He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 132

132. Tae-oh’s Wish

The Next Day, 2 PM. In front of Westminster Abbey, London.

Boom- Thump- Boom-

Bang- Bang- Bang-

Terrifying sounds of shelling echoed around Westminster Abbey.

Westminster Abbey, where the coronation, weddings, and funerals of British monarchs take place, and where past kings and major British figures are laid to rest.

Because of its special symbolic importance, General Howe had hesitated to shell it.

More precisely, it was an action conscious of the potential backlash from the citizens of London.

However, the government forces holding out inside the abbey were causing a lot of damage, and the morale of the rebel army was greatly declining, so the necessity of shelling was steadily raised.

In the end, shelling was decided upon following General Howe’s final order.

This morning, rebel artillery units flocked to Westminster Abbey, and indiscriminate shelling began at noon.

Boom- Thump- Boom-

Crash- Bang- Bang-

The government forces led by Tae-oh had their retreat completely cut off.

They were in a position where they had no choice but to fight to the death until the very end.

A faint hope that the Earl of Montague would arrive soon leading reinforcements had once circulated, but even that was fading away as noon passed.

* * *

Top floor of Westminster Abbey.

Swoosh- Swoosh-

Crack- Pow- Crack-

The sound of bullets hitting and ricocheting off the wall where Tae-oh was hiding loudly struck his ears.

“Owen! Come here! Here!”

“Yes! Battalion Commander!”

“There’s a lot of glass down there! Don’t crawl on your knees!”

“Understood!”

Crackle- Crackle- Crackle-

As thousands of bullets shattered all the windows, fragments of glass scattered like grains of sand on the floor.

“Huff- Huff-”

“Are you okay, Owen?”

“Yes, Battalion Commander!”

Tae-oh had been blocking the rebel artillery’s movements for several hours now.

However, he was gradually getting tired from the endless barrage of rebel bullets.

Slide- Slide- Thump- Thump-

Private Owen, a sniper, was sweating profusely as he rammed the bullet into the barrel so that it would mesh.

Then, he handed the gun with the gunpowder filled in the pan to Tae-oh.

“Here you are! Battalion Commander!”

Tae-oh handed over the fired gun and received the reloaded gun.

At that moment, a small sigh escaped from Owen’s mouth as he scanned the enemy’s movements through the telescope.

“Haa-”

“What’s wrong? Is the situation bad?”

“Yes… It seems like they’re determined to completely destroy this place today. Behind… more artillery units are coming in, and riflemen are swarming in too. It seems like it will be difficult for us to hold out.”

Owen sobbed in a hopeless voice.

Even with the naked eye, more and more rebels were endlessly pushing in.

It seemed like all the units under General Howe were gathering here.

‘Is this… the end…’

Tae-oh slowly spread out his trembling hand.

He had been so tense and exerting so much strength that it felt like all the strength left in his hand had drained away.

He had tried to stop the shelling to save even one more person and delay the time even a little longer, but now he had no bullets or strength left.

Waaaah-

A roaring shout of the rebels was heard from the left side of the temple.

The left area, which had been subjected to concentrated shelling, was in such a state that the shape of the building could not be recognized, and it seemed that it had been occupied.

He was just grateful that their shells had not reached this place, so he was still alive.

Crash- Crash-

Rumble- Rumble-

A terrifying reverberation that seemed to overturn the world shook the building and window frames mercilessly once again.

Owen was trembling with a terrified face, shoving the last bullet into the barrel. He had an expression that sensed the end.

A fresh face that looked like he was only a high school student in modern times.

His father had passed away, and he said he had joined the army for his sick mother and young siblings.

He was an ordinary child who shyly smiled, saying that if he received a big reward after this rebellion, he wanted to pay for his mother’s medical bills and buy delicious food and clothes for his young siblings.

Tae-oh felt bad at the thought that he might not be able to fulfill that small wish.

“Ba… Battalion Commander…!”

As he was receiving the gun and checking the last gunpowder pan, Owen, who was looking at the situation through the telescope, called out to Tae-oh in a trembling voice.

“What’s wrong? Are all the cannons aimed at us?”

“Th… That’s…”

Owen seemed surprised by the sight of the rebel cannons all aimed at this side.

Tae-oh reached out and gently stroked Owen’s back, comforting him.

“It’s okay, Owen. It’ll be really tough, but let’s be together until the end. People will never forget your courage and sacrifice.”

But Owen didn’t answer.

He was just busily looking at something through the telescope.

“Owen, stop looking now. It’ll only be scarier.”

“That’s not it, Battalion Commander! It’s not the enemy! It’s our side, our side! There are no red bands on their arms! And there are so many of them! So many! It seems like 3 to 4 times more than Earl Payne’s forces last time!”

“Wh… What?”

Surprised, Tae-oh snatched the telescope and looked ahead.

The figures of the soldiers Owen spoke of were gradually revealed through the smoke-filled air from the shelling.

‘…!’

Tae-oh doubted his eyes.

Because he saw several familiar family crests on the flags fluttering high in the sky.

“Ah… Earl of Montague, Duke of Manners… and the Kent family too!”

Along with the Earl of Montague, who was in charge of defending the capital, at least five families were organizing militias and marching together.

It was several times more troops than the rebels.

And, as Owen said, there were no red bands on their arms.

“Hahaha- Battalion Commander! The rebels are running away! They’re running away in surprise at the huge reinforcements! Hahaha!”

It was true.

The sight of the rebels running away in surprise at the large-scale reinforcements was caught here and there.

But then.

“Ah! Battalion Commander! It’s dangerous!”

At Owen’s cry, Tae-oh, surprised, took his eyes off the telescope, and he saw a shell flying.

He thought it was a distance that could not be reached by cannons at this time because of the high position, but it was an unexpected event.

Whoosh- Whoosh-

The sound of the shell cutting through the wind was heard, and then it hit the bottom where Tae-oh was hiding.

Crash- Bang- Crash-

At the same time as a great shock that was hard to come to his senses, large and small stones fell like rain over his head.

And soon the sound of the building cracking was heard so eerily loud.

Creak- Crack- Creak-

Tae-oh, sensing the danger, hugged Owen tightly.

Crash- Bang- Crash-

Rumble- Crash-

Whoosh- Crash-

Following a dull impact, it felt like a heated knife was coming into his head and side, burning hotly.

Just as the world seemed to turn white, all the sounds around him soon disappeared.

“Battalion Commander! Battalion Commander!”

Tae-oh looked up with dazed eyes at Owen, who was holding onto him and wailing.

“Battalion Commander! Get a hold of yourself! Battalion Commander!”

He wanted to say something, but he couldn’t move his mouth.

And the hazy world was rapidly darkening.

2 Weeks Later

“Ugh…”

Tae-oh opened his eyes wide at the terrible pain.

‘…’

His head throbbed as if it were breaking.

‘…What happened?’

Looking around with dazed eyes, Tae-oh realized that he was lying in his Mayfair home.

‘Home? How did I get home? …Ah, right. I lost consciousness after being shelled.’

The last thing he remembered was the sight of Owen holding onto him and wailing.

Tae-oh thought he was going to die like this.

But strangely, his heart was at peace.

He thought that if he died like this and opened his eyes, he would be back in the 21st century.

But when he opened his eyes, it was still the 18th century.

Clunk-

“Oh my! Master!”

The maid who came in with a wet towel screamed as if she had seen a ghost.

“Louisa… Can you call the butler for me?”

“Yes, yes! I’ll bring him right away!”

The maid ran out in a hurry, and not long after, someone hurriedly opened the door and entered the bedroom.

Clunk-

But it wasn’t the butler.

A man he had never seen before ran over.

It turned out to be the doctor who had been waiting 24 hours a day in the room next door.

“It is the order of His Majesty. After the situation calmed down, I have been checking on Lord Sanderson’s condition and reporting it every day for nearly ten days.”

Tae-oh first asked about the outcome of the rebellion.

“The rebellion… What happened to the rebellion?”

“The Earl of Montague and many other families joined forces and marched into London. As they came with 100,000 troops, the situation was easily resolved.

General Howe killed himself before he could be captured, and Earl Payne is in custody awaiting trial.”

War Office, Secretary’s Office.

Generals, high-ranking officials, and members of parliament were gathered in the Secretary’s office in the War Office building on Canal Street, having a secret conversation.

The Secretary at War, who was in charge of administration and logistics, brought up Tae-oh’s story.

“Everyone heard the news, right? That Lord Theo Sanderson woke up last night.”

“Yes, I heard. He’s really a person with a tenacious life. To survive even that terrible shelling.”

A general from the Navy spoke with a worried voice.

“His Majesty the King seems to have been very moved by Lord Sanderson in this rebellion. I heard that he will be awarded the title of Baron, as well as the rank of Lieutenant General, and will be given the position of Commander-in-Chief of a certain region.”

At this time, a Lieutenant General was a general who commanded multiple divisions. Also, in the provinces, it was a very high position corresponding to the position of governor and commander-in-chief.

“Haha- To suddenly give such a big position to a merchant with no roots… I don’t know what’s going to happen to our country.”

At that time, a member of the House of Commons, who was a retired soldier, said with a sneer.

“Isn’t it that very person who you said had no roots who led soldiers into enemy territory, harassed the rebels with ingenious tactics, and eventually protected His Majesty the King?

From His Majesty’s point of view, who will he trust in the future? There are so many people who are afraid to face the rebels, and if a big war breaks out, wouldn’t he think that they would be the first to flee abroad?

If anyone here opposes His Majesty the King’s will for Lord Sanderson, their head will not be safe that day. Look at His Majesty’s sincerity in checking Lord Sanderson’s condition every day.”

A general, who was listening to the words of the member of the House of Commons with an uncomfortable expression, grumbled.

“Did the member of parliament become attached to Lord Sanderson after spending a few days with him at Lambeth Palace? Ahem, ahem. We all acknowledge Lord Sanderson’s efforts in facing the rebels.

However, there is a proper line to be drawn when praising merit, but His Majesty is now going too far. We are saying these words because we are worried about such a sight.”

“That’s right. It is said that the awarding of the title of Baron is only a preliminary step to giving the title of Earl soon. Moreover, it seems that if Lord Sanderson wants it, he will even create the position of General and let him control this country, so that is what worries us as subjects.”

Tae-oh’s great performance against the rebels acted as a strong warning sign to the power elite.

At this time, when King George’s trust in Tae-oh was so great, they were wary of whether the balance of power would be tilted to one side.

In particular, they were keenly aware of the various consequences that would occur if Tae-oh took military power into his hands.

“His Majesty is making a big mistake now. Lord Sanderson is definitely not the loyal subject that His Majesty thinks he is. Just watch. You will see how he will act in the future. You will see him acting arrogantly with His Majesty backing him.”

“If that really happens, wouldn’t that be a big problem? Shouldn’t we thoroughly prepare for Lord Sanderson before such a thing happens?”

“Of course. Isn’t that the case with General Howe’s case this time? There is no guarantee that such an internal rebellion will not happen again. Thorough preparation seems absolutely necessary.”

They were the ones who were calling for ‘preparation’ for the sake of the country’s stability, but in reality, their eyes were full of fear and anxiety that their power would be shaken.

At first, they thought he was just a resourceful businessman, but at some point, he had become a hero, and he was about to seize absolute power with the public sentiment and even the king behind him.

A person who does not compromise and has such a clear sense of self that he is bound to clash with them on every matter.

When he fought against the rebels, he was the most reliable ally in the world, but now that the rebels have disappeared, he is emerging as the most threatening enemy to maintaining power.

Ten days later, Windsor Castle.

“Lord Sanderson, I will appoint you as the Commander-in-Chief of the vicinity of London!”

At King George’s words, the surroundings became as quiet as a mouse.

The rumors had already spread widely, but they seemed to be in shock when they heard it directly from King George’s mouth.

This was not a simple appointment. It was a signal that Theo Sanderson was rising to the center of power.

Some had an expression that what was coming had come, and others were clapping and smiling brightly as if they welcomed it.

Tae-oh bowed his head deeply and opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty, I am at a loss as to what to do with Your Majesty’s great grace.”

Tae-oh, who raised his head, continued.

“However, Your Majesty. I do not have the qualifications or ability to take on such a big task, nor do I have such a desire. I am more than satisfied with Your Majesty bestowing upon me an excessive medal and the title of Baron.”

King George III had awarded the Order of the Bath to Tae-oh and other military commanders who had made great contributions a few days ago.

This medal was mainly given to those who had served the country, and it was often received by soldiers.

And on that very day, an extraordinary ceremony was held to award the title of Baron especially for Tae-oh.

“Ahem- There is a limit to humility. You are a person who has sufficient qualifications and abilities to have such a position. Didn’t you prove it clearly this time?”

“I am grateful, Your Majesty, but I only want to return to where I was. And I know better than anyone that it is the right thing for me to do. So please withdraw that order.”

King George raised his voice.

“Why does Lord Sanderson always only think of himself? Do you think I am doing this simply because of your merits? It is all my decision for the Great Britain! This time, it will never be done according to your stubbornness, so know that!”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty. Please understand this humble one’s heart. I may have made a contribution by jumping into enemy territory because I was worried about Your Majesty’s safety, but in the end, it was the government forces who protected Westminster Abbey and the power of many other nobles and militias who came up leaving everything else behind that saved Your Majesty, wasn’t it?

I was just a bridge to buy time before they came, and I think that’s all the power and ability I have. Therefore, the position of Commander-in-Chief not only does not fit my abilities, but also is not a suitable appointment for this country, so please withdraw the order.”

King George, who had been staring at Tae-oh for a long time, shook his head with a hollow laugh.

“Haha, I have to acknowledge your stubbornness. Okay. Then tell me what you want. If you don’t say something like that, I will put you in jail right away for insulting this king.”

He felt King George’s sincerity in wanting to do anything for the loyal subject who had risked his life for him.

Tae-oh could no longer refuse.

“If so, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, what is it? Tell me quickly.”

“I would like to ask you to give the best rewards and treatment to the soldiers who fought to the end at Westminster Abbey this time.”

“That’s a matter of course. I have already issued instructions to give a big reward, so tell me something for you other than that? Whether it’s land or gold coins or anything else, I’ll listen to you.”

Silence flowed. They had expressions that they had been moderately humble, so now they would reveal their true colors.

They were busy calculating in their heads what kind of demands they would make and what impact that would have on them.

Tae-oh broke the short silence and opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty, I actually have one thing I earnestly desire.”

“Oh, what is it? Tell me quickly what you want.”

“However, it is something that puts a considerable burden on Your Majesty…”

“Ahem- I will make that judgment, so tell me quickly?”

King George, full of anticipation, leaned forward and waited for Tae-oh’s answer.

The ministers and generals who were watching from the side also pricked up their ears and focused on Tae-oh’s words.

Feeling their rising emotions, Tae-oh slowly opened his mouth.

“…I would like you to repair the sewers.”

“…?”

At that moment, everyone had a puzzled expression.

King George even tilted his head and asked.

“Sewers? Did you just say you wanted the sewers to be repaired?”

“That is correct.”

“What does sewer maintenance have to do with something for you?”

High-ranking officials and nobles also buzzed. It was because it was a completely unexpected and absurd remark.

“In fact, one of the causes of London’s stench is the dirty sewer environment. As the population suddenly increases, a lot of sewage and garbage is poured out every day, mainly in London, but because there are no proper sewer facilities, severe odors are vibrating throughout the city as they accumulate and become blocked here and there.

I didn’t realize it properly in normal times, but I really felt this problem with my skin while traveling through the underground passages during the battle with the rebels this time.

And, there are many sewer pipes around the business I run, but various sewage and garbage are mixed in the exposed roadside sewer pipes, giving off a bad smell.

In addition, the water from this dirty sewer flows into the Thames River, making the water quality that much worse and adversely affecting the health of London citizens…”

The explanation of the problems of the sewer environment continued from Tae-oh’s mouth for a long time.

“…But this kind of thing is ultimately a problem connected to the entire underground infrastructure of London, so unless the state steps in and maintains it, it is something that can never be effective with individual power alone.

Of course, as for me, if the sewers around Kensington, where I am, are well maintained, I can indirectly benefit from a much better business environment, so it is also something for me.”

King George, who had been listening to Tae-oh’s explanation with a bewildered expression, burst into laughter.

“Hahaha. Everyone, look at what this person is saying. I told him to talk about the gold and silver treasures he wanted, but he is so seriously asking for the sewer pipes to be improved…. Hehehe. How can I not praise this wisdom of connecting his own interests to the interests of the whole!”

The ministers, who had been holding their breath, wondering what kind of demands he would make, also looked at each other with absurd expressions.

There was no talk about political standing or anything related to his favor, and the only thing he asked for was a sewer maintenance project for the health and environment of the citizens.

The ministers, who had been discussing various battles and countermeasures against the dangers of Tae-oh’s power for several weeks, could not lift their faces in shame.