I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 287

Became a Hidden Power in the British Empire – Episode 287

Although the controversy that stirred up the entire capital had ended, considering the ripple effects, the real beginning was now.

“Did you see the debate the day before yesterday?”

“I didn’t, but my son heard about it and told me. He said it was no joke.”

“It was beyond a joke. Until now, I thought politics and such were stories for the high-ranking officials, but it wasn’t like that…”

“What did they say? Colony? If we stay still, we’re in big trouble, aren’t we?”

Power struggles and Confucian morality weren’t really relatable stories for the common people.

For the people whose daily lives were a struggle for survival, what mattered was securing enough food to get through the year safely.

So, even though it was a debate between Confucian scholars and ministers, not many people were initially interested.

The reason people gathered was because it was a rare opportunity to see the King in person.

And to actually see the Joseon royal family member from the rumored world’s strongest empire.

However, during the debate, State Councilor Kim Hak-seo made a series of shocking remarks, drawing public attention.

He spoke of how terrifying the Western barbarians were and how they were colonizing and exploiting Asian countries.

He even provided specific figures, explaining how severely the people were being exploited, so it would have been strange if the people hadn’t fallen into confusion.

Nevertheless, the reason why almost no one fell into fear was because Kim Hak-seo clearly stated that as long as Joseon allied with the British Empire, there was no possibility of such a fate.

It wasn’t just words; the envoy of the British Empire sat next to the King and even waved.

Besides, that impressive person wasn’t a foreigner from another country but a member of the Joseon royal family, so why would there be any reason to feel uneasy?

“So, as long as we trust in His Highness Kirian, things won’t change from now, right?”

“I heard that Qing [Manchu Dynasty] is being completely destroyed, but we’re actually doing better recently, right?”

“Is that even a question? They say that if we’re with His Highness Kirian, we can drive out those Qing bastards and even take Manchuria.”

“What’s Manchuria? If we take it, will our lives become a little easier?”

“Hey, you! Are you serious? Don’t you know Goguryeo [ancient Korean kingdom]? They say Manchuria is where Goguryeo used to be, and if we take it, our Joseon land will become several times larger. Of course, a lot of food will come in too.”

It doesn’t matter whether Manchuria is suitable for farming or not.

After all, for most people, bigger land is better, and a vast land is accepted as a symbol of a country’s strength.

The path to Joseon’s greatness is only through the great celestial being Kirian, born of Joseon.

Since the State Councilor, the King’s own minister, said so, isn’t that the truth?

Considering that the other Confucian scholars couldn’t say a word and suddenly became mute, there’s no need to say more.

“But didn’t they say that His Highness Kirian is a member of this country’s royal family?”

“They did.”

“Then shouldn’t it be Yi [the most common royal family name in Joseon] instead of Ki?”

“Huh? That’s right. Then his name must be Kirian. Or his paternal family name is Ki… No, then his name would be His Highness Rian, but that’s strange too?”

“Then is this His Highness Kirian a proper title? What a unique name. Wait, if that’s true, have we been disrespectfully calling His Highness by his name all this time? If anyone finds out, we’ll be in trouble!”

“Gasp! Is that so? But everyone at the debate called him His Highness Kirian, so wouldn’t it be okay? Since he lives abroad, maybe the culture is different?”

Whether it’s the market, the fields, or the tavern, there’s no place where people aren’t talking about Kirian.

Just as Killian intended and Kim Hak-seo executed.

The common people came to see Kirian as Joseon’s lifeline and the only being who could make Joseon greater.

As the saying goes, the first impression is half the battle; once public opinion is formed favorably, it’s hard to shake.

And even the Confucian scholars who came up from the provinces were just as confused as the common people.

“You went to the debate so confidently, but what is this? You were all just taken down by one State Councilor!”

“Hey, don’t say ‘taken down.'”

“Then should we say you were defeated? It’s true that you couldn’t say a word to what the State Councilor said.”

“The State Councilor has already deviated from the path of Confucianism. Frankly, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a traitor to our cause.”

“Then what does it matter! You couldn’t refute him in front of that traitor!”

Choi Ik-hyeon and Lee Man-son couldn’t say anything and bowed their heads to the pouring criticism, and voices of division began to emerge among the other Confucian scholars.

“But in fact, from a practical point of view, isn’t what the State Councilor said not that wrong?”

“What did you say?”

“No… Didn’t you all hear? What kind of suffering other countries go through when they become colonies of the Westerners. Frankly, isn’t it more important to prevent Joseon from suffering such a fate?”

“······.”

A significant number of Confucian scholars glared at those who expressed dissenting opinions as if they were traitors, but surprisingly, the number of those who agreed seemed to be increasing.

“I also think that the State Councilor’s words make some sense. If those barbarians invade with guns and swords, shouldn’t we prioritize defending ourselves against them?”

“Even during the Japanese and Manchu invasions, our Joseon never completely surrendered.”

“During the Manchu invasion, we eventually agreed to serve the Qing. Moreover, it was the English who completely crushed that Qing. For Joseon to survive, serving the English is an inevitable trend…”

“Ridiculous! Abandoning the way of Confucianism means death as a scholar! Those who have fallen for that nonsense are as good as dead as scholars, so you should be ashamed!”

It’s a mess. A mess.

The problem wasn’t just being defeated in the debate, but that Confucian scholars were starting to waver due to Kim Hak-seo’s shocking exposure of reality.

In particular, among the younger Confucian scholars, there were even those who, like the common people, were positive about the territorial expansion theory that Kim Hak-seo spoke of.

“Our Joseon has inherited the legitimacy of all the countries that have existed on the Korean Peninsula. Its name is also Joseon. Recovering the territory of the ancient Gojoseon [first Korean kingdom] is clearly our right…”

“No, are you saying we should go to war with Qing to get Manchuria? How can we get caught up in such useless arguments like those ignorant commoners!”

“We’ve already taken Sakhalin from Russia, so what guarantee is there that we can’t take Manchuria? If the English back us, it seems possible enough.”

“Qing considers Manchuria so sacred, how would they give it to us!”

Even those who risked their lives together to submit petitions had divided opinions and were raising their voices, so it was no exaggeration to say that unity was already over.

“I heard that Teacher Lee Gwang-ro is actually going to visit places that have fallen into colonies of the Westerners to see the reality. Let’s wait a bit. Then we’ll know whether the State Councilor’s words are true or not.”

“That’s right. But if Teacher Lee Gwang-ro says that everything the State Councilor said is true… what will you do then?”

What else can we do?

If even Lee Gwang-ro, the spiritual pillar of the Hwaseo School [a conservative Confucian school], agrees with the State Councilor’s words, it can only be seen as a serious situation.

Choi Ik-hyeon, who is currently vehemently opposing reconciliation with the Westerners, is doing so because he was greatly influenced by his teacher, Lee Gwang-ro.

If Lee Gwang-ro, his mentor, turns to the side of considering reality, the Hwaseo School will collapse.

Like it or not, the time is coming when we have to face the rapidly changing waves of the era with our whole bodies.

Will we be swept away, or will we ride them?

Already, many Confucian scholars were watching those who were fiercely exchanging debates and were trying to read the room.

Joseon’s future was too chaotic to foresee even an inch ahead.

* * *

“Your Highness Kirian! According to your plan, everyone in the capital, regardless of noble or commoner, is having conversations about you.”

“According to my plan? What plan did I make?”

“Ah, that’s right. I’m so out of it. It’s truly amazing and miraculous how this situation has come about.”

Kim Hak-seo did a very good job, even better than expected.

It’s probably not because of guilt towards me… it’s probably because he doesn’t want to fall from the State Councilor position he worked so hard to get.

Anyway, thanks to him, even the local Confucian scholars started to divide, and the people started to feel national pride because of my existence.

Most importantly, I haven’t made any promises or guarantees with my own mouth.

“What are the opinions of the other court officials?”

“What’s there to say about them? Of course, they’re desperate to create a meeting with Your Highness somehow.”

“Really? Then what do you think I should do, Lord Kim?”

“Of course, you shouldn’t go out. Your Highness must maintain a firm center and give the impression that you don’t easily meet with anyone.”

“Then the dignity of the State Councilor, who has a private audience with me like this, will be further enhanced?”

I threw the words out playfully, but Kim Hak-seo’s face turned pale.

He’s probably doing this to prevent me from talking to others, but he doesn’t seem to have anticipated that his actions could be interpreted in another way.

In fact, he’s probably too preoccupied with his own situation to think that far, so it’s only natural.

“Ah, no! I absolutely, positively do not have any intention of using Your Highness’s authority to act high and mighty!”

“I know, I know. Why wouldn’t I know that you don’t have such intentions, Lord Kim? And it hasn’t been long since the debate ended, so it wouldn’t be good for me to meet with the officials anyway. They’ll probably just tire me out with all sorts of questions.”

“Th-That’s right. I told Your Highness to rest with that intention.”

“But don’t the other officials ask you what you were thinking when you brought up the Manchuria story?”

I expected that stimulating the national pride that had been suppressed in the hearts of Joseon people with Manchuria would have a good reaction, but the result was beyond imagination.

It seems that the firepower has doubled because it wasn’t just a sudden spark, but a fire that was lit after firewood had been laid with the cession of Sakhalin.

“As you said, recently some people have even been calling His Highness Kirian the reincarnation of King Gwanggaeto [a famous Goguryeo king], asking me if this is all a story discussed with Your Highness.”

“…Wasn’t this a Confucian country? Is it okay to talk about reincarnation?”

Well, the people in the neighboring country are even talking about the incarnation of Susanoo [a Shinto deity], so the reincarnation of King Gwanggaeto might be mild in comparison.

“They probably don’t mean it that seriously. However, the important thing is that the public opinion on the recovery of Manchuria is so heated right now. Ah, of course, I haven’t said a word that I’m connected to Your Highness, as you emphasized.”

“You did well. Don’t forget that you have to keep doing that in the future.”

“Yes, yes. Of course. But is the recovery of Manchuria really realistic? Qing, which has been rooted in Manchuria for a long time, will never allow it.”

“That’s why you, State Councilor, have to do your best. And I don’t really like dwelling on the past. People should look to the future. I don’t really like bringing up past events and arguing about who’s right and who’s wrong. What do you think, State Councilor? Can you only look to the future of Joseon and devote yourself to it?”

If Kim Hak-seo is quick-witted, he’ll know that I’m not targeting Qing with what I said.

He looked at me with wide eyes, and then bowed his head deeply with a moved expression and even tears in his eyes.

“Thank you! Thank you, Your Highness! I will continue to do my best to ensure that Your Highness’s will takes root in this Joseon!”

“Your words of gratitude are a bit excessive. Anyway, since you say you’ll work hard, I’ll trust you and entrust you with the work. I needed a high-ranking official to do work for me, and it would be perfect if our State Councilor would do it.”

“Yes! Just entrust me with anything!”

“Oh, how reassuring. Then, State Councilor, please gather detailed data on each candidate for the Crown Prince selection competition. Please collect objective data that is not biased towards anyone. And I would appreciate it if you would make it obvious that you are gathering information so that everyone knows that you are gathering information.”

“…Yes?”

Now that I have successfully instilled the perception that Joseon can only survive by following me, isn’t it time to let that seed bloom?

Of course, officially, I will only be attending the Crown Prince selection and have no intention of exerting any influence.

It’s Kim Hak-seo who’s collecting the information, not me.

Still, if they know that the State Councilor, who is exclusively assisting the envoy of the British Empire, is gathering data on the candidates, they will have no choice but to react in some way.

If they have any sense, they’ll know, right?

This is a warning to behave themselves.