Her Majesty’s Secret Service

091. Struggle

New Year’s Day, June 27th.

Jong-hyung returned late in the evening and stayed in his room all day and did not come out.

I was worried that something was not well, so I went to see Jong-hyung. He told me that he had something to think about alone and asked me to go away.

New Year’s Day, June 28th.

Today, the Master was not feeling well, so he decided to rest for a day at Jonghyeong’s mansion.

Thanks to that, I finished translating the fourth chapter of ‘The Monarch’ today. The third chapter, unlike the previous two, was quite long, so it took time to translate. The third chapter discusses how to annex territory and govern it by quoting ancient scriptures, but still no evil content was found.

As Jeongsa was sick and looking for rice, he asked his brother-in-law to get some rice and cook it for him. Although it was rough and not sticky, the priest must have been happy to eat rice for the first time in months, so he quickly emptied both bowls.

* * *

Today, I stayed in my room all day thinking, ‘How can I create my own power?’

While I was struggling and thinking for a while, I looked at my desk and saw that there was a letter from Drake. I remembered that I had promised to call Drake today, so I opened the letter.

The contents of the letter were quite plausible.

The slave trade triangle involved buying goods in England, exchanging them for slaves in Africa, and selling the slaves in the New World. It included a request to invest in my name as I needed a ship for this purpose. He also said that he was in London and waiting for my call, so please call me at any time.

I think Drake blatantly lied to me. Let’s get over this cutely.

‘How far did the rumor spread that a guy from Plymouth came all the way to London and wrote me a letter… Wait a minute, you want my investment all the way from Plymouth? After reading the letter, it seems that there is a ship named in my family’s name. Does that mean he wants me to invest in it?’

The contents of the letter also included pride in the ‘Hawkins’ family. Although their family is not an aristocratic family, it is a family that has been around for quite a long time, and their father once served as the mayor of Plymouth during his lifetime. In the name of the Hawkins family, It was also stated that there was one ship that was built. Roughly speaking, it seems like he wanted to appeal to me that his family was so wealthy that he had no intention of deceiving me.

By the way, if this is true, doesn’t it mean that local influential people also want to receive investment from me?

As my thoughts reached that point, one word passed through my head.

“trading company… ?”

Thanks to your letter, I remembered a way to increase my power.

trading company. We are creating a trading company. By raising money from gentry, local influential people, or local noble families.

Anyway, even if I were to form friendships with the existing nobles of the court, wouldn’t the image of me reflected in their eyes be something like ‘a guy who was popular with the queen and rose to prominence?’ It is said that money has been made from this trade, but the weakness will not last long.

I needed a way to continually prove my worth. In addition to the Eastern Trade that happens once every two years, this is a way to prove my worth every year.

John Hawkins is the current head of the Hawkins family, a powerful family in Plymouth. Judging by the attitude this guy shows towards me, wouldn’t the locals in other regions be willing to invest if I reached out to them?

In addition, Robert, the bill dealer whose name I lent, has been living in London for several years, so if I wanted to find an investor, I would be able to find any number of investors.

First of all, when the sun rises, I’ll have to call Robert and this guy named ‘Hawkins’.

* * *

When I opened my eyes, the room was brightly lit, so I guess I overslept. I don’t know exactly what time it was, but seeing as I couldn’t feel Jane’s warmth, it seemed like Jane had already woken up.

As I stood up, straightened my messy hair, and looked out the window, I saw Jane walking through the garden holding Richard in bright sunlight.

“Whoa… .”

I sigh as I remember the palace meeting two days ago. When I thought that if I did something wrong, Jane might become King of Scotland, I thought of that brat named Walsingham, and I got annoyed again.

As for the result, the court meeting held on the Sabbath ultimately led to no conclusion.

Rather than saying that no conclusion has been reached, it should be said that ‘who’ will be put on the throne has not been decided.

It was good up to the point of making Walsingham shut up by raising questions about his qualifications, but then there was the problem. Regardless of the nobles, the ‘Queen’ defended Walsingham and listened.

‘It is true that Walsingham is not qualified to speak here, but I don’t think he is wrong… . ‘What do you all think?’

When the Queen herself came forward and questioned Walsingham’s qualifications, the attitude of the nobles who had agreed with my words changed 180 degrees. I’m definitely not qualified, but I don’t think he said anything wrong?

I thought I couldn’t avoid Jane wearing the crown if I stayed still, so I desperately tried to shake my head.

‘Your Majesty the Queen, aren’t there other royals besides Jane? for example… Yes, Mary and Catherine of Gray. I heard that both of them aren’t even married yet… .’

After thinking carefully about why the Queen agreed with Walsingham’s opinion, I ultimately concluded that she made that choice to prevent the Scottish crown from going to Elizabeth.

Doesn’t that mean that if there is a royal family that can handle Elizabeth, even if it’s not Jane, then Jane doesn’t have to be sold? I was so crazy about it that I sold out my sisters-in-law whom I had never met.

Fortunately, my prediction turned out to be correct. The queen showed interest in the two, saying she didn’t know why she had forgotten about them. The nobles, who heard that the two were unmarried, began to calculate their own interests, and their interest in Jane increased. It could become lighter.

What I felt deeply about this incident was that my situation had no choice but to go up and down depending on the queen’s wishes. Not only me but also my family.

In addition, as I realized that Jane and Richard, whom I had never paid much attention to, were royals, I realized how foolish it was to decide to live a leisurely life from now on.

Even if she gave up her right to succession by marrying me, Jane is a royal family with royal blood, and aren’t I and Jane’s son Richard, who inherited Jane’s blood, also born with royal blood, albeit slightly?

In some ways, isn’t our family an easy tool for the queen to use? Aside from the fact that he has no followers other than the Queen, and my son is one of the few Tudor royals, he is the perfect tool to sell for friendship.

Since you were born as a member of the royal family of this era, if you do not have power, you will only be used. For the sake of my family, I had to gain strength somehow.

I don’t know if it will work or not.

For now, I will try to proceed with the work as I thought of yesterday.

“Is there anyone outside?”

“Yes, Baron. “Are you awake?”

“Well, there are a few people I need to call over. Could you please visit the Port of London?”

* * *

Recently, merchants in the Port of London were screaming happily as they experienced an unprecedented boom.

As a huge spice market was formed in London as a result of Eastern trade, there was a constant stream of merchant ships seeking spices.

Sailors’ money was spread to numerous places, including bars, brothels, inns, and gambling houses that were secretly operated within inns, and the people who were smiling louder than anyone else during this boom period were the ‘bill merchants.’

Among such bill merchants, Robert, who had expanded his business to one of the top three in the Port of London and was sponsored by Baron Logan of Grinstead, had a serious expression on his face when he received a letter sent to him in the midst of his busy schedule.

“no… Why did the Baron suddenly… ?”

The letter was sent by Logan, who supported him, and it was written that he should run to him as soon as he received the letter.

Although he was busy with business for a while, he could not ignore the call of the nobleman who supported him, so Robert left the work to his subordinates and headed to Grinstead Manor.

Arriving at the gate of the mansion on the outskirts of London, Robert was greeted by two fully armed guards. When I asked why they had set up guards like this, I was told that they had no choice but to post soldiers like this because there were so many idiots demanding investment from the Baron.

I entered the gate and followed the mansion servants, soon arriving at Logan’s room.

“Baron, may I come in?”

“Please come in.”

After Logan gave permission, the servant carefully opened the door and guided Robert into the room.

Robert entered the room and couldn’t help but make a puzzled expression as he saw two unfamiliar young men standing in the room.

‘What is it, this is my first time seeing them…’ ?’

Robert was puzzled, but soon came to his senses and bowed deeply towards Logan to show his respect. I was curious about who those two young men were, but the first thing I wanted to do was show respect to my sponsor.

“It’s been a long time since I last visited you, Baron. I had to come see you as soon as I got back home, but I was busy with work so I couldn’t… Please forgive my rudeness.”

“Well, it’s even rude. Don’t worry too much. “I know very well that you are busy with work.”

“thank you. “Baron.”

After saying hello, Robert asked Logan a question in a cautious tone.

“But… “What did you call me for today?”

“Why did you call me? Well, I have a few things to ask you, and I also have a favor to ask you.”

“No, please. Just give orders at any time. “Isn’t it all thanks to the Baron that I was able to succeed like this?”

“Thank you for saying that. Well, before we get to the point… Drake, Hawkins. Say hello. “This is Robert, who sells bills at the Port of London. Why have you heard his name?”

“hello. “My name is Francis Drake.”

“I never thought I would get to meet someone our crew members love so much. My name is John Hawkins. He’s operating over there in Plymouth.”

After introducing the two young men, Logan looked at Robert and spoke as if nothing had happened.

“You’re probably busy too, so I’ll be brief. I’m trying to save a boat. How much can I use? And how many merchants do you know around you? Those merchants who would trust you and empty their pockets, Robert.”

“hmm… . It may vary depending on the type and size of the boat, but… You should be able to purchase at least one merchant ship without difficulty. And if you say it’s a trustworthy merchant… There are a few bill merchants and traders. “These are people who have been with me since the Baron first sponsored me.”

“Okay, that would be fine.”

Robert looked at Logan, who was shaking his head in satisfaction, and asked a question with a face full of doubt.

“But… Baron, for some reason… .”

“I’m thinking of starting a business under my own name. Originally… “I was planning on taking a break, but I changed my mind.”

Looking at Logan, who had decided something and had a determined expression on his face, Robert tilted his head, wondering what on earth was blowing like that.