I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 70

Signs of Division

In truth, not everyone in the British Empire was united in their villainy, chanting ‘We Are the World.’

It was a Briton who first campaigned extensively for the abolition of slavery.

Britain was also the first country to abolish the slave trade and outlaw slavery itself.

And there were Britons who argued that selling devilish goods like opium to other countries, no matter how desperate for money, was crossing a line.

Of course, that doesn’t mean the British Empire’s dazzling villainy disappeared.

Britain was also the one that engaged in large-scale slave trade to an extent unmatched by anyone else in the world, and it was none other than Britain that drove countless Chinese people into addiction with opium.

Although it was a country where light and darkness coexisted in this way, there was a reason why the modern British Empire was called the epitome of villainy.

Because when the weight of money and the weight of conscience clashed, the scales of the British Empire almost always tipped towards the side that made money rather than conscience.

Conscience usually won only when the matter was a declining industry that no longer made much money.

The abolition of slavery is a typical example of this.

When the slave trade was a goose that laid golden eggs, even when some conscientious people shouted that black people were also beings with reason and emotion, people didn’t even listen.

Who cared when enormous amounts of money rolled in just by ignoring that conscience a few times?

Money was infinitely replicated whether black people died of disease or were treated like livestock.

The opium trade was not much different.

There were voices saying that selling opium indiscriminately was not right, but there was too much money coming into their pockets to listen to such conscience.

Charles Elliot, who was the plenipotentiary to the Qing Dynasty before I arrived, was one of those who struggled with this dilemma.

“In the end, the home country intends to continue selling opium to Qing by any means, and the Minister is in a position to faithfully follow the home country’s decision.”

“You don’t like it very much?”

“As a government official, I have no choice but to follow the policies set by the higher-ups, so what does my personal judgment matter? However, I just hope that I will not be mentioned as a symbol of unscrupulousness representing the era in the distant future.”

As I had investigated since I was in London, Charles Elliot was not very favorable to the opium trade.

It was an important element of the British economy, so he was just backing it up, but he had made quite a few remarks expressing personal disgust.

The reason why he frowned at the representatives of the opium merchants or showed a relieved reaction when I said I would exercise full power instead was probably due to such tendencies.

I thought he was a suitable person to entrust the plan to from the first report, but wouldn’t it become clear if I probed him a few more times?

“I fully understand the Commissioner’s feelings. I also have a hard time holding back laughter every time I see William Jardine desperately shouting that opium is no more harmful than alcohol.”

“Ha! I wonder what he would say if all the alcohol he drinks was replaced with opium in the future. If he really inhales opium instead of alcohol when that situation comes, I will acknowledge his claim.”

Even if scientific analysis methods were not popularized, people of this era were not fools.

Even at the end of the 18th century, the harm of opium had not yet been properly proven, but now it is the early to mid-19th century.

It had been decades since opium was mass-produced and sold, and it was a time when samples that could be observed for their effects had accumulated in the tens or hundreds of thousands.

Although they had not scientifically and perfectly proven the concept of drug addiction, the British upper class already knew empirically that drugs addict and ruin people.

The reason why they didn’t announce it was simple.

If Britain proved that opium was harmful, it would be cutting open the goose that lays golden eggs [destroying a valuable resource].

-Is there any evidence that opium is a drug that ruins people?

-Opium is just like alcohol, but the Qing people are just lazy.

They were just insisting like this, and since the huge trade deficit with Qing was offset by opium, politicians were gritting their teeth and pretending not to know.

“Most of the politicians in the home country also know the harm of opium. That’s why they regulate it so that it can be used for medical purposes in the country, but not inhaled indiscriminately like in Qing.”

“…I see. But well, even though I said this, I did what the government told me to do, so I’m not in a position to criticize others. If I really had conviction, I would have just refused to do such a disgraceful thing, but I couldn’t.”

“How can someone who eats the government’s salary publicly disobey just because they don’t like it? I understand everything. That’s why I’m telling you…”

He is negative about the opium trade, but he is also in an ambiguous position where he cannot give up his current position to cause a scene.

Some may criticize him for compromising with reality, but in fact, most people live like Elliot.

They feel guilty, but they cannot ignore the realistic aspects, so they reluctantly follow orders.

And this type tends to follow our intentions obediently if we throw them a bait to relieve their guilt.

“If there is a way to maximize the interests of one’s country without being criticized for doing disgraceful things, don’t you think we should choose that side?”

“…Yes? But didn’t you say that the home country has clearly decided to resume the opium trade?”

“That’s just a policy, and I have already received permission to change the policy depending on the situation on the ground. If I think the situation is urgent, I can adjust the direction as much as I want.”

“Th-that’s right. But even so, Minister, you are still young…no, young, so wouldn’t the risk of rejecting the Prime Minister’s or the party’s instructions be too great?”

He is saying in a roundabout way that he is too uneasy to move against the home country’s policy, trusting a greenhorn like me.

I like this petty-bourgeois mindset.

“I’m telling you this because I highly value our Commissioner’s conscience, so think about it carefully. As you just said, do you think a greenhorn like me can really overturn the Prime Minister’s or the parliament’s will because the situation on the ground is not good without anything I truly believe in?”

“Yes? You don’t mean you have a separate backer…”

“Of course. You probably know the political situation in the home country, so I’ll briefly explain it. You must have heard of Charles Wellesley, the son of Duke Wellington? Everything I’m telling you now is part of the plan he has laid out.”

“Ah, the rumored Wellesley faction?”

Wellesley, who is sleeping soundly in London, would jump up if he heard this, but so what?

Since I told him in advance that I would freely sell his name if necessary, he would understand everything.

As expected, it’s always good to make friends with good families and high name value.

“Yes, it’s a group of young, reformative, and conscientious young lawmakers. It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s the future of the Conservative Party. By the next election, you’ll actually feel the center of the Conservative Party moving to this side.”

“I thought the Minister was also a member of the Wellesley faction. I thought it was too young to be appointed as a Minister at such a young age, even if he knew the local situation well and had the ability, but it makes sense if the core forces of the Conservative Party were pushing him from behind.”

“Yes, that’s right. And our goal is to prioritize the national interests of the British Empire, but to eliminate negative elements that can erode our dignity. As a result of looking at it so far, I think the Commissioner is a talent who can work with us. What do you think? If you are willing to get on board with us, I will tell you the detailed plan.”

“If I accept here, will I also become a member of the Wellesley faction?”

Asking about the treatment after joining is the same as expressing that he is leaning towards it.

Since I can’t stay here after everything is over, if Elliot is capable enough, there is no reason not to give him an important position.

“You can think of it that way. If things go well, we need someone to stay here and carry out the Governor-General’s duties, but I, as the Minister, cannot stay here. Then we have to entrust it to someone else, and the person who knows the local situation well and whose personality and ability have been verified will be the first to be considered.”

“The next Governor-General…”

He must have been stressed out by backing up opium dealers, but he is guaranteed to quit that and even receive the next Governor-General position?

If he refuses this, we can only suspect that he has other intentions.

I gave him a benevolent smile and reached out to him.

“What do you think? Are you willing to accept my offer?”

* * *

Just as there is a saying that you should shoot the horse before catching the general [defeat the subordinates before targeting the leader], I contacted one of Lin Zexu’s confidants, struggling to play the role of Killian Gore, who is working hard for a peaceful resolution.

To be exact, it was a position that opium merchants such as William Jardine and James Matheson desperately created by using money and connections.

I didn’t expect much, but should I praise them for succeeding in calling out the person I specifically pointed out?

It seems that they were serious when they said they were working really desperately.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Yang Cheng-won. Can I call you Minister?”

“Of course. First of all, I would like to thank you for coming out so willingly, as you are called the Governor-General’s right-hand man.”

“Right-hand man is an overstatement. And the Governor-General also wants to have a good relationship with the Minister, so I, as a subordinate, cannot refuse the invitation. By the way, you are really fluent in Qing [referring to the Chinese language]. If someone who doesn’t know hears it, they might mistake you for someone born in Beijing. Have you ever stayed in Beijing?”

“Hahaha, that’s an overstatement. I would like to go there someday if I have the opportunity, but unfortunately, I have never stayed in Beijing.”

“Then you have never been to Qing? Have you been staying in Joseon [ancient Korea] all along?”

Ah. I wondered why he came out so willingly, even though Jardine or Matheson tried so hard, but was it to investigate this side?

Well, it’s understandable that a Western barbarian who looks completely different from Asians is so fluent in Qing and says he was born in Joseon.

Considering that the purpose itself was to raise such questions, it is evidence that things are going quite well.

“I stayed in Joseon and heard a lot about the situation in Asia, and I learned a lot. I didn’t know that my childhood experience would be so helpful, but I guess you have to say that you never know what will happen in life.”

“What was it like when you were in Joseon? Did they treat the Minister, who looks different from them, favorably? I’m worried that you might have had an unpleasant experience because Joseon is a very closed society.”

That’s for sure. Now I can just curse them a few times as pathetic guys and move on, but it was quite difficult for me at the time.

But that’s that, and of course, I didn’t tell him my inner thoughts as they were.

The intention of asking this is obvious to know how favorable I am to the country where I grew up in childhood, but there is no reason to present the correct answer.

Rather, I should tell him the opposite truth to confuse him.

“Fortunately, there were hardly any unpleasant experiences. Everyone was kind and treated me well. Thanks to that, even after returning to my home country, I have a mind to become a bridge connecting the British Empire and Joseon someday.”

“Ah, I see. But of course, as you know, Joseon is a tributary state that pays tribute to our country.”

“Of course, I know. Don’t worry. It doesn’t mean that the British Empire will ignore Qing and exert influence on Joseon. It’s just a light wish that the British Empire, Qing, and Joseon can all get along well.”

“I see. As expected, you are familiar with this side’s culture, so your ability to accurately see through the situation and make judgments is amazing.”

Look at him being startled as soon as the story of Joseon comes out, as if he is the headquarters of Sinocentrism [a belief in the superiority of Chinese culture].

Is he worried that this side might put a foot in Joseon, so he’s burning with anxiety?

“Hahaha, that’s why my home country trusts me and appointed me as the chief of the field. I will do my best to prevent the peace of this East, where I spent my childhood, from being broken. So, I would appreciate it if you could convey my words well to the Governor-General.”

“I am very glad to be able to confirm the Minister’s sincerity once again. I will convey all the conversations we had today to the Governor-General, so don’t worry.”

Yang Cheng-won asked several times, turning around to dig out the relationship between me and Joseon in more detail.

Each time, I only put lies that were 1 million light-years away from the truth, and each time, an unhideable light of concern formed in Yang Cheng-won’s eyes.

If Joseon, one of Qing’s most important tributary states, is directly connected to the British Empire through me, it is highly likely that problems will arise.

He must be worried, right? He’ll probably be suspicious too.

But unfortunately, once a suspicion is ignited, it does not easily subside.

Especially if someone is constantly throwing firewood and fanning it from the side, it will burn even more fiercely.

Like the proverb ‘Suspicion breeds ghosts.’

If you are constantly anxious and suspicious, even non-existent ghosts will appear, so suspicion eats away at such intangible anxiety and endlessly grows in size.

After finishing the long conversation, Yang Cheng-won’s face, contrary to the friendly conversation we had so far, was extremely complex.

* * *

-Collect all information about Killian Gore, without missing even the smallest details.

Yang Cheng-won faithfully carried out the orders he received from Lin Zexu, but that made his head even more dizzy.

An English Minister born in Joseon.

Even listening to the story, Killian seemed to be quite favorable to Joseon.

If Killian is like that, it is highly likely that Joseon also recognizes him similarly.

If he were the decision-maker of England, he would not fail to utilize such a good personnel selection.

No, if he doesn’t utilize it, that human is not qualified to do politics or diplomacy.

However, this side could never allow such a thing.

If it’s just trading, I don’t know, but logically, it can’t end there.

The closer Joseon gets to England, the more likely Qing’s influence will weaken, and that means the *cheonjo jilseo* [Heavenly Tribute System, a hierarchical system of international relations in East Asia centered on China] could be shaken…

“Mr. Yang Cheng-won! I have something urgent to tell you!”

“…?”

As he was lost in thought and trying to return to Lin Zexu, a middle-aged English official accompanied by an interpreter called out to him.

He wondered who it was and looked closely, and Yang Cheng-won happened to know him.

The person who had several meetings with the former Governor-General as the local chief of England before Killian Gore was appointed.

His name was clearly Charles Elliot.

Unlike the opium merchants who wouldn’t be cool even if they were torn to death, he remembers him as a person who at least had a minimum of conscience.

But even so, he is still an Englishman, so he did not budge from his position to protect the opium merchants, and thanks to that, he probably did not achieve much diplomatic success.

He wondered why such a person was looking for him now, but Elliot narrowed the distance before Yang Cheng-won could react.

“I’m sorry for the rudeness. But I couldn’t stand it, so I came to tell you the truth.”

“…The truth?”

He was already feeling uneasy, and Elliot was talking about disturbing things, so he didn’t feel good.

Seeing his expression darken, Elliot quickly had the interpreter convey his words.

“I’m sorry for the rudeness. But I couldn’t stand it, so I came to tell you the truth.”

“What are you talking about…”

“Although I am a person of the British Empire, you all know that I was not very positive about the opium trade. So, if you investigate as you go back, you will know that my words are not false.”

Whether it was the resentment of being pushed out of the position of chief, or the last remaining conscience.

Elliot clearly pulled out the concerns that Yang Cheng-won felt while talking with Killian in the form of language.

“You must not believe the appearance that Killian shows in front of you. The only reason the Prime Minister and the parliament sent him here as the chief is to completely neutralize Qing and resume the opium trade without any restrictions.”

“…”

“From the appointment of Killian, who is fluent not only in Qing but also in Joseon and the language of Jipangu [a dated term for Japan and its language], as the chief of the field…damn it, surveillance is already following me. I guess I’m not getting much credit either.”

Elliot, who was continuing to speak, hurriedly lowered his head and stepped back as soon as he discovered a man approaching from afar.

“If you don’t believe my words, judge for yourself. Whether the current response of England is reasonable within the bounds of common sense or not.”

Yang Cheng-won stood blankly for a while, looking at Elliot’s back as he hurriedly ran away, fearing that he might be caught.

Although he didn’t hear it until the end, it wasn’t difficult to guess what he was trying to say.

‘So…it’s not that England gave up selling opium because it was pushed by this side’s firm will?’

In the end, it means that what they really want is to pretend to follow this side’s will and create a situation that will collapse them from behind.

It was hard to believe at first glance, but it was inevitable that it felt strangely credible because of the situation.

And if this is true, then their promise to stop selling opium could not be trusted at all.

No, it is certain that they are probably continuing to sell opium behind their backs.

“This is not the time. I have to convey this news to the Governor-General as soon as possible.”

There was still no evidence.

Yang Cheng-won’s heart began to beat faster than ever at the thought that he might have learned of a huge conspiracy that could threaten Qing from the root.