Munhyo Runs the World - Chapter 303

Episode 303.

Crown Prince Munhyo opened his mouth in response to Park Jega’s question.

“There are 1 million people living in Edo, the capital of Japan. Moreover, Osaka (大阪), which leads the Japanese economy, and Kyoto (京都), the center of handicrafts, have over 300,000 people. Not only that, there are many cities with over 100,000 people.”

In addition to local cities with populations exceeding 100,000, such as Nagoya and Kanazawa, there are urbanized castle towns (villages formed around castles) with a population of 20,000 to 60,000, centered around the lord’s castle in each domain, throughout the country. It was distributed.

Based on these cities, Osaka, where products from all over the country gathered, and Kyoto, a cultural center and production base for luxury goods, were also experiencing active economic activities through consumption of Edo.

“her! Are you saying there are a million people living in Edo?”

Lee Deok-mu, who was surprised to hear the number of people, asked Crown Prince Munhyo without being able to keep his mouth shut.

The number was greater than what Deokmu Lee had thought.

“Maybe over a million. So, how much do you think they eat and use?”

“I can’t imagine. I understand that the population of Joseon in and around Hanyang City exceeds 200,000. “Then isn’t the population of Edo five times that of Hanyang?”

King Park also asked Crown Prince Munhyo a question with a surprised expression.

“exactly. The strength of a country comes from its population. Because the population is larger than ours, there are people who think differently. Moreover, outstanding craftsmen are acquiring and developing their skills through the support of lords who accept the idea. “For this country to develop further, there must be more big cities besides Hanyang.”

Crown Prince Munhyo had the idea that at least five cities with more than 300,000 people should be created in Joseon.

In that way, I thought it would be worth it even if I had to fight against the Qing Dynasty or the Japanese.

“I am now able to understand a little bit why you talk about education so much.”

“ruler! “Take a look at this.”

Crown Prince Munhyo showed Lee Deok-mu the dissolution certificate that Song Sang had obtained.

“her! Isn’t this the dissection of a human being? haha! It’s so elaborate… … .”

“exactly. This is a book that was translated to fit the Japanese language after reading a Dutch book in Japan. These books are being published by Wa. “That’s one of the reasons why we say that why we do things we don’t even try is ahead of us.”

Crown Prince Munhyo told us why we must be wary of Japan’s flexible attitude toward accepting Western learning and developing it into a Japanese discipline called difficult learning.

Joseon also tried to develop the study of Silhak, but it was the preserve of only a few people and did not spread throughout the country like Japanese hard learning.

“I will do my best to follow your wishes and look further ahead.”

“I will work harder to comply with your wishes.”

Lee Deok-mu and Park Jega bowed their heads in response to Crown Prince Munhyo’s words.

Although these two people were thought to be thinking ahead of anyone else in Joseon, they felt that they were far short of following Crown Prince Munhyo’s ideas.

* * *

Ederbin, deputy director of Dejima, was anxious.

This is because the Nagasaki trade, which had brought great profits to the Dutch East India Company, was shrinking compared to before.

The most important key item for the Dutch East India Company was spices, followed by Japanese copper. The Nagasaki trade monopoly began in the 17th century and, along with the spice monopoly, was a major axis that brought great wealth to the VOC (Dutch East India Company).

The Nagasaki trade, which recorded profits of more than 1 million guilders every year, was a key axis of intra-Asian trade, but as Japan reduced copper exports due to the decline of copper mines, there was talk of the existence of Dejima’s boss.

The Dutch East India Company imported sugar and raw silk to Dejima, sold them, and bought copper.

“The British are always causing trouble!”

Ederbin was angry and had high hopes for Chemulpo. This is because he could have become the superior of Chemulpo through his dealings with Daehangsa.

Furthermore, the trading base in Northeast Asia could have been moved from Nagasaki to Chemulpo.

“We need to tell them that they can never be trusted.”

said Picker, who came with Etherbin.

Picker was in charge of practical work.

“Daehan Corporation is by no means a frivolous place. It is a company that strictly considers profits.”

“Do we have to wait like this? “If we preoccupy Daehansa products, we can bring greater profits than Dejima.”

“Are you doing this because you don’t know that? I don’t know what conditions the British guy proposed, but the attitude of the Korean Embassy has also changed. “We will receive the amount the Korean ambassador promised to give us, but it will be a problem if the British take it too.”

Ederbin clearly felt that the expression on Martin’s face changed after meeting Jeong Yak-jeon.

This is because the smile on Martin’s face when I saw him at the bar increased.

“Are you saying monopoly is difficult?”

“This is a problem that can only be solved by knowing what the Korean company is thinking. “When did Director Jeong Yak-jeon say he would come down to Jemulpo?”

“I heard from Deputy Director Noh Seo-jun that it would arrive within three or four days.”

“Hmm, if monopoly is difficult, we should get more volume. “The company won’t fight with the British anymore.”

By the 18th century, the Indian Ocean had already become a fierce battleground between European rivals, and the use of force to protect itself was becoming increasingly costly.

Dutch companies, facing declining profits from Asia, implemented austerity policies and were reluctant to engage in reckless war. Then, unlike the British East India Company in the late 18th century, the Dutch company lost the power to protect its employees’ office work.

“after! “It seems like just yesterday that the British would run away when they saw us.”

“Giving away India was a big failure. Even though the price of spices has plummeted, they should not have been given away so easily. “The place where we can make up for it and break through is Jemulpogo Daehansa Temple.”

“That’s right. So what if the Korean company presents conditions that cannot be refused? The governor is also showing interest in trade with Korea.”

The governor in charge of Asia was staying in Batavia (Jakarta).

In matters such as treaties and wars with foreign countries, the Netherlands let the Dutch East India Company take the place of the government, but did not interfere at all.

The 17-member committee, which was the core decision-making body, as well as personnel such as the governor-general and superiors, acted autonomously without being influenced by the government.

“Hmm, it would be better to meet Director Jeong Yak-jeon and then make a decision. “What else does he want?”

Ederbin was ambitious. He had no intention of missing this opportunity.

Moreover, the decline in profits in Japan was larger than expected.

The maximum amount of copper exported by Japan to the East India Company was about 1 million pounds (600 tons), and that volume was gradually decreasing.

Dutch companies, which had benefited greatly from intra-Asian trade, were making profits by buying copper and selling it in India, but thanks to the mining industry that developed rapidly in England following the Industrial Revolution, British copper was coming to India at low prices.

* * *

Jeong Ho-cheol, an employee of Daehansa Temple, was explaining potatoes to Jeomchon residents and new workers.

“These are the potatoes I tasted yesterday. Now I will explain how to make a potato field. “From now on, these potatoes will become food not only for you but also for the people working in the mine.”

Daehan Temple held an event to gather residents to taste potatoes before planting them in earnest.

“It was truly delicious.”

“I don’t think I would get sick of it even if I ate it every day.”

“The taste was so amazing that I wanted to eat it to my heart’s content.”

As Jeong Ho-cheol spoke, the gathered residents and workers each added a word of support.

Potatoes stimulated my taste buds more than anything I had ever tasted.

“If we produce potatoes in the future, we can eat to our fill. To do that, you have to grow potatoes well. Now listen carefully to me from now on.”

“Go ahead and say it. “Because I kept my ears wide open.”

“Giggle! “This is the first time I’ve seen Jeongbae’s father show such enthusiasm.”

“That’s right. “He was always thinking about having fun.”

“It’s because I want to eat potatoes until my stomach explodes.”

People had high expectations for potatoes.

This is because potatoes came as a hope for people living in poverty.

“ruler! Before plowing the field, you need to sprinkle some compost. The entire field must be dug up to a size less than one foot, and the soil clumps must be broken up and leveled. And as you can see here, the ridge is made round like a hill, and the height is about 1 foot and the width is about 2 feet… … . After planting potatoes, cover the soil with rice straw or rice husk to keep it warm… … .”

Jeong Ho-cheol continued his explanation by planting seed potatoes in the pre-made rows.

“… … “The potatoes you planted can be harvested before the rainy season comes.”

Potatoes were harvested around the summer solstice, approximately 80 to 100 days after planting seed potatoes.

I didn’t know it at the time, but Musan was the best place to grow potatoes and was famous for its taste and the size of its seeds.

“Don’t worry. “I will treat you like I would treat my newborn baby.”

“cancer! That’s how it should be. “As long as I have potatoes, I think I’ll get through the winter without any problems.”

Growing potatoes did not pose much difficulty to farmers.

“ruler! There are enough seed potatoes, so make enough fields. “The land here is fertile and potatoes will grow well.”

“Don’t worry. “I even brought a cow from Daehan Temple, so I have to work hard.”

The village chief responded to Jeong Ho-cheol’s words.

The Korean government bought five cows from Hamheung to grow potatoes.

“In the future, Daehanchon will become the wealthiest village in Musan.”

Jeong Ho-cheol spoke about the future of Jeomchon, which has a new name, Daehanchon.

Daehan Village laid the foundation for great wealth not only in mining, but also in farming, thanks to potatoes, an old-growth crop.

* * *

Ederbin of the Dutch East India Company, who was anxiously waiting for Jeong Yak-jeon, came to Jemulpo Daehansa Temple upon hearing the news of Jeong Yak-jeon’s arrival.

“I was waiting for Director Jeong.”

“haha! “Did something urgent happen?”

Although he clearly knew why he was looking for him, Jeong Yak-jeon asked as if what was going on.

“If you cannot exclusively supply to our company, please give us exclusive rights to other Asian countries except the Qing Dynasty and Japan.”

To please Jeong Yak-Jeon, Ederbin called Japan Japan.

He decided that he could make enough profit by selling Korean products to Southeast Asia and India, even if they were not in Europe.

“haha! As I said before, Daehansa’s policy is not to allow any monopoly to any top company or company.”

“We will make you a galleon similar to the Batavia that we took to the Korean War.”

As if Ederbin had anticipated what Jeong Yak-Jeon would say, he presented conditions that the Daehansa could not refuse.

“You mean a Western sailing ship?”

Jeong Yak-jeon asked back with a surprised expression at Ederbin’s unexpected words.

“Yes, wouldn’t the Korean Peninsula need galleons for trade with other countries?”

The galleon was a merchant ship and a combat ship.

It is a means of defense that can protect oneself from danger while sailing far out to sea.

Munhyo! run the world