‘Europe is indeed a bit late in this regard. If my memory serves correctly, that is.’

Hyang muttered inwardly while searching through his memories.

It was when the Enlightenment became mainstream in academia that European intellectuals began seriously discussing the relationship between the state and its citizens.

Through the American War of Independence and the French Revolution, Enlightenment thinking—no, Enlightenment-style thinking—became common sense in the West, eventually becoming part of the basic worldview and human perspective of modern people spanning the 20th and 21st centuries.

Because of this, Hyang naturally held such ways of thinking and had revealed them in his policy presentations.

And this way of thinking in turn influenced Sejong, resulting in the birth of the ‘Fundamental Law,’ which combined traditional Confucian people-centered governance with traditional values symbolized by ‘Broadly Benefit Humanity’.

To European intellectuals, where the power of religion—Christianity and indigenous religions absorbed into Christianity—was still strong, this became a very progressive and innovative ideology and political philosophy.

‘Imperial Style… Are we becoming the America of the late 20th century?’

***

In the late 20th century, as America emerged as the victor of World War II, half the world accepted American laws, systems, culture, and values.

This wasn’t just newly independent countries fresh from colonialism. Europe, where everything had turned to ruins in World War II, also swallowed its pride and accepted American culture and values.

However, as mentioned, only half the world accepted this. The other half accepted communist-style laws, systems, and ways of thinking symbolized by the Soviet Union.

Of course, as time passed, variations emerged in both East and West.

The ‘Third World,’ which claimed to belong to neither East nor West but actually fed off both.

‘Korean-style democracy’ to justify ‘developmental dictatorship.’

‘Maoism,’ ‘Chinese-style socialism,’ ‘Juche ideology,’ and others created to escape Soviet influence while strengthening dictatorial power.

However, after the Eastern Bloc collapsed in the 1990s, most countries came to accept the ‘American Style.’

The ‘American Style’ had become the ‘Global Standard.’

Of course, there were countries that rejected this and insisted on religious fundamentalism or socialism. But among these countries, most except China were pushed out of the mainstream.

The cultural sphere was even more severe.

Many countries produced dramas and films pointing out their own ills and problems, and these became known abroad.

However, among these films, those with the greatest influence still came from Hollywood.

Works made in other countries struggled to cross their own borders, but Hollywood productions easily crossed national boundaries.

And pro-Americans who encountered these works exclaimed:

“Look! They fearlessly expose and criticize their own flaws! That’s America’s strength!”

Among those who cried ‘anti-American’ in 1980s Korea, quite a few nodded at such claims.

“Well… that’s worth acknowledging. Even if it’s heavily mixed with capitalist commercial tactics.”

Of course, there were those who criticized this.

“Idiots! It’s all propaganda! ‘Our America is so free that we can criticize openly and still be fine! This is our America! Praise us!’ That’s what they’re saying!”

“Still, it’s better than completely preventing such productions, isn’t it?”

“…”

And in the 21st century, as the Korean Wave became popular, similar phenomena occurred in China.

• The one thing where the Bangzi (derogatory term for Koreans) are better is having no censorship in movies and dramas!
• We should learn from their lack of hesitation in exposing their flaws and absence of censorship! If it were us, party censorship would prevent it from even reaching theaters!

Recalling 21st-century memories, Hyang smiled slightly and muttered.

“Interesting. Very interesting.”

***

“Not interesting. Not interesting at all.”

Half-rising from his bed, Cosimo glared at the report with a displeased face after reading the Empire’s documents several times.

Certainly, the Empire’s proposal was sweet.

They were already operating elementary educational institutions similar to the Empire’s public schools with visible positive results.

• The systems and laws that enabled a small country pressured by great powers to grow into a strong nation.
• And they would send officials well-versed in these systems and laws to provide advice.

These were certainly laws and systems that had produced visible results. This couldn’t be denied.

As someone who had traded with the ‘Land of Flowers’ since the days when the Empire was called Joseon, Cosimo could never deny the effectiveness of these laws and systems.

Having decided to enter the competition with the goal of ‘Italian Unification,’ Florence’s current laws and systems alone had limitations.

To overwhelm other competitors in the race, Florence’s potential had to be maximized, and this absolutely required assistance from those with experience.

Therefore, the Empire’s proposal to Florence was like ‘rain after a drought.’

However, this was a ‘poisoned chalice.’

Looking at the behavior of those who bought goods from the ‘Land of Flowers,’ they fell into two categories.

One was merely for ‘decorative’ purposes. From splendid chandeliers to cheap bowls, these were people who just wanted to boast about ‘having items from the Land of Flowers.’

The other category consisted of those who ‘properly utilized’ them. They carefully examined whether the Imperial products they purchased suited their purposes before buying. However, they never forgot to ask:

“What was the Empire thinking when they made this like this?”

And after learning the purpose and usage, they used the items in the Imperial style.

And both sides eventually became addicted to the ‘Empire.’

The Empire’s proposal to Florence was no different.

The moment Florence accepted the Empire’s proposal, people’s reactions would split in two:

• The great Eastern nation has joined hands with our Florence!

The fact that the Empire, advanced in everything, has joined hands with our Florence proves how exceptional our Florence is!

• These are the laws and systems that played the greatest role in creating that Empire! Since those who will teach us are coming, we must use this opportunity to further develop Florence!

Whether intoxicated by outward appearances or seeking practical benefits, everyone would eventually become steeped in the Empire over time.

Not just goods, but laws and systems contained the values and ideology of those who created them.

And in the most concentrated form.

Those studying to transplant the Empire’s laws and systems into Florence and those exercising power using these laws and systems would be the first to become steeped in the Empire’s ideology and values.

Following them, the commoners under their rule would become steeped as well.

And with more time, Florence would have become another Empire.

“Sigh…”

After a long sigh, Cosimo wet his throat with wine.

“While it’s not interesting… thinking of Lorenzo, it’s regrettable that there’s no answer besides this.”

Lorenzo was a vigorous man in his twenties who even competed in jousting tournaments. Having accumulated experience accompanying Cosimo in place of his father Piero since childhood, he had a reasonably broad perspective.

With Lorenzo’s remaining time, ability, ambition, and family capital, plus the Empire’s advice, achieving the great cause was entirely possible.

However, thinking of the future, the ‘absence of philosophy’ was a serious problem.

• The great cause of ‘Italian Unification’ has been achieved. Then what?

The current Lorenzo couldn’t answer this question. No, it was certain that most of those crying for ‘Italian Unification’ throughout Italy couldn’t answer either.

“But if asked, I couldn’t answer either.”

Cosimo muttered with self-deprecating laughter.

In his youth, Cosimo had dreamed of being a humanist. He had attempted a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to collect ancient texts before being stopped by his father.

Following his father’s wishes, he inherited the family business but collected or transcribed ancient texts, even creating the Medici family library.

Naturally, Cosimo’s humanistic knowledge surpassed that of most scholars.

Being such a person, Cosimo was the first to obtain and read the Empire’s Fundamental Law.

Not a Latin translation, but the original printed in Jeongeum script.

Having explored the Fundamental Law and confirmed the Empire’s ideology and values dissolved within it, Cosimo recognized the hidden meaning in the Empire’s proposal.

However, that was the end of it.

“Now I have almost no time left. If only Piero had been healthy…”

Because his eldest son and heir Piero was sickly, Cosimo chose Lorenzo as the next best option. This was a reasonably good method, but it meant Cosimo had to remain active on the front lines for a longer time.

To put it differently, there was no time to refine the political philosophy needed for Lorenzo, who dreamed of great causes.

“Ha! Just excuses!”

Cosimo scoffed at himself.

“I’m a merchant. By now, I’m a merchant to my bones. The only things important to me are the family’s profit and well-being. Great causes? Great principles? Ridiculous.”

Cosimo evaluated himself coldly.

Among Europe’s rulers in this period, Cosimo had the broadest perspective and was unmatched in analyzing and judging situations.

However, Cosimo was still a figure of the old era. Though he had given permission, pushed by Lorenzo and Giovanni’s passion, Cosimo still didn’t feel the necessity of Italian unification.

For him, the only great principle was ‘the family’s glory and well-being.’

For this great principle…

“I’m the kind of person who would shout ‘Hallelujah’ in the Vatican and ‘Allahu Akbar’ in Mecca.”

Having evaluated himself thus, Cosimo reached a conclusion.

“For the family’s well-being and profit, for Lorenzo’s sake, for that vaunted ‘Unified Italy,’ it would be best to accept the Empire’s proposal. Of course, we can’t end it at the advisory level; we need to drag the Empire into this gambling table… Ah! No need to drag them in. This proposal itself is the Empire’s signal that they’re jumping into this game. What cards is the Empire hiding in this gambling table full of those with no intention of proper gambling?”

Cosimo’s eyes were now filled with curiosity and enjoyment.

“If I were just a bit younger, I’d be at the forefront, running here and there. While it’s regrettable I can’t do that now, watching from behind will have its own entertainment.”

***

Two days later, Cosimo summoned Lorenzo and Giovanni and commanded:

“Go to Seoul as quickly as possible and say we’ll accept the proposal. But! Get everything you can from the Empire! Remember! Get it! Not buy it!”

“Yes!”

“Lorenzo, check not only the population census of Florence and its surroundings but also all other preparations once more! The Medici family are the masters of Florence! If you don’t want to be led around, check properly!”

“Yes!”