I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 225

Mexico was a tragic country from its inception.

Listing all of Mexico’s tragedies would be a thesis in itself, but the greatest tragedy is clear: its proximity to the United States of America.

Unlike Europe, America doesn’t experience the intricate web of alliances and breakups between numerous countries.

Ultimately, Mexico’s tragedy may have been predetermined from the moment it was born.

The United States, both historically and presently, has firmly believed in territorial expansion and securing hegemony over the American continent as its “Manifest Destiny” [the belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America].

They sincerely believed this expansion was a calling divinely ordained for the United States.

Some Americans believed black people were inherently meant to be slaves.

Others believed that black people were also human beings with human rights, but there was little disagreement on the idea of Manifest Destiny.

Occasionally, pacifists voiced their opposition, arguing that unjustified wars were unacceptable, but their opinions were a mere drop in the ocean.

Even congressmen from the North and South, who fiercely debated slavery, would unite and see eye-to-eye when the concept of Manifest Destiny arose.

And this phenomenon only intensified over time, never weakening.

“When a major war erupts in Europe, our priority should be to procure supplies and sell them.”

“Britain can easily obtain supplies from Canada. Wouldn’t it be difficult to sell to Britain at a high price?”

“We can sell to France, if not Britain.”

“First, let’s ascertain the extent of Canada’s supply contributions to Britain.”

“Isn’t it possible that the colony will simply hand over resources at a price below cost?”

“No. Canada is nominally a colony, but the governor-general is a duke. Moreover, Canada’s industrial cities are funded by British companies, and the resource-rich areas are mostly owned by the royal family. The government can’t simply seize them at will.”

Just the day before, northern congressmen were vehemently protesting the violation of black people’s human rights, while those championing the freedom of the South were amicably sharing their views.

In fact, President Zachary Taylor’s laissez-faire [policy of minimal government intervention] approach was the reason the conflict between the North and South had escalated to this point.

He, having fiercely competed with Lincoln, who had risen to prominence during the recent Mexican crisis, and secured the Whig Party’s presidential nomination, enjoyed unwavering support from the South.

The primary reason was that President Taylor himself was a Virginia landowner who utilized slaves extensively.

However, upon assuming office, Taylor made it clear that his slave policy would prioritize the freedom of each state to decide for itself.

Consequently, many in the South viewed Taylor as a traitor, while the North grew increasingly vocal in their criticism of the South’s perceived immorality.

If this situation had continued for even a few more years, irreversible consequences might have transpired.

Even a president, no matter how powerful, couldn’t be oblivious to this, and the congressmen who argued daily were equally aware of the danger.

It seems like a really big deal if things go on like this, but I can’t stop even if I want to.

“Immoral southern pigs! How long will you continue to exploit those poor black people and destroy their personalities! You must liberate them immediately!”

-Ah, if a civil war breaks out because of this, won’t I be remembered as the one who divided the United States for generations? Damn it, someone please do something!

“Guaranteeing the freedom of each state is a right enshrined in the proud Constitution of the United States! We firmly reject the insensible criticism from the North that seeks to infringe upon it!”

-Damn it, if a war really breaks out because of this, won’t I be remembered as a petty person who divided the United States because I couldn’t let go of the black people later? Someone please stop it!

At that moment, as they raised their voices, overwhelmed with anxiety that they would wet themselves below.

A ray of salvation descended from Europe like the gospel of the Messiah.

The North and South moved as if they were one body, even without exchanging words, and naturally shifted the topic to war.

It was a stopgap measure to mask the underlying problem rather than resolve it, but at least, they could avert a civil war.

The executive branch, not just the parliament, felt the same way.

President Taylor, already resolved to wage war with Mexico, secretly ordered the military units stationed on the border:

-Cross the border and provoke Mexico.

Mexico, completely unsuspecting of an attack given the ongoing war in Europe, was caught in the clutches of the United States.

“The evil Mexican army attacked the United States army! A terrible incident occurred in which 5 people died and more than 10 people were taken prisoner! Everyone! This is a challenge to our United States!”

“We must immediately declare war on Mexico and send out troops!”

“Wait a minute. Isn’t this too hasty, no matter how you look at it? Did Mexico really provoke the home country? Last time, we raised troops in a similar way and only gave Britain an excuse.”

“Ahem, Congressman Lincoln. You’re being frustrating. Isn’t it impossible for Britain to intervene in the current situation?”

No matter how powerful the British Empire is, it is physically impossible to fight a war with Russia and pay attention to the New World.

There was no room for conscience or morality to intervene in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

It’s not just about expanding territory.

“In order for the United States to expand into the Pacific, it must, absolutely must, take all of northern Mexico.”

“That’s right. Now is the last chance for the United States to open the way to the Pacific. If we miss this opportunity, we will have no choice but to become a new bird in a cage that can never go to the Pacific.”

Strictly speaking, even if all of northern Mexico is annexed, it does not directly lead to the Pacific; one must navigate around the Sea of Cortez to reach it.

But that alone is significant.

Since Canada has occupied the Baja California Peninsula, we can never be free from their influence no matter what, but if we can secure a passage to the Pacific, we must do it unconditionally.

In this almost frenzied atmosphere, Lincoln had no choice but to hold back and refrain from arguing against the war any further.

Since even the opinions of the parliament, which had been in conflict over everything, were unified, the president had no reason to hesitate any longer.

“Prepare the necessary procedures as I will declare war immediately with the consent of Congress. And the Secretary of State should express our intentions to Britain… no, to Canada first.”

“They won’t be happy about it.”

“This is the last chance God has given to the United States. Promise Canada and Britain that they will not interfere in our problems with Mexico, even if it means making some concessions.”

“If you mean a lot of concessions, to what extent…?”

“Let’s vow to acknowledge Canada’s occupied territory and not cause any border disputes in the long term. Whatever it takes, we must make the Sea of Cortez the sea of the United States. And if necessary, explore the possibility of supplying the materials needed for the war with Russia to Britain at a low price. If they are going to condemn Russia, tell them we will gladly join them.”

The Secretary of State nodded with a determined will at the President’s will to go to the Pacific at all costs.

Perhaps this moment is a historical turning point that will be responsible for the next 100 years of the United States.

“Your Excellency. Then it seems that the intention of the governor-general of Canada is important, so how about you write a handwritten letter…?”

“If it can be of any help, that would be good. But I still don’t understand this damn political rhetoric, so I don’t know how effective it will be.”

Taylor hesitated for a moment because he had caused controversy several times by saying too many straightforward things, but now is not the time to worry about that.

Why, isn’t there a saying that sincerity works?

Zachary Taylor began to write a letter full of his sincerity to Duke Killian of Canada, whom he had never met before.

* * *

Russia and France are having a fun pride fight.

Choose the person who did wrong among these.

The answer is Mexico, who was quietly sleeping at home.

To be honest, I had temporarily taken my attention off the Americas because the situation in Europe was so urgent.

But suddenly, a handwritten letter from the President of the United States flew in, so how embarrassed would I be?

At first, I had all sorts of thoughts.

What? This isn’t World War I, and the United States wouldn’t be involved in this war.

Or are they going to sell weapons or something?

This was a possibility that I was keeping open, but what is this?

The content far exceeded my imagination, and I doubted my eyes for a moment and looked at the content several times.

But still, nothing changed, and only my mind, which was spinning around, was dumbfounded.

[I really want to have it!]

It was a touching moment because it had been a long time since I had received such an honest, simple, and easy-to-understand letter.

“So… you’re saying Canada should stay still?”

“Yes. I promise in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit that no harm will come to Canada.”

“No, well… I understand the intention. To be exact, it’s so well written that I can’t help but understand it.”

“Hahaha… His Excellency is a bit straightforward. Anyway, if Your Highness agrees, the Secretary will be willing to cross the Atlantic Ocean and come here in person.”

The US ambassador chuckled and mumbled, but wouldn’t it be fair to say that this is so honest that it’s transparent?

President Zachary Taylor’s letter was simple.

-The United States desperately wants to get the gateway to the Sea of Cortez.

-The Republic of Texas has also agreed to join the United States.

-In fact, not many Mexicans live in northern Mexico, and the reality is that more United States citizens have expanded and pioneered villages.

-So our United States will annex this area.

-We desperately want to have an exit to the Pacific.

So, the request was very explicitly written that they would not ask Canada to help, but just ignore the American continent altogether.

No… wouldn’t it be problematic to write such explicit content in a letter under the name of the President of the United States?

Doesn’t he think about the repercussions when this is made public?

I couldn’t understand it with my common sense, but considering that the current president is from the military, I could still try to understand it somehow.

Well, I guess he’s that desperate.

“If the United States annexes northern Mexico, Canada and the United States will border each other there. Regardless of East or West, ancient or modern, we will form an unprecedentedly long border in the world, so you must be thinking about countermeasures for this, right?”

“Yes. His Excellency has said that he is willing to make a promise to permanently recognize Canada’s current territory.”

I was going to test the waters and refuse, but this is an offer that is difficult to refuse.

In fact, to be honest, I had long expected that Canada would border the United States in the California area.

This is because I thought that the United States, which is crazy about manifest destiny, would not give up the Pacific forever and rot like a new bird in a cage.

And now, even if the United States is rampant, the British Empire was in a state where it was difficult to suppress them.

If they leave Russia, their immediate enemy, and waste their power on the United States, domestic public opinion would never allow it.

Moreover, if the United States really goes crazy and runs wild, Canada, which is just developing, could never suppress them.

It takes at least decades more, no matter how fast it is.

So, if Mexico takes the brunt of the United States’ tyranny instead of Canada, I have nothing more to ask for.

The problem is that the United States gets its hands on an exit to the Pacific, even if it’s just a tiny bit…

Realistically, if the British Empire can block the United States from ever going to the Pacific, it doesn’t seem like that’s the case, so I think I’ll have to accept this part.

Moreover, from a long-term perspective, Canada bordering the United States had one clear advantage.

The point is that by bordering Mexico, all the problems of illegal immigration and residents that would be experienced by bordering Mexico can be passed on to the United States.

The United States is offering to take all this sewage on their own, so we should welcome this with open arms.

“Hmm… it’s a difficult issue to decide on my own, but I understand your country’s proposal. Well, in fact, if what Mexico and the United States do has no impact on the home country at all, there is no justification for intervening. Mexico is not our ally either.”

“Yes, yes. That’s right.”

“But here it says that you can sell the necessary military supplies at a reasonable price, but it doesn’t matter if Canada buys them instead of the home country, right?”

“…?”

What are you looking at so intently?

Isn’t Canada the British Empire?

I had almost forgotten for a moment, but when a war breaks out in Europe, it is always the American continent that benefits.

And Canada is also a country on the American continent.

I almost forgot a very basic fact, but thanks to that, I was able to come up with a pretty good idea.