Chapter 160
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Why Us?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Though I had lit the fires of suspicion, Tokugawa Ieyoshi was still the shogun of a nation.
Even if he wasn't the most exceptional leader, a man in his position was bound to have some intuition.
Instead of blindly accepting my words, he was clearly trying to discern my true intentions.
"I've heard the daimyo of Choshu is a clever and wise man. To think he would speak so carelessly..."
"It wasn't so much an impure remark. He was merely expressing a concern a regional daimyo might naturally have, and I was simply assuaging his fears. However, reflecting on our conversation, I realized it could potentially spiral into an unfavorable trend. The daimyo of Choshu must have spoken so candidly because he believed I was completely ignorant of this country's affairs."
"An unfavorable trend..."
"The phrase *Sonnō jōi* was used in the past by continental lords to expand their power under the pretext of 'revering the king and expelling the barbarians.' I hear it's called *Sonnō* in this country, and I can hardly object to serving the emperor, the nation's foundation. However, I've heard that recently, *jōi* has been added to it, and the number of those shouting *Sonnō jōi* is growing. This naturally made me worry that it could become a political burden for you, Shogun."
Historically, the *Sonnō jōi* ideology began to burgeon in Japan after the Kurofune incident, when Japan capitulated to American pressure and opened its ports.
But now, with the United States absent from the Pacific, the Tokugawa Shogun was trying to use me to bolster his own authority. As a reaction, calls to expel Westerners were emerging from the powerful regional domains.
Of course, since I was stoking their national pride, it would likely die down with time, but in this era, information spread slowly.
Frankly, if a daimyo with a grudge against the shogun decided to control the flow of information, it would be nearly impossible for the people in his domain to know the truth.
"As you say, Your Highness, it is true that some subversive elements shouting such things have recently appeared. But they are a tiny minority, not something Your Highness needs to personally worry about."
"The reason people value history is that it always repeats itself. *Sonnō jōi* is ultimately just a pretext and a claim; what they truly want is something else entirely, isn't it? Those who champion such slogans rarely seem to genuinely intend to enthrone a king. In fact, seeing Choshu's considerable interest in the British Empire's weapons makes me doubt whether their calls to expel foreigners are sincere."
"Are you saying Choshu covets the weapons of the English?"
"They showed great interest in the British Empire's military manuals and systems. I heard that the Choshu domain has recently seen great success in its internal reforms and has produced many outstanding military officers, so I suppose it's understandable."
As I continued to casually drop details one could never know without inside information, the shogun had no choice but to believe me.
"So, Your Highness also believes their ideology could work against the shogunate."
"Of course. As I said, this is a fact proven by history. For them, it would take but a moment to brand the shogun a traitor who threatens His Majesty the Emperor and is trying to sell out the country to the British Empire."
"...I suppose so. I also thought it was nothing more than an excuse to strengthen their own power while spouting plausible-sounding words."
If the shogun could easily crush the daimyos no matter how much they acted out, there would be no need for such worries.
But Ieyoshi, while not thinking he could possibly be overthrown, must have been sensing the unsettling momentum of the growing regional domains.
As I continued to fan the shogun's anxiety, he, already slightly flushed with alcohol, could no longer maintain his composure.
"Great mistakes are like great ropes, made of dozens of thin fibers woven together. In other words, when these omens gather one by one, they can escalate into a major incident. It would not hurt for you, Shogun, to prepare in advance."
"Thank you for this valuable information. I will never forget Your Highness's goodwill."
"However, if the other side learns that I've told you this, their anti-Western sentiment will only intensify. I would appreciate it if you kept my words strictly confidential."
"Of course."
The spark has been lit. Now, even if I do nothing, the shogun will begin to keep the regional daimyos in check on his own.
Of course, I hadn't fabricated anything. When the powerful domains realize the shogun is moving against them, they will rise up even faster, accelerating the conflict.
The shogun, lost in thought for a moment, casually refilled my cup and asked in a subtle tone.
"By the way, didn't you say that the trade treaty between our two nations would include a mutual defense obligation?"
"Yes. That way, neither France nor Russia will be able to take this land by force."
"Does that mutual defense apply only to conflicts between nations?"
The true intent behind the shogun's words. To his question of what would happen in a battle against rebels, not a war with another country, I gave him the answer he most wanted to hear.
"The British Empire will interpret the party to the treaty as the government of Japan. In other words, if someone attacks the Japanese government, there is ample room for the mutual defense obligation to be invoked."
"Then I have nothing to worry about, not even in the slightest."
"Still, intervention by a foreign power wouldn't look good. You should do your utmost to prevent such a situation."
"Hahaha, of course. I was just asking, just in case."
He's full of confidence now, but will he still be laughing after fighting a coalition of domains far stronger than he expects?
In fact, from my perspective, the shogun being pushed back desperately would create the perfect picture for intervention.
To achieve that, I'll need to subtly support not only the shogun but also Satsuma and Choshu without being noticed. What would be best, I wonder.
While I was organizing my thoughts, the shogun tapped his cup with his finger and changed the subject.
"Anyway, you'll soon have to go to where His Majesty the Emperor resides... Will that be alright? His Majesty is rather keen to meet you in person... Above all, treaties with foreign nations require His Majesty's approval, at least formally, so we must seek his permission."
"There's no reason why I shouldn't. In fact, it would be strange to come all this way and not meet His Majesty."
"You have nothing to worry about! While there are procedures and etiquette for an imperial audience, His Magnanimous Majesty has said that insisting on excessive formalities at a meeting to forge friendship between our nations would be a discourtesy in itself. Moreover, since Your Highness is the Queen's consort, it has all been arranged that the bowing ceremony will be replaced with the Western custom of showing respect to a monarch. Do not worry. Hahaha!"
This is a bit surprising.
I guess their long experience trading with the Netherlands hasn't gone to waste.
If they had forced me to kneel and bow before the emperor, it would have created an awkward scene. What a shame.
"His Majesty is truly benevolent and magnanimous. Just hearing this, I can feel how sincerely he regards the friendship between our two nations. Of course, I'm sure His Majesty made such a decision because you, Shogun, conveyed your loyalty to him."
"Since Your Highness has given me such valuable information, this is the least I could do. I look forward to our continued cooperation."
With broad smiles, we shook hands firmly and concluded the meeting.
As expected, the presence or absence of information is the absolute deciding factor in negotiations.
If I hadn't known the situation in 19th-century Japan beforehand, would the shogun have been so easily deceived by my words?
Anyone in the shogun's position would have had no choice but to believe me.
Still, I hope he won't be too disheartened.
Even if things had continued as they were, the shogun was destined to fade into the annals of history. Thanks to me, at least his lineage will be preserved, right?
I'll make sure the Tokugawa family line itself is preserved, so he can rest easy and rely solely on me.
***
Joseon, Hanseong.
King Yi Hwan, who had recently ended the regency and begun his personal rule, was still in the process of developing his skills in statecraft by listening carefully to his ministers.
No matter how strong a king's authority, a young monarch not yet twenty would easily provoke resentment if he tried to strengthen his power too overtly.
Well aware of this, Yi Hwan pretended to heed his ministers' words, biding his time.
The recent international situation, in particular, was so complex, with so many events unfolding rapidly, that it was difficult to keep up with everything.
Therefore, his immediate priority was to gather his subjects' opinions and cultivate the most accurate judgment possible.
"...So, Minister of War, are you saying the Qing cannot possibly defeat Russia?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I have been to Beijing and seen the reality of the Qing with my own eyes. The Great Qing that once commanded the world is no more."
"Then, if the order of Zhonghua has already collapsed, can we, as 'Little China,' consider ourselves the inheritors of its spirit?"
"...Your Majesty. To preserve the order of Zhonghua, we must first avoid a situation like the Qing's, where the nation is shaken by foreign invasion."
"That is entirely correct, but are the Westerners not said to be fierce and bloodthirsty? Still, I heard we will be signing a treaty with Russia through the mediation of the English. Shouldn't that be enough to put our minds at ease?"
The reality that the Qing Dynasty—which he had grown up hearing was the center of the world—had become such a helpless punching bag still didn't feel quite real.
But seeing them get beaten by Russia, right after England, it seemed he had no choice but to accept that the times had changed.
The king did not particularly like Kim Jwa-geun, thinking him the seed of a powerful vassal who could check royal authority, but he readily acknowledged the man's intelligence and quick wit.
That was why he had agreed without complaint to borrow England's power to sign a non-aggression pact with Russia.
"Your Majesty. Signing the pact may put out the immediate fire, but strictly speaking, it is merely buying time. If Joseon does not build up the strength to repel foreign invaders, it is certain that Russia, or even England, will eventually covet our lands."
"The Minister of War is right. But realistically, is it possible to increase military spending and reinforce our troops in the country's current state?"
"To be frank, I believe it will not be easy."
"But just because it is not easy does not mean we shouldn't try. First, let us consider how we might best use the English when we sign the pact with Russia. By the way, when is this non-aggression pact scheduled to be signed?"
"Since Russia is currently at war with the Qing, we plan to request England's mediation as soon as the outcome is known. Word from Shanghai is that Killian Gore is currently visiting Japan at the invitation of the shogunate. I believe it would be best to send another envoy once he returns to Shanghai."
Hearing this unexpected news, the corner of the king's eye twitched.
"Killian Gore is meeting with the Japanese? Why?"
"It seems that our move to sign a pact with Russia has made them anxious. Perhaps they have invited Killian Gore personally because they are plotting something..."
"Hah. Though Killian Gore is said to have Western blood, is he not a Joseon man, born in Joseon? Yet instead of coming to Joseon's soil first, he visits the land of the Japanese."
"Your Majesty. In the case of the Japanese, their emperor formally invited Killian. Furthermore, and this is just my speculation, but with none other than him visiting in person, Japan may well lose immense concessions."
Listening to him, it felt as though Kim Jwa-geun held a particularly high opinion of Killian Gore.
The other ministers of the Border Defense Council were not so cautious, but Kim Jwa-geun was different.
The ministers said Kim Jwa-geun was being overly dramatic, but common sense dictated that someone who had met and spoken with him directly could make a more objective assessment than someone who had not.
Considering Kim Jwa-geun was the only person in all of Joseon to have met and spoken with Killian Gore, his words inevitably carried weight.
"Then inviting him to Joseon would bring more harm than good. Still, it would be a loss of face for Joseon to ignore a man from Joseon who is being treated with such great respect by the Japanese. Therefore, when Killian returns to Shanghai from Japan, I want you, Minister of War, to visit Shanghai. Go, discuss the pact, and find a way for us to avoid being swept away by the rapids of this turbulent era."
"I will obey Your Majesty's command. However, when I go to Shanghai, may I take one other person with me?"
"Since we are sending a formal envoy, we must naturally pay attention to its size. If there are people you wish to bring, you may arrange it as you see fit, Minister. But to single out one person suggests you have someone specific in mind. Who is it?"
"He is someone who, besides myself, may have seen Killian Gore in person. The investigation concluded that he hadn't, but personally, I cannot shake my suspicions..."
"Someone who met Killian Gore? I heard that no matter how much his activities in Joseon were investigated, nothing was ever found."
The Border Defense Council would not have submitted a false report. What was the source of this discrepancy?
"It is not certain, Your Majesty. That is why I intend to use this opportunity to verify it."
"Now that you put it that way, I am quite curious. Who is he? This person who might have met Killian."
"It is a royal kinsman of this nation whom Your Majesty knows well, Prince Heungseon."
"...Prince Heungseon?"
Why is his name coming up now?
He was momentarily stunned by the unexpected name, but regardless of the reason, what harm could there be in confirming it?
For the time being, the king granted Kim Jwa-geun permission to act as he wished.
If it went well, good. If not, couldn't he use this as a pretext to strike down the Andong Kim clan and strengthen his own authority?
Whatever the outcome, the king had nothing to lose.
The young king decided not to be hasty, but to wait and see what answer Kim Jwa-geun and Prince Heungseon would bring back from Shanghai.