End of the 31st year of King Sejong’s reign (1449, Year of the Snake).
Florence.
Knock knock.
“Enter.”
The butler, having received Cosimo’s permission, announced a visitor.
“Gonfaloniere (gonfaloniere di giustizia, representative of the Florentine Republic’s council). There is a visitor.”
“Oh? Who is it?”
“He says he’s an envoy from the King of France.”
Cosimo, who had been organizing documents with an indifferent expression, leaned back in his chair and responded.
“Show him in.”
“Yes.”
Shortly after, guided by the butler, the envoy entered the office and respectfully greeted Cosimo.
“I pay my respects to the Gonfaloniere.”
“Welcome.”
After this brief response, Cosimo ordered the butler.
“Guide him to his seat and bring caffè.”
“Yes, Gonfaloniere.”
Soon after, with teacups between them, the conversation between Cosimo and the envoy began.
“So, how fares the King?”
“He is in good health.”
“That’s fortunate. Now then, why has the Victorious King sent you?”
At Cosimo’s question, the envoy opened the leather bag on his lap and took out a letter.
“A personal letter from His Majesty.”
“A personal letter?”
Cosimo took the envelope and examined it. On the red wax seal closing the envelope, the coat of arms of the House of Valois was clearly imprinted.
“Hmm…”
After breaking the seal and checking the contents of the letter, Cosimo let out a long sigh.
“Huu~. Tell the Victorious King this: ‘I will inform you as soon as the path opens.'”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Since you have a long journey back to Paris, I’ll have accommodations prepared for you.”
***
After dismissing the envoy, Cosimo sighed again and grumbled.
“Huu~. It’s been a while since I’ve been threatened.”
The contents of Charles VII’s personal letter could be summarized as follows:
-Request to include professors from the University of Paris in the inspection team being sent to the ‘Land of Flowers.’
Considering future friendly relations, he expected Cosimo’s wise decision.
Though it spoke of ‘friendly relations’ and ‘wise decision,’ this was a threat.
-If you don’t include us in the inspection team, we won’t cooperate in the future!
It was a threat Cosimo had no choice but to accept.
Looking at the letter in his hand, Cosimo shook his head.
“Which bastard went around bragging? These damned professors!”
Cosimo was certain there was a likely suspect among the University of Florence professors.
Looking at the situation of European universities during this period, Cosimo’s certainty was understandable.
While they constantly growled “You think you’re so great” and “I’m better than you,” European university professors maintained equally spider web-like networks of connections.
This was inevitable because the classical philosophical texts they primarily studied and taught were extremely scarce. Therefore, to read or copy rare ancient texts they didn’t possess, they had to rely on their connections.
This resulted in the creation of tight and tenacious networks between university professors across various European countries.
Therefore, Cosimo could easily guess why this had happened.
Someone among the professors had certainly written a letter to their rival to brag.
– I’m going to the ‘Land of Flowers’! I’ll see and touch everything with my own eyes! Jealous?
They must have sent such a letter to rub salt in their rival’s wounds.
Filling his empty glass with wine, Cosimo looked out the window and grumbled.
“Soon envoys will be swarming in from all directions.”
Though he grumbled thus, Cosimo’s expression wasn’t particularly bad.
“Either way, they can’t reach the Empire without going through me. ‘Guide of Learning’… not bad for me and my family.”
And as Cosimo predicted, envoys sent by kings from various countries began to arrive.
***
Early March, 32nd year of King Sejong’s reign (1450, Year of the Dog).
Giovanni, sent by Cosimo, arrived in Seoul along with Mehmet II’s envoys.
After paying their respects to Hyang and withdrawing, Giovanni and the envoys had successive meetings with Heo Hu.
“You must be tired from your long journey. Well, have you brought an answer?”
“That matter is currently being pursued with our utmost effort. We’ve come this time for a different matter.”
“A different matter? What is it?”
“Professors from Florence and European universities have requested to see the Empire. We seek His Majesty’s permission regarding this.”
“Oh?”
After briefly considering Cosimo’s words, Heo Hu responded.
“I understand. I will report this to His Majesty.”
***
After hearing Florence’s request through Heo Hu, Hyang discussed it with his ministers.
“So how should we regard these university professors?”
To Hwangbo In’s question, Heo Hu searched his memory and answered.
“If what I’ve heard before is correct, they would be similar to those who teach at the Empire’s various academies and the researchers at our research institutes.”
“Oh? Highly learned individuals then.”
“That’s correct.”
The ministers nodded at Heo Hu’s explanation, their eyes full of ambition. Seeing their expressions, Hyang spoke up.
“They’re already respected in Europe. They won’t easily defect.”
At Hyang’s words, Kim Jongseo, unable to let go of his hopes, asked Hyang.
“Since there are similar individuals among the Western monks at the research institute, wouldn’t it be possible?”
Hyang shook his head at Kim Jongseo’s words.
“The monks only have honor, but these people have both wealth and honor. How many people who already have both wealth and honor would give those up to come here?”
“Ah…”
At Hyang’s point, the ministers couldn’t hide their disappointment, either sighing or clicking their tongues.
Looking at these ministers, Hyang continued.
“According to what we’ve learned through the monks at the research institute, European universities first teach what they call the ‘Seven Liberal Arts,’ after which students choose one of three fields of study.”
Hyang explained about the ‘Seven Liberal Arts’ divided into the ‘Three Studies and Four Arts’ and the specialized ‘Three Professional Studies.’
“Therefore, I propose we accept their request but with our own conditions. We should only accept professors of medicine from the Three Professional Studies, and from the Seven Liberal Arts, only professors of algebra and geometry, which they call mathematics, along with astronomy and music.”
After considering Hyang’s proposal briefly, Hwang Hui asked him.
“Are you expecting visiting students[[도래학생]?”
“Yes. It’s crystal clear that our Empire is ahead of them, so they will send students to learn. We’re targeting these students.”
At Hyang’s words, Lee Sachul carefully pointed out an issue.
“While it could be a good opportunity to easily acquire talent if done well, there could be budget problems if we’re not careful.”
“Budget problems?”
“Yes. As I recall, during the ancient Three Han period, many talented individuals from the Three Han went to Tang to study. While their home countries supported the cost of obtaining classics, Tang bore the cost of food, clothing, and shelter. While it’s truly gratifying that European students would admire and come to learn our Empire’s knowledge, too many of them would strain the budget.”
At Lee Sachul’s point, Hyang asked with an expression of incomprehension.
“Why should we provide for their food, clothing, and shelter?”
“Pardon?”
“We can provide housing. But they should naturally pay for eating, clothing, and learning. Even our Empire’s own people pay tuition from middle school onward. It wouldn’t be fair.”
At Hyang’s words, Lee Sachul stammered a rebuttal.
“B-but, they admire our Empire’s learning…”
Hyang immediately cut off Lee Sachul’s words.
“Did we ask them to come? Didn’t they volunteer to come? If they don’t want to pay these costs, they can work like the Japanese do.”
At Hyang’s words, this time Kim Jeom pointed out an issue.
“We might lose talented individuals that way.”
“Those coming this time are different from the Western monks. They’re more similar to the Japanese case. How many Japanese remained after completing their studies and practical training?”
“Very few.”
As Kim Jeom answered, most Japanese who came to Joseon to learn administration and practical skills returned to Japan.
This was a natural choice.
They could work in the core of power just by returning to Japan.
Hyang continued speaking.
“It’s the same here. Think about it. Cosimo is a renowned merchant even in Europe. Would someone like him send students without any preparation? Even if we were to provide tuition and necessary items, he would fill the students’ pockets in advance. He needs to make them indebted so they’ll return later. Therefore, it’s best to take what we can get.”
At Hyang’s words, Lee Sachul continued to point out problems.
“Your Majesty’s words are truly wise, but we might lose talented individuals.”
“There’s a solution for that issue. We can offer benefits too.”
“Benefits? Please tell us what kind of benefits you intend to offer.”
“What do you think would be good?”
‘This guy! Trying to get honey for free!’
As Hyang’s tone changed, the ministers tensed up and began racking their brains.
After a moment, Kim Jongseo spoke up.
“Wouldn’t it be best to answer money with money? Methods like providing women could become scandalous. If we provide rewards and tuition exemptions to those who show good study attitudes, excellent grades, and promise for the future, we could secure at least six out of ten.”
“That is what I had in mind.”
When Hyang responded with a satisfied expression, the ministers internally sighed with relief.
‘Whew~. We made it!’
Looking at these ministers, Hyang added an explanation.
“If necessary, we can also set a period for them to stay and work. If they work diligently for, say, 10 years, we guarantee their return home along with substantial rewards. This would reduce the burden on the individual. Even staying an additional 10 years, they can still return home and earn money. Moreover, since they’ll return having learned more than those who left earlier, their home countries’ rulers won’t take issue with it.”
The ministers nodded at Hyang’s words. However, soon after, Kim Jeom raised an objection.
“Isn’t sending them back dangerous? We might end up creating powerful competitors in the West.”
“That’s what we’re aiming for.”
At Hyang’s answer, all the ministers opened their eyes wide and asked in unison.
“What?”
Looking at these ministers, Hyang calmly explained the reason.
“As I’ve said before, this is to prevent the Empire’s stagnation. You all know the saying ‘stagnant water becomes corrupt.’ While continuously recruiting and introducing fresh talent from outside is a good method to prevent this stagnation, it’s not everything. You need competitors to keep moving forward. Haven’t you all experienced running races with friends or competing with classmates while studying when you were young?”
“Ah!”
The ministers all exclaimed at Hyang’s words. However, Kim Jeom couldn’t hide his concern.
“But we might be overtaken as time passes.”
To Kim Jeom’s words, Hyang responded decisively.
“Any fool who gets overtaken in this situation deserves it.”
At Hyang’s resolute answer, all the ministers had the same thought:
‘His Majesty is confident he won’t be overtaken during his time! The problem is, this isn’t arrogance! The bigger problem is that because of this, we’re going to be buried in work!’