"What is the meaning of distributing such a fraudulent document?!"
"Fraudulent? This is the first official publication introducing Joseon to Europe. Choose your words carefully."
"It is filled with serious flaws! If this is not nonsense, then what is it? Look at this—boasting of your relationship with the British Empire!"
Guo Songtao jabbed at the middle of the document.
"Since when did the British Empire become the Son of Heaven in Asia?!"
"From the perspective of traditional diplomacy, it is not incorrect. This was carefully drafted by our court officials."
"Joseon has always been a tributary of the Middle Kingdom! And now the ruling dynasty is Qing! There are records of your king bowing before our Emperor!"
"That may have been so in the past. But the holder of the Mandate of Heaven changes. Did not Qing succeed Ming?"
"Are you suggesting Qing has fallen?!"
Crowds continued to gather.
Some even translated the argument for others.
"None said Qing has fallen. But by traditional standards, our statement remains valid."
"What nonsense—!"
"Consider this. Tributary states send envoys to the Emperor. And now Joseon and Japan send ambassadors to Britain. If that is not tribute, what is?"
"That is—!"
It was flawed logic—
but relentless.
"Of course, such systems may not suit modern times. But we are preserving tradition in interpreting relations."
"So you sever ties with Qing under that excuse?!"
"And if we do—what then? This is not our will alone."
"…What do you mean?"
"Ryukyu has reached the same conclusion. Japan likely does not recognize Qing either."
Guo Songtao faltered—
then spotted me.
"Your Highness! What is the meaning of this?!"
"What do you mean?"
"How has this absurd structure—Britain as Emperor, Joseon and Ryukyu as tributaries—come about?!"
"Why ask me? I did not force anyone."
"…They chose this themselves?"
"Of course."
That was no lie.
This had begun with Joseon's king.
I merely allowed it.
If Qing had not alienated everyone—
would this have happened?
"Let me be clear—Britain has applied no pressure. Our policy is coexistence."
"That means accepting tribute!"
"No. We do not take tribute. But if they choose to treat our Queen as Emperor, we will not refuse."
Before a crowd of diplomats—
Qing failed to respond.
Joseon dictated the flow.
Ryukyu joined.
The atmosphere erupted.
—"Britain, Emperor of Asia?"
—"Asian nations recognize Queen Victoria!"
Even without foresight—
the headlines were obvious.
Unlike other powers who forced submission—
Britain received it willingly.
That difference—
was unmistakable.
And so—
the first day ended in overwhelming success.
Attendance exceeded expectations by over 30%.
It seemed—
nothing draws attention like chaos.
No need to slow down now.
After Joseon's declaration—
Parliament began to move.
The royal family remained silent.
The Conservatives acted.
"We should have declared Her Majesty Empress long ago!"
"Without justification, we would be no different from Napoleon!"
"Then now is the time!"
Joseon and Ryukyu were secured.
Only Japan remained.
And as expected—
Japan acted quickly.
"Your Highness! I am Ambassador Chikasige. I once again apologize for the disturbance."
"Let us move on."
Thankfully—
he had not called me the reincarnation of Jesus.
"Joseon and Ryukyu have declared recognition of Britain as an Empire."
"They have."
"We wish to join them."
"We do not require it. And what of your Emperor?"
"The decree will be issued under the Shogun."
…An interesting argument.
Internally, the Emperor.
Externally, the Shogun.
Unusual—
but effective.
And most importantly—
with Joseon, Ryukyu, and Japan aligned—
Qing's position collapsed.
Vietnam remained—
but it was already falling to France.
The justification was now complete.
When the Expo ends—
Europe's focus on Asia will rise.
That will be the moment to act.
After sending Chikasige away—
Kim Jwa-geun arrived.
I handed him a jar of kimchi.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"That is enough?"
"For a Joseon man, nothing compares."
"Of course. But this is not all, I assume?"
Qing would not remain silent forever.
"And for that… I have a question."
"Ask."
"…Do you intend to visit Asia soon?"
"…Perhaps."
He hesitated—
then spoke quietly.
"His Majesty's health… remains uncertain. If… something were to happen—"
"…And then?"
"Then we humbly request… that Your Highness come to Joseon as the representative of the Mandate of Heaven."
…What?
He did not avert his gaze.
So, he wants me to intervene in the succession. It is an ambitious move, very ambitious. Still, I find that kind of resolve quite appealing.