Black Corporation: Joseon

Chapter 1003

Chapter 1003 Meanwhile, somewhere else..... (8)

Hyun, who heard the situation, nodded lightly.

“The people’s tastes, which are sometimes said to be excessively picky, are helpful at this time. Still, we must be wary of the fact that some people fall into addiction.”

“I will keep this in mind.”

The prefecture and ministers evaluated it this way, but Hyang shook his head after hearing the report.

“It’s not because the people have picky tastes. It’s because they have to make a living. Otherwise, the toad wouldn’t have been able to survive like that in his past life. The reason why Heuljeongju, which is only called Soju, was able to sell like that is because there were many people who were good at it.”

Hyang, who had been giving negative evaluations while recalling memories of her past life, had a strange expression on her face as she read the report again.

“Candy liquor has poisoned the lower classes of Europe... Annual sales... Let’s see... Sales of aged sugar liquor...”

Analyzing the figures by looking through related reports. Hyang Han shook his head.

“Sales volume has decreased due to various policies, but in absolute terms it is still a huge amount. This means that the letters of protest sent by the kings of Europe are not just a harsh assassination. This is true...” Hyang paused for a

moment. looked out the window with a serious expression.

“Does it mean that it is not Cheong that is addicted to opium, but Europe that is addicted to sugar alcohol? Has the East and West changed?’

Hyang’s expression became more serious as he muttered up to this point.

“It was an opium war in the end, right? There are plenty of possibilities. In today’s international society, fists speak louder than words every day. It smells like war. No, something worse could happen.”

Hyang could foresee a situation worse than war. Hyang continued, tapping his fingers on the desk.

“Drugs.....”

* * *

Sejong said. From the time of the Gyeongjang administration, drugs symbolized by opium were strictly controlled.

-Opium can only be used for medical purposes.

-Members of the National Assembly must check the amount of opium in possession and use records every month.

-Except those who are permitted to cultivate it for medical purposes. Anyone who grows poppies is subject to a severe sentence of 10 years or more.

– Anyone who illegally possesses or distributes opium is subject to a severe sentence of 20 years or more with all property confiscated.

– In addition to opium, it causes confusion and addiction to the people’s minds. Anyone who makes anything that is ordered is charged

with the same crime as in the case of opium. As an aside, this last clause regularly caused nationwide wars of words in the empire. The reason Hyang included this clause was because of synthetic drugs such as philopon. However, ‘the people’s The phrase ‘everything that causes confusion and addiction’ was what ignited the debate.

-Alcohol and tobacco should also be prohibited as they cause confusion and addiction to the people’s minds!

Ascetics and principled moralists said this and called for the prohibition of alcohol. and argued for the enactment of a smoking ban, sparking a nationwide war of words. Every time this war of words broke out, not only judges and judges, but also the public came forward to thwart the attempt to enact the law. However, if we can

forget, the law was enacted again. Due to this problem, the examiner amended the law by adding the word ‘psychoactive substance’ and an explanation, but those who advocate for a ban on alcohol and smoking continued to fight over each other. *

* *

Hyang was worried about this.

“I’ll be happy if I just send a protest letter and pay taxes. Even if you implement an embargo policy, you can get away with it, but if you try to spread drugs throughout the empire, the worst thing will happen.”

Even though the Qing was weakened by the national disease, it was still worthy of being called a strong country. However, it was opium that brought down the Qing. . No, the entire responsibility could not be placed on opium, but one of the main factors that brought about the collapse of the Qing Dynasty was opium.

“It is not Ki-woo. There is definitely a possibility.”

If you look at the trade balance between the empire and Europe, or between the empire and all other countries, the empire always has a surplus. Of course, thanks to the ‘sophisticated imperialist policy’ that each country has pursued, the other country is seriously affected. It wasn’t enough to judge.

The Minister of General Affairs nodded and Hyeon summed up the situation.

“Do you agree that Tae Sang-tae’s concerns are not overly sensitive?”

“I agree.”

“Then, I would like you to devise various policies to prepare accordingly and present them to me. .”

“I follow your orders.”

“Then, let’s discuss the Emperor’s plan for Lee I-J.”

The plan proposed by Hyang was to ‘sell the sugar liquor distillery to other countries.’

– Sugar liquor is the people of the empire. Although it is not popular with the general public, it is very popular with people from other countries.

-Therefore, if you sell this sugar liquor distillery, there will be more than one country that will be greedy.

-The distillery in the southwestern province sells neighboring countries such as Ming, Japan, and Daewol. As a target, the distilleries in the new land will start selling to Europe.

-It is enough for the empire to receive only land use fees and raw material supply from the distilleries.

-Other countries will compete to occupy these distilleries. Even now, sugar liquor is sold in huge quantities. Because he’s boasting about it.

-Other countries, preoccupied with this competition and the profits coming in, will fight with each other and the empire will be able to buy a little more time. After

completing this plan and reviewing it, Hyang smiled bitterly.

“Anyway, my My notoriety will only grow.”

* * *

A few months later, imperial messengers visited the palaces of the Ming, Japanese, and European powers. The messengers, who politely bowed according to etiquette, delivered imperial documents to the emperor and kings. The monarchs who checked the document received by the county all expressed doubts:

“Are you selling a sugar liquor distillery? Why?”

To the monarchs’ question, the messengers answered calmly.

“The people of the empire do not like sugar liquor very much, so sales are difficult. But other countries love their sweet liquor. That’s why His Majesty the Emperor has decided to maintain good relations with other countries.”

“Really? i get it. I will give you the answer after discussing my opinion with the ministers.”

After sending out the messengers, the monarchs discussed their opinions with their subjects.

“Why?”

The ministers had to think hard about the simple and clear question of the monarchs. The reason for coming out like that. It was as follows:

-The Empire knows that our judgment is not good as only the Empire makes huge profits through sugar wine.

-And they want us to compete among ourselves for the huge profits that can be made through sugar wine. .

“Then is it right to give up the acquisition of the sugar distillery?”

To the question of the monarchs, the ministers unanimously answered,

“No! If we can have it, we should have it!”

“We should at least prevent one country from monopolizing the distilleries!”

“We should have at least one. Even if we can’t sell to other countries and only sell domestically, we will have more money in our finances!”

Hearing from the ministers that they would have more money in their finances, the monarchs made a decision.

“Really? “Then, let’s try to join in on the empire’s plan.”