< Chapter 40: Laughing and Crying Over Fandom (5) >
Chapter 40: Laughing and Crying Over Fandom (5)
The reason Hyeong thought of Xiang as a burden was due to a lecture given by a professor of Chinese history he had chosen as an elective in college.
The professor, whose main focus was the Ming and Qing dynasties, explained the "Zheng He's Great Voyages" as follows:
- "Why did the Yongle Emperor undertake the great voyages through Zheng He? To understand this, we must first understand how the Yongle Emperor came to power. As you know, the Yongle Emperor seized power through the 'Jingnan Campaign.' Like most leaders who seize power through a coup, the Yongle Emperor needed to boast of his achievements to the people. Therefore, he chose the Mongol expeditions and Zheng He's great voyages."
- "But why were Zheng He's great voyages, known as the greatest adventure of the 15th century, not repeated afterward? If we think about it, the famous 'Age of Exploration' could have first appeared in Asia rather than Europe."
- "This is because the form of foreign trade during the Ming dynasty was not trade but tribute trade. There was little profit in traveling to distant lands. Conversely, even if envoys came, there was little use."
- "Considering the funds invested in Zheng He's great voyages, tribute trade was not a viable solution. Each voyage required various rewards upon return, repairs for damaged ships, and replacements for sunken ships. This was not a cheap endeavor."
- "For the Yongle Emperor, what was important was the exotic goods Zheng He brought back. It was crucial to boast of his authority through these mysterious items, not the voyages themselves."
- "That's why, after the Yongle Emperor's death, his ministers destroyed the records of the expeditions. They feared that a new emperor might see the records and waste money again."
"…Therefore, the Ming ministers must have considered it a burden."
Everyone, including King Sejong and the ministers, nodded in agreement with Hyeong's explanation.
"Indeed, that must be the case."
"That's right. Expeditions require a tremendous amount of resources. Conducting such expeditions both on land and sea simultaneously…"
What Sejong referred to as 'expeditions on land' was the 'Mongol expeditions.' After the Yongle Emperor ascended to the throne, there were four expeditions, and rumors suggested another one was being prepared this year.
Once the reason for the arrival of the original documents rather than copies was understood, the Minister of Rites spoke up.
"If even a powerful nation like the Ming had to destroy records, shouldn't we also refrain from doing so?"
In response to the Minister of Rites' question, a few ministers nodded, and Hyeong stepped forward.
"We are different from the Ming. The Ming conducts trade in the form of tribute and favors, but we should engage in mutual trade."
"Mutual trade?"
"Simply put, it's commercial trade."
Hyeong explained in more detail:
- Initially, diplomatic envoys will move, but later, the focus will shift to merchant guilds.
- The core of commercial trade is the exchange of goods needed by both countries, not tribute trade like the Ming.
- What is the role of the government in this?
1) Providing transportation, protecting merchant guilds, and collecting fees and taxes in the process.
2) Stabilizing prices by monopolizing essential goods for the people's daily lives.
The Minister of War tilted his head and interjected.
"Essential goods for the people's daily lives? Are such things available abroad? We already produce most of what we need in Joseon. Even if we don't, people are already accustomed to their absence. Would they really be useful?"
Hyeong countered the Minister of War's question.
"Minister, have you never heard of black pepper?"
"Ah!"
At Hyeong's question, not only the Minister of War but all the ministers finally understood.
During the Goryeo period, black pepper brought by Arab merchants was a top-tier spice. While garlic and ginger were used to mask the smell of meat, black pepper was a powerful spice that could significantly enhance the flavor of dishes with just a small amount. It was also very expensive.
As a result, most people who couldn't afford it had to settle for Sichuan pepper.
The Minister of War nodded, still asking questions.
"I understand your point with black pepper, but do we really need to import such goods? If we do, people might spend a lot of money on them, and the nation's wealth could drain away."
"There is that risk. However, when people have more leisure, they naturally seek better food and clothing. If we block the flow of goods, it will lead to smuggling. Due to the risks involved, people will pay even more for these goods, creating a vicious cycle of rising prices. Worse, officials might be bribed to hide smuggling, leading to widespread corruption."
"I see."
The Minister of War nodded, understanding Hyeong's explanation. Before formal merchant guilds were involved, much of the trade with foreign countries was smuggling. King Sejong, who had been listening, nodded and joined the conversation.
"Smuggling fees… I understand now."
Hyeong bowed in response to Sejong's praise.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
'Smuggling fees' were related to a Chinese folktale from the time of King Munjong of Goryeo, involving the scholar Yi Gyu-bo.
- A frog and a cuckoo were arguing over whose voice was more beautiful. Unable to reach a conclusion, they asked a stork for a judgment. The stork requested four days to decide. During this time, the frog secretly gave the stork a frog as a gift. In the end, the stork ruled in favor of the frog, leading to the term 'waerio' (frog bait).
Interestingly, while Sejong and the ministers knew this from old records, Hyeong had learned it from a Korean language teacher in high school in the 21st century.
- "There's something you often get confused about. First, 'waerio' and 'sabasaba'—at first glance, 'waerio' seems like a Japanese word, and 'sabasaba' seems like a Korean word, but it's actually the opposite."
Encouraged by Sejong's praise, Hyeong continued.
"Let me reiterate: as Joseon becomes stronger, the people's lives will become more prosperous. When life is prosperous, even the most frugal will naturally seek better and tastier things. Do you agree?"
"I agree."
The ministers nodded in response to Hyeong's question.
"Therefore, we should first monopolize food items."
"I understand now."
The ministers nodded, and Hyeong turned to the Minister of War.
"Did the items I asked for in exchange for reducing the number of books on this mission arrive?"
The Minister of War, who had been flipping through the list of items, replied.
"Yes, they did. They are in the 20 chests over there."
"Really! More than I expected!"
Hyeong beamed and ran towards the chests. Opening one, he smiled widely.
"Of course!"
Curious, Sejong and the ministers approached.
"What is it?"
"It's sugar, Your Majesty!"
"Sugar!"
* * *
While checking the list of books the envoys had brought, Hyeong grumbled.
"The amount of books they bring back is decreasing. As expected, we can't get new books from the Ming at this time."
As the number of books brought back by the envoys decreased, Hyeong began to worry.
"What should I ask them to bring next?"
His eyes fell on a plate of sweets, and he snapped his fingers.
"This is it!"
"Your Majesty? Is something wrong?"
"Nothing at all!"
Hyeong, who had answered the eunuch outside the door, muttered to himself.
"Good grief… I have no personal life. No personal life…"
Hyeong's choice of sugar was heavily influenced by the teacher from Samcheonpo.
- "During the Goryeo and Joseon periods, sugar was a very precious ingredient. From the Annals, you can see how isolated Joseon was. When Queen Sohyeon, the mother of King Munjong, fell ill, she wanted sugar, but it couldn't be found. Later, when King Munjong finally obtained sugar, he offered it to his mother and wept. During the reign of King Jungjong, when envoys from the Ming brought sugar, they said, 'In our country, it's a cheap food item sold in the market, but in Joseon, it's a precious item used only for rituals.' Though spoken politely, it was a clear insult: 'You country bumpkins, this is sugar!'"
* * *
The production of sugar from sugarcane had been practiced in India since ancient times. This technology spread to China during the Tang dynasty and became widespread during the Song dynasty, with large-scale cultivation of sugarcane in the Jiangnan region. By the Ming dynasty, sugar was so common that even ordinary people could add it to their tea, making it widely available and relatively inexpensive.
"Kind of frustrating, isn't it?"
Recalling the teacher's words, Hyeong felt frustrated.
"The conclusion is sugar! Chili peppers are still far off, so even if spicy food has to wait, sweet and salty dishes are possible now! Salty-only is a thing of the past!"
* * *
"Sugar? This expensive thing…"
"Prince, even as the crown prince, such luxury…"
Upon hearing that all 20 chests contained sugar, the ministers and Sejong