Beijing's Frenzy for Joseon Premiums
Two months had already passed since Han Gye-ran. I was still immersed in hospital work and studying for the specialist exam. And, though belatedly, I informed Seo-yeon of my intention to study abroad. She was a bit miffed that I'd applied without consulting her first, but in the end, we concluded that once we married, she'd quit the company and come with me to America.
The education of Crown Prince Yi Hong-wi seemed to be progressing well too.
The king reviewed state affairs and said, "Establish the Gwanghakwon so that the crown prince and royal grandchildren may learn the essentials of the investigation of things and the extension of knowledge." Accordingly, Jeongui Gongju was appointed as Chief Supervisor to oversee mathematics; Yi Sun-ji, Vice Minister of the Rites, was tasked with calendrical science; Jeon Sun-ui of the Inner Hospital with medicine; Yang Seong-ji, Erudite of the Hall of Worthies, with geography; Choi Gong-son, Special Adjutant of the Military Armory, with alchemy and metallurgy; and Kim Dam, Director of the Office of Censors, with civil engineering and architecture.
It was an impressive lineup of instructors. Yi Sun-ji was the astronomer who devised Joseon's own Chiljeongsan calendar; Yang Seong-ji would later compile the Paldo Jiriji and Dongguk Jido; Kim Dam was proficient in both astronomy and geography, and wild histories recorded that he had a betrothal with the family of Jang Yeong-sil. Whether Munjong's intentions matched my own guess, targeting the royal kin seemed aimed at keeping the princely house from meddling in politics while channeling their talents into technology. The same logic as tying Suyang Daegun to the Iryeowon.
With communications via Gatong growing sparse, I felt a bit empty. There were two reasons. First, things like Joseon Jeongpum, the Samcheok Ironworks, and the shipyard wouldn't yield immediate results. Even if I fed Munjong more modern knowledge, Joseon simply couldn't digest it yet. Second, it was Munjong's newlywed life. Now he only communed during the day. At night, he said he covered the mirror stand. For two months, there had been no nighttime communions sent or received.
The moment October arrived, a long-awaited Gatong came from Munjong.
The Gatong paused briefly. Then another came.
Suyang Daegun Yi Yu had set foot in the Ming capital of Beijing a week earlier. Work began the moment they arrived. Using materials brought from Joseon and more procured in Liaodong, they made Mianji. Milk and camellia oil were sourced in Beijing. The Haedonggwan's south wing had a well, making it easy to store the Mianji.
Suyang opened the bundle of white paper Jeongui Gongju had passed to him. It was a recommendation letter and usage instructions, penned by her hand.
'When did my sister summon Anpyeong to have him write these?'
There were a hundred sheets each of Jeongui Gongju's recommendation and Anpyeong's instructions. Han Hwak, standing beside Suyang, said,
"The emperor once likened Anpyeong Daegun's calligraphy to Zhao Mengfu's Song-style snow. Even one sheet of these instructions will turn the Forbidden City upside down."
Suyang handed over the bundle of papers, recalling his conversation with Jeongui Gongju.
"These aren't mere goods—they're luxuries. Luxuries never ask for a price."
"We'll charge thirty nyang of silver for five sheets of Mianji."
"Charge fifty. More is fine too."
Jeongui Gongju had smiled as she said it. Suyang hadn't understood then. Now he did.
Han Hwak entered the inner palace of the Forbidden City on the fourth day after arrival—to meet his younger sister Han Gye-ran, who had entered as a consort to the Xuande Emperor.
'Twenty-five years since my sister entered as a consort to the Xuande Emperor. She survived through the Zhengtong and Jingtai Emperors. The night before she left as a palace girl, Han Gye-ran's wails still echoed in Han Hwak's ears: "You sold our eldest sister for great wealth and glory—now how much more glory do you seek by selling me too?"'
Han Hwak knew this meeting wouldn't be easy. But it was for the kingdom. In a detached palace, Han Gye-ran sat waiting. She no longer looked like the girl under twenty, but her beauty remained striking. And now she was an elder of the Forbidden City.
Han Hwak bowed to Han Gye-ran. She was silent for a long time, merely gesturing for the palace maids to withdraw.
"Gye-ran, have you been well?"
"Shall I say you've committed a sin today that even death in a thousand lifetimes won't repay? Brother, I can recite it for you instead."
Han Gye-ran spoke with a cold expression.
"Gye-ran, today we've brought something fine from Joseon. I wanted you to see it first."
Han Gye-ran's eyes wavered. Aging as a Ming emperor's consort, she couldn't help reacting to the word "Joseon."
Suyang stepped forward from where he stood at a distance and opened three boxes of gold-threaded paulownia wood.
"Joseon Jeongpum Hongsam. Made by steaming and drying ginseng to boost vitality."
Han Hwak added,
"The inscription 'Joseon Jeongpum Hongsam' was penned by Anpyeong Daegun himself. He wrote it only on two boxes, even those for the emperor."
Han Gye-ran picked up a root of Hongsam, sniffed it, and her eyes widened.
"Suyang Daegun, the scent is different from regular ginseng."
Suyang replied and continued the explanation.
"It's more precious than ginseng. Next is Joseon Jeongpum Biru. Similar to soapstone, but superior."
Han Gye-ran showed little reaction to the Biru.
"Finally, Mianji. After cleansing with Biru, apply to the face and remove after half a shichen. It brightens skin with rice water and mung beans, improves complexion with angelica and astragalus, refines texture with cornus and rubus, and adds luster with pearl powder. Jeongui Gongju wrote the recommendation; Anpyeong Daegun the instructions."
Han Gye-ran's gaze changed.
"Pearl powder too? Anpyeong Daegun wrote the instructions?"
Her body froze.
"Brother, how much did you bring?"
"Aside from what's for the emperor, nearly all we brought is yours, Gye-ran."
For the first time in twenty-five years seeing her brother, Han Gye-ran's eyes softened.
"The noblewomen will go mad for these. I'll speak to His Majesty first."
"Gye-ran, my Gye-ran. Thank you so much."
Han Gye-ran's words were no empty courtesy. After Suyang and Han Hwak left, she tried the Biru and Mianji. The attending maids cried out in astonishment.
"My lady, your face is glowing!"
From the next day, Han Gye-ran summoned close consort friends and shared them with Anpyeong's instructions. Women's gossip spreads like wildfire. To obtain the exclusive Mianji from Han Gye-ran alone, every woman in the palace lined up for her favor.
She also sent one Hongsam to the imperial physician. After testing, reports confirmed it twice as effective as Koryo ginseng, reaching the emperor. Her audience with the Jingtai Emperor was advanced.
Two days after meeting Han Gye-ran, they entered the Forbidden City. After Suyang, the envoy of gratitude, bowed to the emperor, he said,
"In thanks for Your Majesty's grace, we have prepared gifts. Joseon has set the fifth month as Saeunil, Teacher's Grace Day. As teacher to Joseon's myriad people, from next year we shall visit without fail on Saeunil."
The Jingtai Emperor's face flushed. He had already tried the Hongsam and Biru via Han Gye-ran.
"We prepared four boxes in all."
The emperor said in surprise,
"I heard three."
Han Hwak spoke in Suyang's stead.
"This is solely for Your Majesty. Beyond Hongsam, it includes yin-yang herb, rubus, and more—a tonic to rouse masculine vigor. Joseon's king commanded it be offered only to Your Majesty."
"I shall sample it."
Three days later, Suyang and Han Hwak were summoned back to the Forbidden City.
"Worthy of the name Joseon Jeongpum. Send more Hongsam. More Biru and Mianji too. And..."
The Jingtai Emperor lifted a bowl of Hwaryeok-tang and said,
"Send all you have of this. I shall pay for it all."
What followed after two audiences with the emperor exceeded imagination. Beyond tributes to him and Han Gye-ran, they'd prepared ample stock to inform the scholar-officials—and it all sold out. Ming officials, physicians, noble ladies, and consorts sent envoys without cease. Even making Mianji daily at the envoy quarters couldn't keep up.
The Hwaryeok-tang, exclusive to the emperor, he praised openly himself—but none could obtain it.
The day before returning to Joseon, Suyang weighed the silver. He gathered his retinue.
"Father-in-law, our accompanying soldiers from Joseon aren't enough. We need more guards—your kin's aid, please. The rest, procure horses and wagons as needed."
Suyang thought of his brother.
'Brother knew from the start I'd achieve this. Appointing me Chief Supervisor of Iryeowon was to give this brother a chance. And I succeeded.'
Then Han Hwak rushed in.
"My lord, Minister of War Wu Qian has come."
Three years prior, Wu Qian had saved Ming in the Earthwork Rebellion. He was arguably the most powerful man in Ming now—and famed for incorruptibility.
Suyang jumped up in shock, straightened his robes, and went out. Wu Qian said upon seeing him,
"You are Joseon's prince?"
"Indeed, my lord."
Wu Qian eyed Suyang appraisingly.
"Can you procure Joseon Jeongpum Hongsam?"
"All was already offered to His Majesty; nothing remains."
Wu Qian nodded, then paused.
"Prince, I've heard of something called Hwaryeok-tang."
Suyang tensed. The Hwaryeok-tang was exclusively for the emperor—even in Joseon, only the king drank it. Though he'd sampled a bit himself.
"My ailing mother is feeble. By the Way of Confucius and Mencius, I beseech you."
'You know this isn't for a mother, my lord.'
He wanted to retort but couldn't. After agonizing, Suyang spoke.
"In truth, Joseon's king gave a small amount to sustain me until my return. About one doe in a white porcelain jar—enough for ten days."
It was a lie. It was from Yoon-ssi, to take from ten days before reaching Hanseong.
"How much?"
Suyang recalled Jeongui Gongju's words. Luxuries ask no price. Above all, he pictured Yoon-ssi the night before departing for Beijing. Selling this meant facing her on his own stamina, without Hwaryeok-tang. A bead of sweat trickled down Suyang's back. It gave him great resolve. At once, he spread all five fingers of his right hand.
"Five hundred nyang of silver per jar of Hwaryeok-tang."