I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 292

Around the time Joseon [Korea] was celebrating the Crown Prince’s investiture with great fanfare.

Lee Gwang-ro, the head of the Hwaseo School, who had been exiled for opposing diplomatic relations with the British Empire, was taken aback by the sight of the smoke-spewing ship. It was his first time on such a vessel.

“So, you’re saying I have to take this thing to my place of exile?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Hmph… How can a scholar ride the contraption of Westerners to go into exile…?”

“Consider yourself fortunate that this is all that’s happening. Isn’t this much better than shivering in some cold, remote mountain valley?”

He had heard that Western ships were large and sturdy, but he couldn’t get used to the sound of the smoke billowing out.

He looked around anxiously, but all he saw were Westerners with blue eyes and prominent noses.

The only person he could converse with was the interpreter who had accompanied him, so Lee Gwang-ro naturally gravitated towards him.

“By the way, where are we headed now?”

“His Majesty, in his grace, wishes for you, a staunch advocate of defending orthodoxy and rejecting heterodoxy [Confucianism vs. foreign ideologies], to witness the reality of other countries. We are currently heading to a country called the Philippines.”

“…Philippines?”

“The Philippines is a collection of island nations also known as ‘Bil-yul-bin’ [a Korean approximation of the name], and it is currently a colony of Spain, which was once the strongest power in Europe. Fortunately, the British Empire and Spain are scheduled to sign an agreement on Asian trade this time, so the visit was arranged. We are nominally part of the British Empire’s diplomatic mission, so please bear that in mind.”

“…I understand.”

He didn’t fully grasp everything, but he nodded nonetheless.

“So, this Bil-yul-bin? Philippines? Anyway, you’re saying this country is suffering under the colonial rule of that European country?”

“Yes. For your information, this place isn’t that far from Joseon. His Royal Highness Girian [the protagonist] said that Asian countries should take note of the Philippines’ situation.”

“The countries of the Korean Peninsula also have memories of being exploited by foreign powers.”

“I assure you, you will witness a scene of a different magnitude. Some even say that the Philippines is better off compared to the colonies in Africa.”

In terms of being ruled by other countries, the old Goryeo [previous Korean dynasty] also suffered under the oppression of the Mongols.

It is said that many people suffered from harsh exploitation at that time, but no matter how severe it was, wouldn’t it be comparable?

‘I guess they’re trying to dissuade the head of the Hwaseo School from protecting his Confucianism by scaring him like this, but that’s not going to work.’

It certainly wouldn’t… or so it should have been.

“The Philippines is an important base for Spain. The polo system [forced labor] we devised has completely taken hold. It’s very, very efficient and profitable.”

When the British Empire side expressed interest in observing Spain’s colonial administration, Spain surprisingly showcased the hell they had created as if they were proud of it.

“Like other countries, we also collect taxes from our colonies. But they also have to perform forced labor called polo. Filipinos between the ages of 16 and 60 are mobilized. It’s not that much, only about 40 days a year.”

“Do you provide any compensation?”

“Of course not. Why would we compensate those guys? We used to give them meager compensation, but they developed bad habits. So we just took it all away. Hahaha!”

Lee Gwang-ro listened to the interpreter’s explanation in the corner of the British Empire’s diplomatic mission, his mouth agape.

‘This isn’t just exploitation or receiving tribute; it’s treating the entire country as one giant slave.’

The fertile land all belongs to the monastery, and the people crawl around miserably as tenant farmers, overworked.

Those who don’t want to do forced labor have to pay a fee called ‘pala’ [exemption fee], and the tenant farmers barely maintain a nutritional state just above starvation.

This was the miserable reality of the Philippines that he witnessed on his first day.

Still, he wondered if a decent civilized country could have devolved into this state. ‘Maybe there was no country worth mentioning in this area, and the European Westerners simply invaded and enslaved the natives?’

He tried to comfort himself, but that wasn’t the case at all.

Most frightening of all was the attitude of the Spaniards who ruled these island nations.

“The conquest of the Philippines is not just territorial expansion. It is a true fusion, in the truest sense of the word, as this savage land, which had been scattered, was incorporated into our interior, centered on our Spanish capital. Thanks to Spain, these countries, which had been divided into several parts until now, have come to know true integration. And it will continue to be so in the future.”

He wondered why they were showing off all their flaws as if they were proud of it, but after hearing this, he understood.

These guys sincerely believe this is normal, so they can flaunt it to people from other countries.

The longer he stayed in the Philippines, the more he began to see the Philippines and Joseon overlapping, even against his will.

‘If the English were to leave Joseon right away, those vicious guys would come with all kinds of weapons and try to divide Joseon and devour it. Can I guarantee that such a thing won’t happen?’

‘I know that this is a trick to shake the mind of a scholar who wants to protect the Confucian way. Even though I know it.’

Lee Gwang-ro found it increasingly difficult to deny that he was becoming more and more afraid of the Westerners.

* * *

One of Joseon’s prides was that they were the best at upholding the fundamentals of Confucianism.

The saying that after the fall of Ming [Chinese dynasty], Joseon was the Little China [culturally superior] came about because of this background.

However, with my existence, diplomatic relations with the British Empire, the war with Russia, and the acquisition of Sakhalin, this atmosphere was clearly changing.

Here, Kim Hak-seo fueled the fire, and Heungseon-gun [Prince] and Gyeongwon-gun [Prince] even brought up the justification for the Northern Expedition to Manchuria [historical plan to conquer Manchuria].

It wasn’t obvious yet, but little by little, cracks were forming in the dam called Neo-Confucianism.

As if to encourage this trend, Heonjong [the King] filled all the main topics of the second Gyeongyeon [royal lecture] with the process of presenting solutions to realistic problems.

-Tell us about a way to stabilize the newly acquired Salhaplim [Sakhalin].

-If Joseon subjugates Manchuria, how should we handle the Primorsky Krai [Russian territory bordering Korea]?

-What is the best way to minimize losses while trading with European countries in international diplomacy?

Since he kept throwing out these topics, Heungseon-gun and Gyeongwon-gun had no choice but to give more practical and realistic answers.

The more they did, the more their answers naturally moved further and further away from the existing Neo-Confucian perspective.

As all the Gyeongyeon came to an end, the court was enveloped in heavy tension.

Where will the royal mind be directed?

There were no tactless people who openly talked about this, but in the corners, they gathered with close people and exchanged their own predictions.

“Looking at the process, Gyeongwon-gun was very bright, so wouldn’t Gyeongwon-gun be the most likely?”

“Really? I thought Heungseon-gun was the best at the debate itself.”

“Isn’t Heungseon-gun too radical?”

“No, before that, doesn’t Heungseon-gun lack powerful family connections? If Grand Internal Prince Heungseon becomes the Crown Prince, what will the power structure look like? Should I get in line in advance?”

Gyeongwon-gun was nominally supported by the Pungyang Jo clan, so he was somewhat predictable, but Heungseon-gun was someone who had no strong backing from the start.

If he were to become the Crown Prince, the entrenched power system of Joseon might be swept away by a whirlwind in an instant.

Everyone held their breath and watched the King’s decision.

Heonjong didn’t make people wait long.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the candidates who actively participated in the tasks I have presented so far.”

“Your Majesty, your grace is boundless!”

“All three of them possess the ability and character to lead the country as a king, making it very difficult to make a decision. It is also a great blessing for Joseon to have such excellent members of the royal family. I am truly pleased and grateful, but since this is also a Gyeongyeon, it is regrettable that I have no choice but to choose one person. But before that.”

Before announcing the winner of the Gyeongyeon, Heonjong subtly changed the subject, and confusion flashed across the eyes of the officials and the candidates who were anxiously waiting.

“I have been thinking a lot during this Gyeongyeon. At first, I blamed myself countless times for not having an heir at this important time, and for causing a significant burden on the future of Joseon.”

“Your Majesty! How can you say such a presumptuous thing!”

“However, while watching this Gyeongyeon, I realized once again that there are many intelligent and capable people in our royal family. Now is a time of turmoil, not a time of peace. In such a time of turmoil, wouldn’t the king’s ability be more important than anything else?”

“That is correct! With the fate of the nation hanging by a thread, ability should be the top priority in the succession of the throne. I believe that this should be regarded as an opportunity given by heaven!”

“The words of the Left State Councilor are correct!”

Kim Hak-seo, who had received my hint, immediately agreed with Heonjong’s words and created public opinion, and the other officials reflexively chimed in.

Since it had already happened, and there was no point in arguing about it, it would be better to just gloss over it.

When the desired reaction came out, Heonjong nodded greatly and looked around at the candidates who were standing respectfully.

“As the officials said, for the sake of the future of Joseon, it is right for the most capable person in the royal family to ascend the throne. Some may say that we should look at the potential, but the owner of the throne must be someone who is already prepared—that is the conclusion I have come to.”

He spoke indirectly, but there was no one present who couldn’t interpret Heonjong’s true intentions.

Duke Deokwan and Gyeongwon-gun closed their eyes tightly and bit their lips, while Heungseon-gun struggled to suppress the corners of his mouth from rising.

“However, as the officials also agreed, the current situation is no exaggeration to say that it is the most important in the 450-year history of Joseon. Those European countries are looking to exploit Asia, and no one knows if Arasa [Russia], who is now crouching, will be revived again. The order of China, which we have been relying on, has already fallen and is unable to even take care of itself.

Therefore, my opinion is that until we overcome this crisis, the owner of the throne should be the most capable person among all the people in the royal family. Does anyone have any objections?”

Faced with an unexpected remark, the expressions of the officials, as well as Heungseon-gun, who had been full of thoughts of becoming the owner of the throne, were tinged with embarrassment.

“Th, that means that even if there is an eldest son, the Crown Prince should be chosen through Gyeongyeon like this time…?”

“The succession of the eldest son is clearly a tradition of Joseon based on Neo-Confucianism. But there are exceptions to everything. Heungseon-gun, are you sure that your eldest son is capable of bearing the weight of this throne and leading the future of Joseon, which cannot be foreseen, in the right direction?”

“Th, that is…”

Even if he becomes the king, if he cannot pass the throne on to his son, he cannot be said to have truly grasped the royal authority.

That’s why hereditary succession is considered a prerequisite for strengthening royal power.

Joseon is clearly a country that operates according to the order of Neo-Confucianism, so if Heungseon-gun challenges Neo-Confucianism, he can logically be in a superior position.

If Heungseon-gun, as the officials know him, would not accept this.

Even if he doesn’t refuse, he will try to find a way out instead of immediately accepting.

Even in the midst of everyone’s confusion, they were watching the current situation with that thought in mind.

However, Lee Ha-eung [Heungseon-gun’s personal name] is one of the few people who know that my intentions are directly involved in this Gyeongyeon.

If he raises an objection or refuses Heonjong’s words here, he will recognize that he is going against not only the King but also my will.

As evidence of that, he desperately glanced at me sitting next to him while looking at Heonjong.

“Heungseon-gun, is it too much to ask for an answer at this moment?”

“Ah, no. Your Majesty’s words are… correct. If it were a normal time, it would be different, but in times like now when the fate of the nation is in danger… it is right for the most capable person to be the owner of the throne… I believe.”

From the Northern Expedition to Manchuria to the rejection of Eastern ways and the denial of eldest son inheritance.

The eyes of the officials widened as much as they could not have been more surprised by his unexpected actions, and Heonjong smiled with satisfaction.

“Then, even after Heungseon-gun succeeds me and ascends the throne, it is safe to assume that he will adopt the most capable descendant of the royal family, as I did, and make him the Crown Prince, right?”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, you thought well. You here, listen. In the old days, there was a great empire called Rome in that Gurapa [Europe]. The Roman emperor boasted as much power as the emperor of the Middle Kingdom [China], ruling the entire Gurapa under his feet and being called a living god. That Rome adopted the most capable person as the emperor’s adopted son and raised him as the successor, just like Joseon now, and the empire reached its peak. Of course, I have no intention of denying the principle of succession of the eldest son. However, in order for Joseon to grow even further, we should maintain the same tone as now for the time being.”

There were people who seemed to have something to say, but since they had already said that it was right for a capable person to ascend the throne, there were few people who could openly come forward.

Besides, what can a third party do when Heungseon-gun, the person in question, is staying still?

As the de facto approval was given, Heonjong turned his gaze to me, who was watching from the side.

“His Royal Highness Girian, the national letter of the British Empire, will convey his congratulations to the new Crown Prince of Joseon. Your Highness, please come forward.”

It is a formal custom for the new king to receive recognition from the Emperor of China.

The officials accepted my congratulatory remarks on behalf of the Queen in that sense, and in reality, the reactions of Heonjong and Heungseon-gun were not much different.

“Congratulations, Grand Internal Prince Heungseon. No, now I will soon be calling you Crown Prince.”

“It’s all thanks to Your Highness. If difficult things happen in the future, I will seek wisdom from Your Highness and work to further strengthen the friendly relationship between Joseon and the British Empire.”

“I am also truly moved to see this side of you, Grand Internal Prince. But do you remember that?”

I lowered my voice so that no one but Lee Ha-eung could hear, and whispered softly to him.

“The promise that if the day comes when you feel that what I say is reasonable, you will seriously follow my words.”

“What is that…”

The memory of that day in childhood, which I had half-doubted.

The exact wording was different, but I clearly said something like that, right?

The dust of time that had been piled up was instantly removed, and the corners of Heungseon-gun’s eyes began to tremble like crazy.

“Re, really? I thought it might be, but as expected… no… but.”

“I believe you will keep your promise. Grand Internal Prince Heungseon.”

Maybe Heungseon-gun isn’t a fool, so he was guessing, but having a suspicion and hearing it directly with both ears are different levels of shock.

I was thinking of letting it slip if Heungseon-gun became a really useful horse, but I didn’t know that such an appropriate time would come.

Even if it’s a promise from childhood, the person who will become the king of this country has to keep his word, right?

“I am also sincerely praying that Heungseon-gun will become a good king.”

For your information, I hate people who don’t keep their promises the most.

Heungseon-gun looked at me with half his soul gone, and the officials, who had only heard the first and last congratulatory remarks, sent us generous applause.

“Congratulations, Grand Internal Prince!”

“Thank you for the warm congratulations, His Royal Highness Girian!”

“May the friendship between England and Joseon last forever!”

A heartwarming scene of the powerful figure of the British Empire and the successor who will soon become the Crown Prince sharing friendship.

The photographer I brought with me captured the image of Heungseon-gun, who still looked dumbfounded, and me with a bright smile, side by side on one screen.

Wow, what a great picture.

This is harmony, and this is an alliance.

Let’s get along even better in the future. My childhood friend, Grand Internal Prince Heungseon.