I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 128

Became a Hidden Power in the British Empire 128

The Turbulent World

While Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] was making a fuss over the news from Shanghai, Japan was also on edge after receiving the same news.

“France and Russia… I haven’t heard anything good about either of those countries.”

“As the Shogun [military dictator of Japan] mentioned, England is also warning us to be wary of those two countries. I even asked merchants from the Netherlands about their reputation, just in case England was badmouthing them because of their own strained relationship.”

“Oh, really?”

What sets Japan apart from Joseon is that they have been receiving highly reliable information from Dutch merchants, with whom they have been trading for a long time, albeit on a limited basis.

In particular, this war has fully validated the accuracy of Dutch intelligence.

“First of all, the Dutch merchants advised against dealing with both France and Russia. They say France has a history of instigating great wars that embroiled all of Europe just a few decades ago. And Russia is constantly expanding its territory to secure ice-free ports, causing disputes with other countries.”

“That aligns perfectly with the information from Shanghai.”

“Yes. If Russia moves southward, they will inevitably fight with Qing [the last imperial dynasty of China], but Qing currently lacks the power to defend its coastal borders. Russia may end up sharing a border with Joseon.”

“Can Joseon act as a bulwark against Russia?”

Tokugawa Ieyoshi’s anxiety was met with a bitter smile from Toyama, who retorted,

“Does the Shogun believe Joseon has the capacity to do so?”

“Absolutely not. Moreover, there’s a high possibility that France is also sniffing around here, looking for something to gain, isn’t there? If Joseon is reduced to a forward base for Russia, we will be directly threatened. This is worrying.”

“Russia is said to have a poor relationship with England. Perhaps they will intervene if Russia tries to swallow Joseon whole?”

“Normally, they would, but it’s hard to say if Russia offers them a corresponding price. From their perspective, they might concede Joseon and try to use us to build a defensive line.”

Whatever the case, now that the great powers of Europe have begun to show their claws in Asia, this side is already in a precarious situation.

How to stop them.

If we try to stop them, can we even succeed?

After considering countless scenarios, the conclusion was that it would be difficult with our own strength alone.

“If I succumb to the pressure from France or Russia here and open the country, the daimyo [powerful feudal lords in Japan] will surely denounce me as incompetent and rise up, right? Under no circumstances can I yield to their demands. To do that, Joseon must cling to Russia no matter what…”

“What about France?”

“Well, France is said to be England’s arch-rival, so we can bring England in.”

It is a crisis, but if we overcome this crisis well, the Shogun’s status will soar at once as a hero who defended this country from foreign invasion.

I’m glad I pushed Kirian into our lineage, even with ridiculous arguments.

Thanks to that, we were able to obtain such high-level information to prepare in advance, weren’t we?

“Let’s request Joseon to send envoys first. They’ll be more urgent than us, so if we suggest discussing how to deal with the Russian threat, they’ll agree.”

“Understood. I will take immediate action!”

If those Joseon bastards have any sense, they will have come up with their own countermeasures.

In the past, they used the geographical advantage of being an island to easily repel foreign invasions, but now that advantage is becoming increasingly meaningless.

Now, the sea is no longer an obstacle to prevent foreign invasions, but a passage through which they can bring their ships at any time.

So, I hope Joseon does whatever it takes, whether it’s a dog and pony show or squeezing out their souls, to at least block the north.

From the daimyo who are increasingly disobedient these days to the Western powers who are drooling over us like hungry beasts.

The Shogun’s anxiety that he might be devoured if he doesn’t adapt to the changes was growing day by day.

* * *

If Asia was like a powder keg about to explode, there were already regions where the seeds of conflict had grown and burst.

That place was, of course, the United States of America.

It was a country full of rebels who shouted opposition rather than obedience, and freedom rather than loyalty, so even if a small incident occurred, they would inevitably fight each other.

In such a place, a direct conflict broke out over the most sensitive issue of slavery, so how could the conflict not explode?

The current President of the United States, John Tyler, was calling in congressmen who supported slavery to the White House every day to hear their opinions in order to solve this problem.

“Do you have anything to brief me on today?”

“Mr. President. The public sentiment in South Carolina is very serious right now.”

John Calhoun, the former Vice President of the United States and currently a Senator from South Carolina with tremendous influence, frowned as he spoke.

“There are more than just a few plantation owners appealing for help with runaway slaves. I’m here as a representative today, but this is happening not only in South Carolina but throughout the South, including Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia.”

“That’s serious.”

“This is an issue that needs to be addressed as a top priority, regardless of party affiliation. But there are still too many people in Congress who are showing a lukewarm response to this. It’s not that they don’t know the seriousness of the situation. They just want to pretend they don’t know.”

Since most of the Northern states abolished slavery, slaves from the South have often escaped to the North.

However, even in the North, it was difficult for escaped slaves to live as free people in places where the Fugitive Slave Act was applied.

If they were discovered to be runaway slaves from the South, they could be immediately arrested and repatriated.

The North also did not want to provoke the South more than necessary, so they often handed over slaves without much argument if it was an undeniable case.

But Calhoun explained that this time, a large-scale mass exodus was taking place on a different level.

“According to the report I heard yesterday alone, 143 black slaves disappeared from South Carolina. That’s just yesterday, not a week. Isn’t that a number that cannot be explained unless someone is moving systematically?”

“You’re right, Senator. Have you identified the culprit?”

In the past, there were groups that did crazy things to help black slaves escape.

Of course, they were all criminals who broke the law and were severely punished.

I thought that if we showed the strictness of the law this time, it would naturally subside, but what?

Calhoun sighed, rubbing his forehead as if he was going crazy.

“That’s the problem, we don’t know. But my guess is that this is definitely related to some state in the North. I heard that recently, a crazy organization called the NBA [National Benevolent Association, a fictional organization] in the North is going around shouting slogans that black lives matter. I suspect those guys for now.”

“I’ve heard the story several times and investigated, and they were said to be a moderate organization that operates within the bounds of the law as much as possible. I don’t think they’re involved. Could there be a group organized by the blacks themselves?”

“Mr. President.”

I thought it was a plausible inference, but Calhoun smiled and shook his head.

“Do you think they have the ability or intelligence to organize something like a secret society?”

“Ah, that’s right. I forgot.”

“Judging from the methods and routes the blacks used to escape, it’s clear that excellent white people are helping them. Of course, because blacks can’t possibly have that kind of intelligence. If we investigate that, we might be able to get on their tail…”

“As the President of this country, I am deeply concerned about this conflict. I will spare no support to resolve this issue, so don’t worry too much. As you said, Senator, isn’t this an issue that all of us from the South should work together to address, regardless of party affiliation?”

The Southern people could never accept the hypothesis that inferior blacks were organizing themselves and leading the escape operation.

How could inferior and uncivilized beings, who are like furniture or machinery, do such ‘human’ things?

There must be white people who are helping them escape.

And most likely, they are people who are moving under the instigation of the North.

“I thank you on behalf of the South for your bold decision. If you actively move forward, I promise that we will also give you strength, regardless of party affiliation.”

“Good, good. Slavery is the foundation and tradition of our Union. I will not allow anyone to bring a knife to this system, so trust me.”

If the Northern congressmen heard this, they would grab the back of their necks and fall over, but the two didn’t care.

It’s not like they’ve been arguing over slavery for a day or two, and rather, it was clear that the South had been too lenient so far, so the North was increasingly crossing the line.

If we go out as strong as possible here, they won’t be able to do this nonsense anymore.

Neither the President of the United States nor the senators who had been in politics for a long time.

No one realized that someone was artificially creating this trend.

* * *

“Kilian, is everything ready?”

“Yes. Where should we go this time?”

“We went to Birmingham a while ago, so should we plan to visit Manchester this time?”

Whether the world is in turmoil or not, I’m going to enjoy my happy honeymoon.

People often say that the most enjoyable time in life is the honeymoon, and indeed, there was a reason for that saying.

The first week of our honeymoon was spent at the secluded Windsor Castle, enjoying our own holiday.

We were always together from the moment we opened our eyes until night, and if we wanted to get some fresh air, we walked in the yard or the forest behind us.

After spending a week like that, we went on a honeymoon disguised as a tour of Birmingham.

Of course, I did not neglect the purpose of seeing the vivid lives of the citizens and listening to their stories.

We toured the newly built factories, schools, and hospitals, met with citizens and capitalists, and listened to their words.

Birmingham is currently the second largest industrial center after London, so there were many places to see and many stories to share, making it a very fulfilling trip.

Victoria seemed to have learned a lot, and even after returning to London, she continued to talk about her impressions and share her opinions on how the British Empire should move forward.

“Manchester is currently the center of cotton fabrics. I think I’ll have a lot to feel if I actually go there. What do you think, Kilian?”

“It’s so closely tied to Liverpool that it’s no exaggeration to say it’s an economic community, so if we actually go, we’ll have to look around both sides. It’s not bad, but I don’t know if we’ll have enough time…”

“Time? You don’t have much to do right now, do you? You’ve already shared some friendship with the royal family, and you’ve visited all the high-ranking government officials once.”

“That’s true. I don’t have much to do right now.”

Recently, Wellesley, who had become frustrated because I seemed to be spending my time too leisurely, came to me and asked if I was thinking of retiring from politics as it is.

Anyone could see that I was a fool for my wife, obsessed with a happy honeymoon with the Queen.

“Do you feel empty now that you’re distancing yourself from politics? If so, don’t feel pressured and say so. As I said before, I’ll create a position for you somehow.”

“It’s okay. The Queen of the British Empire doesn’t need to worry about such trivial matters.”

“Trivial matters? It’s the work of the most precious person in my life, so of course I have to care.”

“Victoria, even if the justification is plausible, if you move directly, you can’t help but hear that political intervention is political intervention. It’s better to watch for now, even if it’s later.”

“Does that mean the situation will change if we keep watching?”

That’s not it.

It’s not like a white knight will come and help if you just desperately wish for it.

But at the same time, it’s not a situation that can be said to be completely wrong.

“If we wait quietly, we’ll get a bite. In fishing, waiting patiently is also a skill.”

The bait has already been thrown in abundance.

The situation has already changed a long time ago, and now it’s just a matter of when they realize that reality.

When the seeds that have been scattered all over the place break through the ground and begin to bear fruit, they will have no choice but to know.

That there is only one person who can take the lead and fix this mess.