I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 165

Hidden Power

London, the heart of the British Empire.

A luxurious townhouse in Westminster.

This place, where opposition party members mainly gathered, was more tense than ever.

Except for Gladstone and Palmerston, the opposition members who usually filled the seats were nowhere to be found.

Instead, there was a figure who would never be seen here under normal circumstances.

Charles Wellesley, the leader of the British Conservative Party and the Prime Minister of this country, was sitting across from them, staring blankly at the table.

“Prime Minister, I’m sure you’ve been seeing the newspapers that are circulating these days, haven’t you?”

“Of course. Seeing the status of the British Empire rising day by day is quite amusing.”

“Is that so?”

Gladstone chuckled and spread out the front-page articles of the newspaper on the table so they could be seen clearly.

[The British Empire Concludes Trade Treaties with Japan and Joseon [historical Korean kingdom], Completely Blocking the Pacific!]

[Why is Russia, which has secured Primorye [a region in the Russian Far East], looking so gloomy? The anti-Russian encirclement is already complete! Once again, His Royal Highness Prince Killian is at the center!]

[Do royals do the big things? The dignity of the royal family, taking the lead in raising the status of the British Empire!]

Gladstone read each article aloud and asked the Prime Minister again.

“What do you think? About this phenomenon now.”

“Isn’t it a blessing for the British Empire? It’s no exaggeration to say that the Pacific is now completely ours.”

“That’s right. It’s something to celebrate. Of course, it’s a great blessing for the British Empire and an achievement that the citizens will be enthusiastic about.”

Usually, when a country like Qing China [the last imperial dynasty of China] signs a treaty with the British Empire, it is difficult to refuse trade demands from other European countries.

Because they can’t avoid being questioned why they made a deal with one country but not with them.

In fact, Russia and France are already stirring up Qing China with that excuse, and they were planning to conclude a trade treaty with Qing China soon.

However, Japan and Joseon are different.

This is because the British Empire only had Killian, a member of the family that rules Joseon and Japan, go as a representative to conclude a peace treaty.

Even if other countries come and ask to make a treaty with them, they can simply refuse by saying, ‘If you don’t like it, send your own royal family member.’

“But Prime Minister, all of this is thanks to His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, and the Conservative and Whig parties are being treated as if they have no merit in this matter.”

Gladstone pointed to the phrase ‘Royals do the big things’ in the article and sighed softly before asking again.

“I’m curious how the Conservative Party is taking this. Do you really have no thoughts on this?”

“Wasn’t it the Whig Party that initially suggested sending His Royal Highness to Asia? Are you perhaps upset that the Whig Party isn’t being praised for its insight?”

“You know that’s not the case. Of course, I agree with His Royal Highness’s statement that it would not be good for him to give credit to a specific party. But…”

There is no one in this room who is so clueless that they don’t understand what he meant.

At first, everyone agreed with Killian’s words that the Conservative and Whig parties should not be in the spotlight.

This is because if the Conservative Party were to take Killian’s credit, the Whig Party would inevitably suffer a crushing defeat in the following election.

And the opposite would be true as well, so the Conservative Party must have agreed as well.

However, in the end, to put it another way, the fact that neither the Conservative nor the Whig party is getting attention means that Killian is monopolizing all the credit.

In fact, Canada and Asia were Killian’s playground, so it’s not really fair to say anything about that.

So they stayed still, but as they continued to stay still, Killian’s influence became too great before they knew it.

They thought, ‘It’s a colony, so there’s nothing we can do,’ and, ‘It’s Asia, so there’s nothing we can do,’ and moved on.

But in the meantime, the authority and power given to Killian became so great that they wondered if it was okay.

They can get by now by saying that it’s just a colony, but what will happen if Canada continues to develop in the future?

The Prime Minister is elected, but Killian’s Dukedom of Canada is virtually a lifetime position.

As members of the British Parliament who value constitutional monarchy and cabinet responsibility, they can’t help but feel complicated.

So, how does Prime Minister Wellesley view this situation?

Gladstone thought that Wellesley and Killian were political partners who were as good as one, but Palmerston did not think so.

“Prime Minister. Of course, the Parliament and the government handle the major and minor affairs of the British Empire, and you, Prime Minister, are like a symbol representing the government. You may not think it’s a big problem yet. But right now, His Royal Highness is only exercising influence overseas, but what will happen when this comes into the country?”

“So, are you two saying that there is a high possibility that His Royal Highness will have a negative impact on the Parliament of this country?”

“In fact, I think you, Prime Minister, would have already felt it even if I didn’t say it. No, I think you, Prime Minister, would have already seen through the situation and thought of countermeasures, so that’s why we brought the Prime Minister to this place.”

Palmerston, who almost thought of Wellesley as the god of politics and scheming, stared intently at Wellesley with expectant eyes.

Gladstone also judged that this was a good opportunity and matched Palmerston’s excitement.

Because depending on how the Prime Minister reacts here, they can tell whether the Prime Minister is Killian’s henchman, a close partner, or just a simple cooperative relationship.

“His Royal Highness’s influence could weaken the authority of the Parliament if it comes into the country. I agree. That should not happen. How did this country restrict the authority of the King and promote the rights of the Parliament and citizens, only for it to go backwards?”

“Oh, indeed! So you, Prime Minister, felt that way too.”

“However, this country is a nation run according to the will of the citizens. If the majority of citizens with the right to vote think that it is right for His Royal Highness to participate in politics, then that is the right thing to do.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Ah, of course, I understand what you’re saying. That’s an act that violates the traditions we’ve been protecting so far. I also think that such a thing should not happen from the standpoint of valuing tradition, so I hope you don’t misunderstand.”

As soon as the Prime Minister’s confirmation was given, Palmerston’s face brightened.

But anyone can say anything.

To confirm whether he really has such thoughts, corresponding actions must be supported.

“Prime Minister. Then can we assume that the Conservative Party also has the same position as us?”

“Of course. Tradition must be protected. But right now, His Royal Highness’s popularity is so high that if you try to directly criticize His Royal Highness, there may be a backlash. You know that, right?”

“Of course, we expected that much. If we take away what His Royal Highness is enjoying now, there will be chaos. His Royal Highness will never accept it willingly. It is also true that Asia and Canada still need His Royal Highness’s help.”

If they recklessly provoke Killian here and Killian openly opposes the Parliament, the Parliament will be the one being criticized right now.

This is because citizens hate and even loathe seeing them neglect the national interest and fight over their own rice bowls.

In addition, Killian has been living in Canada since the first year of his marriage for the sake of the British Empire’s national interest, and as soon as he returned to his home country, he went on a long-term business trip to Asia for half a year.

It is not difficult to imagine what kind of situation would occur if they recklessly cut down Killian here.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“On the surface, we must praise His Royal Highness’s achievements and pretend to guarantee him more authority, while completely isolating him from domestic politics. And if we put this into law, we won’t have to worry about it in the future, right?”

“Enacting a law that the Prince Consort of the British Empire cannot interfere in domestic politics?”

Right now, it’s just a tradition, so the moment social norms change, the tradition can be overturned as it is.

As the Prime Minister said, if all those with the right to vote think that the Prince Consort should participate in politics, then that is the right thing to do, which is both the advantage and disadvantage of parliamentarism.

However, if they enact a law that Killian cannot participate in the affairs of the British Empire at all, then the story changes.

No matter how powerful he is in Canada or Asia, he will not be able to have any real power in England, the center of the British Empire.

“But if we present such a bill, it will be too obvious what we’re up to…”

“So, we have to pretend to treat His Royal Highness well on the surface. This is where the Prime Minister’s role is important. You, Prime Minister, are close to His Royal Highness, so you don’t have to worry about being wary like us.”

“Hmm…”

If he refuses this, the Prime Minister must be seen as being on the same boat as Killian.

No matter what excuse he makes, that fact will not change.

He crossed his arms and nodded thoughtfully, then casually nodded and made a decision.

“I understand. In fact, I have been thinking the same thing as you two. I have something in mind, so I will talk to His Royal Highness as soon as he returns.”

“Oh, wow! Indeed! You are Prime Minister Wellesley! You had a plan!”

“Thank you for making a decision.”

“No. The center of the British Empire is still the Parliament, and I am the Prime Minister of this country, who is responsible for coordinating the Parliament and the government. It is important for the royal family to stand tall, but balancing power is even more important than that.”

Gladstone brushed his tense chest.

He said it so clearly, he wouldn’t do anything different, would he?

If he really backstabs them, they can just frame Prime Minister Wellesley for conspiring with the royal family to weaken the power of the Parliament.

He wondered if they really had to do this to the Prince Consort, who was working hard for the national interest in Asia, but this couldn’t be helped.

The Parliament is the one that leads the British Empire, and the royal family must only reign as a symbolic presence.

If Killian is truly a patriot who only thinks about the future of the British Empire, he will surely sympathize with and cooperate with this cause.

If not… they can’t help but suspect that he has other intentions inside.

* * *

-I’m coming to see you right now.

I chuckled as I looked at the paper I received while enjoying the grand welcoming ceremony upon arriving in London.

It was a talent to be able to write with so much emotion in just one sentence.

While enjoying the banquet, I slipped away to a private room, and soon Wellesley, who was very angry, came in without hiding his anger and slammed the door shut.

“Oh, my. What kind of bastards made our Prime Minister angry this time? Did His Majesty scold you badly while I was away?”

“That’s okay. Instead, Disraeli and Gladstone got some flak. But that’s not the problem. Do you know what the Whigs were talking about?”

“What were they talking about that made you so excited?”

“So those guys…”

I was taken aback when I heard the general story, but I wasn’t as angry as I thought I would be.

I should say that I felt like what was coming has finally come.

They had been forcibly creating a place by covering their eyes and pretending not to see, but that was only a temporary measure.

The more I openly acted out in front, the more uncomfortable the members of the home country would inevitably be.

“So, what did you say, Prime Minister?”

“What else could I say? If I were to side with the Prince Consort there, I would only be suspected of being in cahoots with the Prince Consort. I told them that I thought so too for now.”

“You did well. Of course, you shouldn’t side with me, Prime Minister. You must pretend to be on the side of the Parliament thoroughly in the future if this happens again.”

“Let’s say we do that on the surface. We need to come up with a plan first, don’t we?”

A plan, a plan.

Wellesley, perhaps because my reaction was more lukewarm than expected, chugged water with a frustrated look.

“Now that the Prince Consort has returned, there will be a debate in the Parliament right away. We need to decide on a policy right away. Anyway, to be frank, our power is not weak, so why don’t we just take this opportunity to get rid of those guys? If my power is combined with Your Highness’s financial power and influence, it would be possible to overturn the Parliament.”

“No. If we go too far openly, it will only cause a backlash in the end, so that is only a last resort. I have a plan, so please follow it.”

If I show a flustered appearance here, Wellesley will lose his composure. It would only be difficult for me if the Prime Minister went wild, so I need to calm down and stay calm for now.

So the members’ vigilance index has risen to that level… Well, I’ve been openly increasing my authority too much.

Originally, the nail that sticks out gets hammered, which was a universal truth regardless of East or West, so this was a destiny that I had to face someday anyway.

Well, there’s nothing I can do about it.

In order to repay the sincerity of the members who prepared a surprise event as soon as I returned, I should create a happy ending that everyone can be satisfied with.

Of course, whether there is happiness or not will depend entirely on my standards.