I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 153

Became a Hidden Tycoon of the British Empire 153

The World in Turmoil (2)

As befitting those who use the red shield as their family crest, Rothschild is said to mean ‘red shield’ in name.

They grew from a neighborhood punching bag, ignored by everyone, into a financial giant shaking the world’s economy. Their name was very famous even in modern times.

As a Jewish financial conglomerate, they are often mentioned as the main characters in various conspiracy theories, with a strong image as shadowy figures dominating the world, but the current Rothschild is not quite at that level.

To be precise, they could really become that in a few decades, but now is not yet the time.

Currently, the most influential financial power in the British Empire was the Baring family, and the British Rothschild family was only a rising second-in-command.

But that’s why now was the best time to contact them.

It’s not because I’m short of money.

When it comes to money, I have built a system through James that is more than capable of slapping the Rothschild family in the face.

But the important thing is that the areas I’ve touched mainly involve dealing with large-scale manpower.

On the other hand, the Rothschild family had a powerful financial network not only in England but throughout Europe, and this was something I couldn’t keep up with no matter what I did.

Even if I somehow take England, how can I beat that financial conglomerate that has roots in Germany, Italy, Austria, and France with finance?

Anyway, from the beginning, I was trying to increase my wealth by targeting areas other than finance, so I didn’t even think about how to beat them.

“Is this the first time you’ve heard about them? I’ve been hearing about the Rothschild family for a while now. I heard that they are second only to the Baring family in the financial sector in the current British Empire?”

“I am aware that such generous evaluations are circulating.”

“Generous? I’ve also learned that you have done a lot for the country. I heard that you provided funds to the Duke of Wellington during the Napoleonic Wars?”

“Yes. I know that my late father strongly insisted on supporting the Duke of Wellington, so financial aid was provided.”

“I see. Aren’t you a truly patriotic person? Did this country give you adequate compensation at that time?”

The Rothschild, who seemed to be contemplating for a moment, shook his head firmly and bowed deeply.

“How could we have expected material [secular] rewards from the British Empire, which was fighting against the great enemy that was burning all of Europe? Nevertheless, they gave us a lot of convenience in continuing our business afterward, so we have no complaints.”

“Really? But I heard that you are not allowed to use the Austrian baronial title you originally had. Besides, I also heard that you can’t run for election because of the Christian oath issue, isn’t this too much?”

I heard that even in the original history, the Rothschild family had quite a few cases where their election was invalidated because they could not take that oath.

It was only after the Jewish Relief Act was passed that Judaism was able to bypass that oath in the British Empire’s parliament.

So, at this point, no matter how much money they had, the Rothschild family was just nouveau riche [newly rich] without power or honor.

This is in stark contrast to Francis Baring, who leads the current Baring family and is a baron of the British Empire.

“I think it would be a luxury to want more than being able to accumulate so much wealth in the British Empire. However, if we continue to contribute to the British Empire in the future, I can only hope that we will receive a reward commensurate with our merits at that time.”

“Then you should have the opportunity to make contributions, and it’s a good thing. I’m going to give you such an opportunity, would you like to hear about it?”

“If you need financial support for government projects, we can provide it as much as you want.”

The Rothschild’s face brightened for a moment.

Was it because his family had maintained ties with the government in that way until now, so he expected it to be similar this time?

“No, it’s not that kind of thing. Rather, it may be a bit difficult, but it’s a business that will definitely come with a reward as difficult as it is.”

“If we can make a clear profit, we financiers will not refuse anything.”

“Really? Then I need to ask a few things in advance. What do you think about trade finance centered on the East India Company?”

“That’s a highway for the future of the British Empire…”

“Don’t just say nice things, give me a cold, objective evaluation. That way, I can’t be sure whether I can entrust the work to you or not.”

Although it is declining, the East India Company was still a large-scale economic community and political group that was the center of the British Empire’s local lords.

But when viewed coldly, they had already outlived their usefulness and only had a downhill path left.

Still, because the basic physique was large, the British Empire government was only watching the situation without directly touching them.

It would have been okay if they had survived like zombies and quietly died, but the problem was that the East India Company, which actually held India in its hands, was constantly digging its own grave.

Thanks to this, a huge rebellion called the Sepoy Mutiny broke out, and Britain had to pay a huge cost to suppress it.

So, why would there be any reason to keep this zombie company alive any longer, which has already outlived its usefulness in terms of the times?

Russia has its eyes on the Qing Dynasty [China under the Manchu Dynasty], and France has its eyes on Vietnam. We need to deal with the Indian issue for sure.

The Rothschild may not even be guessing my intentions yet, but he must have known that he was not very favorable to the East India Company.

After hesitating for a while, he carefully opened his mouth.

“I know that the East India Company has lost its trade monopoly in the Qing Dynasty and is losing the public’s hearts in India due to its harsh rule. This may not be a big problem right now, but current revenues are continuously falling, and above all, the East India Company’s business model is not very sophisticated. Should I say it’s an old-fashioned model that would have been well-received 50 years ago? I think the limitations are clear.”

“I see. You mean that in the future, your method of making money with money will be more promising than those who specialize in trade like the Baring family.”

“Of course, trade is important. But if I were an investor, I would say that I would avoid increasing investment in the East India Company any further.”

“Yes. It’s as you say. In fact, not only me but the current government is also wondering whether it is right to leave the East India Company as it is. We have to choose one of two options: either fundamentally improve it or close it down through appropriate procedures. The problem is that if the East India Company closes down, it will inevitably take time and money to create such a large organization from scratch, right?”

Even if the East India Company is removed and the British Empire directly governs India, we must create a justification for doing so.

But when you think about it, that was also a costly task, and I didn’t want to spend my money on a business that wouldn’t make such a big profit, even if nothing else.

Of course, the Rothschild, a financier who pursues profits, would be similar, but I have quite a few bargaining chips to offer him.

“Your Highness, in our opinion…”

“Ah, of course, I know very well that this is not such an attractive investment destination. But in the long run, isn’t this an offer that will unconditionally benefit you? Most of the forces that do not look kindly on you, the emerging forces, are closely intertwined with the East India Company. The Baring family is the same.”

“…That’s right.”

If the East India Company goes bankrupt, the families intertwined with it will inevitably decline for a while, and the Rothschild family will immediately become the best financial power in the British Empire.

“And our British Empire never mistreats those who have contributed to the country. It may be difficult in terms of public opinion right now, but if you make contributions, wouldn’t the parliament naturally make some amendments to the law that you must take a Christian oath to enter the parliament?”

“Is that really true?”

“Of course. And as soon as Her Majesty [Queen Victoria] returns, you can use the Austrian baronial title, but after all, isn’t it just a foreign aristocratic title? I will get you a hereditary baronial title so that you can live in this country with your back straight.”

The Queen, not the parliament, bestows aristocratic titles, and I am the Queen’s husband.

At my guarantee, the Rothschild, who had been showing a lukewarm reaction until just now, had a gleam in his eyes.

“What exactly do we need to do…”

As expected, when people make money, they pursue power and honor next.

To come over so easily.

“It’s not that difficult.”

Just move according to my orders to make the entire East India Company a non-performing loan and close it down.

How about it, it’s easy, right?

* * *

As Europe and Asia suddenly become intertwined and chaos rapidly increases.

The island of Japan, floating alone in the far eastern sea, could not be free from this influence.

“Rosia [Russia] will wage war with the Qing Dynasty… It hasn’t been long since the Qing Dynasty was defeated by Iギリス (England), but is the world going crazy?”

“As long as His Majesty is here, no subversive forces will be able to approach this land of Yamato [Japan], so please trust us and have peace of mind!”

The 120th Tenno [Emperor] of Japan.

Emperor Ninko, the fourth son of Emperor Kokaku, looked at Shogun Tokugawa Ieyoshi, who was bowing his head to the floor, with a gaze that was not very trustworthy.

Although he was a Tenno close to a scarecrow, he was still nominally the leader whom all the people of Japan respected and followed.

Naturally, various news from home and abroad came to his ears, and thanks to this, he was able to grasp the situation in his own way.

The Shogun, who knew this fact, was also desperately trying to appease the Tenno.

In the old days, it was not unusual for vassals to wield real power while keeping the Tenno as a decoration, but recently, voices criticizing this behavior have been increasing.

Due to Neo-Confucianism from Joseon [Korea], a vertical way of thinking centered on the Emperor, the king of the country, was established, and furthermore, the ideology of Tenno worship, which improved this and added Japanese Kokugaku [National Studies] and Shinto [Indigenous religion of Japan], has been rapidly increasing recently.

Those who were impressed by this strange ideology did not like the Shogun ignoring the Tenno and handling state affairs unilaterally.

To the Shogun, it was just half-crazy nonsense, but if there were more people talking nonsense, he had no choice but to be aware of it.

Even so, he would only ask the Tenno, who had only played the role of a rubber stamp, for his opinion a little more politely.

“I have heard that Qing has already exhausted much of its national power in the previous war. And I heard that these foreigners called Rosia are one of the strongest countries in Gurapa [Europe], so isn’t Qing’s defeat a predetermined fact?”

“That is a wise insight! We also expect so.”

“Then there is no guarantee that these foreigners called Rosia will not turn their swords to us next, is there?”

“In order for Rosia to face us, they must first pass through Joseon [Korea]. So, we were trying to communicate closely with Joseon to prepare. However, we have captured news that Joseon is preparing an agreement with Iギリス [England] independently. Then there is a concern that we will be isolated, so we believe that it is necessary to make an agreement with Iギリス as soon as possible!”

Originally, the Tenno’s permission was required for agreements with foreign countries, but in reality, it has been handled in a way that the Tenno simply followed when the Shogun said he would do it.

Ieyoshi, who thought that this time would be no different, continued his explanation without much thought.

“Foreigners are famous for forcing unequal treaties, but according to rumors, Iギリス’s de facto leader, Kirian, was greatly moved by the kindness of his home country. This is all thanks to His Majesty’s virtue, and if His Majesty reaches out to them first, they will also feel His Majesty’s grace and be greatly moved!”

“Ah, that’s right. I remember hearing that too. This Kirian of Iギリス is a mixed race of Gurapa and Asia?”

“Yes! That’s right.”

“Besides, I also heard that he is a distant relative of the Shogun, wasn’t that a truly mysterious relationship?”

Of course, it was a fabricated relationship, but Ieyoshi did not bother to tell the Tenno such facts.

After all, there was nothing to be gained by him, an ornamental flower, knowing such truths.

“These relationships are all thanks to the grace of the Emperor…”

“I want to meet him once.”

“…Huh?”

Meet? Who?

Ieyoshi, who did not understand the words for a moment, blinked his eyes, and the Tenno continued to speak calmly.

“Isn’t he a descendant of Yamato who has succeeded wonderfully in that distant land? If I, the Emperor of this country, meet him in person to congratulate and encourage him, wouldn’t the friendship between the two countries deepen even further?”

“Oh…that’s…really…”

What the hell is this human being talking about?

Inwardly, I wanted to raise my voice, telling him not to talk nonsense, but this is a public place where other daimyos [feudal lords] are watching.

“That is a wise…judgment. But…”

I tried to make an excuse somehow, but I couldn’t think of a proper basis for opposition because it was an unexpected sudden action.

Still, I have to say something to stop this….

“That’s right! Even if he is a nobleman of Iギリス, half of him is still His Majesty’s people!”

“If he has an audience with the Emperor, the loyalty of the Yamato blood in him will open his eyes!”

Loyalty will open his eyes, my ass.

Ieyoshi’s face turned white as the other daimyos, who had no sense, agreed instead of stopping him.

‘This is a disaster. If I don’t do something about these people…’