I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 185

The Hidden Tycoon of the British Empire 185

Pioneers and Visionaries (3)

“Your Highness! This is different from what we discussed beforehand…”

Startled, the assemblymen jumped up and raised their voices, but when I turned around, they quickly closed their mouths and sat down.

Did I say something different from what we discussed in advance?

I clearly remember only saying to trust me to handle it well and watch.

Just keep your mouths shut, and I’ll spoon-feed you. Just open your mouths and take what I give you.

If you don’t like it, come up here and give the speech yourselves.

“It seems our assemblymen are quite taken aback. But this is also the trend of the times. Didn’t the number of voters increase nearly tenfold with the previous election reform? Everyone here will agree that the right to vote will inevitably expand further. But the problem is the speed.”

This is where it gets important. If I’m not careful, I might be seen as just another smooth-talking fence-sitter.

But considering what I’ve done so far, I won’t be met with such prejudiced views right away.

I met the sparkling eyes of the Chartists [a working-class movement for political reform in Britain] head-on and slowly continued.

“Before I give you my opinion on this matter, let me make one thing clear. I am not here to make empty promises, nor am I here to incite you to achieve my goals. I will not make any promises I cannot keep, which means that I will take responsibility for whatever I say here. So, I hope everyone will keep that in mind as you listen to me. And since this is a place for communication with you, I will give you the floor from time to time, so please ask any questions you may have then.

So, let me start with the conclusion. I’m sorry, but the implementation of full universal suffrage is not realistically possible.”

From the assemblymen sitting in the back, a sigh of relief; in the eyes of the intellectuals sitting in the front, a clear light of disappointment.

Many looked as if they couldn’t bring themselves to boo, but would spit out curses if they could.

“Everyone seems to have a lot to say, so let’s talk about it here. Is there anyone who wants to ask me a question on behalf of everyone?”

No sooner had I finished speaking than several people raised their hands, but when someone in the front stood up, the young men who had risen earlier quietly lowered their hands, watching him.

Looks like this guy is someone who carries some weight around here.

Without hesitation, I pointed to the young man in the front, and he bowed politely before asking me in a strong voice.

“Your Highness, I am George Julian Harney, a humble young man of this country. The statement that it is realistically difficult is what many members of the parliament have been saying all along. It may be a rude thing to say, but frankly, it sounds to me like Your Highness is saying the same thing as the existing people.”

“I see. Then, I will ask the young man who is asking questions on behalf of this gathering. What is the scope of universal suffrage in your opinion?”

“Of course, all adult men.”

“Why is that universal suffrage?”

“…Pardon?”

George Harney made a somewhat dazed sound, as if he hadn’t expected such a question to come up.

The young men next to him also looked at me with a similar gaze.

In fact, at this time, demanding universal male suffrage itself is an incredibly radical idea.

But that is precisely why they were overlooking something, and I, who grew up in the 21st century, saw that contradiction.

“Universal Suffrage. Guarantees the right to vote to citizens over a certain age without any discrimination. Realistically, there is no country in the world that currently implements this system, but you think that the British Empire should respond to this demand immediately, don’t you?”

“That’s right.”

“But in that case, the universal suffrage you are advocating is only half complete. Not figuratively, but literally only half. Because half of the people in this world are women. True universal suffrage would not discriminate based on gender. Why aren’t you demanding that women’s suffrage be guaranteed right now?”

According to my prior research, it wasn’t that there were no people in the Chartist movement who advocated for women’s suffrage.

However, even fully guaranteeing male suffrage is an incredibly radical claim, so if they were to ask for voting rights for women here, it wouldn’t be accepted at all.

Of course, even among the Chartists, those who argued that women should also have the right to vote were still in the minority.

“No, that’s…”

“Isn’t your argument that the promise to gradually expand voting rights due to many realistic constraints is just an excuse? You’re not gradually going from 0 to 100, but demanding that it immediately have a complete form. But if that’s the case, that universal suffrage must also include guaranteeing women’s suffrage. What do you think about that?”

“It may be possible someday, but that’s… Ah!”

George, who was reflexively trying to refute, realized the contradiction in his words and bit his lip tightly.

Gradual expansion is nothing more than an illusion. The claim to allow full universal suffrage right now is based on the idea that there is no need to go through intermediate stages.

However, strictly speaking, guaranteeing full voting rights for men is only an intermediate point from the perspective of realizing true universal suffrage.

Therefore, the argument that there is no need to go through intermediate stages, but that women’s suffrage is premature, is inherently contradictory.

“Policy decisions must consider realistic factors and various domestic and international situations. Expanding voting rights is a future that will inevitably come. As you wish, the era when anyone can vote and elect their representatives when they become adults will surely come someday. Now, science and technology are improving day by day, and with the use of machines, even women can work in factories. If this trend accelerates further, women may even be able to work in the defense industry, and over time, they may be guaranteed the right to vote. That will be the time when true universal suffrage is realized.”

“……”

“That day will surely come. Earlier in this meeting, I clearly promised you that I would not say a single word that I could not take responsibility for. I will say it again clearly in front of you. Voting rights will be expanded. But not tomorrow. Not the day after tomorrow, and unfortunately, most likely not next year either. Of course, I’m not saying to shut up and wait because I’ll do it for you.”

Having overcome the first hurdle well, the intellectuals’ gazes became noticeably milder than before.

As George, who had been refuted in a good way, sat down with a somewhat embarrassed face, I calmly continued my speech.

“Wanting to have their rights guaranteed is an instinct that everyone has from birth. And in order to do that, a certain amount of bold claims are necessary. In that sense, I do not view your actions negatively. These voices are necessary for the parliament, the representatives of the citizens, to be alert and know what the citizens are thinking. However, realistically, if the claims and actions go beyond that line and head to the extreme, the end will never be good. The prime example of that is Napoleon.”

Frankly speaking, the invincible shield used to justify something in England is France.

Once you beat France once and shout that Napoleon is an idiot, most statements will gain emotional sympathy.

And that’s not much different for the young intellectuals gathered here.

“Although I am also a member of the royal family, I sympathize with the noble purpose of the revolution that took place in France and express my deep respect. However, no one is unaware of the fact that the purpose of the revolution was distorted by the radical forces that intervened in the process, and Robespierre [a French lawyer and politician] beheaded countless people under the pretext of protecting the values of the revolution. The atmosphere of fear created in this way eventually created the existence of Napoleon, and the end was a war and collapse that engulfed all of Europe.

The fact that extreme claims may seem cool and refreshing at the time, but will eventually face a huge backlash, must never be forgotten.”

I didn’t say it directly, but there’s no way there’s a fool here who doesn’t understand that I’m saying not to play at the same level as the stupid French guys, right?

Judging by the reaction, it seems like there isn’t.

“Of course, there will be people who ask what I’m going to do in this position. I came here to communicate. I will listen to your voices, reflect as much as possible on the parts that can be reflected, and conversely, explain why the parts that are difficult to apply realistically are difficult and ask for your understanding. And personally, I would like to express my opinion on the right direction I think and hear your thoughts on that opinion.

There is a time for everything in the world. If you plant a fruit, you have to wait until the fruit is ripe. If anyone knows how to harvest it right after planting it, please let me know now. I will pay a large sum of money and ask for your teachings.”

“……”

“Managing a country and revising a system are the same. Breaking everything down and taking it in a radical way may seem refreshing at first glance, but side effects will inevitably pop out. Should I give you a real example? Does anyone know the situation in Ireland right now? In a word, this year’s potato harvest in Ireland has failed. I was so careful, but potato blight [a disease affecting potatoes] eventually entered Ireland, and it is no exaggeration to say that this year’s potato harvest is almost over.”

Still, thanks to having informed them of the existence of potato blight long ago and making them aware of the fact that potato farming would fail if potato blight spread, the confusion was not that great.

Moreover, my credibility has been further enhanced thanks to the fact that I have been releasing data through newspapers estimating how much damage there would have been if there had been no such measures.

“The damage in Ireland is not as great as expected. Alternative crops have already been planted for several years, and more than 1 million people have crossed the Atlantic to Canada. In addition, thanks to the repeal of the Corn Laws [tariffs on imported grain] in the past, the price of wheat is also maintained at a stable level. In this way, even the policy to solve the expected food crisis has barely yielded results after investing more than several years.

Slowly but surely. That’s the best promise I can make to you. Starting this year, Victoria Hospital, named after Her Majesty the Queen, will open, and Killian Medical University and Nursing College, named after me, will produce medical staff. We will improve labor laws to improve the environment for workers and ensure that legally mandated working hours, which are still not being observed, are observed.”

As my words continued, the atmosphere in the hall became quieter and quieter, and not even the sound of clearing throats could be heard.

I said that I would not make any promises that I could not keep, so the words I have spoken now are the same as a declaration that I will definitely do this.

In fact, there may be talk that this is political intervention, but there is no problem at all because I have obtained permission from the parliament.

“Before standing here, what I promise you today also had the Prime Minister’s promise that the parliament would review it as positively as possible, so there is nothing for you to worry about. But. All these things cannot be done right now, nor should they be done. One thing is certain: it is a future that will definitely come during your activities and while I am the Prince Consort of this country. Your rights are not truly guaranteed simply by guaranteeing the right to vote.

I, Killian Gore, Prince Consort of the British Empire and Duke of Dublin, Kent, and Canada, promise you. A society where you enjoy everything you want and more will surely come. Trust me and move forward to the future with me!”

As soon as the speech ended, thunderous applause poured out.

Since it was essentially a promise that could be seen as nothing more than empty words, the assemblymen sitting in the back did not show much agitation.

That’s because I said I would do it, but there was no definite statement as to when I would do it.

The intellectuals will of course know that, so if I point out a few more people and have a discussion with them like before, I will be able to convince them for sure.

I’ve put out the immediate fire for now.

I decided to quench my thirst with water and prepare for the conversation with the young people that would follow immediately.

* * *

Marx was freshly shocked after listening to the speech until the end.

Not simply because he spoke well, but because he could clearly feel the sincerity in it.

In fact, Marx also greatly agreed with some of the Prince Consort’s remarks.

It is a serious delusion of the Chartists to think that the rights of workers will be guaranteed simply by guaranteeing the right to vote.

In the end, the Chartist movement cannot escape the limitation that it focused on political reform rather than economic reform.

Killian did not miss the fact that the real focus should be on the other side.

That’s why he subtly mentioned words such as labor rights and promised to improve the status of workers.

In other words, he also realizes that the current capitalist society has serious contradictions.

He is fundamentally different from economists and politicians who simply shout that capitalism and the market economy are great and try to turn a blind eye to the contradictions of society.

But if he uses that ability to exploit workers, he could become the most vicious being in the world.

Shouldn’t we watch a little more before making a definite judgment?

“Engels, what about the speech just now…”

He turned his head to ask for his friend’s opinion, but stopped speaking when he met Engels’ eyes, which were burning fiercely.

“Marx! Did you hear it too? That speech just now!”

“So, wasn’t I asking to hear your opinion?”

“That’s the person. That must be the person.”

“…What do you mean?”

“The key figure to achieve true socialism and communism! Killian Gore is the right person to be the standard-bearer of communism!”

What kind of fresh nonsense is this again?

“The royal family of the British Empire will take the lead in creating a communist society?”

Marx shook his head at his friend’s incomprehensible claim.