I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 15

Became a Hidden Power in the British Empire 15

To the Highest Place

“Who asked to see me?”

“Your father. So, I think we should go together now.”

“Did you tell the Duke of Wellington about me?”

“I had to talk about you since I was asking for a recommendation letter.”

Come to think of it, he did say he would take responsibility and get me a recommendation letter.

To be honest, I was confident I could get into Eton College even without the Duke of Wellington’s recommendation.

But, as an Irish aristocrat and a bastard, would I really not face any discrimination in such a prestigious school?

Still, since I am an aristocrat, it might be okay, but I can’t be sure since I don’t fully understand the atmosphere of this era.

In that regard, the Duke of Wellington’s recommendation was a kind of important insurance.

Unless someone is crazy, no one would dare to mess with an aristocrat who entered with the Duke of Wellington’s recommendation.

“Did the Duke say he would decide whether to write a recommendation letter after seeing me in person?”

“It seems so. Anyway, I think he’ll definitely want to after talking to you, so I think I’ve kept my promise, right?”

“I’m asking just in case, but you didn’t say anything more about me than necessary, did you?”

“Of course not. What do you take me for? I said you’re not a genius that comes around once a century, but you are still a genius.”

What’s with that ambiguous modifier?

In any case, putting aside Wellesley’s strange explanation, being able to meet the Duke of Wellington in person is an undeniable golden opportunity.

As expected, my father, after hearing the story, welcomed it with open arms and pushed me on my back.

“If the Duke of Wellington wants to see you, you must go immediately! He’s a very serious person and hardly ever meets people personally, so if he asked to see you first, just go without asking any questions.”

“Yes, I’ll be back.”

“If things go well today, I should personally visit the Duke with some gifts. If it goes well, it will be much easier to pass on the title to you.”

I left the mansion with Wellesley, after hearing several reminders to be careful of my words and actions in front of the Duke of Wellington.

* * *

Riding in the carriage, I entered Mayfair, where the wealthy aristocrats of London in this era lived.

The Duke of Wellington lived in a magnificent mansion called Apsley House, befitting a man called the nation’s hero.

The Duke had a great affection for this mansion, which he received as a gift from the nation after his victory at Waterloo, and decorated the house with extremely expensive works of art.

Even in modern times, it was used as a museum exhibiting items related to the Duke of Wellington, so it was a place that remained vaguely in my memory.

Of course, unlike modern times, the status of Apsley House, where the original owner was still alive, would not be comparable to a museum.

According to Wellesley, the mansion was crowded with numerous celebrities who visited the event just yesterday.

Moreover, since official events of that level are held regularly, it would not be an exaggeration to say that this is the center of high society in the current British Empire.

However, it was honestly a little funny to have the Waterloo Gallery arranged so that all visitors could see it.

The same goes for Trafalgar Square and Waterloo Station, which will be built in the future, so perhaps the British are the ones who love Napoleon more than anyone else.

Of course, they want to be intoxicated with the pride of our Great British Empire, which defeated the great Napoleon.

Anyway, thanks to that, I enjoyed the Duke of Wellington’s artwork and entered the office with Wellesley.

“Father. I brought him. This child is Killian.”

“Is that so?”

A middle-aged man who was reading a book in his chair turned to look at us while still sitting.

He was in his early 60s, entering the twilight of his life, but he was still well-maintained and had an impressive appearance that exuded a strong feeling.

“Killian, say hello. This is my father, the Duke of Wellington.”

“Nice to meet you! I am Killian Gore, the son of Earl Allen Back Gore. It is an honor to meet Your Excellency, the hero of Waterloo.”

“Good. Nice to meet you. Seeing you in person, you have distinct features and a clear jawline, so you’ll grow up to be very handsome. And I hear you’re also very bright? The Earl must be very pleased.”

“Thank you for seeing me in a good light.”

Maybe it’s because I’ve seen so much about him in records.

It feels strangely intimate even though it’s my first time seeing him.

The Duke of Wellington, who had been looking at me quietly, soon closed his book and gestured to Wellesley.

“I need to talk to him alone for a while, so go out.”

“Yes? If it’s just a conversation, I can······.”

“I’m just curious to know more since you’ve praised him so much. It might interfere with my judgment if you’re here, so just leave for a moment.”

“Yes. Then I’ll be out for a while.”

Is he openly mentioning that he’s going to test me, perhaps with some kind of pressure interview?

No. A duke of a country wouldn’t do that to a ten-year-old child.

As expected, as I quietly watched Wellesley leave, the Duke of Wellington spoke in a very gentle tone.

“You don’t have to worry about what I said earlier. I just made up an excuse to get that guy out.”

“Mr. Wellesley······Ah, it would be better to call him Major here. Major Wellesley seems to have a very good impression of me.”

Since the Duke of Wellington in front of me also had the surname Wellesley, it seems like it would be better to use his title here to avoid misunderstandings.

The Duke, who was watching me continue speaking clearly, pointed to a document on his desk with his finger.

“This is the recommendation letter. If I sign it here, you will be admitted to Eton College as someone whose qualifications are guaranteed by the Duke of Wellington. Charles said that if I don’t give you that opportunity, it would be something that should not be done as an aristocrat of this country.”

“It’s too much praise, so I’m rather embarrassed.”

“Still, it’s the first time that guy has praised someone to this extent. So naturally, I can’t help but be interested. What topic should we talk about? First, should I hear why you want to go to Eton?”

“Before that, may I ask if the Major has briefly explained my background to Your Excellency? I think Your Excellency would know everything without having to hear it, but······.”

I don’t need to hear the answer to know.

There’s no way someone like the Duke of Wellington wouldn’t have investigated me before calling me.

Of course, the Duke nodded without taking the benevolent smile off his face.

While coming here, I kept thinking and worrying without resting.

How can I impress the Duke without revealing all of my true colors?

The answer was surprisingly not far away.

An Irish aristocrat with Asian blood.

That’s my identity.

Although it was a birth that would act as an undeniable weakness, it seemed that this could be a breakthrough.

Clearly, as an Irish aristocrat with half Asian blood, I am by no means someone with a background to be proud of in the British upper class.

However, if I change my perspective and think outside the box, I am a unique existence in the current British Empire.

There are too many nobles from England or Wales, Irish nobles, and bastards of nobles that can be easily found in society, but there was no one like me.

Even if it’s not a shining jewel, if it’s the only one in the world, it stands out just for its rarity.

Then, I just need to add some seasoning in a way that the Duke, one of the most powerful people in Britain, can positively recognize my value.

“I won’t add anything more since you know what kind of birth I have. I want to become someone who should never be without in this country in the future. I thought going to Eton would be a great help in achieving that goal.”

“Hoo······.”

Perhaps intrigued by the grand ambition that contrasted with my birth, Wellesley slowly leaned back in his chair.

“Eton College is known to be one of the best educational institutions in this country. I want to follow in the footsteps of great seniors like Your Excellency there. Of course, that doesn’t mean I want to become a soldier.”

“Certainly, if you don’t graduate from Eton or Harrow, there is a perception that you are not the best elite, even if you graduate from Oxbridge [Oxford or Cambridge University]. If you want to be the best, it’s the right choice to come out of there.”

The UK’s public schools [private, fee-paying schools often with a long history] are not strictly universities, but in some ways, they boast even more powerful influence than universities.

As the Duke said, even if you graduate from prestigious universities such as Oxford or Cambridge, there were clear limitations. If you don’t have a diploma from schools like Eton, Harrow, or Winchester College, you have no choice but to be pushed back in terms of connections or recognition.

“So you need the signboard of that prestigious school. You think that being from Ireland, even though you are a nobleman, will be an obstacle.”

“When I first arrived in London, I thought so. But since I can’t change my innate birth, I just decided to accept it as an advantage. It’s also true that it’s incomparably better than the situation I was in before.”

“You consider it an advantage? How?”

“Ireland has not yet been fully incorporated into the British Empire for 30 years. I don’t know how Your Excellency will feel, but I heard from my father that many Irish people still think they are being discriminated against.”

I suddenly brought up a very sensitive topic, but it’s a strength of a child that they are allowed to act somewhat oblivious even if they act like this.

The Duke gave a slightly embarrassed smile as if he didn’t expect this story to come out.

“It would be better not to say that in front of other nobles. Depending on the situation, it could be a very sensitive thing to hear.”

“I also know that my father told me not to say this under any circumstances. But I thought it was a part that I had to address in order to tell Your Excellency my goal.”

“Ireland······It’s truly a painful finger.”

“Yes. I wasn’t in England last year, so I didn’t know, but I heard that there was a huge backlash in England over the Catholic Emancipation Act [allowing Catholics to hold public office].”

If I were to pick the biggest event in England in 1829, the Catholic Emancipation Act would be mentioned without a doubt.

Since the Church of England was changed to the state religion in the past, England has been on a separate path from Catholicism, but the majority of the population in Ireland were Catholics.

Because of this point, Irish people were discriminated against in entering public office after the merger with England, and in 1829, this dissatisfaction exploded at once.

Daniel O’Connell, the spiritual pillar and political leader of Ireland, was at the center of it.

He put pressure on the British government with the absolute support of the Irish clergy, lawyers, and citizens, and the parliament eventually accepted it.

At this time, there was considerable backlash throughout England, and complaints about the Duke of Wellington poured in.

After hearing this story from my father, I felt that this incident could rather work to my advantage.

And now that I’ve seen the Duke of Wellington’s reaction, that feeling has turned into conviction.

“I know that the population of this country is over 20 million, and the population of Ireland is almost a third of that. In other words, if the Irish side acts as one, like the last Catholic Emancipation Act, the government will have no choice but to be pressured, right?”

“Yes. If a figure like Daniel O’Connell becomes the center, it will be even more so.”

“So I think someone like me is even more necessary. I have Irish blood, but my identity as a British person is strong. To be more precise, I have no intention of separating Ireland and England.”

“I see. You’re going to be a suppressor to quell the dissatisfaction of Ireland? It’s an amazing idea that’s hard to believe came from the head of a 10-year-old child. Certainly, if you can become such a talent, we couldn’t be more grateful.”

As someone who knows the future, I know very well how much tragedy will befall Ireland in the future, and how much resentment towards England will grow in Ireland as a result.

However, if the country is divided in that way, it would be of no benefit to England or me.

I must somehow make Ireland, which currently has a population equivalent to one-third of England, my political asset.

And Ireland will also be able to minimize the damage of the tragedy that is scheduled due to my existence and face a much more hopeful future.

“I haven’t been in this country for even a year, so there are too many things I don’t know. But for me, who grew up receiving miserable treatment in Joseon, this country was a land of hope and opportunity. I hope that I will be recognized as such an existence in Ireland.”

“Certainly, the higher you go in this country, the more likely the dissatisfaction of Ireland will subside. Or it would be good to raise you as a counter to Daniel O’Connell. But there will be many Irish people who curse you as a traitor, right?”

“I’ll give much more to the Irish people than those people, so it’s meaningless criticism. No one will listen.”

“Hahaha! Good confidence. Well, you have to have that much guts to be able to stand in front of me and confidently ask me to push you.”

I’ve almost got him, but there’s one last shot left.

If it ends like this, the Duke of Wellington might just try to use me as a propaganda tool for Ireland.

I have to make sure to imprint that my value is not just that.

“Lastly, I am fluent in Asian languages and also proficient in their culture. The owner of the family I grew up in was a high-ranking official in charge of Joseon’s diplomacy. I’ve seen and heard things, so I know roughly what those people are thinking.”

“Hoo, really? I certainly remember hearing those words.”

“Yes. And in ten or twenty years, this country will inevitably become involved with those countries in the Far East, right? I don’t think there is anyone who can perform the mission more excellently than me at that time.”

I thought about mentioning the war of nerves with Russia in more detail, but I gave up because it didn’t seem like an idea that would come out of the head of a ten-year-old child.

Even with just this much, it was more than enough.

Perhaps the Duke of Wellington would be able to draw a rough picture on his own with just the current conversation.

I quietly closed my mouth and waited for his mouth to open again.

And soon, the Duke of Wellington smiled and lightly moved his pen over the recommendation letter on the table.

“I see why Charles was making such a fuss, and I know that that guy’s eyes were accurate. Of course, most of it is close to the Earl’s thoughts, but it’s great that you understood it properly and said it like this. I hope you learn a lot at Eton and become a great leader who can represent Ireland as you said.”

“Thank you. You will never be disappointed.”

I received the recommendation letter that the Duke handed me with a polite attitude without showing any excited appearance until the end.

The paper I have obtained now is not simply for entering Eton.

It was not just a certificate of acceptance, but a guarantee that I would not be cut off from entering the central political world of England due to my birth.

With this, the minimum foundation has been laid.

All that remains is to accumulate as much power as possible before this camouflage is lifted.

* * *

In the months after receiving the Duke of Wellington’s recommendation, large and small incidents occurred one after another in England.

The funeral proceedings for George IV, who died this year, were completed, and the scheduled general election was held, and the results came out as expected.

The Tory party, led by the Duke of Wellington, was defeated by the Whig party, led by Charles Grey, and fell into the position of the opposition party.

The inadequate response to the Catholic Emancipation Act and the Swing Riots [agricultural labor protests] was an undeniable factor in the defeat.

The Tory party was defeated, but this made it clear that my role in the future became even more important, so there was nothing bad about it.

My father said that he would start the inheritance process in earnest when I entered Eton, and I waited for the time to ripen while studying appropriately.

As the seasons passed and the year changed, I used all the income that came in, as I had said in advance, to purchase land in Chicago and Illinois.

Wellesley, who was watching my investment with doubts, came to me with an interim report that flew across the sea about a year later in 1831.

“Damn it! I should have believed you and invested when you told me to!”

The paper he handed me briefly stated the approximate amount I had invested so far and the news that the money had grown more than three times.

“Killian, please, from now on, if I don’t listen to you, make me listen even if you have to swear at me. Okay? Ah······really. I just missed the opportunity to triple my wealth while sitting down. I’m crazy, really.”

Looking at Wellesley, who was scratching his head and shaking it wildly, I judged that it was time to move.

I’ve secured Wellesley, a tanker who will be my bulwark externally, so wouldn’t I need an agent to move for me now?

Fortunately, the right person for the job had already been decided on the first day I came to England.