I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 221

In the past, the Ottoman Turks instilled fear throughout Europe, wielding a power that wasn’t an exaggeration to call them the emperors of Europe.

They had perfect regional control and a systematized bureaucracy capable of mobilizing over 100,000 troops at once.

A vast territory encompassing Anatolia and Greece.

And courageous soldiers who were unafraid of death and clung to their enemies until the very end.

Before Russia’s rise in modern times, the common enemy of European nations was undoubtedly the Ottomans.

Not only European nations but even Islamic countries, excluding the Ottomans, united to check their power. That’s how much influence they wielded.

However, the rise and fall of empires is inevitable, and by the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire had long lost its former glory.

They had fiercely fought with Russia, their long-time rival, exchanging blows, but at some point, they became mere punching bags.

They lost the war over the Crimean Khanate, the war over Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Khanate, and the war waged to check Russia during the Napoleonic Wars.

With the defeat in the Greek War of Independence, everyone knew that the Ottoman Empire had become Russia’s personal punching bag.

The emperor of Europe, whom Russia once watched carefully, whom Western Europe courted, and whom Eastern Europe feared, had already been reduced to the “sick man of Europe” [a term used to describe a European country experiencing a period of economic difficulty or impoverishment].

To the great powers of Europe, the Ottoman Empire was nothing more than a breakwater to check Russia’s expansion and an easy target to exploit.

The same was true for France.

Especially for the Louis-Philippe regime, which had barely overcome the turmoil of the revolution and was just entering a period of stabilization, it was necessary to expand its support base.

Obtaining jurisdiction over Jerusalem would naturally garner the full support of Catholics.

It was an urgent matter, but thanks to the recently connected telegraph, sending this news to France was no problem.

And in just one day, the Count received a reply from the Prime Minister.

-Check if the British Empire has signed a formal treaty, and if not, France should secure jurisdiction over the Holy Land first.

To receive a reply in just one day, even though it’s just across the English Channel…

Is this the power of technology?

Although it was installed with the capital and technology of the British Empire, this fact made Count de Beaupoil feel even better.

After all, whether you seize or lose rights depends on who uses technology and how.

With the permission of his home country, the Count immediately held a meeting with the Ottoman ambassador and began full-scale negotiations.

“Jerusalem is like a spiritual home to Catholics. And France is the protector of Catholics, recognized by the Pope. The British Empire is also devoutly Christian, but it is ultimately an Anglican Church that broke away from Catholicism. We believe we can manage Jerusalem more sincerely.”

“That’s true, but… Mr. Gladstone is pushing this matter quite strongly, so we are a little worried.”

“Has there already been talk of signing a formal treaty with the British Empire?”

“Not yet. However, Mr. Gladstone said that he would sign a treaty as soon as the Foreign Office coordinates. He said it probably wouldn’t take a week…”

That means the draft of the agreement hasn’t even been properly prepared yet.

Then there’s no reason to hesitate.

International diplomacy isn’t much different from business in the grand scheme of things.

It wasn’t a big deal to say that they were looking for a partner and decided to go with the other side because they offered better conditions.

Of course, it’s problematic to sign a contract with one party and then switch to another, but that’s not the case now.

“Ambassador, France can sign within three days.”

“Really…?”

“Of course. And in fact, Mr. Gladstone only said he would push it forward, but that’s not the official policy of the current government. On the other hand, we have already received approval from the Prime Minister. That means we can discuss the detailed conditions right now. How about it? Of course, we will guarantee all the conditions guaranteed by the British Empire.”

“The British Empire has promised to ensure that the Ottoman Empire is not exposed to external threats while administering the Holy Land.”

In short, it was a story of signing a mutual defense treaty, which was obvious in a way.

Is it plausible to ignore the fact that the Ottomans are being attacked and enjoy peace in Jerusalem, making merry among themselves?

From the beginning, the Ottomans would not give up Jerusalem, which is also a holy land of Islam, unless they offered such conditions.

And the reason why other countries cannot easily accept this offer is, of course, because of Russia.

However, Count de Beaupoil was guessing that Russia would never attack the Ottoman Empire, seeing that the British Empire had readily offered such conditions.

If this was just his own judgment, it would be one thing, but seeing that the order to proceed was constantly being issued from France, it was clear that the French government had made the same judgment.

“As I said before, France will offer the same conditions as the British Empire. We will ensure that the Ottomans do not suffer from foreign invasion while administering the Holy Land. However, this does not apply when the Ottomans invade other countries. Of course, the British Empire would have set the same conditions, right?”

“Of course. From the beginning, our empire, which loves peace, has no intention of subjugating other countries by force.”

It was a statement that the countries annexed under the Ottomans would laugh at, but France was not in a position to say anything, so they decided to remain silent.

“Good. Then let’s proceed with the agreement with a proper treaty as soon as possible.”

“If the British Empire tries to put pressure on the Ottoman Empire using this as an excuse, France must stop it. We are trusting your country and rushing the agreement.”

“Of course. Don’t worry. Then I enjoyed the tea. I have to get ready right away, so I’ll take my leave now.”

*Thud.*

Count de Beaupoil, who gently put down the teacup, got up from his seat and turned around.

He did it. The negotiations that the British were trying to proceed with were neatly snatched away, so they must be upset and angry, right?

Now, all that’s left is to spread the word throughout Europe that the alliance between France, the British Empire, and Austria is solid so that Russia can’t do anything rash.

It looks like a high-risk, high-return deal on the surface, but in reality, the Count’s feet felt light as if he was flying, having completed a miraculous deal that was no different from a no-risk one.

* * *

“Hehehehehe.”

“Keuheuheuh.”

With a clinking sound, two glasses emitted a clear and beautiful resonance.

It’s always a pleasant sound. I’m talking about the sound of glasses clinking, not laughter.

“As expected, the best talent produced by Eton College [a prestigious boarding school for boys in England], Eton’s pride. It’s Senior Gladstone.”

“Hahaha, isn’t Your Highness the greatest pride of Eton? If not, it would be the Duke of Wellington. I have a conscience.”

“Then let’s change the words and say the best politician Eton has ever produced. The Duke of Wellington is more of a great soldier than a politician. I’m a member of the royal family now, rather than a politician.”

“Even if you look at it as a politician, Prime Minister Wellesley seems to be a step above me.”

You’re thoroughly self-aware. Of course, if you only look at the perception of the world, Gladstone can’t match Wellesley.

However, if you look at the objective stats with Killian’s scout, there are almost no people in the current political scene who can compare to Gladstone.

If I had to pick one, it would be Disraeli.

Of course, Wellesley with me on top is an exception. That’s like a cheat.

“Whatever the case, thanks to the realistic acting of the Congressman, France immediately took the bait. To be honest, I didn’t expect it to succeed in one go.”

“I was lucky. If Count de Beaupoil wasn’t so greedy, I would have had to use the next plan, but it seems like he wanted to make a contribution.”

“From France’s point of view, they want to be tied to the British Empire at all costs. Considering their high self-esteem, it can be seen as a natural outcome.”

“Ha, what do you mean by the same level? They were tied up like that for a very short time during the Napoleonic era, but objectively, have they ever been at a similar level to us?”

They are forming a stronger alliance than ever before, but the relationship that has been built up so far does not change overnight.

From the beginning, even in the 21st century, England and France often had pride fights, so how much more would it be in this era?

Even Gladstone, who is usually gentle, couldn’t stand the fact that France was trying to climb to the same level as the British Empire, and clicked his tongue and added a word.

“It reminds me even more of Harrow School [another prestigious boarding school in England] trying to be treated the same as Eton, which makes me think it’s even more pathetic. Don’t you think so, Your Highness?”

“Well… now that I hear it, it’s true. Whether it’s Harrow or France, they can just settle for the position of second-in-command, but they’re trying to get involved with the first-in-command.”

“Lord Palmerston seems to get along well with France in that respect. Should I recommend Lord Palmerston as the next ambassador to France to the Prime Minister? I have a feeling they will get along well with France.”

Is he still holding on to the argument from last time in his heart?

Of course, I was dumbfounded, but… no. Now that I hear it, Palmerston seems to get along well with France, so shouldn’t I seriously consider it?

“Ah, by the way, Your Highness. Is Ambassador Jaegeon Kim’s Eton tour going well? He’s from Your Highness’s hometown, so I can’t help but pay a little more attention to him.”

“The schedule has been set for this weekend. Eton is also honored and said they will prepare to welcome the guest.”

“Ambassador Jaegeon Kim is lucky. The first European school he sees is the best school in the world. If he opens his eyes and gains great enlightenment with this opportunity, Joseon [an old Korean kingdom] will be able to develop relatively quickly among Asian countries, right?”

“Hmm, well. I don’t know about that.”

What to do with Joseon depends entirely on how Joseon develops, so I haven’t come to a conclusion yet.

There will never be an ending where it becomes a colony of Japan, but should I say that all possibilities except that are open?

In that sense, Kim Jwageun’s responsibility is certainly heavy.

“Anyway, the most important thing right now is France, not Joseon. I hope they continue to flutter without overestimating themselves.”

That’s not that difficult.

After parting ways with Gladstone, I summoned Count de Beaupoil, who was happy to have given the British Empire a blow after a long time, to the palace.

“…I heard that France has signed an agreement with the Ottoman side.”

“The rumors travel fast. It’s already reached Your Highness’s ears.”

“Mr. Gladstone was very upset. It was a plan that the opposition party was ambitiously promoting, but the French side was one step faster.”

“Heh… that’s right. The Liberal Party was thinking the same thing as us. I didn’t intend to, but I feel sorry for no reason.”

He was stroking the teacup with a look of feigned regret, but he couldn’t hide the sense of victory revealed in his eyes.

No, is he not even trying to hide it?

I’m just playing along, and he’s so happy.

“Listening to the story, I also felt a little sorry. If this agreement had gone well, the prestige of the British Empire would have greatly increased in Christian society…”

“Don’t worry too much. Aren’t the British Empire and France a solid alliance? We will make sure that the Christians of the British Empire have no inconvenience in using Jerusalem.”

“I see, I didn’t know that the French side would move so quickly, but when it comes to matters related to Christianity, it seems difficult to keep up with France. I should say that it is worthy of being called the protector of Catholics.”

“Even if science and technology are developing, the root of the human spirit comes from religion. We are just not forgetting that essence. Hahaha.”

I revealed my feelings of regret without hiding them, and the Count did not stop his victory teabagging and continued to laugh happily.

Damn it, *kkusoooo* [a Korean expression of frustration]! I’m so upset!

I praised France all day long and escorted the Count back in a good mood, and exactly a week later.

Oh my? What should I do?

Breaking news that Russia forcibly annexed the principalities in the Danube River region hit all of Europe.