Black Corporation: Joseon

On the ship returning to Lisbon, Henry stared at the water’s surface with a grave expression.

“Your Grace, you look troubled.”

At the captain’s words, Henry quickly composed his expression.

“It’s nothing. We’ll reach Ceuta soon?”

“Yes. We should arrive in Ceuta within two days.”

“Very well. I’ll retire to my quarters for some rest.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

***

After passing through Ceuta and arriving in Lisbon, Henry went straight to the palace for an audience with Afonso V.

As Henry knelt respectfully and announced his return according to protocol, Afonso V, who sat almost buried in his throne, responded with a smile.

“Well done, Duke. How fares His Holiness the Pope?”

“He appeared to be in good health.”

At Henry’s response, Afonso V let out a relieved sigh.

“Phew… That’s good to hear. Attendant, bring a chair for the Duke.”

Shortly after, seated comfortably, the conversation between Henry and the king resumed.

“So, how was Florence? Was it as magnificent as they say?”

“Yes…”

Henry began telling the young king various stories about Florence. The young monarch, who had never stepped outside the palace, took on a dreamy expression as he listened.

“What a wonderful place. I’d love to visit someday. Joseon as well.”

“You’ll be able to visit when you come of age.”

At Henry’s response, Afonso V asked with shining eyes.

“Do you think so?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Feeling tired from the lengthy conversation, Afonso V descended from his throne with a small yawn.

“Then let us meet again at the banquet later.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After concluding the audience, Henry moved directly to Regent Pedro’s office.

“Well done.”

“Thank you.”

After this brief exchange of commendation and gratitude, Pedro went straight to the point.

“How was your meeting with Cosimo de’ Medici? Did you secure his promise of continued investment?”

“Yes. And I received an interesting proposal.”

“An interesting proposal?”

Henry told Pedro about the railway connecting Suez to the Mediterranean and the alliance with the Ottoman Empire this would require.

“The Ottoman?”

After hearing the full story, Pedro’s initial reaction was not much different from Henry’s.

“Does this Cosimo de’ Medici not know about the relationship between Portugal and Islam?”

“No, he understands it well.”

“Yet he makes such a proposal? Is he in his right mind?”

“He’s perfectly sane.”

“And still he made such a proposal, and you brought it back?”

Despite Pedro’s angry rebuke, Henry responded calmly.

“I thought it was quite a reasonable proposal.”

“Hey!”

“Cosimo mentioned Jerusalem.”

Pedro, who was about to shout in excitement, froze at the word ‘Jerusalem’.

“Jerusalem?”

“Yes.”

“Explain in more detail.”

The ‘carrot’ Cosimo offered seemed quite appetizing, as Pedro calmed his excitement and reviewed the proposal with a serious expression.

“Hmm… not bad.”

“Indeed.”

“Of course, you’re well aware there are many issues to resolve?”

“Yes, I am.”

There were still many problems to solve, such as how to share the railway maintenance costs and how to distribute the profits.

After quietly contemplating Cosimo’s proposal, Pedro looked at Henry.

“Are you certain trade with Joseon will continue to bring profits?”

Many of the goods brought from Joseon were long-lasting items. Therefore, demand might decrease over time, and Pedro was pointing this out.

To Pedro’s observation, Henry responded firmly with absolute conviction.

“I am certain. And in the East, there isn’t just Joseon – there’s India, Kitai, and Zipangu. If we secure that railway, we won’t need to circumnavigate Africa.”

“That’s true…”

As Pedro nodded, Henry pointed out the most important issue.

“This would reduce our dependence on the nobles.”

When Henry mentioned ‘nobles’, Pedro’s expression turned fierce again.

***

Regent Pedro’s long-cherished wish was to reduce the nobles’ authority and strengthen royal power.

The previous king, João I, had been able to ascend to the throne only with the support of the bourgeoisie.

Therefore, Pedro had no choice but to focus on maintaining bourgeois support and strengthening royal authority.

As a result, since becoming regent, Pedro had continuously created laws restricting or limiting noble privileges.

Consequently, relations between Pedro and the nobles were not good.

Henry was in a similar situation.

To continue African exploration, which required substantial funds, Henry had to incur debts disguised as investments. Most of these investors were nobles.

As a result, he had to hand over the acquired territories to the nobles.

The territories given to the nobles were like gold mines. The most representative region was the Madeira archipelago, including Porto Santo Island.

The nobles who owned these islands earned enormous wealth as the islands began producing dye-extraction timber, wheat, and recently sugar cane.

However, Henry was left with little. At best, he merely broke even by supplying slaves to work on the islands’ plantations.

Thus, animosity toward the nobles was a common denominator between the two men.

“The nobles…”

As Pedro mulled over the word, he looked at Henry.

“Did you know? The Count of Barcelos is gathering nobles.”

At Pedro’s words, Henry’s expression turned fierce.

“That lowborn bastard!”

***

Count Afonso of Barcelos was the illegitimate son of João I, Henry’s father. Favored by João I, he had been able to marry the only daughter of Nuno Álvares Pereira, a founding contributor to the kingdom, and acquire the Pereira family’s vast fortune.

However, he remained deeply dissatisfied.

“Among father’s children, I was his favorite! Why am I only a count!”

Dissatisfied with his title, Afonso began gathering nobles who resented Regent Pedro’s noble-suppression policies. Simultaneously, he was devoting all his efforts to winning young Afonso V’s favor.

***

“…This is the situation. So you must capture the king’s attention. Can you do it?”

At Pedro’s question, Henry nodded.

“It might have been difficult before, but with Joseon as our trump card, it’s possible.”

“I’m counting on you.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Henry immediately bowed his head in response to Pedro’s request.

After concluding their agreement regarding Count Afonso of Barcelos, Pedro returned to the main topic.

“And send a polite request to Cosimo de’ Medici to come to Lisbon. There are things I want to ask him directly.”

“Do you think he has other motives?”

“Yes. There are rumors among the bourgeoisie about a ‘western route.'”

“Western route?”

“You know about the spherical Earth theory?”

At Pedro’s question, Henry nodded, then grasped his meaning and asked.

“You mean the idea that since the Earth is round, we could reach Joseon by going west?”

“Yes. If that idea is proven true, Florence, Venice, and Genoa would be finished. I suspect he might be scheming to prevent this.”

At Pedro’s words, Henry wanted to deny it as a joke, but couldn’t.

The man before him was recognized as the most learned prince not just in Portugal, but in all of Europe.

He was not one to speak idly.

Therefore, after deep contemplation, Henry shook his head and answered.

“To be honest, while a ‘western route’ might exist, it cannot be verified at present.”

“Cannot be verified at present? Why?”

“We have no information about the sea west of Lisbon. The eastern route has Africa for supplies, rest, and shelter, but that sea has nothing. To explore such waters, we need ships larger and sturdier than what we currently use. We’d need ships at least as capable as those used by Joseon for exploration to be possible. Additionally, we need more precise surveying instruments for navigation.”

“That means…”

“Even if Cosimo de’ Medici has other motives, working with him will be beneficial for the time being, at least for twenty to thirty years.”

“Is that so? Still, I must see him.”

“Understood. I’ll send a messenger.”

***

Upon receiving Pedro’s request, Cosimo immediately accepted.

Leaving Florence, Cosimo met Pedro in secret. In their meeting, Cosimo maintained strict etiquette. Though he held the same ducal rank as Henry, Pedro was the kingdom’s regent.

After brief pleasantries, Pedro began the conversation by mentioning the absent Henry.

“It would have been nice if the Duke of Viseu could join us, but he departed for Joseon again recently.”

“Is that so? How unfortunate.”

Observing Cosimo’s face as he expressed his regret, Pedro went straight to the point.

“I heard from the Duke of Viseu. You want to lay rails from Suez to the Mediterranean?”

“Yes. I’m confident this will bring sufficient profit to Portugal as well.”

“Perhaps so. Since we wouldn’t need to circumnavigate Africa. However…”

Pedro moistened his lips with the Joseon-made teacup on the table and continued.

“Will Joseon’s products remain popular in the future? They’re good but expensive, and they last long. Doesn’t that mean the market is likely to shrink gradually?”

Cosimo nodded at Pedro’s observation.

“Of course, that’s possible. However, Joseon’s products aren’t just for nobles. Even commoners want to acquire them if they have money, so there’s sufficient market potential.”

“Aren’t there many imitations circulating?”

“Those imitations make people want the genuine articles even more.”

“So ultimately, there’s sufficient market potential?”

Cosimo nodded at Pedro’s question.

Seeing this, Pedro pointed out another issue.

“You suggested joining hands with the Ottoman, but don’t you know Portugal’s position?”

“There’s a saying in the East: ‘The enemy of my enemy is a friend.’ Who is Portugal’s greatest obstacle in trade with Joseon?”

“Alexandria. The Mamluks…”

As Pedro mentioned those who were currently taking the most profit from trade with Joseon, his eyes began to shine.

“You mean to use the Ottoman to check the Mamluks?”

“Exactly.”

“But the Ottoman are also Islamic.”

“Yet when considering national interests, they’re good partners. As Christ said: ‘Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.'^[1] You heard from the Duke of Viseu? Jerusalem for God, and the railway for His Majesty the King.”

“And for you?”

“I’ll keep a small commission.”

Analyzing the situation while listening to Cosimo, Pedro soon held up two fingers.

“Including this one, two voyages – if I’m convinced we can obtain sufficient profit through two more voyages and the Jerusalem issue is resolved, I’ll cooperate fully.”

“Thank you.”

“But! Don’t forget the Jerusalem issue must absolutely succeed.”

At Pedro’s words, Cosimo responded with a slight smile.

“It’s entirely possible. After all, there’s no shortage of kings who need their own strong force.”

Thus began the framework for oil and water to mix.