I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 151

Became a Hidden Tycoon of the British Empire 151

The Moving Powder Keg (3)

[The British Empire Swallows Up British North America in Canada!]

[The endlessly expanding British Empire! Russia fiercely pursues! Where should our direction be headed?]

[The conflict between Russia and the Qing Dynasty finally surfaces? The turbulent landscape of Northeast Asia!]

If Russia was suffering from a stomachache due to the expansion of the British Empire, there was another country bursting with frustration as they watched Russia.

That country was none other than France.

In the aftermath of Napoleon, they were barely recovering from constant domestic turmoil, and now this was happening.

It was bad enough that they were being overshadowed by the British Empire, but Russia was now acting as if it were the second most powerful nation in Europe.

As the historical rival of the British Empire, France, which had always wielded significant influence in Europe, couldn’t help but feel deeply uneasy.

Moreover, even though its national power had diminished somewhat after the Napoleonic Wars, France’s current strength was by no means insignificant.

They often appeared passive due to persistent domestic political issues, but it was clear that France remained a major power, not far behind Russia.

At least, King Louis-Philippe of France and his supporters firmly believed this.

They had annexed Algeria over a decade prior and were continuing to establish more colonies in Africa.

Furthermore, France’s confidence was growing as they were on the verge of ratifying a trade treaty by pressuring the Qing Dynasty.

Louis-Philippe himself cultivated an image of generosity and refinement, but his supporters argued that they needed to adopt a more expansionist policy to maintain power.

After all, France at the time was a volatile mix of factions supporting constitutional monarchy, absolute monarchy, and a democratic republic, constantly clashing and erupting into violence.

In this environment, the only way to solidify power was to demonstrate the might of Greater France to the world.

“Your Majesty, intelligence confirms that Russia intends to wage war against the Qing Dynasty, a fact also verified by England. If we stand idly by, Russia will undoubtedly seize Qing territory.”

“Is there no chance of the Qing Dynasty defeating Russia?”

“Considering the Qing Dynasty’s humiliating performance in the previous war with England, I believe it’s unlikely. If Russia prevails here, it will be difficult to prevent their expansion throughout Asia.”

“So, following England, Russia is also embarking on expansion. What is the parliament’s view on this?”

Although the ruling and opposition parties were deeply divided and often at odds, it wasn’t just the king who was growing anxious about the rise of the British Empire.

As expected, Jean-de-Dieu Soult, the Marshal General of the French army and the current Prime Minister, spoke up promptly.

“On the matter of France taking swift action, there is no division between the ruling and opposition parties. I believe we must immediately dispatch a diplomatic representative to England to coordinate our strategies.”

“But I understand that England has conceded the Primorye region to Russia. Does that mean England has no intention of intervening in this war between the Qing Dynasty and Russia? Furthermore, we lack a legitimate reason to intervene in their conflict unless the Qing Dynasty requests our assistance.”

“That is correct. Sending a fleet to that distant Far Eastern land and engaging in a bloody battle with Russia to claim a territory of limited value would not be a wise decision. Therefore, we should seize this opportunity to bring other Asian countries under our control.”

Since becoming Prime Minister, Soult had been careful to avoid making political enemies, but current French public sentiment demanded a more assertive stance.

‘Everyone except me is a fool who makes wrong claims.’

‘If you disagree with me, even if I break your head, it’s not my fault, it’s your fault.’

This was the prevailing attitude among the French people at the time, and they fought every day, but even they couldn’t tolerate France being overshadowed by England or Russia.

-Look over there! The British are starting to devour the whole world, and Russia is following close behind, yet we are the only ones lagging behind. Let’s plant our flags in Africa and Asia first, and then we can fight again!

Ironically, the butterfly effect of the British Empire’s dominance in the Pacific was manifesting more rapidly than anticipated in various regions.

Regardless of whether it was a democratic republic or a constitutional monarchy, shouldn’t France expand its territory as much as England or Russia before making a decision?

The citizens’ fervor for territorial expansion and the parliament, temporarily setting aside their differences and uniting for this cause, were eagerly searching for a country where France could intervene.

And as a result…

“The Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam has a history of brutally executing our missionaries.”

“Vietnam has many jungles and is prone to endemic diseases, but it offers easy access to Asia due to its long coastline.”

“Vietnam is a tributary state of the Qing Dynasty, but with the Qing Dynasty at war with Russia, they are virtually unable to intervene in Vietnam.”

Establishing a base in Vietnam would facilitate exerting influence in Asia, so there was no reason to refuse.

In particular, the brutal execution of missionaries provided justification, and, most importantly, England was preoccupied with Canada and wouldn’t have the [spare] capacity to interfere.

“Then, let’s immediately send a letter to the Nguyen Dynasty, strongly condemning their past atrocities. And it would be wise to inform the British Empire that our intervention in Vietnam is justified and secure their promise of non-interference. Minister Guizot, would you be willing to assist us once again?”

“Of course. I will travel to London immediately and negotiate with England.”

Barely a week passed.

As soon as news of the conflict between Russia and the Qing Dynasty spread, France, which had been biding its time, immediately revealed its intentions toward Asia.

* * *

Wow, look at how the situation is unfolding.

Has the butterfly’s wings in America triggered a massive typhoon in that distant Asia, where the future is impossible to foresee?

In fact, if I were honest, the outcome was too significant to be called a butterfly’s wings.

The British Empire, having already seized India, surpassed the United States and swallowed up key points in North America, so how jealous and envious would other great powers be?

I had anticipated France and Russia making moves.

However, I couldn’t deny that they were acting a little faster than expected.

The British Empire’s parliament was also keenly aware of the movements of Russia and France and seemed to be carefully calculating the potential impact of their actions.

However, even if we concede the Primorye Province to Russia, it is very difficult to predict where Russia will go after that.

In particular, France is also involved and trying to put its mark on Asia, so the politicians’ heads must be spinning.

The talented people of the British Empire will of course be able to find the best possible answer, but people originally have an instinct to go to the easier and faster path if there is one.

In particular, our British Empire has a person who comes to mind when it comes to Asia, so if an accident occurs in Asia, they will naturally have to call that person’s name.

And as expected, Wellesley sent a letter faster than anyone else.

In summary, he said that he was receiving calls from Asia one after another, so please attend the parliament and give us some advice! And he also said that France also has something to discuss about this issue, so could you do that for us?

I am spending busy days with the work in Canada alone, but what can I do if the home country asks me like that?

As the owner of overflowing patriotism, I will gladly respond to the call of the country.

As soon as I received the letter, I took a ship to London and returned to my home country, where a fierce debate was already taking place in the parliament, and French Foreign Minister Guizot had visited London.

“So, what does France say?”

“What else would they say? They just said that they are too jealous that we are eating so much land. So, they want to eat at least Vietnam, so don’t interfere. They said something like that.”

Wellesley, who was facing the first large-scale international dispute since becoming Prime Minister, looked a little more haggard than when I saw him before.

Depending on how he handles this, his future evaluation could be divided into extremes, so he will naturally have a lot of thoughts.

“But what will change if I attend the parliament and speak?”

“…Your Highness’s popularity is enormous in the home country. Whether it’s the Qing Dynasty or Canada. Haven’t you shown tremendous results in a short period of time wherever you touch? Moreover, the fact that you inherited the blood of the Asian royal family, which is at the center of this controversy, is also known, so of course many citizens will want to know Your Highness’s reaction.”

“I don’t think it’s just that.”

“Yes. There’s more. The Governor-General of Shanghai contacted me a while ago and said that Joseon [Korea] is asking the Qing Dynasty to dispatch reinforcements, but they don’t have the [spare] capacity to do so, so they asked if we could mediate with Russia.”

I expected this kind of reaction when I leaked the information that Russia was aiming for the Primorye Province, but isn’t this too typical?

I had the impression that Kim Jwa-geun was smart when I saw him before, but did I misjudge him?

Or maybe it was a request that had nothing to do with their intentions because it was not yet the time for Kim Jwa-geun to become the real power of the regime.

“How does the parliament plan to react?”

“There’s no reason to refuse, is there? Anyway, we said that we wouldn’t interfere as long as Russia has the ability to occupy the Primorye Province, but our promise was limited to the Primorye Province. We must prevent Joseon from falling into the hands of Russia. Above all, we have such a good reason to intervene because Your Highness is a descendant of the Joseon royal family.”

Oh, um. No matter how I think about it, that’s a manipulation, but I should put on a brazen face here as much as possible, right?

After all, I didn’t say a single word to manipulate it.

“Of course. The Asian region is originally very obsessed with bloodlines. Unlike Europe, where royal families are mixed with blood here and there, the Asian royal family is the identity and pride of that country that is rooted only in that country. So, if I mix in some exaggeration, our British Empire can be seen as a brother country from Joseon’s point of view.”

“It’s not right as a person to watch a brother go through hardships. Then, let’s take responsibility and conclude a non-aggression treaty between Joseon and Russia.”

“Yes. Russia will not want to aim a gun at Joseon, knowing where I come from. They are not fools who do not know that it is a very good justification for the British Empire to intervene.”

Anyway, they have no intention of fighting unless Joseon provokes them first, so it is not difficult at all to draw a non-aggression agreement between the two sides.

In the first place, this side is not dispatching troops, so it doesn’t cost much.

In other words, it means that you can make a fuss as much as you want without spending a penny.

“Then, let’s send a reply to Joseon telling them to trust us. I will seek approval from the parliament immediately.”

“Yes. Please tell them that Killian Lee Gore Hanover guarantees the peace of both countries for sure.”

I feel like my hands and feet are curling up when I try to say this name with my own mouth, but what can I do?

There is no cheat key that has a more direct effect than this name when it comes to things related to Joseon.

“Wait a minute. Come to think of it, can’t we bring in Japan and make a fuss? Then, in that case······.”

“No. First of all, the request only came from Joseon, so we only need to bring in Joseon and conclude a non-aggression treaty with Russia. Then, Japan will naturally start to feel anxious, so they will ask us to conclude a non-aggression treaty as well.”

The way Japan tried to check Russia before it became a great power was to use Joseon as a shield.

But if that Joseon slips out by itself, Japan, which still lacks power, will naturally be anxious.

Rather than this side making a proposal first in a shameful way, it is a shortcut to extract profits more easily by waiting for them to beg first.

“I see. Then, I will wait for Japan to make a proposal first. At that time······.”

“Killian Tokugawa Gore Hanover will guarantee the peace between Japan and Russia.”

“Ah~Are you Tokugawa there again? Kkkkkk, I understand. I will be sure to pay attention so that they don’t get confused over there.”

Wellesley burst out laughing without holding back.

Why, is it funny that the name changes from country to country?

Look at that irreverent Prime Minister.

But I’ll let it go just this once.

In fact, I don’t have the confidence not to laugh when I see that name engraved on an official document…