Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 869

Episode 869: Imperial type, imperial style (6)

‘It is true that Europe is a bit late in this regard. If I remember correctly.’

Hyang muttered to herself as she traced her memories.

It was when the Enlightenment became the mainstream of academia that the relationship between the state and the people began to be discussed in earnest among European intellectuals.

Through the American War of Independence and the French Revolution, the Enlightenment, or Enlightenment thinking, became common knowledge in the West, and it became part of the basic worldview and human outlook of modern people in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Therefore, the county naturally had such a way of thinking, and it was revealed in the announcement of political views.

And this way of thinking conversely influenced King Sejong, and ‘Chobeop’ was born in conjunction with the traditional values symbolized by ‘Hongik Ingan’, the traditional Confucian Minbon ideology.

In the eyes of European intellectuals, where the power of religion – Christianity and indigenous religions incorporated into Christianity – was still strong, it was a very progressive and innovative ideological and political philosophy.

‘It’s the Empire style… Are we becoming the America of the late 20th century and beyond?’

* * *

As the United States emerged as the victor of World War II in the late 20th century, half of the world accepted its laws, institutions, culture, and values.

This was not just the case for countries that had just gained independence from colonies. Europe, which was devastated by World War II, also gave up its pride and adopted American culture and values.

However, as I said before, only half of the world accepted it. The other half accepted the communist law and system mentality symbolized by the Soviet Union.

Of course, as time passed, variations were created in both East and West.

The ‘Third World’ claims to belong to neither East nor West, but in reality receives from both East and West.

‘Korean-style democracy’ to justify ‘developmental dictatorship’.

‘Maoism’, ‘Chinese socialism’, ‘Juche ideology’, etc., which were created to escape from the influence of the Soviet Union and at the same time strengthen their own dictatorial power.

However, after the 1990s, with the collapse of the Eastern Bloc, most countries began to adopt the ‘American style’.

‘American style’ had become a ‘global standard’.

Of course, there were countries that rejected this and insisted on religious fundamentalism or socialism. However, among these countries, most of them except China have been pushed out of the mainstream.

The cultural aspect was more serious.

Dramas and movies that point out the ills and problems of their countries have been produced in many countries and are known overseas.

However, among these films, the ones that exerted the greatest influence were those that came from Hollywood.

It was difficult for works made in other countries to cross their own borders, but Hollywood works easily crossed borders.

And pro-Americans who saw these works exclaimed:

“Look! They reveal and criticize their own shame without hesitation! “That is America’s strength!”

Among those who shouted ‘anti-Americanism’ in Korea in the 1980s, quite a few people nodded to such an argument.

“Well… that’s acceptable. “Although there is a lot of capitalist commerce mixed in.”

Of course, there were some who criticized this.

“You idiots! That’s all propaganda! ‘We in America are so free that we can get away with such blatant criticism! This is our America! Praise!’ “This is what happens!”

“But it’s better than not being able to make it outright, right?”

“….”

And as the Korean Wave became popular in the 21st century, a similar phenomenon began to occur in China.

-Bbangz (a derogatory term for Koreans) are better because there is no censorship in movies or dramas!

-The fact that there is no hesitation or censorship in revealing the secrets of others should be imitated! If it were us, we wouldn’t even be able to put it in theaters due to the party’s censorship!

Hyang, who was reminiscing about the 21st century, muttered with a small smile.

“That’s interesting. Fun.”

* * *

“That’s not fun. Not funny.”

Cosimo, who had been reading the document sent by the Empire several times while half-rising from the bed, glared at the report with an expression of disapproval.

Certainly, the offer made by the Empire was sweet.

Elementary educational institutions similar to the social democratic schools of the empire had already been established and operated, and positive results were visible.

-Systems and laws that enabled small countries under pressure from large countries to grow into powerful countries.

-And I will send officials who are familiar with the system and laws to give advice.

These were laws and systems that clearly produced visible results. This could not be denied.

Cosimo, who had been interacting with the ‘Land of Flowers’ since the time when it was called Joseon rather than an empire, could never deny the effects of those laws and systems.

Since it was decided to enter the competition with the goal of ‘unifying Italy’, Florence’s laws and systems alone had their limits.

In order to overwhelm other competitors in the competition, Florence’s potential had to be raised to the limit, and this required the assistance of experienced people.

Therefore, the empire’s offer to Florence was like ‘a sweet rain falling after a drought.’

However, this was a ‘poisoned chalice’.

Looking at the behavior of people purchasing items brought from the ‘Land of Flowers’, they were divided into two groups.

One was simply for ‘decoration’ purposes. From fancy chandeliers to cheap bowls, these were people who just wanted to show off that they had something from the land of flowers.

The other group were those who ‘used it properly’. They carefully inspected and purchased imperial products to see if they were suitable for their purposes. But I didn’t forget these words.

“What was the Empire thinking when it made this happen?”

And after learning about its purpose and use, they used it in an imperial way.

And both sides became addicted to ‘empire’ at some point.

This was also the case with the empire’s proposal to Florence.

The moment Florence accepted the empire’s proposal, the people’s reaction was divided into two.

-The great country of the East has joined hands with Florence!

The fact that an empire that is ahead of everything joined hands with our Florence is because our Florence is that outstanding!

-These are the laws and institutions that played the biggest role in creating that empire! It is said that people will come to teach us, so we must use this opportunity to further develop Florence!

Whether they were those who were intoxicated by appearances or those who took advantage of their own interests, over time they would all become stained by the empire.

Just like objects, laws and systems are a product of the values and thoughts of those who created them.

And that too in the most concentrated way.

Those who studied to transplant the empire’s laws and systems to Florence and those who exercised power using these laws and systems would be the first to be imbued with the empire’s ideas and values.

Subsequently, the common people under their rule would be affected.

And as time passed, Florence would become another empire.

“Whoa~.”

Cosimo let out a long sigh and quenched his thirst with wine.

“It’s not fun, but… if you think about Lorenzo, it’s a shame that there is no other answer than this.”

Lorenzo was in his 20s and was so energetic that he even competed in jousting competitions. From a young age, he gained experience by serving Cosimo on behalf of his father, Piero, and had a broad perspective.

If Lorenzo had the remaining time, ability, will, and family capital plus the advice of the empire, it was entirely possible to achieve the great work.

However, if we think about the future, the ‘absence of philosophy’ was a serious problem.

-The great cause of ‘Italian unification’ was achieved. So what happens after that?

The current Lorenzo could not answer this question. No, it was clear that most of those calling for ‘Italian unification’ throughout Italy would not be able to answer.

“If you were to ask me that, I wouldn’t be able to answer either.”

Cosimo laughed and muttered self-deprecatingly.

Cosimo dreamed of becoming a humanist when he was young. He had a history of being blocked by his father when he attempted to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to collect ancient documents.

Instead of taking over the family business according to his father’s wishes, he collected and copied ancient documents and even created the Medici family library.

Naturally, Cosimo was better than most scholars in terms of humanistic knowledge.

Because of that, it was Cosimo who obtained and read the imperial law before anyone else.

It was also someone who read the original printed in full pronunciation, not a Latin translation.

Because Cosimo had explored the law and identified the empire’s ideas and values embedded in it, he was able to understand the hidden meaning of the empire’s proposal.

But that was the end.

“Now I have very little time left. If only Piero had been strong….”

Since his eldest son, Piero, who was to succeed him, was sick, Cosimo chose Lorenzo as the next best choice. This was a good method, but it meant that Cosimo would have to spend more time on the front line.

To put it another way, Lorenzo, who dreamed of a great cause, did not have time to refine the necessary political philosophy.

“Heh! “It’s an excuse!”

Cosimo snorted at himself.

“I am a businessman. And now, I am a businessman to my core. The only thing that matters to me is the interests and well-being of my family. Great job? representation? “That’s ridiculous.”

Cosimo evaluated himself calmly.

Among the powerful figures in Europe at this time, Cosimo had a broader perspective than anyone else and was unrivaled in his ability to analyze and judge situations.

But Cosimo was still a man of the old world. Lorenzo and Giovanni’s enthusiasm pushed him to allow it, but Cosimo still did not realize the need for Italian unification.

For him, the only cause was ‘the family’s good fortune and well-being’.

For this cause….

“I am the one who will shout ‘Hallelujah’ in the Vatican and ‘Allahu Akbar’ in Mecca.”

After evaluating himself like that, Cosimo came to a conclusion.

“For the well-being and benefit of the family, for Lorenzo, and for the sake of that proud ‘unified Italy,’ it would be better to accept the empire’s offer. Of course, you can’t just end at the level of advice and drag the empire into this gambling game… Ah! There’s no need to drag me in. This proposal itself is a signal from the empire that it wants to jump into this game. “What kind of cards is the empire hiding in this gambling table full of people who have no intention of gambling properly?”

Cosimo’s eyes were now full of curiosity and joy.

“If I had been a little younger, I would have been at the front and jumped this way and that. “It’s a shame I can’t do that now, but it might be fun to watch from behind.”

* * *

Two days later, Cosimo summoned Lorenzo and Giovanni and gave them orders.

“Say you will go to Seoul as soon as possible and accept the offer. instead! Get as much as you can from the empire! Remember! That’s what you get! “Not living!”

“yes!”

“Lorenzo, check once again the census of Florence and nearby areas as well as all other preparations! The owner of Florence is our Medici family! “Check properly to avoid being dragged around!”

“yes!”