The thought that it was like a chicken rib came from a lecture by my Chinese history professor during college.
The professor, who specialized in the Ming and Qing dynasties, explained the "Great Voyages of Zheng He" like this:
"What was the reason for Yongle Emperor's great voyages through Zheng He? To understand that, we must first know how Yongle came to power. As you all know, Yongle seized power through the 'Jingnan Rebellion.' Like most leaders who take power through a coup, Yongle needed achievements to boast about to the people. Thus, he chose the conquest of the Mongols and the great voyages of Zheng He."
"But why was the great voyage, known as the greatest adventure of the 15th century, not repeated afterward? If you think about it, the famous 'Age of Exploration' could have emerged first in Asia, not Europe."
"This is because the form of foreign trade during the Ming dynasty was not trade in the usual sense, but tribute trade. Traveling to distant lands did not yield much profit. Conversely, even if envoys came, it was of little use."
"Considering the funds invested in Zheng He's voyages, tribute trade would not suffice. Each voyage required rewards for various achievements, repairs for damaged ships, and replacements for any that sank. Wouldn't that cost a fortune?"
"Moreover, what was important to Yongle was the exotic goods brought back by Zheng He. It was crucial for him to showcase his prestige through these foreign treasures. In the end, the voyage itself was not what mattered."
"That is why, after Yongle's death, his ministers erased the records of the expeditions. They feared that a new emperor might read those records and waste money again."
"Thus, the ministers of the Ming dynasty must have thought this was like a chicken rib," Hyang explained, and Sejong and the ministers all nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, that must be the case."
"Certainly. Expeditions require immense wealth. Conducting such expeditions both at sea and on land..."
Sejong referred to the 'land expeditions,' which meant the 'conquest of the Mongols.' After Yongle took the throne, there were four campaigns, and rumors were circulating that another campaign was being prepared this year.
Upon learning the reason why the original records, not copies, had arrived, the Minister of Rites spoke up.
"If even a great nation struggles to the point of erasing records, shouldn't we also refrain from doing so?"
As several ministers nodded at the Minister of Rites' question, Hyang interjected.
"The Ming and we are different. The Ming engages in tribute and gift-based trade, but we must operate through mutual trade."
"Mutual trade?"
"Simply put, it's commercial trade."
Hyang elaborated further.
"Initially, diplomatic envoys will move, but later, trade will center around merchant guilds. The trade will involve exchanging goods that the other party needs and those we require. It is not tribute trade like in the Ming."
"What is the role of the court here?"
1) Providing transportation means, protecting merchant guilds, and collecting fees and taxes during this process.
2) Stabilizing prices through the exclusive sale of goods that are essential for the people's livelihood.
The Minister of Finance tilted his head and interjected.
"Essential goods for the people's livelihood? Are there such things abroad? Most of what we need is already produced in our Joseon. Even if something is not produced here, we are already accustomed to living without it, so would it really be useful?"
Hyang countered the Minister of Finance's words.
"Minister Ho, do you not know about pepper?"
"Oh!"
At Hyang's question, the Minister of Finance and all the ministers finally showed expressions of understanding.
The pepper brought in by Arab merchants during the Goryeo Dynasty was a top-grade spice.
While garlic and ginger were used to mask the smell of meat, pepper was a powerful spice that could change the flavor of a dish even in small amounts.
And it was expensive.
As a result, most common people, who had little money, had to settle for cheaper alternatives like Sichuan pepper.
After hearing Hyang's explanation, the Minister of Finance nodded but continued to ask questions.
"I understand your example of pepper, but must we really import such goods? If we are not careful, the people might spend recklessly to buy these goods, risking the outflow of the nation's wealth."
"There is that risk. However, when people have some leisure, they naturally seek better food and clothing. If we blindly block the outflow of wealth, it will only lead to an increase in smuggling. Due to the risks of smuggling, people will end up paying even more for these goods, creating a vicious cycle of rising prices. It would be fortunate if only prices rise. To hide smuggling, bribes will be given to officials. This is the infamous 'frog price.' What do you think will happen then? Corruption will spread."
"I see."
The Minister of Finance nodded at Hyang's explanation.
Before the merchant guilds officially participated in trade, much of the trade with foreign countries was smuggling.
Sejong, who had been listening to the conversation, nodded and chimed in.
"Frog price... I understand it well."
At Sejong's praise, Hyang bowed his head.
"I am honored."
The 'frog price' was related to a Chinese tale involving the scholar Lee Gyubo during the Goryeo Dynasty.
- The bulbul and the frog argued over whose voice was more beautiful.
Unable to reach a conclusion, they asked a neighboring stork to judge.
The stork requested three days to decide, during which the bulbul secretly brought frogs to the stork.
In the end, the stork favored the bulbul, leading to the term 'frog bait.'
Interestingly, while Sejong and the ministers were familiar with this old record, Hyang learned about it from a Korean language teacher in high school in the 21st century.
"You sometimes get confused. First, 'wairo' and 'sabasaba'—at first glance, it seems 'wairo' is Japanese and 'sabasaba' is our language, right? In fact, it's the opposite."
Encouraged by Sejong's praise, Hyang continued.
"Let me reiterate, when our Joseon becomes prosperous, the lives of the people will also flourish. When life flourishes, no matter how frugal one is, it is human nature to seek better and tastier things. Do you agree?"
"I agree."
The ministers nodded at Hyang's question.
"Therefore, we must first monopolize food, which has the most immediate impact."
"I understand now."
The ministers nodded at Hyang's words.
Seeing this, Hyang turned to the Minister of Finance and asked, "Did you receive the books I requested in exchange for reducing my workload for this mission?"
At Hyang's question, the Minister of Finance, who was flipping through a list of items, replied, "Yes, there are twenty chests over there in the back."
"Is that so! That's more than I expected!"
Hyang, delighted by the Minister's response, rushed toward the chests in question.
Opening the lid of a chest, Hyang beamed with joy.
"Just as I thought!"
Unable to contain their curiosity, Sejong and the ministers approached.
"What is it?" Sejong asked.
Hyang smiled and replied, "It's sugar!"
"Sugar!"
As Hyang examined the list of books that the envoys had brought back, he muttered softly, "The number of books they are bringing back is decreasing. As expected, it must be difficult to obtain new books from the Ming at this time."
With the number of books the envoys were bringing back dwindling, Hyang began to ponder.
"What should I ask them to bring back?"
While deep in thought, Hyang's eyes fell upon a plate of yakgwa (honey cookies).
Looking at the plate, he snapped his fingers.
"This is it!"
"Your Highness? What is the matter?"
"Nothing!"
Responding to the eunuch standing outside the door, Hyang muttered in a small voice, "There’s no privacy... no privacy..."
Hyang's choice of sugar was greatly influenced by Teacher Samcheongpo.
- Sugar was indeed a precious ingredient during both the Goryeo and Joseon periods.
Historical records reveal how closed off Joseon was.
When Queen Sohyeon, the mother of King Munjong, fell ill, she craved sugar but could not obtain it.
Later, when King Munjong finally acquired sugar, he offered it at his mother's memorial and wept profusely.
During the reign of King Jungjong, when an envoy from the Ming presented sugar to him, he remarked, "In our country, this is a cheap food sold in markets, yet in Joseon, it is a rare item offered only during rituals."
Though he spoke politely, wasn't the underlying message, "Here you go, you country bumpkins! This is what sugar is!" quite clear?
Making sugar from sugarcane had been practiced in India since ancient times.
This technique spread to China during the Tang Dynasty, and mass production of sugar began during the Song Dynasty.
Large-scale cultivation of sugarcane started in the southern regions, leading to the widespread availability of sugar.
By the Ming Dynasty, even common people in China could afford to add sugar to their tea, making it a common and inexpensive commodity.
"Isn't this infuriating?"
Recalling Teacher Samcheongpo's words, Hyang felt a surge of anger.
"In conclusion, it's sugar! Chili peppers are still a long way off, but thanks to that, we can still enjoy sweet and salty flavors now! Only salty is no longer acceptable!"
"Sugar, such an expensive item..."
"Your Highness, no matter how much of a prince you are, such extravagance..."
Upon hearing that all twenty chests contained nothing but sugar, the ministers and Sejong glared at Hyang, each making a remark.
However, Hyang smiled and asked the Minister of Finance, "Minister Ho, is the purchase cost listed in the inventory?"
"Yes."
"How much is it?"
"Let me see... sugar... sugar... Ah! Twenty nyang of silver?"
"And how much does all the sugar weigh?"
"…200 gwan (800 kg)."
At the Minister of Finance's answer, Sejong and the ministers were left speechless.
To buy 200 gwan of sugar in the Joseon marketplace would require an astronomical sum.
In fact, acquiring 200 gwan of sugar all at once would be impossible even for the royal family.
Yet, the prince had managed to do so for just twenty nyang of silver.
Of course, twenty nyang of silver was not a small amount.
However, considering the quantity of sugar, it was an incredible bargain.
"Are you saying... all of that is sugar, and you got it for just twenty nyang of silver?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Two hundred gwan... that's an enormous amount."
"They are like gold nuggets."
"Gold nuggets? That's right. It may not be known in the Ming, but it's an expensive item in our Joseon."
"That's not it. Along with salt, this sugar will play a significant role in the court's monopoly. We can greatly fill the national treasury with this sugar. I can say that with certainty."
At Hyang's words, Sejong and the ministers perked up their ears.
Seeing their reaction, Hyang decided to clarify the situation first.
"It would take a long explanation to explain this here. How about we organize this place first?"
"Indeed!"
Eager to hear Hyang's explanation, Sejong quickly issued a command.
"Scholars of the Jiphyeonjeon, take this record and organize it immediately! Clearly outline the locations, routes, climates, customs, habits, and specialties of the countries Zheng He visited! And those chests of sugar should be securely stored in the warehouse!"
"Understood!"
"Now, let’s go, Your Highness! Let’s hurry inside!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Sejong took Hyang's hand and headed toward the Geunjeongjeon, with the ministers following closely behind.
Once Sejong and the ministers had vanished like the wind, only the scholars of the Jiphyeonjeon and the porters remained.
"How many volumes are there in total?"
One of the scholars from the Jiphyeonjeon muttered, and a finance official nearby flipped through the books and replied, "A total of 360 volumes."
"Three hundred..."
The scholar from the Jiphyeonjeon wore a look of disbelief and gestured to the porters.
"Move the chests containing the books to the Jiphyeonjeon."
"Yes, sir."
As the chests containing the books began to be moved, the finance official also commanded the porters, "Move all these chests to the warehouse!"
"Yes, sir!"