I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 206

< The Storm of London >

The British Empire and Russia are destined to clash someday.

This is a fact readily apparent, even without exceptional diplomatic acumen.

Living as we are in an era of runaway trains, careening forward without brakes, a collision is inevitable, sooner or later.

In the original timeline, it was the Crimean War; in this era, the specific flashpoint remains uncertain.

It might erupt around the same time as the Crimean War, or it might happen earlier or later.

What’s certain is that postponement is possible, but complete avoidance is not.

This wasn’t a problem I could solve single-handedly.

Even if I managed to charm the British Empire into restraint with my unparalleled ass-kissing skills, Russia wouldn’t listen.

Russia, confident in its own strength, is beyond anyone’s control.

This is a proven historical reality, evident across both Eastern and Western history, and even in future events.

Frankly, the current Russia is a paper tiger compared to the British Empire.

If the British Empire is a well-packed and substantial lunchbox, Russia is like one of those scam products with impressive packaging but is mostly empty [referring to products with excessive packaging but little substance].

Comparing the world’s leading industrial powerhouse, which has fully industrialized and is constantly advancing, to a country still clinging to vestiges of medieval serfdom is absurd.

Even if they appear similar in size on a map, the difference in actual strength is like that between a UFC champion and an untrained civilian.

A superpower on par with the British Empire?

That’s a joke.

They can throw their weight around in their own backyard, but in a real overseas conflict, wouldn’t they struggle against even France, let alone the British Empire?

The problem is that almost no one in the world currently recognizes this reality.

This perception is due to Russia’s sheer size and the intimidating effect of their seemingly endless supply of manpower.

To be honest, I, too, believed that Russia’s potential could never be underestimated.

Even with a clear path to victory, if Russia continues to throw bodies at the problem, our side will inevitably suffer significant losses.

“I see. Austria is successfully suppressing the rebellion with France’s assistance… The relationship between the two nations will likely strengthen rapidly.”

“My hope is to foster even more amicable relations not only with Austria but also with Prussia.”

“That would be ideal, but as you know, the relationship between France and Germany is… complicated.”

The reason I’m taking the lead with the British Empire to find buffer states to absorb Russia’s aggression is precisely to mitigate those potential losses.

And the German states are crucial to this plan.

Geopolitically, the German states needed to improve relations with either Russia or France to avoid fighting on two fronts.

Prussia, in particular, deemed amicable relations with France impossible from the outset and chose not to provoke Russia.

The reason I’m making separate arrangements with the Prussian ambassador and trying to win over Bismarck is that I have a good idea of how Prussia will respond.

In the original timeline, Prussia maintained neutrality during the Crimean War and reaped significant rewards by conserving its national power.

The overwhelming victory they achieved in the subsequent Franco-Prussian War was, in part, a result of this decision.

But what will happen this time?

Since Austria is highly likely to side with France, we can’t dismiss the possibility of Prussia aligning with Russia.

In fact, if I were Russia, I would pull out all the stops. I would give away everything to secure Prussia as an ally.

Fortunately, Karl Bunsen, the current Prussian ambassador to London, is well-disposed towards the British Empire, and the King of Prussia values his opinions.

The reason for bringing Bismarck along is to convince these two that aligning Prussia with the British Empire is in their long-term national interest.

“I understand your concerns, Ambassador. The long-standing animosity between France and Prussia cannot be resolved overnight.”

“That’s true, and France will never accept a powerful, unified Germany. If Prussia grows stronger, France will try desperately to crush us.”

“If France and Prussia were the only players, that might be the case. But wouldn’t the situation be different if Britain actively mediated between the two? The British Empire’s goal is to foster an environment where European nations can thrive through mutual cooperation, without bloodshed and wasted resources. That’s why we’re striving to create an alliance capable of achieving this grand endeavor together.”

“From my perspective, it seems France has already been chosen as your primary partner.”

“That’s correct. But an alliance with only two members is fragile and can collapse at any time based on shifting interests. For the sake of stability, three is better than two.”

In international politics, an alliance is merely a temporary partnership for mutual gain.

It’s a ruthless arena where betrayal is commonplace if someone outlives their usefulness. However, if the balance of power is roughly equal, such divisions are less likely to occur.

Fortunately, Ambassador Bunsen, a seasoned diplomat, immediately grasped my meaning and nodded.

“You’re suggesting an alliance system to maintain global dominance. But if Austria is included, isn’t the alliance already complete?”

“My assessment is that Prussia is a more suitable partner than Austria.”

“It’s gratifying to hear that from our perspective, but I’m curious about the basis for your judgment.”

Perhaps driven by a sense of national pride, they react instantly even to mild criticism of Austria, viewing themselves as the true heart of Germany.

I gestured towards Bismarck, whom I had brought precisely for this moment, and smiled contentedly.

“It’s thanks to this young man who accompanied me.”

“…Otto von Bismarck, is it? His Highness mentioned introducing me to someone, and I wondered when the topic would arise. I’m also curious how a Prussian nobleman has developed such a close relationship with Your Highness.”

“Actually, my acquaintance with Bismarck is relatively recent. However, I deeply admire this young nobleman’s initiative. As soon as unrest broke out in Berlin, he immediately went there to understand the core issues. Furthermore, he sought me out in London to find a solution that benefits Prussia.”

“…Are you saying he went directly to Your Highness without informing me, the Prussian ambassador? What if this had become a diplomatic incident…?”

“I didn’t mind because I believe young politicians should possess such boldness and drive. Above all, how many individuals would travel to a foreign land and act so passionately for their country’s sake?”

Bismarck’s face was filled with emotion and admiration at the unexpected praise.

In reality, his approach wasn’t quite so noble, but it’s my prerogative to frame it as such.

A true patriot, kneeling before a foreign leader and pleading for his country’s welfare.

Perhaps this image resonated with Ambassador Bunsen, who looked back at Bismarck with a pleased smile.

“Well, a certain degree of recklessness is a privilege afforded to the young. Since His Highness views it favorably, I won’t pursue the matter further.”

“It’s not solely due to this spirit that I hold Prussia in high regard. Judgment and execution are equally crucial. After all, if mere patriotism could make a country great, wouldn’t everyone become a successful politician?”

“That’s true.”

“The reason I value Prussia more than Austria lies precisely in this. Despite receiving significant assistance from the British Empire, Austria’s subsequent actions have been sluggish. In contrast, Prussia, despite being an observer, immediately grasped the essence of the situation, like Bismarck here, and sought information in London to benefit their country. Given the stark difference in their approaches, my evaluation naturally reflects that.”

“Hahaha, that’s certainly true. Austria is merely a counterfeit Germany, a collection of imposters. Prussia represents the future of Germany.”

If Austria is an imposter, he confidently challenged them to a two-on-one fight, got beaten up in a tag team match, and then fabricated a victory from behind.

Still, considering that Marx’s side, who won the fight, also exaggerated that he had sent the opponent to hell with one blow, it seems safe to say that they are all the same anyway.

I suppressed my laughter and placed my hand on Bismarck’s shoulder.

“Of course. If such genuine individuals like Bismarck continue to develop, Prussia’s future will be brighter than ever. Is there any nation besides Britain that recognizes Prussia’s potential so accurately? It’s a cautious assessment, but Russia will always view Prussia as a subordinate, not an equal ally.”

“…Russia’s arrogance is well-known. In truth, I also consider Britain a more promising ally than Russia. However, Prussia needed to cultivate a decent relationship with either France or Russia, leaving us little choice but to align with Russia. But if Britain can prevent France from meddling in German affairs, we might reconsider.”

“It would be enough if you consider it as one option.”

In any case, this is the most an ambassador can realistically say.

Since this meeting wasn’t intended to secure a definitive alliance, I’m quite satisfied with this outcome.

After Ambassador Bunsen politely took his leave, I escorted Bismarck outside.

“Your Highness! I’m at a loss for words to express my gratitude for speaking so highly of me before the ambassador.”

The conversation I had with the ambassador, a key figure in the British Empire, will undoubtedly be reported to the King of Prussia.

“As I mentioned earlier, I believe Prussia will become a far more powerful nation in the future. Therefore, I naturally want to foster a strong relationship with Prussia.”

“I understand why Britain is a global leader every time I hear Your Highness’s words. If I rise to a prominent position in Prussia, I will never forget the experiences I’ve had here and will incorporate them into my policies.”

“Yes, yes. Now, is there anything else you’d like to see in London?”

“Now that you mention it, I heard about the hospitals and medical training institutions named after His Majesty and Your Highness.”

“I was planning to inspect them to ensure they’re operating effectively. Would you like to join me?”

By showcasing the advanced systems of the British Empire, the contrast with Russia, which still practices serfdom, will be even more striking.

If I continue to expose Bismarck, already impressed with London, to such experiences, it will inevitably influence his diplomatic outlook.

To ensure the most authentic experience, I instructed the institution’s staff not to announce my arrival and then took Bismarck to the medical school in a carriage.

Whether by chance or design, the news of our visit didn’t reach the principal, and only a few guards greeted us at the entrance.

“Welcome, Your Highness! We were instructed not to prepare a welcoming ceremony, as you wished to remain unannounced.”

“The students must be diligently studying; why disrupt their schedule with such formalities? Don’t worry about it. I’ll take a quiet look around and then depart.”

“Yes! Most of them are in class now, so it should be relatively quiet inside.”

I donned glasses and a hat to avoid recognition and strolled leisurely through the building.

This is a place where I invested generously, even enlisting Rothschild’s investment, so the university and hospital facilities are all state-of-the-art.

Bismarck’s constant exclamations and admiring glances further boosted my confidence.

“It’s truly remarkable, Your Highness, to establish an institution of this caliber for training medical professionals. It’s beyond anything I could imagine in Berlin.”

“If we aim to provide the best medical care not only to our citizens but also to our soldiers, the quality of our medical staff must be exceptional. Therefore, it must be of this standard. And it’s not just the excellent facilities; the quality of education the students receive is also…”

However, just as I was about to boast with a sense of superiority, a loud shout echoed from a classroom, causing Bismarck and me to turn our heads.

“You really don’t understand anything, Jon Snow! That’s not how it’s done!”

“······?”

What’s going on? Who is ruining my attempt to impress my guest?

Besides, Jon Snow is the person I appointed as the head of this school, so who dares to say that he doesn’t know anything?

I’m the only one who can say that to Jon Snow.

I immediately turned towards the source of the commotion.