Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Friend or Foe Identification (3)

<​Lee & Gladstone Company>. Abbreviated LG.

A very conscientious trading company managed by the world’s most conscientious human Arthur Lee.

- How thick the face skin to be able to highly evaluate himself like this...

Sincere? Not sounds trying to make laugh?

In this era can see as SSS-grade special grade conscience in that does not smuggle opium that dogs and cows all handle. Even after the Second Opium War selling opium to Qing became legal yet does not handle opium then if not living conscience what.

We openly pushed <​the only company that neither buys nor sells opium> as catchphrase, and this was quite effective.

As a simple example, when pondering hitting me in Qing the people I solidified friendship with shielded saying ‘leaving other wicked guys selling opium and crushing the guy not selling opium? Eh, no?’.

Actually close to desperately evasive maneuvers to not get caught in faults but consequently our conscience is degree that can receive a conscience refrigerator as gift.

The place attached as an affiliate of this LG Company is precisely <​Far East Company> and <​Far East Colonization Joint Stock Company> proceeding all sorts of development in Joseon, so this company’s continuous profit creation is a matter directly connected to my property of course and power as is.

Since no estimate at all when I can return to Joseon again now what to believe... only Daniel. Fuck. Going crazy.

“I really that, must receive the title?”

“Then not receive? If older brother causes a mess here our whole family all become Thames River eel food.”

“No words cannot say to older brother. Don’t trust me?”

“...”

“...Don’t look like that too much. Burdensome! Hole will pierce the face!”

Returned Daniel diligently had drinking parties for a while. To explain to superiors ‘absolutely not original intention’ and ‘not a bit of thought of snatching military merit’. Of course needless to say predetermined choco pie affection went back and forth in that process.

Doing utmost efforts to imprint Daniel as the person to act on behalf of my influence, but this and that ultimately Daniel is a soldier. Although East India Company soldier is a bit shit but due to the characteristic of obeying superiors there is limit to the range of movement.

As expected needed local employment.

***

Before. That is around when I just returned to Joseon again riding the Henry. And the time Im Sangok was alive.

Im Sangok entrusted some people including orphans with no house no temple to me, and they became the first Joseon people employed by our Lee & Gladstone Company.

What to hide now.

Right.

These are those involved in that famous <​Hong Gyeongrae’s Rebellion>.

Hong Gyeongrae’s Rebellion is a matter a whopping 40 years ago, but that impact still remained.

These days the country became a bit better to live so less than before but the northwest discrimination continued for hundreds of years of the Joseon dynasty no way resolves just by treating well a few years. Not for nothing people here convert to Christianity madly as soon as missionaries come.

Can know even just looking at Im Sangok right now.

Im Sangok himself did not support Hong Gyeongrae, but that is because Im Sangok has a lot and saw the success rate of the rebellion low not because loyalty and patriotism toward Joseon overflow. Basically in the chests of northwest people shit-likeness is laid.

- But Im Sangok... the incarnation of collusion who earned money colluding with power holders? Would such a person support Hong Gyeongrae saying crazy?

Then ask oppositely.

After Hong Gyeongrae died why hid Hong Gyeongrae remnants knowing obviously fucked if caught by the court? Of course because the climate of pitying those people is laid in his home base northwest.

Anyway return to the original story.

Although 40 years passed no way the descendants of the surviving remnants become comfortable in fate. Rather as the country gradually withdrew northwest discrimination their lives became even more dangerous. Because treason is implicated.

So Im Sangok put them on my ship, and I also gladly accepted them. Employees with weaknesses. Can cut the salary that much more so complete jackpot?

- Devil-like guy...

Aheo. Please say deducting the value of saving from the salary at source.

These traitor descendants who escaped Joseon and went to Hong Kong were cleanly laundered from origin, and of course swore loyalty to Lee & Gladstone Company. That the company could maintain the company appearance in the early business can be said thanks to these who devoted to 24-hour labor Monday to Sunday.

And now in front of me, the one recognized even among those founding contributors to play the role of salaried president was sitting.

“Called Kim Seokcheol.”

- Wow. How a person’s name Kim Dolsoe.

In this era a name more common than Cheolsu and Yeonghee. By what means track the past?

“Nice to meet. Heard a lot.”

“Please lower the words!”

“Hehe. What sound. All executives and employees of our Lee & Gladstone Company are one family.”

As expected Joseon people of this era still retain purity. Just hearing this degree of comment moisture begins to form in the eyes.

“Worked day and night on site so know better than me, but if I return to Britain the possibility the company becomes difficult for a while is high.”

“Don’t worry. We will do our best and continue to support the company well from now on.”

“For a while Lizzy will help. If Lizzy leaves please actively help my older brother Daniel, trade in China might become difficult in emergencies so if really the worst situation comes abandon both materials and money and escape even only people. If only people there money can be earned again fine.”

“Master...!”

“This also all only doing with virtue as learned in Joseon. Learned a lot from Teacher Gapo (Im Sangok)...”

Whether to say fortunate or unfortunate. Because our daughter Abigail is too young seemed must go to Britain first alone. Unless only Daniel, since Lizzy is also there at least no matter of the company collapsing in a short time.

- Then just return to Britain again fine?

No. The most important thing is missing.

Feeding those shit-like guys.

***

The chest hurts.

This viper’s den British Empire does not leave a person with grand vision like me still even for a moment.

Did I say wrong words? If catching Joseon as a pro-British country and raising like the Japanese Empire of the original history can suck as much as wanted. Unlike the Japanese Empire Joseon lags in weight class so cannot recklessly backstab.

But these foolish and ignorant sentient beings, short-sighted diplomats like Alcock or Conservative Party members immersed in party interests and strategies see my grand conception and at best make stuffy sounds like ‘then who takes responsibility for the deterioration of Chinese profits?’.

- Well, commonsensically, if saying choose one between China and Joseon of course 100 out of 100 choose China...

Gal!! Can’t be quiet!!

Is it fine for people called politicians of the British Empire managing the world to only look in front like that? Just taking immediate profits is a thing even monkeys can do?

Not doing this for my profits. Absolutely not a shallow idea of raising Joseon that I alone eat all. Because China is a land of magic that might get backstabbed anytime so only strongly dissuading.

Who am I.

The West’s best Confucian scholar uniquely equipped with conscience and morality Arthur Lee.

According to the Neo-Confucianism such me learned, if the country is going the wrong path must remonstrate even at the risk of hanging an axe and guide to the right path.

So I am innocent.

Because all actions I am trying to do are all actions to dissuade the British Empire government going the wrong path!

“Always had something curious, let’s ask a bit this opportunity.”

“What.”

“Why keep using Neo-Confucianism to rationalize your crazy acts? Is there no content in that Bible book that if doing such acts get punished?”

“What sound. I didn’t even do idol worship why get punished.”

“Huuuu...”

Late at night.

I went to Hanyang’s first, no Joseon’s first cathedral and met Lee Ha-eung there.

Why became the cathedral when places to have secret talks are scattered all over Hanyang, because must discuss a matter a bit related even to the one in charge of this cathedral.

“Hope gradually abandon Britain.”

Heungseon-gun did not blink even one eye, instead took out one cigarette and lit the fire and sucked one big sip.

- Fine smoking in the cathedral?

Not a church so fine. Catholicism or whatever.

“Kaaaak! Ptui!!”

Look at spitting phlegm. Because I said a bit strange sound making such a fuss?

“Have I become weak in energy these days. Say again a bit.”

“Abandon Britain and try catching France as the new sponsor.”

“Heo. Hehe! Look at this sly guy!”

One scenario comes out neatly.

‘The sage Arthur Lee who had affection and interest in Joseon more than anyone eventually ends up leaving Joseon due to conspiracy in the British home country.

The Joseon Kingdom greatly disappointed in Britain that undervalues their value miserably and treats as a place that can be abandoned for the Chinese market, and looks for a new partner...’ would start.

“Raising your body price?”

“If some strange miscellaneous guy comes instead of me and says this and that would feel good?”

“Absolutely not. What kind of country this is. Even if Ming envoys came only troublesome would treat the British envoy as king somewhere?”

If sincere mode Britain comes holding a knife and digs anyway the country perishes.

But when was it not? Even if Qing comes holding a knife the country perishing was the same but Joseon people steadfastly used the Chongzhen era name and played with queues. Nothing particularly will change now.

“Kim Daegeon, come here.”

“That... I am a clergy...”

“The country is about to perish and pulling out saying clergy! Quickly come and sit a bit.”

I called Father Kim Daegeon in a tone like feeding strange leftover rice, and he who saw Heungseon-gun the already tired-looking face became even whiter like white paper.

“France... that is said a coup occurred in France and Napoleon the Great’s nephew newly ascended as emperor?”

“Yes, great minister.”

“You mediate a bit well and make France interested in our Joseon. If only this matter resolves well I will report to His Majesty and try saying no longer question the sins of the traitor Hwang Sayeong’s party to Catholics.”

Using barbarians to control barbarians.

The law of dealing with barbarians with barbarians.

Not that alphabet doesn’t enter Joseon people’s eyes, and reported as big as the main gate in Hong Kong newspapers wishing Joseon remains looking at Britain forever is thief’s heart.

The influence secured in Joseon gradually decreasing, and frog bastards hateful to see squeezing into that gap? All because persecuted the great Orientalist Arthur Lee?

Alcock or others might argue like this. To not be pushed out in the Chinese market this is an unavoidable loss.

- Right.

I can endure. I forgive them.

But will our poor Far East Company shareholders forgive you?

I guarantee.

Others maybe not but Alcock is over.

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