The Joseon legation in London.
After finishing their exhausting duties, the ambassador, consul general, and officials of Joseon gathered together for a meal.
Though physically tired, their expressions were calmer than before.
"Have you all gotten used to London?"
"It's manageable. We forced ourselves to learn, and now we can speak and understand English to some extent. At first, it felt like an incomprehensible language, but it seems nothing is impossible for people."
A young official answered with a smile to Kim Jwa-geun.
"You must have all felt a great deal since coming here."
"Felt? More than that, we've reflected a lot. Like frogs in a well, we claimed we would improve the nation while remaining ignorant and unskilled. It's honestly embarrassing."
"When I heard that His Highness Killian was going to Joseon… I was worried. What if he saw the reality of Joseon and lost all attachment to it?"
"…That's not even a joke. It could really happen. It's something we need to think about seriously."
They knew better than anyone.
Because they themselves had once been the same.
Joseon was not yet in a state ready to accept something new.
Its problems ran so deep that one could not even tell where to begin.
"Still, judging from the telegrams, things don't seem to be going that badly. We've been told to begin selecting personnel to return next year."
"…Return?"
"Yes. A new institution will be created to lead reforms. We are to choose those who will take key roles there. I will likely be responsible."
The decision surprised everyone.
"Establishing a reform body in Joseon… the scholars will resist fiercely."
"We were told that by the time we return, everything will already be settled. We only need to think about how to advance the nation."
"…It sounds as if Joseon has finally come to its senses. Hard to believe."
It was a bitter truth.
They had once been proud of their homeland.
But now they saw clearly how outdated it was.
"Ambassador, I heard there's trouble in our clan."
Kim Heung-geun still showed concern for their family, but Kim Jwa-geun merely shrugged.
"If one clings to outdated ideas of monopolizing power, then one must pay the price. I warned them. My sister listened and stayed her hand. She will remain respected. But Kim Eung-geun did not."
"…He was never the sharpest."
Even calling him "that official" instead of family made the distance clear.
Kim Jwa-geun looked around at the gathered officials.
"When we return, most of you will hold key positions. You've all learned much here. But remember this. The first thing you feel upon returning may be disappointment."
"…What do you mean?"
"You studied for years, mastering your fields. You deserve praise. But applying that knowledge in Joseon… the hardship will be beyond words."
It was the truth.
They had studied systems, economics, governance.
They had seen how Britain functioned.
But Joseon?
"Look at taxation alone. The state revenue is weak, yet the people suffer. Resources leak everywhere. The political system? Everything is broken."
"…Then we must stand together."
"Exactly. We studied together in a foreign land for the same goal. When we return, we must rely on each other and rebuild that country properly."
Agreement spread among them.
Their ideals were aligned.
They all aimed for the same model.
The British Empire.
But that raised a question.
If Joseon were remade in that image—
could it still be called Joseon?
Kim Jwa-geun did not care.
"Oh, and one more thing. A message from His Highness Killian."
All attention focused.
"If any sign appears of establishing a communist state, it will be eliminated. Do not entertain such foolish ideas."
"…Of course not."
"If anyone suggests it, we will deal with them ourselves."
Kim Jwa-geun nodded in satisfaction.
It was a productive night.
There was no one in the world who had studied Northeast Asia as deeply as I had.
Naturally.
The idea of viewing Qing, Joseon, and Japan together as a system belonged to a modern perspective, not the 19th century.
To them, each was separate.
Even in the East, Qing and Joseon were linked, but Japan stood apart.
But I looked further ahead.
The 19th century?
Britain dominated it.
Even if its power declined later in history, what I had already done would ensure its dominance well into the 20th century.
The real question was what came after.
How to restrain future rivals before they could rise.
Canada was already serving as a leash on the United States.
While America struggled with Mexico and Spain, Canada would grow stronger.
That was good.
But Qing and Russia were the real problems.
Even weakened, nations with potential would rise again.
Destroying Qing entirely would provoke too much resistance.
So instead—
use Joseon and Japan.
Joseon was already progressing.
Better than expected.
King Heonjong would purge internal corruption using the Andong Kim clan, pass the throne to Heungseon Daewongun, then discard the clan.
After that, the reformists would take over.
All that remained was to observe.
But Joseon alone could not handle Qing and Russia.
Another piece was needed.
Japan.
Unlike Joseon, it was not on the verge of collapse.
But there were still opportunities.
I had already planted a seed.
The ambition of the Shogun.
And finally—
the line began to move.
1853
While I remained in Hanseong, Japan moved toward crisis.
"Just like a tyrant, the Shogun seeks to destroy us!"
"Demanding we surrender our weapons is an insult!"
Satsuma and Chōshū resisted.
The shogunate responded.
"If you refuse inspection, you admit guilt."
Tension escalated.
Then—
Tokugawa Ieyoshi died.
And everything changed.
"Now is our chance!"
"The true ruler is the Emperor!"
The anti-shogunate forces rose.
The islands of Japan divided.
And the seeds of civil war began to sprout.