I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 116

The Hidden Tycoon of the British Empire 116

“Who? Me?”

U.S. President John Tyler couldn’t take his eyes off the spot Killian had occupied, even after the meeting was over.

Originally, they intended to discuss border issues, but he realized the situation was so serious that such matters were insignificant.

“Secretary, what do you make of Secretary Gore’s words just now?”

“…An inconvenient truth. I can only describe it that way.”

An inconvenient truth. That’s exactly what it is.

In fact, there was a reason why increasingly strong voices were emerging from the South recently.

Animals and people alike tend to bark louder when they’re anxious.

If they thought it wouldn’t have any impact, there would be no need to worry about whether the North talked about abolishing slavery or not.

Even just a dozen years ago, many states in the North didn’t pay much attention to the prohibition of slavery.

The United States guaranteed the autonomy of each state as much as possible, and from the South’s perspective, they simply saw the North as doing their own thing.

However, as the 19th century began and the winds of abolishing slavery gradually picked up, and the British Empire officially outlawed slavery, the situation changed.

The emboldened intellectuals of the North argued that this was the trend of the world, and the United States had no choice but to follow, to which the South vehemently opposed.

Moreover, as Europe cracked down on the slave trade, the supply of slaves became scarce, and naturally, their value increased significantly.

If this situation continued, it was obvious that the South would inevitably develop slower than the North.

As Killian said, if the British Empire knew this, the North couldn’t possibly be unaware.

Eventually, if things continued this way, wouldn’t the power gap widen to the point where the North could force the South?

The South was instinctively feeling this sense of crisis, which is why they had been reacting more and more aggressively recently.

The problem was that Tyler himself was close to the South and didn’t want slavery to be abolished.

“Secretary, what do you think? If this trend accelerates, could the North really disregard the autonomy of the Union and force the abolition of slavery?”

“Hmm… I don’t know. But if they really take such a hard line, the South’s backlash would be enormous, so I don’t think it would be easy.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say it, but many states would rather secede from the Union than abolish slavery.

South Carolina, for example, had its very identity based on slavery.

The people who settled in that state were the owners of large plantations who used slaves, and that’s how South Carolina’s history began.

“Still, seeing Secretary Gore say such things, it seems he no longer wants to associate with domestic abolitionists.”

“That seems to be the case. It seems that telling him on the train that they were just trying to use him worked effectively.”

“But it’s true that the British Empire is cracking down on illegal slave ships in Africa more and more severely. If this issue continues to surface, there’s a risk that the North’s voice will grow louder.”

“It’s a headache. But as always, a crisis can also be an opportunity, so if we act wisely here, our government can be recorded as the hero who prevented the division of the Union.”

If it weren’t for the cotton gin [a machine that separates cotton fibers from their seeds, greatly increasing cotton production], it might have been different, but now that the cotton industry could generate astronomical profits thanks to the cotton gin, the abolition of slavery was out of the question.

Even if slave ships couldn’t come from Africa, they could now ‘produce’ slaves within the United States itself, so that wasn’t a big problem either.

His home state of Virginia was already making huge profits from this slave breeding, wasn’t it?

Still, the supply of slaves couldn’t keep up with demand, so prices were still rising, but this fact inversely supported the fact that slavery was a good business.

Moreover, if the slaves were freed, wouldn’t the assets of the plantation owners, who held enormous wealth in the form of slaves, completely evaporate?

Who would compensate for this loss? With the Union’s money? Why do such unnecessary things?

The guys who call for the abolition of slavery also use cotton made from cotton produced in the South, don’t they?

The British Empire and other European countries’ calls for the abolition of slavery are ultimately nothing more than hypocritical self-satisfaction.

After all, they were just pretending to be clean while using goods made by slaves.

In fact, there was a strong atmosphere in the South of treating the North and European countries as hypocrites.

“Your Excellency, then how do you plan to solve this problem? Do you have any good ideas…?”

“First, I need to talk to the representatives from the South. If we do well… no, let’s stop here.”

When he first heard the story from Killian, he felt a sense of crisis, but in a way, this could be a golden opportunity for the president himself.

What was the problem here? He had been abandoned by the party, and his national driving force had completely evaporated.

But what if he could heighten the South’s sense of crisis and unite them around him?

The Southern senators and representatives would undoubtedly support him, transcending party lines.

That way, he would be able to regain his authority as president, and if he did well, he might even be able to continue for a second term.

‘Killian’s visit may actually be a benefit to me. I thought he was a nuisance, but he was actually a blessing in disguise?’

Even if he was ideologically incompatible with the South, it didn’t matter since that man was from the British Empire, not the United States.

Rather, since he tends to avoid unnecessary conflicts, it would be even more beneficial to him if he could appease him and not create unnecessary disputes.

If the British Empire and Canada stayed quiet, the United States could focus entirely on the issues of slavery and Mexico.

“Ah, now that I think about it, I was too preoccupied to ask him that. It was a somewhat absurd report, but I thought it would be good to check its validity.”

“It’s a verified fact, but in a way, it’s a personal matter, so I don’t think it would have been appropriate for Your Excellency to ask. Anyway, Secretary Gore will be meeting with the congressmen soon, so I’m sure the question will come up there.”

“If that’s true, then there’s one more reason to stay close to him, so please let me know the results as soon as they’re confirmed.”

It was only small-scale personal trade now, but someday the United States would have to formally trade with Asian countries across the Pacific.

Considering that time would inevitably come, it was definitely the best policy to build a relationship with Killian in advance.

Especially if the latest news he had received was true.

The path to restoring the prestige of the President of the United States was beginning to reappear.

* * *

To put it coldly, life in the 19th century was naturally more troublesome and inconvenient compared to the modern 21st century.

Even though I was a British aristocrat and one of the richest men, I couldn’t overcome the 200-year gap in technology.

But still, the experience that status and power bring often brings a different kind of emotion than modern civilization.

No matter how hard I tried in my previous life, how could I have gone to the White House in the United States and had a conversation with the president?

I felt a similar feeling again as I entered the United States Capitol with tremendous fanfare.

If you were to pick the most famous Capitol buildings in the world, which would come to mind? Most people would probably mention Westminster in England and the United States Capitol.

And I am now a person who has given speeches in both of those places.

This is truly moving.

“Welcome! I’m Henry Clay, a senator from Kentucky.”

The leader of the Whig Party, whom the current President Tyler even tried to recruit as a cabinet member, was the first to greet me as I entered the Capitol.

After that, I felt strangely moved to see a considerable number of senators and representatives sitting in their seats, regardless of whether they were from the Senate or the House.

“I didn’t expect so many congressmen to come, so I suddenly feel nervous. It’s an honor.”

“Hahaha, this is a place for friendship, so please feel free to speak your mind.”

I never thought the day would come when I would gather U.S. congressmen and give a speech, but unlike what I said, I wasn’t nervous at all.

As the saying goes, position makes a person, and I guess my body has naturally reached the point where it accepts standing in such a place.

“Hello. Esteemed and respected members of the United States Congress. I am Killian Gore, a member of the British House of Lords [the upper house of the UK Parliament] and Minister of Foreign Affairs. I hope that I and all of you here will work together to ensure that the British Empire and the United States continue to build unwavering friendship in the future.”

After a brief introduction, I routinely gave lip service to how close the two countries could be and what benefits the two countries would have when they did so, greasing the atmosphere.

“…To this end, there are many issues that require the cooperation of the U.S. congressmen. The development of the Great Lakes and mutual navigation rights through the Great Lakes are representative examples. British Canada and the United States of America are not in a conflicting relationship. Rather, I am confident that through mutual cooperation, both countries will reap even greater rewards than they do now and become countries that exert influence all over the world beyond this New World.”

After that, I poured out a lot of good words about how much potential the United States had and that it was undoubtedly God’s guidance that the United States had established itself in this land of opportunity.

Of course, as Tyler asked, I didn’t say a word about slavery or cracking down on illegal slave ships.

I have to pretend to listen faithfully to the words of His Excellency the President, who is currently very valuable, so that there will be no repercussions.

But even if I don’t say anything, there’s no way they’ll keep their mouths shut.

Just as the applause that poured out after I finished my speech subsided, a familiar-looking old gentleman stood up from his seat.

I knew it, there’s no way our old man Adams would miss this opportunity.

“Minister, I was deeply moved by your passionate speech about the friendly relations between the two countries. But aren’t there other issues that need to be addressed besides the issues you mentioned? For example, cracking down on slave ships.”

As soon as Adams finished speaking, the Southern congressmen jumped up and raised their voices.

“Congressman Adams! This is a place where a precious guest from the British Empire has come. Shouldn’t you refrain from making remarks that could cause conflict?”

“That’s right. Do we have to have a North-South confrontation even in this place? What are you doing with a precious guest here!”

“We’re not trying to have a family fight, but to solve the problems that are being debated right now. The British Empire is cracking down on African slave ships, and it’s already been several months since the United States was asked to clarify its position.”

“The fact that the Minister didn’t mention it means it’s not an urgent issue. And why should we create an uncomfortable atmosphere in a place where we’re promoting friendship!”

As the saying goes, the most interesting thing in the world is watching a fight, and this is a pretty brutal family fight.

Originally, it’s common to see congressmen from all over the world arguing, but the atmosphere here was on a different level.

It was fortunate that firearms were strictly prohibited from being brought into the National Assembly, otherwise, I thought someone might have pulled the trigger.

“The problem is that Congressman Adams’ intentions for bringing that up are too obvious! The British Empire is a country that has abolished slavery, so it’s a statement with the calculation that they will naturally side with the North.”

“That’s because you guys are taking it too twistedly. Or are you feeling guilty? In fact, you all agree that slavery is wrong, don’t you? That’s why Senator Henry Clay, who is from the same South, is in favor of gradually easing slavery.”

The old gentleman who greeted me first coughed and quickly added a word when his name was mentioned.

“I’ve said it many times, but I’m not saying to abolish it immediately. I would appreciate it if you would interpret it as a gradual easing.”

“Congressman Clay! The person who says that actually has more than 100 slaves right now, doesn’t he?”

“That’s right! If you’re going to argue for the abolition of slavery, you should free all your slaves!”

“That’s why I’m saying to ease it gradually. If you come out so extreme, it’s just going to be a fight. Everyone, calm down. Aren’t you ashamed to show a family fight to a precious guest?”

No, I’m having fun, can’t you just keep fighting and showing me?

Even if I just watch roughly, I can immediately judge who the congressmen who have the most animosity towards each other in the North and South are.

And who are the congressmen who are trying to maintain neutrality as much as possible.

First of all, there are already three or four congressmen who seem like they will react immediately if I gently scratch them through James.

Adams didn’t bring it up with that intention, but as a result, it was a great help.

“Our South has many large plantation owners who have had slaves on a large scale since the beginning. The current influential figures are all descendants of those people. But it doesn’t make sense to force them to abandon their slaves.”

“That’s a valid point, but bloodlines aren’t that important. Even Minister Killian Gore, who is here as a guest, is like that. Even though he was born with the noblest bloodline, he personally said that he is in favor of abolishing slavery.”

Do they even consider Irish aristocratic mixed blood as a noble bloodline here?

Still, since he is from an aristocratic family, he may be able to become a noble impersonator, but if you say that an Irish-Asian mixed blood is noble, wouldn’t you be ridiculed instead?

But contrary to my expectations, the Southern congressmen couldn’t say anything to Adams’ words and closed their mouths.

Is it because I’m here? The U.S. congressmen are more considerate than I expected…

“Even the East still has many countries that use slaves like the South, and the Minister is said to be a person who inherited the blood of the royal family of such a country. But the fact that he views slavery negatively is proof that bloodlines have nothing to do with ideology!”

“…?”

Blood of the royal family? Who inherited what?

My brain, which couldn’t understand the information that came into my ears for a moment, refused to work.

No, why is the nonsense that the Japanese shogunate said flowing all the way here?