Chapter 120

Chapter 120

First Joseon-Qing Crisis (5)

Qing, Liaodong.

“Will go crazy. How did the country become this shape?”

Zeng Guofan.

One of the famous ministers who supported late Qing.

Whether Joseon or China, if the government army becomes crippled righteous armies rising and cleaning up the mess was literally the national rule among national rules.

However if there is a difference between Joseon and China Joseon’s righteous armies were naturally absorbed into the government army, but in China’s case those righteous armies often sneakily became warlords and led the chaotic era again. Sometimes there are things gained because the country is small.

Zeng Guofan’s Xiang Army was also a similar case.

The Xiang Army that Zeng Guofan started by scraping private funds and gathering a scale not even reaching 10,000.

Now reaching a large army over a full 100,000. Plus hundreds of talented people overflowing with spirit to change the country gathered.

So naturally... those who have idle thoughts cannot help but appear.

Zeng Guofan himself knew that fact well.

Careful with the body awake or asleep.

Careful with the body even looking again.

Qing’s another famous minister Zuo Zongtang was not on good terms with Zeng Guofan, but nevertheless once proposed to Zeng Guofan ‘will not become the master of the world?’. Zeng Guofan was startled and answered he will only die as Great Qing’s loyal subject.

Of course not because Zeng Guofan really liked the queue haircut too much, nor because loyalty to the young child emperor or Prince Gong Yixin is large enough to reach the Magellan Galaxy beyond the universe.

“Damn Western bastards.”

Yixin already proved.

Today the seat of Chinese emperor is ultimately only the role of Europeans’ tenant.

Withdraw from Liaodong and raid Beijing.

Can tear the shabby Eight Banners at once and occupy the Forbidden City. Slaughter all royals and Manchu nobles and send a few years as regent of the little emperor then receive abdication and revive the Han people’s country and all matters end.

Can do.

Not impossible.

Nevertheless did not want to.

The moment raising troops the title he cherished all life, the title of <​true scholar> tears. The person Zeng Guofan instead of being recalled as a model of loyal subject in later generations at best called a treacherous hero, a heroic hero.

But even founding a new country like that, if asking can restore peace and stability to Chinese land like other founders who opened new dynasties that is also not. The probability of eating curses full is too high.

Ultimately Western bastards are the problem.

If only those guys are resolved, if somehow securing a strong army and excellent fleet and blocking Western powers’ intervention!

However reality is the gutter.

The gutter unable to even conquer one Joseon that resolved to stick to those Western bastards.

If destroying the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom the Xiang Army must be disbanded.

Precisely speaking, if not disbanding this is soon warlordization and treason. Must do something whether declaring the founding of a new country in Nanjing or trampling Beijing and seizing the regent seat.

But the sense as a skilled empire bureaucrat was whispering to him.

‘Discarding the elite army that experienced real combat for a few years? Crazy?’

‘Eight Banners are crippled and Green Standard are scarecrow straw bundles. If dismantling the Xiang Army how suppress other rebellions and who will block foreign enemies?’

‘Look at that Joseon army a bit! Elite beyond compare! Even Joseon raised such a strong army in a short time how is China this shape?!’

Barely made a proper army in China must discard this? For the safety of Zeng Guofan himself who made the Xiang Army?

The answer did not come out.

If the answer came out would have moved to do it long ago as a scholar, but since no answer visible to this problem only accumulating resentment.

For a long time glaring in the direction where the Joseon army is likely beyond that distant Yalu River he turned his body.

A bit very fucked.

The country and the world too.

***

“Stop fighting! Our Russian Empire that knows justice will mediate!”

“Get out.”

“Hing ing.”

Whenever a fight occurs Europeans always run holding a tableware set.

As the <​syrup crisis> broke out Britain the Far East’s largest shareholder intervening was a natural thing, but France and Russia also quickly ran and began looking around whether something to eat one bite.

“If the powerful Russian army mediates those two countries’ commotion will be a big help!”

“Just the intention to tear more Qing land?”

“If just taking appropriate compensation for mediating peace we will withdraw!”

“So you are not needed. Now with the Poland problem you already need our British Empire’s help?”

The great uprising of Poles who were exploited being treated as three-legged.

Russia joined hands with Prussia and mercilessly suppressed this uprising, and France called to Britain ‘this opportunity let’s help Poland together and beat the absolute monarchy Russia?’.

“France France. We don’t want to war with Russia again.”

“What?! You now will neglect the absolute monarch exploiting the ruled ethnic group?! And chattering freedom or democracy?”

“What an empire that even deprived the freedom of political association-”

“Peeeek!! Liberals of the whole world! Britain abandoned Poles! Did you see! As expected the vanguard of liberalism is precisely this king god France that helped Italy and helped Poland! Napoleon Your Majesty manse!! Free France manse!!”

“Ah fuck.”

Napoleon III’s fart mouth technique entered amazingly this time too. Britain was caught in the trap.

“Better to include the French bastards in the Far East mediation, Your Majesty.”

“Will that work?”

“Must think of Napoleon as just a kid throwing a tantrum asking for rice. Cannot cause war in Europe so must throw easy Far East interests.”

“Anyway hope Asians do not suffer too big hardship.”

“Of course.”

Like that gave tip to France, and as the price of blocking that France’s rampage in Europe Russia withdrew hands from the Far East problem. Truly a perfect balance guardian’s super play.

And finally, in London prepared the draft of the two countries’ negotiation and sent.

====

1. Qing and Joseon both countries normalize diplomatic relations.

2. Joseon is an independent country that receives no interference whatsoever in internal affairs and diplomacy. However Qing holds a formalized feudal right over Joseon and this includes the formal right to enfeoff the Joseon king.

3. Both countries immediately upon concluding this treaty conclude a new commercial treaty freely permitting bilateral trade.

====

“Representative Lee.”

“Yes.”

The next day after sending the draft Arthur who visited the Joseon legation in London was treated to one bowl of sungnyung instead of tea.

While Arthur gulped sungnyung and licked even the rice grains thoroughly like a dog, Cho Byeonghyeon minister who blankly watched that appearance clicked the tongue as if dumbfounded.

“Th... not ashamed?”

“Thought would pour cold water on the head but licking the sungnyung bowl degree is grateful. No more scorched rice? Our house wife cannot do Joseon cuisine to this degree.”

“...Even so Aseul you are a scholar who finished the Four Books and Three Classics, not knowing shame like this.”

“Where shame in a person doing state affairs.”

“This draft. What think.”

Arthur instead of answering ate the newly brought scorched rice well wasak wasak, and Cho Byeonghyeon also lit fire on the tobacco pipe with mouth tightly shut as if must hear the answer.

Ultimately Arthur opened the mouth first.

“Qing will refuse?”

“Qing will definitely specify Joseon is China’s vassal. Otherwise no reason to cause this incident.”

“Well. That is so.”

If Joseon is specified as an independent country this is the sound of the Chinese order completely collapsing by Westerners. Like a Jenga that pulled one wrong wood piece collapsing the Chinese order will also definitely fall.

“We still do not want war.”

“Meaning will submit?”

“The home country also said can tolerate up to moderately bowing. The problem is Japan.”

If Joseon is recognized as a vassal Japan’s nationalists will definitely make a fuss saying ‘how can independent country Japan ride the same boat with vassal status Joseon?’.

But in Joseon’s judgment fighting Japan’s stubborn ones seemed much better than fighting the Qing army that will pour in crowds hao hao xie xie er san si. Because the former is already being subjugated.

“Rather we want to ask you. The intention to establish Joseon as an independent country.”

“...Not very cool to say with my mouth.”

“Damn.”

Practically the same as answering with silence. Cho Byeonghyeon familiar with European diplomatic circles groaned.

If something happens Joseon might also be eaten by Britain.

After establishing Joseon as an independent country - if something happens make it a protectorate.

Isn’t it the Europeans’ tricks occurring in real time all over the world.

“Annam?”

“Yes. No other thing for France to intervene.”

Britain makes Joseon, France makes Vietnam a protectorate and slowly colonizes. Too simple and clear future development.

Arthur who finished eating all the scorched rice wiped the mouth and hands with a handkerchief then opened both hands wide.

“Just in case saying, I have no plan to make Joseon a colony or protectorate.”

“Right.”

“Really. Truly. Can even stake my mom and dad-”

“That strange action really lacks dignity so do not do anywhere. Do not stake the deceased parents either!”

“Downgrading Joseon to a protectorate is not a particularly profitable action even from the British Empire’s position. If a situation where Joseon is eaten by Qing or Russia arrives then mere an emergency plan that will be activated.”

Britain’s Nolbu mind is always like that. Rather than being taken by others even if losing we must take!

Byeonghyeon trusted this blue-eyed scholar in front.

Because has too enormous interests and connections in Joseon so cannot discard Joseon at all.

“Within 10 years, Joseon will start the northern expedition.”

“Because cannot remain as Qing’s vassal.”

“Will tear that hideous treaty or whatever, and reverse taste the humiliation of Samjeondo to the Manchu guys. When that day arrives Joseon will finally stand tall as an independent country.”

“Always cheering your country’s prosperity.”

“In that sense, sending the daughter to a country that will stand tall as an empire in the future is a very beautiful thing? Still hesitating?”

Arthur’s eyes slightly curved.

“Well. Since talking among us let’s speak honestly.”

“No, do not speak honestly and keep a bit of dignity-”

“Even my daughter I know well. She is stuffy and cannot keep Joseon royal etiquette or whatever. Innately a tomboy. If sending that unruly kid and something goes wrong how much will faces redden mutually?”

“Eum...”

“Ah. Son is even more not. Age difference too big.”

Arthur whose face instantly loosened hesil hesil began laying out the second’s boast excitedly.

Byeonghyeon also as a scholar-official knowing how heavy obtaining the eldest son to continue the line is patiently listened to that boast for the first few hours.

“Actually. His Majesty sent a secret order.”

“His Majesty? What said?”

“Already reported to His Majesty long ago. Said you are reluctant about the national marriage worried about Joseon’s etiquette.”

“No. If hitting with facts like that looks like I am ignoring Joseon...”

“So His Majesty gave an answer, in this situation Joseon must also civilize and enlighten like the West so the royal family’s etiquette must also be reorganized in Western style.”

No place to retreat further. Saying will even grind the etiquette in Western style what to do? If refusing even here do not know how the pissed Yi Hwan will come out.

Ultimately Arthur who was only fiddling with the empty porcelain bowl after eating all the scorched rice brought out the answer much later.

“Good. But the daughter is still too young to go to Joseon, so at least prepare calmly for a few years-”

“Ah. Do not worry! His Majesty decided to send the crown prince to London. Of course will welcome the son-in-law with a warm heart?”

“Not the legation... to my house?”

“Heuheuheu. Good is good? Too similar to when you went in and out of the palace? Will remain as a beautiful story long in history.”

Not even the emperor’s distant relative or the fifth illegitimate son below this but the eldest son, moreover the only son of this thin family sending.

Before Arthur brought out some words, Byeonghyeon took out one letter and put it in his hand.

“His Majesty... truly cherishes you like blood relative.”

“Well know.”

“Please, His Majesty... the crown prince... well.”

Before knowing the minister’s eyes were red.

Arthur covered his hand that was becoming more wrinkled day by day with his own hand.

“No need to request so to a much younger guy.”

“This... country, please.”

“I cannot say a gentleman, but a petty person has a petty person’s duty. Will not abandon the dear brother.”

Truly bitter taste.

Arthur had to sit for a long time holding the letter that was becoming wet.

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