The first thing the merchants of Naniwa set their sights on was Explosive Silver.

***

In the period surrounding the outbreak of the Italian War, the open ports near Yamaguchi and in Naniwa bustled with countless European merchant ships. As they traded with the European merchants, the men of Naniwa noticed something peculiar.

“The Europeans’ rifles have changed?”

Sailors who had previously carried flintlock or percussion cap long rifles were now seen with breech-loading, single-shot rifles that looked remarkably similar to those carried by the Japanese regulars.

“Did the Empire sell them new rifles? They must be raking in another fortune.”

Before long, however, the merchants of Naniwa learned the truth, and their expressions changed.

“Europe has developed Explosive Silver*?”*

Hearing the rumor, the merchants of Naniwa immediately began to scheme.

“It’s hard to make big money from sulfur alone. You have to sell finished goods, things touched by human hands, to make a real fortune.”

“In that sense, Explosive Silver is an excellent commodity. After all, war never ceases in Europa.”

Having identified Explosive Silver as a promising new product, the Naniwa merchants reached out to their European counterparts. However, even in Europe, the manufacturing process for Explosive Silver was a closely guarded secret. Despite leveraging the trust they had built over the years, and resorting to bribes and even honey traps, their attempts to acquire the formula repeatedly failed. Frustrated, the Naniwa merchants changed their strategy.

“We’ll have to take this to the court.”

“If we do that, the old badgers in Yamaguchi will get involved, won’t they?”

“We’ll just have to accept it. Pogun and gunpowder are not things to be made carelessly. It’s better to give those badgers a cut than to be branded a traitor and lose everything.”

“A situation one could only describe as unavoidable, I suppose.”

“The old badgers of Yamaguchi will be ecstatic.”

Though not entirely satisfied, the merchants of Naniwa opted for the next best course of action and made contact with the Japanese court.

“You want us to obtain the manufacturing formula for Explosive Silver from the Empire? Are you in your right mind? Have you forgotten that the formulas for Explosive Silver and gunpowder are the two things the Empire will never release? If I were one of those ignorant samurai, I would have had your heads on the spot.”

“We can only express our deepest gratitude for your mercy.”

Even as they prostrated themselves before the young official, a man who looked young enough to be their son or grandson, the Naniwa merchants pressed on. “Though we are but lowly merchants who know nothing but money, how could we be ignorant of such a fact? However, the situation in Europa is currently far from ordinary.”

“That much is true.”

The Japanese court was not unaware of the growing war clouds gathering over Italy. Their interest had sharpened as tax revenues from the merchants of Yamaguchi and Naniwa increased. Sensing an opening, the merchants from Naniwa earnestly tried to persuade the official.

“For some time now, the sailors on the Europa merchant ships arriving at the open ports have been carrying new long rifles. When we inquired, we learned that Europa is now producing its own Explosive Silver.”

At the merchants’ words, the official, who had been lounging in his seat, sat up straight.

“Europa, on its own?”

“That is correct. As you well know, my lord, how greedy are those men of Europa? For the security of our Great Japan, we must have the formula for Explosive Silver.”

“Hmm… that is a valid point. Very well. I will relay this to my superiors.”

“We are truly grateful!”

The Naniwa merchants employed this tactic to persuade several officials, while simultaneously working through their closer contacts among the Yamaguchi merchants to reach even higher echelons of power. Naturally, they always included the discreetly famous ‘Naniwa glutinous rice cake gift,’ a box of sweets with gold hidden beneath the bottom layer.

Influenced by the bribes and persuaded by the logic of the request, the officials brought the matter to public debate.

“Pogun, is it…”

Ashikaga Yoshioki, who had ascended to the position of shogun after Masahiro stepped down due to illness, pondered for a moment before asking his vassals.

“Will Seoul truly hand over the formula?”

“They will have no choice but to give it to us, even if they do not wish to.”

“And why is that?”

“Because Europa is already producing Explosive Silver on its own. This provides us with an excellent justification.”

“Hmm…”

Yoshioki nodded as he listened to his ministers, then glanced over at the martial faction.

‘Just as you’d expect from the war hawks…’

The martial faction, constantly at odds with the civil faction, typically snarled and snapped over every agenda item. But now, they offered no counterarguments, merely bowing their heads in silent, profound agreement. In other words, they were showing their strongest possible support.

“Hmm… I suppose it is true. We cannot rely on the Empire’s hand forever. Very well! Assemble an envoy and go to Seoul. You must obtain the formula!”

***

When the Japanese delegation visited Seoul, Hyeon muttered with an expression full of regret.

“It is a pity that the Emperor Emeritus is not here at such a time.”

When the Japanese envoys arrived, Hyang was in the midst of orchestrating a diplomatic free-for-all among the European powers in Italy. Thus, Hyeon lamented the absence of his most brilliant advisor. But he quickly composed himself.

In any case, I am the Emperor of this Empire now. All decisions must go through me. Advice is only advice.

Steeling his resolve, Hyeon summoned his ministers.

***

The ministers, already aware of the purpose of the delegation’s visit, gathered immediately upon Hyeon’s summons.

“You are all aware of the reason for the Japanese envoys’ visit. What do you believe is the proper course of action?”

Before Hyeon had even finished his question, Han Myeong-hoe answered.

“I believe it would be best to provide them with the formula. And while we are at it, I think it would be wise to provide it to the Ming as well.”

“To the Ming as well? Why?”

Han Myeong-hoe explained his reasoning to Hyeon.

• Europa has already developed Explosive Silver.
• Considering the nature of the Europeans, this could become a threat to the Ming and Japan.
• If that is the case, it is only natural that the Ming and Japan will seek to produce Explosive Silver themselves.
• They have three options: develop it on their own, acquire it from Europe, or learn it from the Empire.
• However, as we see from Japan’s case, they will turn to the Empire first, as it seems the easiest path.
• If we refuse, resentment will begin to build in the Ming and Japan toward the Empire.
• But if the Empire agrees readily, they will seek to maintain and strengthen their friendly relations with us even more.

“Consider, especially, the monarch of the Ming. If we take the initiative and give him the formula, it will become a great achievement for his reign.”

“I see… What are the thoughts of the rest of you?”

At Hyeon’s question, Jang Hang-seon stepped forward to answer.

“The Empire has already developed a much-improved version of Explosive Silver. The performance of the Explosive Silver made in Europa is said to be similar to what the Empire first created. Therefore, I see no harm in sharing it with the Ming and Japan. In fact, it is a good opportunity to earn their gratitude.”

Following Jang Hang-seon, Lim Sunwook also spoke.

“I do not object to sharing it. However, we must have them acknowledge our intellectual property rights.”

“Acknowledge our intellectual property rights? You mean we should charge them a fee?”

“We must. We cannot set a bad precedent.”

“I see…”

While the Prime Minister and both Vice-Premiers gave positive responses, the Minister of Education raised a concern.

“However, the fact that it is the Ming and Japan gives me some pause.”

At the minister’s words, Han Myeong-hoe stepped forward.

“Think of it as dealing with a hungry fox. If you simply try to block it, it will find a way over the fence and snatch your livestock. But if you toss it a bit of food, it will wag its tail.”

“Look at the example of the Song Dynasty of old. Did they not fall by continuously tossing meat to their enemies?”

“The Song did not possess a club, but we have a very sturdy one, do we not? And besides, even if they receive the formula, they will not become a threat overnight.”

“What do you mean by that?”

At the Education Minister’s question, Lim Sunwook stepped in.

“Since what they have asked for is the formula for Explosive Silver, we shall give them only the formula for Explosive Silver.”

“What kind of wordplay is that?”

As the Minister of Education bristled, Hyeon nodded slowly.

“I see. The problem is experience and yield.”

“Precisely, Your Majesty.”

“Ah!”

At the exchange between Hyeon and Lim Sunwook, the other ministers’ faces lit up with understanding. In the end, the Empire handed over the manufacturing formula for Explosive Silver to the Ming and Japan. Or rather, sold it.

***

The reactions from the Ming and Japan were just as the Empire had predicted. The Ming, for their part, rejoiced at the unexpected good fortune. The Chenghua Emperor’s personal guard, having received the Explosive Silver formula from the Empire, used it as a tool for propaganda.

• Seoul, moved by the virtue of the Son of Heaven, has bestowed the formula for Explosive Silver.
• With this, the Son of Heaven’s Imperial Guard will become stronger, the borders will become more secure, and the lives of the people will become more peaceful.
• Is this not all thanks to the virtue of the Son of Heaven? All people, praise the virtue of the Son of Heaven!

The people of the Ming, who had been defeated in every war against the Empire, were well aware of the strength of the Imperial army. Moreover, anyone with some knowledge of gunpowder weapons understood the importance of Explosive Silver.

“And they just gave us the formula? There can only be two reasons. One, they genuinely like our Son of Heaven and want to be on good terms. Two, they are so confident in their own strength that they don’t care if we have Explosive Silver.”

“There’s a third. It’s a message: don’t even think of messing with a Son of Heaven they like this much. If you touch him, we will invade immediately.”

Those who tried to analyze the Empire’s intentions all let out a long sigh.

“It seems the most comfortable path is to just shout ‘Long live the Son of Heaven.’”

***

In Japan, the merchants of Yamaguchi and Naniwa engaged in a fierce competition for the exclusive right to manufacture Explosive Silver. After a battle that involved price wars, bribes, honey traps, and even violence, the Japanese court selected one merchant group from Yamaguchi and one from Naniwa. The problem was the conditions that followed.

• For the first year, both sides will be contracted for the same amount.
• We will compare delivery times and quality, and then adjust the procurement volume for the following year.
• And we will continue to repeat this process.

It was a blatant move to pit them against each other. The two merchant groups had to strive with all their might.

“The key is the yield!”

Even a slight increase in production yield would allow them to overwhelm their competitor in terms of quality, speed, and cost. The problem was that a fatal accident occurred during this process.

In the course of handling mercury, a key ingredient for Explosive Silver, many workers, artisans, and even residents living near the factories suffered from acute mercury poisoning. Hyang, from the very beginning of his own Explosive Silver production, had done his utmost to implement preventative measures, but the Japanese were ignorant of such dangers.

In the end, Japan had to send another envoy to the Empire. And this became the first recorded case of industrial pollution disease in history. But the competition between the merchants of Yamaguchi and Naniwa continued. The reason they had sent an envoy to the Empire through the court was that they had lost their skilled artisans and laborers to the mysterious illness.

And then, as war broke out in Italy, the merchants of Naniwa were able to reap enormous profits. Sulfur was a popular commodity, but their Explosive Silver received exceptionally high praise. This was because, despite the short time, the fierce competition had driven them to produce a remarkably high-quality product.

Later, upon returning to Seoul and reviewing the reports, Hyang smiled wryly and muttered to himself.

“Viva capitalism.”