Chapter 69
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Messenger of Peace (3)
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A year ago, in the 17th year of the Daoguang Emperor's reign.
Tasked with the grave responsibility of Governor-General of Huguang, Lin Zexu had concluded that if left unchecked, the cursed substance known as opium would consume the Qing Dynasty.
Although the Huguang province he governed had little direct trade with Britain, unlike the Liangguang region, opium had already seeped deep into its core.
Lin Zexu’s policy of strict opium prohibition and thorough enforcement had yielded significant results, earning him the recognition of the Son of Heaven in Beijing.
He was not like the other central officials, who were born into wealthy families and enjoyed a swift rise through the ranks.
His father, having failed the civil service examinations, lived a modest life.
Nevertheless, he did everything in his power to create an environment where his son could study, and Lin Zexu strived not to betray his father's expectations.
Thanks to these efforts, he passed the final examination on his third attempt and began his career at the Hanlin Academy in Beijing.
Even after passing the exams, he never stopped studying. He traveled through numerous provinces, distinguishing himself as a local official and advancing slowly, step by step.
His was not a meteoric rise, nor did he ascend through innate genius.
In that respect, Lin Zexu was by no means a genius who could shake the world.
But the foundation he had so painstakingly built, solid from the very roots, made him an exceptional Governor-General.
He was more concerned with the lives of the common people than anyone, and he was able to respond to problems like opium more swiftly than any other governor-general.
The proof of his recognized achievements was the imperial edict he now held in his hand.
- The Governor-General of Huguang, Lin Zexu, is hereby appointed Imperial Commissioner and invested as the Governor-General of Liangguang. He is to completely eradicate the scourge of opium that gnaws at our nation.
The Governor-General of Liangguang, overseeing the Guangdong and Guangxi regions centered around Guangzhou, the only port permitted to trade with foreign nations.
On top of that, the title of Imperial Commissioner, granting him full authority from the Son of Heaven on this specific matter.
In effect, from this moment on, the man who would steer the Qing Dynasty's policy toward Britain was none other than Lin Zexu.
However, despite receiving such immense authority, Lin Zexu’s heart was not light.
He had originally planned to take over after at least half a year of preparation, but the situation had suddenly and drastically changed.
His predecessor, Deng Tingzhen, had stepped down from the position of Governor-General for personal reasons, forcing Lin Zexu to head to Guangzhou completely unprepared.
The reason for this turn of events was obvious.
‘He must have felt burdened by the rapidly changing situation.’
Though they were contemptible bastards who sold opium, the British were a nation with formidable military power.
According to the merchants he had dealt with and the information he had gathered, they were unquestionably a dominant force among the Western barbarians.
But they were people from a distant land, a journey that took at least half a year by sailing ship.
The former Governor-General, Deng Tingzhen, had diligently cracked down on opium as commanded by the Son of Heaven, paying no mind to the words of British officials or merchants.
Whether they traded or not, whether opium was banned or not, it was within their rights, so his actions were not inherently wrong.
The problem was that if those barbarians foamed at the mouth and threw a fit, it could lead to troublesome complications.
What if those barbarians actually came in force, seeking war?
It was unthinkable that the great Qing Empire would lose to Western barbarians, but the Qing was not in a position to sustain a prolonged war.
The war itself was a burden, and if the damage was greater than expected, the Governor-General would likely be held responsible for a diplomatic failure.
No, he would *definitely* be held responsible.
And the fact that Britain had sent a representative of the highest rank was a clear signal that they were serious.
From the former Governor-General's perspective, since he was stepping down anyway, he didn't want to shoulder any additional burdens.
His successor was already appointed, and with diplomatic relations already strained, there was no need for him to be the one to take the fall.
The problem was that Lin Zexu was now the one left to clean up the mess.
"Hah… my head aches. Is it certain that this British minister wishes to meet with us?"
"Yes. He has requested a meeting to discuss future trade and diplomatic policies with you, Governor-General. The former Governor-General apparently told him to speak with the new Governor-General who would be arriving…"
"His skill in passing the buck is truly an art form. But is this minister truly a high-ranking British official? I heard he is quite young."
"They say his position is equivalent to a Minister of Foreign Affairs, which is an extremely high rank. Since we do not have a single department overseeing all foreign relations, a direct comparison is difficult, but would it not correspond to at least a Minister of the Ministry of Rites or the Court of Colonial Affairs?"
The Qing Dynasty was a vast empire with many bordering nations, so it lacked a single department to handle foreign policy monolithically.
Relations with tributary states like Joseon were typically handled by the Ministry of Rites, while relations with Mongolia, Qinghai, Xinjiang, or Russia were managed by the Court of Colonial Affairs.
Diplomacy with Western nations trading through Guangzhou was handled individually by the local Governor-General.
This was because the Qing Dynasty based its diplomacy with neighboring countries not on equal footing, but on the premise of investiture and tribute.
However, this did not mean that the Qing, as the center of the Celestial Order, could treat other nations with disregard.
On the contrary, as the nation of the Son of Heaven, the center of the world, it was obligated to provide exceptional treatment to guests who visited with proper etiquette.
Unless relations were severed or they were turned away at the door, once a high-ranking official from another country was received, it was the duty of the Celestial Empire to treat them with corresponding dignity.
The same applied to this British minister.
Whether he was equivalent to a Minister of Rites, a Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs, or a Governor-General, a top-ranking official of roughly the first senior rank had come for negotiations.
And since he had come from a land half a year's journey by ship, it was impossible to refuse him a meeting.
The only thing that bothered him was not knowing the other party's objective.
Still, to catch a tiger, one must enter its den. Perhaps meeting him wouldn't be a bad choice.
This was Qing territory, after all, and they held the upper hand.
The British minister was said to be young and likely visiting for the first time, so he couldn't possibly have any real knowledge of this place.
If handled well, perhaps he could be gently persuaded to make his side give up opium.
It was an optimistic thought, but Lin Zexu was somewhat confident.
After all, unlike them, who were completely ignorant of this place, he had done his own research on British laws and culture.
In negotiations, a difference in information is a difference in power.
And so, Lin Zexu’s well-founded confidence, having regained his composure, was…
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Killian Gore, the Foreign Secretary of the British Empire. I have long heard of Governor-General Lin Zexu's esteemed reputation from his time as the Governor-General of Huguang."
…shaken to its very core the moment the young Western official spoke in fluent Beijing Mandarin.
"Ah… uh… ahem, a pleasure to meet you. You… you speak our language very well."
"Yes. Therefore, an interpreter will not be necessary for our conversations. In truth, no matter how skilled the interpreter, there is always the potential for subtle distortion when words are passed through a third party, is there not? I believe speaking directly like this will allow for a much more sincere negotiation."
"Indeed, if we can communicate this well, there is no need for an interpreter. But it's one thing if our countries had a long history of exchange… How is it that you, Secretary Killian, are so fluent in our language?"
"I lived in Asia when I was young. Thanks to that, I am fluent not only in the language of the Qing, but also those of Joseon and Japan. That is why someone as young as myself was entrusted with such a grave responsibility and sent here. It is our judgment that the conflict between our nations is partly due to a mutual lack of understanding of each other's cultures."
It is a natural human reaction to feel a basic sense of goodwill when a foreigner speaks one's language fluently.
Learning the language of another country requires significant effort, and for someone who is not an interpreter, it is no easy feat.
Less than fifteen minutes into their first conversation, Lin Zexu felt that this young man before him was somehow different from the British barbarians he had encountered before.
"If you lived here when you were young, are you perhaps a nobleman involved in commerce?"
"No. To be precise, I did not live in the Qing Dynasty. I was born in Joseon, the country next to yours."
"…Joseon?"
What was this sudden, unexpected revelation?
This Westerner, clearly a high-ranking British nobleman, was born in Joseon?
‘He looks no different from any other Western barbarian… No, on closer inspection, perhaps there is something slightly different about him.’
He wondered if the man was mocking him, but there was no reason for him to do so.
"Are you perhaps saying that you are a Joseon person, Secretary?"
"That is not the case. I was simply born in Joseon and spent a brief time there in my childhood. Still, thanks to that experience, I learned a great deal about Eastern languages and cultures."
"Is it possible to master not only the Joseon language but also our language and that of the Japanese pirates with just what you learned as a child?"
"This may sound like boasting, but I believe I have a natural talent for languages."
Indeed, the Beijing Mandarin Killian spoke was distinctly different from that of typical British interpreters.
The occasional use of words that were difficult to understand and his very manner of speaking made it clear that he had not learned the language through conventional means.
"…This is truly a series of surprises. In any case, it is a most welcome development that a representative familiar with our language and culture has come. If you truly grew up in Joseon, Secretary, I trust you have a firm understanding of the order that governs this world."
Joseon and the Qing had a complex history, but their relationship had been established for quite some time now.
Joseon recognized the Qing as the Celestial Empire and offered tribute, while the Qing recognized and treated Joseon as a semi-independent state.
Among Confucian scholars, not a few looked favorably upon Joseon, believing it preserved tradition even better than some scholars within the Qing.
Like most officials, Lin Zexu perceived Joseon as a very important vassal state to the Qing, though not an equal.
"Yes. I understand it very well. Most of the diplomatic friction my country has had with yours until now has been due to our unfamiliarity with Asian culture. However, I am fully prepared to respect your country's culture and customs. If the Son of Heaven would grant us an audience, I would be delighted to pay my respects."
"Oh… The previous representative from your country stubbornly refused, claiming that Westerners never kneel on both knees before anyone."
"As you say. Even before our own King, we show respect by kneeling on one knee. That is our culture and custom. However, there is also a proverb that says, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' Ah, you can think of Rome as a country like the Tang Dynasty of the West. It is a maxim that one should respect local customs when in a foreign land."
His casual mention of the Tang Dynasty seemed to confirm he wasn't lying.
Perhaps because he was born in Joseon, this *yang-i* seemed to understand propriety, which was a relief.
"So you are saying you will follow our customs, albeit belatedly?"
"Of course. I hope for the British Empire and the Qing Dynasty to build a mutually beneficial relationship. That is why I have come all this way in person."
"Then this should be quick. We have no intention of allowing even a sliver of the opium you bring in, so please respect our decision. Then we can resume normal trade as before."
"I would like to do so, but our merchants have suffered enormous losses due to the opium confiscated by the former Governor-General. My country wishes to resolve this matter before normalizing relations. I cannot completely ignore the will of my home country, so I would be grateful for your consideration."
Was it right to call getting caught selling narcotics a 'loss'?
Lin Zexu wanted to roar in anger, but since it was their first meeting, he decided to end the conversation on as positive a note as possible.
Unlike the other British men he had met, this young man named Killian seemed relatively reasonable.
"…Well, now that we each understand what the other wants, let us take more time to discuss this further."
"Understood. I will organize my materials and visit you again next time."
Killian bowed respectfully, just as he had upon arriving, and took his leave.
Was it because he was young, or because he was well-versed in their customs?
Deciding he needed to learn more about Killian, Lin Zexu immediately summoned his most trusted subordinate.
"Chengyuan, send a dispatch to Beijing with the utmost speed. Have them request information from Joseon as quickly as possible, as the British Secretary Killian Gore claims to have been born and raised there."
"Yes. I will request that they send information on the man named Killian Gore with all haste."
"He is a nobleman who has risen to the rank of minister at such a young age. He must be from a prominent noble family, so he likely fell for the daughter of a well-known *yangban* house or a wealthy merchant in Joseon. If they focus their investigation there, they should be able to dig up information easily."
Come to think of it, he had heard that Joseon did not trade with the *yang-i*. Had they been up to something else behind the scenes?
Whatever the case, it was impossible to judge now, so more detailed information was needed.
It was a long way from here to Joseon, but by utilizing the Qing Dynasty's excellent postal relay system, they could minimize the time it took to get from Guangzhou to Beijing, and from Beijing to the Joseon border.
Although this Killian person seemed quite reasonable, there was no telling what he was truly thinking, so he would not let his guard down.
His belief that knowing the enemy and knowing oneself leads to victory in battle remained unchanged.
Lin Zexu resolved to re-examine all information on Killian and the nation of Britain from scratch.
* * *
"Secretary, how did it go?"
"What did the new Governor-General say? I heard he's an even tougher hard-liner than the last one."
As soon as the first meeting, if it could even be called that, concluded, William Jardine and his partner, James Matheson, who had been waiting outside, rushed over.
"It's just as everyone expected. He seems far stricter and more resolute than the former Governor-General, Deng Tingzhen. I could feel his firm determination not to allow even a fingernail's worth of opium."
"Th-then what do we do?"
"Isn't this the worst-case scenario for us?"
Of course it is. What did you expect?
Did you think he would chuckle and say we could start selling opium again right after our first meeting?
"I have a plan, so you need not worry. However, the Governor-General of Liangguang is too stubborn and upright; it will be difficult to get through to him. We'll aim for another target."
"Another target…?"
Though it was only their first meeting, Lin Zexu was exactly the man I knew from history.
Resolute, objective, and equipped with both the will to solve the crisis and the competence to do so.
Perhaps if the Daoguang Emperor had granted all his requests, the course of the original history might have changed slightly.
But due to the constraints of the era, Lin Zexu, too, seemed unable to escape the limitations of being a man of the Qing.
To him, the greatest empire in the world was the Qing, and the center of the world was the Qing Dynasty in which he lived.
He recognized the threat of Western powers, but I could easily see his unshakable belief that there was no way the Qing could lose.
The proof was his reaction when I acted like an easy mark who would respect their customs—he responded as if it were only natural.
Well, it’s not like I actually intend to meet the Son of Heaven at this stage, nor will he ask to see me, so what's so difficult about spouting some empty flattery?
Since it was all talk, I could promise not only to perform the three kneelings and nine kowtows, but also to do a windmill spin before the Son of Heaven and freeze in the most profound bow imaginable.
No matter how reform-minded or broad-minded a Qing official might be, as long as Sino-centrism was their default setting, they were bound to look down on me.
So this was perfect.
If Lin Zexu had senselessly tried to compromise with me, or if he had been susceptible to bribes and flattery.
Or if he had been a coward trembling at the thought that Britain was too strong and they must never fight, my plans would have been complicated. What a relief this was.
Please, at least for now, I hope he sees me as a simple-minded barbarian fool who is easy to talk to and use.
Though that would only last for a few months at most.
"According to my research, there is an official under Lin Zexu named Yuan Chengyuan. He is said to have Lin Zexu's deep trust, so I will proceed with my machinations through him."
"If he's an official trusted by Lin Zexu, he's likely to be just as rigid and stubborn… Is it possible? We actually tried to win over the former Governor-General's inner circle, but we didn't have much success."
"Don't worry. I intend to use a slightly different method. For now, I need you two to use all your connections to arrange a meeting between my subordinate and Lin Zexu's."
"Yes. We'll use bribes or whatever it takes to make it happen."
The reason they hadn't seen results before was obvious.
When the Governor-General was determined to crush the opium trade, any official in a position to advise him would naturally share a similar disposition.
And anyone susceptible to bribes wouldn't have that much influence over the Governor-General in the first place.
Of course, even if I met Lin Zexu's confidant, I couldn't make him view opium favorably.
No matter how much I spouted nonsense like, "The goods the British Empire sells are harmless to the Qing Dynasty~," it would be utterly useless.
But that was only assuming I was trying to persuade him that we weren't dangerous.
- The British Empire and opium are not just a danger to the Qing; they are the ultimate natural enemy, capable of collapsing the Celestial Order itself.
Instilling that sense of crisis would not be very difficult.
After all, I have no intention of selling opium to the Qing, nor do I have any desire to resolve this situation peacefully.
So, shall we sit back and watch?
Let's see just how fiercely this aging dragon, its reverse scale prodded, will breathe fire in our direction.