He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 210

210. George’s Acting

Mid-October 1797. Windsor Castle, Royal Reception Room

In just one month, the intelligence investigators had secured a wealth of evidence. It was more than Tae-oh had anticipated.

Dawson, the investigation team leader with 30 years of experience, was satisfied, stating that there was more than enough to prove the crime.

Tae-oh neatly organized the evidence and took it to the palace on the day of King George’s psychotherapy session.

***

Tae-oh, alone with King George for the therapy session, lowered his voice and said,

“Your Majesty, do you remember the issue regarding the sewer construction project that I mentioned some time ago?”

“Are you referring to the story that there might be a major scandal and that you were looking for evidence?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Here is a collection of evidence related to that.”

King George, after receiving the materials, asked,

“Have you found solid evidence?”

Tae-oh nodded silently.

King George, after examining the materials for a long time with his magnifying glass, twitched his lips.

“So, the enormous amount of money meant for these companies has gone into the hands of Littleton and his group? And the project hasn’t even progressed properly?”

“That is correct, Your Majesty. It has been found that they received a significant amount of national project funds under the names of shell companies [companies created to handle financial transactions without having any significant assets or operations] they hastily created, and then divided it again to store in their respective vaults or banks.”

Thud.

King George put the materials down on the table, took off his magnifying glass, and massaged his temples.

“I just met with Congressman Littleton, Timothy, and Congressman Roland.”

All were figures involved in this scandal.

“Those fellows acted as if they were worried about my well-being, but as you have said several times, they were constantly watching to see what my condition was like. So, as you instructed, I deliberately acted irritable and spouted nonsense.”

“Well done, Your Majesty.”

King George’s mental state was the most important condition for Littleton’s group’s scheme.

If King George appeared at the upcoming November parliamentary address and showed an unsound mental state, there would be grounds to put the Prince of Wales, the heir to the throne, on the throne.

However, King George’s mental state, after receiving intensive psychotherapy from Tae-oh for a month, was quite good.

“With such clear evidence, is there a need to be cautious? Shouldn’t we arrest them as soon as possible and punish them severely?”

Tae-oh shook his head.

“We could inadvertently give them a chance to escape. If we don’t catch all eight at the same time and miss even one, they will immediately unite with other congressmen and drive the situation towards suppression of the parliament.”

England had stronger parliamentary power than any other country. Even the king could not ignore their power.

“Then how can we persuade the other congressmen to catch this treacherous group?”

“You must use the parliamentary address on November 3rd.”

“Parliamentary address?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. On that day, you must raise an urgent agenda regarding current state affairs and directly address the current corruption issue. The eight will all be gathered there anyway, and if you present undeniable evidence in front of many congressmen, the others will not be able to blindly take their side.

If they are arrested there immediately and their homes are searched, we will likely be able to secure more of the embezzled funds and other evidence.”

King George nodded as if he understood.

“So, the reason they keep checking on my mental state is to portray me as mentally ill during the parliamentary address?”

Tae-oh couldn’t bring himself to say that.

“So, your calculation is that if I present evidence in a sane state at the parliamentary address, they will be helpless. And that’s why you told me to continue acting mentally unstable?”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”

“No, it’s not. Actually, I’ve been finding it difficult and frightening to stand in front of people these days. I keep stuttering and losing confidence, so maybe what they say is true… But I feel like I’m regaining confidence while being treated by you, so I’m in a very good mood these days.”

“Even if it’s difficult, I want you to accelerate the treatment a bit more. I really want to see those bastards get surprised and fall over at the November parliamentary address.”

“Your Majesty, I will do my best to focus on the treatment.”

King George, with a smile, winked at Tae-oh and shouted loudly enough to be heard outside the door.

“You rascal! Order the war with North America to be carried out immediately! I said, wage war!”

London Westminster, Littleton Congressman’s Residence.

“War with North America?”

At Congressman Littleton’s question, the servant from the palace nodded.

“Yes, he often mentioned North America even during the treatment by Count Sanderson, and repeatedly shouted that war should be waged.”

“Tsk, tsk—he seems to have completely lost his mind now. Perhaps his attachment to the issues he failed to complete properly is manifesting as a mental illness. When he met with us this morning, he tried his best to appear composed, but he couldn’t control his irritation and kept saying strange things, didn’t he?”

Congressman Littleton nodded at Congressman Timothy’s words.

“That’s understandable. How much affection did His Majesty have for the North American colonies? It is said that when people go crazy, they don’t remember recent events and only remember what they failed to achieve or did well in the past, and repeat those stories.”

At that time, the servant, who was watching, carefully spoke up.

“But a few days ago in the morning…”

Congressman Littleton urged the servant, who was hesitating.

“What is it? Tell me quickly.”

“Well… I barely managed to catch His Majesty running around the palace in his pajamas a few days ago.”

Congressman August asked with surprised eyes at the servant’s words.

“His Majesty ran around the palace in his pajamas in the morning? Is that true?”

“Well… he ran not only inside the palace but also outside into the garden…”

Littleton and the congressmen wore mocking expressions.

“Congressman Littleton, it seems that Sanderson’s treatment is no longer effective. At this rate, we don’t need to be so careful, do we? Heh heh.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

However, Congressman Littleton shook his head at their words.

“No, no. It’s still too early to be relieved. First, the king must clearly show that he has many mental problems at the upcoming parliamentary address. To do that, we must create a situation where the king speaks about current state affairs and induce him to present directly.

We must clearly show hundreds of congressmen that a senile old man is ruining the country. So that they can realize for themselves how foolish it is to support the king.”

“Understood.”

“And the Prince of Wales must be there that day. So that the Prince of Wales, the first in line to the throne, can step up and handle his father’s embarrassing appearance in front of the congressmen. We must prepare the script in advance and make thorough preparations.”

“Yes! I will make sure to prepare thoroughly.”

◈ A few days later, a gambling house near Piccadilly, London.

Inside the smoke-filled gambling house, card games were in full swing here and there, with dim candlelight between them.

At that time, in a secluded corner of the empty table, three congressmen were having a secret conversation with the Prince of Wales between them.

The Prince of Wales was listening to their story with a solemn face and closed eyes.

“The country is in great danger now. If Your Highness does not step forward immediately, no one can guarantee what will happen to our England.”

As soon as Congressman Timothy finished speaking, Congressman August continued as if he had been waiting.

“Have you seen His Majesty recently? He is definitely not in the right state of mind to handle his duties normally. I am very afraid that his already strained mind will be further devastated by the arduous national affairs.

Moreover, the fact that the base-born charlatan [a person falsely claiming to have a special skill or knowledge] Count Sanderson is attached to him is also a major concern.”

The Prince of Wales, who opened his eyes slightly, tilted his head.

“Charlatan Count Sanderson?”

“He is deceiving him by pretending that he can cure an incurable disease. He is a scary person who might do anything while attached to His Majesty, who is mentally unstable.”

“Well, I did think my father looked a bit strange before I went to Manchester, but it seems he has gotten worse now.”

Congressman Adam Blake opened his mouth with a serious expression.

“Your Highness must step forward. The policies of the country must be consistent, but what consistent judgment can come from His Majesty’s current state of mind?”

At their words, the Prince of Wales reluctantly nodded and said solemnly.

“As the Prince of Wales of this country, I must step forward if a major crisis befalls the country. Yes, as you said, I will definitely attend the national conference at the parliament in a few days to deal with any accidents that may happen to my father.”

The three congressmen clapped and rejoiced greatly.

“You have made a good decision. You have made a great decision for the country.”

“Of course, of course. It seems that great hope has arisen in this country.”

“Perhaps, His Majesty will be more pleased with this appearance than anyone else.”

The Prince of Wales, puffed up with praise, looked at the three congressmen and said.

“Well, now that we have made a significant decision for our country, shall we all have a good time tonight? I haven’t been able to gamble properly for almost a month in Manchester. Hahaha.”

It was a pathetic proposal.

However, the three congressmen tried to hide their embarrassment and cater to him.

“Yes? Ah~ Yes, yes. Of course, we should, huh huh.”

“Shall we go then?”

“Yes, yes!”

The three congressmen stared at the back of the Prince of Wales, who was excitedly getting up from his seat, with dumbfounded eyes.

◈ November 3, 1797, London Westminster Palace.

The Prince of Wales was sitting in the most splendid room in Westminster Palace, putting on airs.

Congressman Littleton and his gang, including Congressmen Timothy Murphy, August, Roland Green, and Willas Fox, had gathered in front of the Prince of Wales.

Congressman Littleton continued what he was saying.

“…When His Majesty speaks about irrelevant matters and the congressmen’s jeers erupt, Your Highness should rise from the second floor and request everyone to be quiet.

And you must draw the congressmen’s attention by saying what we have written down here.

Then, I will lead the other congressmen to respond to the Prince of Wales’s words with great applause. And the guards waiting outside will escort His Majesty out by force.”

The Prince of Wales, who was emptying his glass repeatedly, said as if he was annoyed.

“Huh- really, Congressman, how many times have you repeated the same thing since earlier? I understand. I understand. Do you think I’m a child who can’t understand that much?”

Congressman Littleton’s face momentarily distorted at the Prince of Wales’s rebuke, but he quickly hid his displeasure and said.

“I apologize. I told you out of concern, so you must not forget and carry it out. That is how you can win the hearts of the congressmen.”

“Hmph—what’s so important about those congressmen-”

The Prince of Wales was putting on airs as if he was already a king.

Littleton and his aides looked at him with dismay.

But the power of the Prince of Wales was essential.

They had no choice but to cater to his whims for now.

At that moment, the door opened and the Prince of Wales’s servant entered.

“Your Highness! You must go to the main hall of the parliament now. The meeting will begin soon.”

The Prince of Wales, who got up from his seat at the servant’s words, put his hands behind his back and muttered.

“Come on, let’s go and finish it quickly! I have to go somewhere urgently as soon as it’s over.”

“Ah, yes.”

The congressmen, who knew that the place to go was a gambling house, could not hide their bitter smiles.

◈ London, Main Hall of the Parliament.

The main hall of the parliament, where the congressmen gathered, was crowded with countless congressmen.

Compared to the wide and magnificent road leading to the main hall, which was over 3km long, the inside of the main hall where the congressmen gathered was so narrow that it felt suffocating.

Moreover, most of the members of the House of Representatives attended today, making it even more crowded than usual.

It was because Congressman Littleton’s group had diligently urged the congressmen to attend.

One of Congressman Littleton’s group was excitedly chattering.

“According to the servant, His Majesty is mentally unstable. Whenever he has to do something that requires concentration or have an important conversation for a long time, he invariably shows strange nonsense and behavior. Well, he ran around the palace in his pajamas a while ago.”

“That’s a big problem. There are so many big things to do in the country in the future, and France is talking about starting another war.”

Congressman Littleton, who was holding his weight in the back, opened his mouth with composure.

“His Majesty is getting older, and if he continues to show such behavior… I think we should step forward.”

The surroundings, which had been noisy, became quiet at his words.

One congressman stretched his neck and asked.

“We should step forward? What do you mean by that, Congressman?”

Littleton revealed his true feelings without hesitation.

“His Majesty’s appearance could lead to major misjudgments by those who are greedy for the military or power. So we must step forward before such an unfortunate event occurs. If we observe His Majesty’s mental health today and think that this is really not it, I will directly give him sincere advice.”

“Sincere advice?”

“He should receive treatment until he regains his health, and in the meantime, the Prince of Wales should temporarily take over the throne.”

The congressmen buzzed.

“Are you… are you talking about a regency [a period when someone rules in place of the monarch because they are unfit to rule]?”

“We must do it if we can! If we continue to leave it like this, it is obvious that traitorous groups like General Howe will gain power and disturb the country. If that happens, even our congressmen’s activities will be restricted. The country will fall into misery.”

Thump.

At that moment, the door of the main hall opened and the Prince of Wales entered.

As if he had been waiting, Congressman Littleton got up and greeted him greatly, and the congressmen here and there got up and greeted him politely.

The Prince of Wales put strength in his neck as if he was already a king and received the congressmen’s greetings.

Congressman August bowed and guided him.

“Your Highness, please go up to the second floor quickly?”

“Hmph- I will.”

But, it was then.

“His Majesty the King is entering!”

With the shout of the aide-de-camp, King George was stepping into the main hall.