I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 299

Blood is Thicker Than Water (2)

Approximately 2500 years ago.

The unique Japanese Imperial Family, believed to have continued unbroken since Emperor Jinmu, the first emperor, never once interrupted.

A position that had been pushed out of practical power by the Kampaku [chief advisor to the Emperor] or Shogun [military dictator], but never once usurped.

That was the Emperor of Japan, and in fact, many people sincerely believed that the Emperor was a living god and a being to be worshiped.

The shogunate, which had wielded practical power until now, also judged that the more the Emperor stood out, the more their authority as his representative would rise, further fueling this trend.

The Emperor is the incarnation of the goddess Amaterasu [sun goddess and ancestor of the Imperial Family] and a living god himself.

And the Shogun was the most outstanding human being entrusted with the right to rule by such a great being, according to their logic.

However, Satsuma and Choshu [powerful feudal domains] criticized the Shogun for unilaterally misappropriating the authority of the Emperor and manipulating state affairs, and they claimed to be a new government centered on the Emperor, signaling the start of a full-scale civil war.

One side claims to be the Emperor’s representative, while the other claims to rescue the Emperor from the Shogun’s clutches.

But no one really cared about the true intentions of Emperor Komei, the current head of the Imperial Family.

From the beginning, the Emperor was just an excuse and nothing more than a justification to suppress the other side, so it was only natural.

If anyone felt good about being treated like this, they deserved to be called a pushover.

Seven years since ascending the throne.

Emperor Komei, who had grown from a young boy into a young man, was not the kind of person who could just laugh it off even after being treated like a pushover.

“How is the confrontation between the Shogunate and the new government going?”

“Contrary to people’s expectations, the new government forces are putting up a good fight.”

“…The new government side is winning?”

“It’s subtle to say they are winning; it would be more accurate to say they have gained an advantage in small-scale, sporadic battles.”

‘I heard that a slightly lacking simpleton became the master of the Shogunate, but it seems that it had an even greater impact than I thought.’

No matter how I looked at it, I thought those who called themselves the new government were fighting a reckless battle, but I am newly impressed that they had something to believe in.

“Your Majesty, Satsuma is requesting that you define Tokugawa as a traitor and issue an order to subjugate them.”

“Those guys want to use me as a justification for their revolution, so they are asking me to issue such an edict. But no matter who wins, won’t I end up being just a figurehead?”

“Your Majesty! How can you say such a disrespectful thing as a figurehead! The true owner of this Empire is only Your Majesty, and they also know that fact very well!”

The Taiko Masamichi, who has been leading the Kyoto court for as long as 40 years, bowed his head and cried out, but Emperor Komei only had a sneer on his face.

Even the person in front of him, who speaks like that, is actually reading the Imperial Family’s documents before the Emperor himself, using his position as Nairan [official who reviews documents before the Emperor] as an excuse.

In the end, they are all the same.

Unless something is fundamentally fixed from somewhere, the Emperor in this country will forever remain a figurehead.

“Both the Shogunate and those who call themselves the new government are abandoning the tradition of national isolation that they have protected until now and are only eager to take care of their own authority. But will the desire to respect my authority arise again just because the current conflict ends?”

“Your Majesty. That is…”

“They shout for reverence for the Emperor, but I don’t see any loyal subjects who truly want to follow me, so I will not take anyone’s side. If a hero appears who sincerely wants to elevate the authority of the Imperial Family, then I will change my mind.”

He spoke sternly, but in fact, if the situation was tight, not taking anyone’s side was the only option the Emperor could take.

What if he issued an order to subjugate the Shogunate to the new government side, but the new government lost?

Conversely, if he raised the authority of the Shogunate side and the new government side won and the Shogunate system came to an end, then what would he do then?

Right now, the best choice for the Imperial Family was to just test the waters and stick to the more advantageous side.

Of course, there was some sincerity in what he said earlier.

The conservative current Emperor in the west was originally uncomfortable and disliked trading with Western powers.

The previous Shogun strongly promoted it, and since the state letter from the world’s strongest power said that Tokugawa was his man, he was watching, but even so, Western powers are Western powers.

However, from the moment he achieved the feat of taking half of Sakhalin and defeating Russia, the Emperor’s discomfort was just a personal sentiment.

If he could make good use of this chaotic situation, he wondered if an opportunity to greatly enhance the authority of the Emperor would come, but when he actually tried to do it, he realized that it was not something anyone could do.

How could it be easy to appease and unite the two forces on a fierce battlefield where guns and swords were rampant?

He had to grab power while walking a tightrope, but the Emperor had neither the ability nor the courage to climb onto that rope.

So he just uses a timid strategy of holding his breath and watching who will be the winner of the fight.

Is there really no loyal subject anywhere who truly cares for the Imperial Family?

One day, when a sigh of helplessness that had accumulated for decades, perhaps even hundreds of years, weighed down on the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.

The Emperor opened his eyes wide at an unexpected message.

“Your Majesty. Gillian Goa Tokugawa, the Duke of the British Empire, has sent a letter.”

“…Why is that guy suddenly?”

He had known for a long time that the Duke of the British Empire was descended from Tokugawa.

Then, could it be that he is plotting to take this situation as an opportunity to intervene in domestic affairs in earnest?

‘I knew it. Whether he inherited the blood of Tokugawa or not, he is just a bandit who has not abandoned the habits of the Western barbarians.’

That’s why modernization and everything else is just an illusion.

If the British forces push in with military power, can the current Shogunate or the new government stop them?

It would be difficult even if they united as one to stop them, but it is absolutely impossible while they are divided and fighting like that.

Even if he is a figurehead, it is better to remain a figurehead. If those damned Western powers occupy this land, will the Imperial Family be safe?

The Emperor tried to calm his trembling heart and unfolded the letter from Gillian.

“But that’s strange. If he was thinking of intervening, he could have just gotten the Shogunate’s consent… Hmm?”

Emperor Komei blinked blankly, checking the contents of the letter several times due to the unexpected content.

“Your Majesty. Is there anything disrespectful written…?”

“Ah, no, that’s not it. Taiko, I will meet with Gillian in person, so please be aware of that and make preparations.”

“Yes? But…”

“I heard that the Shogun is also in Osaka Castle right now. If it’s there, British warships can easily enter, so I will receive Gillian there.”

The insult that he was a Western barbarian is canceled.

It’s a great relief that I only thought about it and didn’t say it out loud.

I’m not blindly believing it, but I should meet him and talk to him in order to understand the true meaning of the letter Gillian sent.

The ambition to elevate the authority of the Imperial Family, which he had half given up on.

It felt like a ray of light was shining on the future of the Imperial Family, which was as dark as pitch.

* * *

At the point when the parliament’s permission was granted and the navy was formed, the heat of the civil war in Japan was not decreasing, but rather intensifying day by day.

They say it’s not a civil war, but anyone can see that this is a war.

Since it is a war that takes place inside, it should naturally be expressed as a civil war, and calling it something else is just a play on words.

Originally, the main character in this kind of show appears when the heat is at its highest, so I waited, carefully watching the situation, for the conflict to reach its peak.

And finally, judging that the time had come, I sent a letter to the Emperor first.

The reason why I didn’t contact the Shogunate or the self-proclaimed new government was clear.

Even if the Shogun is the de facto head of the country, the nominal owner of this country is the Emperor.

As a representative of the British Empire, a country that has officially established diplomatic relations with Japan, it is only natural to treat the head of the allied country with respect.

Since I brought the navy with me officially, I need to get permission from the head of state so that I won’t be caught later.

The Emperor, in his early 20s with an impressive protruding chin, showed deep interest in the letter I sent, even coming all the way to Osaka Bay.

It couldn’t be helped.

How could someone who had only been treated as a decorative screen with a face mark until now not make a fuss when he was treated with such respect?

“Thank you for coming all this way despite the chaotic situation, Your Majesty.”

“Hahaha, no. A precious guest has come all the way here, so of course I have to come in person. Rather, it feels refreshing to get out of the Kyoto Imperial Palace and breathe the outside air after a long time.”

“I’m glad to hear that. When I feel stuffy sometimes, I feel like my stuffy heart is washed away when I look at the sea and feel the wind like this. I hope Your Majesty enjoys it often too.”

“I would like to do that when the situation calms down and a peaceful time comes. By the way, the reason why you brought such magnificent warships is to intervene in this war as you wrote in your letter?”

Is it because he has been stamping documents like an automatic payment doll in the Imperial Palace all his life that he doesn’t know how to play hard to get?

“As I wrote in the letter, it’s not intervention but support. I was asked by the previous Shogun, Ieyoshi, to take care of his son. There is a saying in the West that blood is thicker than water, and I have recently realized that this is absolutely true. Even though I have never met him, I can’t bear the thought of a nephew who shares the same blood as me being oppressed.”

“But why did you ask me whether you could support them or not? The Shogun side would have agreed immediately if you had asked them.”

“That’s because the owner of this country’s Imperial Family is Your Majesty. How can I turn the guns of the cannons at Your Majesty’s people without knowing the intentions of the Emperor?”

“…My…people?”

Good. He took the bait.

“Isn’t that so? Although I haven’t been in this country for a long time, even I know how long the Imperial Family’s lineage has been.”

“I have heard stories from my father. That you are so well-versed in the culture of your hometown.”

“Isn’t it a natural duty as a person to pay attention to the culture and traditions of one’s hometown? I also deeply respect His Majesty the Emperor, who is the rightful heir to the unbroken imperial line.”

“…Unbroken imperial line?”

The Emperor blinked for a moment and pondered, as if trying to infer the meaning of my words.

Ah, I thought it was a word that the Japanese always had on their lips, so I thought it would be natural to have it at this time, but was it not a widely used word yet?

Still, he should be able to infer the meaning sufficiently, so he wouldn’t think it was rude, right?

“One bloodline in the whole world… So you expressed the unbroken imperial line in that way. I am truly pleased that the Duke of the Great British Empire and the descendant of Tokugawa called me that. I like the word ‘unbroken imperial line’ more than the word that has been rooted for a long time.”

“Hahaha! I’m glad you like it.”

It turned out that I unintentionally injected a lot of Japanese spirit, but it seemed to have a better effect than I thought, and the Emperor’s vigilance seemed to have decreased significantly.

If the Duke of the world’s strongest power and the heir to the Shogunate came up with a wonderful word to raise the authority of the Emperor, it would be strange if he didn’t feel good.

As long as I arrive at my destination even if I go backwards, what does it matter?

I smiled even more shamelessly and made the young Emperor in front of me feel as proud as possible.

“If Your Majesty allows it, I would like to lend a hand in suppressing those who oppress my nephew and bringing peace to this land. Will you allow it?”

“How can I refuse when you ask for it while keeping the law and morality? But I want to confirm just one thing. If you help the Shogun punish the opposition, won’t the Shogun’s power become even more powerful than it is now? Is what your country wants to stabilize the Shogunate even more?”

“It is good for the political system to be stabilized, but too much power tends to rot, so I think it is right to find an appropriate compromise for this country. To be honest, I would like to raise my voice a little and give some advice that would benefit this country.”

“Can you tell me the direction of that advice?”

“Japan and the British Empire have many things in common, don’t they? They are both island nations, and the king and the head of government have divided powers, and if you look for them, there are really many similarities.”

After saying that, I pretended to be watching this young man’s mood and let the words flow.

“But it may sound disrespectful…”

“It’s okay, tell me.”

“The royal family of the home country cannot monopolize power, but it can have a significant impact on the country. So, a structure of mutual checks and balances can be achieved to some extent. However, the current Shogunate does not seem to respect Your Majesty’s authority that much.”

“…A painful point. But is it okay for you to say that when you are the same Tokugawa?”

“Because I am the same Tokugawa, I must point out the family’s faults even more. If this country is to prosper for thousands of years, no one should go to a system where one person monopolizes power. That’s why I came to see Your Majesty first, not anyone else.”

Yes, he must be anxious.

He might become a cold rice dish again after the civil war ends, so why wouldn’t he be anxious?

I stroked the Emperor’s heart and installed a battery so that the most valuable decorative doll in the Japanese archipelago could move on its own.

“The current era name, Kaei, will be recorded in future history books as the historical period when the Empire began to stand upright. For example, it may be called the Kaei Restoration.”

“Kaei Restoration…”

Once the power was turned on, the Emperor’s eyes, which had been dead until now, began to glow.

He must be excited because he saw hope that he could break away from his past self, who had been swayed like a puppet doll of the Shogun.

However, even if the power source has been changed from a thread to a battery, isn’t it true that a doll can only move according to someone’s will?

The remote control that moves the iron doll named Emperor is in my hand.

He doesn’t know it, but there are things in the world that are better left unknown.

It will probably be happier for both of us to continue living like that. Maybe.