Chapter 93
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Chapter 93
Sayid, who arrived at Jemulpo port, sent a pre-written memorandum to Hanyang.
Upon reading the memorandum, King Sejong convened his ministers and summoned Hyang.
“Please read the memorandum,” Sejong ordered.
The ministers and officials read the memorandum and then looked at King Sejong.
“Crown Prince, explain again the necessity of glass artisans.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Although glass existed as far back as the Samhan period1, there are no artisans who can craft it now. The main reason is that we already have pottery.
We have limited the utility of glass to merely making containers or ornaments. However, considering the properties of glass, we need to secure glass production technology.
Firstly, there’s the industrial need. For example, when making gunpowder or processing metals, we use various acids. These acids are usually stored in pottery containers, which are inconvenient for several reasons. The biggest inconvenience is the inability to check the contents. To do so, one has to open the lid and look inside, which could cause severe injuries if done incorrectly.
But if we use glass, we can check the contents without opening the lid. This is not limited to acids; it can also be applied to food, allowing us to check for spoilage without opening the container.”
“That seems useful.”
Sejong, who enjoyed gourmet food, immediately showed interest. Seeing this, Hyang breathed a small sigh of relief.
‘My Royal Father, when will you lose weight... Even if you’re a healthy pig... Talk to your liver and exercise more...’
“Crown Prince?”
Caught daydreaming while observing the still portly King Sejong, Hyang quickly focused as Sejong called for him.
“Yes? Ah, Your Majesty. I was organizing my thoughts. The second reason involves the military. We can process glass to create lenses, which can be used to see distant places up close. Additionally, we can place glass devices on lanterns to project light further away.”
“Hmm... Sounds good. Ministers, listen. The reason the crown prince had to explain the necessity of glass artisans again is due to the route Sayid and his entourage took to search for one.”
The ministers nodded at King Sejong’s explanation, and Hyang grimaced.
‘Sayid has scored a windfall...’
* * *
Following Hyang’s order to ‘Find and bring a glass artisan,’ Hassan and Sayid tried to gather information in the Islamic community in Ming, but they were unable to find any glass artisans.
“Brother, let me go back to my hometown.”
“Hometown? Distance is an issue, but can we find a glass artisan there? Sayid, you heard, right? This ‘plate glass’ is something those Italians are producing these days.”
“Still, we can’t return empty-handed. That would certainly mean losing this golden opportunity. Let’s give it a shot.”
Hassan nodded at Sayid’s words.
The nation had changed from Goryeo to Joseon, and the situation was increasingly dire. They had no choice but to either move everything to Ming or return to their hometown. And even if they did return, the chances of succeeding again were very low.
In such a circumstance, the crown prince’s offer was truly a ‘golden opportunity.’
Ultimately, Hassan had no choice but to agree with Sayid.
“Be careful on your journey, my brother.”
And so, Sayid hitched a ride on another merchant’s ship and headed for his hometown.
However, even upon arriving in his hometown, Sayid could not easily find a glass artisan.
There were glass artisans, but they were either working at the factories of their targets or were part of a powerful family’s workshop.
“I should go to Alexandria.”
Deciding thus, Sayid requested help from his own family.
‘A family member from Joseon is asking for help.’
Having heard the story through Sayid’s grandfather, the elders of the Otaibi family exchanged opinions.
“Do we need to find a glass artisan?”
“That’s what they say. An artisan capable of making plate glass, to be specific.”
“Is plate glass not something that only artisans from Murano Island in Venice, Italy can make2?”
“I’ve heard that artisans in Florence have started making it as well.”
“Wouldn’t we need to go to the slave market in Alexandria for such an artisan?”
“That’s why he’s asking for help.”
“What kind of help does he want?”
“Transportation to and from Alexandria, financial support for buying a slave, and a ship back to Joseon.”
“Joseon?”
“The country that rose after destroying Goryeo.”
“Hmm...”
The elders deliberated and had heated debates. Despite the tension, they came to a conclusion.
“Let’s provide the support!”
The family’s eldest member made the decision, influenced by a letter from Joseon that Sayid had brought.
—If you help us find a glass artisan, I will support Otaibi’s trade with Joseon. I guarantee this as the crown prince of Joseon.
“Isn’t it good to help when the crown prince, who will inherit the throne, has made a guarantee?”
“He is just a crown prince.”
“Indeed, he’s only a crown prince. But in Joseon, such a letter cannot be written without the king’s permission.”
There were objections until the end, but support was decided when Sayid’s grandfather explained the letter’s importance.
With the full support of his family, Sayid headed to the sl@ve market in Alexandria.
“The current king and crown prince of Joseon are quick to handle matters.”
***
The next day, at noon.
Hassan and Sayid, accompanied by the elders and glass artisans, headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Upon seeing Hassan and Sayid in traditional garments, the soldiers respectfully saluted and then spoke.
“Who are these people behind you?”
“They are accompanying me by royal command.”
Hassan fumbled through his sleeves and presented a scroll written with the royal order to the gatekeeper.
Upon confirming the contents of the scroll, the gatekeeper stepped aside and returned it.
“Pass!”
***
“Your Majesty, we have arrived!”
Reaching the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, the Hassan brothers knelt and bowed deeply.
The accompanying elders and even the slaves followed suit, kneeling and bowing. They seemed to understand that a misstep could put their lives in jeopardy, at least at this moment.
“You may rise.”
“Your graciousness is immense.”
At King Sejong’s words, the Hassan brothers stood up and spoke politely.
“Who are the people that have come with you?”
“They are the elders of our family.”
“Is that so? Tell them they’ve worked hard.”
Upon hearing Hassan’s translation, the elders bowed their waists politely as their response.
“Are those behind you the glass artisans?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm...”
After inspecting the glass artisans, Sejong spoke to Hassan.
“We will accurately calculate and repay the expenses you incurred while rescuing them. Plus, for their nearly two years of hardship, an additional 10% will be given.”
“Your graciousness is immense!”
Upon hearing Sejong’s words, Hassan and Sayid bowed deeply. The elders, who heard through Sayid, also bowed even more respectfully than before.
“From now on, converse with the crown prince.”
As Sejong stood up from his chair, the Hassan brothers knelt again.
When Sejong left, the Crown Prince Hyang stepped in.
“First, let’s have a brief discussion with the glass artisans.”
“We shall do so. Sayid will interpret.”
“No need.”
Stopping Hassan from interpreting, Hyang directly spoke to the artisans.
“Exspectata ut Hao Coreanica regnum. (Welcome to the Korean Kingdom.)”
Upon hearing the somewhat clumsy but familiar Latin from an ‘Eastern pagan,’ the glass artisans looked at Hyang in astonishment.
“Hic autem non est servus. (You are not sl@ves here.)”
Upon saying this, Hyang ordered Hassan.
“Free them from their restraints.”
Following Hyang’s command, the elders ordered those behind them to unshackle the artisans.
Now free, the artisans bowed deeply to Hyang in genuine gratitude.
“Venite post verba autem ex illis. (We’ll speak with you later.)”
“Ita! (Yes!)”
As the artisans promptly responded, Hyang gestured to the soldiers.
“Take them to Area 51.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
The soldiers escorted the glass artisans away.
Witnessing all of this, the elders couldn’t gather their wits.
When Hyang initially spoke in Latin, one elder quietly asked Hassan.
“Did you teach him Latin?”
“He already knew it.”
‘Just who is this Crown Prince of Joseon?’
They had heard the words ‘enormous talent’ from the Hassan and Sayid brothers, but seeing it firsthand made it all the more unbelievable.
Meanwhile, after sending the artisans away, Hyang looked at the elders and spoke.
“Now, let’s discuss how we’ll handle the payment.”
Samhan, or Three Han, is the collective name of the Byeonhan, Jinhan, and Mahan confederacies that emerged in the first century BC during the Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea.[↩]Murano Island is famous for their glass craft making[↩]
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Chapter 93
Sayid, who arrived at Jemulpo port, sent a pre-written memorandum to Hanyang.
Upon reading the memorandum, King Sejong convened his ministers and summoned Hyang.
“Please read the memorandum,” Sejong ordered.
The ministers and officials read the memorandum and then looked at King Sejong.
“Crown Prince, explain again the necessity of glass artisans.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Although glass existed as far back as the Samhan period1, there are no artisans who can craft it now. The main reason is that we already have pottery.
We have limited the utility of glass to merely making containers or ornaments. However, considering the properties of glass, we need to secure glass production technology.
Firstly, there’s the industrial need. For example, when making gunpowder or processing metals, we use various acids. These acids are usually stored in pottery containers, which are inconvenient for several reasons. The biggest inconvenience is the inability to check the contents. To do so, one has to open the lid and look inside, which could cause severe injuries if done incorrectly.
But if we use glass, we can check the contents without opening the lid. This is not limited to acids; it can also be applied to food, allowing us to check for spoilage without opening the container.”
“That seems useful.”
Sejong, who enjoyed gourmet food, immediately showed interest. Seeing this, Hyang breathed a small sigh of relief.
‘My Royal Father, when will you lose weight... Even if you’re a healthy pig... Talk to your liver and exercise more...’
“Crown Prince?”
Caught daydreaming while observing the still portly King Sejong, Hyang quickly focused as Sejong called for him.
“Yes? Ah, Your Majesty. I was organizing my thoughts. The second reason involves the military. We can process glass to create lenses, which can be used to see distant places up close. Additionally, we can place glass devices on lanterns to project light further away.”
“Hmm... Sounds good. Ministers, listen. The reason the crown prince had to explain the necessity of glass artisans again is due to the route Sayid and his entourage took to search for one.”
The ministers nodded at King Sejong’s explanation, and Hyang grimaced.
‘Sayid has scored a windfall...’
* * *
Following Hyang’s order to ‘Find and bring a glass artisan,’ Hassan and Sayid tried to gather information in the Islamic community in Ming, but they were unable to find any glass artisans.
“Brother, let me go back to my hometown.”
“Hometown? Distance is an issue, but can we find a glass artisan there? Sayid, you heard, right? This ‘plate glass’ is something those Italians are producing these days.”
“Still, we can’t return empty-handed. That would certainly mean losing this golden opportunity. Let’s give it a shot.”
Hassan nodded at Sayid’s words.
The nation had changed from Goryeo to Joseon, and the situation was increasingly dire. They had no choice but to either move everything to Ming or return to their hometown. And even if they did return, the chances of succeeding again were very low.
In such a circumstance, the crown prince’s offer was truly a ‘golden opportunity.’
Ultimately, Hassan had no choice but to agree with Sayid.
“Be careful on your journey, my brother.”
And so, Sayid hitched a ride on another merchant’s ship and headed for his hometown.
However, even upon arriving in his hometown, Sayid could not easily find a glass artisan.
There were glass artisans, but they were either working at the factories of their targets or were part of a powerful family’s workshop.
“I should go to Alexandria.”
Deciding thus, Sayid requested help from his own family.
‘A family member from Joseon is asking for help.’
Having heard the story through Sayid’s grandfather, the elders of the Otaibi family exchanged opinions.
“Do we need to find a glass artisan?”
“That’s what they say. An artisan capable of making plate glass, to be specific.”
“Is plate glass not something that only artisans from Murano Island in Venice, Italy can make2?”
“I’ve heard that artisans in Florence have started making it as well.”
“Wouldn’t we need to go to the slave market in Alexandria for such an artisan?”
“That’s why he’s asking for help.”
“What kind of help does he want?”
“Transportation to and from Alexandria, financial support for buying a slave, and a ship back to Joseon.”
“Joseon?”
“The country that rose after destroying Goryeo.”
“Hmm...”
The elders deliberated and had heated debates. Despite the tension, they came to a conclusion.
“Let’s provide the support!”
The family’s eldest member made the decision, influenced by a letter from Joseon that Sayid had brought.
—If you help us find a glass artisan, I will support Otaibi’s trade with Joseon. I guarantee this as the crown prince of Joseon.
“Isn’t it good to help when the crown prince, who will inherit the throne, has made a guarantee?”
“He is just a crown prince.”
“Indeed, he’s only a crown prince. But in Joseon, such a letter cannot be written without the king’s permission.”
There were objections until the end, but support was decided when Sayid’s grandfather explained the letter’s importance.
With the full support of his family, Sayid headed to the sl@ve market in Alexandria.
“The current king and crown prince of Joseon are quick to handle matters.”
***
The next day, at noon.
Hassan and Sayid, accompanied by the elders and glass artisans, headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Upon seeing Hassan and Sayid in traditional garments, the soldiers respectfully saluted and then spoke.
“Who are these people behind you?”
“They are accompanying me by royal command.”
Hassan fumbled through his sleeves and presented a scroll written with the royal order to the gatekeeper.
Upon confirming the contents of the scroll, the gatekeeper stepped aside and returned it.
“Pass!”
***
“Your Majesty, we have arrived!”
Reaching the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, the Hassan brothers knelt and bowed deeply.
The accompanying elders and even the slaves followed suit, kneeling and bowing. They seemed to understand that a misstep could put their lives in jeopardy, at least at this moment.
“You may rise.”
“Your graciousness is immense.”
At King Sejong’s words, the Hassan brothers stood up and spoke politely.
“Who are the people that have come with you?”
“They are the elders of our family.”
“Is that so? Tell them they’ve worked hard.”
Upon hearing Hassan’s translation, the elders bowed their waists politely as their response.
“Are those behind you the glass artisans?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm...”
After inspecting the glass artisans, Sejong spoke to Hassan.
“We will accurately calculate and repay the expenses you incurred while rescuing them. Plus, for their nearly two years of hardship, an additional 10% will be given.”
“Your graciousness is immense!”
Upon hearing Sejong’s words, Hassan and Sayid bowed deeply. The elders, who heard through Sayid, also bowed even more respectfully than before.
“From now on, converse with the crown prince.”
As Sejong stood up from his chair, the Hassan brothers knelt again.
When Sejong left, the Crown Prince Hyang stepped in.
“First, let’s have a brief discussion with the glass artisans.”
“We shall do so. Sayid will interpret.”
“No need.”
Stopping Hassan from interpreting, Hyang directly spoke to the artisans.
“Exspectata ut Hao Coreanica regnum. (Welcome to the Korean Kingdom.)”
Upon hearing the somewhat clumsy but familiar Latin from an ‘Eastern pagan,’ the glass artisans looked at Hyang in astonishment.
“Hic autem non est servus. (You are not sl@ves here.)”
Upon saying this, Hyang ordered Hassan.
“Free them from their restraints.”
Following Hyang’s command, the elders ordered those behind them to unshackle the artisans.
Now free, the artisans bowed deeply to Hyang in genuine gratitude.
“Venite post verba autem ex illis. (We’ll speak with you later.)”
“Ita! (Yes!)”
As the artisans promptly responded, Hyang gestured to the soldiers.
“Take them to Area 51.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
The soldiers escorted the glass artisans away.
Witnessing all of this, the elders couldn’t gather their wits.
When Hyang initially spoke in Latin, one elder quietly asked Hassan.
“Did you teach him Latin?”
“He already knew it.”
‘Just who is this Crown Prince of Joseon?’
They had heard the words ‘enormous talent’ from the Hassan and Sayid brothers, but seeing it firsthand made it all the more unbelievable.
Meanwhile, after sending the artisans away, Hyang looked at the elders and spoke.
“Now, let’s discuss how we’ll handle the payment.”
Samhan, or Three Han, is the collective name of the Byeonhan, Jinhan, and Mahan confederacies that emerged in the first century BC during the Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea.[↩]Murano Island is famous for their glass craft making[↩]
Chapter 93Sayid, who arrived at Jemulpo port, sent a pre-written memorandum to Hanyang.Upon reading the memorandum, King Sejong convened his ministers and summoned Hyang.Please read the memorandum, Sejong ordered.The ministers and officials read the memorandum and then looked at King Sejong.Crown Prince, explain again the necessity of glass artisans.Yes, Your Majesty. Although glass existed as far back as the Samhan period1, there are no artisans who can craft it now. The main reason is that we already have pottery.We have limited the utility of glass to merely making containers or ornaments. However, considering the properties of glass, we need to secure glass production technology.Firstly, there's the industrial need. For example, when making gunpowder or processing metals, we use various acids. These acids are usually stored in pottery containers, which are inconvenient for several reasons. The biggest inconvenience is the inability to check the contents. To do so, one has to open the lid and look inside, which could cause severe injuries if done incorrectly.But if we use glass, we can check the contents without opening the lid. This is not limited to acids; it can also be applied to food, allowing us to check for spoilage without opening the container.That seems useful.Sejong, who enjoyed gourmet food, immediately showed interest. Seeing this, Hyang breathed a small sigh of relief.My Royal Father, when will you lose weight... Even if you're a healthy pig... Talk to your liver and exercise more...'Crown Prince?Caught daydreaming while observing the still portly King Sejong, Hyang quickly focused as Sejong called for him.Yes? Ah, Your Majesty. I was organizing my thoughts. The second reason involves the military. We can process glass to create lenses, which can be used to see distant places up close. Additionally, we can place glass devices on lanterns to project light further away.Hmm... Sounds good. Ministers, listen. The reason the crown prince had to explain the necessity of glass artisans again is due to the route Sayid and his entourage took to search for one.The ministers nodded at King Sejong's explanation, and Hyang grimaced.Sayid has scored a windfall...'* * *Following Hyang's order to Find and bring a glass artisan,' Hassan and Sayid tried to gather information in the Islamic community in Ming, but they were unable to find any glass artisans.Brother, let me go back to my hometown.Hometown? Distance is an issue, but can we find a glass artisan there? Sayid, you heard, right? This plate glass' is something those Italians are producing these days.Still, we can't return empty-handed. That would certainly mean losing this golden opportunity. Let's give it a shot.Hassan nodded at Sayid's words.The nation had changed from Goryeo to Joseon, and the situation was increasingly dire. They had no choice but to either move everything to Ming or return to their hometown. And even if they did return, the chances of succeeding again were very low.In such a circumstance, the crown prince's offer was truly a golden opportunity.'Ultimately, Hassan had no choice but to agree with Sayid.Be careful on your journey, my brother.And so, Sayid hitched a ride on another merchant's ship and headed for his hometown.However, even upon arriving in his hometown, Sayid could not easily find a glass artisan.There were glass artisans, but they were either working at the factories of their targets or were part of a powerful family's workshop.I should go to Alexandria.Deciding thus, Sayid requested help from his own family.A family member from Joseon is asking for help.'Having heard the story through Sayid's grandfather, the elders of the Otaibi family exchanged opinions.Do we need to find a glass artisan?That's what they say. An artisan capable of making plate glass, to be specific.Is plate glass not something that only artisans from Murano Island in Venice, Italy can make2?I've heard that artisans in Florence have started making it as well.Wouldn't we need to go to the slave market in Alexandria for such an artisan?That's why he's asking for help.What kind of help does he want?Transportation to and from Alexandria, financial support for buying a slave, and a ship back to Joseon.Joseon?The country that rose after destroying Goryeo.Hmm...The elders deliberated and had heated debates. Despite the tension, they came to a conclusion.Let's provide the support!The family's eldest member made the decision, influenced by a letter from Joseon that Sayid had brought.If you help us find a glass artisan, I will support Otaibi's trade with Joseon. I guarantee this as the crown prince of Joseon.Isn't it good to help when the crown prince, who will inherit the throne, has made a guarantee?He is just a crown prince.Indeed, he's only a crown prince. But in Joseon, such a letter cannot be written without the king's permission.There were objections until the end, but support was decided when Sayid's grandfather explained the letter's importance.With the full support of his family, Sayid headed to the sl@ve market in Alexandria.The current king and crown prince of Joseon are quick to handle matters.***The next day, at noon.Hassan and Sayid, accompanied by the elders and glass artisans, headed to Gyeongbokgung Palace.Upon seeing Hassan and Sayid in traditional garments, the soldiers respectfully saluted and then spoke.Who are these people behind you?They are accompanying me by royal command.Hassan fumbled through his sleeves and presented a scroll written with the royal order to the gatekeeper. Upon confirming the contents of the scroll, the gatekeeper stepped aside and returned it.Pass!***Your Majesty, we have arrived!Reaching the front yard of Geunjeongjeon, the Hassan brothers knelt and bowed deeply.The accompanying elders and even the slaves followed suit, kneeling and bowing. They seemed to understand that a misstep could put their lives in jeopardy, at least at this moment.You may rise.Your graciousness is immense.At King Sejong's words, the Hassan brothers stood up and spoke politely.Who are the people that have come with you?They are the elders of our family.Is that so? Tell them they've worked hard.Upon hearing Hassan's translation, the elders bowed their waists politely as their response.Are those behind you the glass artisans?Yes, Your Majesty.Hmm...After inspecting the glass artisans, Sejong spoke to Hassan.We will accurately calculate and repay the expenses you incurred while rescuing them. Plus, for their nearly two years of hardship, an additional 10% will be given.Your graciousness is immense!Upon hearing Sejong's words, Hassan and Sayid bowed deeply. The elders, who heard through Sayid, also bowed even more respectfully than before.From now on, converse with the crown prince.As Sejong stood up from his chair, the Hassan brothers knelt again.When Sejong left, the Crown Prince Hyang stepped in.First, let's have a brief discussion with the glass artisans.We shall do so. Sayid will interpret.No need.Stopping Hassan from interpreting, Hyang directly spoke to the artisans.Exspectata ut Hao Coreanica regnum. Welcome to the Korean Kingdom.Upon hearing the somewhat clumsy but familiar Latin from an Eastern pagan,' the glass artisans looked at Hyang in astonishment.Hic autem non est servus. You are not sl@ves here.Upon saying this, Hyang ordered Hassan.Free them from their restraints.Following Hyang's command, the elders ordered those behind them to unshackle the artisans.Now free, the artisans bowed deeply to Hyang in genuine gratitude.Venite post verba autem ex illis. We'll speak with you later.Ita! Yes!As the artisans promptly responded, Hyang gestured to the soldiers.Take them to Area 51.Yes, Your Highness!The soldiers escorted the glass artisans away.Witnessing all of this, the elders couldn't gather their wits.When Hyang initially spoke in Latin, one elder quietly asked Hassan.Did you teach him Latin?He already knew it.Just who is this Crown Prince of Joseon?'They had heard the words enormous talent' from the Hassan and Sayid brothers, but seeing it firsthand made it all the more unbelievable.Meanwhile, after sending the artisans away, Hyang looked at the elders and spoke.Now, let's discuss how we'll handle the payment.Samhan, or Three Han, is the collective name of the Byeonhan, Jinhan, and Mahan confederacies that emerged in the first century BC during the ProtoThree Kingdoms of Korea.Murano Island is famous for their glass craft making
