HOMA18CL 10

Episode 10: The Poor Noble, Sir Daniel Burke

◈ A Week Later, The Intelligence Club.

For an entire week, Tae-oh focused on finding the man who would best suit Sarah Clarke. It was, however, not an easy task. He was working under the difficult conditions of the 18th century, with no matching analysis program or even a member database. He had no choice but to search through his notebook of club members or meet with outsiders to manually track down suitable candidates. Furthermore, the knowledge of Baron Clarke’s critical condition added urgency, making him anxious to introduce someone as quickly as possible.

After much effort, he finally found the man he believed was the best match for Miss Sarah Clarke in terms of temperament, taste, and values.

The final selected candidate was Sir Daniel Burke, also a member of the Intelligence Club.

Although Sir Burke was not a wealthy noble, based on Tae-oh’s analysis of his character observed in the club, he showed the highest compatibility with Sarah in every aspect. He scored particularly high marks for his potential to earn substantial wealth through proactive business during the rapidly changing Industrial Revolution.

‘Rather than an idle, wealthy noble, a forward-thinking man like Sir Daniel Burke is the perfect fit for Miss Sarah Clarke.’

However, Tae-oh felt the need to analyze Sir Burke further. He couldn’t be absolutely certain of the relationship with Sarah Clarke based only on formal conversations in the club.

On a Monday evening, when the club was open, Tae-oh deliberately joined Sir Daniel Burke’s table. After a lengthy conversation, Tae-oh rose to leave.

“Your discussion was quite interesting, Sir Burke. I have to leave now, but how about we meet at a Tea Garden in the city this week to discuss this further?”

Sir Daniel Burke, who was already greatly fascinated by Tae-oh’s knowledge and insights, happily accepted the proposal to meet.

A Few Days Later, London Tea Garden.

It was just past noon, and the London Tea Garden was bustling with citizens enjoying tea.

Clink—

Tae-oh listened to Sir Daniel Burke speak for a while before setting down his teacup and asking.

“So, Sir Burke, is there a particular business you are considering?”

Although the era was changing rapidly, society still looked down upon a noble engaging in money-making ventures. Of course, the atmosphere would completely change in just over a decade as the great wave of capitalism swept through England, but the remnants of the old ways were still strong. However, Sir Daniel Burke preferred to discuss business with the Gentry (capitalists from merchant backgrounds) in the Intelligence Club rather than associating with other nobles.

“I wish to directly mine coal from the pits and enter the coal processing business.”

“Ah, the coal processing business… I see.”

At that time, England had abundant coal reserves, but most deposits were in flood-prone areas, making excavation difficult due to constant waterlogging. Although the mines themselves were a worthy investment, the low productivity compared to the reserves and the high risk meant that they failed to attract significant investment.

“Since I was a child, exploring and digging out things from underground has been as exciting as finding treasure. And it still is, even as an adult. But my parents were very ashamed of this in me. Still, I find the work fascinating.”

A hint of bitterness was present on his face, but at the same time, there was also a sense of pride in doing what he loved.

In the late 18th century, when Tae-oh was living, England produced about 6 million tons of coal annually. However, once the Industrial Revolution began in earnest and the steam engine took hold a few years later, the demand would more than triple. By 1830, England would produce over 30 million tons of coal, a staggering amount representing 85% of the world’s coal production.

Sir Daniel Burke was, therefore, reading the future potential of a currently uncertain business and seizing the opportunity in a sector that would guarantee maximum profitability at the most opportune time.

But Tae-oh wanted to know how he planned to solve the immediate practical problems.

“Since the mines are prone to flooding, making work difficult, do you think it will be manageable?”

“Yes. That is the biggest issue, but I see it as an even greater opportunity.”

“Why do you think so?”

Sir Burke took a sip of black tea, his eyes sparkling, and continued.

“Firstly, because of the water that floods the mines, the current market price of the mines is quite low. This means I can purchase good mines cheaply.”

“……”

“And consider this: most of England’s coal deposits are located near the economic centers, aren’t they? So, if I can just mine the coal, I can quickly transport it to the centers, maximizing profits. Since a business with such future profitability is concerned, I believe the technology for it is bound to advance soon.”

Sir Daniel Burke’s prediction was accurate. Unlike China and other nations, England had many coal deposits near its economic hubs and a well-developed canal system for transport. This allowed the coal mining industry to develop rapidly during the Industrial Revolution, which demanded large quantities of coal.

“If coal extraction can proceed smoothly, you could certainly make good profits as you say, Sir Burke. But, as you mentioned, can the problem of water flooding the mine shafts be solved immediately? Are you thinking of using Newcomen’s steam engine to pump out the water?”

At Tae-oh’s question, Sir Daniel Burke suddenly leaned forward and spoke in a whisper.

“The thing is, according to the information I’ve gathered, a new steam engine was recently registered with the patent office and has begun to be sold commercially. And this steam engine is so efficient that a small machine can generate a tremendously large amount of power. Naturally, pumping the water out of the mine shafts would be incomparable to the Newcomen engine. When I heard that information, I felt a huge opportunity had finally arrived. If my prediction is correct, combined with the advancement of the steam engine, an incomparably vast number of factories will emerge. And the demand for coal will increase exponentially. If I miss this opportunity now, I will not only lose the chance to acquire a good mine but also become a latecomer, which will inevitably reduce my profitability.”

Sir Daniel Burke was referring to James Watt’s steam engine. The existing Newcomen’s steam engine had to be made quite large to generate significant power, but James Watt’s engine could generate enormous power from a small machine by using steam pressure. The imperfect Newcomen steam engine had become a proper steam engine upon meeting James Watt.

‘He is accurately foreseeing future events based solely on the current situation and his information-gathering ability. Hmm… Despite being a noble, Sir Burke is a born entrepreneur with an innate insight and knowledge of economic trends.’

Considering the social atmosphere of 18th-century England, Sir Daniel Burke was a noble with an incredibly advanced way of thinking. This was because, at this time, many nobles regarded the mere participation in profit-generating activities as deeply shameful. Even accepting a high-ranking position as a financial officer in the English Royal Household could lead to a noble being scorned as one who engaged in lowly labor. Conversely, a noble who was idle due to large inherited wealth was regarded as a person of high birth, receiving universal respect, and women eagerly awaited marriage to such a noble.

‘Given Sir Burke’s sharp insight, if he meets a woman who matches his ambition, he is bound to achieve great success.’

Tae-oh suddenly became curious about Sir Daniel Burke’s view on marriage.

“Sir Burke, you are of marrying age now. Do you have a particular ideal type in mind?”

However, the confident and assertive demeanor he had displayed until now completely vanished when the topic of marriage came up. It was an expression that a normal person might miss, but Tae-oh’s well-trained eyes clearly sensed his negative feelings about marriage.

“I have no intention of marrying right now. I have too much work to do in the future, and I don’t want to waste emotional energy on such things.”

In 18th-century England, women staked everything on marriage, and their parents felt the same. Especially in the aristocracy, the most important criterion for a groom was whether the noble had enough wealth to maintain dignity without doing any work. Thus, a noble who was a high-status heir with much to inherit, regardless of his current assets, was the best groom. Conversely, a man from a poor noble family who had to work for a living was often viewed with contempt, as his noble blood was considered tainted.

Sir Daniel Burke, who didn’t have much wealth in his family and couldn’t live richly on his inheritance alone, naturally had to find other work. This would have led to him receiving very low marks from aristocratic women and their parents at the time. Sir Burke seemed to have subconsciously developed negative feelings about marriage and women due to this aristocratic social trend.

Tae-oh quietly observed him. He felt great interest and pride in doing business and earning money. The prevailing aristocratic mindset created antipathy in him, and his critical view of marriage was, in a way, a natural consequence. Yet, a man like this, if he were to meet a wise woman who understood and supported his heart, would truly be set on the path to success.

“Sir Burke, I truly enjoyed our time today.”

“No, the time was incredibly beneficial for me. I am delighted that your sharp economic analysis has given me even greater courage to pursue the coal mining business.”

Tae-oh promised to meet Sir Burke again soon and informed him in advance that another person would also be attending that day. Sir Burke readily agreed, turned, and expressed his deep gratitude again to Tae-oh for listening to his story.

Watching Sir Burke leave the Tea Garden, Tae-oh thought.

‘The problem is Baron Clarke. Will he be able to accept Sir Daniel Burke, a poor noble? If the Baron were healthy, he would prioritize character, but with his deep illness and his immediate concern for his remaining daughters’ future, how will the Baron truly react to Sir Burke, who must start his own business because he lacks money?’

◈ Baron Clarke’s Bedroom

Tae-oh arrived at Baron Clarke’s house late in the afternoon. After exchanging pleasantries about the Baron’s health, Tae-oh brought up the topic of marriage.

“Baron. Regarding Miss Sarah’s marriage that you asked me about the other day.”

The Baron’s eyes widened at Tae-oh’s words. He had been waiting, too.

“Ah, yes. Have you found a good groom?”

“Hmm… yes. In my estimation, I have found a very suitable gentleman, but…”

“?”

“His future potential is, in my view, second to none among the nobility, but his current situation is not the same.”

The Baron, having listened to Tae-oh’s words, paused for a moment and then asked.

“Do you think, Mr. Sanderson, that the young man would be compatible with our Sarah and able to cherish her? Cough—.”

Fortunately, the Baron was considering character before wealth. He also trusted Tae-oh’s judgment.

“Yes. Based on what I’ve seen, the two are very well-matched. Although, we would know for sure after they meet and talk.”

The Baron took a sip of tea and continued.

“Since you say his future is bright, but his present is not, I gather he doesn’t possess much wealth.”

“No, to be honest, that is the case. But…”

“?”

“I dare to predict, Baron, that Sir Daniel Burke is the caliber of man who will become a hugely successful entrepreneur in England before long.”

“……”

In reality, Daniel Burke later grew his company into the largest coal mining company in England and became a global industrialist by developing a business model for processing and selling coal. However, since he was not a famous figure whose name was recorded in history books, Tae-oh hadn’t expected him to succeed to that extent.

“If he has caught your eye, Mr. Sanderson, then he must certainly be an excellent groom.”

“But if a noble engages in business, other people may view it unfavorably. Does that concern you?”

“What? Ha ha. What are you talking about? I have never once considered the value of labor to be vulgar. On the contrary, I always held the opinion that even nobles should work. In my younger days, I worked and truly realized how worthwhile and beneficial labor is to the nation. Thanks to that, though I came from a poor noble family, I’ve managed to earn quite a bit of money now.”

“Ah… I see.”

Indeed, Baron Robert Clarke was a man of excellent character, and he accurately grasped what was right and the direction in which society should move.

Knock, knock.

“Master, Mr. Thomas Clarke has arrived.”

“Ah, yes. Ask him to come in.”

Baron Clarke looked at Tae-oh with an apologetic expression.

“I apologize. I should have told you in advance. I only just received a message myself.”

“Ah, yes. Well, I have said all I needed to say, so I will take my leave for today.”

The moment he stood up, the name the maid had just spoken felt familiar to Tae-oh.

‘Thomas Clarke? Ah, the one Miss Sarah mentioned…’

Thomas Clarke would be the male relative who would inherit the entailed property after Baron Clarke’s death.

Clunk—

The door opened, and Thomas Clarke entered with an exaggerated fuss.

“Oh dear—Uncle! How is your health? Has your cough gotten better?”