Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 309

The morning after the auction ended.

People flocked to Mansur’s mansion located in Alexandria.

To be precise, they gathered in front of the store that had been renovated from one side of the mansion.

What caused this massive crowd of people was yesterday’s auction. Small and medium-sized merchants who had seen or heard rumors about yesterday’s auction had gathered.

“There might be things we can afford at the store!”

“There must be! Even if the number of flowers is lower!”

“What does it matter if it’s lower! As long as there are flowers attached, we can at least double our business!”

Small and medium-sized merchants, filled with the hope of making a profit and carrying pouches filled with gold coins, gold dust, and gold pieces in their chests, waited for the store’s door to open.

After a while, the store’s door opened. However, the merchants couldn’t easily enter.

It wasn’t simply because foreigners were guarding the store that they couldn’t enter.

The soldiers guarding the store were wearing “sunglasses” (sunglasses).

The appearance of the Joseon soldiers, whose eyes were hidden behind the sunglasses, emitted a strange sense of intimidation, making the merchants hesitate.

Shortly after, the store manager, who had come out, shouted to the merchants.

“For smooth business, we will serve three people at a time! So please line up!”

Discouraged by the manager’s shout and the appearance of the Joseon soldiers, the merchants hurriedly began to form a line.

Once a line was formed to some extent, the manager started letting merchants into the store in groups of three.

The merchants entering the store all glanced at the Joseon soldiers as they went inside.

Everyone was curious about what was covering their eyes, but no one had the courage to ask.

However, one merchant who couldn’t overcome his curiosity asked the manager.

“Those people are indeed from the ‘Land of Flowers’, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“What are those things covering their eyes?”

“They call it sunglasses.”

“Sunglasses?”

“They say it’s an item that shields the sunlight.”

“Oho?”

At the manager’s words, the merchant who had asked the question and the surrounding merchants began to show interest.

Many people living in Egypt and Arabia had poor eyesight or suffered from eye diseases. It was due to the intense sunlight in the desert.

The merchant, who was looking at the Joseon soldiers with eyes full of curiosity, asked the manager.

“Are those also for sale?”

***

After Pietro and Master Craftsman Go created the sunglasses, Hyang ordered other craftsmen to make ones for them to wear as well.

“We are immensely grateful that you think of us lowly craftsmen to such an extent!”

As Master Craftsman Go prostrated himself on the spot and expressed his gratitude, Hyang replied with a smile.

“Aren’t your eyes your life? Rather, I apologize for not taking care of it earlier.”

And so, the sunglasses was made and also presented to King Sejong.

“My eyes feel refreshed!”

King Sejong, who used the sunglasses, was very satisfied, and it was subsequently bestowed upon the ministers as well.

However, as time passed, Hyang began to feel uneasy.

“I remember hearing that wearing poorly made sunglasses can be harmful, and there was a solution, but what was it…”

After pondering for several days, Hyang abruptly woke up from his sleep.

“Ultraviolet rays! I remembered it! Well done, my brain!”

“Your Highness, what’s the matter!”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

Hyang stopped the eunuch who was about to enter the room and muttered softly.

“I can’t believe I forgot about this…”

***

When Hyang lived as a fanatic in the 21st century, he frequented websites with “wiki” in their names on a daily basis. It was because they were the easiest places to find information when he wanted to indulge in something.

Of course, sometimes there was no information on domestic wiki sites, so he had to search foreign—especially American—wiki sites.

Then, when he entered university, Hyang—known as Kim Jin-ho at the time—who wanted to show off his fashion sense, began searching the internet.

“When it comes to fashion, it’s definitely sunglasses!”

Having chosen the item, Hyang automatically entered a wiki site and felt a contradiction there.

-Sunglasses must be selected with high UV protection performance. (Note 1)

“I see.”

Nodding his head, Hyang continued his search. As he searched for terms like “lens” and “glass,” Hyang tilted his head.

“Huh?”

-Glass blocks ultraviolet rays.

“Aren’t the lenses of sunglasses made of glass? What’s going on?”

Curious, Hyang continued his search and reached his own conclusion.

-Glass blocks ultraviolet rays. However, this refers to UVB. UVA passes through.

-The lenses of sunglasses are made of polycarbonate, acrylic, or CR39. Glass is rarely used.

-The reason ordinary soda-lime glass blocks ultraviolet rays is due to iron oxide, which exists as a common impurity. (Note 2)

-Green provides a comfortable view, and shades of gray are good for prolonged outdoor activities. (Note 1)

***

Recalling his past memories, Hyang muttered while sitting with his arms crossed.

“Is that so? Then I can’t just sit back and do nothing.”

From then on, Master Craftsman Go, Pietro, and Raphael had to suffer under Hyang’s demands.

“Iron oxide… In simple terms, it’s rusted iron.”

Hyang collected the rust scraped off from iron, ground it into the finest powder possible, and threw it into the glass furnace.

Trial and error continued to determine the optimal amount to mix in to obtain the best results, and eventually, they were able to find the appropriate ratio.

“Gray is good, they said? And to be precise, it’s not gray but a light black.”

And so, this time, trial and error continued to find the appropriate shade.

***

Having found the optimal results at the current level through such trial and error, Hyang now challenged—or more precisely, plagiarized—the design.

“When it comes to sunglasses, it’s definitely Ray-Ban!”

Ray-Ban, a mispronunciation of the brand name.

However, in the 21st century, the words spoken by his father and the older men in the family were also engraved in Hyang’s mind.

Using these memories, Hyang finalized the design.

The newly created sunglasses was an item that even Hyang was satisfied with.

Looking at the sunglasses made this way, Master Craftsman Go, Pietro, and Raphael nodded their heads and had a conversation.

“When the Crown Prince takes the lead, a properly made item definitely comes out.”

“The subordinates work themselves to death, though.”

“But the performance is definitely better than just smearing soot on glass, right?”

“That’s why we don’t say anything.”

***

King Sejong, who wore the newly made sunglasses, was very pleased.

“This is even better than the one made last time! Especially the texture of the frame surrounding the colored glass of the sunglasses is very much to my liking!”

Highly satisfied, King Sejong once again placed a large order and bestowed them upon his subjects.

Not long after, Hyang received a summons from Queen Soheon.

“Your Majesty the Queen, did you call for me?”

“Yes. I apologize for summoning the busy Crown Prince, but I have a request.”

“How could being busy be an issue if it’s a request from Your Majesty the Queen? What is your request?”

“The sunglasses that His Majesty is wearing…”

Before Queen Soheon could finish her sentence, Hyang replied.

“I will have it made as quickly as possible!”

And Hyang not only made one for Queen Soheon but also distributed them to the concubines, the Crown Princess, the two royal academies, and the two princes.

This was not a mere act of goodwill.

“Now that I’ve distributed them to the influencers, the response should come soon.”

***

And after some time had passed, Hyang noticed a well-dressed young nobleman wearing a sunglasses as he was heading to Area 51.

“The trend is already spreading…”

As Hyang was muttering with a satisfied expression, he stopped.

“Something’s strange?”

Rushing to Area 51, Hyang summoned Master Craftsman Go and assessed the situation.

“…So, you’re certain that no sunglasses other than the ones I ordered have left here?”

“That is correct, Your Highness.”

“I see. Go and take care of your work.”

After sending Master Craftsman Go away, Hyang tapped the desk with his finger and muttered.

“So, there’s someone who tried to deceive me? In that case… There’s a suitable person.”

Hyang immediately sought out Kim Jeom and explained the situation. Upon hearing Hyang’s explanation, Kim Jeom raised his voice.

“What? Someone committed such a despicable crime? I will take care of it! These bastards!”

Watching Kim Jeom hurriedly disappear outside, Hyang muttered softly.

“He’s so excited. A few more will be stripped clean.”

****

And so, after those who had attempted illegal reproduction were completely ruined, merchants formally ordered sunglasses from the royal workshops in Area 51.

The merchants’ orders were of two types. Some ordered the finished product, while others ordered only the lenses.

And before long, sunglasses with various lens shapes—from simple round to oval—and price ranges—from mid to low-priced ones with a basic frame made of iron and tin plating to high-priced ones plated with silver or gold—were released into the market.

Seeing the sunglasses released in such diverse ways, Hyang sincerely exclaimed.

“The power of capitalism!”

***

As the sunglasses became an everyday item, a new demand arose.

The military.

The first units to be supplied with sunglasses were the guards protecting the palace. It was because it reduced eye fatigue from staring under the strong sunlight while on guard duty, and the intimidation and rejection that came from not being able to see their eyes made their tasks easier.

The next place to receive the supply was the cavalry.

The cavalry, who had been struggling with the strong sunlight beating down in the summer and the problem of snow reflecting the sunlight on the Yodong Plains in the winter, used a windshield incorporating the lenses of sunglasses.

The last place where sunglasses was supplied was the navy.

The navy, who had been suffering from the sunlight beating down on the vast sea that made the Yodong Plains look trivial and the light reflected on the sea surface, welcomed the sunglasses.

And before long, it became common for sailors to neatly store away the military-issued sunglasses and purchase ones that suited their preferences from the market.

When the ministers and high-ranking commanders received the report and discussed punishment, Hyang opposed it.

“Why are you seeking to punish them when they haven’t discarded the items bestowed by His Majesty?”

When Hyang strongly opposed and King Sejong also stepped in, saying he would not seek to punish the soldiers, the ministers and high-ranking commanders fell silent.

Seeing that, Hyang grumbled inwardly.

‘They were like this even when the spearmen customized their swords. Why are they being such stubborn old fools? What are they, the Imperial Army?’

***

To the merchants’ question of whether the sunglasses worn by Joseon soldiers was also for sale, the manager replied with a troubled expression.

“Well… I haven’t checked. Please wait a moment.”

After telling the merchant to wait, the manager immediately went inside the main building to find Mansur and Oh Ha-seok.

Upon hearing the manager’s words, Mansur smiled with satisfaction.

“Tell them it’s for sale. The price is 6 ducats of silver for 3 silver flowers and 1 ducat of gold for 1 gold flower. The items are in the boxes that were kept closed, right? They’re in there.”

At Mansur’s answer, the manager replied with a delighted expression.

“Is that so? I will bring them out right away!”

After sending the manager away, Mansur explained the situation to Oh Ha-seok. Hearing the story through the interpreter, Oh Ha-seok finally nodded as if he understood.

“No wonder… So that’s why you asked our soldiers to guard the front of the store?”

“You call it ‘gyeomsagyeomsa’ in Korean, right? It’s both showcasing the sunglasses and guarding the store.”

Mansur replied with a grin.

As the types of products that could be procured decreased with Joseon’s direct involvement, Mansur had to work hard.

While working hard, what caught his eye was the sunglasses. After hearing the explanation and even trying it on himself, Mansur immediately judged that it would be profitable and purchased a large quantity.

And he mobilized the Joseon soldiers for the purpose of promotion and security.

Mansur was also a seasoned merchant.

***

Note 1: https://namu.wiki/w/선글라스

Note 2: https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/유리