He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 162

162. Lucy’s Heart

“What? You’re saying a Korean wrote that article in a French newspaper?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The reception room buzzed with murmurs.

Everyone, including King George and his ministers and parliamentarians, was visibly surprised that a Briton, not a Frenchman, had written such a detailed critique five years ago.

French censorship of the press was known to be thorough, and its punishments were severe.

But the stricter the censorship, the more underground publications thrived.

Known as ‘libelles’ [illegal publications in France], these publications criticized and satirized the monarch, nobles, and clergy, even creating pamphlets and newspapers containing their scandalous wrongdoings, much to their embarrassment.

However, due to the intense censorship in France, producing critical material within the country was difficult.

Most of these publications were produced in places like the Netherlands, Switzerland, or England and then smuggled into France.

King George asked, his eyes gleaming.

“The article that appeared in the French newspaper… could it be written by one of the talents you mentioned?”

Tae-oh nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

King George, wearing a satisfied smile, instructed Tae-oh.

“Quickly, tell me who these outstanding French experts are, one by one.”

At King George’s urging, Tae-oh named Colin Peterson, Simon Hughes, and Scipio Marshall, briefly explaining why they could play a special role in the agreement with France.

King George, as well as most of the ministers and noble parliamentarians, generally agreed with Tae-oh’s explanation.

In particular, in the case of Viscount Simon Hughes, who was from a noble family in London and whose brilliance was known to many ministers, persuasion was not very difficult.

The problem was Scipio Marshall.

“By the way, Lord Sanderson, this Dr. Scipio Marshall you just mentioned… isn’t he a former black slave? The one who lectured at the university with the support of Earl Marshall?”

At the words of the Earl of Albemarle, a former university professor, everyone’s attention turned to him.

“Yes, that’s correct. He is a former freed black slave who lectured at the university.”

The words ‘black slave’ sparked outrage from all corners.

In particular, the sharp criticism from the Chancellor of the Exchequer echoed loudly in the reception room.

“No, a black slave in an important negotiation that could determine the fate of the country! How much would the French negotiating team ridicule and ignore us if we brought such a person? Absolutely not!”

Tae-oh calmly retorted.

“Yes, of course, you might think that way. But this is a very difficult and complex negotiation where we have to put almost every item from both countries on the negotiating table and engage in a fierce battle. It’s like waging a major war with France, calculating the benefits for each item, only without guns.

In such a crucial matter involving the fate of the nation, what does it matter if someone is white or black? What truly matters is the practical benefit that our England will gain. Dr. Marshall is the most meticulous and intelligent person I have ever seen.”

However, even with Tae-oh’s persuasion, their expressions remained doubtful.

Looking around at them, Tae-oh spoke again.

“In fact, the reason I read out the article from the French newspaper from five years ago was precisely to break down these prejudices.”

King George, catching on, asked.

“Then, that article… are you saying it was written by this freed black slave named Scipio?”

Tae-oh nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Dr. Scipio Marshall meticulously analyzed France’s economic situation and wrote that article several years ago. At the request of the French newspaper, he contributed to newspapers and magazines in French and English under the pseudonym ‘Pio’ and caused quite a stir.

If you look at the other materials I have here, there are even more surprising articles. For example, he predicted the changes in France’s total production volume two years later, as well as the expected profits for various industries, with astonishing accuracy, based on the international situation.”

King George instructed his aide-de-camp.

“Aide-de-camp! Bring me Lord Sanderson’s materials.”

At the King’s command, the aide-de-camp received the newspaper and magazine articles that Tae-oh had extracted and delivered them to King George.

King George carefully examined Scipio’s neatly organized articles, nodding repeatedly.

“Hmm… If someone with such insight were part of the French negotiating team, it would be quite burdensome for England. But to think that person is British…”

The situation changed when an opponent who would have been so troublesome became one of our own.

If England gains a lot of benefits in trade and the people become prosperous as a result of this negotiation, what does it matter if the other side laughs at a black man being on the negotiating team?

The corners of King George’s lips slightly curved upwards at the pseudonym ‘Pio’ written in small letters under the newspaper article.

He felt relieved that a problem that had been troubling him was now resolved thanks to Lord Sanderson.

◈ London, Mayfair, Tae-oh’s residence.

Tae-oh, having finished the meeting at Windsor Castle, had dinner with Scipio Marshall, the director of the research institute, who had left work.

The conversation during the meal was naturally about the French trade agreement.

After Director Scipio’s long explanation, Tae-oh requested.

“Yes, that’s a really good opinion. I don’t know how the negotiating team will actually be formed or who will participate, but I would appreciate it if you could gather as much information as possible about France and prepare countermeasures for the negotiation you mentioned today.”

“Understood, Representative.”

Although it was a troublesome task, Director Scipio’s voice and expression were very bright.

He was full of energy, completely different from the man he had seen at the Manchester factory.

As he was going up to his study after dinner, the housekeeper, Mrs. Mary, came to find Tae-oh.

“Master, I….”

“Mrs. Mary, what’s wrong?”

Mrs. Mary carefully opened her mouth.

“It’s just that Lucy seems to be…somewhat unwell.”

“What? Lucy? She was fine this morning?”

Tae-oh remembered seeing her going to work in the morning.

“Yes, it’s not that she’s physically ill right now. But she’s been unusually quiet for over ten days, and her face looks so depressed…. No matter how delicious I make her food, she doesn’t eat it. I’m worried that she might have a serious mental illness.”

Tae-oh suddenly thought of what had happened in the morning.

He remembered Lucy following him to Windsor Castle and looking after Captain Rogers.

Tae-oh smiled and said to Mrs. Mary.

“Yes, I understand. Don’t worry, Mrs. Mary, and go back. I’ll take care of it.”

“Thank you, Master.”

◈ The next morning, Theo Marriage Agency, 5th floor, CEO’s office.

Swish, swish.

Tae-oh, who was signing the approval documents, raised his head and looked at Lucy.

Looking closely, her face was indeed haggard, as Mrs. Mary had said.

“Lucy? You’re at the age where you should get married; shouldn’t you meet a suitable man?”

Lucy was flustered by Tae-oh’s sudden talk about marriage.

“Representative? Suddenly marriage… what do you mean?”

Lucy’s voice, which was always cheerful, had no strength at all.

Her heart was completely taken by Captain Jude Rogers, and she was endlessly depressed by the thought that it was an impossible love.

“I’ve been too careless. I take care of other people’s marriages, but I haven’t paid attention to Lucy’s marriage… I also made a promise to Lucy’s mother back then, and I’ve actually carefully selected someone who would be a perfect match for Lucy. How about meeting him?”

“…….”

Tae-oh stared at Lucy, who didn’t answer.

The fact that Lucy was working as a manager at the marriage agency was not only because she could read and write and was quick-witted, but also because of her likable appearance.

If someone comes for counseling wanting to get married, but the appearance of the person giving the counseling is unlikable, it will inevitably be a disadvantage in conducting the business.

In that respect, Lucy, who has a neat yet cute charm, was perfect as a matching manager who needed to have both trustworthiness and friendliness.

Perhaps that’s why there were several male members who were subtly interested in Lucy.

However, they and Lucy didn’t match in personality, and Lucy’s feelings didn’t move at all, so they weren’t connected.

But Lucy, whom he saw at Windsor Castle yesterday, was deeply in love with Captain Rogers.

“The person I’m going to introduce has actually seemed like the perfect match for Lucy for a while now. I’ve been thinking that I should definitely introduce them sometime, but it’s been too late. So, without further ado, just meet him once. I’m sure you’ll like him very much.”

“Representative. I’m sorry, but I don’t have the time to meet anyone right now.”

Tae-oh smiled at Lucy’s answer.

‘Hmph – she must be too busy thinking about Captain Rogers.’

Since General Howe’s rebellion three years ago, Tae-oh and Captain Rogers had become very close.

At the time, Lieutenant Jude Rogers, who was loyal, had a good mind, and had a natural leadership ability, seemed to Tae-oh to be a great general in the future.

When General Howe raised the banner of rebellion, most of the young officers sided with the rebels, but Lieutenant Rogers sided with King George because he judged that there was no justification, and he assisted Tae-oh, who was the temporary commander of the government army, and fought at the risk of his life.

Although he was from a commoner background and didn’t have a strong background like other officers, Tae-oh decided to help him to the end after seeing his demeanor as a true soldier who didn’t spare himself every moment and fought at the forefront.

‘I used my influence to get Captain Rogers into the Guards as a company commander, so this time I have to help him with his marriage.

If Lucy is with Captain Rogers in his life, a true and proper general who will lead England will be born.’

Lucy and Captain Rogers worked together and watched each other from right next to each other, so even without grading them, he could fully predict how well their personalities matched.

Moreover, now that he had seen Lucy completely fall for Captain Rogers, there was no need to delay any longer.

“Lucy, I’m not forcing you. I’ve just made time for the beginning of next month, so please just go out and meet him once.

Hoo-hoo – I don’t think that will happen, but if the man I introduce doesn’t suit Lucy’s taste and doesn’t match, I won’t force you any further.”

Lucy had a very troubled expression.

“Representative. I’m really grateful and thankful that you’re taking care of me… but as I said before, I don’t have the mental space right now.”

“Why don’t you have the space?”

“Right now… I want to work. I want to earn money.”

“Is that really the whole reason?”

“Yes…. What other reason would there be?”

“Don’t do that, Lucy. I think this man is perfect for you, so just meet him once.

Agh, I can’t do this. Okay, I’ll tell you everything. The person I’m going to introduce is, well, Captain Rogers, when I was the temporary commander of the government army….”

As Tae-oh was about to tell her in detail about Captain Rogers, Lucy cut him off.

“I’m really sorry, Representative. I haven’t been feeling well lately, and my body…”

Lucy, who was about to make excuses, suddenly tilted her head.

“Representative…? Are you doing this because you heard something from Mrs. Mary or Manager Isabel and misunderstood my feelings?”

“What? Misunderstood?”

“Yes, it’s strange because you would never do this. I was wondering if you were going to introduce me because you mistakenly thought I wanted to get married.”

“That’s….”

“I’m really grateful and thankful that you’re taking care of me like this… but I’m really not interested.”

Lucy was so quick-witted that she seemed to have sensed something about Tae-oh’s unusual persistence.

However, Lucy’s actions confused even Tae-oh.

‘What is it? Did I misunderstand because she just happened to be looking at Captain Rogers? I couldn’t read her expression properly because she was too far away, but still, Lucy’s feelings seemed very different from usual…?’

He thought she would be very happy if he mentioned Captain Rogers, but she was lukewarm even after hearing his name.

Tae-oh became more cautious in many ways, thinking that he might have been mistaken.

But, apart from that, they seemed like a perfect couple.

Now that things had come to this, he decided to push ahead with the introduction.

“Okay, I understand. I understand, but you can spare 30 minutes, right? Please let me keep my promise to your mother before the year is over. Huh?”

Lucy’s mother, who had come to London to see her daughter a few years ago, had asked Tae-oh several times to introduce her to a suitable match if he saw one.

Lucy seemed to be reminded of her pitiful mother, and she hesitated, unable to refuse any longer.

And, with a small sigh, she agreed.

“Yes, since you’re taking care of me like this… I’ll meet him once.”

“Oh – great. Then, I’ll tell him too. You two are really perfect for each other? A match made in heaven. Trust me.”

Lucy, who bowed her head silently, left the CEO’s office with an endlessly dark expression.

‘Gee – that’s not right. She definitely seemed to have feelings for Captain Rogers back then….’

◈ Theo Institute for Mercantile Studies and Education, Director’s office.

Early May 1782.

Recently, the French government, feeling a great financial threat due to domestic and international circumstances, had reportedly formed a negotiating team for trade negotiations with England, headed by Charles Alexandre de Calonne, the Comptroller-General of Finances [finance minister].

It was a natural measure for France, which was facing serious domestic financial problems, to stake its life on a trade agreement with England.

England was also actively responding to the agreement, believing that free trade with France, its largest market, would greatly help its industrial development.

The two countries had virtually agreed to hold the first round of negotiations in February 1783 at the Palace of Versailles in France.

In response, King George ordered the formation of a negotiating team of seven people, including the three people Tae-oh had recommended and their aides.

The five members of the negotiating team unanimously nominated Tae-oh Sanderson as the chief negotiator, unexpectedly making Tae-oh the head of the negotiating team.

An aide to Chancellor of the Exchequer Andrew Hall actively promoted the Chancellor, citing the fact that the head of the French negotiating team was the Comptroller-General of Finances, but George III listened to the words of the five negotiating team members and appointed Tae-oh as the chief negotiator.

And they mainly began concrete preparations for the agreement with France, which would be held early next year, at the Theo Institute for Mercantile Studies and Education.

“So, the figures shown in this data are the export volume of British textiles and manufactured goods?”

Viscount Simon Hughes answered Tae-oh’s question.

“Yes, it is the price of textiles and manufactured goods produced in England over the past five years and the export volume for them.”

The data showed a rapidly increasing export volume over the past five years.

However, the export volume to France was not up to expectations compared to other countries.

It was the result of high tariffs [taxes on imports or exports].

At that time, Director Scipio Marshall opened his mouth.

“Here are the results of the impact on us when the French side reports that they will export agricultural products and wine to England in large quantities and the tariff rate is set at 10%.”

Looking at the report that the director handed him, Tae-oh asked Colin Peterson.

“Lord Peterson. Have you gotten the approximate period-by-period figures when the tariff rate on cotton fabrics is set at 13% and passed on to France?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The data that Colin Peterson handed over had the actual sales forecast recorded by month, calculating the tariff rate on the monthly output.

Tae-oh, looking at their data with a satisfied expression, calculated the detailed tariff rates and the gains and losses accordingly, one by one.

In this way, the ‘Eden Treaty’ of William Eden, Baron Auckland, which existed in the original history, disappeared, and a new trade agreement by Baron Theo Sanderson was being prepared.