Chapter 91

Chapter 91

Did London Bridge Fall (1)

Truly surprising.

What on earth was Mr. Park In-ho living in Korea doing in his mid-20s?

Let’s recall. My past. Me at that time!

Discharged from the army obtaining the ecology of various insects and beasts, smoking, labor work methods, athlete’s foot etc.

Next busy living as a warrior of the rift eating chicken and beer wearing yellow tracksuit in a studio while hearing the sound of returning student uncle.

No, couldn’t even play that hard. If playing freely at least not unfair, if wanting to get a job at a large company and make a living had to manage grades and also accumulate external award records. Foreign languages of course.

Then how is Arthur Lee in his early to mid-20s in 1855 not the 21st century Park In-ho?

Education. <​Eton> graduate.

- High school graduate high school graduate.

Titles. <​Survived Child>, <​The West’s Best Orientalist>.

Occupation. President of Lee & Gladstone Company and Far East Company, Far East Colonization Joint Stock Company etc.

Human relations. Current king, current prime minister, current minister, former minister etc.

Isn’t the difference too extreme. As expected the British Empire is definitely a country of freedom and equality. This is precisely equality of opportunity. Don’t move the mouth saying the jar ghost there ate for free with 2nd round future knowledge special. Thinking of the unfair things I suffered that is closer to just compensation not free eating.

But properly, for a boy manga protagonist like me to advance toward victory friendship and effort are needed. Neo-Confucianism? Is not particularly needed. Although I am already a great Confucian scholar recognized by Joseon Confucian scholars.

However the person who must take charge of friendship is in a bit bad state.

“Can’t do anymore.”

Nobel Nobel.

What sound is that?

“This kind of thing... is not a correct thing!”

“Please calm and listen to my words.”

I was desperate like a regret-ruined obsession male lead trying to catch a kind-hearted female lead.

“There is a blacksmith who makes kitchen knives. Does anyone question the sin to this blacksmith because someone killed a person with a kitchen knife?”

“I made not a kitchen knife but a sword for killing people from the beginning.”

“No way. Isn’t it an item that can also be used for digging canals for humanity, developing mines? Dynamite is close to a kitchen knife no matter who sees.”

Let’s talk about <​Nobel & Lee Chemical Factory>.

This company of course manufactures and sells the miracle explosive, dynamite.

At first thought might have to invest a few years, severely a few tens of years just in technology research, but throwing the answer sheet called diatomaceous earth to Nobel who was a flashing talent even in the original history progressed to just before commercialization in an instant.

Just then, the Crimean War broke out.

A great war where the world’s strongest countries Britain, France, Russia collide head-on.

As it became wartime the British Empire government that usually had no interest in dynamite or whatever changed overnight.

‘Produce this dynamite item in large quantities immediately and supply only to our army!’

‘That, that is still under research!’

‘Shut up! Bring out the prototype!!’

‘W, will give!’

Despite Nobel pitifully shouting that development is not yet completed the military did not listen to those words at all. Originally humans of this country have a bit weak function of listening to others’ words.

The military that did a few experiments kung kung with the prototype ‘this much all completed. Bring out all possessed!’ and forcibly stamped the supply contract, and like that absurdly Nobel & Lee Company hurriedly went into business.

“And there is one more problem.”

“...There is more?”

“Right. People will not think Nobel refused war weapon supply for peace. Will regard as taking Russia’s side.”

Might remember.

<​Nobel & Lee Chemical Company> has the exclusive right to sell dynamite to Britain and the Far East.

Then in the remaining countries?

Of course has the authority to approach the business owned by Alfred Nobel’s father, Immanuel Nobel.

And these are Sweden and Russia as core territories.

We who did not yet have a proper factory in Britain were in a situation of having to import products made at the Swedish factory, suddenly Nobel chattering peace and not selling this? Perhaps British Empire politicians with flipped eyes might invade Sweden. Even if not that with very high probability will smash the Nobel family’s factory then raise a toast saying <​now Russia can’t buy dynamite!>.

“I have no particular thought of taking Russia’s side! I to the end uncomfortable in heart about killing people with my invention-”

“Yes. But consequently will benefit Russia, so no one will think deeply about that intention.”

As Nobel became quite depressed, I decided to turn the words.

“But can think like this? If we build an excellent factory and guarantee abundance to employees, this can become a matter of saving one person, no one household from poverty and pain. Saving people through business.”

“Instead another person will die on the battlefield. Ultimately a merchant of death?”

“Even if not us ultimately someone else will become a merchant of death and earn money. Then, wouldn’t a person who resolved to save people with that money have to earn money?”

“Euum...”

Alfred Nobel is not a person who completely built a wall with reality. If such a person would not have done business from the beginning and just holed up in the laboratory and only researched.

I who succeeded in moderately soothing him decided to throw the Nobel Prize idea later, and turned the topic to practical work.

“How is the factory site or something progressing?”

“Personnel who came out from the government are giving a lot of ‘advice’.”

“War is good is good.”

In an instant the site is created, in an instant 24-hour construction proceeds with the power of cash and buildings rise, in an instant new employee recruitment is made. So saying if colluding with power business becomes a matter of swimming knowing the ground.

If saying establishing a factory in the 21st century once going in and out various local governments and seeing how much benefits can see, and in cases of large scale local governments compete with each other. Once the principle is that.

But in 1855 Britain from the beginning there is nothing worthy of being called a modern local government. Even if there is the discretion of the budget or things that can be done are much more limited so fine to see as none.

So if saying well <​laissez-faire>, we find a suitable location as we please... if saying badly can also say <​whether prosper or collapse anyway our work>. The 19th century is all like that.

However surprisingly!

The country is giving help!

“In my opinion, the explosive factory must be built in a remote place. Only then can reduce the matter of causing damage to innocent private houses.”

“Well... right.”

“While also must be in a place close to the demand area.”

“Build on the Crimean Peninsula? Joke.”

I saw. Saw Nobel momentarily conflicting whether to kick dynamite on my face or not!

“Demand due to war will be temporary. The Lord’s children will not continue such a terrible thing longer.”

“I also fully agree. The place that will buy our dynamite the most is of course mines.”

“So, must build in Scotland.”

Scottish countryside with many mines.

No reason to build the explosive factory in London. To save even one penny of transport cost of course must build in Scotland. No matter railways are laid or whatever transport costs do not fall from the sky.

And one more.

“Must have a port.”

“Yes. Accurate.”

Right now diatomaceous earth is imported.

Everyone might have forgotten, but among the reasons I went to Joseon there was also the purpose of building an explosive factory in Joseon and doing business excitedly and also to sound out whether to import Joseon diatomaceous earth.

Now importing diatomaceous earth from the German direction is much closer, but as dynamite production increases those guys will obviously gradually raise diatomaceous earth prices. If not making Plan B no qualification to do business.

“Considering all this, the government proposed near Irvine port on the western coast of Scotland. Site securing also seems will proceed quite smoothly.”

“...Not bad. No, very good.”

“Is that so? But the expression doesn’t look that pleased.”

“I somehow wanted to have a factory in London. Ah, of course know that building an explosive factory in London is a reckless move.”

As expected.

Must do a bit other business besides this work.

***

What business item must adopt?

There are really many words to say about this.

Ultimately must build a huge industrial complex and establish an overwhelming manufacturing monster realizing enormous economies of scale.

But still 1855. Repeatedly saying now no cars, incandescent bulbs have low practicality, no Atlantic submarine cable. Probably motors not developed yet either.

So after this and that pondering what seemed most plausible was the pistol side. Because rifles if cannot military supply end but pistols still a bit okay sales channels simple reason.

But one day.

An event as if heaven is pointing for me occurred.

“Lee Aseul public. How was the last banquet?”

“Very satisfied. The minister also pioneering such vast connections in a few years, really amazing.”

“Was lucky. There were many who harbored favor or curiosity toward Joseon. And this is all definitely Lee Aseul public’s merit.”

A while after conducting 2 consecutive matches with Palmerston, Disraeli.

I went to find Jo Byeonghyeon and conveyed thanks while exchanging regards. For him starving for Joseon news cannot help but treat me well.

At the news that Joseon is doing well he was greatly relieved, while at the same time seemed quite sad at the fact that only himself is alienated in that well-doing country.

- Makes sense.

Well? If I am Heonjong Jo Byeonghyeon is confirmed fixed foreign minister as soon as returning.

Not that Lee Ha-eung cannot work, he can be entrusted with interior minister or other positions. If a person more skilled in diplomacy comes might yield the seat.

“The scholars of this Britain regard holding large land and managing farms as the best, but realistically not going well for all gentry to have farms so ultimately seem to do business.”

“Definitely as those words. The Conservative Party where nobles with land gathered and the Whig Party where those trading gathered clearly the grain is different.”

“I also seem to have caught British water, haha. These days suddenly the thought arises that if returning to Joseon I also want to build a factory and greatly increase the family property and contribute to industry protecting the country?”

“Have some decent idea?”

A Joseon person’s idea. Much more primitive than all sorts of amazing items playing in this 21st century person’s head but let’s just hear.

- Your head items all current era technology cannot follow. How make a car now?

So said later, very later. To make whether car or plane or whatever must do other business now and earn money?

“Heum. A bit not to call an idea, about miscellaneous thoughts a scholar would do.”

“Hehe. As expected the heart thinking of the people is truly utmost. So what.”

“Early saw those machines called looms and spinning machines and was very impressed. We women must rub dim eyes and strive to spin thread and move the loom, but if that machine turns precisely all matters naturally resolve how amazing a thing?”

“Meaning will build a cotton cloth factory? If that already building factories in the capital of course and here and there.”

I know well because selling machinery. Must even receive the price of enclosing British, Scottish, Irish technicians who manage those machines and transfer technology so very expensive but everyone buys desperately. Filial product.

“Not a cotton cloth factory.”

“Then?”

“If can pound rice with the power of steam or water like that how?”

That moment.

Lightning struck down.

Rice polishing machine.

From the beginning blue-eyed Western guys are only interested in milling wheat not particularly interested in rice, so until now a machine that polishes with the power of machines has not been invented.

“That is an enormous idea. Will sponsor some money?”

“Yes?”

“Immediately hang prizes on inventors and let’s make a machine that polishes.”

- Will rice polishing machines have that much demand?

What sound ghost ghost.

Just selling one each to every Chinese village will become a chaebol.

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