Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Sinophile Arthur Lee (1)

I did not immediately run to Beijing like a lion’s mouth.

Anyway I am not a formal official of Joseon but just one advisor. Since Joseon sending envoys to Qing or whatever, how to do formalities or whatever if trying to compromise will take a long time so do other things meanwhile.

The place stopped by first was Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Governor’s Office is precisely the forefront commanding the British Empire’s Far East policy, so of course must stamp Hong Kong first.

Former Governor Bonham who had acquaintance with me early left recognizing the merit in the Second Opium War. So of course must show face once and diligently flatter the new governor.

“Meet the new governor.”

“Nice to meet. Your writings were also very impressive to me.”

New governor, John Bowring.

Looking with this skilled 21st century future warrior’s eyes, John Bowring’s life is already web novel protagonist level.

Former member of the House of Commons belonging to Britain’s minority faction <​radicals> and a quite famous writer.

Before debuting in politics he was the secretary of that famous Jeremy Bentham. Who is Bentham a person like the founder of <​utilitarianism>, that famous ‘the greatest happiness of the greatest number’ is precisely the words he advocated.

After Bentham’s death Bowring as publication responsible also released Bentham’s posthumous works to the world, and while putting hands in business and politics unfolded truly gem-like claims close to 21st century intellectuals such as expansion of suffrage, cessation of Catholic oppression, general education, free trade, abolition of corn laws, abolition of death penalty, abolition of whipping clauses in military law etc.

Even he claimed even... <​decimal reform of British pound currency>. Isn’t it surprising?

- Everything is surprising.

No, that is truly a pioneer itself.

1 pound is 20 shillings and 1 shilling is 12 pence (pence is the plural of penny) and 2 shillings is 1 florin, 5 shillings is 1 crown, 21 shillings is 1 guinea, 1/4 penny is 1 farthing in the crazy country British Empire a person too good.

- But why did that great person come to Hong Kong?

Ah, that?

Because business failed and became completely broke.

- Ah...

Thus business is not good for the body and causes various diseases. Writing and business. Aren’t both perfect for ruining life.

Among Bowring’s friends there was even Britain’s best hate man Palmerston, and Palmerston stuck Bowring in a position eating salary from the country, that is diplomat.

Of course considering Bowring is proficient in all sorts of foreign languages and has rich overseas experience this feels more like airborne descent than parachute.

Yes.

The important thing is ‘Palmerston’s friend’.

Interested a lot in domestic welfare, but a person who does not hesitate beating with the name of free trade abroad.

As friends go to Gangnam Governor Bowring also closely resembles Palmerston in external tendency. Only recommend shitty people very.

“Since coming here a few years ago I long looked at the lives of the former governor, and our British people contacting China.”

“How did it seem to the governor?”

“Too much.”

But Bowring was a person hard for a commoner like me to judge.

“Chinese people’s situation is extremely poor, and we who came as guests were despising and abusing the Chinese who are the hosts. Must call the army every time their dissatisfaction bursts?”

“Indeed! The governor’s words are truly right!”

“Had to discipline the Qing government that oppressed free trade and forced bribes while treating us as barbarians once. But this is not it. I hope from now on guests and hosts have a peaceful yet mutually beneficial relationship.”

This much really top 1% personality among British people?

“Then perhaps heard the matter told to Consul General Alcock?”

“There must be forces enough to check Prince Gong. I of course actively support.”

He unexpectedly readily nodded.

“The British Empire must be the enemy of all absolute monarchies and the friend of citizens dreaming of freedom. The reason Prince Gong is acting so warmly to us now is to the end because he is in a fire pit, whether that friendship will last forever even after the situation improves no one knows.”

“What I think is also that. Leaving Prince Gong’s personal likes and dislikes, if the hatred of the two countries’ peoples intensifies he as a ruler will ultimately have no choice but to thrust a knife at us.”

“Right. So if creating competitors for them and encouraging healthy political activities, among them forces that can exchange goodwill with us will definitely appear.”

The last conclusion looked quite naive to my eyes, but at least similar opinion to me is a fortunate thing.

Rather what bewildered me was his following words.

“So, Joseon where you are working very hard someday must also leave the absolute monarch’s embrace and that power return to Joseon’s citizens?”

“Of course. Thanks to the governor actively helping in Joseon too the emerging bourgeoisie and gentry class are growing rapidly. If prospering more only in the education aspect from now on Joseon will establish as a democratic country.”

Bones are felt in the words.

Would the governor who feels constitutional monarchy and republic most beautiful like absolute monarchy Joseon that much?

I decided to immediately counter before the vicious sound ‘let’s teach British-style democracy to Joseon people’ comes out of Governor Bowring’s mouth.

“More missionaries are needed.”

“Missionaries, ra.”

“Existing aristocratic classes cannot easily abandon Confucianism that proves the reason they are aristocrats. But to emerging gentry and bourgeoisie Christian faith and devotion can become one alternative.”

“Chinese missionary work is marking time... I will hint to people I know that there is a bigger opportunity to spread the gospel in Joseon.”

“No need to forcibly conduct faith either. Joseon people are always those starving for learning, we just need to build more schools.”

From my mouth after that stories describing Joseon as ‘a country that likes Britain too much and doesn’t know what to do’ and ‘those despairing because wanting to learn Christianity and the West but no opportunity’ poured out, and Bowring listened to my story very interestedly.

“Indeed. A country that voluntarily requested clergy without missionaries is different.”

“I have no dislike for Catholicism, but if Joseon becomes a Catholic country will naturally become close with France too. The best way to prevent this is sending more Anglican or other Protestant missionaries.”

After whining for a long time to invest a bit more in Joseon our topic naturally flowed into literature and Far East culture overall.

If until now was story about my business, from now on time to step forward as a 21st century warrior.

“I have an unpublished manuscript I recently wrote, perhaps can seek high opinions?”

“Oh. A manuscript written by the best expert on Joseon and Confucianism. Travelogue this time too?”

“No. This time a paper... somewhat weak grounds for that. Close to a contribution.”

As expected not a litterateur he instead of putting my manuscript bundle in the drawer immediately took it out and began scanning.

And not long after.

His brows furrowed sharply.

“The leap seems a bit severe.”

“I am convinced.”

The content is simple.

====

1. As non-Europeans begin learning Europe the concept of nationalism is also spreading widely.

2. Non-Europeans who think they are being invaded or damaged by foreign powers are gathering very exclusively against foreign powers like the Irish.

3. Besides Joseon people or Japanese people very heterogeneous in language and history Chinese people, Indian people also nationalism sentiment is thickening, and as our interests grow nationalism will grow even more and become a big threat to future colony management and free trade.

====

“China maybe but India?”

“I can bet that a large-scale anti-British uprising will burst in India within a few years.”

“Even so will obviously be suppressed. Even just the sepoys the East India Company leads are hundreds of thousands.”

“Nationalism has the power to even make those sepoys turn the guns around.”

The Sepoy Rebellion has not burst yet.

So I just need to pretend to predict that.

“You, don’t have many friends in the East India Company?”

“Because know India even more convinced. Like this is dangerous.”

“India languages are different and even religions are different. Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs are anxious wanting to chew each other’s flesh.”

“Nevertheless, is.”

“Showing this to me is because hoping for something.”

He returned to the appearance of governor and former member not litterateur.

“Just testify. That this Arthur Lee predicted the day all India burns.”

“Ha! Then, if that day comes of course will prepare? What trying to do?”

Now the most important main matter.

“Must employ sepoys from places other than India. With those loyal, free from religious problems, and not hesitating overseas dispatch.”

Joseon sepoys.

Not more just supply exactly 10,000 to the East India Company how much is that brokerage commission?

***

No matter how Britain is the center of modern civilization ultimately the 19th century is the 19th century.

Unless somewhat high positions or political positions Far East experts spin around in the Far East and India experts spin around in India. That means whether made acquaintance bit by bit with me, or at least even if the body cannot visit directly my ‘sincerity’ visited a bit.

“Mr. Lee! Long time no see!”

“Hahaha. I’ve been a bit busy these days.”

“Well right! You are precisely the Far East’s alchemist!”

British diplomats are diplomats, but people to meet are endless.

Those engaged in trade in places like Hong Kong and Guangzhou, Shanghai.

Missionaries wanting to widely inform God’s words.

And even Qing people.

And I stretched out largely similar stories to them.

“Joseon is a very promising investment destination.”

“Invest in Joseon.”

“Joseon people are wailing wanting to know the gospel.”

“Do you know that? At Joseon open ports even dogs carry silver coins.”

“India or China? Au, too dangerous. Joseon is the safest non-civilized country.”

Thus do one round tour performance.

Next must share a hot reunion with Qing’s intellectual class after a long time, but these cannot be seen as I want. Especially in a ominous situation like these days.

Only after catching appointments with them and sending messages, I could sit in the Hong Kong mansion empty for several years with a comfortable mind and check the business status of Lee & Gladstone Company and Far East Colonization Joint Stock Company.

“How is business going?”

“Not just smooth sailing but enormous. Raking money with a rake!”

Lee & Gladstone Company was literally printing money like a mint.

There was never a time relations between Qing and Joseon went to the abyss like now since the Byeongja Barbarian Invasion.

But still won’t buy red ginseng?

Really perfectly block Korean red ginseng imports? Will it be blocked? Lee & Gladstone Company is a strict British sanghoe?

Even if Qing really goes crazy and imposes an embargo, anyway Qing has no capacity to enforce that measure. No, if had such ability no way opium circulated that much. Local officials’ pockets will bulge and red ginseng unit price will only rise.

Rather more fearful than that is the increase in import volume to Qing.

That huge country has nothing it doesn’t sell and nothing it can’t make.

Now the shock of two Opium Wars woke that country that was in long hibernation, so whether empty gangjeong or whatever will achieve enormous growth for a while is an obvious story.

“Increase smuggling to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom more.”

“Understood.”

“From now on more cotton cloth will sell in Joseon so must raise import volume too, and wool fabric is also good.”

“Isn’t Joseon a warm country? Wool fabric?”

“Hotter than Bombay in summer and colder than Moscow in winter. Joseon.”

Idiots. Must I point out one by one? Like this will earn big money?

“And there is one more to import.”

“Just say and will prepare immediately.”

“Soda ash. Unconditionally makes money.”

“Thinking of starting glass or soap industry in Joseon?”

Still a bit tight with Joseon’s industrial capacity.

But no need for special capacity either.

Soda ash.

Caustic soda.

Sodium carbonate.

And in old words... lye.

Ways to earn in Joseon were still truly endless.

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