I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 157

Do you know Japan?

My heart is pounding; in Japanese, they say ‘dokidoki’ [onomatopoeia for a heartbeat].

After giving Elliot brief advice in Hong Kong, my escort and I boarded a ship to Japan again.

At this time, Japan was implementing a strict isolation policy, known as the *sakoku* policy, so except for Nagasaki, no foreign ships could approach Japanese ports.

However, this time, it was none other than the Emperor and the Shogun who directly invited me, so there was no room for such policies to apply.

My ship, leisurely puffing smoke, finally arrived in Edo (modern-day Tokyo).

Admiral William Parker, the commander of this escort fleet, looked at the distant view of Edo and sighed in relief.

“We have finally arrived. Your Highness, are you feeling alright?”

“Of course, I am fine. Admiral, you have worked hard.”

“Not at all. In fact, to be honest, our work is just beginning. Providing security in a land we have never been to before is not an easy task. So, it may sound a bit rude, but I would be very grateful if Your Highness could follow our guidance as much as possible.”

“Of course, I will. Frankly, there is no more dog-like death than coming to this distant land, getting stabbed, and dying in vain. My life is the most precious to me, so I will unconditionally follow the Admiral’s instructions.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

As if the words ‘the mission starts now’ were not empty, Admiral Parker frowned even more when he saw the Shogunate’s ship in the distance and gave instructions to the officers incessantly.

Strictly speaking, the people who should be most concerned about my safety are not the escorts but the Shogunate, so there is no need to worry too much at this moment, but once I set foot on land, I will have a headache.

The Japanese Shogunate will do its best to ensure my safety, but there are many crazy people in the world, and accidents never cease.

It would not be strange if some madman rushed at me with a knife, like the Otsu Incident in the original history [an assassination attempt on the Russian Crown Prince in 1891].

Reinforcing security by mobilizing public power does not necessarily guarantee safety.

Even in the Otsu Incident, the person who wielded a knife at the Russian Crown Prince was none other than a Japanese police officer.

What if something similar to the Otsu Incident happened now?

I don’t know for sure, but wouldn’t the enraged Royal Navy of the British Empire destroy all the ports of Japan?

They already roamed and burned the coastline of Qing China like their own front yard in the last war, so the Shogunate must be very nervous.

As expected, the moment I set foot on the port of Tokyo under the ironclad guard of the escorts…

“Waaaaaaaah!”

Thump! Thump! Thump!

“What, what is this?”

“Everyone! Don’t panic and maintain formation!”

A giant wall made of people.

An enormous crowd that I couldn’t even count was shouting towards us.

The Shogunate mobilized troops to thoroughly control the area, so no one could come close, but it was easy to see that there were endless people lined up in the distance.

As I completely got off the ship, the waiting traditional musicians played music, and the samurai respectfully paid their respects, creating a path for us to pass.

A middle-aged man, who seemed to be in charge of this welcoming event, approached with a bright smile and bowed deeply, as if paying homage to a king.

“Welcome to Edo! I am Sanada Yukitsura, the daimyo [feudal lord] of Shinano Matsushiro! I sincerely welcome the visit of His Highness Killian Tokugawa Gore Hanover, the Duke of the British Empire, and I am truly grateful for this honor. The Shogun is eagerly waiting to see Your Highness, so I will guide you right away.”

I heard that the Shogun’s close daimyo and top officials were all mobilized to plan this event to welcome me.

Judging by the fact that such a welcoming ceremony is not held even when envoys come from Joseon (Korea) or Qing (China), it seems that they really prepared it with determination.

However, as such an absurd crowd gathered, Admiral Parker’s face, who was responsible for my security, became increasingly stiff.

I got into the carriage prepared by the Japanese side and leisurely looked around the scenery of Edo as I headed to Edo Castle, where the Shogun was waiting.

Compared to London, it was naturally a shabby rural village, but recalling my memories of being in Joseon, Edo’s level was surprisingly not low.

Certainly, even if we put aside the Meiji Restoration [a period of modernization in Japan], it is clear that there was quite a difference in national power between Joseon and Japan even before that.

Of course, from the perspective of the British Empire, it was just a comparison of acorns, but it would be good to analyze it if there is something to analyze.

I asked Sanada, who was sitting next to me with a respectful attitude, to gather information.

“Is the Shogun waiting for me directly at Edo Castle?”

“Of course. The Shogun has spared no effort in preparing to treat Your Highness generously this time. All the most famous ministers in the Shogunate, the Roju [senior councilors], have attended, and even the daimyo from the provinces have all come up to Edo Castle to see Your Highness.”

“I see. This is my first time in Edo, and I don’t know what to do with such a welcome.”

“Not at all. The fact that Your Highness is a distant relative of the Tokugawa is already a famous fact throughout the archipelago. So, we are preparing with the mindset of welcoming a brother who has returned from afar, not a stranger.”

Seeing the light of admiration shining in his eyes, this guy must not know that the Tokugawa clan fabricated the genealogy.

If that were not the case, it would mean that he is the owner of acting skills that can only be seen as a misbirth of an actor who would have swept through Hollywood.

I wonder how many people know that the Shogun fabricated the genealogy.

Judging from the fact that Sanada, who is said to be one of his close aides, does not know, it seems that he proceeded quite meticulously, but I will have to point it out when I am alone with the Shogun later to match the story.

“Then, is there anything I should be aware of? Like customs to be careful of, or something you would like me to refrain from.”

“There is nothing like that. Your Highness is, after all, in the position of a guest we invited. Ah, but currently, some of the daimyo do not like this country interacting with the West. Of course, I don’t think there will be any ruffians who say such things in front of Your Highness, but if there are any, please tell the Shogun immediately. We will take appropriate action right away.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

Indeed, if a country that has been adhering to isolationism suddenly calls a foreign guest to Edo and holds a welcoming ceremony, there will surely be those who find this unpleasant.

Hearing these words here, it should be seen that it is not just a few daimyo who are rebelling, but someone with considerable influence may take unexpected actions.

I already know that the current Shogun’s authority is not that strong.

Perhaps the Shogun himself is not confident in reliably controlling all the daimyo at present?

After a little time, when I arrived at Edo Castle, musicians lined up from the entrance of the castle played music, and people scattered flower petals from above.

And surprisingly, the Shogun, who never comes out to the outside even when foreign envoys come, was sitting on a chair placed outside, waiting for me to get out of the carriage.

“Welcome! How much hardship have you suffered to come all the way from faraway Europa to this Edo! Our Shogunate sincerely welcomes His Highness Killian, a distant descendant of the Tokugawa!”

The Shogun, who emphasized the word ‘Tokugawa’, looked around at the others lined up on both sides and continued.

“At a time when the dark clouds of war are looming over Asia, it is of great significance that His Highness Killian, the Duke of Great Britain, has visited Japan for the first time among Asian countries. I hope that the two countries will continue to maintain unwavering friendship as they do now!”

To say that it is the first visit, I have been in Hong Kong for quite a long time, but is that not counted because it is not the capital?

Strictly speaking, meeting the head of an Asian country is the first time now, so the Shogun’s words may not be wrong.

“It seems that this is the first time I have received such proper treatment since leaving Asia at a young age. I didn’t expect the Shogun to come out in person, and I am deeply grateful for the hospitality.”

“Not at all. If it were others, I wouldn’t care, but His Highness Killian is, after all, a distant relative of mine. Hahaha, it is only natural to welcome a descendant who has returned from a great success in a foreign country. What else is this if not a triumphant return?”

See that? Is he openly stamping me as a Tokugawa at the welcoming ceremony?

Every word spoken by a figure like the Shogun in a public setting must be seen as having a political purpose.

I can’t fool my eyes, which have shaken down countless people with just a bit of wit, let alone others.

I smiled kindly and looked at the group that the Shogun had been glancing at to gauge their reaction.

They were smiling brightly on the outside, but they looked a little embarrassed, so it was clear that they didn’t like the current situation that much.

Sanada said that there were groups who opposed diplomatic relations with the West, and there is a high probability that they are the ones.

The current Shogun’s power is gradually decreasing, and the influence of the daimyo in the provinces, especially the powerful clans such as Satsuma and Choshu, is growing.

So, from the Shogun’s point of view, he wants to suppress them by any means, and he can see through his intention to make the most of this opportunity to invite me.

In other words, depending on what I do, the power relationship between the current Shogun and the daimyo may be reversed or maintained.

If I, the Duke of the British Empire, actively support the Shogun as a member of the Tokugawa clan and rush in at once, the powerful clans that have not even been unified will not be a match, but that is not fun.

Isn’t it true that the most interesting thing about a fight is when the balance of power is right?

“The Shogun’s warm words make me feel like the fatigue accumulated from the long journey has disappeared in an instant. Hahaha! I also hope that this visit will bring the relationship between the British Empire and the Shogunate closer. If we continue to exchange not only merchants but also politicians and intellectuals, I believe that the physical distance will not be a major obstacle to the friendship between the two countries.”

“Ah, yes. Exchange… you mean sharing the friendship between the two countries. Hahaha.”

Although we have agreed to sign a trade treaty, what would happen if I subtly dropped a hint in front of everyone, especially those who view exchanges with the West negatively?

Of course, their anger should not be directed at me, so I must make it clear that all of this is the Shogun’s intention.

“I just came back with the feeling of returning to my hometown after a long time, but I didn’t know that the Shogun would be so considerate. I would like to express my gratitude once again. Not only me, but also Her Majesty the Queen was very pleased and said that she would actively cooperate with whatever the Shogun wants to do.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you very much. That is something we can discuss in detail if we have time for a separate meeting later…”

“Ah! I see. I must have been too excited and talked too much at the welcoming ceremony.”

“Haha, no. Of course, you can do that. First of all, we have prepared good food and drinks, so why don’t you relax and enjoy yourself to the fullest today to relieve the fatigue of your trip? If the food doesn’t suit your taste, please feel free to tell us. We have also prepared Western-style meals with advice from Dutch merchants.”

“No. I was so looking forward to eating the local food here. I love sushi and sake.”

If there are people who think of me as a Westerner and look at me with prejudice, I want them to see clearly.

I am showing with my whole body that I am familiar with and have goodwill towards Japanese culture.

“Is that so? Westerners can’t eat this Edomae sushi [Tokyo-style sushi] made with seafood, let alone sake, but Your Highness is different.”

“Of course. How can someone with the name Tokugawa not be able to eat sushi? Hahaha!”

I speak fluent Japanese to the point where no separate translation is needed, and I keep picking up sushi and drinking sake, giving a thumbs up saying, ‘Sushi is delicious, sushi is the best!’

“Kuh, it’s delicious. You can’t find such fresh seafood in London. Unfortunately, the Thames is too dirty. You might be able to get it from the sea, but Europeans can’t eat raw fish. I feel sorry for people who don’t know this taste.”

“Oh! His Highness Killian is so well-versed in our culture…”

“Excuse me, can I have some more wasabi? There’s not enough wasabi, so the taste of my nose being *tsuukiru* [tingling/burning sensation] is not enough.”

“Ah! I’m sorry. We naturally assumed that wasabi wouldn’t suit someone from the West, so we didn’t put wasabi… I’ll bring it to you right away!”

Perhaps because my appearance was contrasted with Parker, who turned pale at the sight of raw fish and only looked for grilled food, the gazes of the people looking at me gradually changed from curiosity to favor.

As expected, there is nothing as impactful as nationalistic content to win the hearts of the locals.

British man Killian Tokugawa Gore Hanover.

In just one day, he rose to become a true Tokyo celebrity.