I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 307

Became a Hidden Power in the British Empire – Episode 307

The Dawn of a New Era

It is often said that time is like an arrow shot from a bow.

It means that time passes in the blink of an eye, but the last few years have really felt like they’ve been deleted as soon as I closed and opened my eyes.

Of course, that doesn’t mean things haven’t been busy.

Humans perceive time more slowly when they are not occupied.

In fact, it’s easier to just go around grabbing land without thinking, but managing the land that comes into your possession is several times more difficult than conquering it.

If we thoughtlessly whipped our slaves like other European countries, shouting, ‘Work, slaves!’ we might suffer less in the short term.

But if we do that, the time will come when we have to spit out all the land we have eaten and shrink in 100 years.

To be honest, the two world wars were obviously a disaster for the whole world, but they also provided a way for advanced European countries to save face.

Germany is bad, and we, the good victorious countries, don’t know anything.

They ignore all the things they have done in the colonies and highlight the atrocities and racism committed by the Nazis, and promote them to the world.

These inhumane acts should be condemned.

And they appeal to live peacefully because these things are bad and create international organizations.

It’s really desirable.

If it wasn’t said by countries that have been unilaterally beating and exploiting other continents except Europe for over 100 years.

In fact, even in the original history, if Germany had not been crucified and focused all the aggro [anger and blame] on itself, Britain and France would not have been able to whitewash their image so easily.

But will we be so lucky in this era?

I don’t know if Nazis will appear or not, and even if they do, I can’t allow them to spit out all the colonies and face a dead end.

France or Prussia can do that, but if such a history is repeated in the British Empire where I am, I have no choice but to say that it is entirely my responsibility.

So, for the past six years, I have divided the colonies into several categories and calculated the possibility of integration.

First of all, Canada, where I am a Duke, can certainly have a system that wouldn’t be strange to be called another homeland.

The same is true of Oceania, which has been actively expanding its territory recently.

In the case of these regions, culturally and emotionally, they are virtually the same country, so we can consider integrating them into a part of the home country.

Next, I judged that it would be impossible to include Joseon (Korea) and Japan in Northeast Asia into the United Kingdom.

First of all, the population is too large and the emotional gap is too large.

But if I am the center, it may be possible to incorporate them into a federal state subordinate to this side, even if it is not one country.

On the other hand, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find a way to incorporate India.

Even if the population is large, it should be moderately large, but how can I swallow a land that will exceed 350 million in 100 years and exceed 1.2 billion in 150 years?

If you try to eat that, you will definitely get indigestion.

The best way is to maintain a loose federal relationship with the British Empire and serve as a huge market to digest the manufactured goods produced here.

We should avoid policies that force them to spit out supplies and roll like dogs, like European countries do now, because they will unconditionally cause side effects.

In the first place, except for a few lucrative areas, this kind of rough colonial management will soon reach a point where cost-effectiveness does not match.

I know that fact, even if others don’t.

If I work hard to use my brain and set up customized plans for each country, the difference between the British Empire and other European countries will continue to widen over time.

In addition to this, taking care of Victoria, who is growing little by little every day and giving birth to new children.

There was a reason why 6 years had been deleted in an instant.

And the time has come to harvest the fruits that have been carefully nurtured over a long period of time.

Among them, the event that received the most attention from all over the world was the opening ceremony of the Suez Canal.

A great project that directly connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.

The canal of dreams, which people have only imagined since ancient times, has become a reality, so it is natural that attention is focused on it.

Before the war, to go from Europe to the Indian Ocean, you had to go around Africa and take the Cape of Good Hope, but with the canal, there is no such hassle.

It is said to shorten the distance by about 9000km, and even in the 21st century, there is no single canal that shortens the distance by this much.

“Everyone! The yacht of His Excellency Killian Gore Hanover, the main player in the construction of this canal and the largest shareholder of the canal, is entering the Red Sea directly from the Mediterranean Sea for the first time in human history! The route that all Egyptians and sailors of the Mediterranean have dreamed of for thousands of years is becoming a reality right here! Please welcome him with cheers!”

“Wow!”

Why is the canal opening ceremony the first international event I attended as soon as the 5-year travel ban was lifted?

That’s too obvious. This canal was practically mine.

Some of the shares are held by the Egyptian government, but the shares held by me and the company I created are larger than the shares held by Egypt.

I was planning to gradually transfer this to the British royal family, so even later, the Suez Canal will be attributed to the royal family, not the British government.

So, I had to go on the day when the property that would enhance the authority of the British royal family for a long time was first introduced to the world.

Victoria also gladly allowed me to attend this event.

Of course, she added that I should not go astray and return immediately.

“Hahaha! Isn’t it really an amazing sight.”

The current Governor of Egypt, Muhammad Said Pasha, who was on the same yacht as me, smiled brightly and raised his glass high, exclaiming admiration.

“I never imagined that the construction would be completed so quickly and smoothly. This is also the majesty of the British Empire.”

“It’s all thanks to the Governor’s generous cooperation. This historic sight is a work created together by the Governor and our British Empire.”

“It is said that when Egypt was the center of the world in the past, the pharaohs, who were called living gods, tried to dig a canal to connect the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The fact that the task that all those monarchs failed has now been achieved seems to imply a lot.”

While tilting the glass with the music coming from across the bank as a snack, the day gradually darkened and bright lights rose from the ships of the small fleet following behind.

In fact, Governor Pasha probably still doesn’t know who the real owner of this canal is.

This is because I have separated the shares I personally acquired and the shares acquired by the companies I founded.

If you add all of this up, the shares held by the Egyptian government become ineffective, but I plan to transfer this gradually, so I can’t know it right now.

Even if Pasha was drunk on the canal, if he knew this fact, he wouldn’t be smiling and rubbing his hands in front of me like this.

“Your Highness, I know that the British royal family also has a considerable stake in this canal, but if any forces harm the operation of the canal or interfere with traffic…”

“Those forces who have lost their fear will learn the hard way why the Royal Navy of the British Empire is called the strongest in the world.”

“Hahaha! As expected of the world’s strongest country, you are also cool.”

The meaning of the declaration that anyone who interferes with the operation of the canal is an enemy of the British Empire is so great that it cannot be expressed in words for Egypt.

Regardless of who the real owner of the canal was, the place where the canal was physically located was Egypt.

Egypt is currently part of the Ottoman Empire, but it is only in name and is half independent under the name of an autonomous region, and is still looking for independence.

However, if the Ottomans, who have already been reduced to the sick man of Europe, lose Egypt, they will almost receive a death sentence, so there is no way they will let that happen.

They were ready to send troops again at any time if Egypt tried to achieve complete independence, but now it should be seen as impossible.

If Egypt and the Ottomans wage war and the traffic on the canal is disrupted as a result, the British Empire will never tolerate it.

In other words, Egypt had obtained the strongest shield it could use against the Ottomans.

So, he is smiling as if he has already achieved independence.

“I heard that even if the operating company works hard, such a huge facility will eventually have limitations without cooperation from the government. So, Governor, please put in a lot of effort in the future. I am a person who pays the price for sure.”

“Of course. This Suez Canal will remain a symbol of the eternal friendship between Egypt and the British Empire.”

No, Suez will remain a symbol of the British royal family’s overwhelming influence.

How dare those who didn’t lift a finger to dig the canal try to take credit.

You’ll make a lot of money just with the shares you have now, so be satisfied with that.

“Of course, of course. A symbol of eternal friendship. That’s a really wonderful word. Even Caesar of Rome would cry in front of the Governor. Hahaha!”

“Hehehe! I’m embarrassed that you praise me so much.”

I’m glad you know it’s an exaggeration.

I moderately ignored the Egyptian Governor’s rosy delusions and completely escaped the Mediterranean Sea through the long canal of 164km.

Behind me is the Mediterranean Sea, and the scenery in front of me is the Red Sea.

From this moment on.

The world has become a little smaller and closer.

* * *

The opening of the Suez Canal was an event that had a huge impact on the world, so naturally, entrepreneurs from various countries also attended the event.

Of course, this includes companies related to the operation of the Suez Canal.

James, a prominent Canadian businessman and tycoon who invested heavily in the construction of the canal, was no exception.

“It’s a strange feeling to be drinking with Your Highness in Egypt.”

“I know, right? Oh, by the way, the Egyptian Governor subtly asked me if I could introduce you to him earlier. So, I said I would arrange a meeting. Are you available tomorrow?”

“Of course. Oh, to think that I would become a big shot that the Egyptian Governor wants to meet and even asks Your Highness for a favor, it’s worth living a long life.”

“Isn’t it natural for someone who has created a golden empire spanning both Canada and the United States and firmly holds the position of head of that empire?”

“I’m just a salaried CEO in reality.”

James chuckled and leaned back in his seat, gulping down beer.

“Be careful. You’re old now, so how can you drink alcohol like water?”

“Then Your Highness should retire me soon. I’m still working at this age, so doesn’t the alcohol feel as sweet as sugar?”

“You’ve gotten a lot more fussy since I last saw you. I’ve heard that you’ve been doing a fantastic job of delegating work to your subordinates these days.”

“That’s all a skill I learned from someone I admire.”

After emptying a glass of alcohol, James turned his head and stared at me intently, asking.

“But what are you planning this time?”

“I’m just thinking about developing Canada as always. Why, is there something strange?”

“Didn’t you tell me to increase Canada’s production facilities like during the war with Russia? But all the factories you pointed out produce military supplies.”

“Ah, that’s what you were talking about.”

I certainly sent a note with those instructions yesterday.

James, who was looking at my smiling face suspiciously, opened his mouth hesitantly.

“Did you receive another prophecy?”

“A prophecy? How can you slander a reasonable inference obtained through big data like that?”

“Then you should tell me what that big data is. That’s how I can persuade the factory owners to expand their facilities.”

“That’s not difficult.”

I pointed to last week’s weekly newspaper lying on one corner of the desk.

I showed James, who seemed to be asking what was so important about this piece of newspaper, the large headline at the very front.

Republican National Convention to elect a presidential candidate for the United States.