Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Neither Close Nor Distant (4)

No way the world’s Palmerston is startled just because picked up a bit of my one word. If that old ginger would be making a fuss in front of me like now while verifying the truth of the relevant information behind and conceiving how to use this.

We walked around the garden Jo Byeonghyeon well cultivated.

Such social events the prime minister has much more experience than me. He skillfully moved here and there avoiding the drunks, and those burning the descendant reproduction project brightly.

“Representative Lee. Perhaps-”

“Have not mentioned this news to anyone yet. Yes. Minister of Finance Gladstone also does not know yet.”

“Then-”

“But I am a person with integrity and knowing shame in my own way, so of course must say to the minister. Of course whether the minister will credit my words is a separate matter.”

“Will not say don’t say even to him. Even looking like this we are partners of the coalition government.”

Keep cutting words? Self-appeal. Since I scored one goal this much fine.

But Palmerston’s behavior the more looking the more truly suspicious.

Not only quietly accepting me climbing up but already speaking as if my information ‘sharp decrease in opium profits due to Chinese opium localization’ was even verified. Very suspicious.

- Because plausible? Reasonable inference.

No. No. This Park Arthur In-ho Lee’s thought is different.

Anyway Palmerston has many means to punish if my words were lies. How easy for him the boss of the Whig Party and prime minister of the British Empire to crush me?

So no need to recite ugly lines like ‘how know that is truth? Is there means to prove?’. Instead take actions that look hearty and sincere. Real politician.

- Met many politicians. Gladstone or, Lee Ha-eung or...

Mr. Gladstone is a bit bamboo-like to call a politician, Lee Ha-eung that... shall say seems can win if using the power of British Empire citizenship.

In that point Palmerston feels like facing a thousand-year-old political imoogi, a political machine that does anything for votes and seizing power and victory.

Will know to the bone what it means to confront an overwhelming master playing above my head. Seems blood dries every time placing one move.

“I always had great expectations for the country called Joseon. Since Representative Lee is leading them well can be called a great blessing for both Joseon and the British Empire.”

“Haha. No. I was just lucky.”

“Was it Alcock, the consul general to Joseon? Tsk tsk. Unable to see the flow of the times truly a pitiful friend. I will assign him elsewhere so don’t worry. Perhaps intention to go as Joseon consul general, no Joseon minister?”

Joseon minister?

Me?

If this Arthur Lee is assigned to Joseon attaching the British minister title practically the same as governor general.

“Felt a lot this time, seems will stay in London for a while.”

Might be a secret signal to just make Joseon a protectorate, or a dark scheme I cannot even imagine yet might be hidden. So I once reflexively declined first and saw.

“A young person devoted to learning thrown into the treacherous conspiracies and political struggles of the secular world can sufficiently be so. Heum heum. Right, then what trying to do in London?”

“Pondering going to university.”

“University? Representative Lee?”

“Eton is the last school I attended.”

“Can know just hearing the Eton-style fart smell pronunciation coming from the mouth.”

By the way Palmerston came from Harrow. Where would the personality that even Satan runs away calling older brother come from. Of course Harrow.

“What I am asking, already academic achievement is excellent so even if not professor position at least can expect about doctoral degree?”

“Hahaha. Then seems too conscious of eyes. I also want to feel a bit the romance of university life.”

“Stupid friend. Even if becoming a freshman now and wandering the university campus does it seem a person of Representative Lee’s level can enjoy such romance?”

Palmerston became the original appearance of an old man lecturing not a politician and threw bitter advice at me.

“Listen well. Properly speaking life is-”

“No, Prime Minister! Conversing high talk with such a young friend!”

Just as he was about to start the long nagging, someone shouted toward us at the top of the voice and walked heavily. One hand stuck in the pocket and the other hand holding an alcohol cup unmistakable heavy drinker.

“Member Disraeli.”

“Haha, Prime Minister. No need to become serious like that. Perhaps tasted this alcohol? As Eastern flavor harmonizes this also quite-”

“Come to think of it the two people are first meeting? Will introduce. Here is Conservative Party member former Minister of Finance Disraeli. Member Disraeli? This young person is Arthur Lee. The owner of that famous Lee & Gladstone Company.”

Today meeting all. Figures mentioned as the best prime ministers in British history.

The problem is that with Disraeli no way can be on good terms even if wanting.

“Nice to meet!”

He immediately threw the cup into the grass then grabbed my hand with both hands. Even if saying actor not politician will believe. This is precisely SSS-grade politician...?

“Young great scholar and adventurer, diplomat, missionary of peace and gospel... the phrases modifying you are too many hard even to choose one! But this Benjamin Disraeli, if saying choose just one even if Peter asks already decided. Honored to meet the great writer Arthur Lee, the author of <​Arthur’s Drift>.”

“I also read Member Disraeli’s writings deeply impressed.”

“Hahaha. Cannot compare shit writings written to make a living with a masterpiece containing one human’s adversity and trials, and hardships and overcoming. Prime Minister, if not becoming rude can obtain the opportunity to converse with this young great writer?”

“I finished all words to say. Now must gradually go inside. Then have good times.”

Throwing me away like this?

Palmerston you bastard! How can throw me to a Conservative Party member? Huh?

***

Benjamin Disraeli.

A Jew who converted to the Anglican Church.

Quit after doing lawyer intern not matching aptitude, all-in on South American stocks and ruined all, tried founding a newspaper company and this also failed, wrote novels to make a living and this hit big and entered politics.

His political steps are also unique.

He was not Conservative Party from the beginning, and before that acted in a faction called <​Radicals>. In 21st century style a person who was doing party member activity in that red party one day went to a conservative party and attached the gold badge.

Anyway since Disraeli is enemy or the same, I decided to ask candidly.

“Why switched from Radicals to Conservative Party?”

“Well the Whig Party are fucking bastards! The Conservative Party is old-fashioned and outdated but at least there is hope of performing some reform. Whereas the Whig Party? Friends saying wage war because must sell opium? There no dreams no hopes. Representative Lee. The Conservative Party can guide this country to the correct path.”

This flowing eloquence. Even wondrous.

“Hehehe. Able to hear the member’s speech alone truly a good opportunity. But as know, I received much grace from Member Gladstone.”

“Member Gladstone is a Conservative Party member. Not Whig Party. Living too much in dreams is his shortcoming but at least does not say stab and kill Chinese a bit because must sell opium like our prime minister master.”

“Teacher is Peelite so a bit not to say Conservative Party member?”

“Still not a Whig Party member. If continuing to play in such a place Member Gladstone will also someday fall into the pit of evil. Fine to smoke one cigarette?”

“Please.”

Disraeli loaded one cigarette in the mouth, and I also put the long pipe symbolizing the connection with Joseon in the mouth.

Sure enough, seeing my long pipe he reacted.

“A very uniquely shaped pipe.”

“An item His Majesty the Joseon King bestowed on me.”

“Joseon... Shall we talk from there?”

“Please.”

“If the Whig Party and its supporters have a nasty habit, invading overseas with national money and making colonies and diligently fattening their own bellies.”

“Cough! Cough!!”

Saying this without retreat like this?

“So meaning donate the achievements I reaped in Joseon to the country, what?”

“If Member Gladstone who praises morality and loves justice more than anyone squeezes one Far East country through the back hole that is hypocritical action in its own way. Seems a bit different from the party’s beliefs so!”

“Member Gladstone just invested while sponsoring me. The rest is all my personal ability. If keep forcing the member’s political opinions on me troublesome.”

“But to separate like that also used the British Empire army’s power thriftily?”

Why am I being interrogated by this person here now?

“Sorry but I am busy so seems must stand now.”

“Representative Lee. If unpleasant will apologize. But let’s clarify at least this. Privatizing the country’s power, moreover military force and continuing invasion nothing good for the country. Because I worry about that point-”

“Perhaps how much do you know about the Far East?”

“Only as much as others know. Not stupid enough to boast knowledge in front of Representative Lee the world’s best Far East expert.”

Knowing so fortunate.

I immediately opened fire.

“Until right before I left Joseon, the Joseon Kingdom government felt extreme fear about a series of actions Consul General Alcock, and the Conservative Party showed.”

“Fear?”

“Keep saying I try to privatize national interest, but precisely abandoning Joseon and attaching to Qing for that national interest was the Conservative Party’s claim. I made claims advantageous to Joseon for Joseon people and obtained profits as the price. Not sucking national money.”

“Me also and the Conservative Party’s party line also, we never said will harm Joseon. Perhaps you, intentionally wrong stories to Joseon-”

“Forgot whose house this is?”

Even if I try to manipulate public opinion if Jo Byeonghyeon or the Ganghwa brothers send one letter to the home country all ends. Manipulation freeze to death.

“Anyway congratulations. I had to return from Joseon in a hurry, and now French people will seize my place. Said I privatize national interest, selling the few friendly countries to France for party interests and strategies feel a bit refreshed inside?”

The name France is truly like an invincible flag. A miracle item that wins once taken out. Even the world’s Disraeli becomes a clam.

“...Once will know there is some misunderstanding between us. Our party or me, never said Representative Lee privatizes national interest. Although the fact that such corruption is rampant from the East India Company to those going to colonies is fact.”

“Right.”

“If Consul General Alcock, or following that gave wrong signals to Joseon express deep regret about that point. Our Conservative Party prioritizes the British Empire’s national interest and honor most, and also never abandons trustworthy friendly countries like Joseon.”

“My friends will be glad if hear.”

Disraeli’s eyes sank.

Honestly speaking his words are a bit closer to the correct theory. If there was no the British Empire’s name value and army and fleet would I have earned this much?

“From now on, hope no matter of a specific party harassing individuals who diligently work and accumulate wealth and honor.”

“Until now was so, and from now on will not be.”

So must keep distance from the Conservative Party even more.

Because I already boarded that side’s boat.

“Next want to formally invite you.”

“I also will wait for that day with a glad heart.”

Good.

This much is an appropriate decision win.

As expected don’t want to do politics.

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