”

“It is a situation where the word force majeure is appropriate.”

“Yamaguchi’s raccoon dogs are happy to die.”

Although it was not satisfactory, Naniwa’s merchants chose the next best option and stood up to the Japanese court.

“Let’s get the recipe for explosive silver from the Empire? Are you sane? Have you forgotten that what the Empire will never provide is the recipe for explosive silver and gunpowder? If I were one of those ignorant samurai, I would have cut off your heads right away.”

“I just take it easy.”

The Naniwa merchants continued talking while bowing their heads in front of the young official who appeared to be about the age of their son or grandson.

“No matter how lowly the small people are, they are merchants who only care about money. How can you not know this? But the situation in Europa right now is unusual.”

“That’s right.”

The Japanese government was not unaware of the growing war clouds in Italy. In particular, Yamuguchi Naniwa merchants were becoming more interested as the taxes they paid increased. The merchants of Naniwa, who believed they could communicate, worked hard to persuade the officials.

“For some time now, the sailors of Europa merchant ships coming into the open port have been carrying new long guns. So I asked around and they said that Europa makes its own silver.”

The official, who had been sitting loosely as the merchants spoke, straightened up.

“Europa herself?”

“That’s right. As you know, how greedy the Europeans are. We need the recipe for silver for the well-being of Great Japan.”

“Hmm… That makes sense. I understand. I’ll report it to the top.”

“Thank you so much!”

The Naniwa merchants persuaded various officials in this way, and on the other hand, they persuaded the Yamaguchi merchants with whom they were close friends and made contact with higher-ranking officials. Of course, the secretly rumored ‘Naniwa glutinous rice mochi gift’ – a rice cake box with a gold bottom – was never missed.

Officials believed that there was some influence of bribery and that the demands made made sense, so they made this issue public.

“It’s a joke…”

Yoshioki, who ascended to the throne of Japan in place of Masahiro, who stepped down due to illness, pondered for a while and asked his subjects.

“Will Seoul really provide the recipe?”

“Even if you don’t want to give it away, you will have no choice but to give it away.”

“why?”

“Because Europa makes its own silver. This will be a great cause for us.”

“Hmm…”

Yoshioki, who was nodding his head while listening to the words of his subjects, glanced towards the subjects of the Mudan Sect.

‘I wonder who isn’t the Mudan faction…’

Thanks to their rivalry with the Munchi faction, they were the Mudan faction that roared at every agenda item. But now, he didn’t even offer a rebuttal and just bowed his head. In other words, it was showing very strong support.

“Hmm… Well, you can’t lend a helping hand to the empire forever. Good! Form a group of envoys and go to Seoul. Be sure to get the recipe!”

* * *

When the Japanese envoy visited Seoul, Hyeon muttered with an expression full of regret.

“It’s a pity that Tae-sang is not there right now.”

When Japanese envoys arrived, Hyang was in the middle of a diplomatic mess against European powers in Italy. That is why Hyeon regretted the absence of a good advisor. However, Hyeon soon adjusted his expression.

“Anyway, I am the emperor of the empire now. All decisions must go through me. Advice is just advice.”

Hyeon, who had made up his mind, called his subjects together.

* * *

The ministers, who had already heard of the purpose of the envoy’s visit, gathered immediately upon Hyun’s call.

“You already know why the Japanese envoys came. What do you think is appropriate to do?”

As soon as Hyun’s question was finished, Han Myeong-hoe answered.

“It is considered good to pass on the recipe. And, if possible, it is also considered good to pass it on to people.”

“Even people? Why?”

In response to Hyeon’s question, Han Myeong-hoe explained the reason.

-The situation has already created a silver lining in Europe.

-Considering the nature of Europeans, this could also be a threat to Ming and Japan.

-Then, of course, Ming and Japan would also try to make their own money.

-There are three ways at this time. One is to devise something yourself. These two are known from Europe. Three are things the empire tells us.

-However, as seen in the case of Japan, the first thing to do is to ask the empire for help. Because it seems the easiest way.

-If this is not accepted, Ming and Japan will begin to develop animosity toward the empire.

-However, if the empire willingly responds, they will try to maintain even closer friendly relations with the empire.

“Please especially think about Lord Ming. If we come forward and tell him the recipe, it will be his achievement.”

“I see…what do you guys think?”

Jang Hang-seon came forward and answered Hyeon’s question.

“The Empire has already made much improved silver. It is said that the performance of the silver made in Europe is similar to the silver first made by the Empire. In that case, I think it is okay to inform the Ming and Japanese. No, it is said that the performance of the silver made in Europe is similar to the silver that the Empire first made. This is a great opportunity.”

Following Jang Hang-seon, Lim Sun-wook also came forward.

“I am not opposed to informing you, but intellectual property rights must be recognized.”

“Should intellectual property rights be recognized? Are you asking for money?”

“We must accept it. We must not leave a bad precedent.”

“I see…”

While the Prime Minister and the Left and Right Deputy Prime Ministers were all giving positive answers, the Minister of Education pointed out the problem.

“But the thing about Ming and Japan bothers me a little.”

At the words of the Minister of Education, Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward.

“If you make it think you are dealing with a hungry fox, it will do whatever it takes to climb over the fence and steal your livestock. However, if you give it a decent amount of food, it will actually wag its tail.”

“Look at the example of the Song Dynasty in the past. Didn’t they just throw away meat and fall into ruin?”

“Song didn’t have a club, but don’t we have a very sturdy club? And even if we take over the recipe, we won’t immediately cause trouble.”

“What do you mean?”

Im Soon-wook took the place of the Minister of Education.

“What they wanted was the manufacturing method for silver, so we will only hand over the manufacturing method for silver.”

“What kind of pun is that?”

When the Minister of Education got angry, Hyeon shook his head.

“I see. Experience and yield were the issues.”

“That’s right.”

“ah!”

The other ministers all seemed to understand the conversation between Hyun and Im Soon-wook. Eventually, the empire handed over the manufacturing method of silver to the Ming and Japan. No, I sold it.

* * *

The response of the Ming and Japan was as expected by the empire. First of all, in the case of Myeong, I was delighted with the unexpected luck. Emperor Seonghwa’s royal guard, who received the silver manufacturing recipe from the empire, used it to agitate.

-Thanks to the emperor, Seoul took over the city and passed on the recipe for making silver.

-Through this, the emperor’s golden army will become more powerful, the borders will become safer, and the people’s lives will become more peaceful.

-Isn’t all this a virtue of the Emperor? Let all the people praise the virtue of the Emperor!

The people of Ming, who had lost all wars against the empire, were well aware of the strength of the imperial army. Also, those who had some knowledge of gunpowder weapons were well aware of the importance of silver.

“And yet, you told me how to make the silver? There are two answers. One is that the Emperor really likes him and wants to be friends with him, and the other is that he is confident that we are strong enough not to worry even if we have the silver.”

“There’s another thing. I like Cheonja so much that he gave me the recipe for making silver, so don’t even think about touching him. If you touch Cheonja, I’ll attack right away.”

Everyone who had been considering the empire’s intentions let out a long sigh.

“It would be most comfortable to just shout ‘Long live the Son of Heaven’.”

* * *

In the case of Japan, Yamuguchi and Naniwa merchants competed fiercely for the exclusive manufacturing of silver. After a competition involving price competition, bribery, beauty, and even violence, the Japanese government selected two tops, one from Yamaguchi and one from Naniwa. The problem was the next condition.

-I will get the same amount for both sides in the first year.

-We will compare the time and quality of delivery and then adjust the delivery quantity for the following year.

-And I will keep repeating this.

It was an outright competition. The two top teams had to make a desperate effort.

-The bottom line is yield!

If the yield was increased even slightly, it would be possible to overwhelm competitors in terms of quality, time, and cost. The problem was that a very fatal accident occurred during this process.

In the process of handling mercury, a material for silver, many workers, craftsmen, and residents around the factory became acutely poisoned by mercury. In the case of incense, the Japanese did their best to prevent it from the first time they made silver, but they were unaware of it.

In the end, Japan had to send a messenger back to the empire. And this became the first case of pollution disease recorded in history. However, the competition between Yamaguchi and Naniwa merchants continued. The reason they sent a messenger to the empire through the government was because they had lost skilled craftsmen and workers due to the disease.

And as the war broke out in Italy, Naniwa’s merchants were able to make huge profits. Sulfur was also a popular product, but it was because its popularity was very good.

Even though it was a short period of time, the quality of the silver was quite good thanks to the fierce competition. After returning to Seoul and checking the report, Hyang muttered with a bitter smile.

“Viva capitalism.”