Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Friend or Foe Identification (2)

Bubbling.

Not a word expressing Heonjong or Arthur’s head.

Rather, a word expressing the hearts of some of those who returned after seizing victory.

“These native guys are regarding that they defeated Russia.”

“Not even funny. Heo really.”

The high-ranking commanders of Britain and France who returned from the Far East expedition were clicking their tongues without who first.

Strictly speaking whether Joseon people of the <​uncivilized neighborhood> by Anglo-French standards chatter whatever or not is a matter unrelated to them.

However human psychology is like that. Because seems my military merit was snatched so the guts twist once.

Those who could not say the words ‘feels bad because monkeys don’t acknowledge my military merit’ afraid their face would be cut and were circling soon turned the muzzle in another direction.

“Daniel Lee, why is that guy suddenly being treated as a famous general?”

“Obviously Arthur Lee’s work. Isn’t the intention of that guy trying to package his older brother like a peerless famous general?”

“This is a bit problematic.”

“So?”

However.

At Consul General Alcock’s monotonous one word they shut their mouths.

“What disadvantage is it to you that uncivilized people are making a fuss?”

“Look, Consul General.”

“If the number of local troop casualties was many and unwholesome energy was circulating even in this Joseon, if public opinion grew to turn to their side because Russia seems too powerful the home country would really like. That is a matter you cannot take responsibility at your level as is. Rather better to just leave them playing excitedly among themselves?”

Here if a sensible British army high-ranking officer might say ‘is that my business?’ by spinal reflex. Here is not even a colony nor East India Company territory so whether a bit of a mess or not your responsibility not my responsibility?

But Britain is a country with thorough civilian control.

At least the highest priority in this Joseon was Consul General Alcock, and the British army commanders did not want to make enemies with Alcock since leaving soon anyway.

However the French army was different.

“This is a matter of honor. Honor!”

“Might try to steal our victory through public opinion here.”

Somehow became allies with each other, but the fact that Britain and France are fateful rivals will never change.

French people absolutely did not miss this golden opportunity that can scratch British people’s insides, and gave points with all might.

Alcock could barely soothe the French people only after confirming several times staking his honor that absolutely no matter of victory being stolen by Asians and will inform the ‘truth’.

“Haa. Military guys really.”

Finally liberated Alcock could enjoy solitude alone.

“...A bit, worried.”

Suddenly a monologue popped out, and Alcock belatedly realized what he said.

Arthur Lee is steadily seizing Joseon.

What is this ‘worried’? If a subject of the British Empire obtains vast wealth and power is it a good thing?

Look at that Southeast Asia Sarawak right now. Didn’t a British person get enfeoffed as king from the Brunei sultan and even become king. If Arthur Lee becomes the Joseon king or a power holder equivalent to that can expect much greater benefits than Sarawak... worried?

Alcock was a person never incompetent, and was more knowledgeable than anyone about all sorts of bizarre things occurring in distant foreign lands far from the home country.

He did not dismiss his intuition as mere groundless worry, and soon obtained enlightenment what was uneasy.

‘Chinese market.’

Arthur Lee was investing enormously in Joseon.

If he who is also the president of <​Far East Company> does not invest in Joseon that is rather breach of trust. Profits in Joseon were soaring day by day, and he was continuing aggressive investment saying rowing the boat with the water coming in.

That he takes pro-Joseon steps is also actually a natural thing.

Joseon was one of the few non-European countries friendly to the British Empire. Even including Europe countries friendly to Britain are very rare in the world, but Joseon was a very unique country in that friendly to Britain despite definitely getting hit and opening the country’s door.

Some politicians in the home country, and some among diplomats criticized that Arthur works for Joseon rather than Britain, but from the beginning Arthur is not a British public official. If forcing he is just faithful to his professional ethics as a diplomatic advisor of the Joseon Kingdom.

Therefore Alcock instead of colliding with Arthur rather wanted to expand Britain’s position in Joseon while supporting him secretly and openly.

However now seeing the heat of Hanyang heating the streets brightly.

Seeing the passionate third-rate yellow press tabloids fluttering all around, though never Britain level.

He came to recall an assumption never thought of until now.

“Is there a secretary?”

“Yes, Consul General.”

“If. If.”

“Yes.”

“If Joseon invades China what will happen?”

“When China comprehensively invades must avoid us getting involved in the war as much as possible while consulting with the Forbidden City and maintaining only our interests-”

“No. Not China invading but Joseon.”

As a consul general to Joseon in name he also studied about Joseon occasionally.

Although a thousand years passed, Joseon people regard Manchuria as the old territory that must be recovered and the Manchus ruling Qing now as old slaves who dared bite their former masters.

Then... if rather Joseon comprehensively invades China and attempts ‘old territory recovery’ what happens?

If Joseon’s growth itself threatens China, and further infringes on the British Empire’s national interest with vast interests hung on the Chinese market?

“Sorry but is that a possible thing? No matter how turtle-like guys China is by what means will Joseon invade China?”

“Right. Right.”

Felt sharply that the secretary was looking at him as a megalomania or persecution complex patient, or a human who went crazy wanting to establish some merit, but Alcock had no capacity to polish even one subordinate now. Because the head was full.

Arthur Lee tried to make an ‘opposition party’ going to China.

Arthur Lee directly conversed with Qing’s ruler Prince Gong.

Arthur Lee is not taking particular measures even though clear will receive severe damage to his wealth and power if China invades.

And he is not an idiot.

“Damn.”

Arthur will try to ruin China.

No matter how much Britain’s trade profits are driven to the ground why would he care about such things.

Alcock’s head became hot.

***

Consul General Alcock’s urgent report was delivered to the governor’s office in Hong Kong.

====

1. The tension state between China and Joseon is escalating day by day instead of being resolved.

2. The Joseon Kingdom government is full of expansionist, adventurist intentions and if collision occurs predicted will not hesitate even war.

3. Arthur Lee who exercises strong influence on the Joseon Kingdom is not trying to suppress this and rather is strengthening his own interests riding the belligerent public opinion.

Conclusion.

For the British Empire’s national interest must prevent the collision of Qing and Joseon both countries as much as possible, and for that measures against Arthur Lee must precede.

====

This report of course had to be viewed only by the governor’s office and high people in London.

However there are no eternal secrets in the world.

Especially since the party written in the report sprinkled enormous ‘friend fees’ no way the secret would be kept from the beginning.

[Arthur Lee, dreaming of war?]

[The best Orientalist, pushing the East into war?]

[Let’s learn about the British person exercising the greatest influence on the Qing and Joseon royal families]

[Expected beneficiary stocks if Qing-Joseon war breaks out?]

Articles were printed in an instant, and Alcock’s report became known to the whole world.

Arthur immediately went to the consulate and put in a strong protest whether trying to infringe on <​individual’s free commercial activities>, and Alcock instead of apologizing and retreating requested to ‘restrain’ a bit ‘excessive intervention in the local government’.

However the situation did not end here.

[Far East Company stock price crash!]

[Big negative for future business activities in China]

[The market’s cold evaluation according to the rise of Joseon’s war risk...]

The stock price fluctuated.

Unlike Lee & Gladstone Company the Far East Company is a joint stock company and transactions are made in the City of London.

Crossing the sea all sorts of tabloids stuck, and all sorts of rumors followed like Prince Gong issued a pursuit and kill order to Arthur Lee or declared will conquer Joseon soon, and those crazy for short selling made even more absurd sounds and blew wind into this.

“Mustn’t Arthur Lee explain directly?”

“Of course! Must clearly explain to the shareholders!”

“Stop the bullshit, these dog bastards!!”

“Trash miscellaneous bastards trying to shake a solid company where sticking their heads!”

“Dismiss the representative? Crazy guys! Then all interests in Joseon fly!”

“Even if war breaks out and Qing conquers Joseon interests all fly the same!”

As the City of London became a mess, politics immediately reacted.

“Individual rights must of course be protected. The British Empire government must do its best to protect the rights of those working diligently.

However! If the act for creating individual profits consequently hinders national interest and further causes harm! The government also has the right to restrict this protruding act!”

Conservative Party member Benjamin Disraeli opened fire first.

“Strange thing. Have our British Empire subjects scattered all over the world ever received such criticism when aiming gun muzzles at locals, forcing illegal slave labor, and escalating to war after collision?”

“Minister Gladstone.”

“This is clear political conspiracy! Arthur Lee built a huge enterprise with his own power, bare hands! Now the Conservative Party is launching groundless political offensives just because that Gladstone invested in Arthur Lee!”

“Then saying fine even if our Britain’s interests are cut in the Chinese market?”

“Protect the profits earned by selling opium or something? Abandoning a country that admires our British Empire and sends even two princes, abandoning the huge enterprise a British Empire subject built while protecting the opium sellers’ profits!”

Anyway even if fighting fairly no fun to see.

Gladstone immediately caused a mess with muddying the water and color theory shouting ‘opposition guys trying to interfere with private enterprises!’ and Disraeli who suffered this unexpected sashimi cut unfortunately did not put a phone book in the stomach and allowed one blow.

But cannot respond only with such shallow methods forever.

[When can return to London?]

[Seems will take 2 to 3 more years?]

However the answer returning from Joseon was peaceful under heaven.

Only Gladstone’s insides were burning dry.

[Come immediately. If don’t want to see the company collapsing.]

Arthur who received the message concentrated with anger sighed looking at the night sky.

“Ah! If waited just 3 more years I could chew Westminster, but unable to obtain the heavenly timing ultimately must return to London!”

“Master, are you okay?”

“Suddenly wanted to cosplay Zhuge Liang. Should have bought at least one crane fan.”

If returning to London after the sepoy rebellion breaks out can fold all guys’ spines, but if the sponsor says come immediately going is right.

Arthur began preparing for return.

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