I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 275

< What Happened at the Expo (5) >

“Haha… ha. It’s quite a pleasure to see such familiar faces again.”

“You can say that again. We were also surprised. We came to see how much our hometown had developed, but we never expected to see the Ambassador here.”

They say enemies meet on a narrow bridge, and it seems that old saying holds true. Who would have thought that these three would meet again in one place.

For Bismarck, this must have been a dark chapter of his past, one he’d rather forget. Yet, surprisingly, he calmly and gentlemanly offered a handshake.

Well, with countless eyes of his subordinates watching him from behind, he couldn’t possibly afford to appear undignified.

On the other hand, Marx and Engels, who had jokingly exaggerated their youthful exploits in their autobiographies, seemed relatively relaxed, as they had nothing to be ashamed of… yet.

“There are more people than I thought. It seems the Ambassador has prepared very diligently. It may not be as impressive as France, but I didn’t expect Prussia to be so successful.”

“As an ambassador representing my country, it is my duty to do my best to enhance the nation’s prestige. Still, as you said, I aimed to surpass France, but it seems we’ll be narrowly defeated, which is a bit disappointing.”

“Hmm… it seems like it would have been more eye-catching if there were a few more distinctive features. It’s a shame.”

“That’s easy to say, but do you know how difficult it is to achieve that in reality? It’s not as simple as you think. People who only observe from the sidelines will never understand.”

Bismarck was already sensitive about being outshone by France, and Marx’s tactless remarks seemed to have struck a nerve.

Bismarck nearly retorted that anyone could be an armchair critic and that he didn’t need unsolicited advice, which made Marx’s eyes narrow.

“No, I still have a brilliant idea. It would definitely grab people’s attention.”

“Oh yeah? Then let’s hear it. What should we have done?”

“Create a duel arena befitting the image of a powerful Prussia and stage duels for the public. Like a duel between me, Engels, and the Ambassador… something like that?”

*These guys are definitely incompatible.*

Without any prompting, their competitive instincts flared, and they subtly began to size each other up.

“Haha. Hahahaha. You gentlemen are quite the comedians. Well, I suppose you could. But to truly showcase the strong German spirit, shouldn’t it be a one-on-one battle? It’s hardly fair to have two people ganging up, using a supposed weight difference as an excuse. People usually consider that cowardly.”

“There are also those who initially believe they can win, so they agree to a two-on-one fight, but then they lose and cry foul, calling it cowardly. People usually describe that as pathetic.”

They were trading barbs, each trying to one-up the other with accusations.

“Aren’t you both originally from Prussia? Shouldn’t you want Prussia to succeed? Or have you lived in Great Britain for so long that you now consider yourselves British citizens?”

“Of course, we want Prussia to excel. That’s precisely why we’re pointing out its shortcomings. A person confident in their abilities wouldn’t overreact to constructive criticism, would they?”

“Overreact? When did I overreact!”

“Aren’t you overreacting right now?”

“Haa… I had hoped you might have matured somewhat, but you haven’t changed from the old days. Idealists who spout theories without understanding reality. It was a mistake to mistake you for strong German men and offer you friendship last time. If you’re as petty as you are, you’ll undoubtedly twist and distort the truth about me at every opportunity!”

“Who would ever do such a thing?”

Marx and Engels feigned disbelief, but I immediately understood Bismarck’s strategy.

The two might be oblivious, but I knew that Bismarck had concealed the fact that he had been beaten up by Marx and Engels from everyone around him.

I had been wondering why he was suddenly becoming so agitated, but was this his intention all along?

By portraying Marx and Engels as harboring a grudge against him, he could preemptively discredit any future conflicting accounts, framing them as slanderous fabrications fueled by personal animosity.

*Marx and Engels hate Bismarck, so they’re trying to tarnish his reputation with false stories.*

*Isn’t he setting the stage for that kind of defense?*

If Marx were merely a loudmouth, I could dismiss him, but I had already informed Bismarck that Marx would become a globally renowned scholar.

Therefore, he might be trying to prevent the humiliating past of being defeated by such a figure from becoming widely known in the future.

It’s just a hypothesis, but if it’s true, he’s truly meticulous.

But I know the whole truth, and I’m standing right here. Wouldn’t it all be over if I revealed it?

Could it be that he believes someone in my position wouldn’t bother with such trivial matters… I suppose that’s possible. However, I have no intention of fulfilling his expectations.

“Hmph… I shouldn’t have engaged in conversation with proponents of communism in the first place.”

“Oh my, it’s said that people change when they get promoted. It’s astonishing how your demeanor shifts as soon as you become an ambassador.”

“It’s not that my demeanor has changed, but that your rudeness has crossed the line! Is that how one addresses an ambassador of a country!”

“We reside in Great Britain now, so are we obligated to prostrate ourselves before the Prussian ambassador? Are you living in the Middle Ages?”

They moved to a secluded spot, out of sight of the other consuls, and the three men’s voices grew increasingly louder, until eventually…

“Ah! Then let’s settle this with another fight! Or are you only confident when you’re ganging up like last time?”

“Ambassador, time has passed. I am now a university lecturer, my published work on capitalism this year has been very well received. And you are the ambassador of Prussia. Does it make sense for us to fight here? Besides, if I were to bloody your nose and knock you down as before, I might not be able to manage the fallout. I can’t take that risk.”

*Nope, I’m not going to fight you~ You’re too weak~*

Marx and Engels departed, leaving Bismarck seething with frustration.

“Your Highness! Did you hear the arrogant things those men were saying!”

“Why did you have to confront them like that? It’s as if you were trying to provoke an argument.”

“…Pr-provoke? Hahaha. Why would I do that?”

I probed him just to be sure, and my suspicion was confirmed.

“’A rising scholar who has newly defined the word capitalism has an argument with the Prussian ambassador.’ Even if it’s somewhat unremarkable, it seems like enough material for a few lines in a newspaper article.”

“Well, personal disagreements are common. And the public won’t be particularly interested in just an ambassador, let alone a prime minister.”

“You’re so meticulous. Oh, by the way, didn’t you have something to say about Austria that was interrupted by Marx and Engels earlier?”

“Ah… that’s right. Due to an unexpected interruption.”

Bismarck took a deep breath and continued, his voice becoming so serious that it was hard to believe he was the same person who had been engaged in such a childish argument moments before.

“Does Your Highness believe that the German Confederation led by Austria will continue to exist?”

“This is an unexpectedly weighty question. You are well aware that anything I, the Imperial Envoy of Great Britain, say will inevitably be interpreted with great significance. The real purpose of asking that question is to ascertain whether Great Britain intends to interfere in the affairs of the German Confederation, correct?”

“You know everything, as expected. What’s the point of concealing it?”

“Austria and Prussia are both allies, so we have no choice but to mediate if a dispute arises. Unless the dispute arises due to the serious fault of one side.”

It was a diplomatic answer, but Bismarck nodded as if it sufficed.

I phrased it that way, but I couldn’t help but feel conflicted.

Prussia, which has been wielding influence since Bismarck’s youth, may be different from the original timeline, but Prussia is still Prussia.

Unless a revolution erupts, the dynasty will remain, and Wilhelm II will inevitably ascend to power as part of the historical flow.

There’s a strong possibility that he’s a different person with the same name, but it’s also said that a person’s personality is greatly shaped by their early environment.

Unless I intervene and significantly mold him, there’s no guarantee that Germany won’t descend into madness as it did in the original timeline, whether in the distant or near future.

Even if I undermine Austria and issue a secret directive to ensure that a mustachioed man becomes an artist and gains admission to art school, I can’t be completely certain.

From that perspective, it might be better to create a world where Austria doesn’t lag behind Prussia… but the question is whether that’s even possible.

Great Britain’s direct intervention lacks justification and might only provide an opportunity for the German Confederation to unite.

In that case, shouldn’t a European hero step in to defuse the situation?

*France, it seems like the time is approaching for you to play your part again.*

* * *

The fateful day was rapidly approaching.

As Bismarck mentioned, France secretly contacted Kim Jwa-geun and inquired, in a roundabout way, about Joseon’s [Korea’s historical name] intentions toward Great Britain.

Furthermore, they requested an explanation of Joseon’s decision to treat the Queen of Great Britain as an Empress. It seems they are genuinely becoming anxious.

Perhaps it’s due to Vietnam, where they are currently investing significant effort?

But I’m not foolish enough to be blinded by greed and covet Vietnam as well.

Even though Great Britain is currently the most powerful nation in the world, that doesn’t mean it can simply invade territories occupied by other countries and expel them.

A few pointless wars can swiftly erode a country’s power.

Great Britain only engages in war when absolutely necessary.

I have no intention of participating in any other conflicts.

But is the 19th century an era where I can simply declare my disinterest in war and expect everyone to accept it and move on?

Judging by the current state of affairs, the seeds of war are already sprouting across the globe.

Let’s address them one by one.

America and Spain. War is inevitable in this region. And it would benefit my Canada if it were to occur.

Next, Prussia and Austria within the German Confederation. Based on Bismarck’s reaction, war is an unavoidable fate in this area as well.

If I can somehow influence France and steer them toward a balance of power, I might be able to maintain equilibrium without direct intervention.

And above all, I have a mountain of tasks to accomplish in the future, so I can’t afford to focus on Europe for the time being. Therefore, I only have one option.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes, Ambassador.”

Kim Jwa-geun’s face, as he entered the palace at my summons, was etched with a palpable sense of tension.

That expression that vaguely anticipates the reason for my summons. As expected, after residing in England for several years, his understanding of political currents has significantly improved.

“I understand that France has contacted you, Ambassador.”

“Yes, I was planning to inform you regardless.”

“Is that so? France must have a woefully inadequate understanding of Asia, so it must have been a rather tiresome experience.”

“…To be honest, it was somewhat like that. But I explained it as clearly as possible, and the French minister seemed to grasp the general idea in the end.”

*No, they simply accepted it according to their own preconceived notions.*

If they could comprehend everything after just a brief explanation, European countries wouldn’t have such a long history of blunders in Asia.

“…Yes, you did well. I’ll handle the rest with France, so you don’t need to concern yourself further, Ambassador.”

“Yes. And that… the matter I mentioned previously…”

“Are you aware? The power of the group calling themselves the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom [a large-scale revolt against the Qing dynasty in China] in Qing [China] is growing daily. Qing is barely holding on, unable to effectively suppress them.”

“I’ve heard reports, but…”

Instead of elaborating, I presented him with the draft of the document that I had requested Wellesley to prepare.

“The leader of the rebellion is brazenly using my name, the Imperial Envoy of Great Britain, so I can’t simply ignore it, can I? I will send an official letter of cooperation to the Qing imperial family, demanding the immediate arrest and extradition of that imposter.”

“Qing will likely lack the capacity to do so… so Your Highness will have to personally apprehend him. That seed that we need to cultivate in Qing is right there.”

“I have no desire to return to Asia, but I have no choice. A husband must make some effort to place the crown of an emperor upon his beloved wife.”

Kim Jwa-geun, understanding the implications of my words, erased the smile from his face and slowly produced a letter.

“This is an urgent report that arrived from Joseon to Shanghai just yesterday, from Shanghai to India, and from India to London. As I mentioned previously, in reality… His Majesty the King’s health has severely deteriorated, making it difficult for him to continue managing state affairs. If Your Highness provides a definitive answer, I will mobilize all the resources of my family to influence the Bibyeonsa [a Joseon dynasty council].”

Now that the stage has been set to this extent, there’s no alternative but to proceed.

“I understand. Do as you wish.”

The time to depart from London is approaching once more.

I won’t merely stop by the port as I did last time, but I’ll actually be entering the palace.

A return after 20 years. To a hometown I don’t particularly yearn for.