I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 170

Becoming a Hidden Power in the British Empire 170

Saying Goodbye to the Old Era

Strike while the iron is hot.

For politicians and those involved in external affairs, few words resonate more deeply.

For politicians, ‘the tide coming in’ signifies a surge in public support and interest focused directly on them.

During such times, the public tends to view their actions favorably, offering support and even interpreting ambiguous policies in a positive light.

Conversely, once they lose the public’s attention, they often struggle to regain it, regardless of their efforts.

That’s how powerful public perception can be.

For the time being, citizens may view parliamentary actions with skepticism, while applauding and supporting the royal family regardless of their actions.

And it is precisely during these opportune moments that one should unveil meticulously prepared plans.

Having clearly declared my non-interference in domestic politics, enshrined in law, I will now indirectly influence domestic affairs entirely through Wellesley.

Hygiene? Food? Inadequate restrooms?

Numerous issues could surface, but the most frustrating is the lack of internet access.

This extends beyond the mere inconvenience of being unable to search or watch videos; it encompasses communication via the internet.

Even in the 19th century, with its burgeoning scientific advancements, this deficiency is glaring. I can only imagine the hardships of those born in earlier times.

For my own comfort and progress, I must improve these aspects.

To execute such large-scale projects, a pioneering figure is needed to drive the initial stages, but scientists often struggle to find such patrons.

Unless someone possesses considerable vision, it’s difficult to foresee the extent of social change that innovation can bring about.

People are generally hesitant to invest in things they haven’t personally experienced.

However, because my knowledge stems from experience rather than mere prediction, I have no reservations about investing heavily.

Today’s event is a prime example.

“This is the Morse telegraph device that His Grace has acquired at great expense.”

“Indeed. It began partial operations in the United States and Canada just last year. But thanks to the substantial infrastructure investment I facilitated through an entrepreneur I know, we were able to introduce it to the country promptly.”

“If it’s a telegraph, I recall previous versions, but is this a significantly more advanced form?”

“Yes. The existing Cooke-Wheatstone telegraph is undoubtedly a remarkable invention that will be remembered in history. However, in terms of practicality, this Morse code system, though a later development, offers certain advantages.”

A luxurious demonstration hall was set up in Buckingham Palace.

The venue, attended by Prime Minister Wellesley, members of the royal family, government officials, members of parliament, scientists, and journalists, buzzed with anticipation and curiosity.

Their attention was focused on the Morse telegraph device at the center.

While Morse code is widely associated with telegraphy, the British Empire had already implemented the Cooke-Wheatstone telegraph system several years prior.

However, this earlier device was less efficient than the Morse telegraph due to unstable long-distance transmission and its requirement for multiple wires, unlike the Morse system’s single-wire design.

Notably, the Morse code system, utilizing dots and dashes to represent numbers and letters, boasted extreme simplicity, leading to its rapid and widespread adoption.

I intend to accelerate the distribution of this telegraph system throughout the British Empire, aiming for a rollout at least 10 years faster than it occurred in our original timeline.

They may not realize it now, but those with rapid access to information will inevitably hold a significant advantage over those without.

Eventually, others will develop similar systems, but while they are catching up, the British Empire will have established a considerable lead.

“Then I’ll be off. Enjoy the show.”

As I rose from my seat in anticipation of the demonstration, cheers and applause erupted from the audience.

I bowed slightly to Victoria, who occupied the seat of honor, and then motioned a young engineer to the front of the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. Today, you will witness firsthand how scientific progress can fundamentally transform people’s lives. Through this device, we will be able to send messages faster and farther than ever before.

Please extend a warm welcome to the young staff member who will demonstrate this amazing scientific revolution to us.”

As soon as he concluded his remarks, the audience erupted in cheers and applause once more.

Imagine the feeling for a young man, demonstrating his skills while basking in the cheers of the leading figures of the British Empire.

A young man named Richard bowed respectfully, appearing humbled, and carefully approached the Prime Minister, who was seated in the front row.

“Excuse me, Prime Minister, could you write a short message for me to send to my colleague Frederick on the second floor? Any brief sentence will suffice.”

“A message… good. Let’s use this then.”

A famous saying by the great English philosopher Francis Bacon.

Richard, having confirmed the paper with the phrase ‘Knowledge is power’ written on it, returned to the device with a spring in his step.

Soon, he positioned his hand over the telegraph key and began tapping, producing short, rhythmic sounds that echoed throughout the hall.

As the clicking continued for about a minute, I overheard someone muttering.

“Is that ‘ttuttu’ sound being transmitted within the palace right now?”

“That’s what it sounded like during the explanation.”

“So, they listen to that sound and then transcribe it back into letters.”

“If it works well, it seems like a truly revolutionary method, but will it actually work?”

“It’s His Grace who has proclaimed it, so…”

Amidst the rising voices of half-expectation and half-doubt.

The heavy door of the hall, which had remained closed, swung open, and another young technician, who had been waiting on the second floor to receive the message, entered the room.

“Thank you for waiting! The message you sent, Prime Minister, has been decoded as ‘Knowledge is power.’ Is that correct?”

A moment of silence descended upon the room.

Soon, everyone erupted in laughter and amazement, waving the paper with the phrase they had written earlier for all to see.

“That’s right. ‘Knowledge is power.’ Isn’t that a phrase that couldn’t be more fitting for the current situation?”

“Oh my god…”

“So, will we be able to exchange letters in real time in the future?”

“R-really? Is that really going to happen? Hey, surely it wouldn’t work over very long distances?”

Admiration, questions, and surprise filled the air.

Confirming that a wave of rising excitement was sweeping through the audience, I cleared my throat and returned to the podium.

“Everyone, please give a big round of applause to the young technicians who have brilliantly demonstrated this new technology.”

“Wow!”

“That’s really amazing technology!”

“Your Grace! How far can that technology communicate?”

“As long as the wires are laid, there is virtually no distance limit.”

Upon hearing this assertion, the Prime Minister, ministers, and members of parliament gasped in amazement.

“So, you’re saying we can freely communicate between London and Manchester?”

“It’s not just that. Within two years, we will install a submarine cable across the Dover Strait to France. That will allow us to communicate with France in real time. And within 10 years, we will install a cable across the Atlantic Ocean to enable intercontinental communication between British Canada and the home country.

In other words, decisions made here can be transmitted to Canada or the United States in just a few minutes. And vice versa.”

“Oh my god…”

“It’s a revolution! This is a revolution!”

Everyone struggled to contain their excitement at the realization that telegraphic communication, previously considered theoretically possible, was now a tangible reality.

Wellesley, leaping from his seat, clapped enthusiastically and exclaimed.

“This is truly an amazing discovery! With this, distance will no longer be an obstacle for our British Empire! From now on, the government will actively support telegraph companies and spare no effort to establish a telegraph system throughout the British Empire! I would like to pay tribute to His Grace’s insight and determination in initiating this great endeavor!”

Like other nations, the British Empire possesses territories on nearly every continent.

Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Holding the largest territory in the world also meant that the speed of exchanging information was slow.

However, if this telegraph network is properly established, there will be no problem in exchanging simple communication, even over short periods.

In particular, naval officers, more excited than anyone else, flocked to my side and bombarded me with questions.

“Y-Your Grace! Of course, these devices will be supplied to the military as well, right?”

“Of course.”

“This is a truly amazing thing. More than anything else, the Navy should be able to use these devices first. If the British Navy, which is spread all over the world, can communicate in real time, the British Navy will be able to challenge the whole world!”

Gentlemen, you can’t challenge the whole world, no matter what.

While it’s understandable that you’re excited about the potential power, there are still a few procedures that need to be addressed before introducing it to the military.

“As an honorary Admiral of the British Navy, I will provide unwavering support to ensure that our Navy experiences no inconvenience in utilizing this new technology. However, there is a critical vulnerability in using this telegraph for military purposes, so we must develop a solution together.”

“…A weakness?”

“Indeed, you may not be aware, but messages can be intercepted by third parties. If military secrets are exchanged via telegraph, there’s a risk of those secrets being exposed to other countries.”

“That’s a very serious weakness. If security is compromised, the practicality will be significantly diminished, regardless of the technology’s convenience…”

“There’s no need to be so disheartened. To prevent this, we can create a code and change it periodically. However, since the code itself may be compromised, we must implement various safety measures and thoroughly protect the security.”

As I explained the vulnerabilities and countermeasures on the spot, the naval officers’ faces visibly brightened.

Those who have commanded the military understand the dreamlike potential of real-time communication.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that a major innovation would occur in almost all fields, including military logistics, information gathering, command, and control.

“When Your Grace invited us, I wondered why even soldiers were invited to the meeting, but now I understand. It was to have us grasp the pros and cons of the technology in advance, as the technology will be introduced to the entire military in the future, and to prepare for the new era that will unfold.”

“That’s right. Our British Empire must remain the strongest power leading the world, now and in the future. It may be a headache, but the more effort you invest, the more brilliantly the British Empire will shine, so please take swift action.”

“Trust us! As soon as we return, we will summon the officers and convene a meeting!”

At this moment, my standing in the hearts of the naval officers will be elevated from a mere honorary admiral to a true admiral of the British Navy.

It would be problematic if it weren’t.

No matter how I consider it, there’s a high probability that the Crimean War or an even larger conflict will occur, so it’s essential to strengthen the British army by then.

However, lacking the ability to directly command the military and defeat enemy countries, shouldn’t I focus on improving the British army in this way?

And my vision extends beyond just the field of communication.

Rather, to be precise, communication is merely the starting point.