# Chapter 93: Eastern Route (1)
Having disembarked at Jemulpo, Side sent a pre-written memorial to Hanseong.
Upon reading the memorial, Sejong summoned the Crown Prince and the ministers.
"Please read the memorial."
After taking turns reading the memorial, Hyang and the ministers looked at Sejong.
"Crown Prince, explain once more the necessity of glass artisans."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Glass existed since the ancient Three Han period, but now no artisans remain. The reason for this is that we have porcelain.
This came to pass because glass was regarded only for producing vessels and ornaments.
However, considering the properties glass possesses, we must secure glass production technology.
First is the necessity in the industrial sector. Simply put, when manufacturing gunpowder or processing metals, various acids are used.
To store these acids, containers made of porcelain are used, which causes much inconvenience.
The greatest inconvenience is that the contents cannot be confirmed. To check the contents, one must eventually open the lid and look inside directly, but even a slight mistake can cause serious injury to the artisan.
However, if glass is used, the contents can be confirmed without opening the lid.
This applies not only to acids. In the case of food, one can check for spoilage without opening the lid."
"That would be useful."
Sejong, who enjoyed gastronomy, responded immediately. At Sejong's reaction, Hyang let out a small sigh.
'Father, when will you lose that weight... Even if you're a healthy pig... I should tell the Captain of the Royal Guard to increase the exercise...'
"Crown Prince?"
Lost in other thoughts at the sight of Sejong's still portly figure, Hyang started at the call and immediately spoke up.
"Yes? Yes! I am grateful. I was organizing my thoughts... To explain the second reason, it is the military aspect. Glass can be processed to create an instrument called a lens, which can be used to see distant places as if they were near. Additionally, by covering a lantern with a glass instrument, light can be sent far distances."
"Hmm... Not bad. Ministers, listen. The reason I had the Crown Prince explain the necessity of glass artisans again is because of how Side—Idu transcription of Said—the instructor obtained the glass artisans."
At Sejong's explanation, the ministers nodded, and Hyang smiled bitterly.
'Side was struck by the impulse-buying god...'
* * *
Having received Hyang's command to 'Find and bring glass artisans,' Hassan and Side made inquiries in the Islamic community within the Ming Dynasty, but could not find any glass artisans.
"Brother, let me go to my hometown."
"Your hometown... The distance is a problem, but can we even find glass artisans? Side, you heard too. That 'sheet glass' is something the Italians are making these days."
"But if we return empty-handed, we'll certainly miss the golden opportunity. We have to try."
At Side's words, Hassan nodded.
The situation had been gradually worsening as Goryeo changed to Joseon. They were in a situation where they had to liquidate everything and move to the Ming or return to their homeland, and even if they did return, the probability of success in establishing themselves and building wealth again was very low.
In such circumstances, the hand Hyang extended was literally a 'golden rope.'
In the end, Hassan had no choice but to agree with Side's decision.
"Go carefully. My brother."
And so Side boarded another merchant's ship returning to his homeland and headed there.
However, even after arriving in his homeland, Side could not easily obtain glass artisans.
Glass artisans existed, but they were either working in great merchants' factories or belonging to workshops of influential families.
"I must go to Alexandria."
Having made his decision, Side requested help from his family.
'A family member from Joseon requests help.'
Having heard the circumstances through Side's uncle, the elders of the Ottabi family exchanged opinions.
"He says he needs to find glass artisans?"
"That is what he says. And artisans who can make sheet glass at that."
"Sheet glass... wouldn't that be possible only by Italians, specifically the artisans of Murano Island in Venice?"
"I've heard that recently the Florentines are making it too."
"Such artisans would only be found in the slave markets of Alexandria."
"That is why he is requesting help."
"What kind of help does he want?"
"Transportation to and from Alexandria, financial support for purchasing slaves, and passage back to Joseon."
"Joseon?"
"It is the country that rose after overthrowing Goryeo."
"Hmm..."
Having heard the explanation, the elders debated back and forth. The atmosphere even became quite intense at times, but the elders were able to reach a conclusion.
"Let us support him!"
Behind the decision made by the family's foremost elder was the letter from Hyang that Side had brought.
-If you help in obtaining glass artisans, I will assist the Ottabi family's trade with Joseon. I guarantee this as the Crown Prince of Joseon.
"A prince in line for the throne of Joseon has given his guarantee, so it would be good to help, wouldn't it?"
"He is merely a prince."
"That is correct. Merely a prince. However, in Joseon, such a letter cannot be written without the King's permission."
Though objections continued until the end, when Side's uncle explained the value of the letter, the support was decided.
Thus, with the family's full support, Side headed to the slave market of Alexandria.
With the help of Heaven—though Side wrote in his memorial that it was the help of Allah—not long after Side arrived, Barbary pirates brought Italian sheet glass artisans to the slave market.
As they were precious glass artisans, and sheet glass artisans at that, a fierce competition ensued with not only Arab merchants but even Northern European merchants joining in, and Side was barely able to obtain the glass artisans.
However, the funds spent in the process of obtaining the glass artisans were a large sum even for the Ottabi family, so the main content of the memorial was that two elders of the Ottabi family accompanied Side to Joseon.
The reason Sejong summoned Hyang and the ministers was because of the amount the Ottabi family had spent in the process of obtaining these artisans.
"As written in the memorial, the amount spent by Instructor Side's family is 20,000 ducats in Western currency. Converted, that is 2000 nyang of gold (7kg). It is not a small amount. I wish to verify whether it is proper to obtain glass artisans for this large sum."
After pausing briefly, Sejong looked at Hyang.
"As Crown Prince, you would naturally say we should obtain them, but since it is not a small amount, I wish to hear the ministers' opinions."
"Hmm..."
At Sejong's words, the ministers fell into deep thought.
They knew well that Hyang did not spend money wastefully. Though there were things that made them wonder 'Why buy this?' from time to time, later they would turn out to be absolutely necessary items.
That was why the ministers could not easily say 'No!' Even Kim Jeom, the Minister of Taxation who was known to foam at the mouth if even 10 nyang of silver was exceeded, was pondering with a serious face.
While the ministers were contemplating, Hyang stepped forward.
"Your Majesty. I have something to say."
"Speak."
"If we consider only the artisans' purchase price, it is an enormous amount. However, considering the glass they make, it has value beyond that."
"Of course, that would be so. But isn't this because we cannot be certain of that?"
"Your Majesty. Earlier I said that glass can be used to create an instrument that makes distant places appear near."
"I did."
"Consider the military value. If we can identify Jurchens or Wokou from a greater distance, how much benefit could that bring us? Consider the benefit from being able to prepare one step faster than the enemy. We may not be able to recover that amount in just 1 or 2 years, but in 10 years at most, we can recover the entire invested amount."
At Hyang's words, Sejong's scale tipped. But he was still uneasy about making an immediate decision.
"Can you definitely make that?"
"I will personally oversee its creation!"
At Hyang's resolute answer, Sejong looked at the ministers.
At the silent question, the ministers opened their mouths one by one.
"It seems it would have value from the military aspect alone."
"I share the same opinion."
When the ministers agreed, Sejong made his decision.
"Then let us settle the payment for the glass artisans."
* * *
Meanwhile, the people of the Ottabi family who had unpacked at the Islamic community near Hanseong were similarly worried.
"Will Joseon properly pay the price?"
"They will."
Despite Side's answer, the elders of the Ottabi family were full of worry.
If they had come all the way to distant Joseon and the Joseon prince did not pay properly, the family would suffer great loss. The powerful figures they had experienced were those who would not pay small amounts because they were small, and would not properly pay large sums because they were large.
"If they were Italian glass artisans, we could have made a lot of money just by reselling them..."
Seeing the elders' worried expressions, Side and Hassan did their best to reassure them.
"Do not worry. The Joseon prince will definitely pay properly."
"I work close to the Joseon prince. Based on my experience so far, what you are worried about will absolutely not happen."
"Is that so?"
Despite Hassan and Side's words, the elders remained worried until the end.
"A Royal Command!"
"A Royal Command?"
At the shout coming from outside, Hassan and Side hurriedly rose and went out.
"Are you the brothers Hassan and Side?"
"That is correct."
"Receive the Royal Command!"
At the proclamation officer's shout, the brothers straightened their clothes, bowed toward the palace, and knelt.
"By Royal Command, you are to bring the family elders and glass artisans to Geunjeongjeon Hall by noon tomorrow."
"We humbly receive the command!"
Having bowed once more, the two brothers respectfully received the scroll.
When the proclamation officer left, the elders who had been watching from inside came out.
"What is that?"
"It is a written command containing the King's order, and an invitation."
"I see. Tomorrow everything will be decided."
"But does a command come down this quickly?"
One of the more experienced elders asked a question. The powerful figures he knew required waiting at least three days just to have an audience. But in Joseon, after Side's report was submitted, a Royal Command came down on the very day they arrived at the community outside Hanseong.
In response to the elder's question, Hassan answered with a slight smile.
"His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince who currently rule Joseon work quickly."
* * *
The next day at noon.
Hassan and Side headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace with the elders and glass artisans.
Seeing Hassan and Side dressed in official uniforms, the soldiers saluted properly and spoke.
"Who are the people behind you?"
"They are companions by Royal Command."
Hassan reached into his sleeve and pulled out the scroll with the Royal Command, handing it to the gate commander.
After verifying the contents of the scroll, the gate commander returned it and stepped aside.
"Pass!"
* * *
"His Majesty the King approaches!"
Having arrived at the front courtyard of Geunjeongjeong Hall, the Hassan brothers knelt before the Sangseon gagak and paid their respects.
The accompanying elders also knelt and paid their respects, following the Hassan brothers' example. The slaves did the same. At the very least, in this moment, they had the sense to know that a mistake could cost them their lives.
"You may rise."
"We are overwhelmed by your grace."
Rising at Sejong's words, the Hassan brothers respectfully bowed with hands clasped.
"Who are those who came with you?"
"They are the elders of our family."
"Is that so? Tell them I said they have worked hard coming here."
Having heard Hassan's translation, the elders answered by respectfully bowing at the waist.
"Are those behind them the glass artisans?"
"They are."
"Hmm..."
After briefly observing the glass artisans' appearance, Sejong spoke to Hassan.
"We will pay precisely the amount your family spent in obtaining them. And adding compensation for nearly 2 years of hardship, we will pay an additional 10 percent."
"We are overwhelmed by your grace!"
At Sejong's words, Hassan and Side bowed deeply in gratitude. The elders, having heard through Side, also paid their respects even more politely than before.
"From now on, discuss matters with the Crown Prince."
As Sejong rose from his chair, Hassan and Side bowed deeply once more.
When Sejong withdrew, Hyang stepped forward in earnest.
"First, let me speak with the glass artisans."
"Please do. I will translate."
"No need."
Stopping Hassan who stepped forward to translate, Hyang directly addressed the artisans.
"Exspectata ut Hao Coreanica regnum." (Welcome to the Kingdom of Joseon.)
When somewhat broken but familiar Latin came from an Eastern infidel, the glass artisans looked at Hyang with surprised eyes.
"Hic autem non est servus." (Here you are not slaves.)
Having spoken, Hyang commanded Hassan.
"Remove their restraints."
At Hyang's command, the elders ordered their attendants to remove the glass artisans' shackles and fetters.
The glass artisans, now free, sincerely bowed to Hyang in gratitude.
"Venite post verba autem ex illis." (We will speak later.)
"Ita!" (Yes!)
When the artisans immediately answered, Hyang signaled to the soldiers.
"Take them to Sector 51."
"Yes!"
The soldiers took the glass artisans and departed.
Watching all of this, the elders could not collect themselves.
When Hyang first spoke in Latin, one of the elders had quietly asked Hassan.
"Did you teach him Latin?"
"He already knew."
'What kind of person is this Joseon Crown Prince?'
They had heard from the Hassan and Side brothers that he was 'an incredible talent,' but seeing him in person, it was even harder to believe.
Meanwhile, having sent the artisans away, Hyang looked at the elders and opened his mouth.
"Then, let us now discuss the payment method."