Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 121

As Mansur had anticipated, the bargaining was not easy.

“Let’s start with pepper, which is familiar to us in Joseon,” he suggested.

“Yes, Your Highness,” came the response.

With the first item for negotiation decided, the serious bargaining began.

“So, how much do you want to charge? Tell me in the currency unit of Ming, not your traditional unit,” Hyang ordered.

Mansur did some quick calculations and relayed an approximate price to Hyang.

“Is that cheap?” Hyang inquired.

Kim Jeom immediately replied, “It’s about half the price of what it goes for in Ming.”

“Half, you say… Chief Mansur. How much do you sell to the merchants of Ming?”

“As far as I know, Ming obtains it directly from India.”

“Hmm……”

Listening to Kim Jeom’s reply, Hyang began to click away on his abacus with fervor.

‘I remember hearing that pepper was once more expensive than gold of the same weight. Though the teacher at Samcheonpo expressed his doubts, saying, “Was it really so?” In Joseon, where they could still obtain pepper through smuggling, it was certainly possible. Despite opening a trade office in Shandong, pepper remains a luxury item, doesn’t it?’

Before the trade office was established in Shandong, the price of what the Joseon people called pepper was exorbitant.

How expensive it was could be understood by the fact that not only the wealthy noble families but also the royal family had to be determined to obtain pepper.

Even after the establishment of a trade office in Shandong, the price of pepper did not fall significantly. This was due to the profiteering by both Ming and Joseon merchants.

‘As the economy grows and people’s pockets become fuller, they immediately try to change their food, clothing, and shelter.’

Hyang was confident that the Joseon people would increasingly seek out pepper.

‘Even now, thanks to the flood control projects, droughts and floods have decreased, and crop yields have improved. And with the newfound surplus, rice is selling like hotcakes.’

Thinking of the economic situation of the Joseon people through the information coming from the grain monopoly offices spread throughout the country, Hyang made a strong resolution.

‘I might not know about other spices, but pepper must be included as a monopoly item. If not, speculation will ensue, and prices will become chaotic. Then… go for it!’

Hyang initiated the negotiation with a firm proposition.

“Thirty percent of the original price.”

“Thirty percent? That’s ridiculous! Are you suggesting we shouldn’t make a deal?”

Mansur appeared ready to storm out of his seat with indignation, questioning Hyang’s stance. But Hyang did not back down.

Indeed, it wasn’t just a lack of retreat; he pressed the issue further.

“How much profit did you make with the goods you took from our Joseon last time?”

“…Twice the profit.”

“Heo…”

With an expression of disbelief, Hyang looked over at Hassan.

“Didn’t you say your family is a deeply rooted merchant lineage?”

“That’s correct.”

“And you’re telling me you only made twice the profit? Indeed, should I continue trading with your family?”

Challenged by Hyang’s words, Hassan immediately fell to his knees and exclaimed.

“I am deeply humbled! Please, do not cast aside my family’s trading house! I beg for your reconsideration!”

“Hassan, what in the world is going on?”

Startled by Hassan’s sudden plea, Mansur inquired urgently.

To Mansur’s question, Hassan answered hastily.

“His Highness is considering severing trade with our family! He’s upset that we only made twice the profit from the last goods we took from Joseon!”

“Why would that be!”

“If it were the new merchants from Joseon, even they would make more than double the profit with such goods! Even the newcomers!”

“Ah!”

Mansur sighed upon hearing Hassan’s words. The deal they had settled for under the pressure of the Sindwa family had now become a shackle.

“Hassan, take your seat.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After seating Hassan back down, Hyang pressed Mansur further.

Pulling out a golden brush from his sleeve, he pointed at the pear blossom pattern and continued.

“You might not have been told by Hassan, but our Joseon goods, especially items with this pear blossom pattern, are quality assured by the state.”

Mansur was pressed by Hyang who explained the value of the gold-finished pear blossom pattern.

“Even the newest merchants make at least four times the profit in Ming and Japan with such products. But you only made twice the profit? How should I consider this?”

Hassan relayed Hyang’s words exactly to Mansur.

“Really, they make that much profit?”

Mansur asked Hassan with an incredulous look. To Mansur’s question, Hassan immediately replied.

“It’s true. Especially, the products from the royal workshop are extremely valuable. There are rumors that in Japan, people are willing to engage in sword fights just to have a chance to buy items from the royal workshop.”

“Ah…”

Mansur sighed deeply and knelt before Hyang, rising from his chair.

“I beg for your forgiveness, Prince. Please forgive my incompetence.”

After hearing Mansur’s words through Hassan, Hyang spoke.

“Mansur of the Otaibi family, rise and take your seat.”

“Yes.”

‘I’ve taken the initiative! I’ve crossed the 8th part of the ridge!’

Hyang, having seized the initiative from Mansur, began to solidify his position.

“Although it’s only 30%, it will still be much more than the cost. If you take this from our Joseon and sell it properly, you can reap several times the profit. What do you think?”

“But, 30% is too little!”

“Do you really think so? What do you think will happen if the price is that low?”

At Hyang’s question, Mansur began to sweat. The idea he had praised himself for being ingenious was already beneath the young prince in this conversation.

‘How frightening! Was this what they meant by not to underestimate youth?’

However, Mansur could not readily accept the proposal.

Just like in the incident with the Sindwa family, if he started to be led around, it would inevitably end in loss. 𝔣𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖜𝔢𝔟𝔫𝔬𝖛𝖊𝔩.𝖈𝖔𝔪

Trade was ultimately a fight for control.

“Please consider 50%. Given the risk involved, it needs to be at least 50%.”

“Risk? Experienced merchants like you should be able to anticipate natural disasters to some extent, shouldn’t you?”

“Natural disasters can be anticipated unless it’s in the middle of the vast ocean. However, the problem is pirates.”

“Pirates…”

Hyang trailed off as Mansur mentioned pirates.

‘Were these the pirates of the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, older even than the pirates of the Caribbean?’

“Let’s consider up to 40%.”

“Kuk!”

Mansur gritted his teeth at the proposal.

“40 percent is fine, but the problem is pirates! It’s unlikely that our luck will always be this good! What to do… Ah!”

Suddenly, an idea struck Mansur’s mind like lightning.

Mansur hurriedly made a new proposal to Hyang.

“Please provide me with the cannons used by the Joseon navy! Then I will agree to the 40 percent.”

“Leader!”

At Mansur’s words, Hassan exclaimed in shock, calling out to Mansur.

“Official Hassan, what did he say to make you so surprised?”

“Oh, it’s that…”

As Hassan trailed off, Kim Jeom pressed him for an answer.

“Do not hide it, speak plainly!”

Cornered by Hyang’s questioning and pushed by Kim Jeom, Hassan closed his eyes tightly and replied.

“He said if you provide the cannons used by the naval forces, he would agree to the 40 percent!”

“Cannons?”

“Cannons! Such audacity!”

The word ‘cannons’ immediately made Kim Jeom yell out loud. However, Hyang was tapping an abacus with a thoughtful expression.

‘Cannons… After all, newer models with better performance have been created. The problem is the butterfly effect… The history is already in chaos, should I even worry about this? Or is that too irresponsible?’

Amidst various thoughts, Hyang asked Mansur.

“Why do you need cannons?”

“The sea route between Joseon and Aden is infested with pirates. On our way here, I noticed that the pirates were avoiding the Joseon navy. I believe that it is because of Joseon navy’s cannons. Hence, if you give us cannons, I will accept the 40 percent.”

“Hmm…”

Hyang pondered while drumming his fingers on the desk upon hearing Mansur’s response.

‘After all, it’s not like they don’t know about cannons on the other side. Those who can use them are already doing so…’

However, Kim Jeom was increasingly becoming uneasy.

“Your… Your Highness.”

“Wait a moment.”

Hyang, holding Kim Jeom back, continued to think.

‘It’s too dangerous to give away the general cannons, especially since the new model cannons are scheduled to replace them soon.’

As Hyang’s memory wandered, he thought of an appropriate type of cannon.

‘Hmm… Perhaps a Matchlock Cannon would be suitable?’

The Matchlock Cannon, measuring about 2 cheok 4 chon (approximately 74.2cm) in length and 2 chon 1 bun 5 ri (approximately 6.7cm) in caliber, was two-thirds the size of the general cannons mounted on Panokseon warships. Yet, the Matchlock Cannon had a firing range several times greater than arrows and could certainly make a definitive hole in any ordinary ship if aimed correctly.

At that moment, as Hyang’s deliberation prolonged, Kim Jeom, with a pale face, tried to persuade him.

“Crown Prince! We cannot give away cannons! Cannons are…”

“Minister, cannons are not unique to our Joseon. The Ming Dynasty has them too. Perhaps even the pirates might have them.”

“That may be so, however…”

Upon Hyang’s pointed observation, Kim Jeom’s words faltered. As Hyang had said, cannonry was not unique to Joseon. Ming China had them, and even the Northern Yuan possessed a few.

Among the neighboring countries of Joseon, it was only Waeguk, Japan, that lacked cannons.

No, recalling the behavior of the Japanese pirates that had troubled Ming China, perhaps even Waeguk might have them.

Hyang continued to organize his thoughts.

‘For our Joseon’s future foreign activities to proceed smoothly, more nations must become familiar with our country. For that to happen, from now on, our Joseon’s goods must spread far and wide. Ming and Japan alone are insufficient. We must reach at least as far as the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean region.’

“Hmm…”

Lost in thought, Hyang looked at Mansur and began to speak.

“There’s something we must verify first. Did you say the Otaibi family resides in Aden?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Would the ruler governing the Aden region not be angered if the Otaibi family freely possessed cannons?”

Mansur responded promptly to Hyang’s query.

“There is currently no ruling monarch in Aden. It was once governed by the Abbasid Caliphate, but that was over 200 years ago; now, it is a free city of merchants.”

“Ah…”

Enlightened by Mansur’s answer, Hyang’s eyes sparkled.

Since the Abbasid Caliphate’s fall at the hands of the Mongols in 1258, the region of Aden had become a free city, ownerless territory.

Of course, there was the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt, but their power did not extend to where Aden was located. And the famous Ottoman Turks were yet to expand beyond the Anatolian Peninsula.

With Mansur’s response prompting further thought, Hyang made another proposal.

“30 percent. I’ll also guarantee exclusive trade rights for five years. Then I’ll speak well of you to my father regarding the cannons.”

“Grant us exclusive trade rights for ten years,” Mansur countered.

Hyang flatly refused.

“Ten years won’t do. Five years is the basic guarantee, and thereafter we’ll negotiate annually. This is my final offer. Will you accept, or reject?”

Upon hearing Hyang’s words, Mansur did some mental calculations of profits and losses. After much deliberation, Mansur reached a conclusion.

“I will accept the prince’s proposal.”

As Mansur accepted the proposal, Hyang rose from his seat.

“Then, I shall speak to my father. Let’s pray that it goes well. If Father does not accept it, we will have to endure another tedious quarrel.”

“Yes.”

“Well then.”

Hyang left the room with Hassan and Kim Jeom. Mansur, the elder, and Rajab, who remained in the room, discussed the results of the negotiation.

“Isn’t 30 percent too excessive? If it’s 30 percent of the original price, that’s only three times the amount.”

“As I said before, though the profit per item might significantly decrease, consider the volume. It could actually be more profitable.”

“But wasn’t the conclusion six times the amount?”

As Rajab persisted, Mansur pointed out something he had forgotten.

“Have you forgotten? With the goods from Joseon that we’re taking, we can reap several tens of times the profit.”

“That may be true, but the greater the profit from spices, the more we can buy from Joseon!”

To Rajab’s words, Mansur smiled.

“If that’s the case, Joseon’s goods will become cheap. Let’s look further ahead. A monopoly for at least five years. Monopoly means we can adjust the prices and extract the maximum profit.”

“Still…”

Although Rajab couldn’t hide his reluctance, Mansur’s expression brightened.

“With Allah’s blessing, if we even get cannons, we won’t have to worry about pirates. If that happens, being careful of storms will be enough to ensure a profit threefold.”

With the prospect of free navigation becoming possible, trade could become even more active than now, and the credibility of the merchant group would also increase, making this an opportunity not to be missed.

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