I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 326

< Blood and Iron, and (2) >

Germans have always harbored fantasies about a unified empire.

Whether it’s longing for the myth of the Holy Roman Empire, dissatisfaction with the current fragmented state, or both, it’s an undeniable fact.

What’s amusing is that while they desire a unified empire, their standards for that empire vary greatly.

If someone were concocting a crazy plan that included Austria, I’d smash their head in right away, but fortunately, Bismarck wasn’t such a delusional figure.

However, in taking the lead in Germany, the conflict between Austria and Prussia was an unavoidable fate.

Austria’s growing power was an ultra-large-scale disaster that Prussia could never overlook.

Especially in the current situation where they are trying to strengthen the army by implementing defense reforms.

“Your Highness, Austria is currently suffering from chronic financial difficulties. They won’t have the money to import a large number of new weapons. If anyone has told you that, they are a swindler. They should be thrown in jail immediately…”

“Of course, they don’t have the means to buy that much, but traditionally, if you don’t have money, you pay with your body. We are also considering the condition of taking over some islands near India that Austria has.”

“Ummm…”

This is a bluff, but it’s a bluff that can be realized today if I really wanted to.

Bismarck looked suspicious, but the possibility of actually confirming this with the Austrian side is virtually zero.

In reality, what would Austria’s reaction be if I told them to hand over all the islands near India that they can’t manage anyway and take guns instead?

Wouldn’t they bow their heads and lick my feet, thanking the great Killian for his generous decision?

“The islands near India will eventually become the property of the British Empire anyway. It’s not worth taking them over while giving them new weapons…”

“In about ten to fifteen years, they will come in automatically. But Minister, why are you acting like this when you know that time is money? If you can buy time with money, it’s beneficial.”

There is no politician who doesn’t know how fanatically the British Empire is obsessed with defending India.

Bismarck knew that fact well, so he stopped doubting, but he wasn’t particularly disappointed.

Even though he was surprised at first, he must have judged that the fact that I deliberately leaked this ‘secret’ was not a bad thing for them.

“I understand. But I think there’s a good reason why Your Highness told me this story.”

“Well, as someone who knows the relationship between Prussia and Austria well, I can’t help but consider our Minister, whom I’ve been watching since I was young.”

“Thank you. But the Highness I know is someone who values the interests of his country more than anyone else.”

“You know very well. Then you must know that I always guarantee the interests of not only the British Empire but also our allies.”

This is not a lie but a fact. If I don’t keep giving them crumbs, even slaves will smash their master’s head, so why would allies be any different?

Of course, my rule is that if the British Empire takes 10 in profit, I only give 3 to 4 to the allies, but I didn’t bother to say that out loud.

“…Yes, I know that too.”

“In the Russian War [Crimean War] and the suppression of the Taiping Rebellion [a large-scale revolt against the Qing dynasty in China], all the allies who acted together with the British Empire gained corresponding benefits, didn’t they? Not only that, but I also shared some benefits with Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] and Japan, which are in the Asian borderlands.”

“So, are you saying that you will consider us Prussia this time too?”

“Of course. In fact, now that we’re on the subject, I don’t think Russia will end like this. Of course, no matter how much Russia stirs up trouble, we will win if we fight again, but we will have to accept some damage. So, in order to reduce the damage on our side, we need a strong ally, and I think it would be more effective to strengthen Prussia than to strengthen Austria.”

“That’s an undeniable fact. The Prussian army is much stronger than the weak Austrian army.”

So, if we just maintain the current situation, Austria will eventually be pushed back by Prussia.

What Bismarck wants more than anything is for me to remain neutral and not even try to mediate.

“But Austria is an ally of our British Empire. If we don’t listen to the demands of our allies, there will be more people who question our leadership.”

“……”

“But if other allies besides the home country take Prussia’s side, we will have a justification to stand still, right?”

“Other allies? Except for Prussia and Austria, the British Empire’s allies are…”

Bismarck, who had been thinking for a while, asked with a strange twist in his eyes.

“Are you perhaps talking about France?”

“Yes. If France takes Prussia’s side, our British Empire will have no choice but to take France and Prussia’s side from a national perspective. At least, even if we don’t openly support them, we may have a busy schedule and not be able to pay attention to the German side.”

“France has always been wary of Prussia taking the lead in Germany. If they take sides, they will obviously support Austria.”

Um, um, that’s right. Isn’t that why they intervened in the Civil War to secure South American colonies in order to keep Prussia at bay?

But if it’s France now, it’s a different story.

“Minister, would you like to talk to the head of France about that?”

“…Yes? What’s that again?”

“He’s in London right now. The French Prime Minister. Let’s have a three-way meeting to make our triangular alliance even stronger.”

It feels like things are flowing strangely, but Bismarck, who had no reason to refuse, nodded blankly.

* * *

The people gathered in the reception room of Buckingham Palace.

French Prime Minister Guizot.

Prussia’s next Prime Minister and current Foreign Minister Bismarck.

And even I, the Prince Consort of the British Empire.

It was naturally my job to lead this laughable situation where Prussia’s next Prime Minister and France’s current Prime Minister were sitting face to face in London.

“Since people representing England, Germany, and France are sitting at the same table so amicably, isn’t this a symbolic scene that signifies world harmony and peace? Everyone, let’s have a drink.”

“…I accepted Your Highness’s proposal, but I didn’t really expect Minister Bismarck to come.”

“I didn’t know that Prime Minister Guizot would be in London either. No, why is the French Prime Minister in London when the war is in full swing?”

“Well, it’s because of the matter I mentioned yesterday. Didn’t I tell you? A new rifle that is superior to even Killian Enfield [a type of rifle] will be supplied to France first.”

Even so, the French Prime Minister has prestige, so I can’t say that he came here to whine because he lost a battle.

I had already made arrangements with Guizot, so he sipped his wine with a calm attitude, and Bismarck believed my words as they were.

Of course, it makes sense that the Prime Minister would take a step himself for such an important issue.

“Your Highness said that this war will not last as long as expected. Do you think the same, Prime Minister?”

“Of course. It will be decided in 3 years at the longest, or 2 years. This is also a conservative estimate because the United States is so large.”

“I see. I expected it to take 4 to 5 years, no matter who wins…”

“…Hahaha, it may seem that way from the outside, but the reality is completely different. The deployment of new weapons will be completed soon, and above all, the British Empire’s navy will participate at the right time. Then our navy will also participate and block the northern port. Then they will have no choice but to starve to death if they just stay still.”

New weapons? I will give them a very small amount. I plan to block the port at the end of the war, so there was not a penny of lie in Guizot’s words.

Of course, Bismarck, who is hearing this fact for the first time, will have no choice but to judge that they fundamentally misunderstood the war situation.

“So, the British Empire will eventually participate in the war.”

“Of course. Our France and the British Empire are like one body. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”

“One body is a bit much, so let’s just say brothers.”

“Hahaha, look. Anyway, it’s like a needle and thread. And I hope that Prussia will also join this ranks.”

“That’s quite unexpected. Hasn’t France always been wary of the home country? But now you’re making such a proposal?”

There is no way that a figure like Bismarck would believe France’s sweet talk as it is.

Of course, Guizot knew this fact, so he had prepared something to say.

“That’s true, but that’s just a thing of the past. The time has come to end the era of fighting each other in a small European continent. How long will we have to fight each other in such a small land? France is France, Prussia is Prussia. Wouldn’t it be better for everyone to occupy only the places they can occupy in Europe and not blush each other? The world is so big, there’s no point in our three neighboring countries growling at each other.”

“That’s all true. Then, if we don’t get involved in France’s affairs, can we assume that France will not interfere with whatever we do?”

“Of course, it’s not good to do things that are too morally wrong. For example, going beyond competing with Austria for leadership and trying to merge with them altogether.”

“We don’t aim for food that is difficult to digest in the first place. If you want, we can leave it in writing.”

Bismarck, who had no intention of eating Austria from the beginning, nodded indifferently.

“Then, how about Prussia also intervening in the Civil War in the United States in order to strengthen the alliance between the two sides?”

“…Are you saying that you will turn a blind eye to German unification, so we should join the war that France is doing now? That’s what it was. But there are two contradictions here.”

“Contradictions?”

“Earlier, you said that you could easily end the war without our support. But now you want our support, which is the first contradiction. And the second is, how can we compete with Austria if we waste our national power in the Civil War in the United States? If we waste our national power here, it will be difficult for us to take the lead in Germany. It will only make Austria happy. So, that’s also a contradiction.”

As expected, it’s Bismarck. There’s no way that Prime Minister Guizot’s sloppy words would work on that sly diplomacy genius.

I joined the conversation to lend a helping hand to the poor man.

“Minister Bismarck, why do you think only Austria is smiling?”

“…Yes? That’s obviously…”

“Do you think that the great France is an unscrupulous and ignorant country that does not respond to the support request of an ally who fought together across the Atlantic Ocean? That can’t be. Of course, if Prussia asks for help later after this war is over, France will roll up its sleeves and participate, right, Prime Minister Guizot?”

“…Yes?”

“I don’t think the world’s France would only receive help when they need it and ignore it in the opposite case, so Minister Bismarck seems to be too worried.”

“Th, th, that’s right… Hahaha… There’s no way we’re that unscrupulous.”

Instead of participating in the Civil War, if a war breaks out ahead of German unification in the future, France will lend support troops.

It was a condition that made Guizot’s mind dizzy, but France, which was already heavily invested in the Civil War coin, had no choice.

What remained was Bismarck’s judgment. If he could get back the resources spent on intervening in the Civil War from France in the future, and receive political support to push out Austria, this was a deal where the scales were roughly balanced.

“If that’s the case, it’s worth considering. But there’s one more condition.”

“There’s another condition?”

“Yes. If we participate as an ally of France, shouldn’t we take the fruits of victory in the war together? Whether it’s cotton from the South, food, or support for securing colonies, anything is fine. We Prussia will also get involved, so please guarantee us a clear vested interest. If that’s the case, I’ll try to persuade His Majesty.”

“Hmm… that’s a bit… no, I understand. I’ll guarantee it.”

Guizot nodded, trying to hide his sinister smile, and Bismarck, true to his thorough nature, even left this in writing and put his signature on it.

I can guess what Guizot’s intention was in accepting those conditions. He’s not going to give up their vested interests, but rather take away the rights promised to Spain and pass them on appropriately, right?

Anyway, judging from the current power of the North, the Spanish army will not be able to achieve proper results even if they join the battle, so he must be thinking of pushing Prussia to take advantage of that.

It was a complete mess of a revolving door where trust and friendship could not be found, but isn’t that what diplomacy in this era is all about?

Bismarck, who had finished the secret consultation, stuck to me with his eyes shining, wondering if there was anything he could get from me.

“Your Highness, if you have time, would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? It’s a pity to return home like this, so I think it would be good to create a seat even once more.”

“Okay. Then let’s call Marx too after a long time. Have you read Das Kapital [Karl Marx’s most famous work] that he published last time? I think Marx would like to see the Minister too.”

“Ahem! Wh, when I think about it, it seems better to return as quickly as possible to persuade His Majesty. It’s a pity, but let’s have dinner next time.”

Of course, of course, if you’ve gotten a good deal from France, you should know when to leave.

Bismarck, who was hit by the exorcism spell, hurriedly got up from his seat, bowed deeply, and left the room.

In his heart, he wants to easily trample the North and use this as an excuse to extract a lot of soybean paste [a metaphor for extracting benefits] from France and continue to run until German unification, but I wonder if that will go as planned.

Anyway, instead of the United States intervening in the war between France and Germany, it’s France and Germany intervening in the Civil War in the United States.

The structure was reversed, but the scale of the war was growing to almost a preview of the world war.

I hope this will be a preventive shot to prevent a huge war from happening in Europe, but it’s a little scary that I know too well that there’s no possibility of that.

In order to avoid such a worst-case future, the British Empire must become even stronger.

So.

Let’s sell more weapons than now.

Does money feed you? Surprisingly, it does. That’s what a capitalist society is.