I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 195

My Money, My Investment (2)

If you were to ask who has the most money in Europe right now, the names Baring or Rothschild would likely come up.

But as Rothschild once said, if you tallied all the hidden assets, I would most likely be the wealthiest person in Europe.

However, most of that wealth is nominally owned by James, so openly using it could be problematic.

It’s not a problem now, but when it comes time to pass on the inheritance to James’ children or my own, there’s bound to be some friction.

Let’s think about it from James’ children’s perspective.

They thought their father was the richest man in the world, but it turns out he’s just a salaried CEO?

How would they feel if they didn’t get as much money as they expected?

Of course, they would still receive as much wealth as some of the richest people in the world, but there’s a huge gap between being the absolute richest and just being very rich.

To prevent this kind of discontent, I need to start moving the assets back to my side.

But if I openly acquire James’ companies, I’ll be caught immediately, so I need to launder the money through a plausible process, and one such method is this canal.

The construction, maintenance, and operation of the canal naturally require enormous funds, and the potential profits are astronomical.

In the 21st century, it generates nearly 10 trillion won [approximately 7.5 billion USD] in revenue per year, so its scale speaks for itself.

Given the more relaxed accounting standards of this era, it’s easy to launder money using a few of these large-scale businesses.

So, even if it eventually reverts to the royal family, it’s better for me to control it now.

Of course, even as a member of the royal family, if I, as an individual, were to own that giant canal, the reaction would be one of utter shock.

I wondered if I could get away with it, but as expected, Palmerston belatedly regained his composure and raised his voice.

“Your Highness! Even so, for Your Highness to personally own the canal…”

No one appreciates someone who raises objections after all the work is done.

“Mr. Palmerston, is there still something bothering you?”

“Well… even just buying the canal shares would cost a fortune. Forgive me for asking, but does His Royal Highness possess that much personal wealth?”

“I wouldn’t be trying to buy it if I didn’t have the funds.”

“Surely you’re not planning to take out a loan using the royal family’s assets and then repay it later…”

“I told you, I won’t touch a penny of the royal family’s assets. I’ll do it with my personal wealth. Of course, I’ll also use bank financing, but that will be separate from the royal family’s finances.”

I had already discussed this with Rothschild a long time ago for situations like these, so there will be no problem withdrawing funds.

“Then what are your plans for the ownership issue in the long term?”

“I’ll operate it efficiently and then transfer it to the royal family when the time is right. That would be a generous gesture, wouldn’t it?”

Once the money laundering is complete, I’ll register it as the property of the British royal family without being asked, so there’s no need to be too impatient.

Of course, by then, the difference in wealth will have widened to the point where Parliament and the government will be asking the royal family to lend them money, so I plan to revise the law a bit.

In fact, if I were doing business with the royal family’s assets, the British government could claim some stake.

However, if it truly becomes my personal property, it will be almost impossible for the government to interfere as it pleases.

Even if they try to cause trouble, their actions will be limited against their own royal family, who are not ordinary citizens, and if they get caught doing something underhanded, they will have to be prepared for a significant backlash.

If they had known things would turn out this way, they would have approved of doing it as a royal family business from the start, but what can they do now that the decision has been made?

It’s too late to change their minds and say that it would be better for the royal family to own it, and there’s no justification for it.

Disraeli and Wellesley have already been convinced, and even Palmerston has quieted down, so it seems difficult for Gladstone to raise objections.

“I understand. In fact, when I think about it calmly, it’s a huge benefit to the national interest that the home country, which has a strained relationship with Egypt, can own the Egyptian canal. If Your Highness owns it and then transfers it to the royal family, the canal will ultimately belong to the British Empire.”

That’s right. The British royal family is the symbol of the British Empire.

“Since the leaders of both parties and the Prime Minister have all agreed, I’ll proceed as planned.”

“But Your Highness, what magic did you use to get France to sell its shares so willingly?”

“Actually, the reason I called you all here is not just about the canal, but also to discuss that aspect. A large-scale disturbance will occur in Europe within a few years, and I thought it would be beneficial for us to put our heads together and discuss what advantages our British Empire can gain at that time.”

“A large-scale disturbance?”

The Liberal Party, who hadn’t heard anything from me, blinked, showing their confusion.

On the other hand, Wellesley, who had received some hints from me, narrowed his eyes as if he had a clue and leaned forward slightly.

“Could it be related to the fact that we passed the Factory Act this time with a three-year grace period? I remember Your Highness saying at that time that the factory owners’ thinking would change in just three years.”

“You remember well. That’s exactly it. And there are analyses that show that there is a very high probability of a wheat famine in Europe starting next year or the year after. If we prepare well from now on, we can watch the fire from across the river while the European continent is in chaos and reap the benefits.”

“Could it be that the contract to transfer ownership of the canal…?”

“Yes. I gave France some of that information.”

“If France believed it, it means it’s genuinely credible information… Could you please explain in detail?”

If all of Europe really falls into chaos in a few years and only the British Empire can avoid it, it’s a golden opportunity that will never come again.

The congressmen, who had been discussing the canal and ownership just a moment ago, instantly changed their expressions and seriously began to discuss what benefits this country should seize.

Even though they fight every day divided into parties, they become more united than anyone else when a legitimate opportunity arises to exploit other countries.

This is the British Empire I know.

And that’s how a hegemonic power that dominates the world should behave.

* * *

By diverting attention to exploiting Europe, the concerns about me taking over the canal naturally faded away.

As expected, the original problem must be overshadowed by a bigger problem. A golden opportunity has arrived to wreak havoc throughout Europe, so how important is a canal that hasn’t even started construction yet?

I returned to the palace in a good mood, and as if to elevate my already good mood even further, my angel came out to greet me with two baby angels.

“You’re home quite early today? It seems the meeting went well?”

“I just gave a brief explanation and left. The parliament and government said they would discuss the future plans further.”

“That’s good. It was almost time for this child to take a nap.”

Victoria smiled brightly and gently put down the child she was holding.

“Papa.”

“Oh, yes, yes. Our Edward. Daddy’s here.”

Surprisingly, children grow so fast that you can see their development almost daily.

It feels like just yesterday that they couldn’t even take their first steps, but now they’re not only walking but also starting to run. How can I not be moved?

I want to preserve that cute image forever, but it’s a shame that video recording isn’t possible in this era.

Unlike my daughter Adelaide, who is sleeping soundly in her crib, Edward was busily clinging to my feet.

“Papa, water play.”

“Water play?”

“Boat toy!”

Edward proudly showed off the small wooden boat he was holding in one hand.

Victoria smiled contentedly and shook her head at the sight.

“He saw a boat floating on the Thames the other day and kept asking for one. So I got him a toy, and he seems to like it so much that he doesn’t let go of it.”

“Oh, really? As expected of someone who will become the head of the British Royal Navy in the future, he’s already very interested in boats. Your father is proud of you, Edward.”

“You’re putting a positive spin on it. This is just a coincidence.”

“As it happens, your father has just received permission to build a canal in Egypt where big boats can come and go. Edward can manage it well later.”

“Hmm? The parliament approved it so easily?”

Judging by her incredulous tone, she must have expected the parliament or government to object.

“They wouldn’t have agreed so readily. So I said I’d build it with my own money first and then incorporate it into the royal family’s assets when I pass it on to this child later.”

“Ah, that’s a good idea.”

“And anyway, for a while, the parliament and government’s attention will be focused on the potential revolution in Europe, so they won’t care what I do.”

In reality, it’s closer to glossing over the details and moving on, but as it stands, the government and parliament have essentially confirmed that they’re okay with me building whatever I want if I build it with my own money.

In other words, it means that I don’t have to worry about doing similar projects in other places besides Suez.

It’s not like Suez is the only strategic location for canals in the world, so it wouldn’t be satisfying to end with just this one.

“Our Edward likes boats, so the more routes there are for boats to travel, the better, right?”

“Like it, like it!”

“Hey, what do you know about asking a child that?”

“I want to give our child a gift that he’ll like if possible. I’m trying to give him the best gift that will be a source of strength for him in the future.”

Simple money or status is hard to predict how it will change over time.

Even in 21st century Britain, the royal family’s assets are over 30 trillion won [approximately 22.5 billion USD], and the king’s personal assets alone are in the trillions [hundreds of millions of USD], but they have no real power.

As capitalism becomes more advanced and the overall amount of money increases, it is realistically impossible for a particular individual to monopolize all the wealth of society.

What’s more important than money is to hold on to the means of generating that money and exerting influence around the world.

Both Alaska and the canal had more value in the latter than the former.

It is a tool that can generate enormous profits, but the reason why it becomes money is because it ultimately has tremendous value that is difficult to calculate simply in monetary terms.

Suez, and if possible, Panama as well.

If I can make Alaska and a few other areas that I’m eyeing royal property, the status of the British royal family will not decline even after the 21st century.

Of course, I must not forget that the most important thing in modern society is the support of the citizens.

This won’t be a concern because the royal family will be thoroughly educated from a young age.

“Okay, our handsome prince. Then shall we go ride a real boat together tomorrow? I think we can ride a boat that’s much bigger and cooler than a toy boat.”

“Okay! But my sister is scared of boats.”

“Oh, dear. Then Edward, you’re the older brother, so you have to protect your sister well, right? I’ve told you before that siblings should help each other when there are difficulties, right?”

“Yes. Workers of the world, unite!”

Hmm? I think I heard something I shouldn’t have.

I’m not hearing things, am I?

I asked in a voice that was no different from usual so that the child wouldn’t be alarmed.

“Edward, where did you hear that phrase?”

“The hairy man who came to see Daddy before. I saw him practicing in the yard!”

“Ah, I see. But that’s the same as saying ‘I’m foolish,’ so if you say that in front of other people, people will make fun of you.”

“Edward’s not foolish. Then I shouldn’t say it.”

Edward covered his mouth with both hands and then ran back to Victoria.

Whew, I managed to handle it well. I almost gave our child the stigma of being a communist crown prince.

Marx, if you’re going to rehearse, do it in your room. Why are you causing a scene in the palace courtyard?

Anyway, the fact that the February Revolution is approaching also means that the time when the famous Communist Manifesto will be released is just around the corner.

It will be a little different from the original history’s declaration, but if it’s Marx, he will definitely detonate something big enough to be remembered in history in a different sense.

So I need to guide the situation so that it doesn’t go too far astray, right?

Whether the name communist will mean a radical who calls for regime change, or a normal scholar who pursues an economic ideal.

The turning point of history is just around the corner.