He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 107

< Reencounter with King George - Episode 107 >

With the guidance of real estate agent Brooke Morgan, Tae-oh thoroughly explored the Kensington area.

Kensington was a beautiful and clean city. Elegant and luxurious new houses in the Georgian style stood neatly, and there were few slums or entertainment venues, giving it a refined atmosphere quite different from the bustling downtown of London.

The shops, galleries, and theaters were well-maintained, making it a perfect place to set up a matchmaking agency and run a cafe.

According to Morgan, this area used to be a quiet rural village where most of the residents were farmers. However, as London rapidly expanded, Kensington was incorporated into the city.

More and more wealthy people sought a more pleasant and relaxed environment, away from the crowded and unsanitary conditions of downtown London, and Kensington caught their attention.

“As you can see, Kensington is gaining significant attention as a new upscale neighborhood. More and more nobles and wealthy merchants will flock here in the future.”

“Yes, it seems so.”

Satisfied with his tour of Kensington, Tae-oh, with Brooke Morgan’s help, began looking at properties for sale.

Soon, he found a five-story building on Kensington High Street, lined with luxury shops, that seemed perfect for his matchmaking agency and cafe.

Tae-oh, after walking around the building and the street several times, spoke as if he’d made up his mind.

“Could I meet the owner of that building today?”

“Of course, that’s possible. It’s been on the market for a while without selling, so he’s been having some trouble. Would you like to meet him today?”

“Yes. I’d appreciate it if you could arrange that.”

The owner of the five-story building ran a large furniture store nearby, so it wasn’t difficult to arrange a meeting.

However, the building owner was quite cautious and particular. He seemed to have been bothered by many casual inquiries.

He explained that he’d had a difficult time acquiring the land from the nobles and that constructing the building had taken over five years and cost a great deal of money, so he wasn’t willing to sell it for less than 52,000 pounds.

Brooke Morgan suspected that even Tae-oh would find it difficult to raise that much money quickly.

But Tae-oh was proactive. He believed it was the best location for his planned businesses.

“How about this? I’ll buy it outright, but I’ll deduct 2,000 pounds and pay a clean 50,000 pounds.”

The building owner hesitated, but agreed to Tae-oh’s offer, provided he paid in full within a week. The contract was settled on the spot.

Brooke Morgan, a seasoned real estate agent, was surprised by Tae-oh’s ability to mobilize such funds.

Even among London’s wealthy, it was rare to see someone pay 50,000 pounds in cash at once.

Most people borrowed from wealthy capitalists or took out bank loans, and even then, they usually paid in installments.

She couldn’t help but be amazed by Tae-oh, who offered to pay 50,000 pounds immediately without batting an eye.

In reality, 50,000 pounds was a substantial sum, but for Tae-oh, it wasn’t an insurmountable amount.

The profits from the Jamaican coffee farm were greater than he had anticipated.

Furthermore, the mine Lord Burke had invested in generated significant profits due to the increased coal demand caused by an unusual cold wave in Europe.

Along with this, the demand for drainage pumps for the mine exploded, and the investment income from the steam engine also increased rapidly.

The Manchester textile factory had secured 100,000 pounds through the second contract with Russia.

Now, Tae-oh had become so wealthy that even he didn’t know how much his assets would grow in the future.

Tae-oh and the building owner, having completed the provisional contract, smiled broadly and shook hands.

“Then let’s meet at the London Bank tomorrow to finalize the contract.”

“Yes, let’s do that. You’re a really impressive person. Haha.”

Tae-oh smiled as he looked at the five-story building on Kensington High Street and its surroundings.

‘So this building is the historical starting point of Teo Street, huhu [onomatopoeic laughter].’

◈ Early March 1778, Windsor Castle.

The meeting with King George, originally scheduled for the end of February, was postponed due to palace matters and finally took place today.

Woah- woah-

“We have arrived.”

Tae-oh, stepping out of the carriage, looked around the castle.

Windsor Castle, which he had visited a year prior, felt unfamiliar.

A servant approached the carriage and received the drip coffee equipment Tae-oh was carrying.

“Please take good care of these precious items to be presented to His Majesty.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Tae-oh followed the servant for a considerable distance.

“Sir Sanderson, please wait here.”

The servant handed the coffee equipment to a young servant in the waiting room, saying:

Several people were already in the waiting room, awaiting an audience with King George.

‘Are those people also waiting to see His Majesty? My meeting was also postponed… He must be very busy.’

Thump-

A gentleman in his fifties emerged as the door opened.

He appeared to have just finished his audience with King George.

He had slightly protruding eyes, thick jowls, and a strange aura emanating from his dark, large eyes.

Several people, seemingly his associates, quickly approached him with worried expressions.

“Director Reynolds? What did His Majesty say?”

“Director? Does His Majesty support you?”

The man called Director Reynolds slowly shook his head.

“Sigh-. I couldn’t even bring it up. The atmosphere is too tense right now. His Majesty seemed very troubled by the war with North America.”

The news of the British army’s defeat by the North American Continental Army at the Battle of Saratoga a few months prior was now widely known in Britain.

Director Reynolds spoke with a gloomy face.

“We should minimize exhibitions for the time being. We have no choice but to save money until support or sponsorships come in…”

“But this competition has already received all the entries, hasn’t it? We have to announce the winners in a few days, and before that, we need to gather renowned judges to evaluate them. Also, the prize money needs to be disbursed upon the announcement… If we don’t receive support and can’t even pay the prize money, what a disgrace that would be!”

Their lamenting appearance conveyed deep despair and worry.

Just then,

“Sir Theo Sanderson! Come in! His Majesty the King is waiting!”

The adjutant captain announced Tae-oh’s name loudly.

Instantly, the eyes of everyone in the room turned to Tae-oh.

Whispers arose here and there.

‘Theo Sanderson’ was a name causing a sensation in London these days.

It was all because of the coffee that had created such a buzz.

People glanced at Tae-oh as he rose from his seat and walked toward the adjutant.

Director Reynolds and his group, gathered near the reception room door, stepped aside and stared openly at Tae-oh.

Then, Tae-oh and Director Reynolds came face to face.

He offered an awkward smile and politely bowed his head to show his friendliness to Tae-oh.

Tae-oh returned the bow.

‘Who is he? I don’t think I’ve met him before…?’

With their piercing gaze on his back, Tae-oh entered the reception room.

*

As soon as King George saw Tae-oh, he spoke, sounding both scolding and welcoming.

“I heard you went to Jamaica and would be back in a few months, but it’s been a year since you returned?”

It was a reproachful rebuke mixed with joy and resentment.

“Your Majesty, I have no excuse, as I was delayed due to several unforeseen events.”

From the moment King George learned that Tae-oh was not in England, he felt uneasy.

The improved mental state he had achieved through psychotherapy gradually worsened during Tae-oh’s absence, and although not as severely as before, he felt quite unwell.

However, Tae-oh observed that King George’s movements and emotional state were not as dire as he had feared.

He seemed somewhat agitated due to the recent defeat in the war with North America, but not to the point where Tae-oh sensed the early stages of depression or physical abnormalities as before.

‘Still, that’s a relief…’

He had been worried about a relapse of the King’s anxiety or depression.

But fortunately, there seemed to be no major problems, and he appeared to be maintaining his authority as king.

It seemed that history was changing, at least concerning George III’s health.

While Tae-oh was lost in thought, King George brought up the topic of coffee, which had recently become a sensation.

“I was very surprised to see the newspaper. The coffee causing such a stir in France is from your farm! I was so surprised and happy. Hehe.”

Bright emotions radiated from King George’s expression and gestures.

“But I’m truly curious after just reading the articles. Sir Sanderson, how exceptional is the coffee you grow that it’s causing such a commotion in France and elsewhere?”

Tae-oh bowed politely and replied.

“Your Majesty, I have brought the beans myself today to serve you a very special coffee.”

At that moment, a high-ranking official beside King George clicked his tongue and scolded Tae-oh.

“Tsk, tsk, Sir Sanderson! If it was such a remarkable coffee, shouldn’t you have given it to His Majesty the King as soon as you arrived in England?

I heard you sold it all to the French, and even gave a cup to the club members when you came to London… And now you offer His Majesty the King a taste of coffee?

Do you even realize how disrespectful and disloyal your actions are to His Majesty, who has bestowed grace upon you?”

King George looked somewhat embarrassed.

“Ahem, ahem- No, there’s no need to say so much. He contacted me as soon as he arrived, but I was busy and delayed the invitation, so it can’t be seen as Sanderson’s fault.

Above all, he sold good coffee to France and brought the money to England, so he should be praised for such skills. Well… It’s a little disappointing that I’m only tasting the coffee now…”

King George tried to defend Tae-oh, but his expression and voice were filled with resentment.

Tae-oh raised his head and said to King George.

“Your Majesty, please do not misunderstand. The coffee currently mentioned in newspapers and magazines is just ordinary coffee from my farm. The difference between that and this special coffee I brought for Your Majesty is significant.”

King George tilted his head, showing great interest.

“What does that mean? Are you saying there’s another coffee besides the one causing a stir? And that it’s significantly different?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. There are two main types of coffee made from the coffee beans grown on my farm in Jamaica.

One is the ‘Jamaica Blue Mountain T&S Original’ that is making the world noisy, and the other is a very special coffee called ‘Jamaica Blue Mountain T&S Juba Collection’.

Today, I have brought the ‘Jamaica Blue Mountain T&S Juba Collection’, which no one in the world has ever tasted, to present it to His Majesty the King for the first time.”

“Oh-, oh- Sir Sanderson!”

King George looked deeply moved by Tae-oh’s explanation.

“Hehe, yes, yes. I knew it.”

King George rebuked the high-ranking official who had been criticizing Tae-oh.

“See? What did I say? I told you that Sir Sanderson is not the kind of person you think he is, didn’t I? I believed he had something else in mind. Hehe.”

Tae-oh politely asked King George, who was smiling happily.

“Then, Your Majesty, may I prepare a special coffee for you here now?”

King George nodded.

“Really? You’ve even prepared to make coffee. Yes. Go ahead and do that. I wanted a cup of coffee anyway because of the long audience, so that’s good. I want to taste it quickly too.”

Tae-oh winked at a servant standing nearby.

The servants quickly placed the equipment and table for making coffee in front of Tae-oh.

Tae-oh took out a small mortar and well-aged beans, and began to grind and chop them with a skill that was now quite familiar.

Thump- thump- grrr- grrr-

‘Jamaica Blue Mountain T&S Juba Collection’ made from the fruits specially picked by Juba.

Since he was scheduled to meet King George at the end of February, he had prepared roasted beans that Juba had collected in advance and aged.

However, as the meeting was postponed, Tae-oh had tried making and tasting the T&S Juba Collection coffee beans himself.

The T&S Original green beans also tasted better because they were exposed to the sea breeze, so he was very curious about how the T&S Juba Collection would taste.

The result was amazing.

A coffee of exceptional quality was born, far exceeding Tae-oh’s expectations.

He thought he had become accustomed to the aroma and taste of T&S coffee beans, but the moment he tasted the Juba Collection, he felt that the T&S Original coffee beans he had been drinking were too ordinary.

The T&S Juba Collection had an infinitely deep and mellow aroma, extreme smoothness and softness, and the ecstasy of a savory and bittersweet sweetness that enveloped the entire mouth, making him feel that every drop was so precious it was painful.

As Juba’s green beans crossed the sea, the sea breeze permeated them, and the basic aroma and taste seemed to have been upgraded several times more than the original.

“Your Majesty, it’s ready. Please try it.”

“Oh, yes. The scent is incredibly sweet.”

Slurp-

King George was so surprised by the aroma and taste of the coffee that he was speechless.

“Th, this is… Huh-.”

He could only open his mouth with a blank expression at the taste of coffee that far exceeded his expectations.

The fascinating and enchanting scent even drew Queen Charlotte, who was receiving noble ladies in the next room.

As the flavorful coffee scent wafted through the open door, the Queen requested permission to enter the reception room.

As soon as permission was granted, the Queen opened the door and asked Tae-oh for coffee.

She drank a cup without regard for her dignity and asked for another.

It wasn’t just the Queen. The same was true of King George and his ministers.

The high-ranking official who had been scolding Tae-oh had a blank look on his face because the first T&S coffee he tasted was not ‘Original’ but ‘Juba Collection’.

He couldn’t even ask for more out of pride, and just stared at the quickly emptied coffee cup with regretful eyes.

After the brief coffee tasting,

Still captivated by the lingering impression, King George’s voice was low and relaxed.

“Rumored delicacies are often disappointing when I actually taste them because of the anticipation, but this taste is even better than the rumors… Huh, really.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”

“Above all, I admire your intention to produce such high-quality coffee with the British royal family in mind. As you said, we should first supply a certain amount to our British royal family, and then pass on the rest to other foreign royal families at a good price, hehe.”

King George was already envisioning the royal families of other countries eagerly buying ‘T&S Juba Collection’, calling it a coffee worth more than a billion dollars.

At that moment, Tae-oh bowed his head and said.

“Your Majesty, thanks to Your Majesty’s grace, such good coffee could be born. To repay that grace even a little, I would like to provide the coffee for Your Majesty and the Queen free of charge so that it never runs out.”

“No, this precious coffee…”

“No. It’s only for Your Majesty and the Queen, so it’s not that much. Please accept my small token of loyalty.”

Queen Charlotte was overjoyed, and King George couldn’t hide his happy smile at Tae-oh’s loyal gesture.

“Yes, yes. I shouldn’t reject your admirable heart for thinking of me. Thank you. I will enjoy this precious coffee very much.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

King George, his mind somewhat calmed by the coffee, was about to bring up the war with North America to Tae-oh.

But then the adjutant approached King George and quietly informed him.

“Your Majesty, it’s almost time to discuss the trade agreement with the Russian ambassador.”

King George frowned and said.

“Has the time already come? Oh, Sir Sanderson, I have an important inter-state agreement, so I must end our conversation here today.

Instead, please make time sometime next week. I want to have an in-depth discussion with you about the problem with the American colonies. I’m too busy today.”

“Your Majesty, please call on me anytime.”

“Yes, don’t stray far from England, no, London, for the time being.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

**

Tae-oh, having concluded his pleasant audience with King George, was waiting for a carriage to take him home.

But then someone approached him from behind and called out.

“Hello, Sir Sanderson?”

Tae-oh turned around and saw the plump-faced nobleman named ‘Reynolds’ and his party, whom he had seen in the waiting room earlier.

“Ah, yes. Hello? I saw you in the waiting room earlier…?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Then a man who seemed to be with him politely introduced Reynolds.

“Sir Sanderson, this is Sir Joshua Reynolds, Director of the Royal Academy of Arts in London.”

“Ah, I see. Sir Reynolds, it’s an honor to meet you.”

When Tae-oh politely greeted him again, Director Reynolds waved his hand, looking embarrassed.

“Oh, no. Sir Sanderson. We are more honored, haha.”

Tae-oh carefully examined Reynolds and his party.

‘Royal Academy of Arts…’

They certainly seemed to possess artistic sensibilities, but they also appeared rushed and anxious, as if they were being chased by something.

‘I think they know me well through newspapers and magazines, but what business do these artists have with me?’

Director Reynolds politely asked Tae-oh.

“Sir Sanderson, do you have some time now?”

“Time?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Do you have something to discuss with me?”

“We would like to invite Sir Sanderson to our Royal Academy of Arts. We would like you to visit the Academy with us and take a look around, as we have something important to tell you there. Do you have time today?”

Director Reynolds looked at Tae-oh with earnest eyes.