Chapter 194
Chapter 194
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 194
Chapter Title: Black and White (1)
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In Clive's mind, the 'Indian specialty' that this high-ranking Joseon official desired was undoubtedly opium.
To begin with, the fact that he had proposed a 'private transaction' made it clear.
Modern people might be shocked to hear this, but the British East India Company had never officially exported opium directly to China. The Chinese government had banned it since the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor.
What the East India Company did was sell opium to Britain's 'retailers.' Whether those retailers took it to China or dumped it in the ocean was none of the EIC's concern.
That was why 'private citizen' Robert Clive had resolved to smuggle opium to China even before arriving there. Through three Carnatic Wars, Clive had drastically reduced the number of players in the opium market, then seized control by promising them new avenues of trade.
On top of that logic, intuition played a major role. Clive had caught the scent of a kindred spirit from Kim Unhaeng.
And Clive's logic and intuition were both spot on.
Kim Unhaeng didn't know much about opium history himself—he just figured that since they were British, they must carry it as a matter of course—but the end result was correct anyway.
Thus, there was no issue with this deal. Just as in diplomatic talks, the two men saw eye to eye.
The only problem was Kim Unhaeng's shallow knowledge.
Once the British had arrived, there was no stopping opium from spreading across East Asia anyway.
Can you prevent radiation from leaking after a reactor meltdown?
If that's the case, I planned to steer it in a different direction as much as possible.
If this were a few years ago, when I bought that tobacco field, it might have been different. But if opium spread in Joseon now, I'd be the one taking the biggest hit.
Better to preemptively absorb it and handle it myself. It wasn't some British mindset where I intended to profit from drug smuggling in place of the East India Company.
Still, since the other side was British, I couldn't afford to look down on them.
It was also odd for both representatives to linger on the pier this long, so I needed to bring Clive out soon. It was only when he was already heading to the ship's rail to leave that I came up with the right wedge.
I squeezed out what little drug knowledge I had. Then, in a tone like a noir film godfather, I said,
"It has to be the purest white powder of the highest quality. I won't accept anything low-grade."
As expected, the bastard flinched.
"Pure white, you say? Are you sure you didn't mean black?"
What was that supposed to mean?
Ah, maybe the fool thought 'Indian specialty' meant pepper?
Pepper wasn't bad either. It couldn't be grown in Joseon (even in the 21st century), and right now it was only imported from Japan, so prices couldn't be kept low. Hemp wasn't a monopoly item either, so it would be fine.
I could guess what the foreigners were thinking. They probably planned to gouge us on pepper.
But pepper wasn't all that expensive in Joseon either. Not like in Europe. These Shylock types thought they could pull off a Venice scheme 500 years past its prime?
Foolish Westerners. Blame yourselves for landing in Joseon with a 'history major' like me. If it had been a science student who could build guns or steam engines, Joseon would have been thoroughly plundered by these villains.
I cleared up the misunderstanding while nipping the imperialists' scheme in the bud.
"Black powder is still premature. We have it in Joseon too, after all. Let's consider it after building some trust with the 'white powder' first."
Get it? As long as I'm here, you can't pull off any 'Ah, so this is what spices are' routine. I'm the only isekai hero around.
So if you want to trade pepper or whatever with Joseon—and thanks to the king's will, we'll eventually have to open exchanges with Britain—you need to stay on my good side first.
Clive pondered for a moment, then accepted my terms.
"...Understood, Your Excellency. A most fruitful conversation. Once the current war is resolved, I'll send someone separately."
The implicit conversation between the two men, where neither could find leverage, or Kim Unhaeng's knowledge limited to heroin and cocaine (white powders) from TV, were both inevitable.
Thus, smuggling the opium (black powder) that Clive intended required more delicate steps.
Back in Nagasaki, Clive consulted not with soldiers, but 'company men.'
John Johnstone, a young executive who could be called Robert Clive's right-hand man, nodded.
"I understand. All smuggling trade requires legitimate trade as a foundation. For that high Joseon official, around my age, to avoid scandals, it's safer to open official trade with chalk (white powder) on the surface while smuggling opium behind it. As a military official, he'll have the authority to control the chalk trade anyway."
"That's what I thought. Hm. Annoying as it is, we'll have to secure the chalk supply lines ourselves. Make it look like legitimate trade. I'll rely on your family for this."
John, the second son of the Johnstone family—which wielded massive influence in India's private trade—smiled.
"Of course. It's about time we resupplied from India anyway. If you mention it to Admiral Tidman, I'll contact the ships heading that way."
Neither worried that opium already existing in Joseon, as Kim Unhaeng had implied, would mean no profits.
Even in original history, Britain didn't profit from China because there was no opium there. The key factors were addiction itself, but more crucially 'mass production' and 'cheap distribution.'
Forcing Bengal peasants to grow poppies for pennies and selling them to consumers with minimal steps—that 'modernization' was vital. Fundamentally, no different from sugar or spices.
Admiral Tidman and Colonel Draper, who had only heard about the chalk trade, were pleased.
The implicit declaration of neutrality in the war and the promise to release hostages were welcome, but it also aligned with the expedition's goal of opening trade. Even without total victory over China, they'd have plenty to report back home.
Of course, that didn't mean the two generals had fallen into defeatist thinking.
Quite the opposite. They were convinced that this Asian expedition, which had found few disadvantages until now, was gaining unstoppable momentum.
Admiral Tidman sent a dispatch to India. It was a victory report combined with a resupply request.
Gunpowder was naturally the top priority among supplies. And the gunpowder production sites weren't far from chalk sources. Clive's requested top trade item for Joseon naturally made the list.
Sandbox games offer various paths for quests, but there's usually an optimal route—the so-called 'main history' path.
Here, the Qianlong Emperor made a slight misstep.
Every army has its ideal battlefield.
The elite, mobile Eight Banners excel in China's vast, rugged western frontiers with low population density and tough marches. The larger, infantry-heavy Green Standard Army suits pacifying江南rebellions or naval expeditions.
But Qianlong deployed them backward.
The Mongol Banners pushing east were already burdened by logistics. The Mongol Banners now crumbling in Kyushu had been struck right there.
And the west was no different.
The Central Asian nomads brought by the Russians mocked the Green Standard infantry's sluggish marches.
"You pathetic fucks, flailing around only after eating arrows!"
"Run! They can't catch us. Let's swap horses and come back!"
"Hey, didn't that guy just get shot and fall?"
"What about the horse?"
"Horse is fine. It's coming this way. Grab it and it's yours!"
It echoed the way Ming forces suffered against the Qing 150 years ago. Green Standard troops died from arrows, froze, deserted, or collapsed from exhaustion after getting lost.
Ma Fuse, a Han Chinese general newly appointed as Shaanxi Land Route Admiral after earning recognition, watched his army dwindle without a proper fight and made a decision.
"We retreat to Hami."
He desperately needed reinforcements, especially cavalry. To hide his image as a defeated general, Ma Fuse raided remaining Tibetan and Uyghur villages.
Those still there were mostly factions cooperating with the Qing. But that didn't matter. Ma Fuse sent thousands of heads and a reinforcement request to Beijing simultaneously.
Naturally, survivors from both regions ground their teeth and fled to join the Dzungar independence forces. Qing's once-thriving western border emptied day by day.
And in the Tianshan Mountains, now free of Qing troops, Dzungars reclaimed their homeland.
Amursana persuaded many Kalmyks and Kazakhs who had followed the Russians to join his new nation's kin.
It was barren, but fertile enough for grains and fruits. Plus, it was far from both the Russian emperor and the Ottoman sultan—a big draw. Over the past year, Central Asian nomads decided to stay.
Russian commander Count Alexander Borisovich received firm assurances from Amursana.
"Unlike the Qing, we guarantee Dzungar independence. But Your Majesty must not forget the grace of our emperor who revived your fallen nation, as promised. Show loyalty through tribute, cooperate against Qing threats, and accept our advisors for close coordination."
In essence, Russia would make Dzungar a puppet buffer state. But Amursana couldn't object—it was his own condition.
Amursana first tried to stall the Russians' early withdrawal.
"Understood. But you don't plan to end it here, do you? That Britain hasn't shaken the heartland yet."
"We never expected much from those pirates anyway. Our target ally is the mighty medical powerhouse of the East, Joseon. I beseech Your Majesty's Dzungar warriors to carry our emperor's and my letter all the way to the Amur River. Then their Kazakh cavalry will spot the opening and head south."
Crossing Inner Mongolia would make Russians too conspicuous. The proposal was reasonable, and since Amursana himself had hyped Joseon's role, he had to agree.
"So be it."
Russia's timing was impeccable.
The Manchu Banners were now dwindling not just in quality, but quantity.
Not referring to their corruption. This was a far more urgent shift.
The Banners' sole mission was protecting the emperor.
But that emperor had left the north. Most Manchu Banners were diverted to his guard.
Major Rebeshov, commanding the Kazakhs, began preparations even before western dispatches arrived. Scholar Lomonosov favored safety, but Rebeshov had his reasons.
"The troops can't hold out much longer."
Kazakhs had a genetic disease: without rape and plunder, they died. The Amur natives they'd been raiding under Qing watch were at their limit.
Before a major incident sparked battle, they needed a task. Infiltrating Joseon through Qing gaps would distract them.
"Fair enough. As a civilian, I'll follow your lead, Major."
"No issues. By the time we finish diplomacy in Joseon, even dim-witted British will have sea routes ready. We'll sail their ships back to Europe. I'm confident our grand world circumnavigation will yield scientific gains rivaling Endeavour."
Lomonosov nodded happily. The expedition felt worthwhile.
'Abdication' was taboo.
The master of humanity doesn't flee evil hordes. The war situation so far didn't even require retreat.
The Qianlong Emperor's sudden 'Yangtze tour' in the twelfth lunar month of Imo year was to escape the Russian horde's stench and urge on the sluggish Green Standard mobilization in the south.
As a result, while enjoying night fishing at Slender West Lake, Qianlong first heard of Britain's Nagasaki invasion before Russia's approach.
"I see."
With a curt reply, Qianlong admired the scenic pinnacle.
Of the world's moonlit nights, two of three parts' glow belongs to Yangzhou [天下三分明月夜 二分無賴是揚州]. The moon caressed the lake without vulgar display; the lake exuded humble beauty like fragrance.
The Five Pavilions Bridge, built solely for the emperor, lay upon it like a dream. But calling it 'natural scenery' would be wrong.
Everything here was 'artificial.' The lake itself included. Only its scale seemed natural.
This was China. The world itself, all human civilization.
Qianlong pitied the pathetic 'pincer' of Britain and Russia. A rat bites from front, crow pecks from back—does the tiger die?
Agui, top candidate for next Minister of War, reported.
"Joseon sent its navy but failed to win. Emboldened Yangzhou dares anchor at Hangzhou and Ningbo to exchange captured 'Mongol Banner troops'."
Inspired by Kim Unhaeng, it was a hostage ploy cum invasion warning.
Qianlong, who cared not a fingernail for hostages, just clicked his tongue.
He hadn't expected military feats from Joseon anyway. How could the Celestial Dynasty rely on a vassal and save face?
Qianlong reeled in his line himself. Fish seemed to know their emperor, biting well.
A large carp flopped on the deck. Qianlong removed his conical hat, feigning a fisherman's guise.
"Let the English come. No harm."
Qianlong grabbed the hooked carp barehanded.
The massive fish, taxing even sturdy men, was a toy in his grip. He tossed it back into the lake.
Qianlong offered no practical basis for his words. Agui dared not question or show doubt.
But his next remark outweighed a hundred documents.
"Because I am here."
The War Ministry officials revered his infinite dignity.
Qianlong summering at Chengde wasn't mere respite. The emperor's presence there alone quelled Inner Mongolian tribes' ambitions.
English were but one barbarian tribe. With the emperor in the south, who would dare folly?
Crush the English, then tour northwest—the Russians would scatter like grass.
No need for Qianlong to detail Liangguang Governor-General Li Shiyao's amassed real navy, or how a fraction of Slender West Lake's landscaping funds could arm more cannons and ships than the British had men.
That was for governors and ministers.
God doesn't instantly punish all criminals or reward all righteous. The emperor judges the world's morals and decrees justice.
Reinforcements from India wouldn't arrive till next year.
The British planned to strike hard at southern Chinese coasts with remaining forces, then reinforce while China hesitated.
Resupplied with grain, oil, timber, etc., via shogunate aid (Japan lacked prime meat; gunpowder mismatched Corning standards), they invaded Hangzhou as winter solstice hit.
Before Imo year ended, black and white would be sorted.
Author's Notes
1. Opium was cultivated across India even before Europeans arrived en masse. Sheikh Abul Fazl, court historian of the Mughal Empire, compiled Ain-i-Akbari at the end of the 16th century, listing poppy as a major crop in various regions.
Patna opium was especially prized for quality, and Patna is part of Bengal. From 1757 after Plassey, Britain expanded production to offset Bengal governance costs.
But as depicted, the market isn't huge yet. It's backyard cash-crop level per household. Wars played a role too. Explosive growth came after forcing cultivation on farms in ruled areas.
2. John Johnstone was indeed Clive's confidant at this point, cooperating with him. Later, he opposed Clive's autocratic India policies as they hindered his family's private trade.
3. Ma Fuse was originally a Han Banner Yellow Flag commander, appointed Fujian Land Route Admiral about 10 years before the story's point. Agui was a key figure in the Ten Great Campaigns, including Burma, later becoming Minister of War.
4. The Five Pavilions Bridge was custom-built for Qianlong, but Slender West Lake itself dates to Emperor Yang of Sui. Yangzhou salt merchants bled bones redoing lake surroundings, forests, and landscaping for each imperial visit. The 'Two-thirds of world's bright moonlit nights gracelessly Yangzhou' is from Tang poet Xu Ning.
5. Yongzheng's cosplay art as fisherman, hunter, ascetic, scholar, etc., survives abundantly. Qianlong occasionally joined his father's hobbies. Some argue it's just idealized imagery, not literal.