I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 111

Became a Hidden Tycoon of the British Empire 111

To the Land of Opportunity

When you’ve been navigating the political landscape for a while, you inevitably learn to discern who is trustworthy and who isn’t.

John Quincy Adams, at seventy-four years old, felt he had only recently truly grasped this skill.

He lamented that had he possessed this insight earlier in life, his presidency would have been far more effective, and his re-election would have been easily secured.

Within the British Empire, he had feigned being a kind-hearted old man, while in reality, he was inherently suspicious, stubborn, and uncompromising.

However, he understood that displaying such traits in a foreign land, away from his own, would hinder his objectives.

“…So, Minister, your immigration policy is focused on the Irish people. Surely, someone so dedicated to abolishing slavery would be equally devoted to their homeland.”

“Indeed. In fact, I believe my passion for abolishing slavery stems from witnessing the plight of the Irish people. Though citizens of the British Empire, many live lives barely distinguishable from slaves. I hope they can find a truly human existence in Canada.”

The sincerity in his voice and expression seemed almost exaggerated, bordering on theatrical.

Yet, there was little reason to doubt Killian’s words.

Beyond his stance on abolishing slavery, he demonstrated surprisingly progressive views and a deep respect for human rights.

This wasn’t something easily fabricated or feigned.

Even among lifelong abolitionists, he had never encountered anyone with such a robust theoretical foundation.

How to describe it? It was like glimpsing the future, experiencing the mindset of someone living in a time yet to come.

He understood why the foreign ambassador had described Killian as a difficult person to assess.

“Are you certain that Canadian immigration won’t destabilize the United States?”

“I can’t offer unconditional guarantees in human affairs. However, I intend to remain in Canada with full authority for some time to minimize any potential disruption. If necessary, I’m considering visiting the United States to confer with your President.”

“I see. I’ve heard that during the British Empire’s war with the Qing Dynasty [China’s last imperial dynasty], you went to great lengths to accommodate their demands and avert conflict.”

Killian’s tendencies, as previously investigated, were consistent.

He was the type to seek the most peaceful resolution, avoiding unnecessary conflict, but if pushed, he would boldly confront and defeat his opponent.

In other words, his desire to avoid conflict with the United States was likely genuine to some extent.

“Frankly, what reason do the United States and we have to fight now? As for me, I will do my utmost to ensure Canada doesn’t break away from the mother country like the United States did.”

“Indeed… Had we had someone like you, Minister, the relationship between the United States and your country might have been very different.”

“That’s what I’m saying. But what can I do? It’s a self-inflicted wound. I will strive to prevent the British Empire from repeating its mistakes in America by learning from them. To be frank, and this is just between us, English politicians are often flawed. They believe they are superior. Had I been the Prime Minister of the British Empire at the time, I would have treated the United States as perfectly equal to the home country, not as a colony, and guaranteed them the right to vote.”

“Had that been the case, the push for independence might not have exploded. Certainly, you, Minister, being from Ireland, makes me feel an emotional connection between Canada and us. Would you say you understand the situation well?”

Killian nodded, smiling in agreement.

He had overlooked that Killian was the youngest minister in history, and that he was from Ireland, not mainland England, and of mixed heritage.

How much discrimination and ridicule must he have overcome to reach his position?

Perhaps his background explained his deep interest in the marginalized and enslaved.

“I’ll be heading to Canada soon, so I expect we’ll have more opportunities to meet there. I’ve already instructed my staff to compile data on the abolition of slavery, which I’ll send to you as soon as it’s ready.”

“Thank you for your consideration in many ways.”

“You’re welcome. I ask for nothing more than to know my sincerity has been of some help.”

Following this, James meticulously outlined ways to support Adams’s anti-slavery movement in earnest.

After reviewing the various proposals and accepting those deemed most effective, Killian and James departed.

From Adams’s perspective, the visit had yielded the best possible outcome, fulfilling both its stated purpose and personal objectives. Paradoxically, this very success made him uneasy.

‘It’s never a good sign when everything goes perfectly.’

There should be some elements of doubt or incomprehension, but in this case, everything aligned so seamlessly that it felt almost too good to be true.

If he were twenty years younger, he might have dismissed it as good fortune, but these days, he was so suspicious that he felt uneasy.

Killian Gore was the same.

A genuinely polite, capable, and peace-loving man who valued human rights.

Even a thorough investigation of his past actions revealed no cause for suspicion, and in person, he was an admirable young man.

In short, he was too perfect.

Was it simply old age and a cynical disposition?

He didn’t quite trust that perfection.

Despite Killian’s reasonable arguments and acceptable conditions, he couldn’t fully open his heart and trust him completely.

‘But his commitment to abolishing slavery seemed genuine, so should I focus on that?’

After all, politics was a game of wits, where each side sought to achieve their goals by leveraging the other.

Even if the other side had ulterior motives, if he could achieve his objectives, he would feign being used and turn the tables.

The veteran of American politics, hardened by countless trials, remained vigilant as he watched Killian depart.

* * *

“Fortunately, it seems to have gone well this time too,” James said, sighing in relief after ensuring they were alone.

“Gone well?”

“Yes. They’ve agreed to accept our help and promised to collaborate on various initiatives when they visit the United States. They’ve decided to trust us, so we should reinforce that trust in the future, shouldn’t we?”

“If you sensed that, then he’s definitely not someone to underestimate. Well, that’s what makes this side somewhat fun,” Killian replied.

“…Yes?”

“Adams, I mean. Despite his words and expressions, he didn’t fully trust us, did he?”

James believed things were progressing smoothly because Adams initially seemed skeptical but quickly adopted an attitude of complete trust.

However, Killian had observed that while Adams’s words were convincing, he didn’t entirely trust them.

Of course, he didn’t expect to gain his complete trust after only two meetings.

However, it was another matter entirely to feign trust while harboring reservations.

It suggested he was concealing his own plans to exploit them.

Moreover, if James hadn’t noticed, it indicated that Adams was even more adept at concealing his intentions.

“Was my acting unconvincing?”

“No. Your acting was flawless. If your skin were a shade darker, Adams might have inquired about your black ancestry.”

“Then he must be suspicious by nature. Well, he has survived in the political arena for so long…”

“That’s right. He’s a giant who has even served as president. Wouldn’t it be stranger if he weren’t like this?”

Until now, his ability to deceive others with a straight face had almost dulled his senses, so this was a welcome challenge.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to contend with, to experience that thrilling tension?

“But I doubt they’ll be able to discern our true purpose at this point, no matter how hard they try.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. People are capable of remarkable leaps of logic at any time.”

It was common to dismiss such notions as fanciful, but when they proved accurate, they became sharp intuitions.

And with Adams’s vast experience, even a slight misstep could lead him to uncover a fragment of the truth.

“It won’t be easy. If he remains unconvinced after all this, we should consider his suspicion a constant.”

“Anyway, even if he suspects something, he’ll still follow our lead for now. He’s only at the ‘something is a little fishy’ stage.”

“Well, that’s true. If he genuinely suspected us, he would have reacted differently.”

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have listened to his words until the end, and he wouldn’t have selectively approved only the least problematic of James’s proposals.

He would accept the deal because it seemed to serve his purposes, but he clearly didn’t fully trust them.

“They want to extract only the benefits from us, and we can use them to create the situation we desire. Ultimately, victory will depend on who can read the other’s cards without revealing their own until the very end.”

They would match each other’s rhythm, feign being used, exploit each other, and conceal their true intentions.

He was looking forward to a high-stakes battle of wits, and his heart was pounding with anticipation.

“But will you be alright?”

“What? Are you worried I might be outmaneuvered?”

“I am worried. Adams is not an easy opponent, so you’ll have to exert yourself, and you’ll have to travel to Canada and even the United States. Your stay will likely be longer than you anticipated.”

“That’s what I have to do, so what’s the worry… Ah.”

He should be worried.

He was so caught up in the battle of wits that he had completely forgotten about the truly formidable opponent.

He glanced at James, but he offered no solutions, simply raising his fist as if to suggest facing it head-on.

He wondered if it was his imagination, but James’s smile seemed to mock his predicament.

‘You despicable subordinate, laughing at your boss’s misfortune.’

He mentally revoked James’s vacation for the next three years and walked towards Kensington Palace with a heavy heart.

* * *

He had stated long ago that he needed to inspect the situation in Canada, as it was his responsibility.

Victoria had simply told him to go and return without further comment, but now the situation had become somewhat delicate.

“Are you suggesting that you should not only go to Canada but also visit the United States?”

“I believe it would be beneficial to the national interest to meet with the President of the United States, hold discussions with members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and observe the rapid growth of the United States…”

“There’s nothing wrong with that. So, what’s your estimated timeframe?”

“The Canadian immigration policy is in full swing, with various settlement processes underway, including people working on farms and factories, and spreading to the western region. To effectively manage this, prevent border disputes, and carefully assess the results…”

“So, how many months will it take?”

Sensing that Victoria’s voice was becoming increasingly gentle, he quickly outlined his calculations.

“Ideally, I should remain in Canada to monitor the progress of the initiatives I’ve launched in real time. I also need to keep a close eye on the situation in the United States, so to be on the safe side, at least 3 years…”

Crack.

Victoria lightly pressed down on the strawberry she was eating with a knife, causing red juice to spill onto the plate.

“…I was thinking, but if it’s too long, it could be counterproductive. Doesn’t fruit spoil if it’s left out for too long? So, I’ve adjusted the schedule to be as efficient as possible. The development of the Great Lakes region and cooperation with the United States are also included, so perhaps about 2 years…”

Smash.

This time, the whipped cream pastry she was enjoying as a dessert was crushed into dozens of pieces, becoming unrecognizable.

Was it just his imagination, or did his face resemble those crushed pastry crumbs?

“…I was also thinking that’s too long. 1 year! I will finish everything within 1 year and return! I may have to return briefly in the middle, but I believe I can accomplish everything within 1 year.”

“Really? Aren’t you overdoing it?”

“Of course not. In today’s rapidly changing world, we can’t afford to be complacent. I will complete my business as quickly as possible and return!”

“Okay. Then I’ll prepare a surprise gift for the minister who is exhausted from overwork and wait.”

“I am so moved by Her Majesty’s warm consideration in preparing a gift for a subject who is working hard for the glory of the British Empire that tears of emotion are about to flow.”

Yes. The tears that seemed to be welling up were simply a natural reaction to being so moved, and not an expression of any other emotion.

Even though time was tight, who was he? He could handle this with ease.

It was just a matter of completing the Canadian immigration policy, developing the west using gold mines and minimizing side effects, creating infrastructure for the development of the Great Lakes, and putting a leash on the United States and returning.

And the time limit for all those tasks was 1 year…

This was a disaster. It felt like tears of emotion were genuinely about to flow.