While in Jemulpo, Side sent a pre-written report to Hanseong.
After reading the report, Sejong summoned the officials and ministers.
"Please read the report."
The officials and ministers, having read the report in turn, looked at Sejong.
"Prince, explain again the necessity of glass craftsmen."
"Yes, Father. Glass existed even in the ancient Samhan era, but now there are no craftsmen. The reason for this is that we have pottery.
The reason for this is that glass was only considered useful for making containers and ornaments.
However, when we consider the characteristics of glass, it is essential to secure the technology for its production.
Firstly, there is the necessity in the industrial sector. For example, when making gunpowder or processing metals, various acids are used.
Using pottery containers to store these acids is very inconvenient.
The biggest inconvenience is that you cannot see the contents. To check the contents, you ultimately have to open the lid and look inside, which can cause serious injury to the craftsmen if there is even a slight mistake.
However, with glass, you can check the contents without opening the lid.
It's not just acids. You can also check if food has gone bad without opening the lid."
"That sounds useful."
Sejong, who enjoyed gourmet food, immediately responded. Xiang let out a small sigh at Sejong's reaction.
'My father, when are you going to lose weight... Even if you are a healthy pig... I should tell the royal guards to make you exercise more...'
"Xiang?"
Xiang, who had been lost in thought at the sight of Sejong's still plump figure, snapped back to reality and immediately spoke.
"Yes? Yes! I am ashamed. I was just organizing my thoughts... The second reason is the military aspect. We can process glass to make lenses, which can be used to see distant objects up close. Additionally, we can use glass instruments on lamps to send light over long distances."
"Hmm... That sounds good. Gentlemen, listen. I asked the Prince to explain the necessity of glass craftsmen again because of the route through which Side obtained them."
The ministers nodded at Sejong's explanation, and Xiang smiled wryly.
'Side must have been struck by the god of money...'
* * *
After receiving Xiang's order to "bring glass craftsmen," Side and Hotsan searched the Islamic community in Ming but could not find any glass craftsmen.
"Brother, I will go back to my hometown."
"Hometown... The distance is a problem, and can we even find glass craftsmen there? Side, you heard that 'plate glass' is something the Italians are making these days."
"True, but if we return empty-handed, we will definitely lose the golden opportunity. We should at least try."
Hotsan nodded at Side's words.
The situation was getting worse as Goryeo transitioned to Joseon. They had to either move everything to Ming or return to their hometown, but even if they did, the chances of regaining their former status were very low.
In such a situation, Xiang's offer was literally a 'lifeline'.
In the end, Hotsan had no choice but to agree with Side's decision.
"Be careful on your journey. My brother."
Thus, Side boarded another merchant's ship heading to his hometown.
However, even upon arriving in his hometown, Side could not easily obtain glass craftsmen.
There were glass craftsmen, but they were either working in major merchants' factories or in workshops affiliated with influential families.
"We need to go to Alexandria."
Determined, Side sought help from his family.
'The Joseon royal family is requesting assistance to find glass craftsmen.'
Through Side's uncle, the elders of the Otaibi family discussed the matter.
"Find glass craftsmen?"
"Yes. Specifically, craftsmen who can make plate glass."
"Plate glass? Isn't that something only the craftsmen from Venice, Italy, can make?"
"I heard that the Florentines have also started making it recently."
"If that's the case, we should go to the slave market in Alexandria."
"That's why we are requesting assistance."
"What kind of assistance do you need?"
"Transport to and from Alexandria, funds for purchasing slaves, and a ship to return to Joseon."
"Joseon?"
"It's the country that rose after the fall of Goryeo."
"Hmm..."
The elders, after hearing the explanation, engaged in a heated debate. Despite the tense atmosphere, they eventually reached a conclusion.
"Let's provide the support!"
The decision was influenced by the letter from Xiang that Side had brought.
-If you help find glass craftsmen, I will assist the Otaibi family's trade with Joseon. I guarantee this as the Crown Prince of Joseon.
"Since the Crown Prince of Joseon has guaranteed it, we should help."
"He's just a prince."
"Yes, just a prince. However, in Joseon, such a letter cannot be written without the king's permission."
Despite some opposition, the decision was made to support Side after his uncle explained the value of the letter.
Thus, with the full support of his family, Side headed to the slave market in Alexandria.
With the help of heaven—Side wrote 'Allah's help' in his report—soon after Side arrived, Barbary pirates brought Italian plate glass craftsmen to the slave market.
Due to the rarity of these craftsmen, especially those skilled in plate glass, a fierce competition ensued involving not only Arab merchants but also those from Northern Europe. Side managed to secure the craftsmen with great difficulty.
However, the amount of money spent to obtain the craftsmen was significant, even for the Otaibi family, so two elders of the Otaibi family accompanied Side to Joseon. This was the main content of the report.
Sejong summoned the officials and ministers because of the amount of money the Otaibi family had spent to obtain these craftsmen.
"As written in the report, the amount spent by Side's family is 20,000 ducats. That's equivalent to 2,000 nyang (7 kg) of gold. It's not a small amount. I want to verify if it's reasonable to spend such a large sum to obtain glass craftsmen."
Sejong paused and looked at Xiang.
"Of course, the Prince will naturally say to obtain them, but it's not a small amount, so I want to hear your opinions."
"Hmm..."
The ministers were deep in thought.
They knew Xiang did not waste money. There were times when they wondered, 'Why did he buy this?' but later realized it was always necessary.
Therefore, the ministers could not easily say, 'No, it's not worth it!' Even Hojo Panso Kim Jeom, known for his frugality, had a serious expression.
The ministers were still deliberating when Xiang spoke up.
"Father. If we only consider the craftsmen's ransom, it is a huge amount. However, when we consider the glass they can produce, it has even greater value."
"Of course, but we can't be sure of that, can we?"
"Father. I mentioned earlier that we can use glass to make instruments that allow us to see distant objects up close."
"That's right."
"Consider the military value. If we can detect the Jurchens or the Wokou from a greater distance, how much benefit would that bring us? The advantage of being one step ahead of the enemy is significant. While we may not recover the cost in just one or two years, we can certainly do so within ten years."
Sejong's scales tipped in favor of Xiang's argument, but he still felt uneasy.
"Can you really make such instruments?"
"I will personally make them!"
Sejong looked at the ministers, who, in response to his unspoken question, began to speak one by one.
"The military value alone seems worth it."
"I agree."
With the ministers' support, Sejong made his decision.
"Then, let's settle the accounts for the glass craftsmen."
* * *
Meanwhile, the Otaibi family members who had settled in the Islamic community near Hanseong were equally worried.
"Will Joseon pay the proper price?"
"They will."
Despite Side's answer, the elders of the Otaibi family were full of worry.
If the Prince of Joseon did not pay the proper price after they had traveled so far, the family would suffer a significant loss. They had experienced rulers who refused to pay small amounts and underpaid large sums.
"We could have made a fortune by reselling the Italian glass craftsmen..."
Seeing the worried expressions of the elders, Side and Hotsan tried to reassure them.
"Don't worry. The Prince of Joseon will definitely pay the proper price."
"I have been working close to the Prince of Joseon. Based on my experience, there is no need to worry."
"Is that so?"
Despite their reassurances, the elders remained worried.
"By the king's command!"
"By the king's command?"
Hearing the shout from outside, Hotsan and Side quickly stood up and went out.
"Are you Hotsan and Side?"
"Yes."
"Receive the king's command!"
The herald's shout made the brothers straighten their clothes, bow, and kneel.
"By the king's command, bring the elders of your family and the glass craftsmen to Gyeongjeongjeon by noon tomorrow."
"We will comply with the command!"
The brothers bowed again and received the scroll respectfully.
After the herald left, the elders who had been watching from inside came out.
"What is that?"
"It's a command from the king, an invitation."
"I see. So, everything will be decided tomorrow."
"But, did the command come so quickly?"
One of the more experienced elders asked. In his experience, it usually took at least four days to get an audience with a ruler. However, in Joseon, the report Side wrote was submitted, and the command came the same day they arrived at the community outside Hanseong.
Hotsan smiled slightly and answered the elder's question.
"The current king and Crown Prince of Joseon are very efficient in their work."
* * *
The next noon.
Hotsan and Side, along with the elders and glass craftsmen, headed to Gyeongbokgung.
Seeing Hotsan and Side in their official attire, the soldiers bowed respectfully and asked.
"Who are the people behind you?"
"They are accompanying us by the king's command."
Hotsan searched his sleeve and pulled out the scroll with the king's command, handing it to the gatekeeper.
After verifying the content of the scroll, the gatekeeper returned it and stepped aside.
"Pass!"
* * *
"His Majesty the King has arrived!"
Upon arriving at the courtyard of Gyeongjeongjeon, the Hotsan brothers knelt at the sound of the herald's announcement.
The accompanying elders also knelt, as did the slaves, aware that their lives were at risk if anything went wrong.
"You may rise."
"Your grace is boundless."
At Sejong's words, the Hotsan brothers stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Who are the people who came with you?"
"They are the elders of our family."
"Is that so? Thank them for their journey."
The elders, hearing Hotsan's translation, bowed deeply in response.
"Are the people behind them the glass craftsmen?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Hmm..."
Sejong, after briefly observing the glass craftsmen, spoke to Hotsan.
"I will pay the exact amount your family spent to obtain them. Additionally, I will add 10% for the nearly two years of effort."
"Your grace is boundless!"
Hotsan and Side bowed deeply at Sejong's words. The elders, hearing the translation through Side, bowed even more respectfully.
"Now, let's discuss this with the Prince."
As Sejong stood up, Hotsan and Side bowed deeply again.
After Sejong left, Xiang took the lead.
"First, I want to talk to the glass craftsmen."
"Do so. I will translate."
"No, I will speak directly."
Xiang addressed the craftsmen in Latin, albeit a bit messy but familiar to them.
"Exspectata ut Hao Coreanica regnum. (Welcome to Joseon.)"
"Here, you are not slaves."
After speaking, Xiang ordered Hotsan.
"Remove their restraints."
Following Xiang's order, the elders instructed their subordinates to remove the handcuffs and shackles from the glass craftsmen.
Now free, the glass craftsmen bowed deeply to Xiang in gratitude.
"Venite post verba autem ex illis. (We will talk to you later.)"
"Ita! (Yes!)"
Seeing the craftsmen's immediate response, Xiang gestured to the soldiers.
"Take them to Sector 51."
"Understood!"
The soldiers took the glass craftsmen away.
The elders, who had witnessed this entire scene, were stunned.
When Xiang first spoke in Latin, one of the elders had quietly asked Hotsan.
"Did you teach him Latin?"
"He already knew it."
'What kind of person is this Prince of Joseon?'
They had heard from Hotsan and Side that he was an 'outstanding talent,' but seeing him in person made them even more incredulous.
Meanwhile, after sending the craftsmen away, Xiang turned to the elders and spoke.