Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Modernity Is Cold (5)

The fact that French people are an under-evolved race about cousins of whales, brothers of monkeys was once clarified by the great British Charles Darwin.

He received the Nobel Peace Prize for this achievement, because clarifying the ancestors of French people was that important to world peace.

- Ahta, spicy. Why not say Darwin also invented the internet?

‘Reason’ does not work on French people. Said the Middle Kingdom of Europe but the acts also really resemble China.

Just looking at the American War of Independence can know. Those stupid guys just poured money kwaalkwaalkwaal saying will fuck Britain and supported the American independence army, and the result is what? Neck ending on the guillotine. Can only be seen as thinking with the spine not the brain.

But who am I.

The incarnation of reason and rationality, a 21st century person. A being much more enlightened and progressed than 19th century people is precisely me.

Therefore instead of despising or hating French people, I decided to create an ideal win-win relationship of providing what they need and instead also receiving what I need.

That was precisely freedom of faith.

“Hey, monsieur. You are also a Christian right?”

“I also have the thought of wanting to spread the gospel on Joseon land like a chimney, but what can I do? The first believers they saw were traitors. The first believer met was Judas Iscariot and ending this small is rather fortunate?”

Bluff from beginning to end.

The Joseon court has already finished preparing to recite the lines ‘actually have been waiting for sponsors like you... no, the gospel from long ago’.

But just proclaiming freedom of faith is regrettable so just want to receive something.

French people are the same.

These guys grumble at me why you are a believer but not making efforts to plant faith in Joseon, but dog sound from beginning to end.

These guys came even to Joseon on the opposite side of the earth to make achievements for their emperor. If can attach the title <​true guardian of faith> to the emperor what regret is that bit of money?

No, leaving all other things. If a British person extracts freedom of faith will French people praise this achievement as fellow Christians or will their stomachs turn?

The movie consisting of director Arthur Lee, producer Lee Ha-eung, leading actors frogs cranked in like this with great acclaim.

“All monks entering Joseon must necessarily inform in advance that their intention is in spreading the doctrine. If those who are not do proselytizing will heavily punish.”

“Fine.”

Of course priest visas will be much more expensive.

“His Majesty also permitted building a temple for your country and other country envoys who will reside from now on a bit away from Hanyang. All court officials opposed but only the sage forced it worrying about you, so be grateful for His Majesty’s grace.”

“On behalf of our French Empire we offer sincere praise to His Majesty the King of the Joseon Kingdom.”

The cathedral France decided to build for Joseon, and also decided to send technical staff including architects. The fact that they will receive quite a lot of Western-style building orders from now on looked obvious but in the Joseon situation where even recruiting one person is hard it was a quite decent condition.

But a bit uneasy.

No way these bastards are this soft?

Were French people guys overflowing with tolerance this much?

No way?

Like the British Empire using <​disturbing free trade will not forgive!> as karaoke 18th lyrics when enlightening other countries, French people’s basic comment is <​killing our good missionaries will not forgive!>.

So these guys are originally guys whose fists go out before words.

No matter how this great soul Arthur Lee is protecting, if French people chattering ‘must purify this country infected with Anglo-Saxons with fire!’ and just shooting cannons first would not be strange.

While diplomats busily faced Joseon officials and discussed the details of the agreement, I diligently fed delicious desserts and coffee to the French people staying at our house to obtain the answer to <​why are these bastards so quiet?>.

After entertaining for a long time like that.

Finally I could hear the words they carelessly let slip.

“Russia’s movements are unusual.”

Ah.

It’s the Crimean War.

***

Crimean War!

The confrontation between European Middle Kingdom France the cooking hegemon and Russia the country crazy for cream over who makes the most delicious cream... no way.

What 21st century Koreans usually recall when hearing the words Crimean War is not much.

But if saying ‘the war Nightingale participated in’ it would be very familiar even to people with no particular interest in history. Is this the power of culture or something.

What relation does the war that will happen on that distant Crimean Peninsula have with Joseon?

Of course there is.

Might have forgotten, but on the Chinese land across from us now the Second Opium War is still happening in real time.

Of course Beijing was long captured and Manchu queue men are arguing over the treaty text how to pretty stick their heads...

If Russia suddenly intervenes here?

The huge bear land spanning all of Eurasia, Russia stamps the Crimean Peninsula with front paws while slapping Manchuria with the tail?

No matter how the Anglo-French allied forces ravaging China the calculation suddenly changes.

An absurd assumption but suppose the Cossack cavalry corps that came swarming from Siberia suddenly ‘protects’ the Qing emperor. How terrible and frightening a thing?

“Monsieur Lee will also know well how barbaric and vicious a race Russians are.”

“Of course.”

“If these occupy Manchuria Joseon falls into a serious crisis. His Majesty the Emperor is greatly worrying whether Joseon will submit to Russia’s threat and fall to a vassal again.”

“As expected the bloodline of Napoleon who spread freedom and equality to the whole world is definitely different even if different. Although I am British I truly cannot help but admire your country’s generosity and thoughtfulness.”

Britain has no particular words yet, but France seems to think war will really happen.

Did not hesitate even the dirty act of opium selling war but if Russia slurps the sweet Qing coin it becomes even more unpleasant.

“Small countries submitting to Russia’s terror is an impossible thing! We are already taking active action to protect the Ottoman Turks from Russia. Joseon also do not worry. The French Empire will actively support Joseon’s autonomy and independence.”

“That is truly the thing Joseon people would desire the most.”

Come. Quickly chatter.

What does France want?

“That Qing is a mess you will know well even without saying. Now is precisely the best opportunity for Joseon. How about receiving our French Empire’s excellent weapons and supplies and the Joseon army advancing to Manchuria and protecting Manchuria from Russia?”

“Can you give a story where somewhat common sense negotiation is possible?”

Even if spitting dog sound in negotiation round 1 is the industry national rule still really just going for it.

Where is doing games like this?

- But Arthur... you made all the Joseon people who came saying let’s do northern expedition into a hypnotized state...

Crazy?

Where is there an army in Joseon.

Whether guard regiment or defense unit all are half-baked. Surprisingly even lining up in rows and columns is a terrible thing for pre-modern people.

Not for nothing that the strongest army of this era the Western army all went around with clubs. Because making them listen without primitive violence is too difficult a thing.

As soon as cutting the madman proposal of <​Joseon army’s Manchuria dispatch> the follow-up immediately flies.

“But from now on Qing will become even closer with Russia. That the enemy of the enemy can become a friend is a story that always applies regardless of East or West ancient or modern.”

“Well... yes.”

“So train a stronger army receiving the help of the French Empire. That the British Royal Navy is truly powerful is a fact we all know, but that there is no country that can follow France in the army is also a fact?”

Don’t learn from second-rate miscellaneous soldiers like the East India Company army but learn from the world’s number 1 instructor the French army!

If the purpose is projecting influence on Joseon it was very excellent.

“This is a topic worth discussing even in the government.”

“Haha. Fine. And regarding weapons and supplies-”

Lower the tariff barrier.

What will you do borrowing loans anyway, will buy Western things.

Then shouldn’t tariffs be set low to be beneficial to everyone too?

As soon as the tariff story came out America also inserted like a hyena looking for food, and they naturally unfolded the claim to Joseon that <​if setting tariffs too high it is not good for Joseon either>.

By 19th century standards it is not a completely absurd level.

Getting hit by the low tariff punch is already a constant.

Moreover even I chattered to British members ‘anyway America and France will crush Joseon so we can just ride with most favored nation treatment’ so this must of course be abetted.

But negotiation is originally first bending once and seeing.

Can’t just give.

“Tariffs... you mean.”

“If Monsieur Lee speaks well the Joseon officials will also understand.”

“But. If borrowing loans of course there must be collateral. I was going to set the customs duties that will occur in Joseon as collateral.”

“Instead we will help Joseon’s industrial development. So setting part of the rights to mines as collateral seems okay too.”

The spirit fight continued, but the fact that Joseon is a country in a poor situation does not particularly change.

France not openly pushing warships and doing gangster acts is because here is currently recognized as Britain’s territory, not because these guys are particularly merciful or desperately need Joseon’s cooperation.

Joseon people also suddenly realized at some moment.

The ones now saying let’s freely trade and deepen friendship.

Are the ones who burned Beijing now.

The Joseon-America Treaty of Peace and Commerce and the Joseon-France Treaty of Peace and Commerce were concluded truly quickly.

Still Joseon had a long way to go.

***

“This time France’s proposal was truly heartbreaking.”

“Yes, teacher.”

“Why am I your teacher? Didn’t particularly teach anything.”

Uneasy sitting.

Not uncomfortable because of yangban legs.

This was my house, and in my house whether Joseon person or whatever must sit on chairs. Absolutely can’t give up chairs.

The reason I became the shape of a mouse in front of a snake is precisely because the people who held me and injected Confucian classics into my head for several years (also called masters in Joseon language) came.

Lee Hangro and Gi Jeongjin.

Originally the leaders of Confucian scholars who should have made a name with defending orthodoxy and rejecting heterodoxy.

Although the direction of learning is different at least people who do not completely submit to the Andong Kim clan powerful and have a heart thinking of the country, so the heart tearing at France and America’s half threats is a natural thing.

“If our Joseon had a proper elite army wouldn’t have struck Liaodong this time.”

“You said France is a tiger country like Qin, the army’s strictness is like autumn frost and mercilessly conquers everywhere in the world. Although according to their needs said will support our Joseon army, but having to reject this because the country has no army how shameful a thing!”

Ah.

That... I, was thinking wrong.

Still to Joseon people stories like tariff restrictions, or unlimited territorial waters surveying permission, or extraterritoriality are not particularly felt as ‘aggression’.

Compared to that what they demanded except returning the remains of French priests and amnesty was friendship and good neighborliness along with vast loan promises.

“Isn’t the French emperor’s holy virtue truly the same as the Wanli era! Ah, if we had strengthened ourselves a bit earlier!”

“Just Heungseon-gun demolished private academies in large numbers, how about selecting a decent place among them and making it a private academy commemorating the late emperor Napoleon?”

“Ha. Haha... That, very, seems a good idea.”

The second coming of the Goryeo Son of Heaven.

The Joseon court to display <​freedom of religion> willingly newly enshrined Napoleon Bonaparte’s spirit tablet next to the spirit tablet of the Wanli Emperor in the Mandongmyo.

Of course ‘well’ explaining to French priests became my share.

“Your face became half!”

“Save... me...”

“Wait. I will make some hometown food after a long time so eat and gather some energy.”

I quietly munched the meatloaf Lizzy made instead of the usual country neighborhood contempt.

Really Joseon always far transcends my imagination.

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