Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Invisible Threat (2)

Saigo Takamori stayed up all night for two full days.

He flipped through all sorts of books.

To prove that that way of demons is nonsense not worth a bit he forgot sleep and meals.

But failed.

Rather the way of demons was whispering in his ears.

Endlessly blowing anguish into his head.

Today’s Japan is extremely chaotic, and the shogunate was incompetent beyond compare.

‘Is that really so?’

Japanese scholars claimed until recently that Japan is precisely the world’s best country.

The basis was precisely ‘because a peaceful era arrived’.

In this island country there was never a time when wars stopped, yet a peaceful era without war for over 200 years arrived isn’t this evidence of the country of Yao and Shun?

Until recently he did not even snort.

Since the incompetent shogunate is not properly governing the country isn’t the peaceful era ending and a turbulent era arriving again.

However according to the way of demons this is fact.

Because a peaceful era arrived for hundreds of years and the population of this land came to count a whopping 30 million ultimately a turbulent era arrived.

No matter how much more diligently cultivate farmland, pioneer that barbarian land and struggle cannot support all the increasing population.

So wanderers and beggars are roaming all the hills everywhere, and those wandering holding swords calling themselves samurai also became unemployed and some of them become anti-system figures.

According to the way of demons surprisingly the reason for this turbulent era is explained.

That was too hateful.

“Hehehe. What story did you hear from that blue-eyed guy that became this skin and bones overnight?”

“Just a bit... just a bit more time please. I will resolve on my own.”

He could not even bring out words to the master he serves, domain lord Nariakira.

How can bring out such a terrible and miserable story to the lord?

He ultimately bent.

The way of demons was logic that faced reality and interpreted, and Saigo no matter how much investigated and pondered could not counter-argue here.

Once acknowledging eyes opened.

Looking at the sun slowly rising beyond the horizon, he opened his eyes.

“Heu, heuhahahaha!! Heuhahaha!! Buddha saying only liberation is the answer was truly not wrong!! The sahā world is truly only pain!!”

Even crops in the fields must fight weeds over the land’s fertility.

Weak rabbits and deer are eaten by wolves and wolves.

Foolish and weak farmers kill their own children with their hands to reduce mouths.

How great are humans that can escape this huge providence.

If not wanting to die must live endlessly eating other lives is the sahā world, even a country humans gathered and made is there a sharp clever plan to escape this yoke?

“To preserve one Japanese person no matter how many foreign people of unknown names die that... that... what do you want me to do!!”

The most important is his hometown Satsuma where he was born and raised.

Next of course Japan.

Finally he forged one sword in his heart.

Because Japan must become the predator that eats not the prey that is eaten.

***

Once I sent Saigo back.

If showed this haggard appearance what appearance would suffer.

First briefly explained about Saigo to Heungseon-gun, then after a few days introduced him who became a bit tidier.

“General material.”

Heungseon-gun’s first words upon meeting Saigo Takamori.

“Right, want to see Joseon?”

“Yes.”

“Said if Joseon is easy will tear and eat?”

“That is also fact.”

Lee Ha-eung blankly looked at me next to him.

‘Showed that damned book so taste went like that.’

‘Not my fault.’

What did I do wrong.

21st century people treat Malthus as Satan’s blood relative or crazy racist, but in my view not without a somewhat unfair feeling.

Think not predicting the industrial revolution and nitrogen fertilizer cannot be Malthus’s fault. Isn’t that the same action as future people clicking their tongues seeing 2024 modern people worrying about global warming and environmental destruction saying ‘ah that will all be solved when superconductor is developed in 2033 why wasting strength for nothing’.

Anyway Malthus did not write ‘so the answer is only colonies and imperialism’ while writing population theory.

He who was a devout believer only said <​among human desires the desire to reproduce offspring by having sex is too big so must suppress desires or all perish together>. If forcing it is an extension of Christian logic.

Actually after announcing population theory and getting cursed a lot there are words Malthus said.

‘Political bastards one and all only say population is national power so give birth to many kids, not thinking of making a country with good conditions so newly born children can be guaranteed sufficient quality of life and only saying give birth first aren’t you more wicked?’

If 21st century people hear somehow sounds plausible, but to primitive era people where this war, famine, epidemic bursts like a round song whenever bored did not seem to give much impression.

Whatever his logic, later people used his logic as a means to justify imperialism.

Eugenics, and social Darwinism.

Can I change that flow? Probably impossible.

Business people must ride the trend, must not go against the trend.

So I just conveyed only the essence to Saigo.

My fault is... none...!

“Since the treaty is scheduled to be concluded this time Japanese coming to Joseon itself is not a problem, but foreigners cannot go outside the open port.”

“Therefore begging like this.”

“There are two ways. The first is receiving an official post of the Joseon court.”

“That is difficult.”

Well. Right.

I am just a very special case, ordinary people cannot help but feel repulsion at receiving a foreign official post. Especially in cases like Japan still split and playing by domain units, ‘eating foreign salary this traitor!’ and don’t know when suddenly get stabbed.

“Then the way is only one. Becoming a student coming to learn Joseon’s learning.”

This Joseon-Japan Treaty of Peace and Commerce of course took the first modern treaty Britain and Joseon concluded as the precedent.

Same as the clause inserted then, the item ‘both countries actively support exchange students coming to learn the counterpart country’ is also added.

“If saying came to learn Joseon’s Way, entering Hanyang is also not a big problem.”

“Hard to receive great impression from stories like Confucius said Mencius said. If truly must go learn to go to Hanyang, rather want to learn Western civilization.”

“Heuheu. That guy truly has one backbone sturdy. Not just looking general material.”

Lee Ha-eung put down the long pipe.

“Will let you observe Sejong University.”

“A national institution teaching Western learning in Joseon.”

As soon as I immediately added explanation, Saigo deeply bowed his body.

“Grace like the sea and river truly paying such attention to a lowly minor post like this small life.”

“What with this. Quite expecting whether you will lead an army to conquer Joseon, or lead an army to help Joseon.”

At Lee Ha-eung’s words subtly planting bones in the words Saigo bowed his head once more.

“If Joseon is so enlightened and prosperous, how can I think of invading Joseon and filling Japanese people’s bellies?”

“Heo. That posture very good. We will soon return to Hanyang so you quickly pack luggage. Will stay a few years? Wife and children?”

“Will prepare well so no problem whatsoever when leaving.”

“Good. Then see next time.”

After Saigo left, Lee Ha-eung smacked his lips.

“Not ordinary.”

“As expected looks so?”

“Right. Rebellious temperament quite strong, that guy if not satisfied in his heart will draw the sword without hesitation even to the upper. Would Yeongpo of old have been like that?”

If Yeongpo the famous figure appearing in the Chu-Han Contention.

Even if not knowing the name, the legend rebellion justification of shouting <​I also try being emperor once!> while raising a rebellion will probably be famous.

With Saigo’s matter as the last big matters in Japan all ended.

Additional negotiations decided to dispatch practical staff again, finally we boarded the ship.

If not this large Western ship the shogunate’s reaction speed would have been much slower. Because these guys just entering port blockade and the huge consumption city getting fucked is something Joseon already experienced once.

Let’s go home.

***

Surprisingly the communication envoy trying to return home was suddenly caught.

“Meaning one lower warrior of Satsuma domain accompanies?”

“Wanted to learn Joseon so permitted. Our Joseon from ancient times as a country of gentlemen never once expelled those seeking learning-”

“No!! No!!”

The shogunate foamed at the mouth saying no, later quietly brought out the main point ‘then we will also send exchange students’. Anyway Japanese people...

Thus we really really departed with a few more exchange students inserted, and arrived at Jemulpo - future Incheon in a few days.

“Wow.”

“No...!”

Jemulpo was changing terrifyingly fast.

How sudden this change, the surroundings of Jemulpo no longer look like Joseon but as if a part of Hong Kong was cut off and brought.

And headed to Hanyang riding a carriage.

“What are they doing?”

“Laying railways.”

“Railways? If laying roads with that precious iron what benefit?”

Ah. Don’t know.

That is called <​Gyeongin Line>. A miracle-like item that will become the blood vessels of Joseon logistics.

Core business that will leave enormous profits to the Far East Colonization Joint Stock Company for decades.

From now on not only Gyeongin Line but if piercing Gyeongbu Line, Honam Line and Gyeongui Line Joseon practically becomes a one-day living zone.

The Joseon government that seems about to die buried under loans decided to hand over railway construction rights to the Far East Colonization Joint Stock Company in exchange for receiving part of the profits, and British people starving for money were laying railways excitedly.

What will Joseon’s future be.

Loans and railways.

Play like the textbook of colonization perfect for sending one fine country to the grave.

If unable to repay vast loans gradually suffer internal interference like IMF did. A country that became a debtor has national affairs authority seized one by two and before knowing the country is eaten whole.

Railways are simpler.

People still unfamiliar with modern civilization often get startled hearing the train’s whistle or that roar, and added to this if people die hit by trains usually attack trains or railways. Or steal sleepers or rails laid on the ground.

If such things burst railway guards are established under the pretext of protecting the railways. Practically foreign troops stationing at the core of transportation.

Of course to me may not be a big problem.

Already Lee & Gladstone Company and Dongcheok are gradually tearing Joseon’s core interests, perhaps Joseon falling to a colony provides much bigger wealth to Arthur Lee personally.

But... the head became complicated in many ways.

Can Joseon really pick and repay.

“Hey!! Take this!!”

The way back after getting off the carriage that arrived at the palace and performing the set etiquette of meeting the king.

Already souvenirs bought from Japan were sent long ago through the postal bureau at Jemulpo, but still the head of the household went on a business trip and returned going empty-handed dangling is a bit so came out to the market to buy a gift for Lizzy.

“What is this?”

“Ah! Is it Lord Lee Aseul! Sorry for not recognizing!”

Only then seeing my blue eyes the person trying to hand something to me bowed diligently.

“Fine so let’s just see what was trying to distribute now.”

I picked up that something that looked like a booklet.

- Advertising flyer?

No. Different from that.

This is so...

“What are the items written here?”

“Hehe. These days all sorts of mysterious objects come in a lot, hard for peddlers or peddlers to carry all?”

“Right.”

“So, if looking at this booklet here there are pictures and numbers all assigned below, write the items to order on this order form at the very back of the booklet and hand to the postal soldier who passes in front of the house and within a few days merchants like us come holding the items.”

Uh... this... so...

- Home shopping catalog?

“Who invented this?”

“Someone doing official life at the postal bureau invented, anyway isn’t the head extraordinary? Since the country lord is benevolent and overflowing with virtue now a world where even women can buy all sorts of objects just sitting still in the inner room has come.”

I took the catalog without a word then bought some snacks and norigae and returned home.

Seems.

I somewhat underestimated Joseon people.

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Author's note

Hope you have a good day!