A week after the election in the United States, former Lieutenant Colonel Richards received an urgent summons to the United States Legation. He was riding a palanquin, a basic mode of transportation in the country that was carried by a group of skilled bearers.
Seated comfortably within the palanquin, Richards watched as the bustling cityscape of Hanseong unfolded before him. The rhythmic cadence of the bearers' footsteps echoed through the narrow streets as they skillfully maneuvered through the crowds. Colorful market stalls lined the thoroughfares, filled with merchants hawking their wares — fragrant spices, intricate textiles, and various exotic goods that had made their way to the bustling capital from distant lands.
