With Angelo’s warning firmly in mind, the monks soon arrived at the gisaeng house where Henry’s group was staying.
“Welcome~”
“Ahem!”
“cough cough“
When the elaborately dressed gisaeng greeted them with sultry voices, the monks blushed and cleared their throats awkwardly.
“We’re here at Duke Henry’s invitation.”
At Angelo’s words, the head gisaeng pointed inside with an alluring smile.
“Hohoho. This way, please.”
“Th-thank you.”
Watching the monks enter awkwardly under the head gisaeng’s guidance, the gisaeng whispered among themselves.
“Aren’t they the Western monks who’ve been working at the research institute for several years?”
“That’s right.”
“Then why do they seem like country bumpkins who’ve just arrived from the countryside?”
“I know, right? The Western envoys are one thing, but how can they still be so rustic after living in Hanseong for years? Their behavior is so unsophisticated…”
The other gisaeng all nodded at their colleague’s assessment.
***
The monks’ awkwardness, including Angelo’s, was well-known in the research institute and Area 51.
Their unsophisticated nature stood out even more in comparison to Pietro, who had caused all sorts of chaos before settling down with a family.
This was such a topic of discussion among officials that even Hyang had noticed.
“Although their knowledge may be incomplete, during this period Vatican clergy were known for illegitimate children and all sorts of scandals. Why are these ones so different?”
As Hyang observed the monks with curiosity, he soon realized the reason.
“Ah, that’s it. I thought it seemed familiar—that damn tech tree.”
They had followed a path similar to the “boys’ middle school-boys’ high school-engineering college” progression common among Hyang’s fellow nerds in the 21st century. These men had entered monasteries young and spent their lives learning within them.
“There’s also the fact that they’re far removed from power. No, wait. Did they follow this path because they were far from power? Or did they become distant from power because they followed this path?”
***
The gisaeng who had been assessing the monks muttered with regretful expressions.
“If they weren’t guests of the Western envoys, we could have really fleeced them. What a shame.”
“Indeed.”
The gisaeng couldn’t hide their disappointment until the end.
To their eyes, the Westerners staying at their establishment were the most provincial of provincials. Though adorned with various gold and silver ornaments, they exuded rustic charm compared to Hanseong’s yangban or wealthy merchants from Ming. Among foreign guests who had visited their establishment, only the students from Japan could rival their lack of sophistication.
Usually, such guests would present excellent opportunities to secure hefty profits, but not this time.
This was because the Ministry of Finance would be paying for the alcohol and lodging expenses.
***
“…and so, foreign envoys will be staying at your establishment.”
The head gisaeng bowed her head and responded to the official’s words.
“Yes.”
“You’ve been chosen considering the status required to host such distinguished foreign guests. Consider it an honor.”
“Oh my, how gracious!”
This wasn’t mere flattery. Once word spread that they had been chosen by the government to host foreign envoys, Hanseong’s notoriously discriminating yangban would surely take notice.
However, the head gisaeng’s face crumpled at the next words.
“However, our Ministry of Finance will cover their expenses. You know what that means?”
“…”
“Keep it reasonable. Reasonable.”
“…Yes.”
“Then, carry on.”
“Travel safely.”
After the official left, the head gisaeng hawked and spat with all her might.
“Khaack ptui! They say good fortune comes with misfortune!”
Gisaeng were relentless when it came to collecting payment for alcohol. It was said that even the famous Pyongyang gisaeng would confront a tiger if it had unpaid tabs. Yet there were those who could make even these formidable Pyongyang gisaeng weep—the officials from the Ministry of Finance.
Their notorious reputation wasn’t due to defaulting on payments, delaying them indefinitely, or ruthlessly cutting prices. They paid promptly but calculated down to the last copper coin to avoid overpaying.
***
“We’ve called you here knowing your hardships in this foreign land.”
Angelo responded to Henry’s welcoming words on behalf of the monks.
“We thank you for your invitation.”
Following Henry, Giovanni and Mehmet II offered their respects. Mehmet II’s words carried particular significance.
“Though our ways of belief differ, the heart that seeks truth is the same for all. In that sense, I cannot help but admire your efforts.”
“We are truly grateful.”
Soon after, gisaeng entered with various delicacies and alcohol.
“These are men of religion—have the gisaeng withdraw.”
When Henry’s words were conveyed through the interpreter, the gisaeng quietly left the room.
“You may step out as well.”
“Pardon? Yes.”
The interpreter, reading the room’s atmosphere, quietly went outside.
Latin was the international language of the time. Everyone in the room could converse fluently in Latin. With the gisaeng who needed interpretation gone, there was no need for the interpreter.
After leaving the room, the interpreter quietly sought out the head gisaeng.
“Is there a room where we can hear what’s being said in the banquet hall?”
The head gisaeng turned at the interpreter’s question.
“This way, please.”
***
As time passed and the monks began to relax, Giovanni stepped forward on Henry’s behalf.
“We saw the excavator at the Han River yesterday—it was impressive. Truly a spectacular sight to see that iron mass the size of a decent house moving about.”
Angelo smiled slightly at Giovanni’s words and replied.
“You would have been even more amazed by the excavators used by the Joseon military. To exaggerate slightly, they’re like moving fortresses.”
“Really?”
“What you saw at the Han River was a Type A. It’s the first model created and is used at general construction sites. The military versions used by combat engineers are even larger, more robust, and more powerful. They require about twenty people just to operate.”
“My, my…”
Giovanni shook his head in disbelief at Angelo’s response.
His barrage of questions continued.
“Setting aside military versions, even the Type A is quite large—is it possible to transport it by ship?”
“It can be transported when disassembled. Even Joseon moves them by steam engine or ship in pieces when traveling long distances.”
“It must be expensive?”
“It is. That’s why many Joseon merchant groups either rent them from the state or purchase them through installment payments.”
“They buy them despite the cost?”
“Once purchased, their applications are endless, and the state guarantees a minimum lifespan of ten years—how could it not be profitable?”
Nodding at these words, Giovanni continued his questions.
“We’re currently researching the steam engine you mentioned in your letters. Once we perfect the steam engine, we should be able to make excavators right away, shouldn’t we?”
Angelo firmly shook his head at Giovanni’s question.
“That would be difficult—no, impossible.”
“Why?”
“Steel is the issue.”
“Florence produces steel too.”
As soon as Giovanni finished speaking, Henry and Mehmet II nodded.
Though there were production volume issues, Portugal, Florence, and the Ottoman Empire all produced steel. After seeing Joseon, all three keenly felt the need for mass steel production.
Only steel can make a nation powerful!
This was their shared conviction.
In response to Giovanni’s rebuttal, Angelo raised his hand to indicate his friend sitting beside him.
“Interestingly, this friend shares your name, Giovanni.”
“Is that so? Pleased to meet you. But why mention this?”
“One of this friend’s tasks involved Joseon’s steel. Brother Giovanni, how many types of steel does Joseon produce?”
“Eight types so far. But research continues, so that number will likely increase. Plus, they’re still researching alloy steels.”
“Wait! Eight types of steel? Isn’t steel just steel?”
Brother Giovanni answered Giovanni’s urgent interjection.
“The properties vary depending on how many impurities are left during the steelmaking process. Joseon not only classifies these differences but is also researching how to adjust properties by deliberately adding impurities. Joseon’s ability to use steam engines in various applications is due to having different types of steel.”
“Remarkable…”
The three men shook their heads at Brother Giovanni’s response.
After a moment of silence, Giovanni asked Brother Giovanni.
“Then couldn’t you return and help us?”
“No.”
Henry’s expression turned fierce at Brother Giovanni’s firm refusal.
“Why not?”
“It’s a matter of faith.”
“What?”
The three men’s expressions turned peculiar at this unexpected response. Seeing their expressions, Brother Giovanni explained in more detail.
“Proselytizing is currently prohibited in Joseon. The first reason is that we haven’t yet received a response from the Vatican.”
The three men nodded at Brother Giovanni’s words.
Hyang’s question about ‘ancestral worship ceremonies’ was well-known. One of the reasons for the dispute between the Pope and the Council was how to answer this question.
Brother Giovanni continued his explanation.
“Joseon’s Crown Prince—that is, the Crown Prince—added these words: ‘If you wish to spread God’s gospel, do it through actions, not words.’ If I were to return to Florence now, I would be abandoning my integrity, and Christianity would become a faithless religion. That’s why I cannot go.”
“Then you intend to stay here until death?”
“If proselytizing becomes possible, I wouldn’t mind dying here.”
Henry fell silent at Brother Giovanni’s resolute answer.
“Do the others feel the same?”
All the monks present nodded at Henry’s question.
Angelo spoke on behalf of the monks.
“Even if we did return, it wouldn’t help much. You know the Crown Prince gathered alchemists too, right? What he asked of them wasn’t to make gold. It was to classify and analyze the properties of minerals found in Joseon and nearby regions. That’s what led to the creation of such diverse types of steel.”
“What if we took the alchemists along too?”
Angelo shook his head at Mehmet II’s urgent question.
“You know well how they were treated in Arabia and Italy, don’t you? To be honest, even we who follow Roger Bacon’s teachings could be branded as heretics if we’re not careful.”
The three men couldn’t hide their disappointment at Angelo’s response.
As Angelo said, the fields they were researching could easily be branded as heretical with the slightest misstep.
Whether aware of their feelings or not, Angelo emptied his cup and continued.
“Besides these issues, the biggest reason we cannot return is the Challenge Record.”
“Challenge Record?”
“Yes. When we solve the challenges listed in the Record, we will be closer to God’s truth.”
Angelo’s eyes shone intensely as he spoke.