“That’s how we’ll handle the canal situation… What else remains?”
Cosimo fell into thought while gently swirling his wine glass. After pondering what was giving him such an unsettling feeling, he suddenly nodded.
“Ah yes. The Challenge Record remains… It’s certainly difficult to obtain, but I can’t simply give up. How should I approach this?”
While considering various methods, Cosimo’s expression soon brightened.
“That’s it!”
Having found what he considered a decent solution, Cosimo rang the small bell on his desk.
Ding-a-ling!
“You called, sir?”
When the head butler entered at the sound of the bell, Cosimo immediately issued his order.
“Tomorrow at lunch, I will visit the University of Florence. Arrange an appointment with the Chancellor.”
“Yes, I’ll send someone right away.”
***
The next day at lunch.
Cosimo arrived at the University of Florence right on schedule.
The Chancellor and professors were waiting for Cosimo at the university entrance.
“Welcome, sir.”
The Chancellor and professors greeted Cosimo respectfully as he stepped down from his carriage.
“Sorry for the trouble.”
“Not at all. How could welcoming our benefactor be trouble?”
The Chancellor’s words were sincere.
The University of Florence had originally been a humanities research institution.
However, the six-year war with Milan that began in 1423 created problems. In the process of raising war funds, the humanities research institution faced closure due to lack of funding.
It was then that Cosimo de’ Medici appeared as its savior. Cosimo, who held the public office overseeing Florence’s finances (Ufficiali del Monte), elevated the struggling research institution to the ‘University of Florence.’
Cosimo was the first person to call the university the ‘House of Wisdom’ (Casa di sapienza).
With Cosimo’s patronage, the university professors collected ancient Greek and Roman texts. Based on these ancient texts, the humanities of ancient Greece and Rome began to be revived.
It was then that Cosimo declared:
“Florence shall no longer be governed by the mouths of clerics!”
(Note 1)
***
When Cosimo, the Chancellor, and the professors gathered in the Chancellor’s office, servants soon entered carrying trays with silver coffee pots and cups, pouring caffè (coffee).
Taking a sip of the caffè in his cup, Cosimo asked the Chancellor.
“Do you know something?”
“What are you referring to?”
“This caffè – it started in Islam, went to Joseon, no, the Empire, and then spread to Italy.”
The Chancellor nodded at Cosimo’s words.
“I’ve heard something to that effect.”
***
In the history before Hyang’s intervention, coffee spread to Europe after the Battle of Vienna in 1683.
This was true for Arabia as well. Coffee didn’t spread easily due to conservative imams who believed its effects violated religious law. Coffee only became mainstream around 1554 when Cafe Kiva Han opened in Istanbul.
(Note 2)
However, Hyang’s intervention changed this course.
Unable to forget the taste of coffee from the 21st century, Hyang brought coffee to Joseon through Mansur. Thus introduced and named ‘Black Bean Tea,’ coffee spread widely as a beverage that helped sustain overworked court officials and those preparing for civil service examinations.
As a result, it became an essential item that had to be kept alongside traditional tea in Joseon’s teahouses.
Interestingly, black bean tea served with ice in the dead of winter began spreading as a delicacy.
Upon hearing this, Hyang shook his head and muttered:
“Even in this era, is ‘ice-cold Americano’ becoming a uniquely Korean characteristic?”
And thus, as Joseon people accustomed to coffee sought it in Alexandria, this became the catalyst for coffee’s spread to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
***
Having set the mood through caffè, Cosimo moved to his main point.
“This caffè originally came from Islam but was poorly received there. However, after passing through Joseon, no, the Empire, it became popular not only in Islam but also in Europe. And surely this isn’t limited to just caffè?”
The Chancellor nodded at Cosimo’s words.
“That’s certainly true. There are even rumors that the famous crystal was created by artisans from Venice.”
“And not just crystal? I hear that Archimedes’ mathematics played a major role in the iron horse and those magnificent iron bridges that all mathematicians wish to see? Which brings me to my request.”
At Cosimo’s words, the Chancellor asked with a serious expression.
“Do you want me to go to the ‘Land of Flowers’?”
Cosimo nodded at the Chancellor’s question.
“I want you and reliable others to go to the Empire, observe their technology and learning, and return. The stories circulating now are full of nonsense. ‘Magic’? How can that make sense?”
“It’s the doing of ignorant people. We must stop this tendency to brand anything they can’t understand as ‘magic’ or claim ‘they sold their souls to the devil.'”
“That’s why you must go and observe. And if there’s knowledge worth learning, select people to study at the Empire and return.”
The Chancellor immediately responded to Cosimo’s words.
“There’s certainly sufficient value in learning. When should we select how many people?”
At the Chancellor’s words, one of the professors pointed out an issue.
“The ‘Land of Flowers’ is likely to refuse. Sharing knowledge they’ve worked hard to accumulate means creating competitors with their own hands.”
Cosimo nodded repeatedly at this observation.
“Of course they would. That’s why negotiating that part will be your responsibility.”
The Chancellor responded to Cosimo’s order with a determined expression.
“We will do our utmost.”
Satisfied with the Chancellor’s response, Cosimo emptied his caffè and continued.
“I’ll first send someone to the Empire to announce your visit. Since they claim to be a country that values scholars, the treatment shouldn’t be poor. And if they accept the proposal, select and send as many people as possible. That way, more will return. Don’t you agree? If ten go and five stay, it’s a big loss, but if fifty or a hundred go and half return, we still secure considerable talent.”
“They’re very likely to demand payment.”
At the Chancellor’s words, Cosimo responded with a slight smile.
“Have you forgotten? I am Cosimo de’ Medici.”
***
After finishing his business at the University of Florence, Cosimo returned to his mansion and immediately summoned Giovanni.
“You called for me?”
“When can you officially depart for the Empire?”
After briefly calculating dates at Cosimo’s question, Giovanni answered.
“Considering travel time to the Empire and wind directions, departure would be possible by January next year.”
“Then I’ll request an escort from the Ottomans. You depart for the Empire as soon as January begins.”
“What is my task in the Empire?”
“The Chancellor and professors from the University of Florence will visit, so make preliminary arrangements.”
Giovanni’s eyes sparkled at Cosimo’s words.
“If it’s the university Chancellor and professors, will you be sending students?”
“Yes. If we can’t physically obtain the Challenge Record, we must have them memorize it. And if that’s difficult, shouldn’t we nurture those who can create our own Challenge Record?”
“I also think that would be the best option.”
“So, do your best to achieve good results.”
“Yes, I understand.”
After Giovanni left the office, Cosimo stroked his chin and muttered.
“I should definitely pass the bank to him.”
***
Cosimo de’ Medici had two legitimate sons and one illegitimate son.
His eldest son, Piero, was in poor health. Therefore, judging it unreasonable to entrust everything to him, Cosimo planned to have Piero handle Florence’s politics while his second son Giovanni would manage banking and trade. And his illegitimate son, Carlo de’ Medici, was set on the path to priesthood.
Because of this plan, Cosimo had entrusted external affairs to Giovanni. As a result, Giovanni had to diligently travel between Portugal, the Ottoman Empire, and the Empire.
“They say the Empire’s medicine is that good, I should get some for him to take.”
***
After assigning Giovanni his mission, Cosimo headed to Paris.
“Welcome!”
Charles VII welcomed Cosimo courteously at the Louvre Palace. Cosimo responded with equal courtesy to Charles VII’s generous reception.
“I am honored to meet the Victorious King who ended the Hundred Years’ War.”
“Hahaha! The Victorious King! Too generous a title!”
Charles VII laughed heartily and had servants prepare a chair for Cosimo.
Once Cosimo was seated, Charles VII asked with curiosity.
“What brings the great merchant who holds the treasury keys of all European kings – no, excluding that bumpkin from England. Anyway, what brings the controller of all European monarchs’ coffers here?”
“I have a proposal for Your Majesty.”
Charles VII’s curiosity intensified at Cosimo’s words.
“A proposal? For me?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of proposal?”
“Would you like to share the route to the ‘Land of Flowers’?”
The smile disappeared from Charles VII’s face at Cosimo’s words.
After maintaining silence briefly, Charles VII asked Cosimo.
“Though I may not know much about external affairs due to those English bumpkins and arrogant nobles, I know that Portugal and the Ottomans have joined hands to claim that route. And I know that the thieves of Iberia and Egypt have joined hands to oppose them. In particular, didn’t you ask me to tie down those Iberian thieves?”
“How could I forget? But I’ve realized Portugal struggles to handle the Ottomans.”
“So you want me to replace Portugal?”
There was a slight edge of anger in Charles VII’s questioning voice. To this, Cosimo shook his head with an expression suggesting such a thing was absurd.
“How could I do anything to sully Your Majesty’s honor?”
‘The Maid of Orleans – Joan of Arc – is enough for that issue.’
“Then what?”
“I would be grateful if you would work with Portugal to check the Ottoman’s tyranny.”
Afterward, Cosimo explained about the ‘joint venture company’ proposed by the Empire.
“Hmm…”
As Cosimo’s explanation continued, Charles VII’s expression became increasingly calculating.
Finally, Cosimo’s explanation ended, but Charles VII maintained his silence.
‘It’s certainly not a bad proposal. If that trade route is established, it would create the shortest route not only to the Empire but also to India. Then all European merchant ships would flock there. The toll fees and profits from operating port cities would definitely not be a loss. The share ratio is an issue, but if I get involved, the Ottomans couldn’t speak too boldly. The problem is equipping the soldiers.’
As if sensing Charles VII’s inner thoughts, Cosimo continued.
“The Land of Flowers has offered to sell new model matchlocks. If you wish, I can help with purchasing those guns.”
Finally, Charles VII took Cosimo’s bait.
“I’ll discuss it with my ministers. But since it’s not a bad thing for my France, I expect good results.”
***
(Note 1) Source: https://www.mk.co.kr/opinion/columnists/view/2020/02/107170/
(Note 2) Source: https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%BB%A4%ED%94%BC