Three days after granting Kim Jwa-geun permission to influence Joseon's public opinion, I was occupied with final preparations before meeting the French minister.
Whenever I prepare to leave, the amount of work that must be handled in advance is overwhelming. It makes me realize once again how valuable real-time communication would be.
I have already decided. Once this trip is over, I will push to commercialize the telephone no matter what.
I know the general history behind its development, and if my knowledge is correct, it should be possible to introduce it much earlier than in the original timeline. That alone would ease many of the inconveniences that telegraphs cannot cover.
Even so, Asia is a place where travel alone takes months. No matter how much I prepare in advance, the work never seems to end.
First, I need to align policies for the next Parliament session with Charles Wellesley and coordinate the cabinet. Then there are royal matters that must be arranged beforehand.
The children are still young, but the twins are now at the stage where proper education must begin. I also need to review ongoing projects.
Not only steel production in Britain, but also Canada's industrialization, resource development, and the early stages of canal construction all require close attention.
Buried under piles of documents, I was struggling through the work when the guest I had been waiting for finally arrived.
"Greetings, Your Highness. Thank you for summoning me before my return to France."
"I appreciate you coming despite your preparations. Please, have a seat. I have an excellent wine from the French pavilion."
"You serve French wine to the French minister, how amusing."
The French Foreign Minister, Louis, glanced at the stacks of documents before sitting down.
"It seems the British royal household has quite a workload."
"And France does not?"
"We have work, of course, but not like this. Ours is more focused on external affairs."
"In truth, it is similar for us as well. I am the exception."
With so many matters under my direct supervision, relying solely on reports is not enough. Important issues must be reviewed personally.
"You are handling not only current duties but also future work in advance, are you not?"
"You are perceptive. If this were my daily routine, I would have abandoned it long ago."
"And yet you also oversaw the Exposition. Your stamina is remarkable."
"That was years ago. Things are different now. In my twenties, I could recover quickly, but that is no longer the case."
After some light conversation over wine, I moved to the main topic.
"A few days ago, Ambassador Kim Jwa-geun visited me."
"Is that so?"
"He mentioned that France had approached him with several questions."
Louis hesitated briefly.
"We wished to confirm certain matters."
"Are you concerned that the British Empire intends to dominate all of Asia?"
"…Not exactly."
"I thought France had a strong interest in Indochina."
At the mention of Annam, he could not deny it.
"It is a region of great importance to us. Much like India to Britain."
"I do not blame France. You are our most valued ally. There is no reason for conflict over such matters."
He seemed noticeably reassured.
"Then the reason you invited me…"
"To clear any misunderstandings."
He studied me silently before asking,
"What misunderstanding?"
"To be direct, Britain has little interest in Annam."
"…Is that your personal view or official policy?"
"Think of it simply. We are already heavily committed across vast regions. Expanding into Indochina as well would be excessive."
In truth, it would not be impossible, but there was no need to say that.
"What we seek is the mainland and Northeast Asia. It is better to focus than to overextend."
"…So Britain takes Northeast Asia, and France takes Indochina."
"You may interpret it that way."
It was an unpleasant way to phrase it, but reality was not bound by sentiment.
"Then why were agreements with Joseon and Japan so easily achieved, but not with Annam?"
"That is simple. I am Lee and Tokugawa, not Nguyen."
"I understand."
That explanation seemed to satisfy him most.
Still, nothing comes without exchange.
"By the way, the next Exposition will be held in Paris, correct?"
"Yes. It will be difficult to match this one, but we will do our best."
"France is already the practical victor, aside from the host nation advantage."
"Prussia may yet catch up in the future."
"Perhaps, but not yet."
"Still, if Prussia overtakes Austria and leads the German Confederation, its strength will be formidable."
That was enough to remind France not to focus solely on Asia.
Even without saying more, the implication was clear.
Conflicts would come.
Sooner rather than later.
Reports from Qing were becoming increasingly dire. Following my instruction, Charles Wellesley finally raised the matter in Parliament.
"Gentlemen, today's agenda concerns the growing unrest in Qing. The Foreign Office recommends intervention to protect British merchants."
"…Prime Minister, is that not interference in internal affairs?"
"Are we to act only after our merchants suffer losses?"
"That would still be interference."
Before the debate escalated further, Wellesley intervened.
"Both points are valid. However, we have obtained information that cannot be ignored."
"What information?"
"The rebels in Qing have insulted the British royal family."
"…What do you mean?"
"The leader, Hong Xiuquan, claims to be the son of God and the brother of Jesus Christ. More importantly, he has spread false claims of ties to our royal family to strengthen his position."
"…That is absurd."
"Absurd, yes. But if such a figure gains power, the consequences would be serious."
The reaction was immediate.
"This cannot be tolerated."
"We must act at once."
Even those usually opposed to intervention found it difficult to object.
"Still, sending troops immediately would be excessive."
"We will first demand that Qing apprehend and hand over Hong Xiuquan. If they cannot or will not comply, we will act."
"…Understood."
With that, the matter was put to a vote.
"Those in favor?"
A majority answered in support.
No opposition.
Only a few remained silent.
"The motion passes. We will send a formal request to Qing."
If Qing failed to act, then as the aggrieved party, I would personally step forward again as an admiral to resolve the matter.
Once more, the wheel of history began to turn.