Chapter 123: To the Arabs (2)
Meanwhile, a storm was sweeping through the Ministry of War.
"All officials from Referee to Assistant Minister, come here at once!"
At Jo Mal-saeng's summons—which meant 'everyone below me and above you'—the relevant officials hurriedly gathered before Jo Mal-saeng's desk.
"Is everyone here?"
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Hearing that everyone had gathered, Jo Mal-saeng threw a report onto his desk and shouted.
"If you're going to work like this, submit your resignations immediately!"
"Pardon? Suddenly..."
"The report on the Huihui people's ships submitted to His Majesty! Is this really the best you can do? Where is the report on the structure and pros and cons of the ships the Huihui people use?"
"Well, we haven't yet ordered the craftsmen to write it..."
"That's exactly the problem! If you're only going to do what you're told, why are you sitting in the position of a senior official! Would it hurt to prepare before His Majesty commands you! If you just thought a little more, there'd be no need to do the work twice!"
"We are deeply ashamed!"
"If you're ashamed, don't create situations to be ashamed of! Do you know how embarrassed I was at the morning audience!"
* * *
The incident began with Hyang's remark during the morning audience.
"By the way, may I see the report regarding the structure of the ships the Huihui people arrived on?"
At Hyang's question, Jo Mal-saeng stammered as he answered.
"Th-the report on the structure of the Huihui people's ships? That is not yet..."
"As the Minister of War knows, aren't we researching ships for ocean voyages? So you would also know that we purchased and examined one ship each from Ming and Japan."
"Y-yes, I know."
"But with such an opportunity that money couldn't buy right before us, can we afford to be this slow? The report needs to come out so we can analyze it, and later supplement any deficiencies in the process of mounting cannons on the ships, correct?"
"Hmm..."
* * *
As exchanges with Ming and Japan, particularly with the Ouchi clan, became more active, Hyang had pressed King Sejong to purchase one large ship each from Ming and Japan.
"If only the budget had been sufficient, we could have even bought and examined a Ryukyu ship... It's always that damned budget that's the problem."
'Ships aren't something you can just buy at a marketplace! Does he think the budget just appears out of thin air? You brat, get out!'
Recalling the curses he had received when he asked for additional budget for ship purchases, Hyang grumbled as he completely disassembled the purchased ships with the craftsmen and examined every corner.
Hyang didn't know this, but this was what Shin Suk-ju had done during King Sejo's era.
* * *
As Jo Mal-saeng only made groaning sounds, Hyang continued speaking.
"I'll say it again—the Huihui people have brought new ships, and we could examine them thoroughly due to the cannon mounting issue. Isn't this a heaven-sent opportunity?"
"W-well, yes..."
Seeing Jo Mal-saeng stammer, Hyang's face hardened.
"Surely you don't mean to say there is no report?"
"That's not it..."
When Jo Mal-saeng trailed off, Sejong interjected.
"Is there no report?"
With even Sejong stepping in, Jo Mal-saeng answered desperately.
"N-no! It is currently being organized. Being organized! I thought reporting on whether cannons could be mounted was the urgent priority, so I submitted only that portion first!"
"Is that so?"
Sejong nodded at Jo Mal-saeng's answer, then added.
"I thought perhaps you had forgotten your days at the Record Office and grown lax."
"How could I ever forget!"
At Sejong's words, Jo Mal-saeng denied it vehemently while breaking out in cold sweat.
"Then when can I receive it?"
"I will submit it within five days."
"You said it just needs to be organized? I'd like to see it within three days."
"I will do so!"
And thus the storm had swept through the Ministry of War.
* * *
"Why! Why! What is the reason for making me do twice what could be finished in one go! Why!"
"We are deeply ashamed."
"I said don't do things to be ashamed of if you're ashamed! Do you even know how much the records I have to organize increase every time you fools do your work stupidly! Do you know! Didn't I say it over and over! Don't create useless records!"
When Jo Mal-saeng returned as Minister of War, several new rules were established in the Ministry of War.
- Do not create unnecessary documents.
- Actively use tables.
- Keep sentences concise!
Accordingly, the documents created by the Ministry of War were truly concise and clear.
Thanks to this, Sejong praised them to this extent.
"Recently, the documents coming up from the Ministry of War are truly pleasant to look at and pleasant to read. The sentences are concise and clear so one can immediately grasp the core—other ministries should do the same."
"We will follow your command!"
Having threatened his subordinates for a while, Jo Mal-saeng shouted one last time.
"What are you doing! Bring the finished report immediately! If it's not on my desk within two days, I die, and you all die too! I absolutely won't die alone!"
"Yes, sir!"
* * *
The military officers and craftsmen who had written the report wore baffled expressions at the words to write the report again.
"You're saying to write the report again?"
The official nodded at the craftsmen's question, unable to hide their baffled expressions.
"That's right. If the previous report was about whether these Huihui people's ships can use cannons, this time you are to report on the structural pros and cons."
"Structural pros and cons?"
"Yes. You know those reports written about the Ming ships and Japanese ships a while ago? Make it the same way."
At the official's words, the head craftsman scratched his head and answered.
"I understand. Then by when should we finish writing it?"
"I need to receive it within two days."
"Understood."
"Then I'll be going. Don't forget—two days!"
"Yes, understood! Farewell safely!"
After seeing off the official walking away briskly, the head craftsman cursed as soon as the official disappeared.
"Damn it! If they had handled this together last time, we wouldn't have to work twice! These officials! They always complain that only they have it hard!"
After cursing about being made to do work that wouldn't have been necessary with just a little more attention, the head craftsman gathered his subordinate craftsmen.
"Gather! Gap-sik, prepare to take notes!"
* * *
While a storm was sweeping through the Ministry of War, Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation, was reporting to Sejong.
"...and so, the merchant named Mansur has selected the goods."
"Hmm..."
While receiving Kim Jeom's report, Sejong examined the list of goods Mansur had selected.
"As expected, porcelain and spices are popular."
Sejong smiled with pleasure at the large-scale purchase of porcelain—the most cutting-edge high value-added product of the 15th century—and spices—the traditional luxury goods.
While spices were one thing, porcelain was produced exclusively by the royal workshop. Therefore, most of the profit was contributing to enriching the national treasury.
At Sejong's words, Kim Jeom provided additional explanation.
"Making the shapes of porcelain diverse was the cause of increased sales. The Crown Prince's idea worked properly."
"Is that so?"
At Kim Jeom's words, Sejong nodded with a satisfied expression.
* * *
"Traditional porcelain is stale! Its competitiveness is weak! It will be short-lived like this!"
Seeing the familiar shapes of ceramics, Hyang immediately sketched modern designs and handed them to the porcelain craftsmen.
"The shapes are a bit unusual, Your Highness."
"I deliberately made them that way. Aren't the shapes of porcelain currently being made also produced in Ming?"
"But both Ming people and Japanese people are in a situation where they can't buy them even if they want to, aren't they?"
At the words of the Sagijang, the head of the royal kiln, Hyang nodded and answered.
"That's true. But while it might be difficult for Japanese people, Ming people will soon make something similar. So we need to stay one step ahead."
"I see."
With an expression that seemed half-understanding and half-not, the Sagijang nodded, and Hyang provided additional explanation.
"And, those Westerners far to the west also like porcelain. But their eating and drinking customs are different from ours, so wouldn't tailoring to them sell well?"
"Ah! I understand!"
The Sagijang nodded immediately at Hyang's words.
* * *
"Oh?"
Sejong's eyes, which had been examining the list with a satisfied expression, stopped at one item.
"They bought this many glass products? Didn't glass originally come from them?"
At Sejong's question, Kim Jeom answered immediately.
"The origin is correct, but our Joseon's products surpass theirs in beauty and utility."
"Is that so?"
"As expected, the Crown Prince..."
When Kim Jeom subtly mentioned Hyang, Sejong burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! The Crown Prince has truly done many things!"
The big hit of glass products was largely due to the craftsmen's efforts, but Hyang also contributed.
For craftsmen who had been making ceramics and earthenware, glass was 'a gift from heaven.' Unlike ceramics—where one had to overcome clay, shape it, dry it, apply glaze, and couldn't know the result until it came out of the kiln after a long time—with glass, one could know the result immediately once it cooled.
The convenience of being able to put it back in the kiln and melt it to make it again if it wasn't satisfactory greatly ignited the craftsmen's creative desire.
And Hyang quietly added fuel to the fire.
"Can you make this shape?"
"Is this shape possible too?"
"What if you mix colored glass into transparent glass?"
Each time Hyang spoke based on glass products commonly seen in the 21st century, the craftsmen's creative desire burned even more fiercely.
Thanks to Hyang's intervention, products made using molds to utilize glass's characteristics were naturally superior in design to European and Arab products of the same period.
"Because I have designs that have evolved over hundreds of years..."
Stimulated by Hyang, not only Pietro and Raphael but also Joseon's craftsmen vigorously blew their blow pipes.
* * *
Sejong, unable to hide his satisfaction at Hyang's achievements, suddenly remembered something and looked around.
"Come to think of it, I don't see the Crown Prince. What is he doing?"
'By this time, he would have come begging for budget...'
It was a daily routine for Sejong to say 'You brat, get out!' when he whined asking for budget, so he asked about Hyang's whereabouts with a somewhat empty expression.
At Sejong's question, the court attendant answered immediately.
"His Highness the Crown Prince is currently making tea with Qahwa."
"Qahwa... Ah! Black bean tea. Hmm..."
Sejong, who had paused briefly, soon stood up from his seat.
"I need to take a short rest."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Declaring a recess, Sejong left Gyeongjeon and headed to Donggungjeon.
* * *
"Hmm, hmm-hmm, hmm... Yes! The aroma is perfect!"
Having finished roasting the green coffee beans swept up from Mansur, Hyang made a pleased expression after smelling them.
Not liking the aroma of the already-roasted beans that Mansur and the Huihui people had for their own consumption, Hyang ended up roasting them himself.
"To think that the dabbling I did while getting cursed at would be this helpful."
When watching a drama set in a coffee shop that was popular in the 21st century, Hyang had become obsessed with coffee instead of the protagonists' romantic storylines.
Thanks to that, Hyang was knowledgeable enough about coffee to be told 'Don't open a blacksmith shop, open a coffee shop instead!'
Using a brazier and a pan (a frying pan from the Joseon era), Hyang finished roasting, ground the beans in a small mortar, and brewed coffee.
"Hmm~ This is the aroma. Since I thought of it, I should make specialized tools too."
Hyang, in a good mood at the thought of drinking coffee, was rubbing his hands together and was just about to pour into a cup when the eunuch outside announced Sejong's arrival.
"His Majesty the King arrives!"
"Oh no!"
Hurriedly straightening his attire, Hyang respectfully welcomed Sejong who was entering.
"I greet Father."
"Good. Is that the Qahwa?"
At Sejong's question, Hyang nodded immediately.
"It is."
"A tea that Westerners drink—give me a cup too."
"Yes."
At Sejong's words, Hyang poured the freshly brewed coffee into a coffee cup—a prototype of the teacup made for Europeans—and respectfully offered it to Sejong, along with the sugar bowl and the milk bowl brought from Neobeolseom that morning.
"First, please try it as is, and you can add the sugar and milk here according to your taste."
"Is that so?"
Taking a light sip, Sejong furrowed his brows.
"It's quite bitter, but the flavor is good. Then..."
After mixing in sugar and milk, Sejong tasted it and nodded.
"It's not bad."
Slowly emptying the cup, Sejong looked at Hyang.
"Indeed... I feel vitality returning quickly."
"It is a tea with excellent efficacy."
"The ministers will like it."
At Sejong's words, Hyang wore an embarrassed expression.
'They'll be lucky if they don't curse.'