I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 189

The Spark of Revolution

After their meeting with Killian, Marx and Engels returned in a carriage, feeling almost dazed.

They had hoped to speak with him at least once, but actually having a conversation felt like encountering someone from another world.

“…Was it the right decision to follow his advice…right?”

“We already agreed, so there’s no going back now, is there?”

“That’s true. But honestly, I never imagined things would turn out this way…Marx, what do you think?”

“Do you think I feel any differently? Your feelings mirror my own exactly.”

I don’t think I’ve ever been so shocked in my life as I was today.

Being chased out of Prussia to France, and then from Paris to London, was a difficult journey, but at least it didn’t involve any ideological upheavals.

“Engels, what’s the key difference between the British Empire and France?”

“Isn’t everything just different? Comparing King Louis-Philippe of France and His Grace, the Prince Consort [Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband], whom we just met, highlights the countries’ differences.”

“Is that so? Perhaps. From our conversation, it seemed he’s the most sensible of the current European royalty. Which royal would have considered the word ‘communism’ so deeply?”

“That was a shock to me too. And it wasn’t just superficial knowledge. In some ways, he seemed to have more insight than you or even me, who organized your ideas. What do you make of that?”

Honestly, I had never really considered the potential dangers inherent in communist ideology.

To be honest, it’s not that I hadn’t considered it at all, but I thought even if those dangers materialized, it wouldn’t matter.

But the idea that the ideology I created could be used to justify a dictatorship that oppresses workers didn’t sit well with me.

And the fact that his argument was so plausible that I couldn’t refute it is even more frustrating.

“He confidently told us to watch from the sidelines, so let’s follow his lead for now. He said he’d prove he’s a man of his word, so we should see results soon enough.”

“He’s going to bring about a communist paradise by perfecting capitalism…will we live to see it?”

“Why wouldn’t we?”

Even now, the world is developing at an astonishing pace.

Just a few years ago, it was common for children and women to work 16 or 17 hours a day and be exploited until they died.

But what about now?

Children and women are guaranteed at least a minimum amount of rest, and it’s said that adult men will soon enjoy these benefits as well.

In addition, although it’s still early, there are plans to implement elementary public education within a dozen years to raise the overall education level of the population.

Marx wholeheartedly agreed that all workers should receive an adequate education.

In the first place, for a communist society to emerge, the proletariat [the working class] must be educated to make rational and reasonable judgments.

“By the way, if things continue this way, we should consider the Chartist movement [a working-class political reform movement in Britain] to have lost its momentum, right?”

“Wouldn’t you think so? His Grace, the Prince Consort, promised publicly that he would greatly guarantee the rights of workers. The Prime Minister agreed as well.”

“Come to think of it, didn’t George [George Harney, a leader in the Chartist movement] ask us to see him as soon as we got back?”

George Harney seemed completely lost after the conversation with Killian.

He’s struggling with whether to continue the struggle or be satisfied and observe the situation.

As the leader of a movement, it’s a point he can’t help but worry about.

However, Marx, who had seen the limitations of the Chartist movement from the beginning, had long since concluded that it was over.

“So far, countless revolutionaries have only interpreted the phenomena within the structure of this society and suggested directions on how to move. But what’s really important is transforming the world itself, isn’t it? In that sense, George couldn’t be called a true revolutionary.”

“You’re right. Their ideas were more suited to philosophers than revolutionaries.”

Unless you’re prepared to completely dismantle the world, true change won’t happen.

That was the belief that Marx and Engels had held until now.

In that respect, Killian was a difficult person to categorize.

Listening to him, you could sense a radical ideology that made you wonder if he was really a royal who reigned over capitalists.

But on the other hand, as someone who observes society from above, his extremely realistic position stood out.

Usually, people remain ambiguous, but Killian said he would demonstrate his commitment through action, so we can only believe and watch for now.

If he’s just a man of words, we’ll leave him without regret and return to the continent.

Still, at least for the time being, I will observe how this country changes from the sidelines.

If I am convinced that Killian Gore is truly a leader who can transform the world and bring about a communist world…

Then I will do my best to help this country complete its capitalism, sparing no effort.

Marx, along with Engels, ended their long European wanderings and decided to settle in the British Empire for the time being.

* * *

Having to play the roles of both a capitalist leader and a communist figurehead at the same time gives me a headache.

But judging objectively, the work I have to do here hasn’t doubled.

Now that I’ve succeeded in winning over Marx and Engels to some extent, communism won’t be used as a tool for revolution for the time being.

The beginning of communism is the completion of capitalism.

Anyone who confuses this formula is a budding dictator trying to abuse communist ideology for their own personal gain.

If I set the guidelines this clearly, there’s little chance that radicals who want to overthrow corrupt capitalists and build a socialist paradise will run wild.

Because I will soon be the Pope of this new ideology, and the theory written by my great protector, Marx, will become absolute truth.

But for this to happen, Marx and Engels must truly believe in and follow me.

I haven’t shown them anything concrete yet, so they must be watching me with a skeptical eye to see if I really practice what I preach.

To carry out the plans I had in mind, I summoned Prime Minister Wellesley to Buckingham Palace.

“You want to move up the schedule for the Factory Act [series of UK labor law] proposal?”

“Yes. As you know, Prime Minister, the Chartists are now divided and fiercely debating each other. If the government acts more quickly in this situation, the Chartists who are demanding an immediate general election will be isolated.”

“But the factory owners’ opposition will be enormous.”

“Didn’t we already agree that we would implement it eventually? And we can announce the proposal, but delay its application. There’s a wonderful concept called a grace period.”

“Ah. So, we pass the bill and apply it much later?”

It’s like pretending not to see a problem, but the mere fact that the bill has been passed will have a significant impact on the workers.

Setting a grace period isn’t just about waiting aimlessly, but about demonstrating patience.

“The factory owners’ opposition will be strong, but they will eventually understand. They need to concede to some extent, or something big could happen if they push too hard.”

“…Hmm, well, I don’t know. Factory owners are so sensitive to profits that they can’t stand spending money on unnecessary things. Especially if it’s not a one-time expenditure but an ongoing one, they’ll be even more opposed.”

“Of course I know that. So, let’s set the grace period to about three years. Before that, we’ll just check whether they’re complying with the existing child and female labor restrictions, and ensure they provide minimum facilities for workers who live and eat at the factory.”

Currently, many factories don’t allow workers to go home and force them to work continuously, so they often have them sleep inside the factory.

But did they provide a separate sleeping space?

There’s no way our 19th-century capitalism would be so generous.

Let alone bedding, even providing a space to lie down and sleep on the floor often involved simply hanging a long rope and having them lean on it to sleep.

This way, factory owners don’t have to provide a proper sleeping space, saving them space, which is brilliant.

It’s truly a stroke of genius.

Isn’t the current era of capitalism a stark demonstration of how ruthless humans can become without restrictions or regulations?

“If we set the grace period to three years…well, I think there will be quite a bit of opposition. They’ll ask for at least five years.”

“Three years is enough. Of course, there will be opposition, but in three years, they’ll slowly come to terms with it too.”
Wellesley looked like he didn’t understand, but in just three years, revolutions would begin to spread simultaneously throughout Europe.

But the British Empire, having already taken preemptive measures, would be able to weather the storm without any impact, like watching a fire from a safe distance.

There’s no way that Chartist activists will rise up like a swarm of bees as they did in the original timeline, so it will be an even more peaceful 1848.

But since articles will continue to be published stating that the reason for this is the British Empire’s mature capitalism, those with intelligence will have no choice but to understand.

If they don’t understand, we can continue to guide them, so everyone will eventually have to acknowledge it.

If capitalists want to keep their heads, they have to allow the workers some breathing room.

“The middle class may complain now, but by the end of the grace period, everyone will be praising your foresight, Prime Minister. Have you ever known me to be wrong? Just trust me.”

“…I understand. I still don’t fully grasp it this time, but I’ll trust you and push ahead as you say, Your Grace, since you’ve never been wrong.”

“Good. Then I’ll also promote how significant a decision the government and parliament have made this time and support you, Prime Minister. That alone will improve public opinion toward parliament quite favorably.”

Normally, parliament wouldn’t pass such a bill, but they are now desperate to manage public opinion.

Wellesley, having finished his calculations, nodded and stood up from his seat.

“I understand. Then, according to Your Grace’s wishes, I will order our members of parliament to propose the Factory Act more quickly, even tomorrow. If we emphasize the sufficient grace period, we will probably be able to minimize opposition. It will pass without difficulty, so please wait.”

“Ah, and Prime Minister, one more thing. Please arrange a meeting with the French ambassador.”

“…With the French ambassador?”

“Yes. There’s something I urgently need to tell the French side. If I say it’s a matter directly related to France’s security, they won’t be able to refuse. However, this will be a deal between the British royal family and France, so I would appreciate it if you could ensure that parliament and the government don’t interfere.”

“I understand. If the royal family and France are making a deal, that’s entirely Your Grace’s prerogative, so we’ll make sure that parliament and the government stay out of it for now.”

Good.

There’s no way the parliament or the government can even guess what kind of conversation I’ll have with France.

In fact, my intention to help France was sincere.

The fact that the King of France abdicated and a provisional republic was established due to the 1848 revolution is a historically famous event.

But if my beloved disciples, Marx and Engels, see the country being turned upside down by a revolution, there’s no way of knowing what impact it will have on them.

So, the stimulating spectacle of overthrowing the country through revolution is prohibited from being broadcast for the time being.

Of course, this isn’t free.

Isn’t the British royal family becoming the benefactor of the French royal family?

I have to get a hefty price in return.