I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 462

“Conditions, you say…”

Bismarck muttered to himself, seemingly surprised, and continued in a meaningful tone.

“Does that mean you could maintain neutrality if we offer reasonable conditions?”

“Nothing is impossible in this world.”

In fact, the Prussian-Austrian issue was a headache for me and the British Empire.

Everyone from Wellesley and Disraeli to Gladstone and the opposition agreed that something was bound to happen there eventually.

But when things actually happen, opinions will inevitably be divided on what to do.

Even within the current ruling party, opinions are not unified.

However, to put it another way, because everyone has different ideas, even a subtle hint from someone as influential as me can shape the trend.

“What do you want? Hanover?”

“It’s been a while since the personal union was broken. We wouldn’t accept that land even if you gave it to us for free, as it could drag us into continental disputes.”

“Shall we sell you one of our colonies again? Panama or the Philippines?”

“Stabilizing the colonies we already have is a big task, so we don’t really need any more.”

Some politicians suggested using Hanover to exert influence in the German dispute, but that idea was quickly rejected.

The British Empire, which had long adhered to isolationism, was extremely reluctant to directly intervene in continental disputes.

The exception would be when someone like Napoleon emerged.

Even in the war with Russia, they intervened only to the extent of using France as a shield, and since then, Britain’s policy has been to strengthen alliances and let them run on autopilot.

However, having direct territory on the continent could seriously hinder the continuation of this policy, so British politicians did not want to have territory in the middle of Europe.

Unless it was a land of opportunity overflowing with gold, Hanover was not worth that much.

The Philippines was not that tempting either, as they had already secured many key locations in Asia.

As for Panama, from a long-term perspective, it was better for Prussia to keep it, so it wasn’t even worth mentioning.

“Then what do you want…?”

“That’s what I’m saying. My head is so complicated that I can’t think of anything specific.”

“Many believe that we shouldn’t worry about it since the basic policy of the British Empire is isolationism anyway. And since Prussia is the British Empire’s biggest ally, our strength will indirectly benefit the British Empire as well.”

Seeing Bismarck making such poor excuses, it seems they really don’t have much to offer.

“In international politics, even a permanent alliance treaty can be broken. I have no worries as long as you are Prime Minister, but things don’t always go that way.”

“Hmm… So, Your Majesty, you’re saying that alliances can change at any time, so you need a more reliable safety net. Then let’s do this. If the home country falls out with Russia, wouldn’t we have to strengthen cooperation with France or the British Empire even more?”

“Fall out with Russia? I heard that the saying ‘Diplomacy is not fighting Russia’ is circulating within Prussia.”

“Hahaha!”

Bismarck burst into laughter and shook his head.

“It’s true that relations with Russia have been gradually improving recently, but you know very well that the atmosphere has become cold again after the last conspiracy theory incident. And His Highness the Crown Prince can never be on good terms with Russia. Even if I just add a little wind, a cold wind will blow between us and Russia for life.”

Bismarck has his own thoughts, so he wouldn’t intentionally create conflict with Russia, but it’s clear that the relationship with Russia is difficult to repair.

I’ve often heard that the Russian imperial family hates the traitorous Prussian Crown Prince even more than me.

“But if Germany becomes too strong, couldn’t this happen? There’s no guarantee that you won’t fight on two fronts against Russia while fighting all of Europe?”

“That’s a ridiculous assumption. What madman would fight Russia while fighting Europe, unless they wanted to be ruined?”

“The superior German army might believe that they can quickly crush Russia and force them to surrender.”

“Your Majesty, such a madman cannot exist in this world, and even if they did, they could not seize power. If such a person seizes power, that country is as good as finished.”

Well… they do exist. Someone actually did that kind of thing in a spectacular fashion.

But he knows it well. It seems Germany was ruined once because such a person seized power.

Bismarck doesn’t understand it at all, but in the end, that’s not a reliable safety net for me either.

Frankly, I doubt whether any safety net exists for a bloated and powerful Germany.

“Prime Minister, since we’ve agreed to be honest here, let me tell you my true feelings. To be precise, I’m worried about Prussia.”

“Worried? Your Majesty is worried about Prussia?”

“Think about it. Unlike before, nationalism is now boiling, and there’s frequent talk about uniting and prospering among the same ethnic group.”

“So you mean to end with a ‘small Germany’ rather than a ‘greater Germany’ [a unified Germany excluding Austria]. Because Austria-Hungary has a small proportion of Germanic people.”

Is that really the case? As he said, the German Empire created by Bismarck in the original history had a high proportion of Germanic people, but it was not a purely Germanic nation.

There were Poles and Danes, so what kind of German mono-ethnic state are you talking about?

Moreover, in reality, there were still many nationalists in Germany who called for a greater Germany.

Bismarck compromises with that and is satisfied with a small Germany. Even if Austria is excluded, creating a German Empire centered on Prussia is enough.

But that’s something that only rational people like Bismarck can accept.

“Prime Minister, people are inherently creatures who want two when they get one, and three when they get two. When the German Confederation is unified under Prussia, will the German people say, ‘Wow, now that we have a unified state centered on the German people, let’s not even look at Austria and live happily ever after among ourselves…’ In my opinion, there is absolutely no possibility of that.”

“So you’re saying that if we unify the German Confederation, the next goal will naturally be Austria. That makes sense.”

*Anschluss* [the annexation of Austria into Germany] and *Lebensraum* [the idea of Germany expanding its territory into Eastern Europe] are just jokes if they’re someone else’s business, but if they could actually become a reality, there’s no more terrifying word.

Because it could be a serious issue that could trigger a world war.

“Do you think I’m applying strict standards only to Germany?”

“That’s…”

“The reason is that Germany is structurally too vulnerable to the storm of nationalism.”

Other countries have already established states centered on their own ethnic groups, or those that haven’t don’t have as much power as Germany.

But if Germany unifies, it has the potential to turn all of Europe into a sea of fire, and it has a history of producing a madman who actually tried to do such a thing.

Of course, it’s a future that hasn’t happened yet, but knowing that, I can’t shake off my anxiety.

“…In other words, Prussia’s biggest insecurity is ultimately the Prime Minister.”

“Me?”

“Yes. It seems like a very mechanical and cold-blooded country because you are there, Prime Minister, but is there any guarantee that Prussia will remain the same after you are gone?”

“……”

This time, Bismarck couldn’t say anything.

The biggest problem with the Bismarck system is that the country will inevitably return to its former state after Bismarck’s death.

He increased the country’s power and reorganized the system, but he didn’t touch the system that is the basis of the country.

The current Prussia is ultimately a country centered on the royal family and the Junkers [Prussian noble landowners].

Bismarck is now exerting influence with his unique charisma, but history proves what will happen if he is dismissed or dies.

I don’t know if the Junkers have any ability, but no matter how I look at them, many of them wouldn’t be strange if they were called lucky nobles.

If they mess up the country like that, a demagogue will inevitably appear to exploit that point and incite the dissatisfaction of the citizens.

Looking at the overall flow and process, I also think that this may not be the result of some coincidence, but a predetermined course.

“So, to summarize, Your Majesty cannot support German unification led by Prussia.”

“No. If the Prime Minister can assure me that Prussia will continue to be well maintained even after you step down, I have no reason not to agree to the deal.”

“Haha… I didn’t know that Your Majesty was so worried about the future of our Prussia. To be honest, it’s surprising and slightly touching.”

No, no, what I’m worried about is not Prussia, but the whole world.

So give me a firm belief that it can become a country where a madman who turns the whole world into a sea of fire does not appear.

But Bismarck seemed deeply impressed by something else and kept nodding his head while looking at me.

“Since Your Majesty is so concerned about the future of Prussia more than I am, I feel ashamed for no reason. I understand. Expansion is good, but what’s more important is internal stability. I will go back and set up a concrete plan and let you know.”

What? This has this kind of effect?

I suddenly became a British royal consort who worries about the future of Prussia more than the Prussian Prime Minister, but anyway, isn’t good good?

I did not deny Bismarck’s words and nodded calmly.

“It’s not like we’re strangers, it’s between you and me, Prime Minister. Of course, I think of your work as my own. I’ve always been like that.”

“There was a time when I briefly doubted Your Majesty’s sincerity… I’m newly sorry. I understand.”

It’s certainly not common to suck up short-term profits, but to sincerely worry about the future of the country and give advice that is beneficial.

This requires that much effort to understand and empathize with the other person’s situation.

Of course, I didn’t empathize with anything, but from Bismarck’s point of view, it’s not unreasonable to think that way. But what? You said you doubted me?

I’m so sad that you didn’t know my purity, who is always worried about world peace day and night.

After that, we had a serious discussion on what should be done first to fundamentally reform the country’s system.

* * *

“…An amazing person.”

Bismarck muttered to himself as he left Buckingham Palace.

“Yes? What is it?”

“No, there’s something. I was pointed out something I didn’t expect, so I’m a little worried.”

“Did the negotiations with His Majesty Killian not go well?”

“It was different from what I expected at first, but there was an unexpected harvest, so I would say it was half a harvest.”

“The Prime Minister was pointed out something unexpected, so it seems that the British Empire’s royal consort is not an ordinary sharp person.”

Sharp?

Can the appearance he showed just now be simply expressed like that?

It would be one thing if he coldly pointed out our vulnerabilities, but sincerely wanting an allied country to improve its constitution and do better is far from being sharp.

Of course, it may simply be an arrangement to eliminate uncertain factors that could undermine the stability of Europe in the future.

However, frankly speaking, how many people in the world would give such serious advice without seeing such a future anywhere?

Killian’s tone was full of undisguised concern and sincerity.

Perhaps he had been understanding him too much as a political human being until now.

“Either way, he’s definitely a great person.”

The Iron-Blooded Chancellor eventually had no choice but to admit that he had been seeing the world too narrowly until now.