I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 169

Hidden Power (5)

The busy hands of the reporters suddenly stopped.

Those who had been drafting articles in advance to publish them even a little faster stared at me with an absurd look.

“Your Highness! Do you perhaps mean that you respect the parliamentary bill…?”

“Our Great British Empire is a nation with the most advanced system in the world. However, the first country to organize its system inevitably has some rough edges. We are no different. Although we advocate the rule of law, we rely on tradition and custom in many ways, and conflicts between law and tradition are frequent. Therefore, I believe that attempts to clearly define traditionally accepted aspects by law should be respected.”

“But hasn’t it already been revealed that this is an attempt to exclude Your Highness from domestic politics?”

“The British Royal Family must remain neutral on domestic political issues. This is a tradition we have upheld so far and will continue to uphold in the future. There are traditions that must change as times change, but I believe this is a correct tradition that our Royal Family must uphold forever. Therefore, I have decided to willingly comply with the request of the parliament.”

“You are showing an example of respecting the system of this country like Socrates, who drank poison knowing it was poison.”

At this point, you can’t help but feel a magnanimity that is on a different level from those who engage in political strife for private purposes.

Confirming the undisguised respect in the eyes of the reporters writing the article, I smiled and shook my head.

“That’s too much praise. If I were really such a generous person, I would have immediately respected the decision of the parliament before the controversy even ignited. When I first watched this controversy, I was naturally angry, and I even thought about using this as an excuse to intervene in domestic politics.”

“You could have easily done so, but is there a reason why you changed your mind?”

“As I said, I thought it was right to protect the tradition and rule of law of this country, regardless of the intentions of the parliament. This is also why His Majesty did not order the dissolution of the parliament. In fact, as a human being, I am not feeling so good at this moment. However, more than that, I love this Great British Empire and have a sense of duty to continue to dedicate myself to this country. The reason I am declaring that I will respect the parliament is because of this belief. My belief should not be shaken by the decision of the parliament, should it?”

“The actions of the parliament cannot shake my beliefs… My decision is not for the parliament but for my beliefs…”

Towards the reporters who started moving their hands busily again, I did not forget to ask for their cooperation in a polite tone until the end.

“So, as Her Majesty said, I hope that politicians will end this exhausting fight and gather their wisdom to create policies for this country and its citizens again. The same goes for the media. I ask for your help so that the Queen and my decision can help stabilize the society and public opinion that have become sharp due to extreme confrontation.”

“Leave it to us!”

“We will also think about the development of this country first, like Your Highness!”

The press conference, which was expected to be a forum for criticizing the parliament, was transformed into a forum for praising my generosity.

Until Victoria and I, who had finished the conference, entered the palace.

The reporters’ praise and applause continued without stopping.

* * *

The Whig Party and the House of Commons, which were completely cornered, could not refuse the lifeline I offered.

The congressmen, who believed that they would inevitably be dissolved, applauded madly and welcomed me when I appeared at the next meeting.

It was like the reaction of people who invited a savior to their home.

Strictly speaking, it is an appropriate analogy.

I was like a savior who made it possible for the political lives of the congressmen of the House of Commons to continue.

“Your Highness! I don’t know what to do with Your Highness’s generous decision.”

“I read the article that day and shed tears like a fool. Ah! I had forgotten the essence of politics. I only thought about wanting to hide in a rat hole.”

Gladstone, Palmerston, and Russell.

Without exception, the Whig congressmen approached the seat where I was sitting for the speech and bowed their heads several times, not forgetting to express their gratitude.

The same was true of the Conservative congressmen who cooperated with the Whig Party to pass the bill.

Of course, Wesley and Disraeli also did not forget to act as if they were asking for my forgiveness.

As I was suffering from the constant stream of gratitude, the scheduled time for the meeting was more than an hour late.

The meeting that started after many twists and turns was also sluggish.

The story was that the bill would be passed as it was, but most of the congressmen could not bring themselves to say that they agreed, as they were watching my every move.

“Those congressmen who agree with the bill, please say that you agree!”

No matter how much the chairman spoke, how could the congressmen say that they agreed in this atmosphere?

As everyone was at a loss and watching my every move, I smiled wryly as if I couldn’t help it and got up from my seat.

“Mr. Chairman, if it’s not rude, may I speak before the vote?”

“…I think you’ll have to.”

“Thank you. Dear congressmen, as everyone knows, there has been a very coincidental accident recently. However, as I said before, I believe that the rule of law must be established for this proud Great British Empire to continue to develop. And the responsibility and role of the parliament, which has the legislative power to enact laws, will become more important and heavier. Therefore, no external factors or pressure should be involved when voting on a bill in this sacred place.

Please exercise your authority according to your beliefs, as you believe. I will also keep my place as stipulated in the bill and spare no effort to do everything I can for the future of this country.”

Clap clap clap.

As soon as I finished speaking, Disraeli, who was sitting on the opposite side, applauded first.

Following this, the Conservative congressmen applauded in a row, and then the Whig congressmen joined this trend.

“Your Highness! Thank you!”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

In the parliament building, which had suddenly become a revival meeting, I bowed politely while receiving the cheers of the congressmen.

Politely and humbly until the very last moment.

So that no one could see the smile breaking through the poker face.

I bowed my head even deeper.

* * *

“What the hell is going on! No… what’s going on?”

Wellesley, who came to me in a hurry as soon as the meeting was over, raised his voice.

“Why did you just let the bill pass? All the situations were flowing in such a way that there was no risk even if the bill was rejected. You clearly told me to stay still because you had a plan.”

“That’s right. Prime Minister, you did a really good job. Thanks to you, everything went according to plan.”

“The bill passed, and that was the plan?”

“When did I say I would reject the bill? From the beginning, I thought it was inevitable that the bill would pass.”

Wellesley looked at me with absurd eyes.

Considering his position, who had been 맞춰주는 [accommodating] to my tune from the beginning, it is an understandable reaction.

He must have thought that I would use some mysterious trick to smash the work of the House of Commons, but as a result, it was the same as 도로아미타불 [a complete waste of effort].

“If this happens, Your Highness will not be able to legally take a proper position in the parliament and government! The intention to value the tradition and 법도 [legal principles] of this country is of course good, but the loss is too great.”

“Loss? What did I lose?”

“That is…”

“Tell me just one thing that has changed among the things I was enjoying.”

Wellesley, who was very excited and about to pour out words, took a moment to cool his head and 고민을 해보더니 [pondered for a moment], then scratched his head and opened his mouth.

“Of course…”

“… …”

“…Hmm…”

When Wellesley soon became silent, I calmly opened my mouth again.

“The influence I am enjoying in Canada and Asia, the 금력 [financial power] I have in my hands, and the connection with the Prime Minister. There’s nothing to be sorry about because I haven’t lost anything.”

“But it is impossible to take a position in the domestic parliament or government in the future…”

“Anyway, the Prime Minister will continue to hold his position, so why should I be attached to such a position?”

“So, was the purpose of this plan to give the impression that Your Highness is not attached to such a position?”

“That’s not all. If I had 마음만 먹으면 [if I had a mind to], I could have suppressed the parliament this time, but in the long run, that’s not a good way. As long as this country is 표방하고 있는 [professing] a cabinet system, the parliament will inevitably become the center of this country. Suppressing it by force is never good when considering the future of the country.”

Unless there is a plan to abolish the parliament and return to an absolute monarchy, the parliament should not be seen as an object of oppression.

Taming instead of suppressing.

Instead of cutting off the 목을 따버리는 [head] at the moment of 절체절명의 [crisis], cutting the rope 걸린 [hanging] on the 목에 [neck].

That was the key scene of the picture I was trying to create through this plan.

“From now on, not only the Whig Party but also the entire House of Commons will live with a 마음으로 [feeling] that they owe me. And at the same time, the 국서 [royal son-in-law] who did not take advantage of this opportunity will feel that he really has no intention of intervening in domestic politics.”

“…Certainly, there will be no more attempts to check Your Highness in this way.”

“Besides, since I’ve been 욕을 먹었 [taken flak] so much this time, I’ll have no choice but to be conscious of public opinion when making laws for the time being. The House of Lords, which would be happy if the House of Commons is too 위축되면 [weakened], also got 욕을 먹었 [took flak], so it will be difficult to 나대기도 [meddle] too much.”

The Prime Minister also got 욕을 먹긴 [took flak] along with the parliament, but politics is 상대적 [relative] anyway.

Even if the Conservative Party got 욕을 먹었 [took flak], if the Whig Party got 욕을 더 먹었다 [took more flak], it is not considered a 악재 [bad thing] for the Conservative Party.

Elections were a fight to win even just one more vote than the other side anyway.

Whether Wellesley got 욕을 먹었 [took flak] this time or not, it means that there is no problem for Wellesley to maintain his position as Prime Minister in the next election.

“Come to think of it, the Morning Post seems to have become 엄청나게 덩치가 커진 [incredibly huge]…”

“It has now become the largest newspaper company in the Great British Empire without a doubt. If there comes a time when you want to 환기시키고 여론 [sway public opinion], use it anytime. That’s why I 키워놓은 [nurtured] it.”

The bill that I cannot intervene in domestic politics is a 족쇄 [shackle] at first glance, but in the current situation, it is an 갑옷 [armor] that protects my image.

After a commotion in which the country was completely 뒤집히는 [turned upside down], how would people recognize the 국서 [royal son-in-law] who voluntarily 찬 족쇄 [wore shackles], saying that he had to protect tradition even though no one had to do so?

The limitation that I cannot take a position in the country?

Frankly speaking, that does not give me any 영향력 [influence].

I have a 끈이 닿아 [connection] with the Prime Minister, who is the 최고 실권자 [most powerful person] of the Great British Empire, and there are only a few congressmen in the House of Lords and the House of Commons who will 대변해줄 [speak for] my 목소리 [voice].

In addition, I have 키워놓았고 [nurtured] the Morning Post, which I acquired before, into the largest media outlet in the Great British Empire, and above all, I have legally guaranteed the authority over the colonies, which will become much larger than the 본국 [homeland] in the future.

But even in this situation, the citizens of the 본국 [homeland] do not spare praise, saying that Killian 부군 전하 [His Highness, the Prince Consort] is a true 애국지사 [patriot] who has no 권력욕 [desire for power] at all.

The Whig congressmen, who were 설쳐대던 [fussing] that I should be 견제해야 [kept in check], will also have time to 자성하는 [reflect], saying that they did 쓸모없는 짓 괜히 [did something useless].

“Prime Minister, please play a role in 중재하는 [mediating] in the middle so that the House of Commons and the House of Lords can 화해할 다시 [reconcile again]. Prime Minister Wellington’s son is the most 제격 [suitable] for such a role. What good is it for the House of Lords and the House of Commons of this country to continue to 갈라져서 으르렁 거려봐야 [be divided and growl at each other]? It’s just 제 살 깎아먹기 [cutting off your nose to spite your face].”

“I guess I can 드러내면 존재감 다시 [reveal my presence again] in that way. I understand. I’ll 맛있게 먹도록 [eat deliciously] the 요리 [dish] that Your Highness 차려주신 [prepared].”

The 배신자 논란 사건 [controversy over betrayal] that made the Great British Empire 들썩이게 [stir] for a while quickly 가라앉았다 [subsided] thanks to the 희생 [sacrifice] of the 국서 [royal son-in-law] who 매달린 십자가에 스스로 and 총대를 [voluntarily hung himself on the cross and took responsibility].

The 정계 [political world], which had been 물어뜯던 서로를 죽일 듯이 [biting each other to death] until recently, quickly 돌아갔다 원래대로 [returned to normal].

In the end, the Great British Empire returned to 평온한 일상 그렇게 [peaceful daily life].

However, the names of the House of Commons and the House of Lords clearly have an 씻을 수 없는 오점 [indelible stain], and in order to 극복하기 이를 [overcome this], it will be necessary to make 부단한 노력 [constant efforts] in the future.

Only I, who 생색을 낸 [took credit] that I would 내려놓겠다고 권한 있지도 않은 [give up authority that I didn’t even have] and 놓지 않고 무엇하나 쥐고 있는 손에 [not let go of anything in my hand].

I became the 유일한 승자 [only winner] of this 싸움 [fight] while 얻으며 민심 능가하는 의회를 [gaining public sentiment surpassing the parliament].