I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 283

Became a Hidden Tycoon of the British Empire – Episode 283

< The Yesong Debate >

Around the time Killian arrived in Hanseong [modern-day Seoul, South Korea].

The Shogun of the shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyoshi, was deep in thought.

He had made thorough preparations, but when it came time to execute them, his courage failed him, and he hesitated dozens of times.

“Shogun-sama, if you give the order, we can pressure them at any time. Already, more of the daimyo [powerful feudal lords] in the provinces are leaning towards us.”

“But Choshu and Satsuma are not just ordinary domains. If we make a mistake and lose, everything could be over.”

“There’s no way we can lose. Hasn’t the Shogun defeated even the great power of Europa, Russia? Compared to Russia, Choshu and Satsuma are like mere children.”

Objectively speaking, the current Shogun’s power was stronger than that of Choshu or Satsuma.

This was an undeniable fact, but in a real war, there was no guarantee that the stronger force would always win.

However, if he continued to drag his feet, he didn’t know what might happen.

Thanks to his efforts, the Shogun’s authority had risen again to the level of the early shogunate, but that was only because Ieyoshi was holding on.

What if some more time passed and the current Shogun, with his strong authority, were to die?

Sadly, Ieyoshi was not confident that his children could lead the country well.

To be precise, he was certain of the opposite.

Ieyoshi had a staggering 14 sons and 13 daughters, but he suffered the tragedy of having to send most of his children away before they reached adulthood.

Even Iesada, the only heir who could inherit his position, showed symptoms of cerebral palsy due to the aftereffects of smallpox he had suffered as a child.

If the Shogun were to pass away here, everything he had worked so hard to build would crumble like a sandcastle.

He had to live a little longer, and while he was alive, he had to create a system in which no one would dare to challenge the Shogun’s authority.

The reason he was trying to crush the powerful domains in the provinces was precisely for this reason.

“Yes. I have to crack down on them at least once.”

There were already plenty of justifications.

Clearly, it had been proclaimed that the introduction of modern weapons for modernization would be led by the shogunate, but Satsuma and Choshu had been subtly diverting these weapons.

So, if he told them to hand over all the weapons they had gathered through back channels, or they would be punished, they would have no choice.

If they handed over all the weapons, their power would be greatly weakened, and the shogunate would be strengthened, so that would be the end of it.

Conversely, if they refused, he could raise an army and thoroughly crush them, which wouldn’t be bad either.

Of course, even for the Shogun, raising an army was a considerable burden, which is why he had only made plans until now and had not put them into action.

However, as if the heavens were on the Shogun’s side, another opportunity came.

“Kilian is currently in Shanghai?”

“Yes. According to reliable sources, he is heading to Joseon.”

“Joseon is right next door. So, Kilian has come to Asia.”

Considering that he was moving with the Asian fleet, not alone, now was the perfect opportunity.

Kilian’s presence alone could further enhance the Shogun’s authority and power.

In short, with the most powerful figure in Tokugawa right nearby, who would dare to defy Tokugawa’s will?

“Issue official orders to Satsuma and Choshu. We must settle this decisively here.”

The owner of this archipelago is Tokugawa.

A burning heat surged from the depths of the Shogun’s heart as he made his decision.

* * *

The Qing Dynasty has the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom [a large-scale revolt against the Qing dynasty in China].

Joseon has the Crown Prince investiture [formal ceremony to designate the Crown Prince].

Japan is in danger of civil war.

The friendly three countries of Asia are about to collaborate in a chaotic mess, with the mindset of not losing to their neighbors once again.

Among them, Joseon’s rampage, which has just begun to accelerate, was noteworthy.

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Japanese civil war were inevitable events that had already occurred in the original history.

However, the timing and outcome may be slightly different, but in any case, they were processes that were bound to happen.

In the case of Japan, it was not yet known when the Shogun would move, but according to reports heard before leaving Shanghai, he would likely settle the matter within a few years at the latest.

Conversely, in Joseon, the butterfly effect of my existence had caused a natural disaster-level event accompanied by almost typhoons and tsunamis, so an unpredictable situation was unfolding.

“Look at these morons! What do they think this place is, staging a demonstration! Telling me to chop off their heads with an axe and take them away? Fine! I’ll chop off your heads myself!”

Old man, if you swing an axe with your failing strength, your back will break first, but you’re trying so hard.

“Chief State Councilor, please don’t be like that. Whatever the reason, there is value in respecting someone’s conviction to risk their life for their beliefs. Even if it’s done in such a subtle way.”

“Those guys aren’t really risking their lives. It’s just a kind of blackmail. If I actually tried to chop off their heads, they’d immediately tuck their tails and run away, which is why I’m so angry!”

“But we can’t actually spill blood here with an axe, can we?”

At first, I was considering the possibility of a crazy bastard charging in with a knife, like the Otsu Incident [an attempted assassination of a Russian Tsesarevich in Japan].

I had told the soldiers to shoot such a guy on sight, but as it was a place that prided itself on being a nation of scholars, they seemed to be trying to settle things with petitions rather than ambushes.

It would have been a little more interesting if they had charged in with those axes, but this isn’t bad either.

A battle between the powerful families of the Border Defense Council and the local Confucian scholars is a major event that will be recorded in history books.

Moreover, considering Kim Hak-seo’s current position, he will try to thoroughly crush them to get into my good graces.

I just need to subtly fan the flames from the side and enjoy this interesting show to my heart’s content.

“You ignorant fools! Don’t you know how much grace His Majesty is showing you right now! Get out of here!”

“Although he is a member of the royal family, isn’t Kilian ultimately a person from England! Joseon must uphold its own ways!”

“Look at these impudent fellows! What are you doing! Drag these guys out of here right now!”

No sooner had Kim Hak-seo’s sharp voice echoed than the soldiers roughly dragged away the Confucian scholars blocking the way.

“Your Majesty! Why are you trying to abandon the ways of Confucianism!”

“You must not abandon Seong리학 [Neo-Confucianism], the foundation of Joseon!”

The sight of them shouting towards the palace, not losing their spirit even as they were being dragged away, was like a scene from a historical drama, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

However, Kim Hak-seo seemed to have interpreted my snickering differently, and he desperately spoke in an even stiffer tone.

“I, I am truly sorry to show you such an unpleasant sight. I will take responsibility and resolve this matter, so please do not worry and rest comfortably, Your Highness.”

“Can that be done? This time, they only blocked the road with axes, but who knows if they’ll come at me with those things to chop off my head next time?”

“That will never happen! I will ensure the utmost security! And those rebellious groups will be immediately banned from setting foot in Hanseong again.”

“That’s a temporary fix. Even if you get rid of them all now, the second and third groups will come out the same way. Are you going to send all the Confucian scholars in the provinces away? We need to solve the fundamental problem. Of course, I will talk to His Majesty about this, so you don’t have to worry about it, Chief State Councilor.”

“Then I will escort Your Highness to the council hall myself!”

That strong will to never let me have a private meeting with Heonjong.

Perhaps he’s worried that when I meet Heonjong, I might say, ‘Come to think of it, there was a guy named Kim Hak-seo in Joseon who used to treat me like a slave when I was here, and he’s the Chief State Councilor now…’

“Even so, I don’t feel comfortable treating the Chief State Councilor, the Prime Minister of a country, like a guide. What you’ve done so far is enough, so from now on…”

“No! I! Must! Escort His Highness. While you are staying in Joseon, I, Kim Hak-seo, will do my best to ensure that you have no inconvenience! I will serve you with all my heart!”

It was an appeal that was transparently obvious, but the people around him, who didn’t know the inside story, seemed unable to adapt to Kim Hak-seo’s behavior.

Immediately, Chief State Councilor Kwon Don-in widened his eyes in disbelief and asked.

“No, Chief State Councilor… why are you suddenly doing this?”

“What do you mean suddenly?”

“Originally, this matter was supposed to be handled by the Ministry of Rites…”

“Chief State Councilor, this is a crucial matter for the future of our Joseon. Didn’t you just see what those foolish people who can’t come to their senses are doing? Therefore, as the Prime Minister of this country, I, Kim Hak-seo, will take full responsibility. Since the Ministry of Rites is under my jurisdiction anyway, it is right for me to take charge of this matter.”

“Hmm… I didn’t realize that the Chief State Councilor thought so highly of it.”

“I was also surprised, Chief State Councilor. You are indeed worthy of being the Prime Minister representing this country. I will also work hard to assist you and see this matter through to the end.”

After the Chief State Councilor and even the Minister of Rites expressed their admiration, Kim Hak-seo smiled broadly but also subtly glanced at me.

I gave a gentle smile to the old man who was desperately putting on a show, enjoyed the welcoming ceremony, and was escorted to the council hall where Heonjong was waiting.

“It’s been a while. Thank you for your hard work in coming all the way to this distant land of Joseon.”

“Not at all. Your Majesty is the one who has been working much harder to handle all sorts of troublesome matters.”

“I was originally going to go out to meet you in person, but the royal physician strictly told me not to overdo it, so I couldn’t help it. There was also an unfortunate incident in the middle, and I can only apologize.”

“Not at all. Instead, our Chief State Councilor took care of it ‘very’ much like it was his own business, so there was nothing unpleasant about it. Isn’t that right, Chief State Councilor?”

“Yes, yes! Of course! Your Majesty! I will serve His Highness Kilian with my life on the line, so please do not worry and take care of your health!”

Heonjong’s eyes flickered as he looked at Kim Hak-seo, who was prostrating himself on the floor like a patriotic martyr.

“Hmm… Chief State Councilor. Didn’t you say that you wanted to step down after this was over just a while ago?”

“Your Majesty! A new foundation is about to be established in Joseon, and ignorant Confucian scholars who cannot accept change are rising up like a swarm of bees. How can I, the Chief State Councilor of this country, only care about my own safety and step down from my position!”

As he repeated his previous words like a parrot, Heonjong also looked at Kim Hak-seo with admiring eyes, and then turned his gaze towards me.

“What do you think? The Chief State Councilor is so full of loyalty, so I would like to entrust this matter to him.”

“I am grateful and will gladly accept his help, as Chief State Councilor Kim Hak-seo is so enthusiastic.”

“Then I will entrust this matter entirely to the Chief State Councilor, so please tell me if you have any good ideas.”

“Your Majesty. Not only the Confucian scholars who have submitted petitions, but also the mountain hermits based in the provinces are rebelling against Your Majesty’s decision. If we were to crush them all, the country would be in extreme chaos, so rather than beheading them all, we must subdue them with logic!

In the past, when King Sejong created Hangul [the Korean alphabet], he suppressed the officials who opposed him with solid logic and unfolded his will! I, Kim Hak-seo, will become the standard-bearer who conveys Your Majesty’s decree!”

If the Confucian scholars are suppressed with logic, the justification for me to intervene in the process of investing the Crown Prince will be secured, and it can naturally lead to the flow of modernization.

Heonjong gave the Confucian scholars who opposed this matter a choice.

Whether to bet their names and submit to the results of the debate.

Or to be punished as traitors who dared to disobey the royal command and bid farewell to the world in disgrace.

Of course, without a single exception, they chose the former, and a debate was held by the powerful families of the Border Defense Council, led by the Chief State Councilor.

A situation unprecedented in history occurred, in which local mountain hermits and court officials debated in a place presided over directly by the king.

The board has grown very appetizing.