Chapter 94: Eastern Route (2)
"Very well. How would you like to handle the payment for the glass artisans?"
The elders, having heard Hyang's question through Hassan's interpretation, answered Hassan, and Hassan immediately conveyed it to Hyang.
"He says he does not quite understand Your Highness's question."
"Just ask them whether they want to receive payment in gold, or in other goods."
After a moment,
"He expresses gratitude for your consideration. However, he asks if you would be generous enough to allow them to see the goods before making their choice."
"That would be good. We can verify the quality of the goods ourselves. Isn't that right, Minister Kim?"
At Hyang's question, Kim Jeom nodded.
"Indeed. Yes, certainly."
At Kim Jeom's very positive response, Hyang smiled slightly.
'He's starting to understand the joy of spending money... He's changed a lot.'
As Hyang said, the Chief Ministers and the ministers of the Six Ministries were gradually becoming addicted to 'the joy of spending money.'
The way the Chief Ministers and Six Ministry ministers spent money was not personal luxury, but strengthening national capacity.
Through the expansion of trade and the resulting increase in tax revenue and budget, Joseon's administrative power was strengthened, and the central government's control over the provinces was gradually increasing.
Not only that, but as seen in the recent Jurchen conquest, national defense was strengthened, border stability was assured, and with the power to pursue the long-term strategy of 'Eastward Advance,' the ministers were becoming increasingly addicted to 'making money and spending money.'
"Then, let us move to see the samples."
Hyang and the Minister of Taxation led the elders to a warehouse in one corner of the palace. As they walked toward the warehouse, Hyang conversed with the Minister of Taxation.
"For now, we've converted this warehouse, but if the glass artisans do their job properly, we'll need to build a exhibition hall in a better location, won't we?"
"Naturally. We're already looking for a suitable site."
It had been a while since Hyang and the Minister of Taxation had been so in sync.
The warehouse that Hyang and the Minister of Taxation led the elders to did not look like a typical warehouse. Unlike ordinary warehouses that blocked all four sides with thick walls and installed equally heavy-looking doors to faithfully protect valuables, the warehouse before them had large windowed doors installed, allowing bright light to pour inside.
"Let us enter."
Leading the elders into the warehouse, Hyang showed them the samples.
"These are papers."
"Oh~"
The elders' eyes lit up as they examined various paper samples.
During the Tang Empire period, Chinese papermaking technology had spread to the Islamic world through various routes—mainly war—and paper had become much more common.
However, even though it had become more common, the price was still considerable. In Europe, paper mills had even been established, but important documents were still written on parchment, and generally on papyrus. This trend continued until the time when Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo Galilei were active.
In that sense, the paper the elders were now looking at was of the highest quality, and naturally, the elders could not help but be interested.
This was why Hyang introduced the paper first. Joseon's paper was renowned as a luxury product even in China.
Furthermore, after abolishing the Paper Manufacturing Office and creating competition among private merchants, the quality and variety had increased rapidly, and it had established itself as one of the profitable products raking in money not only from Ming but also from trade with Japan.
"He says the quality is good, but the price is burdensome."
"There are cheap ones too."
At Hyang's answer, Hassan spoke up.
"Are you referring to yellow paper?"
At Hassan's question, Hyang nodded. Hassan immediately explained to the elders, and they showed interest.
"If we pay regular paper prices, we'll go bankrupt! We must find an alternative!"
Yellow paper was something Hyang had devised after much thought to solve the increased paper demand at the research institute and District 51.
Of course, traditional hanji could be washed and recycled, but the records at the research institute and District 51 had to be preserved even the failed ones, so the recycling rate was extremely low, which was becoming a burden on the finances.
Eventually, Hyang created a new 'hybrid.'
Instead of the traditionally used paper mulberry, ordinary mixed wood was used. The process of beating and boiling was changed to finely crushing the mixed wood with a water-powered grinder and then boiling it to make pulp. And the traditional process of making paper using human power was changed to use water power.
"For now it's water power, but once the steam engine is completed, we'll replace it immediately!"
"It can't compare to paper made by craftsmen, but it's sufficiently usable. Especially, the production cost is very pleasing."
When Jeong Cho, Jeong In-ji, Yi Cheon, and others calculated the quality and production unit cost and gave their approval, Hyang immediately took action.
He purchased land near District 51 and built a large-scale paper mill.
The characteristic of the yellow paper Hyang made was, as the name suggested, that it was yellow.
"Bleaching is possible, but what about environmental pollution? I don't know about that part either."
Even Gwangdeok didn't know everything, so Hyang completely removed the bleaching part. Thanks to this, yellow paper was created.
Once yellow paper was mass-produced, the research institute and District 51 were freed from paper problems. Also, upon receiving a report about yellow paper, Sejong immediately summoned his ministers.
"Would it not be good to replace the paper used for general administrative work, not important documents, with yellow paper?"
"A truly wise decision!"
As soon as Sejong's words fell, Minister of Taxation Kim Jeom exclaimed with delight.
Ultimately, with the enthusiastic support of the Ministry of Taxation, yellow paper came to be used at court, and later even in local administrative offices at the lowest level.
As time passed, yellow paper came to be called 'akji' (misfortune paper) among the common people.
Among the papers sent from government offices, good news—such as awarding prizes—came written on quality paper and attached to silk scrolls, but bad news—such as demands to pay taxes, appear for lawsuits, join the army, or report for corvée labor—came written on yellow paper.
After confirming the quality of yellow paper and even the price, the elders soon made their decision.
"The quality is good and the price is cheap, so it will definitely make money!"
"Even accounting for shipping costs to our homeland, it will be sufficiently profitable!"
Though they had made up their minds, the elders did not immediately decide.
"He asks if there are other products."
"Of course there are."
'If they didn't ask that, they wouldn't be merchants.'
At Hyang's gesture, a Ministry of Taxation official opened the lid of a box nearby.
"They call it bigyo (soap)."
What Hyang introduced was soap.
* * *
Soap was a byproduct obtained in the process of obtaining glycerin to make nitroglycerin. Looking at the first soap made, Hyang had to chuckle.
"If we look at it as a cliché, obtaining glycerin while making soap is the norm, but it's funny that I'm doing the exact opposite..."
The first soap made was blackish in color. When soap was first made, it was named 'seokgam' (stone lye) because it looked like a stone. But soon, since it was made using oil, and since using it removed skin boils, the name 'bigyo' was created by adding the character 'jo' (皂) from the honey locust tree thorns used to treat boils.
The bigyo born this way was presented to Sejong. At the time, Sejong was suffering from skin disease.
After bathing cleanly using soap, and wearing a dragon robe that had been washed with soap and dried thoroughly, Sejong's skin disease dramatically subsided.
"A truly excellent item! There are more than one or two people suffering from boils, so immediately mass-produce it!"
"I will obey your command!"
Hyang answered Sejong's order confidently because he had just become able to extract soybean oil.
However, when actually using soybean oil, a problem was discovered: the yield was low.
"Why?"
Searching for the reason and solution, Hyang discovered that used soybean oil had a high yield and slapped his forehead.
"So that's why they used waste cooking oil?"
Though he found a solution, it was an incomplete solution.
"Traditional cooking doesn't use much oil. I can't just keep making pan-fried dishes every day, and I can't just boil perfectly good oil for no reason..."
Searching for a solution, Hyang snapped his fingers upon seeing chicken porridge brought to the royal table.
"This is it!"
Hyang immediately selected a chef from the royal kitchen and created 'gyejak' (fried chicken).
'Chicken' was born.
"It is delicious."
Sejong, who tasted the gyejak Hyang made, liked it very much, and it soon became one of his favorite foods.
"Gyejak is quite greasy, so fry garlic along with it and serve it together."
"Understood."
It wasn't only Sejong who liked 'gyejak.' The soldiers and officers of the Military Training Bureau who were rotated to District 51 also liked 'gyejak.' When 'gyejak' was on the dinner menu of the communal cafeteria built in District 51, some people even skipped lunch entirely.
Due to this enormous popularity, the royal ranch on Neobeolseom raised chickens on a large scale.
It wasn't only Neobeolseom.
Hearing about 'gyejak' through word of mouth from soldiers, some merchants came to find Hyang and knocked on the gates of District 51.
"We wish to obtain the cooking method for gyejak and the oil."
At the merchants' words, Hyang immediately summoned the Minister of Taxation. The Minister of Taxation who sat down went straight to the main point.
"How much are you all thinking?"
In this way, the usage of soybean oil increased, and through the increased waste oil, mass production of bigyo proceeded.
* * *
After hearing how to use soap and actually using it, the elders nodded.
"He says it's well worth the price. But he wants to know why one has fragrance and the other doesn't."
"The fragrant one is for washing the face and bathing, and the one without fragrance is for laundry."
Hearing Hyang's answer, the elders nodded, when suddenly one elder urgently called out 'Goryeo!' and spoke.
After listening to the elder for a while, Hassan interpreted for Hyang.
"He asked if you can sell fragrances."
At Hassan's words, Hyang smiled.
"They know their trade well. Since the ancient Three Han period, fragrances have been famous..."
Fragrances and essential oils were among the precious luxury goods worldwide. The Korean Peninsula also used fragrances heavily since the ancient Gojoseon period.
As much as they used them, they had expertise in manufacturing, and during the Goryeo period, essential oils were one of the major trade items.
They brought raw fragrances from China, processed them, exported them, and made enormous profits. And those exported fragrances even flowed into the Islamic region.
* * *
Hyang pointed to the ceramic bottles and small boxes displayed on one side.
"The essential oils are in those bottles, and what's in the boxes is fragrant powder."
After hearing the explanation, the elders pulled the stoppers from the ceramic bottles to smell, or picked up a bit of fragrant powder to check the scent, and nodded.
"He says the quality is very good."
"Naturally. They're made by recognized craftsmen."
Listening to Hassan's interpretation, the elders nodded. The eyes of the elders, who were returning their ceramic bottles to their places, fixed on the ceramic bottles.
The elders, who had been staring blankly at the ceramic bottles, began talking with Hassan for a while.
After the conversation continued for a moment, Hassan interpreted for Hyang.
"He is asking if those ceramics can be purchased separately."
"We don't sell them separately, but..."
Hyang again gestured to the Ministry of Taxation official. At Hyang's gesture, the official moved to another location. There, wooden boxes that looked valuable at a glance were placed at an angle. The official carefully opened the lids of the boxes.
"Oh my!"
As the elders exclaimed upon seeing the contents of the boxes, Hyang spoke to Hassan.
"Ask them which they prefer between celadon and white porcelain."
At Hassan's interpretation, the elders answered in unison. Hassan smiled and conveyed the answer.
"He says all of them."
"Hahaha!"
At those words, Hyang laughed heartily.
* * *
In the end, the elders not only accepted payment for the glass artisans in goods rather than gold, but even emptied all the funds they had brought just in case to purchase goods.
What they focused on purchasing were facial soap, fragrances, and ceramics.
After confirming the volume, Minister of Taxation Kim Jeom spoke to Hassan.
"The requested volume will be delivered within three days."
"Yes."
At Hassan's interpretation, the elders conveyed their thanks. Hearing their words, Hyang spoke to Hassan.
"Also explain that this time we're letting them go out of gratitude, but from next time, customs duties will be applied. We need to tell them in advance so there won't be trouble later. And convey that without a trade license, they won't be able to purchase goods either."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Hassan immediately interpreted, and after a moment, a reply came.
"He asks what the tax rate is and how to obtain a trade license."
"Tell them we'll inform them when the goods are delivered."
After a moment, Hassan interpreted the elders' reply.
"He says he hopes for His Majesty the King's favorable consideration."
"Tell them I will speak well to His Majesty."
Three days later, the goods arrived at the Islamic community. While those who came with the elders checked the quantity and quality of the goods, Hassan took out a scroll from his bosom and presented it.
"He said he's giving this out of gratitude this time. He said when you come next time, you should purchase a license and pay taxes."
"The amount?"
"50 nyang of gold for one time, so 500 ducats in gold coins, and 2000 ducats for a two-year license. The tax rate is 10% on purchases, and 15% on sales."
At Hassan's answer, the elders put their heads together and exchanged opinions.
"Seems a bit expensive?"
"Considering the goods we're bringing back, it seems appropriate."
"It's not just appropriate! They're giving it to us very cheaply! Didn't he say without a license, you can't even buy goods? That means only our family can monopolize it!"
"That's true!"
The elders who reached a conclusion spoke to Hassan.
"Convey our thanks for the kindness of the King and Prince of Joseon. Tell them we will return as soon as possible."
"Understood."
As soon as Hassan finished speaking, the person in charge of inspection answered.
"No issues found!"
"Then return to the ship as quickly as possible!"
* * *
The ship carrying the elders returned at full speed. The sailors, promised rewards, did their utmost.
Due to supply issues, they had to stop at ports, but they loaded as many supplies as possible at each stop and minimized the number of ports they had to pass through.
When they met headwinds, they broke the usual custom of resting at nearby ports, and when encountering headwinds, they moved in zigzags and kept moving without rest.
Thanks to this, those who suffered were the pirates who had been lying in wait to rob them. By moving faster than expected, they escaped every pirate ambush.
Thanks to such efforts, they returned to their homeland and gained enormous profits from the goods brought from Joseon.
"After deducting the initial capital invested, 72,000 ducats! That means the profit alone is three times!"
"Prepare a ship to Joseon immediately!"
Thus was born the 'Great Eastern Route' that made not only the Islamic region but even Mediterranean merchants excited.