HOMA18CL 05

Episode 5: The Start of the First Match

Two months later.

Tae-oh’s ambition to start a 21st-century-style marriage information company in 18th-century London was quickly challenged by several major obstacles.

First, the cost of living was problematically expensive, beyond what he had imagined. In a modern society without mass production and economical means of transport, astronomical costs were required even to construct a single building. Naturally, the rent for buildings was also expensive. The cost of renting his current residence was already a significant burden, so he wondered if it was even possible to rent a decent building in central London and establish a company.

Second, the negative perception of marriage brokers was a headache, even if he managed to start the company.

‘There is considerable social contempt and hostility toward matchmakers. In this social climate, how many customers would use a marriage information company, even if I opened one?’

Most importantly, the absence of computers, making proper matching analysis impossible, was a huge impediment.

‘No matter how I think about it, establishing a company right now is too much. For now, I need to secure as many good members as possible and create an analysis model, even if it’s just in the form of a questionnaire.’

He judged that securing members and researching a matching system suitable for the current era should precede the immediate establishment of a marriage information company.

‘This is a world without the internet, and without computers or programs to store and search member data. But without proper analysis of members, it’s impossible to get good matching results.’

As the saying goes, “if you lack teeth, use your gums,” Tae-oh decided to proceed with everything manually. He resolved to simplify and personally create the matching analysis program, using his specialty in human observation, psychological expertise, and practical experience from the marriage agency in his previous life. Although it would be difficult to obtain results as precise as in his present life, Tae-oh felt confident that he could still achieve considerable success.

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Laying the Foundation for Business

Every time Tae-oh went to the club, he started discussions on the problems of the marriage system. His intention was to stir up interest in marriage. Because this interest was so much greater than in modern times, Tae-oh’s critique and analysis of the marriage system created a fresh sensation.

Moreover, this reaction did not remain confined to the male-only Intelligence Club. When word spread that a famous discourse on the problems and future of the marriage system—even acknowledged by Adam Smith—was taking place, the Almack’s Club invited Tae-oh.

• Almack’s Club: A women-only club organized in 1765, centered around upper-class noblewomen in London, England.

◈ Almack’s Club, near Piccadilly, London.

Tae-oh was giving a lecture on the future of the marriage system at the women-only Almack’s Club.

“…Thus, society is rapidly changing. Marriage, which prioritized lineage and class, is increasingly shifting towards the pursuit of individual happiness. As this individualistic view is highlighted, marriage based on personal choice will naturally become the established view of marriage in the future.”

Tae-oh’s popularity at the Almack’s Club was enormous. It was an unexpectedly fervent response, even by the club operators who planned the invitation. In particular, his detailed prediction of how women would operate and develop in society in the future was a fresh and specific discourse on the future that no one had ever heard before. For these women, whose social activities were virtually blocked, every word from Tae-oh felt like a refreshing breakthrough.

Tae-oh was invited to the Almack’s Club multiple times due to the enthusiastic support of its female members. He had the opportunity to give lectures and hold Q&A sessions on various topics related to women. Thanks to this, he cemented close relationships with the top management of the Almack’s Club, as well as some of its female members.

◈ The Intelligence Club

The emerging capitalist class within the club was gathered, exchanging opinions on business. When Tae-oh, also classified as a capitalist, offered advice on promising ventures, even nobles who scorned business showed great interest.

“…Therefore, I believe that the improved steam engine will lead Britain’s industry into an era of tremendous change.”

“Mr. Sanderson? But wasn’t the steam engine invented over sixty years ago? Will it truly bring about such a significant change?”

“The steam engine I am talking about is completely different. It converts reciprocating motion into rotary motion, uses only a quarter of the fuel compared to Newcomen’s steam engine, and can be lightweight. I believe this will cause truly revolutionary events.”

A businessman who ran a large spinning machine factory and knew a lot about machinery was speechless at Tae-oh’s forecast.

“How do you have such a detailed understanding of our business field? Honestly, your knowledge and insight, Mr. Sanderson, are becoming tedious to praise. But why aren’t you actively engaging in business with such remarkable abilities?”

Tae-oh replied with an awkward expression.

“I’m only good at talking, but truthfully, I’m easily frightened, so I can’t take action myself. Although I briefly made money through the sugar trade, it was a truly frightening experience.”

“Still, coming from Bristol to London suggests you were planning to attempt something, weren’t you?”

“Haha—yes. That’s correct. I was actually looking for a suitable business… and I’ve recently found one that I might try.”

“Oh—really? What do you plan to do?”

All eyes around him focused on Tae-oh’s mouth.

After a slight hesitation, Tae-oh bravely spoke.

“You might laugh… but I intend to start a proper matchmaking business.”

Everyone was startled when Tae-oh mentioned the marriage brokerage business.

“Matchmaking? Are you serious? I didn’t mishear you, did I?”

“No, you didn’t. Matchmaking is correct. Haha.”

“How can a person with such high insight and knowledge like you plan to become a matchmaker, a job usually done by women with loose tongues? That makes no sense to me.”

Tae-oh had fully expected this reaction.

“Of course, you might think so. But as Mr. Adam Smith mentioned last time, marriage is virtually everything in the lives of women in this society. And women make up half of the world. If it’s a business that offers even a slightly better future to them, I believe it would be quite rewarding, quite apart from just making money. At the very least, it would prevent them from having their lives ruined by being defrauded by shoddy matchmakers. Of course, this also applies to single men.”

More members than before had gathered around Tae-oh.

“And I belong to the emerging capitalist class. Isn’t a capitalist someone who makes a profit by making bold investments in businesses that make money? I dare say that the marriage information business will inevitably become a promising profession in British society. A business that approaches the grave matter of marriage with a responsible attitude, properly sharing objective information, and accurately analyzing the parties’ temperaments to find the best match for each other—wouldn’t that be quite intriguing?”

Mr. William Rowland, an emerging capitalist known as one of London’s wealthiest, nodded his head.

“Bringing the marriage brokerage business into a professional domain… The market is certainly large, but the supply is terrible, so, hmm. I don’t know about the profit side, but it’s certainly an ingenious business idea that I hadn’t thought of.”

“In fact, I’ve been analyzing the temperaments and psychologies of the unmarried gentlemen here for a long time. The bachelors in this club are practically my clients already. Ha ha.”

The club’s unmarried members burst into laughter at Tae-oh’s words.

“If anyone doesn’t wish to participate, please let me know in advance. Otherwise, if you trust me, I strongly recommend you meet the woman I occasionally suggest. I dare to promise that you might have a truly astonishing experience.”

Mr. William Rowland asked with a playful expression.

“I’m already too old for it, but is my son a possibility?”

“Of course. That’s possible. However, I would need time to meet your son, talk to him, and assess who he is.”

No member was overtly offended by Tae-oh’s matchmaking business. There was the trust they had built with Tae-oh, and they were also curious to see what kind of woman a man with such excellent insight would introduce as a marriage broker. Instead, there was subtle interest in who would be the first in the club and what the results would be.

‘It’s a relief the reaction isn’t as bad as I thought. No, they’re actually looking forward to it. If that’s the case, I need to make sure the first connection is a complete success, no matter what. If I capitalize on this first opportunity, the marriage information business could gain tremendous momentum.’

And that opportunity came sooner than expected.

◈ A Few Days Later, Tae-oh’s Home

Knock. Knock.

The maid, Lucy, opened the study door and peeked in.

“Master? Someone is here to see you downstairs.”

Tae-oh, who was creating his matching analysis model, looked up.

“Here to see me? Who is it?”

“Yes, two ladies. They said they were introduced by Lord Wellesley.”

Lord Wellesley was one of the steering committee members of the Intelligence Club.

Tae-oh, who had the maid usher them into the study, quickly tidied up his space.

‘An introduction from Lord Wellesley… What’s going on?’

Soon, a middle-aged woman and a young woman entered the study. Judging by the similarity of their eyes, they appeared to be mother and daughter.

“Hello, I am Theo Sanderson. You said you were introduced by Lord Wellesley?”

“That’s right, Mr. Sanderson. Oh, I am the wife of Baron Alexander Godwin.”

“Yes, Baroness. But, what brings you to my home…?”

<In Britain, when a noble title is inherited, the person is usually called by the title instead of their name. For example, if Alexander Godwin inherited the barony from Richard Godwin, the 7th Baron Dudley, Alexander Godwin would be called ‘(8th) Baron Dudley.’ However, to avoid confusing the reader with the appearance of many different titles, the name is simply followed by the title, such as ‘Baron Alexander Godwin,’ for convenience in this novel.>

The middle-aged woman hesitated briefly, then spoke with a bashful expression.

“Well… it’s about… my daughter’s marriage; we came to consult with you.”

“Marriage… Ah—yes. Yes! I see. Please, take a seat.”

“Thank you.”

Tae-oh ordered Lucy to bring tea and thought.

‘It seems Lord Wellesley heard about my business idea at the club and introduced these people to me.’

It was a sudden meeting for which he was not fully prepared, but he could not let this opportunity pass. It was a crucial moment where he had to demonstrate his ability to kickstart the marriage information business.

Once the warm tea was served, Tae-oh looked at the young woman, the main subject of the consultation.

“Allow me to introduce myself formally again. I am Theo Sanderson.”

“Yes. I am Lydia Godwin.”

However, the young woman’s expression was subtle. The look in her eyes toward Tae-oh was very friendly. Unlike the Baroness, there was none of the typical awkwardness one shows when meeting someone for the first time. Such curious, watchful eyes were usually the attitude of someone who already knew the other person.

“Miss Godwin, do you perhaps know me?”

“Pardon?”

Caught off guard, she looked flustered. Given the favorable atmosphere, it was highly likely she had heard Tae-oh lecture at the women-only Almack’s Club.

“You must have seen me at the Almack’s Club?”

“Ah, yes. How did you know that…?”

Thus began the consultation with his very first client.