Having arrived at Jemulpo, Saide sent a pre-written memorial to Hanseong.
After reading the memorial, Sejong summoned Hyang and the ministers.
"Let us read the memorial," he said.
As Hyang and the ministers took turns reading the memorial, they looked at Sejong.
"Crown Prince, please explain the necessity of a glass artisan once more."
"Yes, Father.
Glass existed until the ancient Samhan period, but now there are no artisans. The reason for this is that we have ceramics. Glass has only been regarded as a material for making vessels or ornaments.
However, considering the properties of glass, we must secure the technology for its production. First, there is the necessity in the industrial sector. To give a simple example, when making gunpowder or processing metals, various acids are used.
To store these acids, using ceramic containers is quite inconvenient. The biggest inconvenience is that one cannot see the contents. To check the contents, one must open the lid and look inside, which can cause serious injury to the artisan with even the slightest mistake.
However, using glass allows us to check the contents without opening the lid. It is not just acids; in the case of food, one can also check for spoilage without opening the lid."
"That sounds useful," Sejong, who enjoyed good food, immediately reacted.
At Sejong's response, Hyang let out a small sigh. 'Oh Father, when will you lose weight...
No matter how healthy a pig is...
I should tell the captain of the royal guard to have you exercise more...'
"Crown Prince?" Hyang, lost in thought at Sejong's still plump figure, snapped back to attention at Sejong's call and immediately spoke.
"Yes? Yes! I am honored. I was just organizing my thoughts... To explain the second reason, it is related to military matters. Glass can be processed to create lenses, which can be used to see distant objects clearly. Additionally, by covering objects with glass, we can send light over long distances."
"Hmm... That sounds good. Listen, everyone. The reason I had the Crown Prince explain the necessity of a glass artisan again is due to the route through which Saidu-Saide's request for a glass artisan came about."
At Sejong's explanation, the ministers nodded, and Hyang smiled bitterly. 'Saidu had been struck by the god of fortune...'
Receiving the command to "bring a glass artisan," Hasan and Saide inquired within the Islamic community in Ming but could not find a glass artisan.
"Brother, I will go back to my hometown," Saide said.
"Hometown... The distance is a problem, but can we even find a glass artisan? Saide, you heard, right? That 'plate glass' is something the Italians have been making lately."
"Even so, if we return empty-handed, we will surely lose the golden opportunity. We must at least try," Saide replied.
Hasan nodded at Saide's words.
As Goryeo transitioned to Joseon, the situation was gradually worsening.
They had no choice but to move everything to Ming or return to their hometown, and even if they returned, the chances of re-establishing themselves and gaining wealth were very low.
In such a situation, Hyang's outstretched hand was literally a "golden opportunity."
Ultimately, Hasan had no choice but to agree with Saide's decision.
"Be careful on your journey, my brother."
Thus, Saide boarded another merchant's ship heading to his hometown.
However, upon arriving in his hometown, Saide found it was not easy to obtain a glass artisan.
While there were glass artisans, they were either working in factories owned by influential families or were part of workshops affiliated with powerful clans.
"I must go to Alexandria," Saide decided and sought help from his family.
"The clan from Joseon is asking for help."
The elders of the Ottavi family, having heard the news through Saide's uncle, began to discuss.
"We must find a glass artisan?" "Yes, it is said to be an artisan capable of making plate glass."
"Plate glass? Only artisans from Italy, particularly from Murano Island in Venice, can do that, right?" "I have heard that the Florentines have also started making it recently."
"If that is the case, we should head to the slave market in Alexandria."
"That is why we are asking for help."
"What kind of help do you need?" "Support for transportation to and from Alexandria, funds for purchasing slaves, and a ship to return to Joseon."
"Joseon?" "It is the country that rose after the fall of Goryeo."
"Hmm..."
The elders, having heard the explanation, engaged in a heated debate.
The atmosphere became quite tense, but they were able to reach a conclusion.
"Let us provide support!" The decision was made by the eldest elder of the clan, influenced by the letter Saide had brought.
"If you help us find a glass artisan, we will assist the Ottavi family's trade with Joseon. I guarantee it as the Crown Prince of Joseon."
"He is just a prince."
"Indeed, just a prince. However, in Joseon, such a letter cannot be used without the king's permission."
Although there were objections until the end, once Saide's uncle explained the value of the letter, support was decided.
With the full backing of his family, Saide headed to the slave market in Alexandria.
Thanks to the help of heaven—though Saide wrote it as the help of Allah—shortly after Saide arrived, Barbary pirates began to put Italian glass artisans up for sale in the slave market.
As precious glass artisans, especially those skilled in plate glass, a fierce competition erupted among Arab merchants and even those from Northern Europe, and Saide managed to acquire the glass artisans with great difficulty.
However, the funds used to acquire the glass artisans were significant even for the Ottavi family, which was why two elders from the Ottavi family accompanied Saide back to Joseon.
Sejong summoned Hyang and the ministers because of the amount spent by the Ottavi family in the process of acquiring these artisans.
"As written in the memorial, the amount spent by Saidu's family is 20,000 ducats. When converted, that amounts to 2,000 nyang of gold (7 kg). It is not a small amount. We must confirm whether it is appropriate to acquire a glass artisan for such a large sum."
After pausing for a moment, Sejong looked at Hyang.
"As for the Crown Prince, you would naturally say we should acquire them, but since it is not a small amount, I would like to hear your opinions."
"Hmm..."
The ministers fell into deep thought at Sejong's words.
They knew well that Hyang did not spend money unnecessarily.
There were times when they wondered, "Why buy this?" but later, those items turned out to be essential.
Therefore, the ministers found it hard to simply say, "No!" Even Kim Jeom, the Minister of Revenue, who would complain if the cost exceeded ten nyang of silver, was seriously contemplating the matter.
While the ministers were deep in thought, Hyang spoke up.
"Father, I have something to say."
"Speak."
"If we only consider the artisans' fees, it is an enormous amount. However, considering the value of the glass they produce, it is worth much more."
"Of course, that may be true. But isn't that why we are hesitant?" "Father, I mentioned earlier that we can create instruments to see distant objects clearly using glass."
"Indeed."
"Think about the military value. If we can spot the Jurchens or the Japanese pirates from a greater distance, how much advantage would that bring us? Consider the benefits of our forces being able to prepare faster than the enemy. While we may not recover that amount in just one or two years, at least within ten years, we can recoup the initial investment."
At Hyang's words, Sejong's scales began to tip.
However, he felt uneasy about making a decision right away.
"Can you really make it?" "I will personally oversee the production!" At Hyang's firm response, Sejong looked at the ministers.
In response to his unspoken question, the ministers began to speak one by one.
"There seems to be value in it just from a military perspective."
"I share the same opinion."
As the ministers agreed, Sejong made his decision.
"Then let us settle the payment for the glass artisans."
Meanwhile, the Ottavi family members, who had settled near Hanseong, were also filled with worries.
"Will Joseon really pay the proper amount?" "They will."
Despite Saide's answer, the elders of the Ottavi family were still filled with concern.
They had traveled all the way to Joseon, and if the Crown Prince did not pay the proper amount, their family would suffer a great loss.
They had experienced that those in power often did not pay small amounts and would not pay large sums properly either.
"If the Italian glass artisans were sold, we could have made a fortune..."
Seeing the worried expressions of the elders, Saide and Hasan did their best to reassure them.
"Do not worry. The Crown Prince of Joseon will surely pay the proper amount."
"I work closely with the Crown Prince of Joseon. Based on my experience, there is no need for concern."
"Is that so?" Despite Hasan and Saide's words, the elders remained worried until the end.
"It is a royal command!" "A royal command?" At the shout from outside, Hasan and Saide hurriedly stood up and went outside.
"Are you Hasan and Saide?" "Yes, we are."
"Receive the royal command!" At the proclamation of the herald, the brothers straightened their clothes and bowed, kneeling before the palace.
"By noon tomorrow, you are commanded to bring the elders of your family and the glass artisans to Geunjeongjeon."
"We accept the command!" After bowing once more, the two brothers respectfully received the scroll.
Once the herald left, the elders who had been watching from inside came out.
"What is that?" "It is a command containing the king's orders and an invitation."
"I see. Finally, everything will be settled tomorrow."
"But is it normal for a command to come down so quickly?" One of the more experienced elders asked.
He knew that with the powerful figures he had encountered, even to meet once, they would have to wait at least three days.
However, after arriving in Joseon, Saide's report had been submitted, and the command was issued on the same day it reached the community outside Hanseong.
In response to the elder's question, Hasan smiled slightly and replied, "The king and crown prince currently ruling Joseon are very efficient in their dealings."
The next day at noon, Hasan and Saide headed to Gyeongbokgung with the elders and the glass artisans.
The soldiers who saw Hasan and Saide dressed in formal attire saluted respectfully and asked, "Who are those behind you?" "They are those accompanying us by royal command."
Hasan pulled out the scroll with the royal command from his sleeve and handed it to the gatekeeper.
After checking the contents of the scroll, the gatekeeper returned it and stepped aside.
"Pass through!"
"Your Majesty, we have arrived!" Upon arriving at the courtyard in front of Geunjeongjeon, the Hasan brothers knelt and paid their respects.
The accompanying elders also knelt and paid their respects, as did the slaves.
At least at this moment, they were aware that any mistake could jeopardize their lives.
"You may rise."
"We are eternally grateful."
At Sejong's words, the Hasan brothers stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Who are those who came with you?" "They are the elders of our family."
"I see. Tell them they have worked hard to come."
The elders, hearing Hasan's translation, responded by bowing respectfully.
"Are those behind you the glass artisans?" "Yes, they are."
"Hmm..."
After observing the appearance of the glass artisans for a moment, Sejong spoke to Hasan.
"The amount your family spent to acquire them will be calculated precisely and paid. Additionally, I will add 10% for the nearly two years of hardship you endured."
"We are eternally grateful!" At Sejong's words, Hasan and Saide bowed deeply in gratitude.
The elders, who heard the words through Saide, also bowed even more respectfully than before.
"From now on, let us discuss matters with the Crown Prince."
As Sejong stood up from his seat, Hasan and Saide bowed once more.
As Sejong stepped back, Hyang took the lead.
"First, I would like to speak with the glass artisans."
"Please do so. I will serve as the interpreter."
"No need."
Blocking Hasan, who was stepping forward to interpret, Hyang spoke directly to the artisans.
"Exspectata ut Hao Coreanica regnum." (Welcome to the Kingdom of Joseon.) The glass artisans, surprised to hear somewhat clumsy yet familiar Latin from the Eastern heathen, looked at Hyang in astonishment.
"Hic autem non est servus." (Here, you are not slaves.) After speaking, Hyang commanded Hasan.
"Release their restraints."
Following Hyang's order, the elders instructed their attendants to remove the handcuffs and shackles from the glass artisans.
Now free, the glass artisans sincerely bowed to Hyang in gratitude.
"Venite post verba autem ex illis." (Let us talk later.) "Ita!" (Yes!) The artisans responded immediately, and Hyang gestured to the soldiers.
"Take them to District 51." "Understood!" The soldiers led the glass artisans away.
The elders, witnessing all of this, were left in a daze.
When Hyang first spoke in Latin, one of the elders had quietly asked Hasan, "Did you teach him Latin?" "He already knew it." 'What kind of person is this Crown Prince of Joseon?' Although they had heard from Hasan and Saide that he was an extraordinary talent, seeing it in person made it even harder to believe.
Meanwhile, after sending off the artisans, Hyang turned to the elders and spoke.
"Now, let us discuss the payment method."