He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 183

< Hidden Intentions >

King George and his ministers were bewildered by Tae-oh’s mention of the Joseon Kingdom.

This was because Joseon was not well known in Europe at the time. Only a few traders or officials who had visited Qing China had barely heard the name ‘Joseon Kingdom’.

King George asked with a twinkle in his eye:

“The Joseon Kingdom… isn’t that the country that produces Goryeo ginseng?”

King George had given Tae-oh expensive Goryeo ginseng as a gift to treat his chronic neurosis.

“That is correct, Your Majesty. The country where the Goryeo ginseng you bestowed upon me comes from is indeed the Joseon Kingdom.”

“So, you’re saying that high-quality tea at the level of Qing China is cultivated in that kingdom?”

A minister quickly interjected, pretending to know.

“Your Majesty, I have personally seen the Joseon Kingdom when I visited Qing China several years ago. It is a very small country attached to Qing China, and I understand it is a tributary state that pays tribute to Qing every year. In fact, it is practically ruled by Qing China, so Count Sanderson’s plan seems to have little significance.”

Tae-oh shook his head.

“No! The Joseon Kingdom has indeed been influenced by Qing China for a long time due to its geographical location, but it is clearly an independent nation and not a tributary state at all.”

King George asked with a curious expression:

“Not a tributary state of Qing… How does the Count know the Joseon Kingdom so well?”

“I have a connection from a long time ago, so I came to know that country.”

“So, you’re saying that tea of the same level as Qing China comes from such a small, nameless kingdom?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. As far as I know, the custom of drinking tea has been prevalent in the Joseon Kingdom for thousands of years, long before it became established in that region.

In the warm southern regions, entire mountain paths of about 20 acres are tea plantations, and I have heard that there are several such places in the Joseon Kingdom. Even now, that’s the extent, so if trade increases in the future, more production will be possible.

Moreover, the current demand for tea in our country is incomparably smaller than before. If it’s about the amount that’s causing problems in trade with Qing China, the Joseon Kingdom will be able to supply a considerable amount.”

Twenty acres was about the size of ten large soccer fields. A surprised King George asked:

“Are you saying that such a small country has been producing so much tea for so long?”

“That is correct. The Joseon Kingdom does not drink coffee, but like Qing China, it has a long-standing tea-drinking culture, and even ordinary people widely enjoy tea.

Moreover, in my experience, the quality of the tea is much softer and the flavor is subtle. If it’s good, it’s good, and it will never be inferior to Qing China. Therefore, I don’t think we need to insist on trading with Qing China, which has so much to lose.

Also, the people of the Joseon Kingdom are sincere, value loyalty, and have gentle and honest national characteristics, so I believe that once trade becomes possible, it will be beneficial in many ways.”

Member of Parliament Lyttelton immediately retorted.

“Are you really speaking knowing anything about that kingdom? What do you know to say that the people of the Joseon Kingdom are trustworthy?

Hmm, from what I’ve heard, that nation is inherently deceitful and always hostile to neighboring countries…”

MP Lyttelton, who knew little about Joseon, insisted on maintaining trade with Qing China at all costs.

But then, a member of the House of Commons from Portsmouth, who had long experience in overseas trade, spoke up.

“No, MP Lyttelton. I have traded with merchants from the Joseon Kingdom before, so I know them a little. I think Lord Sanderson’s words are closer to the truth.”

King George showed great interest when a member of the House of Commons who had traded with the Joseon Kingdom appeared.

“Oh- you’ve traded with the Joseon Kingdom? Tell me, tell me more!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I went to a place called Chaekmun [a border market] in Fenghuangcheng, Qing China. That place is a meeting area between Qing China and the Joseon Kingdom, and many traders from Joseon came there. I had several opportunities to trade with merchants from the Joseon Kingdom there.”

“What was their disposition when you dealt with them directly? Is it as Lord Sanderson says?”

“I can’t make a judgment because I haven’t met many people from the Joseon Kingdom, but it was generally similar to what Count Sanderson said.

At that time, Qing China ginseng merchants routinely committed dishonest acts, such as cleverly adding lead pieces to increase the weight of ginseng or mixing in adulterated products to sell.

I was tired of such tricks, but the merchants from the Joseon Kingdom, whom I accidentally met, were more innocent and honest than any other merchants in Qing China, and I still vividly remember that their goods were also good.”

“That’s right. I have heard many times that Goryeo ginseng is of excellent quality and does not cheat.”

“That is correct, Your Majesty. Moreover, it seemed that not only ginseng but also tea was of a considerable level in the Joseon Kingdom. Ah! I heard directly from Qing China merchants that pottery is also famous.”

Wild ginseng was discovered in large quantities in North America, so it was not as much as before, but ginseng was still one of the very expensive medicinal ingredients that were not generally easy to use.

In particular, Qing China highly valued the medicinal value of ginseng and strictly controlled its exports, so prices often fluctuated depending on market conditions.

Everyone was surprised to hear that there was another country besides Qing China that produced such ginseng, tea, and even pottery.

King George reconfirmed with the member of the House of Commons.

“So, you’re saying that the Joseon Kingdom, right next door, is also cultivating and trading those precious medicinal ingredients and tea leaves like Qing China?”

“Yes, they were not only cultivating but also trading. Of course, there were more cases of selling in the form of smuggling, but even then, the goods of the Joseon Kingdom merchants were quite reliable.”

King George nodded repeatedly and said to the ministers.

“If there are much better goods at a good price and people are so trustworthy, shouldn’t we not insist on trading with Qing China, which has no respect, as Lord Sanderson says?”

Then MP Lyttelton glared and questioned.

“In order for trade to be successful, it is necessary to know not only the culture of the other country but also, above all, the basic language of that country.

But now that there is no one who properly knows the culture or language of Qing China, how long will it take to master the culture and language of that small Joseon Kingdom and trade with them?”

Tae-oh answered as if he had been waiting.

“That’s a very good point. You’ve pointed out a really important part. Even in a colony occupied by force, smooth rule is possible only if you properly know the language of that country.

When approaching a country in another cultural sphere to trade, if you know the culture or language of that country well, it will be half the success.

Therefore, after learning the language and culture of the Joseon Kingdom as much as possible, we must establish a strategic partnership with Joseon as a bridgehead in the Asian region in order to sustain successful trade.”

“No, who doesn’t know that? Isn’t that why it’s not easy?”

“That’s right. It’s not an easy task and it takes a long time. If you prepare in a hurry, you won’t be able to achieve the intended purpose. It’s not possible to cut off relations with Qing China right now. We need to look ahead a few years and gradually train professional manpower.”

“Do you have a specific plan to develop professional manpower?”

“As I teach children at Theo School, there are several very talented people who surpass the minds of ordinary people.

If we select those students separately and intensively teach them the language and culture of the Joseon Kingdom for about two years and assign them to key practical tasks, I believe that very great results will follow.”

MP Lyttelton snorted as if he was dumbfounded.

“Huh- Theo School is now saying that they can also teach the language of the Joseon Kingdom?”

“Yes, that’s right. We plan to teach the language of that kingdom for trade with the Joseon Kingdom.”

“What? No, who knows the language of such a small country to make such reckless remarks?”

Tae-oh had no choice but to take the lead in the language and culture education of Joseon.

Of course, Tae-oh was well aware that there were considerable differences between modern Korean and the language of 18th-century Joseon.

However, according to his memory, the Joseon language recorded in the 1800s was at a level that Tae-oh could fully interpret.

Conversely, this means that Joseon people can understand a considerable part of the Korean that Tae-oh uses.

Even if it is not perfect Joseon language, it is enough if it is at a level where they can understand each other and conduct trade negotiations without difficulty.

It was a judgment that if they learned the language in that way and approached it with the history and culture of Joseon in mind as much as possible, they would be able to draw unexpected good results.

But if he said here that he would teach Joseon language, it seemed that the explanation would be too long.

“I will find a Joseon language teacher at all costs. Please leave that problem to me.”

A minister asked Tae-oh with worried eyes.

“Do you really mean that our England will gain something in the Asian region through exchanges with such a small kingdom?”

“I think that exchanges with the Joseon Kingdom are very important to our England in terms of geographical location.

The Joseon Kingdom is located between Qing China and Japan, and because it is a country with three sides bordering the sea, it was in a position to easily spread anywhere through the sea.

Also, since Russia is right above it, it seems that we can control its expansion from under its nose.”

Tae-oh’s knowledge and information about Joseon could not help but be infinitely broad and deep.

Members of Parliament from the Navy Admiral and trade representatives who knew parts of it could not find any loopholes in Tae-oh’s words.

Rather, they were just wondering how he knew so much about that small Asian country.

* * *

King George decided to discuss Tae-oh’s agenda regarding trade negotiations in more depth a week later and make a decision.

As Tae-oh and other nobles left the palace, a few high-ranking ministers and MP Lyttelton remained separately in front of King George and continued their conversation.

MP Lyttelton bowed his head in front of King George and struggled to add strength to his argument.

He didn’t think it would happen, but if trade with Qing China was cut off and trade with the Joseon Kingdom was established, the huge profits he had made would disappear, so he had no choice but to feel anxious.

“Your Majesty, I know better than anyone how much Count Sanderson has dedicated himself to this country and His Majesty the King.

But no matter how loyal and truthful a servant is, they will become corrupt over time and try to take care of their own interests.

That’s what happened just now. Count Sanderson is ultimately trying to take advantage of his school’s students to establish an Asian trading company that surpasses the East India Company, and then obtain exclusive rights related to it to make a great profit, which was obvious to me.”

MP Lyttelton, who was more desperate than anything to open the way for trade with Qing China, from which he was receiving kickbacks, was anxious that Tae-oh might succeed in drawing up a trade agreement with the Joseon Kingdom.

King George replied in a lukewarm voice.

“Well… it seemed to me that Count Sanderson was putting forward the best plan in his own way, thinking of our England more than anyone else.

Looking at the situation so far, isn’t there anything wrong with Lord Sanderson’s words? It seems that Qing China had no intention of having a proper trade agreement or trade with us in the first place.”

MP Lyttelton became anxious at King George’s attitude, which seemed to have already fallen for Tae-oh’s words.

“Your Majesty! That’s not true. If Count Sanderson really thought of his country, he should not have even brought up the story of trade with the Joseon Kingdom.

If Qing China finds out that we are cutting off relations with them and trying to trade with the Joseon Kingdom, they will never stand still. It may be a matter of waging war.

The Joseon Kingdom, which is attached to Qing China, will also try to avoid trading with us because it is aware of Qing China’s eyes.”

“Lord Sanderson wouldn’t have come up with this plan without thinking about that much. He said he would make a presentation with a detailed plan next week, so let’s listen to it in detail then.”

MP Lyttelton, whose face turned red at King George’s firm belief, opened his mouth with a firm expression.

“Your Majesty! Please do not dismiss the words of this old servant. When you discuss this matter again in a week, if you carefully observe Count Sanderson’s actions, you will be able to believe my loyal advice.”

“Lord Sanderson’s actions?”

“When the story of the Joseon Kingdom delegation comes up, Count Sanderson will surely try to take all the credit by becoming the representative of that delegation or placing his closest aide.”

“Well… if the work of the Joseon Kingdom is to proceed, isn’t it reasonable for Lord Sanderson, who planned this work, to become the representative and take the lead?”

“That’s not true, Your Majesty! If a person who has made a huge amount of money in various businesses thanks to the grace of His Majesty the King monopolizes the trade rights in East Asia, more power will inevitably be concentrated on Lord Sanderson, and that power will foster a very terrible greed.”

“Is Count Sanderson such a person? He is still returning almost all of his property to society?”

“Your Majesty, please recall the Sanderson Agreement last time. Fortunately, the results were good by chance, but most of the negotiators at that time were Lord Sanderson’s closest aides.

Also, look at Colonel Nelson and Lieutenant Colonel Rogers, who are being supported by Count Sanderson in the military and are rapidly rising in rank. Lord Sanderson is increasing his position in the Navy and Army with Admiral Bentham.

Your Majesty! I guarantee that if His Majesty the King appoints someone other than Count Sanderson as the chief person in charge of handling the affairs of the Joseon Kingdom at the next meeting, he will surely make all kinds of excuses and try to put himself or his people forward.”

“…Then, how do you think we should deal with the current situation?”

“I think that trade with Qing China should be the top priority. We need a market to export British goods more than anything else.

However, if that is not possible, we should consider trade with the Joseon Kingdom, but we should choose a person in charge who is completely unrelated to Count Sanderson.”

“An objective person…”

The Minister of Finance, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.

“Then, at the next meeting, we should ask Count Sanderson to train only the working-level personnel for interpretation and trade, and then ask him what he thinks about making the person in charge someone who is not related to Count Sanderson at all.”

MP Lyttelton replied confidently.

“That’s right. If you do that, you will be able to see Count Sanderson’s hidden intentions clearly.”

King George clicked his tongue and scolded.

“Tsk tsk- hidden intentions? How can you speak so recklessly? How can it be hidden intentions to volunteer to go to that far Asia to realize his planned plan well? Lord Sanderson is absolutely not such a person!”

MP Lyttelton even shed tears and appealed.

“Your Majesty! You will be able to see if you keep watching! Suddenly, let’s make a trade agreement with a small kingdom named Joseon that is unfamiliar? I am convinced that there is a huge hidden intention in Count Sanderson’s argument that I cannot understand. Please consider my loyal advice!”