Black Corporation: Joseon

Three months later.

Lim Soonwook, wearing a silk dop’o and a stylish gat, was passing through the streets in a rickshaw. Wearing a newly fashionable horsehair gat and a ch’ailgyeong, Lim Soonwook’s appearance exuded nobility to anyone who saw him.

However, Lim Soonwook, actually sitting in the rickshaw, was looking at the street with a bitter smile and muttering.

“They say human life is unpredictable…”

***

Until a few years ago, Lim Soonwook had been the head of a fairly solid trading company. But then, through a connection made by Hyang’s rickshaw, he put on official robes and became a government official.

Although he entered office through special appointment, he went through all sorts of trials alongside other officials, including overtime and all-night work, and was promoted repeatedly.

When he rose to the position of vice minister through fierce overtime, all-night work, and competition, Lim Soonwook was overwhelmed with emotion.

“A despised person from the northwest has risen to vice minister! Hahaha!”

Unable to contain his excitement, Lim Soonwook burst into laughter and held a feast in his hometown.

“Splendid! Truly splendid!”

When their son, who had turned to business because there was nothing for a person from the northwest, returned as a high-ranking official, Lim Soonwook’s parents congratulated him with tears in their eyes.

Due to Lim Soonwook’s success, many relatives living in his hometown and villagers who had aspirations for officialdom increased greatly.

However, Lim Soonwook, who had risen to vice minister and was living a busy life, had to take off his official robes and move to a new position by Sejong’s order.

The position he moved to was the president of the Joseon Railway Corporation under the Ministry of Land Development.

According to the newly created law, it was a position that received the rank of vice minister. However, from the outside, it was a trading company, and Lim Soonwook was the head of the trading company.

In the end, after going around in circles, Lim Soonwook had become a merchant again.

***

“Sir, we’ve arrived.”

Lim Soonwook, who had been sitting absent-mindedly lost in thought, came to his senses at Malbok’s words and got off the rickshaw.

“Good work.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Malbok, who bowed deeply, had already tied his hair in a topknot.

“To think that the shaggy-haired young man has even gotten married now. Is the venerable grandmother doing well?”

“Yes, she’s still in good health.”

“Take good care of her.”

Lim Soonwook, lightly patting Malbok’s shoulder, entered the newly built Railway Corporation building at the end of Yukjo Street.

“Have you arrived, sir?”

“Yes. When did they say the merchants from Ming would arrive?”

To Lim Soonwook’s question, the head of general affairs immediately answered after looking at the clock on the wall.

“They will arrive in one shichen (two hours).”

“Is everything prepared?”

“Yes.”

“Remember, the first hurdle we face will be the highest, but if we overcome this one well, the road ahead will be smooth sailing. Understand? His Majesty didn’t invest money and time just to trick Ming.”

At Lim Soonwook’s admonition, not only the head of general affairs but also other subordinates answered in loud voices.

“We will keep it in mind!”

“Good!”

Lim Soonwook, having bolstered his subordinates’ morale, lightly rubbed his hands and stood up from his seat.

“Then let’s prepare to start the battle!”

***

When the appointed time came, the representatives of the Ming trading company entered the conference room.

“Welcome.”

As Lim Soonwook greeted the Ming merchants in fluent Chinese, the Ming merchants also returned the greeting with polite bows.

“Thank you for welcoming us.”

“This way.”

Thus, the two sides that faced each other soon began to engage in fierce verbal exchanges.

The first point of conflict between the two sides was the price of the actual iron horses they were to receive.

“3,500 taels of gold per unit, isn’t that too expensive? We know that when Joseon makes iron horses, the unit cost is 2,000 taels of gold!”

“It’s not expensive at all.”

Lim Soonwook explained point by point that it wasn’t expensive at all.

-There are no ships that can carry the iron horse with its enormous size and weight in a completed state.

-Therefore, it needs to be appropriately disassembled for transport and then reassembled in Ming.

-A large number of artisans need to be deployed not only for the disassembly process but also for the reassembly process.

-Not only artisans need to be deployed, but various facilities necessary for assembly also need to be installed.

“…Considering this time and cost, even 3,500 taels of gold per unit is receiving minimal profit.”

“Still…”

“If that’s the case, Ming can directly transport the completed iron horse. Whether you transport it by ship or lay tracks and pull it, if Ming moves it directly, we’ll reduce the price to 3,000 taels of gold.”

“Why 3,000 taels of gold?”

“We’re already struggling to supply the iron horses Joseon needs now, and we’re taking three out of that. Naturally, there should be additional costs, shouldn’t there? If Ming purchases all the iron horses it needs from our Joseon, and if you give us ample delivery time, we’ll reduce it to 2,500 taels of gold.”

“Oh my…”

At Lim Soonwook’s proposal, the Ming merchants’ faces showed dismay.

Ming also did not have ships that could carry completed iron horses as they were. There were still a few of the super-large ships used in Zheng He’s fleet in the past. However, major renovations were needed to carry iron horses, and the cost was not insignificant.

Eventually, after three days of continuous push and pull, they reached an agreement to pay 3,200 taels of gold per completed iron horse, and in exchange, to transfer the installation facilities needed for assembly for 500 taels of gold.

And in the subsequent talks, another fierce verbal battle erupted over the intellectual property usage fee for the blueprints.

“If we were only making one or two, we would pay the amount Joseon is demanding, but we’re anticipating at least a hundred units. So we can’t meet the ratio Joseon is demanding.”

Thus, intense negotiations continued for several more days, and this time, a compromise was reached based mainly on Ming’s proposal.

***

“…And so, we ended up receiving a usage fee of 150 taels of gold per unit.”

“Well done. I can see Presiden Lim’s efforts. I think entrusting this position to Presiden Lim was indeed the best decision.”

At Sejong’s praise, Lim Soonwook bowed his head respectfully.

“You flatter me.”

“Did you say the Ming merchants are returning tomorrow?”

“Yes, that’s correct. And the shipment of iron horses to be sent to Ming is scheduled to begin three months later.”

“That’s good.”

As Sejong was nodding at Lim Soonwook’s answer, Hyang, who had been listening to the conversation sitting below the dais, looked at Sejong.

“Father, may I ask Presiden Lim a question?”

“Permission granted.”

Having received Sejong’s permission, Hyang asked Lim Soonwook.

“Do the conditions set by the Ming merchants end with handing over the installed facilities?”

“Yes.”

“Is that truly the end?”

“Yes, it is. Did I make a mistake somewhere?”

At Lim Soonwook’s question, Hyang shook his head.

“No. It’s just that it seems Ming has made a very fatal mistake.”

At Hyang’s words, Sejong and the ministers all looked at Hyang with expressions full of curiosity.

“A fatal mistake? Are you saying there’s something else besides just handing over the blueprints?”

“Yes. It seems the Ming people have really underestimated Joseon’s artisans. Those fools. They missed out on artisan education. If it were me, I would have included a clause asking for education while the artisans are there.”

“Artisan education? Ah!”

Sejong, who had been tilting his head slightly at Hyang’s answer, exclaimed. The ministers listening to Hyang’s story were the same.

It was because they knew well how the artisans of Area 51 who made the iron horses had evolved under Hyang’s guidance.

After mulling over Hyang’s words for a moment, Sejong chuckled and muttered.

“Did they really think they could easily make it with just the blueprints?”

At Sejong’s words, Hwang Hui answered.

“They consider themselves the center of the world, after all. It was like that for a while.”

Sejong nodded at Hwang Hui’s words.

“It was.”

***

Ming’s level of technology and knowledge overwhelmed its surroundings to the extent that they used the term ‘Zhonghua’ (中華), meaning ‘center of the world’, without hesitation. Of course, Joseon was ahead in a few minor areas, but overall, it was on the receiving end of Ming’s advanced culture.

However, as Hyang became more active, Joseon gradually began to surpass Ming in technology, and subsequently began to take a slightly different path from Ming in ideology as well.

Ming also noticed this movement of Joseon, but to maintain its pride, it forcibly ignored it.

“After all, it’s just the technology and knowledge of a vassal state! If we just put in a little effort, we can surpass them right away! We are the center of the world!”

***

Hyang, who had pointed out Ming’s mistake, made a suggestion to Sejong.

“Father, I have something to ask Presiden Lim to do, would you allow it?”

“Permission granted.”

Having received Sejong’s permission, Hyang ordered Lim Soonwook.

“From now on, please firmly instruct the artisans to be dispatched to Ming what I’m about to say.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“Tell them to firmly set up curtains around the assembly site.”

“Curtains, you say?”

Lim Soonwook’s face suddenly brightened as he mulled over Hyang’s order for a moment.

“Ah! I understand what you mean!”

“While we’re at it…”

Hyang, who was about to continue speaking, suddenly stopped and looked at Sejong.

“I request of Father! When our artisans go to Ming, there’s a high possibility that Ming will try to persuade them! I beg you to send people from our side to prevent this!”

“That makes sense.”

Sejong, who answered briefly and concisely, fell into thought while stroking his beard.

After pondering for a long time, Sejong looked at Lim Soonwook and opened his mouth.

“I’d like Presiden Lim to take on that task.”

“I receive your command.”

***

Although there was busy movement here and there, overall, Joseon was peaceful. In the north, the submission of the Jurchens who had been causing trouble continued, and in the south, the Japanese pirates had no choice but to behave while watching the Joseon navy and the Ouchi family.

And as abundant underground resources were discovered in Daeseoldo, Joseon was gradually getting some breathing room in resource supply.

As Joseon was slowly moving to break out of its period of stagnation, Mansur arrived in Hanseong with urgent news.

“I need to see the king! It’s urgent!”

At Mansur’s plea, Hassan headed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Two days later, Mansur was able to have an audience with Sejong.

Sejong opened his mouth, looking at Mansur who had bowed politely and prostrated himself.

“So, what is this urgent news?”

“Portuguese and Spanish ships have begun to be spotted on the east coast of Africa.”

“The Westerners on the east coast of Africa?”

“Yes.”

Mansur, who answered briefly, took out a map from his bosom and held it out.

“This is a map that Cosimo de’ Medici of Italy sends to Your Majesty.”

“Royal Secretary.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sejong, who received the map through the royal secretary, examined it.

The eastern part of the African continent was still blank, but the west coast and south were meticulously mapped.

“Let the ministers examine it as well.”

Sejong, who handed the map to the royal secretary, asked Mansur.

“When did you receive this map?”

“Just before departure, so about three months ago.”

“Then you didn’t know until then?”

“There were only rumors.”

“Only rumors…”

Sejong closed his mouth at Mansur’s answer.

Hyang, who was quietly listening to the conversation below the dais, muttered inwardly.

‘They’ve finally arrived. The incarnations of desire.’

The time had finally come for large-scale contact between the West and the East.