It goes without saying, but sending the heir of the British Empire abroad is not a simple matter.
First, plans must be established through the Foreign Office, and coordination must be carried out with the receiving side regarding protocol and the detailed schedule.
Security must be handled with the utmost care, and this security depends not only on the home country but also on cooperation with the host nation.
And it is not simply a matter of visiting another country and returning.
Which figures he will meet there, which events he will attend, and how much he will be exposed to the public must all be considered.
Even how domestic and foreign media will report on the visit must be taken into account.
Since this was not something arranged long in advance but rather a sudden decision, all personnel involved would likely have to work through the night to meet the schedule.
And even after all of that was done, approval from the most important person was still required.
"You are sending Edward to Asia?"
"He said he wanted to go."
"Under normal circumstances that might be one thing, but there is a war going on right now. You are sending our child there?"
"Strictly speaking, the war is taking place in Qing territory, so Joseon and Japan themselves should be relatively safe."
"No matter what, he is still young. Sending him that far away is too dangerous. Even if he wants to go, you should have stopped him."
Young? Calling someone who is already well past twenty young seems a bit much.
Of course, from a mother's perspective, a child is always someone to worry about, but keeping him sheltered forever is not the answer.
"I first went to Qing when I was much younger than Edward. And that time, I even fought in a war."
"How can you compare yourself to him? That is exactly why he is trying to do something so reckless."
"If anything, that was in the past. Now he seems to have a clear purpose. Has Edward ever insisted from beginning to end that he handle something himself? Would it not be better to trust him this once?"
"…I still feel uneasy."
I let out a quiet breath.
Even so, he is my son. If he truly commits himself, he will manage.
That said, I had no intention of trusting him blindly and leaving everything to chance.
Young men often rush ahead and make mistakes, so it was necessary to prepare safeguards.
After receiving Victoria's permission, I summoned Charles Wellesley, William Gladstone, and Benjamin Disraeli to coordinate the upcoming schedule.
Given the current chaos in Asia, nothing that might happen there would be surprising.
The best outcome would be Edward achieving success without needing any contingency measures, but that could not be guaranteed.
No matter how capable I am, I cannot change the outcome of dice that have already been thrown.
But it is possible to prepare loaded dice that always land on six.
I had done everything I could.
All that remained was for him to perform well.
"So you wish to visit both Joseon and Japan."
"Yes. Is that possible?"
"There is nothing impossible in this world. If the staff work more overtime and cut their days at home in half, it will be done."
"That is quite a pointed remark, but it cannot be helped. The royal family will provide generous rewards to those who work hard. Would that be acceptable?"
"That should suffice."
After the itinerary for the Asian tour was decided, Edward first sought out Charles Wellesley.
If his father's personality was anything to go by, there would already be multiple safeguards in place, but Edward had no intention of relying on them.
"Prime Minister, how do you wish this marriage situation to conclude? Do you have a preferred outcome?"
"In other regions perhaps, but in Asia there is no one with greater understanding than His Majesty. I believe following His Majesty's proposed direction is best."
"That may be true. But even if the final outcome is the same, the method of approach can differ. I sometimes feel that Father resolves matters too gently."
Wellesley explained calmly, as if teaching a student.
"His Majesty is not pursuing short-term gains. He is considering what will happen decades into the future."
Edward already understood that.
In fact, it was precisely because he understood it that he believed he could fulfill his own role.
"Prime Minister, I am aware of that. I am not saying Father is wrong. But even as his son, I cannot match his ability to see that far ahead."
"That is true for me as well. At times I wondered why he made certain decisions, but later it always proved correct."
"Even so, there are moments when one must sacrifice the small for the greater good. That is natural. But should I not gather what is left behind?"
"…Then what exactly are you intending to do?"
As Killian's son, Edward understood how he would be perceived in Asia.
Joseon and Japan had used Killian's name extensively to elevate their own national pride.
Killian's name had become proof that they could stand equal to Europeans.
Edward, as his son, would naturally be viewed in a similar light.
The heir to the strongest empire in the world, sharing blood with them.
It was obvious what kind of reaction that would provoke.
"I am my father's son, but I am not my father. That distinction must be used."
He would use Killian's influence, but also create separation where necessary.
"His Majesty's reputation is immense. Using it is one thing, but if it is tarnished, the consequences will be severe."
"That will not happen. If anything, the opposite."
If Killian himself appeared, Joseon and Japanese officials would not even dare raise their heads.
Edward, however, was different.
He would be treated with great respect, but also evaluated.
A young man in his twenties, raised as crown prince, perhaps perceived as inexperienced or arrogant.
Charles Wellesley frowned slightly as he understood Edward's intent.
"Your Highness, then you intend…"
"Yes. For that purpose, I would like to ask for your assistance. It is for the benefit of the Empire."
Charles Wellesley's reaction carried a trace of admiration.
Edward felt confident.
Being young had its advantages.
Others would underestimate him.
Joseon and Japan were unable to hide their confusion upon hearing that the Crown Prince of the British Empire would visit.
They had only hoped to receive a congratulatory message from Killian.
Instead, the Crown Prince himself would attend.
"Preparations must be flawless."
"Of course. This is not just any prince. This is the Crown Prince. The future Emperor of the British Empire."
"I heard he is still young. That explains his willingness to travel so far."
"This proves how important our nations are to the British Empire."
Both sides were filled with excitement.
Members of the marriage committee believed success was already guaranteed.
"Prime Minister, did you not say this request was suicidal? Do you have anything to say now?"
"…."
"And you, Prime Minister?"
"…."
Kim Jwa Gun and Okubo Toshimichi said nothing, drinking in silence with grim expressions.
Kim Jwa Gun was deeply unsettled.
Why did this succeed?
He had expected a rejection.
Instead, the Crown Prince himself was coming.
There was no logical reason for Britain to support their war.
Yet it did not seem like he was coming to sabotage it either.
Okubo Toshimichi appeared to be thinking the same, staring at his cup.
Meanwhile, the officials were already celebrating.
"Prime Ministers make mistakes too. They have simply been overworked."
"Leave everything to us. We will handle it perfectly."
"…Very well."
Kim Jwa Gun accepted.
He had been looking for a way to withdraw anyway.
"I have tried to remain objective, but perhaps I am falling behind the times. It is better for the younger generation to take the lead."
The officials were momentarily surprised.
"We will not disappoint you."
They had already stopped thinking critically.
They believed Britain supported them completely.
At this rate, even a diplomatic disaster at the wedding would not be surprising.
"Let us discuss preparations for receiving His Highness."
"First, we must gather detailed information about his preferences."
"Does he enjoy alcohol and women?"
"Of course. But we must present only refined companions."
Kim Jwa Gun could see the greed behind their words.
An opportunity to gain influence with the Crown Prince.
He chose to remain silent and simply watched.
Let them try.
Whether they succeeded or failed, it was their choice.
He raised his cup and drank.
***
'The pride of Asia, the light of Asia, the son of His Majesty Killian who has elevated the spirit of Greater East Asia, and the heir of the British Empire, His Highness Edward will personally grace us with his presence, so all of you come forth and pay your respects…'
"Good grief. What a mess. An absolute mess."
Joseon's ambassador to the British Empire, Park Gyu Su, shook his head as he read the newspaper.
Once the Crown Prince's Asian tour was confirmed, messages had been pouring in from the homeland day after day without pause.
Not a single piece of information about the Crown Prince was to be omitted.
From his preferences in food, to his personal tendencies, to his political stance, even to his taste in women.
They were essentially demanding that every aspect of one man be dissected and presented, which placed the embassy in a very difficult position.
Naturally, the embassy had already gathered information on all major figures within the British Empire.
After all, embassies and consulates in this era could not be separated from intelligence work.
Analyzing influential figures in politics was standard practice, but no matter what, the other party was the Crown Prince of the British Empire.
They possessed widely known information, but truly confidential matters were difficult to obtain.
Especially political positions or relationships with women, which could easily become sensitive issues if handled incorrectly.
Unless it was something considered an open secret, the Crown Prince Edward did not easily reveal himself.
Political stance? He maintained good relations with everyone.
He had not yet fully stepped into the forefront, so it was impossible to clearly define what kind of person he was.
He was respected by figures from both ruling and opposition factions and enjoyed overwhelming support from the public, so there was no way to categorize him.
Relationships with women? That was an even greater problem.
If he were someone who enjoyed parties or constantly surrounded himself with women, that would be one thing, but the Crown Prince had never shown such behavior.
The women closest to him were all his younger sisters.
Of course, things might be different behind the scenes, but attempting to uncover the Crown Prince's private life was no different from suicide.
If such actions were discovered, who could possibly deal with the consequences?
Even so, the fools back home showed no sign of listening.
Could it be that these lunatics were seriously ordering them to dig into the Crown Prince's private affairs?
Were they planning something reckless like bribery or offering women to win favor?
Kim Jwa Gun was not the type of person to lose his senses like that, but perhaps the rumors that Kim Jwa Gun had already lost real authority were true.
Hoping to exchange useful information, Park Gyu Su contacted the Japanese embassy, but their situation was no different.
"So you are saying that Joseon does not possess any useful information either."
"Yes. Most likely, what we know is the same as what you know."
"I see. The pressure from our homeland is quite severe, which makes this difficult. For the glory of both nations, we must provide at least some useful information."
Hearing the young Japanese ambassador speak, Park Gyu Su felt a sense of unease.
Come to think of it, this young ambassador had only recently taken his post after the war began.
Yoshida Shoin. A symbol of rapid promotion, recommended strongly by the Japanese army, who had become ambassador to Britain despite being only in his thirties.
With the army backing him, it was natural that he would view the war favorably, and Park Gyu Su had also heard that he had previously advocated strongly for the theory of conquering Korea.
Although Yoshida Shoin, like Park Gyu Su himself, was someone who actively supported modernization and fostered reformist factions, there was an undeniable difference in their fundamental thinking.
Even now, unlike Park Gyu Su who viewed the actions of the homeland with concern, Yoshida Shoin seemed more troubled by the inability to provide the information his country demanded.
"May I ask just in case. Is your country conducting intelligence activities in London?"
"Of course not. We are lying low and observing the situation. That is why we are suffering from this lack of information."
"I understand. Then it seems that the upcoming banquet will be our only opportunity."
With the tour approaching, both the Joseon and Japanese ambassadors were scheduled to attend a banquet with the Crown Prince the very next day.
They would not be able to obtain any significant information there, but by speaking with him directly, they might at least understand what kind of person he was.
Even that alone would be enough to show something to their homeland.
"Ambassador Yoshida Shoin, let us do our best together."
"Of course. In order to achieve the prosperity of Greater East Asia centered on Joseon and Japan, our role is of great importance."
Will this really be alright?
Dark clouds gathered in Park Gyu Su's eyes as he looked at the overly enthusiastic ambassador of his ally.
What kind of person would become the next emperor of the world's most powerful nation?
Publicly, Crown Prince Edward was described as a man of excellent manners with a strong sense of practicality.
Killian seemed to cherish the Crown Prince deeply, keeping him close from a young age and exposing him to various experiences, which those around him interpreted as education in kingship.
It was clearly an effort to prepare the future emperor from an early age.
That effort seemed to have borne fruit, as the Crown Prince had contributed to expanding the British Empire's territory during the recent London Peace Treaty.
He was the pillar that would support the future of the British Empire, which was still in its prime.
Everyone praised him in this way.
But what kind of perspective did the man himself hold? What thoughts guided his life?
He might truly be as sharp and unwavering as his reputation suggested, but one could never judge a person solely by appearances.
There might be hidden desires beneath the surface, so they needed to remain focused and observant.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I am Yoshida Shoin, ambassador of Japan."
"I am Park Gyu Su, ambassador of Joseon. It is an honor to meet Your Highness."
Even as representatives of their nations, Joseon and Japan were still regarded as peripheral and lesser powers in Asia.
This was their first time meeting the Crown Prince of the British Empire in person, and there was no telling when such an opportunity would come again.
"Ah, yes. It is good to meet you."
The Crown Prince sat leisurely, sipping coffee, resting his chin on his hand, and crossing his legs.
At first glance, his posture might appear somewhat arrogant, but he was the future emperor of the British Empire.
Moreover, his tone was refined, giving the impression not of arrogance, but of someone who naturally belonged in such a position.
"If there is anything you desire from us, Your Highness, please tell us. We will immediately inform our homeland and make the necessary preparations."
"Let me think. To be honest, I have high expectations. Joseon and Japan may be far from the British Empire, but they are closely connected to my father. That means they are also connected, in some way, to my own roots."
"We are deeply grateful for such words."
There was clear warmth and anticipation in Edward's voice.
Yoshida Shoin, sensing that the atmosphere was even more favorable than expected, felt confident enough to speak more freely.
"We are preparing with all our strength to ensure that Your Highness's first visit to Asia becomes a pleasant memory. If there is anything you desire, please let us know. Whether it is regional specialties, food, events, or customs, anything is possible."
"Is that so? Then I have heard that Asian alcohol is quite different from that of Europe. Would it be possible to try some of Asia's finest drinks?"
"Leave it to us. We will prepare not only the finest from Joseon and Japan, but also the most famous liquors of Qing."
"Thank you. Also, there is no need to tailor welcoming ceremonies too much to our customs. It would be more interesting to follow your own traditions. After all, when visiting another country, experiencing its customs is part of the enjoyment. I am not familiar with how Joseon or Japan receive royalty, but I am sure it will be interesting. Now that I think of it, what level of treatment will I receive?"
Asking so directly suggested that the Crown Prince believed himself to be in a superior position to Joseon and Japan.
Strictly speaking, that was true, so they needed to satisfy him completely.
This had already been decided internally, so revealing it posed no issue.
"Of course, we are preparing the highest level of treatment. In Japan, you will be treated on a level equivalent to His Majesty the Emperor."
The phrasing left room for interpretation, but it was sufficient.
Joseon, however, was more direct.
"In Joseon, you will be treated exactly as our king, meaning you will be received as the highest honored guest of our nation."
"Very good. Equal to a king. That is as it should be."
Edward did not hide his satisfaction.
Yoshida Shoin felt he had begun to understand Edward's personality.
"Your Highness is destined to inherit the imperial throne of the British Empire. Such treatment is only natural. When His Majesty Killian visited before, the Empire had not yet become an imperial system, and he came as a king, so there were some limitations. Your Highness will receive even greater honors than His Majesty Killian."
"Greater than my father?"
As expected.
Edward could not hide his interest at that remark.
It was widely known that Edward was conscious of his father's legacy.
This was not unusual.
Throughout history, many sons had struggled under the weight of great fathers.
Yoshida Shoin sensed this might be Edward's only weakness.
"Your Highness, Japan stands with you as the future ruler of this Empire. After all, does not a trace of Japanese blood flow within you?"
"Joseon feels the same. The blood of our royal family also flows within you, and we will support any decision you make with all our strength."
"I see. I did not realize Joseon and Japan thought of me so highly. It seems my father's influence is indeed significant."
"It is not only His Majesty's influence. His Majesty is King of Canada, but it is you who will inherit the future of the Empire. You will inherit both the Emperor and the King. You are the future of this nation, and how could we not show our respect?"
Edward listened intently, his eyes gleaming.
He clearly took pride in being Killian's successor, but also felt burdened by it.
People like this often desire to surpass their fathers and create something of their own.
If that desire were stimulated, it might be possible to establish a strong connection with the future emperor.
"We have heard that His Majesty Killian brought immense benefits to the Empire by making Canada his own kingdom. We believe Your Highness can achieve something just as great."
"That is easier said than done."
"Of course. But with the full support of Joseon and Japan, it would not be impossible. If Your Highness offers favorable words during this visit, both nations will support you completely. Asia could become something like Canada for you."
Not in the sense of becoming part of the Empire, but as loyal supporters.
The real value lay not in material gain, but in giving the Crown Prince a sense of accomplishment.
Edward nodded slowly.
"As long as that sentiment does not change, the friendship between our nations will continue. I will observe closely during this visit."
It was both a test and an opportunity.
The three continued their conversation for hours.
They believed they had gained valuable insight.
But neither Yoshida Shoin nor Park Gyu Su saw Edward's expression as he turned away.
The moment he stood, his face had already gone cold.
The pleasant atmosphere had left no room for suspicion.
***
There is no place in this British Empire that my eyes and ears do not reach.
Perhaps some remote countryside might be an exception, but in London, the information network I have built over decades extends everywhere.
From official intelligence organizations to the private detectives I have scattered throughout the city.
"It seems the movements of the Joseon and Japanese embassies are unusual."
"Were they not lying low and keeping quiet until recently?"
"Yes. But ever since meeting His Highness Edward, their range of activity has increased significantly."
"They are not openly using informants, are they?"
It goes without saying that every movement of the Joseon and Japanese embassies reaches my ears.
Not only them, but every other nation as well.
It is not strange.
The British embassies abroad are also being monitored in one way or another.
Everyone watches and is watched, constantly competing to gain even the slightest piece of information.
However, if anyone is caught crossing the line, they must bear the consequences, so no one conducts intelligence operations too openly.
"They are not stirring things up everywhere. But they are spending more time with His Highness Edward and seem to be gathering information more boldly."
"So they have gained confidence."
"What shall we do?"
"What do you mean what shall we do? Leave them be."
"But now that Joseon and Japan are aligning and His Highness Edward is heading to Asia, France and Prussia must also be aware. Should we not pay attention to them as well?"
From the perspective of a third party, this would naturally appear as the British Empire openly attempting to control Asia by sending the Crown Prince.
Even if they do not express it openly, it would not be strange for them to feel concerned.
"That is why we are offering to sell the Philippines at a low price. If we hand over the Philippines, they will not concern themselves with what Joseon or Japan does."
More than that, what interested me was Edward's current actions.
I had confidently told Victoria to trust him, but trust and curiosity are entirely different matters.
Under the pretense of sharing information, I summoned Edward to my office.
"I hear you have been meeting the Joseon and Japanese ambassadors more frequently. You are aware that they are gathering information about you, correct?"
"Of course. But that is the kind of information they could gather just by asking those around me. Or have they been caught conducting deeper investigations?"
"That is not the case. If they had done something that foolish, I would not have left them alone."
"Then there is no problem. Thanks to you, Father, I am confident that things can proceed smoothly."
"Seeing how active their embassies have become, it seems you gave them quite hopeful words."
Those who had been trembling like frightened rats were now moving busily. It was obvious who had filled them with such optimism.
Edward smiled faintly, sat down, and accepted the teacup I handed him.
"So you already know. Have you received reports of everything I discussed with them?"
"No. The embassies did not report the details. That is why I am certain. You are planning an interesting show."
"I see. If it had been ordinary conversation, everything would have reached you, but since it did not, you became suspicious."
"And since you have not told me yourself, I suspect it may involve me as well."
"You truly see everything. Yes, I am making good use of your name."
The atmosphere was clearly different from before.
The impatience driven by his desire for recognition had diminished.
He was far more stable now, and his thoughts were no longer easily revealed.
It reminded me of myself when I first stepped into this field long ago.
"And they believed you?"
"Yes. When you show people what they want to see, the results are quite effective. Did you not say so yourself, Father? When dealing with people, revealing the truth has little effect. What matters is…"
"Showing them what they want to see. You have learned well."
The human mind is convenient. Once it receives information it can accept, it reconstructs everything to fit that belief.
This is the essence of deception.
Not showing the truth, but making others believe something is the truth.
And when that belief is reinforced to the extreme, those intoxicated by it will reject any contradictory information.
Watching my student apply what he had learned so well brought a smile to my face.
"Still, it was a bit irritating. Once I indulged them, they began making rather provocative remarks."
"Such as?"
"I am playing the role of a Crown Prince burdened by inferiority and a desire to surpass his father. It is more difficult than expected. Still, Yoshida Shoin is quite useful. If I push a little further, he might cause something significant."
"Is that so? And Park Gyu Su?"
"Park Gyu Su seemed more cautious. But since his homeland is pressuring him so heavily, he will likely follow their wishes in the end."
When things seem to go well, people tend to lose control. This was a pattern often seen in Asia.
As for Yoshida Shoin, if memory serves, he had embraced imperialist logic in the original timeline and advocated national strengthening and expansion.
The belief that strong nations dominate weaker ones, and that Japan must grow strong to stand equal with the West, led naturally to the idea of conquering weaker Asian nations.
In that sense, his shift toward attacking Qing was entirely expected.
His reputation as a pioneer of modernization had also been somewhat exaggerated by political factions.
Given the current situation, such efforts were likely still ongoing.
Satsuma promoted Saigo Takamori as their symbol, so Choshu needed one of their own.
Yoshida Shoin fit that role perfectly.
That likely explained why he had risen so quickly and become ambassador at such a young age.
"The Japanese army likely hopes Yoshida Shoin will achieve significant results during your visit. That would give Choshu a strong symbol, just like Saigo Takamori, and they might even push him as the next prime minister."
"I had not considered that background. That is very useful information. Thank you."
"There is no need for thanks. Ask anything you wish. I will not give you direction since I entrusted this to you, but I will provide any information you need."
No matter how well Edward applied what he had learned, he could not fully grasp Asia's complexity.
Even I did not fully understand the chaos within Joseon and Japan.
So I quietly passed along information gathered by Kim Jwa Gun and Okubo Toshimichi.
Edward absorbed it eagerly.
After speaking with him, even my slight concern disappeared.
The outline was complete.
Now it was time to see how he would fill it in.
As news of the marriage between the royal houses of Joseon and Japan spread across Europe, the Qing leadership struggled to respond.
"Your Majesty, Joseon intends to proclaim itself an empire."
"It is nothing more than empty talk. We can ignore it."
"A marriage between Joseon and Japan clearly indicates their intent to continue opposing us together. We must respond."
"Is that not your responsibility? Must I concern myself with such matters?"
Qing was fighting on three fronts.
Joseon in Manchuria.
Japan in the south.
And Zuo Zongtang's campaign in Xinjiang.
Even two fronts would be difficult. Three was absurd.
Any competent leader would have sought a diplomatic solution.
But Empress Dowager Cixi left everything to the generals.
Without coordination, nothing functioned properly.
Li Hongzhang argued that fighting all three simultaneously was impossible.
Cixi ignored him.
"You are suggesting that we bow to Joseon and Japan?"
"That is not what I meant…"
"No Chinese dynasty has ever submitted to such nations."
Her reaction was understandable.
China had suffered defeats to northern nomads, but never to Joseon or Japan.
Losing Manchuria to Joseon would be humiliation beyond measure.
Even Li Hongzhang found it difficult to propose such a concession.
"In that case, diplomacy may be our best option."
"Explain."
"Joseon and Japan have requested that the British royal family attend their marriage. The Crown Prince will visit Asia. If he stops in Hong Kong, we may arrange a meeting."
"That is acceptable. You will go personally. You must achieve results."
As expected.
The one who proposed it would bear the responsibility.
Li Hongzhang nodded, feeling like a condemned man heading to execution.
***
Hong Kong, under the British Empire.
Governor Parker was busy preparing to receive an important guest.
"His Highness the Crown Prince will arrive soon, so there must not be the slightest negligence."
"Yes."
"Ensure security is flawless, and you have informed neighboring nations to cease hostilities while His Highness remains in Hong Kong, correct?"
"Of course."
"Good. I will personally check everything one last time."
Although the Asian tour had been decided suddenly, Admiral Parker managed to complete preparations as quickly as possible.
This was thanks to the experience he had gained from Killian's sudden visit in the past.
Even so, he had never imagined that the Crown Prince himself would come to Asia.
And that was not the only problem.
"These Qing people are useless. If they had any sense, they would keep quiet, but why are they begging for a meeting at a time like this? It is irritating."
"Perhaps they intend to ask His Highness to restrain Joseon and Japan."
"Then why ask His Highness? It is not as if he holds that authority."
"That is true."
It only showed how desperate Qing had become, but from Governor Parker's perspective, who had to ensure flawless hospitality, Qing's request was nothing more than a nuisance.
He had hoped the request would be rejected by the government, but unfortunately, the Crown Prince had expressed his intention to meet Qing's minister.
As a result, Parker's workload had doubled.
This would be the first official meeting between a Qing minister and the Crown Prince of the Empire, so the Foreign Office's position had to be considered, as well as the royal family's guidelines.
The intentions of Qing were obvious, so preparations had to include responses and contingency plans in case of unexpected incidents.
Despite the endless workload, the experienced Hong Kong administration somehow managed to complete all preparations.
Li Hongzhang, who had come from Beijing, was told to rest at a guest residence, while Governor Parker went to receive the Crown Prince, who had arrived with the Empire's latest warships.
"You must have had a long journey. You have worked hard."
"It was not as long as I expected. Thanks to the Suez Canal, the journey was far more comfortable."
"That is truly fortunate. Having seen His Majesty when he was young, it is quite moving to see Your Highness arrive in Asia through the canal he opened."
"I heard you have known my father since he first became a minister."
Governor Parker, nearing the end of his tenure, looked at the Crown Prince's composed yet confident expression and felt the passage of time.
When was that?
It felt like a distant memory, yet now it returned vividly.
When Killian first arrived in Qing, he had been a very young man, yet he had confidently predicted future events.
At the time, it had seemed absurd.
A young man who had barely reached adulthood had become a minister. It was unprecedented.
Parker had not believed it.
Although he did not show it, he had wondered what the Prime Minister had been thinking when making such an appointment.
"…But that perception changed completely. By the end of the war with Qing, I was certain His Majesty was extraordinary. And now, seeing Your Highness, you remind me of His Majesty in his youth."
"I see. That is not unpleasant to hear."
"But are you certain about meeting Qing's minister?"
"What do you mean?"
Edward's innocent response momentarily left Parker speechless.
Given the rumors from London and his position as Killian's successor, he should have understood the situation.
Could he be pretending?
"Well, you will also be visiting Joseon and Japan. Meeting Qing's minister might create complications."
"Ah, that. It is fine. They are the ones who must plead. I have no reason to consider their position. I will simply say a few agreeable words."
At a time like this, could he truly dismiss it so lightly?
"Qing will likely ask the Empire to mediate between them and Joseon and Japan."
"Then I will deflect it."
"If that is the case, would it not have been better not to meet them at all?"
"Well, they rushed here upon hearing the Crown Prince would come to Asia. Should I not acknowledge that effort?"
For a moment, Parker thought he was joking, but Edward's expression showed no sign of pretense.
Just as he had been reminded of Killian, he now felt as though he had been struck from behind.
So much for the rumors of a brilliant Crown Prince. He seemed good-natured, but somewhat shallow.
Edward stood up and smiled.
"It was a joke. It seems even you could not tell it was an act. That is good."
"…Pardon?"
"If you see it that way, then Qing's minister will likely see the same."
Edward's expression vanished instantly, replaced by a completely emotionless face.
Parker felt a chill.
It was not merely the acting.
It reminded him of the past.
When Killian had first come to Qing, he had been the same.
At the time, no one had realized it.
It had seemed like a young minister trying his best to resolve conflict.
Even now, most would still believe that version of events.
But was that truly the case?
Parker had spent years in Hong Kong, reviewing records and analyzing past events.
On the surface, Killian had appeared to seek peace.
Yet a series of events had led Qing to provoke war, and the Empire had responded immediately.
Was it truly coincidence?
Looking back, it felt like a carefully constructed play.
An impossible thought, yet difficult to dismiss.
"Then… when will you meet Li Hongzhang?"
"The sooner the better. Tomorrow is fine."
"Then please rest tonight and enjoy the banquet. I will arrange the meeting for tomorrow."
"Very well. I would like to hear more stories about my father."
Parker avoided asking about Edward's plans and instead shared stories from Killian's early days.
Strangely, recalling those memories eased his tension.
Day two of the historic Asian tour.
Edward, having been welcomed with great ceremony, met Li Hongzhang.
He had thoroughly studied Qing and received extensive information from Killian.
Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang, and Empress Dowager Cixi.
He knew who held power and how deeply Qing was decaying.
Killian's assessment was even harsher than that of the Foreign Office.
Edward chose to trust Killian.
"It is a pleasure to meet Qing's renowned minister. It must have been a difficult journey from Beijing."
"Not at all. It is I who should thank Your Highness for granting this audience."
Li Hongzhang remained composed.
Edward recalled what Parker had said.
A capable loyalist trying to save a collapsing state.
Like Lin Zexu before him.
Such men could not change the fate of a decaying nation.
"I did not expect Qing's minister to come personally. Should I take that as recognition of our Empire?"
"Yes. However, regarding the marriage between Joseon and Japan…"
"The marriage? Why? Does Qing wish to attend?"
"…Pardon?"
"I am joking. You would rather stop it."
Li Hongzhang maintained his composure with effort.
"It is our hope that the British Empire will mediate this war."
"War is unfortunate. Nations should get along. Europe has avoided war for some time."
A statement that ignored recent conflicts entirely.
Li Hongzhang was left speechless.
"So Qing wishes to end the war."
"Yes."
"Then I will speak to my father. Joseon and Japan will listen to him. But what will Qing offer me?"
"…We will consider what the Empire desires…"
"Not that. What will you give me?"
Li Hongzhang stared in disbelief.
Edward almost laughed.
Yes, it sounded absurd.
Even he thought so.
***
100 powerstone = 1 chapter