I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 294

< Farewell to the Old Order (2) >

While Killian was traversing Asia as if it were his own backyard,

unlike other countries such as Russia, France, or Prussia, the political circles of the British Empire maintained their stability.

The Conservative Party, the dominant ruling party, was so prominent that the Liberal Party was expected to be weak. However, Gladstone’s tearful struggles managed to barely maintain their number of seats.

However, even the Conservative Party, with its overwhelming majority, could not afford to be completely relaxed.

Despite achieving a great victory in the war and gaining considerable benefits, the number of seats did not increase significantly.

Having secured an overwhelming majority, it was possible that they had already gained all the votes they could.

Regardless of whether the Conservative Party performed well or not, there would always be some floating voters who would vote for the Liberal Party.

However, after conducting some investigations, it turned out that this was not entirely the case.

Gladstone’s desperate efforts.

– It was not the Conservative Party that did well, but State Preceptor Killian.

This subtle praise had a certain effect, according to ongoing analysis.

From the outset, the Liberal Party did not aim to win a majority of seats in this general election.

How could they possibly take over the ruling party’s position after completely crushing Russia and successfully creating an international order led by the British Empire?

Those who make such absurd claims are not qualified to be in politics.

Gladstone’s only goal.

Was to protect as many of the seats they currently held as possible. However, excessively promoting themselves or belittling the opponent would be counterproductive.

Therefore, Gladstone continued to praise the royal family, saying, ‘Why is the parliament trying to take credit for the successful war led by State Preceptor Killian? Have you no conscience?’

This strategy of making voters see the royal family and the ruling party as separate entities achieved some initial success.

So, is the ruling party doing nothing to counter this? Of course not.

‘Prime Minister, I have conducted the public opinion poll you requested. Here is the summary, and if you want detailed data, you can refer to the full report attached at the end.’

‘Hmm… Our party’s approval rating is 67%? On the other hand, the royal family’s approval rating is 97%, a significant difference.’

‘It can’t be helped. Unlike political parties that have to engage in realistic politics, the royal family can only be exposed to positive images.’

‘Indeed, I’d even like to hear the thoughts of the 3% who said they don’t support them.’

After all, approval ratings change from time to time, and the margin of error is too large to be very reliable.

Rather than that, it was a bit concerning that the effort to instill the perception that the current ruling party and the royal family were moving as one was not progressing well.

‘Gladstone is truly skilled at making people’s heads ache.’

‘Indeed. I think he has a natural talent for grabbing onto other people’s ankles and not letting go.’

‘That’s the same as giving a politician the highest praise, saying they are really good at politics, so never say that in front of Gladstone.’

How many opportunities have we missed to completely eliminate the Liberal Party?

If Gladstone hadn’t left the Conservative Party, we could have truly crushed the Liberal Party, but it’s a shame, though unavoidable since he and Disraeli could never get along.

‘Still, the new cabinet has been formed and tax revenues are stable, so we can start this term smoothly. Should I consider this a matter of course or a stroke of luck?’

‘Now that His Highness is not in his position, if you, Prime Minister, could finish all the work that His Highness left unfinished, the citizens would feel the close relationship between the Conservative Party and the royal family more deeply, wouldn’t they?’

‘We must. But first, explaining the justification for additional budget expenditures in the parliament is the top priority.’

No matter how great the British Empire may be, or rather, because it is the British Empire, raising an army requires an enormous budget.

How much money is spent just operating the navy?

Adding the costs of post-war processing and subsequent stabilization efforts, the amount of money spent is staggering.

It was fortunate that the previous war with Russia was a great victory; if it had ended with a moderate level of victory, we wouldn’t have recovered even half of the expenses.

In that case, we would have been criticized even after winning the war.

Therefore, as the Prime Minister responsible for the nation’s coffers, Wellesley hoped that there would be no need to mobilize the military as much as possible.

However, politics is not a life where you can only do what you want.

Just as the Prime Minister was reorganizing the new cabinet and starting a new term, the royal family sent him a thick bundle of documents.

‘What is this?’

‘It is a proposal from the royal family regarding the future prospects of Asia and the appropriate actions that our British Empire should take.’

‘…I was wondering why there wasn’t one, but as expected. Let’s see… Analysis by the Royal Committee?’

Royal Committee, what Royal Committee?

Since when has the committee been doing this kind of analysis and submitting reports?

It’s just a fancy name; I can guess who came up with this report without even hearing it.

‘He really hates having his name left behind. He’s so thorough.’

He orchestrates all sorts of secret maneuvers behind the scenes, but official records always bear someone else’s name.

This time, if we handle things according to this report, Wellesley’s name will be recorded in history instead of Killian’s.

‘These things usually pass on matters that could be controversial in later generations, but what are they trying to make me do this time…’

Still, since they didn’t pass on anything politically detrimental, I don’t have any particular complaints.

Bluntly accepting the bundle of documents, Wellesley opened the document stamped with the royal seal and carefully read the letters written on the paper.

‘Qing Dynasty… I was expecting this, and Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom]? They’re doing that too… They said they would do it that way, so there shouldn’t be any problems… Hmm? What is this?’

I wondered if I had seen it wrong, so I rubbed my eyes and looked again, but the content written on the paper didn’t change.

I wondered why they needed to form a fleet just to push away those Taiping Heavenly Kingdom guys, but it seems they said there might be a situation where they could use the navy because of this.

‘Prime Minister, what should we do?’

‘What do you mean, what should we do? Tell them to do as they wish.’

This will also be linked to the national interest of the British Empire, and Prime Minister Wellesley’s contribution will be recognized, so there is no objection.

However, I just wonder how this man knows all this and prepares in advance.

‘Does he really have the blood of a shaman who can foresee the future?’

With that absurd thought that I should ask him seriously someday,

Wellesley added the Prime Minister’s signature to Killian’s report, which was submitted under the name of the Royal Committee.

* * *

After much effort, Kim Eung-geun, who succeeded in inviting Kirian and Lee Ha-eung, prepared a grand banquet, mobilizing everything he could.

It was unexpected that they were invited all together in one place instead of meeting separately, but it was even better.

Since I was trying to get on good terms with both sides anyway, if I could handle it all at once, I wouldn’t have to repeat the same work.

It would have been better if I could have known detailed information about Kirian in advance, but it’s a shame that I couldn’t.

Kim Jwa-geun sent me some data, but it was only superficial information, and there was no real detailed information.

I wondered if that man was deliberately not giving me detailed information in order to monopolize it, but that would be an excessive speculation.

Even if he’s influential, aren’t we all members of the same Andong Kim clan [a powerful Korean clan]?

It’s just that Kim Jwa-geun was less capable compared to when he was running wild.

‘It is an honor to meet the great man who has risen to the pinnacle of that great empire for the first time in Joseon’s history.’

‘I am the one who is grateful for being invited like this. I have heard a lot about the Andong Kim clan even in London, and I wanted to meet them at least once.’

‘Is that so? In fact, we have been requesting His Highness to meet us since the first day he arrived. But we kept getting the answer that he would make time separately later, so we were worried that His Highness might be reluctant to meet us, but it was unfounded.’

‘If you contact others rashly ahead of sensitive situations, it can cause unnecessary misunderstandings, so I restrained myself. In fact, I have never met with His Highness the Crown Prince here. Isn’t that right?’

‘Yes. In fact, I thought you might meet me at least once, but except for when I saw you with other candidates, you have never met me personally.’

Lee Ha-eung quickly nodded in agreement, and I felt relieved.

At the same time, the resentment towards Kim Jwa-geun disappeared like snow melting.

I knew I could trust my sixth cousin!

He had already done all the preliminary work in London, but I was having unnecessary doubts without even knowing that.

‘Your Highness, for your information, Ambassador Kim Jwa-geun in London and I are very close relatives. He is also a close younger brother to me personally, and I am worried that his health might be deteriorating while living in a foreign land. I hope he is doing well?’

‘He is adapting well. I have heard many times that he has a reliable sixth cousin in Joseon.’

If he even said that, it would be much easier to bring up the topic.

Even if he was born in Joseon, how well would a person who left this land as a child and returned after decades know?

Even a mongrel dog has an advantage in its own front yard, so Kirian will also need a reliable partner.

With the determination to get on good terms with him, Kim Eung-geun’s eyes burned fiercely.

* * *

‘Our Joseon’s politics operates through mutual checks and cooperation. The Bibeonsa [a high-level government council in Joseon] and the ministers of the Six Ministries lead the overall direction of state affairs, and our family occupies the largest number of people here.’

‘I see. So, can we say that the Andong Kim clan is the ruling party in the British Empire?’

‘…The ruling party? Yes, well, maybe. And we actively sympathize with Your Highness’s ideal of making Joseon a more prosperous country. Of course, we promise to provide unwavering support when His Highness the Crown Prince ascends to the throne.’

They’re being so blatant that it’s almost honest, which isn’t bad.

By the way, judging by the way they’re talking, it doesn’t seem like they know much about me or the British Empire?

Is it possible that information sharing is not actively happening even among the Andong Kim clan?

Kim Jwa-geun is a scary person.

It seems that even the truth that blood is thicker than water cannot exert its power in the face of power.

What is the reason why Kim Jwa-geun, who is meeting British Empire officials and fostering enlightenment factions in London, is not sharing information with Kim Eung-geun?

It means that he has no intention of sharing it with the family when he returns to Joseon and seizes power.

I don’t need to consider Kim Jwa-geun anymore, so things have become easier than expected, but I feel a little sorry for Kim Eung-geun.

Power is cold after all.

‘What the British Empire wants is just one thing: to check Russia and Qing [the last imperial dynasty of China] with Joseon. And what I want is for Joseon to become strong enough to fulfill that role.’

‘Your Highness is truly a person sent by heaven for Joseon. Our family will also do our best for Your Highness’s great cause.’

‘It’s good that we understand each other so well. If Joseon becomes strong enough to suppress Russia on its own even if it becomes strong again, wouldn’t it be able to take Manchuria or anywhere else? His Highness the Crown Prince here has also decided to join us, so it would be good if you help him well in the future. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?’

‘Yes? Ah, yes. I would be grateful if the Andong Kim clan members would help me.’

‘That’s what he says.’

Try to take care of that gaping mouth.

It’s hard to pretend not to notice, you idiot.

I knew he wasn’t just someone who was maintaining his position with the help of his family, but I maintained the most indifferent expression possible and sipped my drink.

‘But in order to make Joseon as strong as Russia, it is inevitable to go through the process of modernization, but I don’t know if that will work out well. The reason why I came to Joseon myself was to find partners to do that role together.’

‘Your Highness, you don’t have to worry about anything. If we help Your Highness, the intentions of the royal court and the Bibeonsa will all be the same, so we can pass any policy.’

‘Is that so? When I saw the debate the other day, it seemed that the local Confucian scholars were still negative about accepting Western culture.’

‘Don’t worry. They’re just people who talk with their mouths.’

‘It sounds trustworthy just by listening to them, but in fact, anyone can spout plausible plans with their mouths.’

If you really want to be trusted, prove it with your actions.

Kim Eung-geun immediately nodded as if he had that much sense.

‘We will definitely show you before Your Highness leaves Joseon. Then you will believe us, right?’

‘How can I doubt someone who shows it in person with their actions? Isn’t that right, Your Highness?’

‘Yes? Yes, yes! Of course, that’s right.’

The conservative Confucian scholars who are the biggest obstacle to modernization.

And the already established figures who are hindering the rising enlightenment pro-British forces from taking key positions.

Removing them one by one takes too much effort and there is a risk of social conflict exploding.

So, we need to create a stage where they can fight, bicker, and bite each other.