Two days before the Opening of Heaven ceremony.
Envoys from various countries gathered in Hanseong – which was scheduled to be renamed to Seoul after the imperial declaration – to celebrate the event.
The Mohwagwan[1], renamed to the Foreign Guests Hall[2], as well as Dongpyeonggwan and Bukpyeonggwan were filled with envoys.
“We’re short on accommodations!”
“What? Already?”
“Not only are there many officials in the diplomatic missions, but the number of their attendants is enormous!”
At his subordinates’ report, Heo Hu wore a troubled expression.
“It feels awkward to make such requests to those elders…”
Though called “lord” outside, Heo Hu was still considered young among ministers. Thus, he felt intimidated before people like Hwang Hui and Kim Jeom.
“But there’s no other choice…”
Finally, Heo Hu approached Hwang Hui with a proposal.
“It seems we’ll need to borrow courtesans’ houses to resolve the envoy situation.”
“Courtesans’ houses? Hmm…”
After brief consideration, Hwang Hui nodded.
“That should work. Those who work in courtesan houses are skilled at entertaining guests, and there’s no major issue with holding banquets there. No, perhaps they’re even more suitable?”
When foreign envoys came, it was customary to hold welcoming banquets, and courtesans were mobilized to enliven these events.
“The issue would be cost, wouldn’t it?”
“Ah…”
At Heo Hu’s point, Hwang Hui nodded.
As the saying went “the most foolish person in the world is one who runs a tab at a courtesan house,” courtesans were most strict about payment.
Receiving looks from Hwang Hui and Heo Hu, Kim Jeom immediately nodded.
“I’ll prepare the budget. With celebrations approaching, we can’t have any unpleasantness.”
As soon as the decision was made, famous courtesan houses from Bell Tower Street and North Village were assigned as envoy accommodations.
Amid all this busy activity, completely unexpected visitors arrived as envoys to Joseon.
Prince Henry of Portugal, Giovanni di Cosimo de’ Medici (second son of Cosimo de’ Medici), and Mehmet II of the Ottoman Empire came as congratulatory envoys.
Because war was raging, they had to cross the Arabian Desert by land and then take Joseon ships from Aden to reach Joseon.
The appearance of envoys from these three countries immediately drew attention. Portugal and Italy had played the largest roles in trade with Europe. However, after starting the war, they had become the main culprits who had wreaked havoc on not only trade routes but Europe’s economy as well.
After arriving at Mokpo’s trading port and passing quarantine, the diplomatic mission took specially assigned iron horses to Hanseong.
“Oh~ So this is the rumored iron horse?”
“Indeed… indeed…”
Watching Giovanni and Mehmet II look around continuously in wonder, Henry nodded.
“Yes. I hope you’ll observe carefully on the way to Hanseong. You’ll understand why we ended up going to war over laying iron horses.”
At Henry’s words, the two nodded.
So these are the next rulers of the Medici and Ottoman Empire?
Henry quietly assessed the two before him.
Giovanni was Cosimo’s second son. However, since the eldest son was very sickly, he was the most likely successor.
Mehmet II’s situation was more complicated.
When Mehmet II turned twelve, his father Murad II suddenly handed over the sultanate and went into seclusion.
However, after struggling in battles against Hungary, Murad II returned, and Mehmet II had to step down from the sultanate.
Afterward, rumors spread about Mehmet II living a dissolute life in Manisa, indiscriminate with both men and women. Though the truth was never revealed, it was quite a damaging rumor.
Thus, Murad II had appointed Mehmet II as envoy to Joseon.
“Go cool your head!”
***
These three diplomatic missions, each with their own circumstances, arrived in Hanseong.
The reactions of the three countries’ envoys upon reaching Joseon’s capital were split in two.
“It’s changed a lot in three years?”
“Getting more splendid all the time!”
The Portuguese, already familiar from several visits, showed only mild surprise, but the Italians and Ottomans looked around frantically with wide eyes.
“Building bridges across such wide rivers is miracle enough, but such magnificent buildings…”
“Even Rome or the Vatican compared to this…”
“This is merely a station where iron horses stop. The true essence lies within.”
“Really?”
“Unbelievable!”
“See for yourself. Ah! That Joseon official coming there must be our guide!”
Henry took the lead.
The three countries’ envoys were guided to their lodgings by the official.
“Had we received advance notice, we would have properly prepared the guest houses, but please understand any shortcomings due to hasty preparations.”
Through an interpreter, Henry answered on behalf of the others to the Foreign Ministry official’s words.
“No, these are excellent facilities.”
At Henry’s words, the Foreign Ministry official responded with a brightened face.
“Thank you.”
“We would like to have an audience with His Majesty – when might that be possible?”
To Henry’s request, the Foreign Ministry official pulled out a notebook from his sleeve, checked the time, and answered.
“If nothing comes up, we will escort you in one sijin (about two hours).”
“Understood.”
After the conversation ended, the Foreign Ministry official left, and Henry’s group entered the courtesan house guided by the interpreter.
After being assigned their rooms and unpacking, they sat in a small pavilion built in one corner of the courtesan house’s courtyard and drank tea.
“Joseon tea has a different flavor from Chinese tea.”
“Indeed.”
“If the war ends well, we should consider importing Joseon tea in bulk as well.”
While the three were chatting, a group of men was setting up painting equipment and observing their surroundings in one corner of the courtyard.
Watching this, Henry asked Giovanni.
“How did you think to bring painters?”
“Haven’t we only been receiving letters from monks until now? There’s a huge difference between imagining from written descriptions and seeing with one’s own eyes. As a result, when you look at paintings of Joseon, there are too many absurdities. Even a little thought would show they make no sense.”
At Giovanni’s words, Henry nodded.
Among Europe’s upper class, ‘Joseon’ was a keyword leading fashion trends.
Tea implements and ornaments sold from Joseon were essential items for anyone claiming to be somebody.
As more stories about Joseon circulated over time, they became unsatisfied with just Joseon ornaments and porcelain.
Targeting this demand, European painters created artwork.
They drew imaginative paintings based on letters sent by monks residing in Joseon.
While some of their paintings were decent, most were pure fantasy. Thus, those who had actually traveled to and seen Joseon would snort in derision whenever they saw such paintings.
“Hmph!”
“Pfft! This is supposed to be Joseon? Haha!”
Though painters bristled at such mockery, they had no alternative. Traveling to Joseon was extremely expensive.
Adding extra passengers to ships wasn’t easy. Space was already tight for goods to sell in Joseon, and adding passenger accommodations was problematic, not to mention the additional water and food supplies needed.
Naturally, ship owners demanded compensation for these losses, and painters couldn’t afford such costs. Of course, the painters’ sponsors had the means, but since the route to Joseon was still dangerous, sponsors had refused the painters’ requests.
In this situation, Giovanni, having gained the opportunity to come to Joseon, brought along the painters he sponsored.
As the appointed time approached, the three men adjusted their attire and waited for the Foreign Ministry official.
Soon after, the Foreign Ministry official returned and guided them outside.
“The carriage is ready.”
“Thank you.”
After the three boarded the ceremonial carriage prepared by the Foreign Ministry, it soon headed toward Gyeongbok Palace.
“I noticed earlier too, but Joseon carriages are very comfortable!”
At Giovanni’s words, Mehmet II nodded.
“At first I thought it was just because the roads were well-paved, but that’s not it.”
The two continued nodding in admiration of their carriage.
Their admiration wasn’t exaggerated. In this period, most other countries’ carriages had passenger compartments mounted directly on the axles. Without shock absorbers, passengers felt every stone on the road.
However, Joseon carriages had large spring plates inserted between the axle and passenger compartment. This provided absolute comfort compared to other countries.
Interestingly, it had started with the rickshaw Hyang created. Craftsmen who had confirmed the utility of the rickshaw’s shock absorbers had applied them to carriages without resistance.
And this had transferred to iron horse passenger car manufacturing without any resistance.
In simple terms, Hyang’s single rickshaw had caused them to skip at least three generations of development.
Hearing Giovanni and Mehmet II’s conversation, Henry joined in.
“I saw before that there were spring shock absorbers made of steel plates between the axle and passenger compartment. We tried to copy it but… tch!”
Henry ended with clicking his tongue. Seeing his expression, Giovanni and Mehmet II nodded.
“I’ve heard Joseon’s iron-working technology is beyond imagination.”
“I’ve heard rumors that swords made by Damascus’s master craftsmen were cut in two by the daggers Joseon soldiers carry.”
As their heard rumors combined with what they saw firsthand, Giovanni and Mehmet II shook their heads.
“Just what exactly is this country called Joseon?”
“How has a country with such technology remained hidden until now?”
As foreign envoys, they passed through Gwanghwamun Gate in their carriage, but all three had to dismount in front of Geunjeongjeon Gate.
The three and their attending officials walked through Geunjeongjeon Gate into Geunjeongjeon Hall’s forecourt.
On both sides of the path to Geunjeongjeon, Inner Guard soldiers stood at attention with their rifles, watching them.
While the uniform and cap design Hyang had revised was identical to regular combat units, the Inner Guard was all in black from top to bottom. Seeing these Inner Guard soldiers standing expressionlessly in black uniforms and black cavalry boots, the envoys felt intense pressure.
They’ve grown even stronger than when I came before. Was what I saw then not everything?
Henry, at the front, swallowed hard. He had felt tremendous pressure when first seeing them upon coming to Joseon, but that pressure felt like nothing compared to what he felt now.
As he continued walking under this pressure, Henry soon realized something.
I see! So this is the power possessed by victors!
Henry found his answer as he recalled feeling something similar from his brother Pedro, who had eliminated their powerful rival, the Duke of Braganza.