OBS Chapter 296
Chapter 296
Chapter 296
As the ship’s hull was being thoroughly maintained and the equipment necessary for a safe voyage was being finalized, Mansur’s merchant ships arrived.
As always, they arrived at the Jeolla Right Naval Station, underwent a simple inspection, and took a rest. During this time, the challenger-class warships caught Mansur’s eye.
“Have the Catholics finally reached Joseon?”
Startled, Mansur sought out the captain of his fleet’s flagship.
“Hey! We have a big problem!”
“A big problem, you say? There were no issues with the ships or cargo, though.”
“That’s not the issue! The Catholics are here! The Catholics!”
“Pardon?”
“Come over here! Let’s go and check together! You guys come too!”
Mansur led the captains to the location where the problematic ‘Catholic ships’ were visible.
“Hmm...”
“Oh my...”
Observing the expressions of the captains as they looked at the ships in question, Mansur spoke again.
“It’s them, right? They’re definitely the Catholics’ ships, aren’t they?”
“It does seem that way...”
“Hmm...”
As they were examining the ships with grave expressions, the flagship’s captain spoke up.
“They’re not the Catholics’ ships. I’m certain of it.”
“Huh?”
The flagship’s captain explained in detail to Mansur.
“They may look similar, but there are slight differences in many aspects. The biggest difference is the number of gun ports. Among the Catholics’ ships I’ve seen, none had as many gun ports as these. In my experience, there’s only one insane country that would load such a crazy amount of cannons.”
“And where is that?”
The flagship’s captain answered briefly to Mansur’s question.
“Right here, Joseon.”RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only
“Huh?”
Hearing the answer, Mansur tried to recall his memories.
‘Indeed!’
The Joseon warships he had encountered when he first came to Joseon were also equipped with more than 20 cannons.
Seeing Mansur’s face as he pondered whether it was possible or not, the captain added.
“And look at the bow. The shape of the bow is sloped, right? If you look at the ships of those Spanish or Portuguese bastards, it’s almost vertical. And judging by the shape, the bow and stern are not as high as the Iberian bastards’ ships. Considering these various characteristics...”
The captain paused for a moment and carefully examined the ship in question once more. Convinced that his conclusion was correct even after a second look, the captain shared his conclusion with Mansur.
“It’s definitely a ship made by Joseon.”
At that answer, Mansur looked at the ships in question with eyes full of doubt.
“The country at the eastern end is making ships similar in shape to the countries at the western end? Without any exchange? How?”
As Mansur pondered over the unsolvable question, the words of Hassan, who worked as an official in Joseon, came to his mind.
‘The Crown Prince of Joseon is no ordinary person. Since he stepped forward, Joseon has been changing in unbelievable ways. The King of Joseon is a fearsome individual, but the Crown Prince is even more terrifying.’
Recalling Hassan’s words, Mansur shook his head.
“No matter how much of a genius he is...”
***
Having completed their maintenance at the Jeolla Right Naval Station, Mansur’s fleet headed north towards Jemulpo.
“It would be nice if we could just go straight up.”
In response to Mansur’s complaint, the captain immediately replied.
“If we were moving with just one ship like when we first came to Joseon, we could go straight. But moving as a fleet like this and going straight? We’d become fish food halfway through.”
“...”
At the captain’s words, Mansur fell silent.
***
As Mansur continued to trade with Joseon, he made efforts to gather information about Joseon and its neighboring countries.
“Among various businesses, the most profitable one is the weapons trade. Not only are the weapons themselves profitable, but brokering weapon craftsmen also yields significant profits.”
In search of profitable items, Mansur diligently collected information.
Among them, he stumbled upon the ‘Japanese pirates’ and ‘Jurchen.’ He learned that these two entities had caused Kitai (China) and Joseon to develop a paranoid wariness towards foreigners.
“The problem is that there are no weapons to sell.”
“The Catholics have started producing mirrors. Of course, the quality is incomparably crude compared to Joseon’s mirrors, but the price is cheap.”
***
The question-and-answer session continued on various topics. The meeting finally ended in the evening. As the meeting was coming to a close, Sejong instructed Mansur.
“As I mentioned before, we desire to trade with Tianzhu. For this endeavor to succeed, your assistance is crucial. Therefore, I ask that you do your utmost. This is a matter that must succeed for the future of our Joseon and yours.”
At Sejong’s request, Mansur bowed his head.
“I will do my best.”
***
With the departure approaching, Mansur began selecting the goods to take and sell in Alexandria. However, Mansur was filled with worries.
“Joseon will also start trading in Alexandria from now on, right?”
“Most likely. Why? Are you worried that your trading group will go bankrupt?”
In response to Kim Jeom’s question, Mansur nodded. Seeing Mansur’s face full of concern, Kim Jeom promptly replied.
“In that case, focus on purchasing small and expensive items. We will take care of ceramics, cotton cloth, and gold leaf.”
“As for ceramics...”
When Mansur expressed his regret, as ceramics were one of the items the ‘damn Catholics’ bought on sight, Kim Jeom smiled slightly and answered.
“We also need to make a profit, don’t we?”
“That’s true, but...”
“If you’re that worried, go outside and take a look. There are many items sold in the market that aren’t available here.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed.”
“I understand.”
Taking Kim Jeom’s advice, Mansur went to the market with an interpreter.
Coincidentally, construction was in full swing on the streets to lay tracks for trains to run on.
“What are the iron pillars laid in the ground used for?”
“They’re the tracks for trains to run on.”
“And what are trains?”
“They use water and fire to pull the wagons.”
Tilting his head at the interpreter’s explanation, Mansur asked again.
“They use water and fire? How do they do that?”
In response to Mansur’s question, the interpreter chuckled and replied.
“If I knew that, I’d be in Area 51, not here.”
“Area 51...”
Hearing the interpreter’s answer, an old memory resurfaced in Mansur’s mind. When he was told that a considerable number of devices made and used by Joseon came from Area 51, Mansur asked Hassan.
“Can I take a tour of Area 51?”
At Mansur’s question, Hassan’s face instantly turned pale. Hassan, even breaking out in a cold sweat, dissuaded Mansur.
“Don’t even mention the word ‘Area 51’!”
Beside him, Syed was also pale and sweating profusely.
***
As he walked through the market streets, browsing various items, Mansur’s gaze became fixated on one particular item.
What captivated Mansur’s attention was a folding fan.
“Welcome! Oh? You’re a Muslim?”
As the shop assistant looked at Mansur with a curious expression, the interpreter intervened.
“You know the ships that arrived at Jemulpo? He’s the owner of those ships.”
“Is that so? Then how may I assist you?”
Hearing the interpreter’s words, the shop assistant immediately responded with a business smile.
As he walked through the market streets, Mansur was able to reap a more fruitful harvest than expected. There were numerous items with good marketability.
“You must keep the deadline.”
Hearing Mansur’s request through the interpreter, the merchants replied while tapping their chests.
“Don’t worry! ‘Meeting the delivery date is a merchant’s lifeblood’ is our motto!”
And the Joseon merchants kept their promise.
Thus, having completed all the preparations, Mansur’s merchant group departed from Jemulpo.