Chapter 82
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 082
Chapter Title: Friend or Foe (2)
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Bubbling away.
It wasn't a phrase describing the thoughts swirling in Heonjong's or Arthur's heads.
Rather, it captured the boiling resentment in the hearts of some among those who had returned home victorious.
"These local savages actually think they drove back the Russians."
"What a joke. Give me a break."
The high-ranking British and French commanders fresh from the Far East expedition were clicking their tongues in unison, without anyone needing to start.
Strictly speaking, it was none of their business what the Koreans—mere locals by Anglo-French standards—were blathering on about.
But human psychology being what it is, it felt like their own expertise had been snatched away, twisting their guts all the same.
No one dared say outright, "It pisses me off that these monkeys won't acknowledge my field of specialty," lest they lose face. Instead, they circled around it before redirecting their fire.
"What's this Daniel Leigh got that suddenly makes him some legendary general?"
"Has to be Arthur Leigh's doing. He's just trying to hype his brother up as some once-in-a-millennium genius, isn't he?"
"This is a problem."
"So what?"
But...
They fell silent at Consul-General Alcock's flat, matter-of-fact remark.
"What's it matter to you lot if the primitives are kicking up a fuss?"
"Come now, Consul-General."
"If local casualties were high enough to stir unrest here in Joseon—if folks started thinking Russia was too strong and it might be better to flip sides—London would love that, wouldn't they? And that'd be something you couldn't handle on your own. Better to just let them have their fun among themselves, no?"
Any sensible British officer might reflexively snap, "What do I care?" This wasn't a colony or East India Company territory—whether things went to hell here was their problem, not his.
But Britain was a nation of strict civilian control.
At least here in Joseon, the consul-general outranked everyone, and the British commanders—who were leaving soon anyway—had no desire to cross him.
The French, however, were a different story.
"This is about honor. Honor!"
"They might try to steal our victory through local opinion."
Even if they'd ended up as allies by chance, Britain and France remained eternal rivals—a fact that would never change.
The French wouldn't miss this golden opportunity to grate on British nerves, needling them relentlessly.
Alcock had to repeatedly assure them—swearing on his honor that there'd be no theft of victory by Asians and that he'd make the "truth" known—before finally calming the French down.
"Hah. Military types, I swear."
At last freed, Alcock could savor his solitude.
"...A little worrying, though."
The words slipped out unbidden, and only belatedly did he realize what he'd said.
Arthur Leigh was steadily consolidating his grip on Joseon.
What was there to "worry" about? A subject of the British Empire amassing vast wealth and power—wasn't that a good thing?
Look at Sarawak in Southeast Asia. An Englishman had been crowned king by the Sultan of Brunei. If Arthur became king of Joseon—or something close—that promised gains far beyond Sarawak...
Worrying?
Alcock was no fool. Far from the homeland, he knew more than most about the bizarre events unfolding in the periphery.
He didn't dismiss his gut as mere fancy. It didn't take long to pinpoint the source of his unease.
'The China market.'
Arthur Leigh was pouring massive investments into Joseon.
As president of Leigh & Gladstone Company, not investing here would be dereliction of duty. Profits from Joseon were skyrocketing daily, so he was riding the wave with aggressive expansion.
His pro-Joseon stance was natural, too.
Joseon was one of the rare non-European nations friendly to the British Empire. Even counting Europe, few nations truly favored Britain—but Joseon stood out. Beaten into opening its ports, yet still well-disposed toward Britain? Utterly unique.
Some politicians and diplomats back home accused Arthur of working for Joseon over Britain. But he wasn't a British civil servant. If anything, he was Joseon's foreign advisor, dutifully honoring his professional ethics.
That's why Alcock supported him—subtly, overtly—expanding Britain's foothold in Joseon without clashing.
Yet now, feeling Hanyang's feverish heat scorching the streets...
Watching tawdry yellow journalism flyers fluttering everywhere—not quite British caliber, but passionate...
A hypothesis he'd never once considered dawned on him.
"Secretary?"
"Yes, Consul-General?"
"Suppose—just suppose."
"Yes?"
"What if Joseon invaded China?"
"If China invaded outright, we'd avoid entanglement as much as possible, coordinate with the Foreign Office to protect our interests—"
"No. Not China invading. Joseon."
As consul-general to Joseon, he'd studied the place in his spare time.
A thousand years had passed, but Koreans saw Manchuria as lost territory to reclaim—Manchus ruling the Qing now as insolent former slaves who'd dared bite their masters.
So... what if Joseon launched a full-scale invasion for "territorial recovery"?
If Joseon's growth threatened China—and by extension, the vast British interests in the China market?
"Apologies, but is that even possible? Even if China's slow as turtles, how could Joseon invade them?"
"Yeah. Quite."
He could feel the secretary eyeing him like a paranoid megalomaniac—or someone desperate for a big win. But Alcock had no energy to reprimand a subordinate. His mind was too full.
Arthur Leigh planned to go to China and foment an "opposition party."
Arthur Leigh had a direct audience with the Qing ruler, Prince Gong.
Arthur Leigh wasn't taking meaningful precautions despite a Qing invasion surely devastating his wealth and power.
And he wasn't an idiot.
"Damn."
Arthur would try to wreck China.
Why would he care if British trade profits tanked?
Alcock's head grew feverish.
Consul-General Alcock's urgent report was dispatched to the Hong Kong Governor's Office.
1. Tensions between China and Joseon show no signs of easing—instead escalating daily.
2. The Joseon royal government is rife with expansionist, adventurist intentions; in the event of conflict, it is predicted they would not shy from war.
3. Arthur Leigh, wielding strong influence over the Joseon kingdom, shows no inclination to restrain this—instead riding belligerent public opinion to bolster his own interests.
Conclusion.
To safeguard British national interests, conflict between the Qing and Joseon must be prevented at all costs. To that end, measures against Arthur Leigh must precede all else.
This report was, naturally, for the eyes of the Governor's Office and London's high officials only.
But there's no such thing as an eternal secret in this world.
Especially when the subject himself had lavishly spread "friendship fees" around—the seal was broken from the start.
[Arthur Leigh, Dreaming of War?]
[Premier Orientalist, Pushing the Orient into Turmoil?]
[Let's Examine the Briton with Greatest Sway over Qing and Joseon Royals]
[Who Profits if Qing-Joseon War Erupts?]
Articles poured out overnight. Alcock's report became common knowledge worldwide.
Arthur stormed the consulate, lodging a fierce protest over the privacy violation. Instead of apologizing and backing down, Alcock requested he "refrain somewhat" from "excessive interference in local government."
But the situation didn't end there.
[Far East Company Shares Plunge!]
[Major Blow to Future China Operations]
[Market Delivers Harsh Verdict on Joseon's Rising War Risk...]
The stock price tanked.
Unlike the privately held Leigh & Gladstone Company, Far East Company was publicly traded on the City of London.
Rumors crossed oceans: kill orders from Prince Gong on Arthur, Qing vows to conquer Joseon soon. Short-sellers fanned the flames with ever wilder fabrications.
"Shouldn't Arthur Leigh explain himself directly?"
"Damn right! He owes the shareholders a clear statement!"
"Cut the bullshit, you bastards!!"
"Filthy scum trying to shake a solid company— who the hell do you think you are?!"
"Fire the president? You idiots! That blows all our Joseon interests!"
"If war breaks out and Qing conquers Joseon, we lose 'em anyway!"
As the City of London descended into chaos, politicians swiftly reacted.
"Individual rights must of course be protected. The British Empire government must do its utmost to safeguard the rights of the diligent and honest worker."
Conservative MP Benjamin Disraeli fired the opening salvo.
"Minister Gladstone."
"So you're fine with British interests in the China market taking a hit?"
No fair fight would end well for them anyway.
Gladstone resorted to deflection and mudslinging, bellowing that "the opposition wants to meddle in private business!" Disraeli, caught off-guard without his phonebook in his gut, took the hit.
But they couldn't rely on parlor tricks forever.
[When might you return to London?]
[Another 2-3 years, I reckon?]
Yet the reply from Joseon was breezy as ever.
Only Gladstone's insides were burning up.
[Come now. Unless you want to watch the company crumble.]
Receiving the fury-condensed message, Arthur gazed at the night sky and sighed.
"Ah! If they'd only waited three more years, I could've devoured Westminster—yet without that divine timing, I must return to London at last!"
"Master, are you alright?"
"Suddenly craving a Zhuge Liang cosplay. Should've bought a feather fan at least."
Returning to London after the Sepoy Mutiny would let him crush their spines—but when the patron called, he went.
Arthur began preparations for his homecoming.