Black Corporation: Joseon

At Giovanni’s question, Angelo fell silent in contemplation. After reviewing rumors he’d heard and things he’d witnessed firsthand, he soon reached a conclusion and answered.

“From what I’ve seen, Joseon has neither the intention nor the capability.”

“Neither intention nor capability?”

“To expand westward, they would need to deal with Ming – or Cathay as we call it – a nation several times larger than Joseon, which is impossible. Therefore, Joseon only considers trade with Europe, not expansion. And from what I know, Joseon has recently acquired new unexplored territory in the northeast, which they’re already struggling to develop.”

Mentioning the region beyond the Tumen River, Angelo explained why Joseon lacked both intention and capability.

“Is that so… Then perhaps Cathay?”

As Giovanni muttered to himself after hearing Angelo’s answer, Angelo posed a question of his own.

“Why ask such an unexpected question suddenly?”

Angelo let out a small sigh before answering.

“Hah… It’s embarrassing to say, but prophecies are currently circulating in the Vatican and various European countries.”

“Prophecies? In the Vatican? What a disgraceful thing! How can believers engage in such behavior!”

When Angelo burst out in anger, Giovanni responded with an uncomfortable expression.

“It’s a prophecy you know as well.”

“One I know?”

“You know that ancient prophecy? ‘A small spark rising from the East shall set the entire West ablaze.'”

“Wasn’t that about the Mongols?”

At Angelo’s incredulous response, Giovanni sighed again.

“Hah… Many once thought so. But lately, this prophecy is circulating again. Of course, there’s much debate about where this ‘East’ refers to. Some say the Mamluks, others the Ottomans, but recently Joseon is mentioned most frequently.”

At Giovanni’s words, Angelo burst out in crude Korean he’d learned during his stay.

“These bleeping bastards have nothing better to do after eating their expensive meals!”

“Hm? What does that mean?”

When Giovanni asked about the sudden Korean outburst, Angelo irritably made the sign of the cross and replied.

“Never mind! It’s nothing pleasant!”

“I see…”

“What I said isn’t important – isn’t it shameful for a man of God to act as a spy!”

At Angelo’s rebuke, Giovanni responded with a desperate expression.

“How could I abandon my duties as a believer? But the current situation in the Vatican and Europe…”

“What situation! The Vatican is thousands of leagues away from here! The land route is blocked by Muslims, and the sea route requires circumnavigating the African continent! And what about Joseon? A spark? What nonsense are they spouting in the Vatican!”

At Angelo’s criticism, Giovanni heaved a long sigh.

“Hah… Logically, you’re right. If we think logically, that is. But this country called Joseon itself defies logic.”

“This country called Joseon defies logic?”

To Angelo’s still anger-filled question, Giovanni promptly replied.

“Isn’t it so? To both the Vatican and various European countries, this nation called Joseon is truly an unknown entity. We’ve sent people to investigate everywhere possible, from the Eastern Roman Empire to Arab merchants. Through this, we learned that before Joseon, there was a country called Goryeo. But from that Goryeo, only incense and pottery mainly came out. Yet, mere decades after the country changed, all sorts of unprecedented wondrous items are emerging – how can we consider this a normal country?”

“Hmph!”

Angelo snorted at Giovanni’s explanation.

“Do you know what I’ve deeply realized while observing the Joseon people since coming here? That we Europeans have been lazy. These Joseon people are desperately working to uncover buried knowledge from the past, examining it thoroughly, checking for errors, and using this understanding of right and wrong to seek more accurate truths. And it’s not just the scholars. Craftsmen and merchants also give their all to create superior technology and better products. During my time living in Joseon, I’ve never seen all the lights in this city of Hanseong go dark. What do you think that means? And you say what? Not logical? The common sense of Vatican and European nobles isn’t common sense – it’s ignorance!”

“Not common sense but ignorance…”

Angelo continued to fume while Giovanni pondered his words.

Years later, when Joseon people heard Angelo’s words about the lights, they would all mutter in tired voices:

“Those were the lights of overtime work…”

***

After venting his frustration and cooling down somewhat, Angelo asked Giovanni in a calmer voice.

“European powers and the Vatican only show interest in foreign lands when there’s conflict. What’s the issue this time?”

At Angelo’s question, Giovanni let out a small sigh.

“Hah… Joseon is the issue.”

“Why Joseon specifically?”

“The goods that Joseon sells to both Islam and Europe are the problem. Everyone’s gone mad trying to monopolize them. It’s not uncommon now for small merchants who were worried about their future to suddenly grow into major traders.”

“I bet they started saying things about selling souls to the devil and whatnot.”

Giovanni silently nodded at Angelo’s words.

“It started spreading bit by bit. But since the profits from Joseon goods are enormous, competition for trading rights and routes is fierce. Add to that the internal church turmoil over the questions posed by this country’s prince, and His Holiness the Pope finds it difficult to mediate. That’s why His Holiness sent me – to contact you and assess whether Joseon could become a threatening presence.”

“Hah…”

Angelo heaved a long sigh at Giovanni’s explanation.

“I’ll say it again – Joseon has no intention of targeting Europe like the Mongols or Islam did. To the current monarch and the prince who will succeed him, Europe has only one value: ‘grateful customers who buy their goods well.’ Unless Europe makes the first unwise move, there won’t be any conflict with Joseon.”

“Are you certain?”

“I can swear it in God’s name.”

“I understand.”

Giovanni’s expression brightened as he nodded at Angelo’s words.

“Then I can send such a reply to the Vatican!”

“Reply? Will you stay here too?”

At Angelo’s question, Giovanni nodded.

“Of course! Why else would I volunteer for this intelligence role! I too want to conduct research with peace of mind. Speaking of which…”

Giovanni looked at Angelo with an expectant face.

“Brother, are you perhaps close with that prince?”

“Hm?”

After hearing about what had transpired between Giovanni and Hyang, Angelo patted Giovanni’s shoulder with a face full of pity.

“Oh, brother…”

“Isn’t there any way?”

Angelo’s face became full of awkwardness at Giovanni’s question.

“While I have some connection with him, I wouldn’t say we’re close. And considering Joseon’s current academic level, the prince’s words are absolutely correct. Rather than being able to teach, we’re at a level where we need to learn.”

“Is it that advanced?”

“How else could things like the iron horse come to be? Do you think such items can be created solely with craftsmen’s skills?”

Seeing Giovanni’s face unable to hide his surprise, Angelo continued.

“When I first came to Joseon, I was in a teaching position for a while, but that didn’t last even half a year. There are monsters living in Joseon’s research institute.”

“Monsters?”

“There’s Lee Soonji, for instance, and Kim Dam and Princess Jeongui. Especially Lee Soonji – his tongue is as deadly as his mind.”

“Is that so?”

As Giovanni nodded at Angelo’s explanation, his eyes suddenly widened in surprise.

“A princess? A princess studying academics? Is that possible?”

“It’s possible in this country. Not just princesses – there are quite a few female officials too.”

“Is that possible? No, can women properly handle official duties?”

“They handle them well. They’re not just appointed – they’re talented individuals who passed the same tests as men.”

“Well… Your letter didn’t mention any of this, did it?”

“There was no need to write about that, was there? If we’re not careful…”

As Angelo trailed off, Giovanni muttered with a gloomy expression.

“She would become another ‘Puella Aurelianensium.'”

Both men recalled Joan of Arc, who was revered as a saint before being condemned as a witch and meeting a tragic end.

“So, if you truly want to stay in Joseon, it would be best to express your desire to learn and research rather than teach knowledge.”

“To learn and research…”

“The basic virtue required of this country’s nobles and intellectuals is ‘continuous learning and contemplation.’ The current monarch would likely permit that.”

Following Angelo’s advice, Giovanni immediately firmed his resolve.

“I understand! That’s what I’ll do! Brother, thank you so much!”

***

The next day, Giovanni visited the research institute to seek out Hyang.

“So, have you made your decision?”

“Yes. Until official documents arrive from the Vatican, I will not engage in evangelization. Also, as Your Highness said, my abilities may be lacking. However, I too am someone who loves to learn and train in academics. If given the opportunity, I will do my utmost to learn and improve.”

“Hmm…”

Stroking his chin thoughtfully at Giovanni’s words, Hyang reached a decision.

“I will submit this to His Majesty. When his decision comes down, I’ll give you an answer immediately.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“You may go now.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After sending Giovanni out, Hyang stroked his chin again and muttered.

“‘Will learn and practice,’ he says… He’s coming in quite humbly? Well, the more people the better, but…”

We still have an overflow of projects to push through and grind down.

“Your Highness, Prince Jinpyeong has arrived.”

At the eunuch’s announcement, Hyang composed his expression and responded.

“Let him in.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“What does this fellow want now…”

Hyang tensed slightly.

After the steam engine accident, Jinpyeong had become a late-stage iron enthusiast, and from there evolved into a steam engine fanatic. But Hyang couldn’t let his guard down.

Because of this, when Sejong wanted to change Prince Jinpyeong’s title from Jinpyeong to Suyang, Hyang had opposed it with all his might.

“They say a person’s fate follows their name. We can’t take any chances!”

Shortly after, Jinpyeong entered the office and bowed deeply to Hyang.

“Your Highness, have you been well?”

“Yes. What brings you here today?”

At Hyang’s question, Jinpyeong pulled out a paper from his sleeve.

“Yes, I came with my design for a pencil sharpener.”

“A pencil sharpener?”

“Yes.”

Jinpyeong promptly answered and spread the paper on the desk.

“This is?”

Hyang’s eyes lit up as he saw the drawing on the paper.

On the paper was something similar to the pencil sharpener Hyang had often used as an elementary school student in the 21st century.

Seeing Hyang’s positive reaction, Jinpyeong excitedly began explaining.

“With current pencil sharpeners, don’t we hold the frame and turn the pencil to sharpen it? Couldn’t we do the opposite – hold the pencil and turn the blade frame? So if we attach a handle to the frame with fixed blades and turn it…”

“It’s a good idea, but why is the casing shaped like an iron horse?”

“Well, the railroad office and Research Area 51 are among the biggest users of pencils, and…”

“More like you just love iron horses, right?”

At Hyang’s question, Jinpyeong nodded with an embarrassed smile.

“That’s correct.”

“Hmm… Let me see…”

Trailing off, Hyang began scrutinizing the paper intently, while Jinpyeong watched his mouth tensely.

I was thinking of gradually releasing this later, but this guy came up with it?

Hyang’s thoughts raced at this completely unexpected development.

But before long, Hyang broke into a smirk.

“Heh! I guess people’s thoughts really do run along similar lines?”

“Your Highness?”

“Jinpyeong!”

At Hyang’s call, Jinpyeong responded with a tense face.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“Let’s write up a contract!”

“Pardon?”