When the decision was made to sign a treaty with Britain, it had already been anticipated that something like this might happen.
Kim Jwa-geun had not considered the possibility that he himself would effectively be exiled to Britain, but the loss of prestige for the powerful clans had certainly fallen within his expectations.
Once the great Western powers began exerting influence over Joseon in earnest, what meaning could the petty authority of the Andong Kim clan or the Pungyang Jo clan possibly retain?
Unless the entire kingdom of Joseon united as one to resist them, there was no way a single family could block a power that was entering the country legally.
Members of his own clan, as well as the powerful figures of the Pungyang Jo faction, still seemed unable to grasp the situation.
But Kim Jwa-geun had read the direction of the times clearly.
"Minister, is it true that you will be going to Britain?"
"It appears that way."
"I heard rumors that His Majesty has recently been strengthening Lord Jo In-yeong's position. Could that be related?"
"The easiest way for His Majesty to weaken our family's influence is by making use of his maternal relatives. That is likely the general direction of things."
Originally, Jo In-yeong should have risen to prominence when his elder brother Jo Man-yeong, the Queen's father, died.
Yet because he had earned the King's favor for opposing the Andong Kim clan, he had managed to wield influence for a while longer.
A walking corpse whose burial date had practically already been chosen.
When they had left the royal council earlier, the man had worn an expression as if he had already won, saying things like, "Take care of your health on your long journey."
At that moment, Kim Jwa-geun had felt fury boiling inside him.
"What is the opinion within the clan? Surely someone must be saying that sending the Minister of War all the way to Britain is excessive…"
"The justification presented by His Majesty is too perfect to refuse. In truth, if we speak of someone capable of serving as ambassador, there are really only two candidates—myself or Lord Heungseon."
"Well… that is true."
Perhaps afraid the position might fall to him instead, Heungseon Daewongun, Yi Ha-eung, gave an awkward smile and quietly avoided Kim Jwa-geun's gaze.
It seemed he also had plans to carry out within Joseon and had no desire whatsoever to depart for distant Europe.
In any case, entrusting such an important role to a royal relative was unlikely.
Which meant there was only one person in all of Joseon who could realistically serve as ambassador.
Kim Jwa-geun.
Though he was angry, the situation did not feel like a bolt from the blue.
Perhaps deep down he had expected that something like this might happen.
"Minister… will you truly go to Britain just like this?"
"I must. His Majesty wishes it, and the State Council has raised no objections."
"I must say… I always believed that Joseon had managed to maintain some balance among those greedy Western powers precisely because you were here. Surely His Majesty knows that as well. Isn't this an excessive measure?"
Even if he was the younger brother of Queen Sunwon and the true power of the Andong Kim clan, how could he maintain his influence if he departed for distant Britain?
With his arms and legs cut off, the best he could hope for was to return with some ceremonial prestige as the kingdom's representative.
Then he would spend his later years as a powerless old man.
That was precisely the King's aim.
Kim Heung-geun, one of the key figures of the Andong Kim clan, had already been exiled.
If Kim Jwa-geun—the remaining pillar—was sent to Britain, neutralizing the Kim faction would not be difficult.
Afterward, the Pungyang Jo faction could gradually be removed from power as well.
In that way, the long-standing era of factional dominance could finally be ended.
The King had used Britain as an external factor, but the plan itself revealed a mind far more capable than many had assumed.
However, there was one thing the King had overlooked.
"Whether this is excessive restraint or a self-inflicted mistake that gives me wings… only Heaven knows."
The old saying that there is always a path even when the sky collapses truly contained no falsehood.
Having steadied his mind, Kim Jwa-geun appeared in the royal court the very next day and declared his intention to depart for Britain as quickly as possible.
"Since I am going anyway, I believe it is important that we arrive before Japan. Though they signed the treaty first, would it not demonstrate Joseon's strength if we became the first to begin real diplomatic activity?"
"I am grateful that you have made such a firm decision. My heart is not light in sending you to such a distant land, but this is for the future of Joseon. I ask that you lend your strength to the task."
"Of course, Your Majesty! And because of that, I have one request."
"If I refuse the request of a minister traveling so far from home, I would surely be criticized for my lack of virtue. What do you desire?"
"According to the information we have gathered, Britain unquestionably possesses the most advanced technology in the world. Establishing a legation there means securing a legally recognized domain for Joseon within that country. Therefore we must take full advantage of this opportunity to strengthen the nation."
Ever since Britain had established itself in Shanghai, no official in Joseon remained ignorant of how powerful that country truly was.
Previously, a French warship had caused trouble before striking a reef and running aground.
But those with real insight had not merely mocked them.
If given unlimited time and resources, could Joseon build such a vessel?
The answer was obvious.
No.
Even if every engineer and master craftsman across the entire country were gathered together, Joseon could not construct such a warship.
Many could not even comprehend how such a vessel could exist at all.
That was the true gap between Joseon and the Western powers.
"Then you believe simply establishing a legation is insufficient?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Beneath the ambassador we should organize a study mission. They should research Britain's institutions and technologies so they may be applied to Joseon. By combining Eastern principles with Western technology, we can build our own path to national strength. I, Kim Jwa-geun, Minister of War, will stake my life on this mission."
As Kim Jwa-geun spoke with a voice ringing with patriotic fervor, the hall fell into silence.
Had they not recently seen the French warship with their own eyes, the King and his ministers might have dismissed the proposal lightly.
But they had already witnessed the technological gap firsthand.
They could not ignore reality.
If the very man being sent to Britain pledged to study its advanced civilization, there was little reason to refuse.
"I had not realized you were so concerned for Joseon's future. Eastern principles, Western technology… truly a wise idea. If we can preserve our moral foundation while adopting Western technology, there could be no more ideal path of development. Your request is granted. A study mission will be attached to the legation. How many men do you require?"
"As they must learn new knowledge in a distant land, it would be best to select young men with strong health."
"Very well. It shall be done as you propose."
"Your Majesty's grace is immeasurable!"
Kim Jwa-geun bowed deeply, inwardly releasing a quiet sigh of relief.
If he requested promising young men, the high officials present would hardly object.
As long as it was not themselves, what did it matter if a few young men were dragged off to Britain?
But that attitude existed only because they still regarded Britain as nothing more than powerful barbarians.
Eastern principles, Western technology.
The slogan sounded grand, but it assumed that Joseon's moral philosophy remained superior to the West.
Yes, they could not deny the technological gap after seeing the French warship.
But surely Joseon's centuries-old Confucian order was not inferior to Western institutions.
But was that truly possible?
For years, a doubt had been growing in Kim Jwa-geun's mind.
Now he intended to investigate it personally.
If the study mission discovered that Eastern principles, Western technology was merely a comforting illusion—
And if they all returned home armed with the knowledge they had gained in Britain—
Then it would be obvious who would lead Joseon's modernization.
The King might imagine that Kim Jwa-geun would waste ten years abroad and return politically irrelevant.
But Kim Jwa-geun had no intention of playing along.
Ten years.
No more, no less.
If he endured for ten years while cultivating reformers and establishing connections not only with Killian Gore but with other British officials, an unstoppable tide would sweep over Joseon.
After all, a great wave would soon engulf all of Asia.
There was no need to create the tide.
One only had to ride it.
And when that moment came, there would be only one man capable of guiding Joseon's new order.
Not the Pungyang Jo clan.
Not the Andong Kim clan.
Only Kim Jwa-geun himself.
Around the same time.
Russian Empire, St. Petersburg.
"Foreign Minister."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Karl Nesselrode, who had returned hurriedly from London, looked unusually grave.
That expression alone revealed everything.
Judging by the increasingly hardened look on the Tsar's face, Russia's decision had already been made.
The Emperor had spoken of resolving matters through peaceful negotiation.
But with Russia's diplomatic situation in shambles, how could that possibly succeed?
"How are the preparations for negotiations progressing?"
"I met with British politicians. Their position was consistent. They claim to know nothing. They insist they have no intention of inciting the German states against Russia. They say they have no desire to fight Russia or provoke conflict. They repeated the same words again and again."
It had been expected.
Still, the Tsar could not help letting out a bitter laugh.
"It seems Britain intends to maintain its current stance."
"Russia has worked tirelessly to preserve peace in Europe, and now they intend to swallow all the fruits themselves? What treacherous people!"
If Russia had not acted as the policeman of Europe, intervening in conflicts to maintain peace, would Europe have remained stable this long?
They had enjoyed the benefits of Russia's sacrifices.
Now they treated Russia as the villain and gathered together without it.
"Surely they do not believe that by bringing in Prussia and Austria they could truly fight us?"
"I do not believe matters have gone that far. Just as we do not wish to fight Britain directly, they claim they feel the same. Their words seemed sincere."
"Indeed. Those cowards will not seek war unless forced."
The only real exception had been Napoleon's France.
Yet even that mighty commander had failed to overcome the mountain that was Russia.
Unlike the weaker powers of Europe, Russia always possessed the will and strength to declare war when necessary.
That did not mean they were foolish enough to fight Britain and France simultaneously.
Nicholas's goal was simple.
To break the encirclement Britain was building around Russia.
And to do that, they had to act before their enemies finished preparing.
"Britain and France will not want war right now. Nor are they prepared for it."
"I see…"
If they were going to act, it had to be now.
Remaining passive like a tame dog would not stop Britain or France from tightening the noose.
If blood must be shed, it would be better to do so now—before the German states fully joined their camp.
"How long would it take to occupy the Danubian Principalities? Could they resist?"
"The Ottomans are no match for us."
"Just as I thought. If we occupy them swiftly, Britain and France may not have time to intervene."
The Ottomans were already a decaying empire.
They could hardly declare war on Russia simply for seizing territory along the Danube.
Nicholas finally resolved to end this stagnant situation.
As always, in complicated situations, bullets knew the answer.
And this time would be no different.