He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 178

< Nelson's Rise >

Mid-September, 1789. A mansion near St. James’s Palace in London.

Carlo de Bourbon, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Naples, arrived in London with Baron Herbert after a voyage of over two weeks.

In London, they decided to stay at the home of Earl Enoch Hill, an old friend of Baron Herbert.

Earl Enoch had been actively involved in the British Parliament until about ten years ago, but now he was an aging politician retired from British politics.

Earl Enoch, who had helped him whenever he came to London, was now like a relative to Baron Herbert.

Despite the sudden visit, Earl Enoch warmly welcomed Baron Herbert and Crown Prince Carlo.

After being shown to their rooms, the Crown Prince and the Baron had a meal with the Earl.

During the meal, Baron Herbert revealed Crown Prince Carlo’s identity. He explained why the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Naples had come all the way to London and asked for help.

“So, you want me to tell you about a man named Theodore Sanderson, who is a Viscount and has something going on with the Princess?”

Earl Enoch asked Baron Herbert.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm, so Princess Maria is even considering marrying Sanderson?”

“It seems so from the letters we received. The Neapolitan royal family is in an uproar over it.”

Crown Prince Carlo, seeing Earl Enoch’s surprised expression, began to speak in somewhat broken English.

“It is embarrassing, but yes. His Majesty the King is very heartbroken about this. How could she even consider such a merchant and sycophant… I am mortified.”

Crown Prince Carlo was deeply ashamed. What a disgrace his sister was causing.

In British aristocratic society, which highly valued status, the idea of a princess marrying a lowly merchant was absurd.

However, Earl Enoch showed an unexpected reaction.

“That’s strange. I don’t know who told you what, Your Highness, but… the Lord Theo Sanderson I know is not like that.”

“What? Not like that? What do you mean?”

Baron Herbert had left London more than 15 years ago and did not know Theo well.

“From what I’ve heard so far, the Neapolitan royal family seems to think of Lord Sanderson as someone with a poor family background, who only rose to the rank of Viscount by flattering those in high places… Is that not the case?”

“Yes, that’s right. Isn’t Sanderson that kind of person?”

Earl Enoch shook his head.

“Well… to be honest, I’m not close to Lord Sanderson myself, so I can’t give you a definite answer, Your Highness, but from what I’ve heard from the Dukes and other nobles I associate with… Cough, cough-”

Earl Enoch, who had become noticeably weaker, coughed severely, as his lungs had not been well recently.

“Are you alright, Earl?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Cough- Anyway, if the Kingdom of Naples were to welcome Lord Sanderson as a son-in-law from the British nobility, from my point of view, it wouldn’t seem like a bad choice.

He is definitely not someone to be underestimated. He is currently being regarded as someone who is leading Britain in the right direction.”

“What? Leading in the right direction? Was Lord Sanderson in public office?”

“No. He is not an official. He is just a businessman. It’s quite complicated to explain him properly. He is not a politician, a soldier, or a doctor, but… he is better than any politician, soldier, or doctor.”

“I don’t understand what you mean…”

“You won’t understand even if I explain it. Anyway, Your Highness, if you have time, you should meet him in person and talk to him… Cough- and you will understand what I mean.”

“Ah… yes.”

*

In the room provided by Earl Enoch, Baron Herbert spoke, watching Crown Prince Carlo’s expression.

“I think Earl Enoch is getting old. He is not as sharp as he used to be, and he seems out of touch with the current situation since he left politics a long time ago.

To say that such a match isn’t a bad choice… Besides, he said that such a merchant is leading Britain and being revered, which doesn’t make any sense at all. You must have been a little taken aback, Your Highness.”

Crown Prince Carlo did not hide his displeasure.

“Yes, I was, to be honest. How could he so easily say that such a fellow is suitable for a princess of a nation, no matter what.”

“The Earl is definitely not usually like that, but I think his mind has become very clouded due to his illness. By the way, Your Highness? Where did the Princess move her residence to?”

As soon as they arrived in London, they went to the accommodation where Princess Maria had stayed, but she had already packed her bags and left.

The address the royal family had was the only one, so they had to find her by asking around.

However, Crown Prince Carlo’s expression was nonchalant.

“Where else would the Princess go? It’s obvious.”

“?”

“She will be at the house of that fellow named Theodore Sanderson. I have his company address that Count Dominici gave me, so I will go to his company tomorrow and demand that they hand over my sister immediately.”

“Ah, yes. That would be good.”

St. James’s Palace, London, reception room.

“Hmm… so, are you saying that maritime defense should be the top priority?”

George III, who had come to St. James’s Palace to deal with the reception of foreign envoys, had called Theo, ministers, and noble members of parliament to have an in-depth discussion about future issues.

In the midst of this, he questioned Theo’s remarks regarding France.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Now that the chaos caused by the popular uprising in France has been resolved to some extent, Europe is likely to be swept up in a whirlwind of war, as I mentioned last time.”

A member of the House of Commons next to him tilted his head at Theo’s words.

“Well, I wonder if France has the *leisure* to wage war. Most of the officers in the army are dead or have fled, and there are no proper commanders. War with another country… It doesn’t seem easy at all, does it?”

Theo replied.

“The Commercial Education Research Institute that I run receives confidential information every day through merchants trading with France. There was something particularly noteworthy among that information.”

King George urged with a curious face.

“Noteworthy information? What kind of information was it?”

“The departure of high-ranking military officers due to the people’s uprising was severe, and this caused serious problems in the operation of the French army. However, because of this, young commanders have begun to take over the military.

Young and capable, but those officers who had been unable to shine due to their aristocratic superiors who had been stagnating were able to step forward thanks to the people’s uprising.

Many of the young commanders were from lower nobility or commoners without money, so they were naturally excluded from the people’s disposal.

If those young commanders emerge as a force on the front lines, politicians exhausted by the chaos following the uprising and citizens uneasy about the disorder will have no choice but to follow them as a focal point.

Also, according to research, the military force formed in that way is very likely to cause another war to solve the current problems in France.”

Theo was foreshadowing the rise of Napoleon.

Napoleon became a general in the French army at the young age of 24 and was in charge of artillery command.

To shoot accurately, mathematical skills and quick calculations were required, and Napoleon, who was excellent at mathematics, stood out in the artillery, filling the commander position that had been left vacant by the revolution and was able to rise rapidly.

With such skills and the luck of the French Revolution, he soon grew into a figure who terrified all of Europe.

Although history was changing little by little, judging from the way France was turning, Napoleon’s appearance was not far off.

King George burst into a hearty laugh and opened his mouth.

“Haha- really. I get chills every time Lord Sanderson speaks so seriously. Nothing he has predicted has failed to come to pass.

So, we just need to strengthen the navy and prepare as you have been saying?”

All eyes were on Theo.

Having already confirmed the amazing ability of the ‘Theo Commercial Education Research Institute’ through the ‘Sanderson Treaty,’ they seemed to be expecting a definite countermeasure this time as well.

“Yes, Your Majesty. If our Britain strengthens its navy and properly selects and prepares young commanders…”

When he paused, everyone in the reception room held their breath and waited for Theo’s next words.

“France will not be able to set foot on our land.

Also, if that happens, even if the European continent is swept up in a whirlpool of war, our British industry will grow at an even faster rate, which is also the conclusion reached by our Commercial Education Research Institute.”

King George was very reassured by Theo’s confident answer.

“Really? Is that so? Good. I feel relieved that you, who always scared me, are making such a positive guarantee. Good. Let’s do that! Then, should we first reinstate the officer you recommended some time ago? What was his name again?”

“It is Captain Horatio Nelson, Your Majesty.”

“Ah, right! Nelson!”

King George, in a good mood, mentioned the name of Nelson, a young naval officer whom Theo had specially requested.

King George looked for the First Lord of the Admiralty.

“First Lord of the Admiralty!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Is there a place to put Nelson, an officer, to good use? As a captain, that is.”

The First Lord of the Admiralty pondered for a moment and soon opened his mouth.

“As far as I can think of right now, it would be reasonable to entrust him with a ship guarding the border of the French region.”

“Yes, good, good. Take action quickly!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

King George opened his mouth again as if something had occurred to him.

“Ah, right! And everyone should know that I will be awarding Lord Sanderson the title of Earl at the investiture ceremony early next month.”

The reception room buzzed at King George’s sudden announcement.

Theo was the most embarrassed. Suddenly an Earl.

“No, Your Majesty. I don’t have the qualifications yet…”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Who in this country doesn’t know that you have shown great consideration for the education business and tenant farmers?

Besides, I was just watching and approving of those things, but the people are praising me as well. I found out that you were saying that all of this was thanks to Your Majesty’s active help, haha-.

I feel it is long overdue to grant you, who has made great contributions to the economic development of our Britain and the suppression of the rebels, the title of Earl. Heh heh-”

“Your Majesty…”

Theo’s face was genuinely moved, and congratulations were already pouring in from the surroundings.

A pub near the Thames River, late at night.

A pub in a two-story wooden building overlooking the Thames River.

In the large fireplace in the center, firewood was burning brightly, and people were eating, drinking, and talking loudly around dozens of tables filled with alcohol and food.

“So, when is that friend coming back after being put on half-pay?”

A bearded naval captain was talking about Horatio Nelson, who had gone to the bathroom.

Then, a captain with a narrow forehead who was drinking gin right next to him put down his glass and sneered.

“I guess he’ll be gone if there’s a ship available tomorrow. It serves him right for acting up, trusting only in his uncle, even though he’s not particularly skilled, hehe.”

Then, a round-faced captain sitting at the very end opened his mouth.

“Well, he was the best among us, wasn’t he? How many officers would bravely face enemy or pirate ships and jump onto the enemy’s ship to deal with them directly?”

“Huhu, that’s all a show to get into the eyes of the superiors because he has no status. Since he’s not from a noble family, all he can do as an officer is to use his body, right? Haha.”

The captain with the narrow forehead was laughing and talking as if he was very excited.

Horatio Nelson was the first among his naval academy classmates to take the position of captain and was always ahead.

However, his strong supporter and high-ranking naval officer, his uncle, died, and a series of unfortunate events occurred, and now his salary has been cut in half, and he has been virtually expelled from the navy.

The naval captain with the narrow forehead, who had regarded him as an eyesore because he was a commoner but was confident, seemed to be in a very good mood today.

“The alcohol is hitting the spot. Come on, let’s drink until we’re senseless. I’ll pay for all the drinks today, hahaha.”

As he was laughing cheerfully while holding up his glass, Nelson returned from the bathroom and sat down.

Then, the captain with the narrow forehead barely suppressed the laughter that was about to burst out and poured so much alcohol into Nelson’s glass that it overflowed.

“Horatio! Here- take this glass and let go of your attachment to the navy. And, although it’s unlikely, if you ever return to the navy, don’t rush in or ignore the orders of the commanders like that, and listen to what they say.

Isn’t your uncle no longer there to take care of your whims? Isn’t that right? Hehe-”

Nelson smirked at his sarcastic remarks.

“Thanks for the advice. Then, let me say something to you. Please, don’t drive your subordinates to their deaths with that ridiculous judgment of yours.

Do you remember the operation in the Mediterranean Sea? Even though you saw the obvious danger in front of you, you recklessly put your subordinates forward because it was an order from your superior, and you almost cost many lives.

If a superior gives a wrong order in the middle of the sea, you, as an officer, must properly adjust and act in the middle, thinking about the countless subordinates who follow that order. What kind of command are you going to give in the dangerous sea with such a lack of judgment? Tsk tsk-”

The eyes of the narrow-foreheaded naval captain narrowed and his eyebrows shot up.

“What… what did you say?”

The table quickly turned into a tense atmosphere.

“You lowly commoner, I’ve been treating you like a person because you’re a classmate… How dare you try to compare yourself with me, a noble aristocrat?”

“What? You son of a bitch-”

It was then.

“Isn’t that Captain Nelson?”

At the thick voice, Nelson and his classmates turned their heads and stood up all at once.

It was Lieutenant Commander Gregory Morgan of the Admiralty.

He was an upper-class figure from an Earl family and was considered the number one candidate for naval admiral at a relatively young age.

Several high-ranking naval officers were standing behind Lieutenant Commander Morgan.

They didn’t seem to know that the young officers were fighting each other because of the noisy pub atmosphere.

Nelson quickly greeted.

“It’s been a while, Lieutenant Commander Morgan.”

“Yes, yes. It’s the first time I’ve seen you since your uncle’s funeral.”

He was smiling and shaking hands, but he opened his eyes wide as if something had occurred to him.

“Oh, right! Did you know Lord Theo Sanderson from the beginning?”

Nelson replied with a puzzled expression.

“Lord Sanderson? No. I met him for the first time at Admiral Jervis’s celebration a while ago.”

“Really? So, you’re saying you didn’t know him at all before?”

“I knew of Lord Sanderson. But I don’t think Lord Sanderson knows me. But why are you asking that…?”

Lieutenant Commander Morgan, who was stroking his chin with his hand, continued.

“That’s because His Majesty the King issued a personnel order today to appoint you as the captain of the Agamemnon, entrusting you with the defense of the French border coast.”

“…Yes?”

Nelson was very surprised.

The classmates standing right behind him were also surprised. Their mouths were wide open as they looked at each other.

In particular, the naval captain with the narrow forehead turned pale and didn’t know what to do.

“No… Why would His Majesty…?”

It was a very unconventional personnel appointment to put a young naval officer, who had been virtually expelled, in charge of a fairly large ship.

“That’s because the higher-ups are very concerned about the French popular uprising these days. But since a few months ago, Lord Sanderson has been arguing that the navy’s work is more important than ever and that it is necessary to appoint young commanders. And he specifically asked His Majesty the King for you.”

“Lord Sanderson… specifically pointed me out? Why…?”

Lieutenant Commander Morgan said, tilting his head.

“I don’t know either, so I’m asking you this. Lord Sanderson didn’t say anything about other naval officer appointments, but he only pointed you out like that, so I thought you knew him personally.”

“…No. Of course, I don’t know him personally, and I know that Lord Sanderson had no friendship with my late uncle either.”

“Really? Heh heh- really. Well, he’s the one who negotiated the agreement with France so well, so he may have looked into you through various sources. I also acknowledge your ability.

Anyway, you will receive an official letter soon, so be prepared. This time, you’re the captain of a pretty big ship, so please don’t cause any accidents and command well. And if you happen to meet Lord Sanderson, say thank you.”

Nelson and his friends just stared blankly at Lieutenant Commander Morgan, who patted him on the shoulder and headed to another seat.

*

In the carriage returning home.

Nelson felt like he was sobering up from all the alcohol he had drunk.

He was furious at the sarcasm of his naval classmate, and he was about to leave England right away.

But unexpectedly, he was returning to the navy, and that too as the captain of the Agamemnon.

Moreover, he was very surprised that Theo Sanderson had specially asked the King for this.

‘Come to think of it, he asked a lot about the French navy’s defense measures during our first meeting last time.’

At that time, he only thought that he was very interested in the navy, but when he thought about it, he also thought that he was asking this and that to verify his ability in the navy.

For Horatio Nelson, it was an unexpected helping hand.

He was more confident than anyone else in naval battles, but the discrimination in status that followed him like a tag was always suppressing his heart.

He had a very strong pride, so he was frustrated with the reality that he was not recognized even after making more contributions, and he was about to give up his naval life.

In this situation, he could not help but be greatly encouraged by the fact that Theo Sanderson, a self-made man, was watching him.