I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 201

Royal Bank of Canada

British-controlled Canada.

With the rapid development of Montreal and Toronto, resource mining factories were operating at full capacity.

“So, you’re saying you’ll buy all of this?”

“Not just all of this, but the entire company.”

“No… really? Do you have that much money? We have no reason to refuse if you offer us a premium on top.”

“Alright, alright, if it’s settled, quickly sign the contract here. I still have five more companies to meet today, so we need to wrap things up quickly.”

As Killian had arranged, Lionel Rothschild, who came to Montreal, was excitedly snapping up local Canadian companies and enjoying a shopping spree.

Indeed, the pleasure of money is maximized when it’s spent like this.

Of course, normally, the displeasure of seeing his money decrease even slightly would outweigh that pleasure, but Killian had promised to compensate him for everything.

It was a day to once again realize that there’s nothing more enjoyable in the world than flexing with someone else’s money.

“Hey, you there.”

“Yes!”

“Do you know where the best restaurant in Montreal is?”

“Of course. I’ll call a carriage for you right away.”

“Thank you. This is a reward for quickly closing the deal, so go and have a nice meal yourself.”

“I can’t thank you enough! I hope you have good business in Canada, sir!”

Unlike his home country, where people often looked at him with prejudice for looking Jewish, there were hardly any people here who looked at him with disdain for being obviously Jewish.

At first, he found it strange, but after seeing black people openly walking around the streets and mingling with white people presumed to be Irish, he naturally came to accept it.

No matter how much Jews were persecuted in Europe, it was honestly nothing compared to what black people faced.

If black people were treated this well, it was only natural that Jews would be seen as no different from white people here.

If he had known this sooner, he would have actually established a Rothschild family bank in Canada, but unfortunately, it was already too late.

It was actually a shame.

Seeing the rapid development of Montreal, the smell of money wafting from this place stung his nose painfully.

What would this place be like in just 30 years, no more, no less?

Perhaps it would grow enough to rival even second-tier cities in the British Empire, excluding London.

Moreover, not only Montreal but also Toronto was growing at a similar pace, wasn’t it?

With cities on the west coast facing the Pacific Ocean also under development, he couldn’t even fathom the potential of Canada.

Immigrants were constantly coming in, and Killian said that the number of Asian immigrants would soon explode, which would solve the chronic population shortage problem.

Looking at it from a long-term perspective of 100 years, wouldn’t it be possible for Canada to have the same economic power as the British Empire?

It might seem unlikely, but considering that Killian was essentially the leader of Canada, it wasn’t entirely impossible.

“I should get permission from His Highness as soon as I return and make a formal investment.”

His pride as a Rothschild would not allow him to not pour money into such a goldmine area.

Of course, he would still have to be content with taking only the permitted level of profit so as not to offend the ruler who controlled Canada.

The Rothschild family commonly had a strong desire for wealth, but no one was foolish enough to not know that excessive greed only leads to destruction.

Since Killian wasn’t the type of leader to discard his loyal subjects after they had served their purpose, he could make a decent amount of money just by taking the fruits of his labor under him.

The Jewish banker, Rothschild, never desired power itself.

He knew very well that if he gained power, countless people who resented it would rush in from all directions and tear him to shreds.

There was nothing to be desired when he could just stick to a firm leader who would not waver and reap all the fruits of power.

Rothschild successfully acquired all the companies Killian had designated in less than a week of arriving in Canada.

And he was able to get a chance to meet James, the head of the James Group, one of the richest men in Europe, who was constantly growing his business between Canada and the United States.

“I’ve already heard from His Highness. You’ve acquired 65 companies in Toronto and Montreal.”

“Yes. All prime businesses.”

“Let’s see… not bad. It seems like it will be enough to be an issue. They are places where we can create synergy when we take them back later.”

“Then, may I return as scheduled?”

“You may. Ah, if you’ve heard this story, can I assume that Lord Rothschild will continue to work with His Highness in the future?”

Was he trying to keep him in check because he was afraid of losing his position as a confidant of his beloved lord?

He wondered how to answer, but there was nothing to gain from lying in front of such a big shot.

“Yes. I was fortunate enough to catch His Highness’s eye. I will continue to do my best in the work that His Highness entrusts to me.”

“Oh, I see. So Rothschild will be in charge of financial matters in Europe. His Highness said he would take care of the New World himself, but to run a bank, you need experts after all, so what about that side?”

“He said that side would also receive help from us and Baring Bank.”

“I see. Working with His Highness gives you many opportunities to play in a large pond that you have never imagined before. That’s honestly exciting.”

Coming from the head of a corporation that had built a vast golden empire in the British Empire and America, it felt somehow different.

To be honest, when he first learned that the real owner of the James Group’s companies was Killian, his jaw dropped so much that he thought it would fall off.

But at the same time, he offered a sincere prayer of gratitude that he had been given the opportunity to become a confidant of someone who held all the power and wealth.

What was the reason why Killian was so keen on creating his bank in Canada?

In Europe, he had to be mindful of the home country, so he had no choice but to seize the finance of the New World.

In other words, Rothschild, his confidant, had no choice but to be in charge of Europe.

Perhaps having read his ambition, James chuckled and offered words that were somewhere between encouragement and advice.

“It’s very nice to see you burning with fighting spirit. You remind me of myself a few years ago. I hope you don’t lose that heart and keep working to reach the same position as me.”

“Yes! Thank you for your kind words!”

“You’re welcome.”

He thought he saw a sense of pity flicker in his eyes as he gave his blessing, but he assumed he was mistaken and brushed it off.

Logically, who would look at him, who had seized such good fortune, with pity?

If there was anyone among the Jews who was as lucky as he was, he should come out.

This was the grace bestowed by Yahweh [God].

He felt full even without eating bread.

* * *

About a month after Rothschild left for Canada, I immediately summoned the leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties.

As the Duke of Canada, how could I stand by and watch the capital of Canada being encroached upon by a Jewish bank?

Gladstone, who had reviewed the data I had presented, nodded heavily.

“While a revolution is taking place in Europe, this was happening in Canada.”

“Yes. I wasn’t paying attention, but it seems that Rothschild Bank is moving very quickly.”

“But wasn’t Rothschild Bank close to Your Highness and Member of Parliament Disraeli? If so, we could call the head of that bank and give him a word of restraint…”

“Ah, so I asked, but unfortunately, the bank operating in Canada is not from the British Empire but from France.”

Knowing this would happen, Lionel, the head of the British bank, bought the company, but he transferred the title to Jacob, the head of the French bank.

“France? Those guys are causing problems again in this way. Buying companies like that now means that Rothschild Bank is preparing to formally enter Canada.”

“That’s what I’m worried about. The British Empire has an alternative bank called Baring Bank, so Rothschild won’t be able to monopolize it, but Canada is different.”

As it was, Canada was rapidly industrializing and needed to attract money from all over the place.

If Rothschild Bank came in here with its enormous financial power, Canada’s finances would be quickly swallowed up by them.

Gladstone frowned and naturally clicked his tongue.

“Anyway, those Jewish bastards have an amazing sense of money… Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that with Member of Parliament Disraeli in mind.”

“It’s not because they are Jewish, but because bankers are a kind of people who try to put stakes wherever there is money. It’s not because they are Jewish.”

“Yes, yes. I misspoke. Anyway, it seems problematic to leave the capital of Canada, which is currently growing, subordinate to the French Rothschild Bank. Your Highness has full control of Canada, so why don’t you amend the laws to restrict foreign capital from entering?”

“Then it will be difficult for other investors to enter Canada. We can’t burn down the barn to catch a rat. Rather, I think it would be better to establish a strong bank that Rothschild Bank can never beat.”

Gladstone put down his teacup slightly and narrowed his eyes.

“If you establish a new bank, could it be…?”

“Yes. I will create the Royal Bank of Canada separately from the central bank and have it check foreign capital. It won’t be difficult to get help from Baring Bank to establish the bank.”

“Banks require a lot of money. How are you going to finance that?”

“I can just bear that burden.”

“No, are you going to bear not only the canal but also this?”

You know it well.

That’s exactly what I mean.

Even just the iron ore and coal pouring out of Alaska are bringing a huge amount of money into the royal family.

If we start developing gold mines here, it won’t be a burden at all to create a few banks in Canada.

“It may not be a good look for the royal family to intervene in the market, but I will leave the operation to management experts and only supervise it. Citizens will judge that it is a hundred times better for me to intervene than for Canada to be swallowed up by Jewish capital.”

Right now, it’s not just Jewish, but a Jewish bank in France.

With these two cheat keys combined, it’s obvious how public opinion will move in the UK without even listening.

The answer was already set from the beginning, and the parliament only had to nod.

No matter how hard you think about it, do you honestly feel any selfish desires in the cause I have put forward?

It’s all out of patriotism for the country.

Of course, I will make sure to earn money in the meantime.

But just as everything was going as expected, and I was about to start taking action to extract some final sweetness from Europe, which was in the midst of a chaotic brawl.

As if to prove that it’s no fun if everything goes according to plan, an unexpected guest came to visit me.