Envoys sent abroad represent the face of their country.
Every movement, every tone, every word they choose is measured with extreme care. They speak cautiously, making sure never to say anything careless.
Of course, things were somewhat different when a great empire like Qing China—at the height of its power—sent envoys to its tributary states.
There were more than a few cases where those officials behaved like complete scoundrels.
But when negotiating with a nation clearly stronger than oneself, there are no exceptions.
Diplomacy means speaking with the utmost caution, leaving no room for criticism or misunderstanding.
From that perspective, what was happening before my eyes right now looked less like diplomacy and more like a farce.
"Your Highness! Prince Heungseon must have been momentarily confused. Haha… Naturally, that is not our official position, so please do not take it to heart."
"Not at all. This is actually my first time experiencing something like this, so it feels rather refreshing. Did the two of you perhaps fail to coordinate your opinions beforehand?"
Kim Jwa-geun's face slowly turned ashen.
He understood perfectly well that I was mocking him.
"Haha… no, not at all. We did discuss this before entering. I was simply flustered and made a spectacle of myself. Please accept my apologies."
"It's quite alright. Still, if the matter was discussed beforehand, why did Prince Heungseon say something different?"
"Well… that is…"
After hesitating briefly, Heungseon-gun shut his eyes and spoke again.
"You asked for my honest opinion, so I gave it. I do not oppose trade entirely. In fact, after arriving in Shanghai and seeing your nation's magnificent warships, I am convinced trade is necessary."
"I see."
"However, the gap between Joseon and Britain is far too large. If we begin trade, there is a risk that our silver will simply flow out of the country. That is why I said it might be too early. Come to think of it… I remember saying something similar when I was young."
Was he speaking to me?
He tried to act casual, but I could clearly feel his sideways glances.
Kim Jwa-geun, who had looked ready to strangle him earlier, now held his breath and watched carefully.
So that outburst earlier had been deliberate.
If someone hears an unexpected statement, their face often betrays a reaction.
It was a test.
"Did you say you discussed trade before?" I asked calmly. "That's interesting. Did any European country other than Britain request trade with Joseon?"
Unfortunately for them, I had spent more than a decade working in a world where a single wrong facial expression could cost billions.
So I asked the question without the slightest change in my expression.
Heungseon-gun looked disappointed and shook his head.
"No. I merely remembered saying something similar when I was young. Even then, I believed trade would drain the nation's wealth. I still think so."
"I see. That is a reasonable concern."
"After all, those who demand trade do so because they benefit from it. Which means the country opening its ports must be the one losing."
"That may appear true at first glance, but it isn't. According to international trade theory, both sides usually gain social benefits from trade. I'm not saying this merely to persuade you—it is already an established academic principle in Britain."
Of course, that didn't mean Britain wouldn't attach a straw and suck the life out of Joseon's economy.
European powers hadn't forced Asian nations open because they believed in universal prosperity.
If that were the case, unequal treaties would never have existed.
I glanced at the two men, who had no immediate reply, and continued calmly.
"More importantly, if Britain mediates a non-aggression pact between Joseon and Russia, we naturally deserve compensation. Otherwise, the citizens of Britain would never accept it. As you know, although I am the husband of the Queen, Britain is not a country where the monarch can rule however they wish."
"Yes, we are aware," Kim Jwa-geun replied. "I heard officials are selected through something called voting."
"Not all officials. But ministers and high officials are often members of Parliament. If I had to compare it to Joseon… imagine if the senior members of the State Council or the Six Ministries were elected by vote."
"…Is that so?"
Kim Jwa-geun and Heungseon-gun exchanged awkward smiles.
For men who believed the civil service examinations were the most fair and objective system in existence, electing leaders through voting must have sounded absurd.
In truth, democracy required a certain level of general education to function properly.
If Joseon introduced democracy tomorrow and formed a government through elections…
I would bet my entire fortune that it would become the worst political disaster imaginable.
"Oh, but let me clarify something," I added. "We have no intention of forcing our political system upon you."
"But what about missionary activity…?"
Ah.
So they weren't fools after all.
"I'm afraid that is something you must accept. However, I can assure you of one thing. Christianity teaches equality before God, but that does not mean denying royal authority. Britain itself is proof of that—our Queen is loved by all her subjects. Russia, which concerns you so much, is also a monarchy. So are France and Prussia."
"Still, Christianity conflicts with Confucian values in many ways. It could cause social unrest."
"If you are confident you can block it forever, then perhaps that's fine. But think about it carefully. Can Joseon truly keep its doors closed to Europe forever? The moment Qing China lost to Britain, Russia immediately drew its sword. And Vietnam is currently being swallowed piece by piece by France. Are you confident Joseon is stronger than Qing China?"
"That is why we wish to sign the non-aggression treaty…"
"And you understand that the treaty only has meaning because Britain stands behind it, correct? If peace is maintained by Britain's power, then Britain must also receive something in return. That is how diplomacy works."
You don't want trade?
Then go ahead and share a border with Russia and try surviving alone.
"No, that is not what I meant," Heungseon-gun said quickly. "We do not oppose trade itself. Only the timing…"
"The timing is now. I have just concluded a treaty with Japan. It would be simpler if Joseon opened its ports at the same time to avoid confusion."
"Now…?"
"Yes. That way Russia will be satisfied with just Primorye and not become greedy. And let me say this for your sake: the most favorable conditions you will ever receive are available right now."
I paused deliberately.
"I have already told Parliament that Joseon must serve as a buffer to block Russia's southern expansion. But I have just concluded a treaty with Japan and am returning home. If Joseon says it needs more time to prepare…"
There was no need to finish the sentence.
Britain already controlled Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tainan.
If Japan joined that sphere of influence, the Pacific containment line would essentially be complete.
Joseon would be useful—but no longer essential.
Realizing that Joseon had unknowingly become completely isolated, Heungseon-gun lowered his head in silence.
Kim Jwa-geun, however, remained calm.
"Opening the ports itself is something we have already considered. We have no objection to that. However, I believe there is still room to negotiate the terms and scope."
"Since we already concluded a treaty with Japan, we might as well use a similar format."
"I understand. We will review it immediately."
Heungseon-gun's earlier objections had probably been a tactic to secure better conditions.
And I had just made it clear that they weren't in a position to make such demands.
Still…
Seeing the man who once strutted around with such arrogance immediately lower his head at a few words from me felt a little disappointing.
If he had argued more fiercely, I could have crushed him properly.
But he was still nothing more than an ordinary royal relative.
There was little entertainment in tormenting him now.
It would be far more interesting once he climbed higher.
So go ahead.
Use today's humiliation as motivation.
Rise all the way to the position of Daewongun.
Because the truly entertaining part would begin then.
* * *
After leaving the meeting with Killian, Kim Jwa-geun and Heungseon-gun both sighed deeply at the same time.
"What in the world was that man?" Heungseon-gun muttered. "We only sat there talking, yet I feel like my energy has been completely drained."
"I told you beforehand," Kim Jwa-geun replied. "He's a man with a hundred snakes coiled inside him. And yet the old fools in the council still call him nothing more than a half-blood barbarian. Now you understand how ignorant that is."
"I do. I can only imagine how frustrating this must have been for you."
Kim Jwa-geun studied him carefully.
"So what do you think? Was he the slave you met as a child?"
Heungseon-gun hesitated.
"…I don't know. He seems like it… but maybe not."
"You still can't tell?"
"I tried bringing up the story suddenly to see his reaction. But he showed absolutely nothing."
"…Then perhaps it isn't him."
"Yet he also said some things that sounded… meaningful. It almost felt like he was playing with us. I honestly cannot tell."
Heungseon-gun sighed heavily.
Kim Jwa-geun felt a strange sense of sympathy.
"Prince Heungseon. As you've seen here, Joseon will inevitably be dragged into the power struggles of the European nations whether we want it or not."
"Yes… I understand that now."
"Qing China is losing territory piece by piece. Japan has already bowed its head. And if the rumors are true, Vietnam is on the verge of falling to France."
He paused.
"That means we may have far less time than we think."
"Perhaps it's a lie meant to unsettle us," Heungseon-gun said quietly. "But if it's true, the situation is indeed dangerous."
"Yes. And look at our government. In its current state, we cannot survive in this rapidly changing world."
Kim Jwa-geun's eyes hardened.
"This country must change."
Heungseon-gun nodded silently.
Yes.
Joseon must change.
But deciding to change did not mean success.
If it were that easy, collapsing nations would never exist.
Saving a declining country was far harder than founding a new one.
And in Joseon—
There was only one man capable of carrying that burden.
Kim Jwa-geun himself.
A long blast of a steam whistle echoed across the harbor.
Far away, a massive black steamship slowly departed, billowing thick smoke.
Watching it disappear into the sea, Kim Jwa-geun made his decision.
Joseon would be rebuilt from its very foundations.
Under the Andong Kim clan.
No—
Under his own authority.
Because that was the only way the country could survive.