Seeing the Joseon officials’ faces brighten, Henry asked the interpreter about the reason. After hearing the explanation through the interpreter, Henry posed another question.

“What is an excavator?”

Im Sun-uk explained the excavator to Henry.

“It’s a machine that uses steam power to dig earth and transport soil, among other tasks. When used properly, it can complete in one or two shichen what would take hundreds of men an entire day.”

When Henry’s group still looked confused after hearing the explanation through the interpreter, Im Sun-uk wore a troubled expression.

“How should I explain this…”

As Im Sun-uk searched for a better way to explain, his face suddenly brightened and he stood up.

“I have a good example! Let’s go outside!”

At Im Sun-uk’s words, Park Jong-wu asked curiously.

“You have a good method?”

“We can go to the Han River dredging site.”

Park Jong-wu exclaimed in delight at Im Sun-uk’s suggestion.

“Ah! That’s right!”

***

Even while riding to the dredging site, Henry’s group continued their questions.

“What is dredging?”

The interpreter immediately answered Henry’s question, as he was somewhat familiar with dredging himself.

“Literally, it means digging up the river bottom.”

“Why dig up the river bottom?”

“There are several reasons, but the main ones are…”

The interpreter explained the reasons for dredging the Han River.

-It prevents flooding.

When sand accumulates at the bottom, the water becomes shallow, and eventually, even a little extra rain can cause the river to overflow. However, regular dredging can largely prevent this.

-It can supply sufficient sand to various nearby construction sites.

Current Joseon construction methods use iron-mixed mortar in many areas. Good mortar requires large amounts of sand with minimal salt content, and the sand dredged from the Han River is optimal.

-It provides decent employment for the poor in Hanseong, or rather, Seoul.

If the wages from the dredging site are managed well, workers can sustain themselves for a year.

“There’s a saying that ‘Even a nation cannot eliminate poverty,’ but isn’t it a leader’s duty to try their utmost?”

Henry’s group nodded seriously at the interpreter’s words.

“A leader’s duty… That’s something to think about.”

Henry and Giovanni nodded at Mehmet II’s words.

The issue of poverty was common to all countries. However, in the Middle East and European regions, solutions were primarily sought through religious communities.

In Islam, there had been the norm of ‘Zakat’ since Muhammad’s time. In Europe, various monastic orders were working on poverty relief.

Among kings and nobles, many expressed intentions to help the poor. However, most of these were expressions of personal faith rather than state policy.

The reason was exactly what the interpreter had just mentioned: “Even a nation cannot eliminate poverty.”

It was unrealistic to keep spending finances on a situation where the poor would inevitably continue to emerge no matter how much effort was made.

The king and officials of Joseon must know this too, so how?

This was the question in the three men’s minds.

“We should ask about this when we have the chance.”

“I agree.”

As Henry’s group nodded in agreement with this conclusion, the interpreter announced to them.

“We’re almost there!”

“Is that so?”

At the interpreter’s words, Henry’s group all straightened up in their saddles to look ahead.

“Oh!”

“Incredible!”

In the middle of the Han River, a massive barge carried an enormous iron machine that belched black smoke while scooping sand from the river.

“I’ve never seen such a massive machine! Can such a thing truly be made by human hands?”

Im Sun-uk smirked at Henry’s question and replied.

“Hah! What else would have made it – ghosts?”

Despite Im Sun-uk’s response, Henry’s group’s amazement didn’t subside.

“We didn’t see this during our previous visits to Hanseong. When did you start using it?”

“About four or five years ago. And the railway entering Hanseong Postal Station passes through the middle and lower reaches of the Han River, so you wouldn’t have easily seen it.”

After explaining this much, Im Sun-uk muttered to himself.

That area is still under debate, after all.

***

The dredging of the Han River’s lower reaches near Gimpo Port was still a matter of heated discussion.

“Considering the flood problem, we must dredge!”

“What about the salt damage problem!”

Every time the tide came in from the West Sea, seawater would flow up the Han River. Therefore, if they dredged the lower reaches, seawater from the West Sea could reach Yeouido Island.

However, if the lower reaches remained shallow, even a little extra rain would inevitably cause flooding.

Thus, opinions were divided between installing underwater weirs or building embankments along the river as alternative solutions.

***

Soon regaining their composure, Henry’s group carefully examined the excavator.

“Hmm…”

“Indeed…”

Each time the excavator in the middle of the river lifted its bucket, Henry’s group’s heads followed its movement up and down.

After observing the excavator’s movements for a while, Henry, Mehmet II, and Giovanni looked at each other and reached a conclusion.

“This might work.”

“A canal… It would certainly be more economical without intermediate unloading processes.”

“If it can accommodate large ships like Joseon’s, it would attract most trading vessels.”

While making positive assessments about the canal, the three soon faced one issue.

“The problem is the price of that excavator.”

“It seems like something we couldn’t even begin to negotiate with 100-200 gold ducats.”

Though they desperately wanted to open their wallets and buy the excavator right away, the three warring nations’ finances were tight.

Unable to resolve his frustration, Giovanni burst out with a curse.

“Damn the Vatican and the Council! Why do they have to fight among themselves and ruin proper business!”

***

The market in Central and Eastern Europe was in chaos due to conflicts between the Vatican, the Council, and various sects. Consequently, dark clouds were gradually gathering over the economies of Italian city-states.

Mehmet II nodded at Giovanni’s words. Within the Ottoman Empire too, conflicts between secularists and fundamentalists were gradually intensifying.

Portugal was relatively stable by comparison.

From its founding, Portugal had emphasized trade and shown relative tolerance toward Jews and other faiths. As a result, Jewish commercial forces facing persecution in neighboring Spain had largely migrated to Portugal, and though small in number, Islamic merchant forces were also active.

***

After venting his frustration, Giovanni soon reached a conclusion.

“Anyway, since a canal seems better than railways, let’s try negotiating.”

“Negotiate?”

Seeing Mehmet II’s questioning look, Giovanni rubbed his hands lightly and replied.

“We’ll have to plead for them to sell us the excavator at a lower price. Or maybe get it on credit.”

“Hmm…”

“Well…”

As the other two nodded at Giovanni’s words, Giovanni urged his horse toward Im Sun-uk and Park Jong-wu.

“I think we’ve seen enough. Let’s go back and have a more detailed discussion.”

Park Jong-wu nodded at the words conveyed through the interpreter.

“Let’s do that.”

As they turned their horses back toward the Six Ministries Street, Park Jong-wu asked Im Sun-uk.

“What decision do you think they’ll make?”

“They seem likely to reach a positive conclusion about the canal.”

“Is that so?”

“The excavator will be the issue. It’s clearly not something that can be bought with just a few coins. They’ll probably try to negotiate.”

Park Jong-wu scoffed at Im Sun-uk’s answer.

“Hah! Negotiate? With the Ministry of Finance of the great Joseon? Who do they think we are?”

“They probably just think of us as officials.”

Im Sun-uk and Park Jong-wu looked at each other with knowing smiles. Heo Hu, who had been silently observing both sides, muttered to himself.

Lord Uichon has certainly left his mark on quite a few people. No wonder they call it money poison.

Kim Jeom would have found this quite unfair if he’d heard it.

***

Back in the Foreign Ministry’s conference room, everyone took their seats again.

“What did you think?”

Giovanni stepped forward to answer Heo Hu’s question.

“It was truly impressive. It seems to symbolize Joseon’s excellence.”

“Thank you for your kind assessment. So, have you reached a conclusion?”

In response to Heo Hu’s question, Giovanni answered with an intentionally troubled expression.

“I think it would be quite unreasonable to choose between a canal and railways right away.”

Heo Hu nodded at Giovanni’s response.

“That’s understandable. It will be a great undertaking that will be recorded in history. Careful consideration is only natural. I hope you make a good decision.”

“Thank you. Then we shall take our leave for today.”

With that, Henry’s group left the Foreign Ministry.

Seeing Heo Hu who had come to the entrance to see them off, Giovanni spoke as if suddenly remembering something.

“Ah! I’ve heard there are several monks from the Vatican here in Joseon. We’d like to entertain them if possible?”

Heo Hu showed a slightly troubled expression at Giovanni’s request.

“They don’t belong to our jurisdiction but are directly under the Crown Prince’s authority, so I cannot give you an immediate answer.”

“I’ve heard there are some from my hometown of Florence among them. I’d very much like to meet my countrymen living in this distant land.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“I appreciate it.”

On their way back to their lodgings, Henry asked Giovanni.

“I understand why you said we needed time regarding the canal issue, but why suddenly ask to meet the monks? I heard they only travel between their research institute and lodgings?”

Giovanni smiled slightly at Henry’s question and replied.

“Where else could such machines have come from if not that research institute? And no matter if they only travel between the institute and their lodgings, wouldn’t they know more about Joseon than we do? In business, the first rule is to secure information if you want to avoid losses.”

Henry and Mehmet II nodded at Giovanni’s words.

***

Meanwhile, Giovanni’s request was immediately conveyed to King Sejong.

“What does the Crown Prince think?”

Hyang immediately answered Sejong’s question.

“Unlike those who come and go briefly, these monks have stayed in Joseon for a long time. They intend to gather information about our Joseon through them.”

“I think so too. Should we deny permission then?”

“Since they have a reasonable pretext, denying permission wouldn’t look good. We’ll need to monitor them carefully.”

Sejong nodded at Hyang’s answer.

“That seems most appropriate. I’ll grant permission, so handle it as you see fit.”

“I receive your command.”

Thus, with Sejong’s permission granted, a meeting between the monks working at the research institute and Henry’s group was arranged.

On the appointed day, before going out, the monks underwent a thorough body search.

After meticulously searching the monks’ clothes and bodies, the officials delivered Hyang’s order.

“The Crown Prince commands: ‘You may take your mouths and tongues, but leave your hands behind.'”

Angelo, who represented the monks, nodded solemnly at the official’s message.

“Understood.”

Leaving the research institute, Angelo cautioned the others.

“It’s fine to answer their questions, but not a single line should be written down and handed over. If we make a mistake, everyone will suffer grave consequences.”

Giovanni and the other monks all nodded at Angelo’s warning.