I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 228

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The pre-modern Joseon [Korean kingdom from 1392 to 1897] belief held that self-reliance was paramount, regardless of the world’s turmoil.

Strictly speaking, this wasn’t entirely wrong.

Even amidst chaos, maintaining one’s own integrity allowed one to remain steadfast, like a deeply rooted tree weathering a storm.

The problem was that 19th-century Joseon could hardly claim to be functioning effectively, even metaphorically.

Still, Joseon, having inadvertently engaged in trade with the British Empire and even dispatched an envoy, was diverging from the path of other Asian countries, with the exception of Japan.

The exchange of news, which once took months, had recently been significantly expedited.

This was thanks to the marvel of the telegraph, which was becoming increasingly widespread.

While long-distance, intercontinental telegraphs were still in the future, the mere presence of telegraphs in various locations drastically reduced communication time.

The communication cycle, previously spanning at least three months, was now compressed to less than a month, a telling improvement.

Consequently, the Joseon court, swiftly receiving Kim Jwa-geun’s report, was thrown into utter turmoil.

“Declare war on Russia? Us?”

“Are they mad? Why are those British bastards asking us to fight Russia when they’re the ones at war with them…?”

“We have a mutual defense treaty, so they’re demanding compliance. Logically, they’re not wrong.”

“So, we’re going to war with Russia?”

“We have a precedent of sending a small number of troops north during past Najin Expeditions [military campaigns during the Joseon Dynasty], don’t we? Just consider it from that perspective…”

Unsurprisingly, the ministers were in an uproar, their opinions sharply divided between outright rejection and the necessity of compliance.

“But what on earth is Ambassador Kim Jwa-geun thinking? To accept such an absurd demand as is! He should have strongly argued that Joseon is in no position to wage war against Russia!”

“That’s right! Could it be that he’s harboring resentment for being sent all the way to that distant England and is deliberately doing a poor job?”

“Oh, come now! Ambassador Kim Jwa-geun is not that kind of person! Stop trying to frame him with unfounded accusations!”

“Then why on earth did he jump at such an absurd demand!”

Since the urgent report arrived via telegraph, Kim Jwa-geun’s detailed report was still en route, making its way around the Cape of Good Hope towards India.

The fact that England was demanding Joseon’s participation in the war and that the entire embassy concurred was all that was conveyed, so Joseon’s shock was understandable.

“We must hold Ambassador Kim Jwa-geun accountable!”

“Then should we recall him?”

“No… we can’t do that. We must make him ask the British to withdraw that ridiculous demand, even now.”

“But, according to the agreement we made, England’s demand is valid! Are we going to become a country that breaks its word?”

“Russia is a powerful force that even the Qing Dynasty [the last imperial dynasty of China] can’t handle. Are you saying it’s right for us to go to war with such a country!”

If things continued this way, they would remain at loggerheads indefinitely.

King Yi Hwan, observing the commotion, rubbed his temples in annoyance and raised his hand to silence everyone.

“Enough. I have heard your opinions sufficiently. Although we need additional reports for a more detailed understanding, my judgment is as follows: Regardless of England’s support, it is absurd for Joseon to wage war against Russia. However, if Russia is currently at war with England and France, wouldn’t their main forces be in Europe? I doubt that the Russian forces in the Maritime Province would pose a significant threat to Joseon. Does anyone have detailed knowledge about this?”

Upon hearing the question, the Minister of Rites, who had been advocating for participation in the war, stepped forward.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty’s words are correct! This is a detailed map of Europe and Asia brought from Shanghai. If you look at this, you can see at a glance how far the Russian forces are from the Maritime Province!”

Yi Hwan’s eyes lit up as he examined the world map.

He knew it was far, but even a cursory glance revealed an immense distance.

“Hmph… it’s several times farther than even the land of China, which I already considered vast.”

“Yes. If we look back at history, no powerful dynasty has ever effectively managed two-front wars on opposite sides of their territory. I believe Russia cannot be an exception to this rule.”

“That’s true. However, the forces currently stationed in the Maritime Province could still pose a threat to Joseon, so this is not a matter to be decided lightly. If we really have to engage in a full-scale war with Russia, we should find some excuse to avoid it. If not, wouldn’t it be better to comply with England’s demands? What are your opinions?”

“I believe it is a wise decision.”

“Russia is just another type of barbarian anyway. We have a perfect justification for subjugating barbarians.”

With the ministers agreeing to a compromise, Yi Hwan inwardly sighed in relief.

He didn’t know how this had happened, but he knew that events were unfolding rapidly.

What kind of fate was it that such major incidents kept erupting one after another since he ascended the throne?

More than ever, Yi Hwan felt the heavy weight of the crown pressing down on his shoulders as he blankly watched his officials depart.

* * *

“How do I look? Does anything seem off?”

“How could my husband look anything but perfect? You look the most handsome in the entire British Empire, so don’t worry.”

“If I look too handsome, people might not focus on what I’m saying and just stare at my face, which isn’t good.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Have a safe trip. And don’t forget that you promised to be with our children tonight.”

Victoria narrowed her eyes and personally brushed the dust off my uniform.

This was normally the duty of the royal staff, but I couldn’t refuse her request to personally dress her husband in his uniform on such a day.

Now, the twins, who were diligently studying and able to read clearly, brought medals with their small hands and placed them directly into my hand.

“Daddy, come back safe.”

“Come back unharmed!”

No, I’m not going to the battlefield right now.

But regardless, the sight of the young children seeing off their father in uniform with tearful faces was quite a scene.

Photographers were snapping pictures like crazy, and the reporters lined up in front were furiously writing their first drafts.

The Queen personally dressing her husband, the Prince Consort, in his uniform as he prepares to head to the battlefield.

And the young son and daughter seeing off their father.

Wouldn’t this be an amazing scene, permanently etched in the annals of history?

Without explicitly stating that the royal family is leading by example in matters of national importance, this photo would convey it all.

In fact, even the reporters, usually clamoring for news, were holding their breath and quietly awaiting my preparations.

Finally, as I stood to head to the square where the speech stage was prepared, the reporters in the front row began firing questions.

“Your Highness! This is the Times! Is there a specific reason why you expressed your intention to participate directly in this war?”

“There’s only one reason. Countless young men of the British Empire are risking their lives to go to war, and as a member of the royal family, I couldn’t simply sit back and enjoy a life of privilege. If I held no position, it would be different, but I am an admiral in the British Royal Navy, even if it’s an honorary title. I felt it was my duty to set an example.”

“Your Highness! This is the Morning Post! Some argue that this war is irrelevant to the British Empire, so why should we shed blood? Do you agree with the decisions of Parliament and the government?”

“It may seem irrelevant at first glance, but that is not the case. I believe this war is necessary for lasting peace and justice in Europe. When we participated in defeating Napoleon [French military leader and emperor], Napoleon did not directly invade the British Empire. However, we took preemptive action because we knew that if Napoleon conquered all of Europe, his guns would inevitably be pointed at us. This situation is no different. If Russia becomes the ruler of Europe, will they truly be amicable with the British Empire?”

After briefly answering the reporters’ questions, I rode in a carriage to the square with representatives of the ruling and opposition parties who were waiting outside.

Even though the war had already begun with the declaration of war, a war lacking the support and consent of the citizens would soon falter.

But this time, there was no need to worry about that.

The Prince Consort’s unexpected announcement of his participation had garnered an explosive response from the public.

[Royal Family in Action! From Prince Consort to Naval Admiral! Prince Consort Killian: “I will be with the soldiers of the British Empire until the day the war ends.”]

[The Queen’s Farewell Resonates Throughout the British Empire. In the Face of War, There Was No Boundary Between Royalty and Citizens]

The sight of a husband going to war and a wife waiting for him was a common one throughout the British Empire, and the citizens felt a strong sense of solidarity and generously cheered the royal family, who demonstrated their willingness to share their joys and sorrows.

And that cheer translated into support, leading to an explosive increase in military enlistments.

[Medical Staff of Victoria Hospital! Joining the Military as Military Doctors and Nurses! ‘We Will Use the Knowledge We Have Learned for the Country’]

Doctors led by John Snow [English physician and a leader in the adoption of anaesthesia and medical hygiene] and nurses led by Nightingale [Florence Nightingale, an English social reformer, statistician and the founder of modern nursing] all joined the war, giving the British Empire’s military an unprecedentedly solid foundation.

Even the heir to the Marquess of Salisbury [a British statesman of the Conservative Party who served as Prime Minister three times] applied to the military as soon as he heard the news that Nightingale was joining as a military nurse, creating a rare spectacle.

Under pressure, military enlistment among the upper echelons of society continued, fostering an unexpected atmosphere of unity across all segments of British society.

I hadn’t planned this far ahead, but so what?

If the result is positive, that’s all that matters.

And the first target of this British Empire, soaring like a drill piercing the sky, was the peninsula jutting out on the way to the Black Sea, Greece.

They could have remained neutral, but they suffered the consequences of meddling. It was their own fault, but as the commander of the military, now filled with the desire to crush everything in sight, I felt… a slight bit of sympathy.

* * *

In the midst of this bewildering chaos, Shogun Tokugawa Ieyoshi [the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan] made a decision.

“Declare war on Russia and issue a mobilization order to the daimyos [powerful Japanese feudal lords].”

Preemptively, before the daimyos’ power grows any stronger.

An event is needed to significantly enhance the shogun’s status and demonstrate that the Tokugawa family is the capable leader of Japan.

“Faster than Joseon. Procure the necessary supplies and make all preparations so that the British navy can receive supplies.”

“Yes! But Shogun, what if there are daimyos who refuse…?”

“Isn’t this a good opportunity to suppress them? It’s acceptable to use somewhat coercive methods, so we must seize this opportunity to firmly curtail their power. Especially Satsuma [a domain of Japan] and Choshu [another domain of Japan].”

“With the British navy present, they won’t dare to disobey the Shogun’s orders.”

A chaotic era begets a new chaotic era, and war sequentially scatters the seeds of a new war.

In Europe, the Russian alliance and the Anglo-French allied forces clash.

In America, the United States and Mexico are at odds.

In Asia, Russia and Joseon face each other.

Meanwhile, Japan begins its own internal conflict.