I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 273

< What Happened at the Expo (3) >

“What is the purpose of distributing such fake, scandalous documents?!”

“Scandalous documents? This is a monumental first distribution document introducing our Joseon [Korean kingdom from 1392-1897] to Europa [Europe]. Choose your words carefully!”

“If the content has serious flaws, what else could it be but a scandalous document! Look at this part where you boast about how close Great Britain and Joseon are!”

Gwak Seung-do pointed out the middle part of the document that Joseon was still diligently handing out to visitors to the Joseon Pavilion.

“Since when has Great Britain become Asia’s benefactor country?!”

“According to traditional diplomacy, it’s not really wrong. At least, this is a phrase that our Joseon officials put their heads together to create.”

“Joseon has always been a tributary state of the Central Plains dynasty [Chinese dynasty], and the dynasty that now rules the Central Plains is our Qing [Manchu-led dynasty of China, 1644-1912]. And there are clear records that the King of Joseon bowed his head, acknowledging the authority of our Emperor!”

“That was then, but the position of the Emperor of the Central Plains is bound to change. Didn’t Qing become the Son of Heaven [Chinese emperor] after Ming [previous Chinese dynasty]?”

“Are you saying something outrageous like Qing has fallen?”

The saying that the most interesting thing in the world is watching a fight was indeed a universal truth, as the number of people steadily increased.

There were even people who kindly translated the content of the fight for those who didn’t understand, and the story spread that they were the ambassador and consul general of Asia.

“No one said it has fallen. But considering the customs and traditions of Asia so far, what we have written here does not change.”

“What nonsense······.”

“Look. Traditionally, tributary states send envoys to the country with the emperor to pay tribute. And now, our Joseon and Japan are sending ambassadors representing their countries to formally establish relations with Great Britain. If this isn’t paying tribute, what is?”

“Wait, that’s······!”

That is only the order of the Chinese world, and it is not applicable in other countries, but the Consul General of Joseon did not stop talking.

“Of course, adhering to the pre-modern methods of the past may not be appropriate in the future era. But we have clearly stated that we can view the relationship between Joseon and Great Britain in terms of upholding traditional diplomacy.”

“So, you’re subtly cutting off our relationship with Qing? Do you believe His Majesty will just sit back and watch that behavior?”

“What can he do if he doesn’t just watch? This is no longer just our intention.”

“What else is······.”

“Not only us, but even the Ryukyu Kingdom [historical kingdom now part of Okinawa, Japan] has concluded that the spirit of the world is focused on Great Britain. I haven’t talked to the Japanese side yet, but I don’t think they particularly recognize Qing as the Son of Heaven either.”

Had Qing ever seen a Joseon official hold his head so high and stiffly like this?

Gwak Seung-do, who was staring blankly in embarrassment, soon discovered me watching from afar and rushed over.

“Your Highness! Your Highness! What on earth is going on?”

“What do you mean, what’s going on?”

“Through what logical structure is the bizarre structure completed where Great Britain is the Son of Heaven and Joseon and Ryukyu are tributary states?”

“Why are you asking me that? It’s not like I held a knife to their throats and told them to pay tribute.”

“So, are you saying they are doing that voluntarily?”

“Of course.”

For reference, this is not a lie.

From the beginning, the initial planner of this plan was none other than King Heonjong of Joseon.

All I did was tacitly approve what they were going to do and set the stage for them to do as they pleased.

So, how much antipathy did you buy around that other kids are running away saying they don’t want to play with you.

No, in the first place, who would want to pay tribute to a country that is so ruined that it can’t even catch local rebels?

If you put yourself in their shoes and think about it, it’s even more amazing that they’re acting like that.

“Let me tell you, our Great Britain has not exerted any pressure or harm on the countries of Northeast Asia. Our current policy is co-existence and co-prosperity with Asian countries, so if there is a direction that Asian countries want, we are willing to accommodate it.”

“Doesn’t that mean you will eventually receive their tribute!”

“It’s different. No matter how you look at it, this is not the Middle Ages, and it doesn’t make sense to receive tributes or anything like that. It’s not that far either. However, if they say they will treat Her Majesty the Queen as an emperor based on the traditional order of Asia, we have to say yes. We can’t grit our teeth and say no. That’s how they see it.”

No matter how much I talk here, the grounds and situation that I have steadily prepared so far will not be shaken.

In front of the ambassadors of each country and countless spectators who had gathered.

Qing was caught up in Joseon’s pace without being able to make a proper rebuttal, and the Ryukyu Kingdom, which was attached to the Joseon side, joined in the commotion, and the festive atmosphere reached its peak.

-The British Royal Family is the Emperor of Asia?

-Asian countries promote Her Majesty the Queen as Emperor!

The articles that will decorate tomorrow’s newspaper headlines are vividly coming to mind even though I haven’t seen them.

It’s so amazing that I can see the future even without the ability to foresee the future.

The Ryukyu Kingdom did not formally establish diplomatic relations with Great Britain, but rather, it showed even greater significance.

Other European countries charge in with guns and swords and force them to submit, but this side is submitting on its own before even signing a trade agreement.

While they are fighting for pride, saying that they are better and superior, Great Britain has definitely shown that they are playing on a completely different level from other countries.

From the beginning, what were the countries trying to show by being so devoted to the Expo?

It was to instill national pride that they were superior to other countries.

But since those distant Asian countries are voluntarily bowing their heads and proving it, people can’t help but feel this difference to the bone.

In this way, an accident that will be talked about for a long time happened from the first day, but thanks to that, the box office was definitely a success.

The first day of the Expo ended successfully, boasting a record that far exceeded the initially expected daily number of visitors by more than 30%.

It seems that there is nothing better than noise marketing to attract people’s attention.

I won’t have to hit the brakes for a while.

* * *

After Joseon officially declared that it would treat Great Britain as the Son of Heaven, the parliament, judging that it had seized a good opportunity, began to watch this side’s every move.

The royal family, including me, remained silent and expressed that we had no intention of meddling, and the Conservative Party, realizing this, immediately began preparing for Victoria’s ascension to the throne.

“Frankly speaking, our Great Britain should have declared Her Majesty the Queen as Emperor, not King, long ago. Hasn’t the Conservative Party, which has been in power all along, been too indifferent to such matters?”

“Who didn’t want to do that? If we declare ourselves emperor without justification, how are we any different from Napoleon?”

“If you don’t have justification, you can just create it.”

“That’s why we’re pushing forward with the work when justification arises! Stop nitpicking and find some ways to utilize the opportunity efficiently!”

Joseon and Ryukyu are already drawn in, so all that’s left is Japan.

And Japan, as if they weren’t the ones who were incredibly quick at reading the room, sent an ambassador as soon as they heard that Joseon was making a fuss.

“Your Highness! I am Chikashige, who has been appointed as the ambassador this time! I would like to apologize once again for the unintentional commotion at the banquet hall before.”

“Ah, that’s okay, so let’s quickly get to the point.”

Please, let’s just delete that from our memories and pretend it never happened.

According to the former ambassador, who was originally scheduled to return to Japan, this crazy man was even planning to praise me as the reincarnation of Jesus, but fortunately, the plan was overturned in the middle.

If the reincarnation of Jesus drivel had come out, it would have been something that I couldn’t really laugh and brush off, so I can’t help but say it’s a great relief.

“Your Highness, I heard that Joseon and Ryukyu declared today that they would treat Great Britain as an empire.”

“That’s right.”

“I have something to tell you about Ryukyu, but it seems that today is not the time, so I will tell you later, and first of all, we would like to join our intentions there.”

“As I have said repeatedly, we are not particularly forcing Asian countries to do so. We have neither the authority to stop nor the authority to allow. But what I’m curious about is, doesn’t your side serve the Emperor as Emperor? Wouldn’t it be a problem even if you treat Great Britain as Emperor?”

“The imperial edict will be distributed by the Shogun [military dictator of Japan], the King of Japan. Since the Shogun is the person in charge of our Japanese diplomacy and internal affairs, I don’t think there will be any problems.”

This is also a novel sophistry.

To put it simply, they serve the Emperor as Emperor internally, and external activities are done in the name of the Shogun, the King?

It’s not uncommon for countries to do external kingship and internal emperorship, but these are the first guys I’ve ever seen who cover their eyes and deceive with a separate king and emperor in one country.

But that doesn’t mean there’s a logical flaw somewhere, and there’s nothing particularly harmful to this side.

Above all, if not only Joseon and Ryukyu, but also Japan acknowledge this side as the Son of Heaven at the same time, whatever Qing says will only be an empty echo.

At best, the remaining tributary state will be Vietnam, but Vietnam was being taken over by France in real-time right now.

First, firmly establish justification, block the possibility for other European countries to intervene, and then move to action.

By the time this Expo is completely finished, European interest in Asia will be even greater, and that’s the opportunity to move.

After sending back Ambassador Chikashige, Kim Jwa-geun, who entered Buckingham Palace, receiving the kimchi container I presented as a gift, smiled broadly like he had the whole world.

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

“Is this much of a gift enough? It’s too simple.”

“As a Korean, there is no gift that can be compared to this here. I’ve been eating that disgusting sardine… I mean, that very delicious eel jelly so far, but sometimes we have to cleanse our palates with hometown food like this, right?”

“Of course, of course. I fully understand. But surely what you’ve prepared doesn’t end with this?”

Because it was an incident that happened so suddenly, the Qing side was flustered, but if you give them time, they will also create a logical basis and refute Joseon’s claims.

This time, the meaning was that Great Britain did not intervene with force or influence and had to receive the support of Asian countries, so I could not intervene.

If Joseon’s scheme ends with a surprise leaflet distribution, it will definitely stumble over a stone.

“Don’t worry. Surely it can’t end at this level. But, by the way, for that purpose, there’s something I’d like to ask you······.”

“I’ll answer you, so you can ask me anything.”

“Do you have any plans to go to Asia in the near future?”

“Asia… There are seeds I’ve sown in Qing, so I’m thinking of going to harvest them at least once.”

At that moment, Kim Jwa-geun reflexively looked around and took a deep breath.

I slightly nodded to continue speaking, but Kim Jwa-geun couldn’t open his mouth easily.

As I waited quietly, he took a few more breaths, and then he opened his mouth as if whispering in a small voice that I could hardly hear unless I was listening carefully.

“His Majesty the King’s health has improved, but… anyway, there is a widespread anxiety in the court that if he overdoes it any more, something big might happen. His Majesty also seems to be confused, and even mentioning such matters could be punished as treason, but unforeseen accidents can happen at any time, and if such a thing happens······.”

“If it happens?”

“We humbly request that Your Highness visit Joseon as an agent to uphold the will of the Son of Heaven.”

What is this again… Is this human being serious?

Despite my dumbfounded reaction, Kim Jwa-geun did not avoid my gaze as if he had hardened his resolve.

So you want me to use my power because you want to openly intervene in the succession structure?

As expected of an ambitious person whose name is recorded in history, his true nature doesn’t go anywhere.

That attitude. I like it very much.