I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 159

Becoming a Hidden Power in the British Empire 159

Divide and Conquer (2)

“To understand why Japan needs to establish diplomatic relations with the British Empire, you must first properly recognize the current situation. Currently, Russia is at war with the Qing Dynasty, and in all likelihood, the Qing Dynasty will lose the Primorsky Krai [a region in southeastern Russia] to Russia.”

“We are aware of that much. And we have also heard that Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] is trying to conclude a non-aggression treaty with Russia through the British Empire.”

“Indeed. Then, the Japanese side will think that we can do the same as Joseon. But is that really the case?”

“What do you mean… Are you saying that Russia is eyeing us?”

“Of course. Moreover, it’s not just Russia. France is also swallowing up Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty and will then target Japan. This land, which is like a bridgehead from Asia to the Pacific, is far more valuable than you think.”

Mori, who had lived his whole life as a frog in a well in Northeast Asia, naturally did not properly understand what I was saying. [This is a Japanese idiom for someone with a limited perspective.]

Of course, it’s normal not to understand since I’m just making things up as I go along.

However, when something is said in such a serious tone, creating an atmosphere of discussing something very professional, people with a lack of knowledge are naturally overwhelmed.

“But if that’s the case, Joseon wouldn’t be much different.”

“It is different. In fact, Joseon is connected to Russia by land, so Russia thinks it can go down there anytime it wants. A non-aggression treaty? It sounds nice, but there are countless examples of countries that trusted only that and were backstabbed. However, Japan is an island surrounded by the sea, so they will want to establish relations somehow when the opportunity arises. Moreover, France, as well as the home country, will try to prevent Russia from expanding its influence to Japan because all the colonies in Asia will be in danger.”

By creating a terrifying atmosphere with a bit of exaggeration, making it seem like a plausible scenario, Mori’s eyes gradually filled with seriousness.

“Are there many among the daimyo [powerful feudal lords] who oppose the shogunate [military government] establishing diplomatic relations with the British Empire?”

“…It’s not that they oppose it. However, no matter how much His Excellency is in charge, isn’t Iギリス (Igirisu) [Japanese word for England, derived from Portuguese ‘Inglês’] ultimately a Western country? So, there are people who are worried.”

“I understand that concern, of course. But if a storm is already upon us, and we don’t think about reinforcing our house but only pray that the storm will pass, we will eventually be swept away along with the house. Shouldn’t we prepare now?”

“That preparation is establishing diplomatic relations with the British Empire?”

I nodded lightly towards him, who still didn’t understand, and continued to spin sophistry, calling a deer a horse [making a false argument seem true].

“The Shogun has already clearly declared it, but I am also a member of the Tokugawa clan. In other words, there is no one more suitable to be a bridge between the British Empire and Japan than me.”

“I was very surprised to see and hear His Excellency’s actions and words this time. I think many people felt the same way as I did.”

“Really? And everyone in the British Empire knows about my origins. If you were to pick the country in Europe that is most favorable to Japan or Joseon, it would undoubtedly be the British Empire.”

“Indeed… Because it is the country of the Royal Letters.”

“Yes. And I am going to emphasize that this trade treaty is not Japan establishing diplomatic relations with a Western country, but establishing diplomatic relations with the British Empire, a brotherly country. Then, France and Russia won’t be able to argue why they shouldn’t establish diplomatic relations with us when they have established diplomatic relations with the British Empire. And there is no need to worry about Russia’s invasion. No matter how much Russia covets this land, they won’t dare to touch Japan, which the British Empire has declared as a brotherly country.”

This wouldn’t conflict with the ideology of those who advocate for Reverence for the Emperor and Expulsion of Barbarians [a nationalist movement].

Japan is not associating with foreigners, but only with a brotherly country.

“However, there are concerns that opening the country will cause a lot of social chaos. Does His Excellency have a solution for this…? Ah, I’m not saying that I oppose establishing relations with the British Empire. I’m just saying that there are people who think that way…”

“Of course, I understand. If we open the country and become closely intertwined with the British Empire, there will be constant accidents. We are trading with Asian countries such as India and the Qing Dynasty, so we are fully aware of what side effects occur. We will carefully consider those aspects when creating the agreement, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

“I see. I didn’t realize that His Excellency was so concerned about Japan. My presumptuous words may have been unpleasant, but you listened so well, I don’t know how to thank you.”

“I have heard that it is the true spirit of a samurai to give loyal advice, even at the risk of one’s life, if the lord goes down the wrong path. In that respect, the daimyo can be said to be a samurai with true Bushido [the samurai code of conduct]. I appreciate that, so don’t worry too much.”

After filling him up with Japanophilia and even samurai-philia, Mori’s mouth twitched, trying to go up and then coming back down.

He’s not a seasoned diplomat, but a young man who hasn’t been in charge of the family for long, so how starved he must be for recognition.

“I didn’t know that His Excellency had such a deep understanding of our culture. Thanks to you, I feel like my worries have been completely washed away.”

Mori Takachika, perhaps because the effect of praising him as a true samurai was greater than expected, no longer raised any objections, bowed deeply, and stood up from his seat.

Since my sales pitch worked properly, not a single person from Satsuma or Tosa came to me to test me after that.

With this, I don’t have to worry about some crazy guy running at me with a knife in the street for the time being.

I feel a little relieved now.

* * *

Now that I have succeeded in giving a good image to those with the potential to oppose the shogunate, the next thing to do was a meeting with the Shogun.

After all, this was the superficial purpose of my visit to Japan.

The Shogun held elaborate banquets for me every day, and along with the congratulatory performances of geishas [Japanese female entertainers], all sorts of delicacies were brought to the table.

He was so considerate that he even prepared special meals for the other soldiers who couldn’t properly eat raw fish as soon as he found out.

After the last meeting, the daimyo of other powerful domains such as Satsuma and Choshu also didn’t seem to show any uncomfortable feelings.

To be honest, even though it was quite elaborate, there’s no way we could really become close just by holding a few banquets like this.

This is ultimately a ritual to show the outside world that we are on good terms.

Still, the ritual itself went quite plausibly, and the opportunity to have a private meeting with the Shogun as planned was easily created.

“It’s been a few days since you’ve been in Edo [old name for Tokyo], how is it?”

“In a word, I would say it’s as comfortable as being in my hometown. Thanks to the Shogun’s hospitality, I am having a happy day every day.”

“Hahaha… Hometown. Yes, hometown is good.”

“Of course. It’s like I came here for the first time today, but it feels like I’ve stepped into a place I’ve always known.”

I had been to Japan a few times about 2 centuries later for travel and fraud, so it was bound to be a new feeling for me, but the Shogun seemed to understand it differently.

He muttered the word hometown a few times and raised his glass towards me.

“Isn’t that all because the blood of the Tokugawa flowing in His Excellency’s body is reacting? When you think about it, His Excellency and I are distant relatives, so I think it would be better to have a more relaxed discussion rather than a too rigid atmosphere when discussing diplomatic matters in the future.”

Is this what they call the Ripley effect or something? [a psychological phenomenon where someone starts to believe their own lies]

He fabricated the genealogy to make me a Tokugawa, and now he’s stubbornly pushing it even in a place where we’re alone, as if he’s just going to believe it as a fait accompli.

Since he officially introduced me as a descendant of the Tokugawa in front of everyone, the Shogun has no way out now.

Ah, if he says, “Actually, that was fabricated,” the authority of the shogunate will fall to a level worse than a market stall mat that day.

“Hahaha, then I have nothing more to wish for. I was already feeling more and more attached to this country, so I wanted to continue to have a more friendly relationship with the Shogun in the future.”

“Oh, really? In what ways do you feel that way?”

“I really like the peaceful and elegant atmosphere. I personally don’t like things that are too flashy like the Qing Dynasty. I think that true dignity is not just building things big and fancy, but having this restrained aesthetic.”

“Certainly, His Excellency has a unique eye for things. Hahaha!”

After that, I just rattled off the characteristics of Japanese culture that I had seen in museums like a textbook, and the Shogun’s mouth was wide open.

Perhaps in the Shogun’s eyes, it seemed that I had been recognized as a descendant of the Tokugawa and had been desperately learning the culture of my country.

While we were exchanging drinks, the Shogun fussed over trying to subtly gauge how I felt about other Asian countries.

“Actually, I expected His Excellency to visit Joseon before Japan.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Although the blood of the Tokugawa flows in His Excellency’s body, His Excellency was ultimately born in Joseon. They say that people can never forget the hometown where they were born and raised.”

“That’s true. But, Shogun, could you have an attachment to that land if you were oppressed throughout your childhood in that hometown and eventually left as if you were being chased out?”

“That’s… Are you saying that Joseon treated His Excellency that way?”

He was initially shocked, but he lowered his head for a moment and poured me a drink.

Perhaps he was hiding his expression because he almost laughed.

The less attached I am to Joseon, the more diplomatic benefits Japan, which contacted me first, will be able to gain.

“It’s not worth mentioning twice. This is just between us, but I don’t know if I can maintain my composure if I go to Joseon. I have so much pent-up anger. So, maybe I’m consciously not going.”

“Wow… To treat a great man like His Excellency that way, I can only say that Joseon’s discernment is truly terrible.”

“Tell me about it. Our Shogun recognized me properly without even seeing me in person.”

“Hahahaha! You make me feel so embarrassed. Originally, our policy is to value talent above all else. Rather, I don’t understand how Joseon could not recognize someone like His Excellency and let him go.”

Very good. He’s showing me exactly the reaction I wanted.

“Still, it seems that Joseon is reflecting, so I am at least listening to what they have to say. But I can’t help but feel that my heart is leaning more towards this side, I’m only human.”

“We are just grateful. By the way, I heard that Mori of Choshu visited His Excellency the other day, but were there any rude remarks?”

“Rude remarks?”

“It’s a relief if there was nothing. I was worried that there might be voices in Choshu or Satsuma opposing diplomatic relations with the West these days.”

“Ah, I see. He didn’t say anything like that directly. But… Ah, so that’s why.”

As I subtly left room for interpretation, the Shogun’s face, which had been grinning, instantly stiffened with tension.

“Any other words…?”

“Hmm. This is something he said because he trusted me, but I don’t know if I should say it in front of the Shogun. But after all, blood is thicker than water, so should I prioritize the affection of my blood relatives?”

“…What secret discussion…?”

“He asked if I had heard of the term ‘Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians’.”

The latest ideology that has just emerged and has not yet spread throughout Japan.

The Shogun’s expression distorted as soon as he heard a word that the British Empire’s envoy from the other side of the world could never have known unless he had heard it directly from them.

“Are you saying that they made such rude remarks in front of His Excellency?”

“Ah, no. The ‘barbarians’ they are talking about have nothing to do with me. However, I naturally worried about what impact the ideology of revering the emperor would have if it were combined with the ideology of rejecting the West. After all, it would be good for us, who will continue to establish diplomatic relations with this country in the future, if the Japanese government stands firm.”

So, do you understand what I’m saying?

If we leave their movements, which are bound to turn into a movement to enthrone the Emperor and overthrow the shogunate in the future, as they are, we can’t just sit back and watch, can we?

However, the current shogunate is not strong enough to subjugate all the daimyo in the provinces.

The powerful domains in the provinces also lack the strength and solidarity to overthrow the shogunate yet.

Then the answer naturally comes down to one.

Shall we sit back and wait while eating sushi to see who comes to me first?