I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 240

There are broadly two types of people:

Those who learn from their mistakes, and those who shout, “I wasn’t wrong!” even after making a mistake, repeating the same actions.

It’s said that countries on the path to ruin usually belong to the latter, and whether or not that’s true for the Qing Dynasty, the Manchurian army certainly consisted of the latter.

“What! The Joseon [Korean] army is attacking us?”

“Yes!”

“Why would the Joseon army do that? And before that, why are they even in the Maritime Province! Don’t tell me they’re also invading Arasa [Russia]?”

“It seems that way. Furthermore, upon investigation, the Joseon army is joining hands with the Waegu (Japanese army) and planting their flag in the Maritime Province.”

I’ve never seen such a bizarre situation in my life.

The Qing commanders, who were tasked with leading the invasion of the Maritime Province, were at a loss as to how to interpret this situation.

“But even if there are Joseon troops, why would those bastards attack us?”

“I don’t know. They just shot at us.”

To be precise, Qing soldiers charging at night on horseback had provoked the situation, but admitting that would mean admitting fault.

Five men were seriously injured and two were killed by the Joseon army’s shelling.

Casualties occurred during a simple mission where they were supposed to strike defenseless scarecrows and gain merit.

If they reported this to the Imperial Court, they would naturally be criticized for incompetence.

The expression of the commander, who had planned to make a name for himself and live lavishly in Beijing, rapidly darkened.

To somehow resolve this situation, it had to be entirely the fault of the Joseon side.

“Hey, are you sure about that? Did those bastards suddenly start firing guns and cannons?”

“…W-Well, yes. We really just cautiously approached them to have a conversation, but they suddenly fired cannons.”

“These crazy bastards… Are even those guys looking down on us now?”

“W-What should we do?”

“What do you mean, what should we do! We need to get an apology right away. And report it to the Imperial Court as it is!”

This whole thing was caused by Joseon’s crazy, impulsive behavior, and the Manchurian army bears no responsibility.

As they confidently demanded an apology, the Joseon and Japanese camps were dumbfounded.

“What the hell is wrong with those guys? They’re demanding a formal apology for this incident and want us to punish those responsible?”

“What? Not that they’ll punish those responsible for this incident, but they want us to punish them?”

“Yes. They say if we don’t apologize immediately, they’ll take action accordingly.”

Yi Beom-gyu, the Joseon army commander who had been ordered to occupy the Maritime Province area around the Tumen River, couldn’t even laugh at this absurd situation.

No, even if they were told to stop, they didn’t stop and came running with weapons, so were they supposed to just get attacked without firing back?

If Joseon had crossed the Qing border and done something like this, it would be understandable, but this place wasn’t Qing territory or Joseon territory in the first place.

“General, this is nonsense not worth listening to.”

“Of course. What is the Bakufu’s [Japanese Shogunate] opinion?”

Toyama, the commander of the Japanese army who was discussing how to adjust their offensive posture, scoffed as if it were ridiculous.

“The Qing still seems to think they’re something. We’re not at fault in this, so we can just ignore them like a dog barking.”

“You think so too?”

“Of course. Besides, what are they going to do if they take action? Declare war on Joseon or us?”

Joseon and the Bakufu are clearly allies of the British Empire.

So what are they going to do just because the Qing is angry?

Moreover, no matter how they looked at it, there was no reason for them to take a low profile, so Joseon and Japan clearly drew a line with the Qing side.

Stop talking nonsense and just get lost.

Of course, the Manchurian army never imagined that Joseon and Japan would give such an answer, so they were completely turned upside down.

Having stayed only in the Manchurian region, they knew in their heads that Qing had lost the war, but they hadn’t properly felt it in their bodies.

To them, Qing was still the center of the world, and Joseon and Japan were those who had to be mindful of them and act obsequiously.

But to not only admit their mistake but to send such an arrogant answer?

“Are these bastards really crazy?”

“In the first place, the Maritime Province was our Great Qing’s territory. How dare they crawl into that land as they please and attack us with such audacity.”

They had tried to blame everything on Joseon and Japan and slip away, but now that it had come to this, there was no answer.

If this went up to the Imperial Court, the Manchurian army would not only have suffered casualties in this simple mission but would also become the worst incompetent fools who were ignored by Joseon and Japan.

In this case… there is only one solution to overturn everything.

“Joseon and Japan conspired to attack us. They plan to seize the Maritime Province from Arasa and occupy it themselves. Let’s report that.”

“Yes?”

“We are absolutely not in this situation due to our mistakes. We were caught in their cunning schemes and suffered unexpected damage.”

“I see! Understood!”

It was a slander that would make the Joseon side so dumbfounded that they would do somersaults and spew curses in all directions, but what could they do?

Originally, the most important thing in the world is to protect oneself, and they can sacrifice others as much as they want for that.

Thus, the grand ambition of Joseon and Japan to swallow the entire Maritime Province reached Beijing via express messenger.

Hamfeng Emperor and Prince Gong, who heard this, clutched their heads and fell into 고민 [deep contemplation].

“Joseon launched a preemptive strike on our army?”

“They are joining forces with the Waegu (Japanese army) and attacking with the intention of driving the Manchurian army out of the Maritime Province.”

“Hmm… There’s no reason for the Joseon bastards to do this unless they’re crazy?”

“Your Majesty. What could be the reason for Joseon going crazy like this? They must be believing in the 영길리 (England) behind them and committing such arrogant acts.”

The departure of Joseon, which had been part of the 중화 (China)’s order until now, was a serious matter for 청 (Qing).

Although Joseon was a small country compared to 청 (Qing), in fact, Joseon’s value was very high from the perspective of 중원 (Central Plains).

Among the countries that recognized the 청 (Qing) emperor as 천자 (Son of Heaven) and paid tribute regularly, Joseon was relatively strong in national power and had a high level of culture.

It is because these countries recognize the order of 중화 (China) that the position of 천자 (Son of Heaven) can be further consolidated.

Even now, 월남 (Vietnam) and 류큐 (Ryukyu) are showing passive movements, and if Joseon does that here, there was concern that the 천조 (Heavenly Dynasty) order would be shaken rapidly.

This situation was no exaggeration to say that it was a threat comparable to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom rebellion that was taking place below.

“If Joseon swallows the Maritime Province as it is, excluding us, what will happen?”

“Joseon’s national power does not have the capacity to absorb all that land.”

“But what if they divide and rule with 영길리 (England) or 막부 (Shogunate)? Wouldn’t that be possible?”

“······.”

I don’t know well, but it seems that it can’t be concluded that it is impossible.

As the situation became serious, 함풍제 (Hamfeng Emperor) looked at his younger brother, who was much brighter than himself, and asked.

“What do you think? Should we just leave Joseon as it is?”

“Your Majesty. I am sorry to say this, but if we neglect Joseon’s departure, there is a high possibility that other tributary countries will follow suit. If that happens, this could be a situation where the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom is not a problem.”

“…That’s right.”

“First, send an envoy to find out the whole story. If Joseon really chooses the path of becoming a tributary state of 영길리 (England) rather than our tributary state, this is a matter that must be dealt with by 걸고 (risking) the national fortune.”

A 철퇴 (mace) is needed. A big and beautiful 철퇴 (mace) that will 깨버릴 (break) the heads of those who do not listen.

Even if he becomes a 순한 양 (gentle sheep) in front of the Western powers, 청 (Qing) still has a line that he cannot 물러날 (retreat) from because he has no intention of 놓을 (letting go) of the position of 천자 (Son of Heaven).

“진압 (Suppress) the 팔기 (Eight Banners) and 녹영 (Green Standard Army) in the 중남부 (Central and Southern regions), and 모아 (gather) the 병력 (troops) in the 동북방 (Northeast) and 쳐라 (strike) the 연해주 (Maritime Province). I will show the 본국 (homeland)’s 의지 (will).”

“Your Majesty! However, then an 양면전선 (irreversible two-front war) will be 형성 (formed).”

“It can’t be helped. If we 굽히고 들어가 (bow down) here, what would the countries that pay tribute to us think? This is the time to 나가야 할 (go out) strongly. And 받아오라 (get) a 확고한 (firm) answer from the 영길리 (England)’s ambassador about the 위치 (position) of 조선 (Joseon). 주지시키도록 (Remind) once again that 조선 (Joseon) is 청 (Qing)’s 속국 (vassal state).”

“…I will 받들겠나이다 (obey) Your Majesty’s 명 (order)!”

At first glance, it seemed like an unreasonable choice, but in some ways, it was an 어쩔 수 없는 (unavoidable) thing like 함풍제 (Hamfeng Emperor)’s 말 (words).

In order for 청 (Qing) to 존재 (exist) as 청 (Qing), there was no 여지 (choice) for this.

No matter how much they 긁어모아도 (scrape together) even their 영혼 (soul), it was not easy to 끌어모으기 (gather) more than 5,000 병력 (troops) in the 동북방 (Northeast) in the current situation of 청 (Qing), but they had to do this.

A 사소한 (trivial) 오해 (misunderstanding) and 충돌 (conflict), 거기에 (in addition) 여러 (various) 국제 (international) 정세 (situation) and 개인 (individual)’s 이기심 (selfishness) 더해지자 (added), the 사태 (situation) 눈덩이처럼 (snowball) 불어났고 (swelled) 누구도 (no one) 겉잡을 수 없을만큼 (out of control).

Eventually, 청 (Qing) sent a 최후통첩 (ultimatum) to 조선 (Joseon) and 막부 (Shogunate) and 정식으로 (formally) 진군시켰다 (marched) the 군대 (army) of 동북방 (Northeast) to 연해주 (Maritime Province).

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세상 (World)’s 모든 (all) 전쟁 (wars) 대부분 (most) 그렇지만 (but) 한번 (once) 불이 붙은 (ignited) 광기 (madness)’s 소용돌이 (whirlwind) 어지간해서는 (easily) 쉽게 (easily) 가라앉지 않는다 (does not subside).

특히나 (Especially) 여러 (various) 국가 (countries)’s 이해관계 (interests) 얽힌 (entangled) 세계 (world) 규모 (scale)’s 대전 (great war) 이라면 (if) 더더욱 (even more so) 그렇다 (it is).

누군가 (Someone) 한명이 (one person) 지쳐서 (tired) 나가 (go out) 떨어지거나 (fall) 모두가 (everyone) 더는 (no longer) 힘을 (strength) 짜낼 (squeeze) 여력이 (capacity) 없을 (not) 때까지 (until) 미친 (crazy) 듯한 (like) 광기 (madness)’s 열풍 (craze) 모든 걸 (everything) 집어삼켜버린다 (swallows).

일반적인 (General) 체스 (chess) 와는 (with) 다르다 (different).

상대방 (Opponent)’s 말을 (말을) 분명 (clearly) 모조리 (completely) 잡은 (caught) 거 (thing) 같은데 (same) 옆 (next) 동네 (neighborhood)’s 체스 (chess) 말을 (말을) 빌려와 (borrow) 판 (board) 위에 (on) 올려두는 (put) 행위 (act) 도 (also) 서슴지 않는다 (do not hesitate).

물론 (Of course) 땅문서 (land deed) 든 (or) 집문서 (house deed) 든 (or) 담보 (collateral) 가 (can) 될 (be) 수 (number) 있는 (have) 건 (thing) 다 (all) 걸면서 (while 걸면서) 나라 (country)’s 명운 (fate) 을 (을) 도박판 (gambling board) 위에 (on) 올리고 (put) 올인 (all-in) 을 (을) 걸어버린다 (throw).

전쟁 (War) 은 (은) 인간 (human)’s 이성 (reason) 을 (을) 마비 (paralyze) 시켜 (make) 버리는 (throw) 마약 (drug) 과도 (and) 같은 (same) 효과 (effect) 가 (is) 있었다 (had).

어쩌면 (Maybe) 마약 (drug) 보다도 (than) 더 (more) 심할 (severe) 지도 (may) 모르겠다 (not know).

사실 (In fact) 그럴 (that) 가능성 (possibility) 은 (은) 없다고 (not) 여겼지만 (thought) 내심 (secretly) 프로이센 (Prussia) 과 (and) 오스트리아 (Austria) 가 (가) 참전 (participate in the war) 했을 (did) 때 (time) 러시아 (Russia) 가 (가) 재빠르게 (quickly) 항복 (surrender) 할 (do) 수도 (may) 있지 (have) 않을까 (not) 싶었다 (thought).

하지만 (But) 역시 (as expected) 응 (yes) 아니었죠 (was not)?

우리의 (Our) 니콜라이 (Nicholas) 황제 (Emperor) 는 (는) 선택 (choice) 과 (and) 집중 (concentration) 을 (을) 외치며 (shouting) 무한 (infinite) 방어 (defense) 를 (을) 천명 (declare) 했고 (and) 상트페테르부르크 (St. Petersburg) 와 (and) 크림반도 (Crimean Peninsula) 쪽에 (side) 집중적으로 (intensively) 방어선 (defense line) 을 (을) 쌓았다 (built).

절대 (Absolutely) 항복 (surrender) 하지 (not) 않을 (will) 거니까 (because) 여기에 (here) 대차게 (greatly) 꼴아박고 (fall) 다 (all) 같이 (together) 죽어보자 (die) 뭐 (what) 이런 (this) 심보 (심보) 인 (is) 셈 (셈) 이다 (is).

당연히 (Of course) 러시아 (Russia)’s 경제 (economy) 는 (는) 실시간 (real time) 으로 (with) 땅에 (ground) 처박는 (throw) 중이었고 (was) 시민 (citizen) 들은 (are) 고통 (pain)’s 비명 (scream) 을 (을) 질렀지만 (shouted) 근성 (perseverance)’s 러시아 (Russia) 에게는 (to) 그리 (so) 큰 (big) 위협 (threat) 이 (is) 되지 (not) 못했나 (did) 보다 (see).

솔직히 (Honestly) 내가 (I) 저기 (there) 살았으면 (lived) 그냥 (just) 바로 (immediately) 탈주 (escape) 해서 (and) 근처 (nearby) 나라 (country) 로 (to) 망명 (exile) 해버렸다 (did).

어쨌든 (Anyway) 유럽 (Europe) 전선 (front) 이 (is) 이렇게 (like this) 된 (became) 이상 (more) 당분간은 (for the time being) 천천히 (slowly) 공세 (offensive)’s 수위 (level) 를 (을) 조절하며 (adjusting) 상황 (situation) 을 (을) 지켜볼 (watch) 수밖에 (only) 없게 (not) 됐다 (became).

프로이센 (Prussia) 도 (also) 오스트리아 (Austria) 도 (also) 참전 (participate in the war) 을 (을) 했지만 (did) 자신 (self) 들이 (are) 손해 (loss) 를 (을) 보고 (see) 싶어하지는 (not want) 않았기 (because) 때문에 (of) 슬금슬금 (stealthily) 눈치 (sense) 를 (을) 보면서 (while seeing) ‘네 (you) 가 (가) 해줘 (do)’ 전략 (strategy) 을 (을) 사용 (use) 하는 (doing) 중 (middle) 이었다 (was).

어차피 (Anyway) 아무리 (no matter how) 근성 (perseverance)’s 러시아 (Russia) 라고 (even) 해도 (do) 이 (this) 상태 (state) 를 (을) 딱 (exactly) 1년 (year) 만 (only) 지속 (continue) 하면 (if) 다리 (leg) 가 (가) 후들거리고 (tremble) 가드 (guard) 를 (을) 올리기 (raise) 힘들겠지 (difficult).

악 (Evil) 과 (and) 깡 (깡) 으로 (with) 버틸 (endure) 수 (number) 있는 (have) 것 (thing) 도 (also) 어느 (some) 정도 (degree) 가 (is) 있지 (have) 근육 (muscle) 과 (and) 뼈 (bone) 가 (가) 다 (all) 박살났는데 (destroyed) 팔 (arm) 을 (을) 들어서 (raise) 가드 (guard) 를 (을) 할 (do) 수 (number) 는 (is) 없는 (not) 법 (law) 이다 (is).

놈 (놈) 들은 (are) 제발 (please) 연합군 (allied forces) 이 (is) 성급한 (hasty) 상륙작전 (landing operation), 무리한 (unreasonable) 돌격 (charge), 어거지 (억지) 공성전 (siege warfare) 을 (을) 하다가 (doing) 피해 (damage) 를 (을) 봤으면 (see) 싶겠지만 (want) 우리 (we) 가 (가) 미쳤나 (crazy)?

나는 (I) 파커 (Parker) 제독 (Admiral) 과 (and) 함께 (together) 군함 (warship) 을 (을) 타고 (ride) 다니며 (while 다니며) 유유히 (leisurely) 이 (this) 지역 (area) 저 (that) 지역 (area) 에 (in) 대포 (cannon) 를 (을) 한방 (one shot) 쏴주고 (shoot) 병사 (soldier) 들을 (are) 독려하며 (encourage) 돌아다녔다 (walked).

콰아아앙 (Kwaaaang)! 퍼퍼퍼펑 (Peopeopeopeong)!

“크 (Keu). 저것 (that) 보십시오 (see). 전하 (Your Majesty), 아름답지 (beautiful) 않습니까 (not)?”

“오늘도 (Today) 이 (this) 세상 (world) 에서 (in) 러시아 (Russia)’s 항구 (port) 가 (가) 하나 (one) 또 (again) 사라졌네요 (disappeared). 좋습니다 (good), 좋아요 (good).”

템포 (Tempo) 를 (을) 늦추고 (slow down) 느긋하게 (relaxed) 러시아 (Russia) 놈 (놈) 들의 (are) 목 (neck) 을 (을) 조이기로 (tighten) 방침 (policy) 이 (is) 정해진 (decided) 이상 (more) 이제 (now) 다른 (other) 곳 (place) 에도 (also) 눈 (eye) 을 (을) 돌릴 (turn) 여유 (leisure) 가 (is) 생겼다 (arose).

아메리카 (America) 에서 (in) 지금 (now) 한창 (peak) 벌어지고 (happening) 있을 (will) 미국 (America) 과 (and) 멕시코 (Mexico)’s 전쟁 (war).

그리고 (And) 뜬금없이 (suddenly) 시작된 (started) 동북아 (Northeast Asia) 삼국 (three countries)’s 대환장 (great 환장) 쇼 (show) 까지 (until).

한바퀴 (One lap) 포격 (bombardment) 쇼 (show) 를 (을) 마치고 (finish) 전신망 (whole body net) 이 (is) 연결 (connected) 되어 (become) 있는 (have) 갈리폴리 (Gallipoli) 기지 (base) 로 (to) 돌아온 (returned) 나는 (I) 실시간 (real time) 으로 (with) 올라오는 (coming up) 보고 (report) 를 (을) 받으며 (receiving) 지금까지 (until now) 밀린 (delayed) 외교 (diplomacy) 문제 (problem) 도 (also) 조금씩 (little by little) 처리해나갔다 (processed).

그중에서도 (Among them) 현재 (currently) 단연코 (definitely) 내 (my) 속 (inside) 을 (을) 썩이는 (rot) 건 (thing) 얼마전부터 (since a while ago) 뜬금없이 (suddenly) 날뛰기 (뛰기) 시작한 (started) 청나라 (Qing Dynasty) 였다 (was).

“이번에는 (This time) 아예 (completely) 5천 (5,000) 이 (is) 넘는 (over) 병력 (troops) 을 (을) 연해주 (Maritime Province) 로 (to) 보냈다고 (sent)?”

“예 (Yes). 러시아 (Russia) 도 (also) 동북방 (Northeast)’s 병력 (troops) 을 (을) 연해주 (Maritime Province) 로 (to) 보내고 (sending) 있습니다 (is). 어쩌면 (Maybe) 연해주 (Maritime Province) 쪽에서 (side) 싸움 (fight) 이 (is) 크게 (big) 일어날지도 (may happen) 모릅니다 (not know).”

“이놈 (This guy) 들이 (are) 단체 (group) 로 (with) 뭘 (what) 잘못 (wrong) 먹었나 (ate)···대체 (what) 저기서 (there) 뭘 (what) 어쩌자는 (do) 거지 (thing)?”

“지금 (Now) 베이징 (Beijing) 에 (in) 있는 (have) 저희 (our) 대사관 (embassy) 에도 (also) 공식적인 (official) 답 (answer) 을 (을) 요구 (demand) 해오고 (coming) 있습니다 (is). 조선 (Joseon) 은 (은) 명백한 (obvious) 청 (Qing)’s 속국 (vassal state) 이니 (because) 우리 (we) 도 (also) 그 (that) 사실 (fact) 을 (을) 확실히 (certainly) 인정해주길 (recognize) 바란다고 (want).”

지네 (Themselves) 가 (가) 사정 (situation) 이 (is) 좋을 (good) 때는 (time) 자주성 (autonomy) 을 (을) 지닌 (have) 조공국 (tributary state) 이라고 (이라고) 해 (do) 주더니 (give) 형편 (situation) 이 (is) 어려워지니 (difficult) 바로 (immediately) 속국 (vassal state) 이라고 (이라고) 태세전환 (change of attitude) 을 (을) 한다 (do) 이건가 (this)?

하긴 (Well) 이건 (this) 사실 (fact) 조선 (Joseon) 측도 (side) 별반 (particularly) 다르지 (different) 않았다 (was).

그렇게나 (So much) 자주독립국 (independent country) 이라고 (이라고) 외치더니 (shouting) 뭔가 (something) 외교적 (diplomatic) 으로 (with) 불리할 (disadvantageous) 때는 (time) 청 (Qing)’s 허가 (permission) 가 (is) 있어야 (must) 한다고 (한다고) 편리하게 (conveniently) 말 (word) 을 (을) 바꾼적 (changed) 도 (also) 있지 (have) 않나 (not)?

원래 (Originally) 국가 (country) 는 (는) 자신 (self) 들 (are) 입장 (position) 에 (in) 따라 (according) 말 (word) 을 (을) 바꾸는 (change) 법 (law) 이니 (because) 그걸 (that) 꼭 (surely) 욕할 (curse) 일 (thing) 은 (은) 아니다 (not).

하지만 (But) 말 (word) 을 (을) 바꾸는 (change) 건 (thing) 지네 (themselves) 들 (are) 자유 (freedom) 라고 (이라고) 해도 (do) 이쪽 (this side) 이 (is) 그대로 (as it is) 맞춰줘야 (match) 할 (do) 필요 (need) 는 (은) 없잖아 (not)?

“그건 (That) 우리 (we) 가 (가) 아닌 (not) 조선 (Joseon) 측이 (side) 답 (answer) 을 (을) 해야 (must) 할 (do) 문제 (problem) 지 (지). 청 (Qing) 과 (and) 조선 (Joseon) 두 (two) 국가 (countries) 가 (가) 풀어야 (must solve) 할 (do) 문제 (problem) 니 (because) 대영제국 (British Empire) 은 (은) 신경쓰지 (care) 않겠다고 (not) 전하도록 (tell).”

“알겠습니다 (Understood). 그런데 (But) 정말로 (really) 개입 (intervene) 하지 (not) 않으실 (will) 겁니까 (thing)?”

나는 (I) 나직하게 (lowly) 웃으며 (laughing) 아시아 (Asia) 국가 (countries) 들이 (are) 표시 (marked) 된 (become) 위에 (on) 차곡차곡 (neatly) 체스말 (chess piece) 을 (을) 올려두었다 (put).

러시아 (Russia), 청 (Qing), 일본 (Japan), 조선 (Joseon), 마지막 (last) 으로 (with) 우리 (our) 대영제국 (British Empire) 까지 (until).

“그럴리가 (No way). 우리 (We) 가 (가) 전부 (all) 먹어 (eat) 치워야지 (clean up).”

대영제국 (British Empire)’s 국서 (national letter) 로서는 (as) 끼어 (interfere) 들지 (not) 않겠지만 (but) 나는 (I) 조선 (Joseon)’s 종친 (relative) 이기도 (also) 하거든 (do).

그러니 (So) 이런 (this) 국가 (country)’s 중대사 (important event) 에 (in) 한마디 (one word) 참견 (interfere) 할 (do) 자격 (qualification) 정도는 (degree) 있지 (have) 않을까 (not)?

없다고 (Not)? 응 (Yes) 아니야 (no) 있어 (have).

애초에 (In the first place) 근거 (basis) 가 (is) 없으면 (not) 있게 (have) 만들면 (make) 그만이지 (that’s it).

나는 (I) 다른 (other) 누구 (who) 도 (also) 아닌 (not) 조선 (Joseon) 이 (is) 직접 (directly) 인정한 (recognized) 조선 (Joseon)’s 왕족 (royal family) 이니까 (because).