Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Invisible Threat (4)

Qing.

A name that makes all countries of the Far East tremble.

A few years ago, in that powerful Qing there was an emperor called the Daoguang Emperor.

The Daoguang Emperor tried this and that in his own way to rebuild Qing gradually falling to a toothless tiger... but the result was the First Opium War.

Qing’s decline was not a matter solved at the level of the Daoguang Emperor alone quitting opium (with just this the Daoguang Emperor is a superman) and emphasizing frugality, because it was a matter interlocked with the rise of Western powers and the huge world order change of the lagging East.

The Daoguang Emperor pondered between the 4th son Yixin and the 6th son Yixin as timber to succeed him, and ultimately designated Yixin so he is precisely the next emperor the Xianfeng Emperor.

According to rumors, once the Daoguang Emperor went hunting taking two princes.

Yixin showed off his excellent horsemanship and archery in front of his father, but Yixin said “On this warm spring day even beasts will cherish their children how shoot and kill children in front of parents and disturb heavenly principles? And this small one does not want to fight with the younger brother.” and squeezed juice and scored points.

Another rumor is similar.

The Daoguang Emperor in his later years called two sons and told to discuss how to govern the country from now on, Yixin immediately recited a perfect presentation of how to reform this country from now on fluently but Yixin as soon as the father emperor started saying “If I die you.” buried his head on the ground and wailed loudly and captured the Daoguang Emperor’s heart with filial piety meta.

Both rumors the meaning is the same.

Yixin was a bit smarter, and Yixin was a bit kinder.

This Yixin is precisely the last flame of Qing constantly mentioned in alternate history works, Prince Gong.

Anyway the Xianfeng Emperor Yixin who ascended succeeding the Daoguang Emperor immediately got hit by the spicy punch of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Rebellion and the Second Opium War, and the Xianfeng Emperor fled frantically to Rehe where the imperial villa is.

Prince Gong could not flee following the emperor.

Because someone had to remain in Beijing and stamp the humiliating treaty.

While Beijing was being trampled, Prince Gong fully exerted his ability and tried to preserve the country somehow and secure Qing’s prestige and interests as much as possible in the treaty.

But in the middle of negotiating.

Western powers led by Britain and France and Prince Gong saw some bizarre agreement.

“The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is too dangerous.”

“Yes. Can we expect those guys will comply with the treaty Qing and we concluded?”

“Don’t trust pseudo rebel armies or whatever and trust Qing. We will proceed with enlightenment and reform receiving your help.”

International society where yesterday’s enemy becomes today’s comrade.

Western powers whose expectations for the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom were disappearing day by day and getting fed up came to harbor expectations conversely for Prince Gong and Qing.

Moreover Prince Gong also had a problem.

“Your Highness. If concluding the treaty like this Your Highness will definitely die!”

“We who remained in Beijing will receive punishment and those who fled with His Majesty the Emperor will receive rewards, is this truly the right measure?”

“Must make a decision to save the country! For the ancestral temples and altars a person like Your Highness must lead this country!”

The Xianfeng Emperor was a good person.

But will the treacherous subjects around him stay still?

‘Your Majesty, treacherous subject Yixin sold the country to Westerners so must tear the limbs.’

‘Don’t know what vicious acts that guy committed colluding with the West. Uproot and eliminate and protect the altars!’

From before the war Yixin was persistently checked, and despite the Xianfeng Emperor’s direct and indirect protection he was having limbs cut off one by one.

But now even war broke out, and lost?

In an absolute monarchy the monarch’s authority and prestige are things that cannot be exchanged for anything.

Prince Gong might die.

No, will definitely become so.

“Will drive out the traitors who invited the war and fled under the pretext of serving His Majesty and save the ancestral temples and altars!”

Finally a secret agreement was concluded.

Prince Gong who remained in Beijing and backed by the powers staged a coup, and purged all the ministers who were only looking for an opportunity to dunk him and seized full power.

“Your Majesty! This subject Yixin, the traitors who covered Your Majesty’s eyes-”

“Hihihi! Has my younger brother come?”

“Your Majesty? Are you okay?”

“A guy as ugly and incompetent as me became emperor and you suffered terrible hardships. Ah. As expected you should have sat on the throne... what did a guy like me covet this position so much?”

“Your Majesty! Older brother! Now the court has become clean! Please look after state affairs with a right heart!”

“Sorry. Now scared and trembling and no courage to govern the country at all. Just if you sit in this position-”

“Please kill me!”

But what Prince Gong who staged the coup witnessed was his older brother who lost all motivation and only ashes remained.

The Xianfeng Emperor who attached the title of <​emperor who fled Beijing from external threat> for the first time in Qing was only crazy with alcohol and women and opium.

Rather no matter how much the coup perpetrator Yixin urged to quit sex and opium and govern the country a bit again, the Xianfeng Emperor did not budge.

‘Fucked.’

Prince Gong cannot ascend.

Accurately <​yet> must not ascend.

Try Yixin who stamped the humiliating treaty text - practically the surrender declaration even usurping the throne. Whatever era name Yixin makes Central Plains people will call the new emperor <​selling the country emperor> or <​destroying the country emperor> or whatever.

But Yixin had a grand plan.

“Chinese essence Western utility! If we also accept the West’s excellent objects Qing’s revival is not just a dream!”

China has many people but that wealth is also endless.

What Western barbarians covet is this wealth, so as long as they can suck this sweet honey they will never shake Qing’s ancestral temples and altars.

Under the banner of the so-called Self-Strengthening Movement Yixin shouted countless people dreaming of Qing’s innovation gathered.

Neither the Xianfeng Emperor nor Yixin, nor his younger brothers have sons yet.

Since the Xianfeng Emperor is so drunk with sex and opium definitely won’t live long, then if just staying still like this Yixin can sit on the throne succeeding the Xianfeng Emperor.

Results were needed.

To image-make as a capable and prepared emperor not a idiot who sold the country results were desperate for him.

“Need your help in suppressing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.”

“If only appropriate price is given, we will also help suppress the rebels together with Qing.”

“To survive this country must necessarily defeat the rebels. The appearance of Qing’s prestige shaking and this huge landmass all becoming a sea of fire won’t match your interests either?”

Prince Gong threw interests as bait without hesitation.

And one more.

“Cannot yield at least Joseon.”

“Are you joking now? The one who signed the treaty text recognizing Joseon as an independent country is precisely you Prince Gong.”

“Not hoping for much. Empires necessarily need prestige. If Joseon acts so arrogantly the Han people of this land will definitely doubt the court’s authority!”

“Then what will you do.”

“Will not touch even a hair of the interests Joseon handed over to Western powers. No, rather will hand over more. What we hope is only one. Recognize Joseon’s independence but our influence becomes politically stronger.”

“Will wait for the home country’s instructions.”

“Not saying will do right now, nor saying will necessarily start a war! 10 years! To achieve results in our Self-Strengthening will need a generous 10 years!”

British diplomats who grasped Qing’s firm will clicked their tongues.

Whether Britain permits or not, Qing was clearly intending to crush Joseon’s head even to survive themselves.

Secure what to secure.

Or turn this huge market into an enemy.

The choices were not that many.

***

“Rest assured. Your interests will not be damaged even one hair. Rather after Joseon tastes bitter once the only place to trust will definitely be only you, so becoming this country’s governor general will also be a matter of time.”

Alcock spoke soothingly as if comforting me.

Beat Joseon, and cut all remaining interests into pieces and distribute. At that distribution of course I am distribution priority 1.

If only tacitly permitting will also scoop more interests inside Qing.

“Already many stories are going back and forth about interests. Like the Far East Colonization Joint Stock Company receiving some of Qing’s railway routes, or receiving benefits in tariffs... think about it. Prince Gong! Practically Qing’s emperor becoming the backing! Will be able to suck truly enormous gold silver treasures in that vast Chinese land!”

His story was enormously attractive.

What does business or company matter. As long as can suck gluttonously like Kirby in Qing I might enter the world rich ranking TOP 10, no Britain.

Not even having to give up Joseon.

My interests in Joseon will become even bigger, and the moment realizing the fact that Joseon can never survive without Britain’s protection this country will fall to my private property.

I tilted the teacup and pondered.

Where is the reason not to receive this?

My reputation? If becoming Joseon governor general rather my reputation will pierce the sky? That Cecil Rhodes guy will be only 10 percent of my combat power.

“How is the home country’s reaction?”

“Mostly positive.”

Alcock who briefly hesitated quietly opened his mouth.

“Since will obviously know soon will tell. Your sponsor Chancellor of the Exchequer Gladstone is clearly opposing this matter. Strongly denounced as a shameless act of selling a small country that trusts and relies on our British Empire receiving thirty silver coins.”

“Because that person is such a person.”

“But hard to win the cabinet’s decision. How much can a person sitting in the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer ignore the path that guarantees bigger profits?”

That is also not wrong words. Whether Gladstone criticizes or whatever ultimately the Opium War broke out.

Moreover Qing is not saying will war right now either.

Probably while recovering their prestige with diplomatic actions and small jabs like trade bans, when the time comes and gradually bulk up and confidence attaches then will enter full-scale armed demonstration and war provocation.

“Anyway not a matter decided right now, and above all the home country’s instructions are not yet?”

“Right.”

“Then will think a bit more. Who knows. Joseon might say will obediently recognize Qing’s influence.”

Alcock nodded. Because this is a much more rational and plausible story.

Coming out of the legation I rode a rickshaw and immediately returned home.

“Came?”

“Yeah. A bit tired.”

Lizzy’s belly is swelling more and more.

Son or daughter.

“Shouldn’t gradually think of the child’s name too? Have a good idea?”

“If son want Henry, if daughter Mary.”

“Ah, parents? Then if daughter let me use Abby first.”

At the words of taking the mother-in-law’s name I nodded. Naming is really easy.

I put my ear to her belly for a long time and slowly stroked.

“Have some worry?”

“A bit unsettled.”

“Tell me.”

“A bigger opportunity came, but then will betray the people who trusted me.”

“If not catching the opportunity?”

“A bigger crisis might come... or instead of only my hands clean someone else might catch that opportunity.”

Endless dilemma.

To apply general moral laws, to those living this harsh imperialist era ultimately others’ blood is stained big or small.

Perhaps someone might be like this.

Already squeezing the blood of people of all sorts of countries why feeling awkward and falling now.

“Why pondering such things?”

“Oh. What is Miss Lizzy’s answer.”

“Just do things not shameful when standing before God.”

As expected befitting a devout believer. This country bumpkin unique a bit bland for a cold-blooded capitalist-

“If I act according to conscience not like other guys just sucking fingers. So minor problems appropriately conclude by praying with God a bit on Sunday, and if shooting bullets into the heads of guys who rush fine. Since sending before committing more sins they will probably also be happy?”

Sorry. I was looking at Wall Street in the end of the law world New York with my dick.

“Arti.”

“Yeah.”

She stared straight at me.

“Even if living and dying just grazing grass anyway a sinner before God.”

“That... right?”

“So until going to meet God killing is much better than dying. Anyway everyone goes out to fight holding an axe in hand to eat and live well themselves and their families.”

Right.

Among guys with weight class enough to fight me where is a kind bastard whose ticket to heaven is guaranteed. All the same guys.

“Whether the child here is born shouldering the debt pile of a loser who jumped into the Hudson River, or born biting an enormous wealth and honor silver spoon is a much more important problem to me.”

“...Right.”

“So kill. Don’t die. Yeah?”

“If I board a ship again and go far and can’t even see the scene of the child being born?”

“Go. If going to tear a big share again will permit.”

I put not a doe but a lioness in the house.

“Must go to China.”

“Go well. I will protect Hanyang.”

Good.

Since pushing the back like this no room to hesitate.

For my peaceful and uneventful path ahead will cause a bit of chaos in Qing.

© 명원 #1jwz2

Author's note

Thank you to Green Raccoon, Bijinbu, Fastball Pitcher, xogns0778 for your sponsorships!

Confirmed your sincere words gratefully!

Tried to photosynthesize by basking in sunlight but it’s raining as expected life is mysterious!

Tomorrow probably rest! Thank you!