I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 335

< The Aftermath of the Tempest (2) >

January 1864.

The Confederate States of America, now formally recognized on the international diplomatic stage, stirred up trouble from the start.

“The Colombian government needs to respond to Panama’s demands. Panama historically and geographically deserves guaranteed autonomy.”

A sudden, baseless challenge.

It was unclear why the South was acting this way, but Panama’s local leaders were greatly encouraged by the South’s statement.

“Hooray!”

“Colombia, wake up!”

“We are not a colony of Colombia!”

Panamanian separatists contacted the South, and the South opportunistically exploited their fervent desires.

“If we rise up, can we expect support from the South?”

“I can’t give you a definite answer, but if we have the resources, we will definitely consider it.”

Although the answer was somewhat ambiguous, Panama’s separatists placed great hope in the South’s response.

*If they had no intention of intervening from the start, they wouldn’t have suddenly challenged Colombia like that,* the separatists reasoned.

Emboldened, they took to the streets to denounce Colombia.

Colombia, of course, mobilized its army to crack down on them.

“Wake up? What are you talking about! Are you crazy!”

“Do you think you can become independent just because the South said so?”

“Arrest all these crazy bastards!”

If independence could be achieved just by wanting it, why would the South have fought so fiercely against the North in the first place?

“It’s absurd that you’re all coming out like this asking to be arrested. Just drag them all away and throw them in jail!”

“You bastards! The Confederate States of America will never stand for this barbaric act!”

However, the Confederate States of America, which the separatists had trusted, did not move.

How long had it been since the war ended? Why would they provoke a conflict with Colombia?

In fact, the South made no expression of intent for a month.

Colombia thoroughly cracked down on the independence movements and separatists who had trusted the South, and took action to eradicate them completely.

The Panamanian separatists, who were just beginning to sprout, were thoroughly suppressed, and their power was completely crushed.

Just when it seemed the incident would end with the South’s incomprehensible sudden outburst…

“We strongly condemn Colombia’s horrific oppression!”

Quite unexpectedly, Prussia and France, who had been quietly standing by, suddenly transformed into champions of human rights and began to pressure Colombia.

At the same time, the army that was withdrawing from the South was moved towards Panama, and Colombia realized their intentions.

“We cannot stand by and watch the people living in this land suffer any longer.”

“Now that we have helped the South escape the oppression of the North, we cannot ignore Panama. Colombia must take responsibility for this situation!”

France and Prussia simultaneously pressured Colombia, and the South belatedly expressed its support.

How could Colombia withstand that?

In the end, Prussia and France, under the pretext of supporting Panama’s independence, completely tore Panama away.

The problem was that France and Prussia had no intention of simply granting Panama independence.

“Panama does not yet have the ability to form a proper nation, so we will divide and rule until Panama has its own governing capabilities.”

High geopolitical value, bordering both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and located in the middle of North and South America.

No one was foolish enough not to know that the word ‘temporary’ meant semi-permanent, but neither Colombia nor Panama raised any objections.

No, they couldn’t.

Colombia had gleefully crushed the roots of the Panamanian separatists who were just beginning to grow.

Moreover, in exchange for guaranteeing this treaty, the British Empire slyly intervened and occupied the center of Panama, and Panama suddenly faced the bizarre outcome of being divided into Prussia in the west, France in the east, and the British Empire occupying the center.

* * *

After seizing the center of Panama without even using a tissue [easily], the British Empire became busy planning for the future.

In fact, anyone with eyes who could look at a map knew that the territory the British Empire had acquired was ideal for digging a canal.

A passage connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans could be created by digging only about 50 miles.

For the United States and Canada, which had major ports on the Atlantic side, it was a dream canal they desperately needed.

Some predicted that it would have a similar impact to the Suez Canal built in Egypt, and others believed that it could surpass Suez depending on how much Canada grew.

Either way, what was certain was that the toll fees alone would easily recoup the construction costs and then some.

In particular, for the British Empire, which wanted to expand its influence around the world, people were already clamoring to build a canal here.

It was no different in Parliament.

“Considering the construction period of the canal, it is necessary to enact a special law and select a construction company right now.”

It was about creating a facility that would bring enormous benefits to the British Empire.

Moreover, this was not just a matter of money.

The North, blocked from accessing the Pacific, would inevitably have to use this canal to reach the Pacific.

The South was no different.

Even if there were areas that could access the Pacific via the Cortes Sea, they were only a small minority, and the South’s major cities were all in the east.

In other words, holding the Panama Canal meant that they could freely control the amount of shipping passing through the United States.

They wouldn’t actually impose restrictions, but the fact that they could if they wanted to would be a huge pressure for them.

Above all, if they held both Suez and Panama, it would not be an exaggeration to say that they would become the largest player in global logistics shipping.

Of course, there was no disagreement in Parliament, and everyone was eager to get their name on the canal construction special law.

However, there was one fact that needed to be pointed out here.

“By the way, everyone, will the ownership of this canal be in the form of belonging to our government, unlike Suez?”

“…Uh.”

The parliamentarians, who had been talking about how much money the Panama Canal would make and how much the United States would be watching them, suddenly shut their mouths.

Wellesley, having gauged the atmosphere, calmly opened his mouth.

“It was His Royal Highness the Duke who initiated the Panama Canal construction plan. It is clear that we would not have been able to acquire Panama so easily if it had not been for the plan established by His Royal Highness in the first place.”

“That’s true, but…”

Even so, wasn’t it a bit much to give the Panama Canal to the royal family after Suez?

No one said it directly, but this uneasiness lingered in the minds of the parliamentarians.

The royal family was making enormous contributions to the national interests of the British Empire and receiving absolute support from the citizens.

Of course, they understood. They deserved such respect for what they had done so far.

However, the British Empire was a constitutional monarchy, and the greatest power should still be held by Parliament, the representative of the citizens.

In particular, the parliamentarians belonging to the House of Commons believed this even more strongly.

They respected the royal family, but they didn’t want to give them any more power than this.

Frankly speaking, wasn’t Suez already more than enough?

However, everyone had these thoughts but didn’t voice them.

In particular, the Conservative parliamentarians, who were keenly aware of the royal family’s gaze, seemed to be forcibly avoiding eye contact in case anyone asked for their opinion.

It was John Russell, a prominent figure in the Liberal Party along with Gladstone, who broke this long silence.

“This must be managed by the British government without question, whether it is nationalized or belongs to a company operated by the British government. I don’t know why we are even hesitating about this obvious thing.”

“Mr. Russell, but it is true that the royal family played a leading role in annexing Panama…”

“Then we can just compensate the royal family in other ways. We can consider giving them a very small portion of the shares after nationalization. Anyway, what is certain is that this must be a government-led project.”

No matter how popular the royal family is, he will say what needs to be said.

When Russell bravely opened the door, a significant number of parliamentarians nodded and expressed their agreement.

“That’s right!”

“In fact, when you think about it, the royal family already has Suez, so it is balanced to nationalize Panama.”

“His Highness will understand everything. He is a patriot.”

Wellesley, who had anticipated that this would be the atmosphere from the beginning, calmly nodded and wrapped up the situation.

“Then we will proceed that way. Instead, shouldn’t we convey the opinion that we have decided to do this to the royal family before enacting the law?”

“Of course, we should do that.”

Wellesley, who knew how sincere Killian was about the Panama Canal, was inwardly uneasy, but it was right to side with Parliament here.

*Anyway, Russell led this, so the fallout would fall on that side,* he thought.

Wellesley watched the opinions of Parliament come together and slipped away, pretending not to know.

* * *

Isn’t this the expression to use when something is both absurd and suffocating?

No, it’s like setting the table and even putting out the utensils, but telling me to only eat dessert?

I was about to suck some sweet honey in the future, but the fact that the ones grabbing my ankle are on the same team makes me laugh involuntarily.

No, did I say that I would have the most influential canal in the world, or that I would wield the power to control global shipping logistics?

Does anyone think I’m a very greedy person?

This was honestly not me overreacting.

Even Edward burst into anger after hearing Wellesley’s words, who conveyed that it was the will of Parliament with a sorry expression.

“No, Father, it was entirely Father who acquired Panama, so isn’t it too much to do this? The Prime Minister should have made it clear that this doesn’t seem right…”

“Prime Minister Wellesley is a Conservative, so he must prioritize the interests of the party. He may have thought it was a bit too much for the royal family to take even the Panama Canal.”

“Even so, it’s a bit much to nationalize it and only share a very small portion of the shares…”

“Are you upset?”

Edward immediately nodded his head.

Yes, he would be upset. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way too.

It’s a similar feeling to when I beat up the Qing Dynasty [China’s last dynasty, overthrown in 1912] and was told to get out of Asia.

Honestly, I can understand Parliament’s position.

They probably think that if the royal family’s power becomes too strong, Parliament’s position may be shaken, so they wouldn’t want to give anything more than this.

They probably think that it is most ideal for the royal family of a constitutional monarchy to remain a symbolic presence.

Of course, I have no intention of doing that.

“Although I feel a little unhappy, I have to respect the decision of Parliament. I will have to attend the next meeting and give a speech saying that I am willing to follow the decision of Parliament.”

“…Yes? No, Father. We have to follow the decision of Parliament, but there is no need to be so cooperative.”

“No. I will rather actively push it.”

Edward looked at me with eyes that didn’t understand, but it wasn’t like I liked them so much that I was doing this.

When I think about it, it may be fortunate that it turned out this way through this process.

If I had started digging the canal as soon as I got Panama, wouldn’t there have been people around me who didn’t like it?

There could have been enough talk that I was expanding my influence too much after Suez.

“Edward, now that it has come to this, you should also say a few words wishing that the Panama Canal construction project will proceed smoothly.”

“I will do it if Father tells me to, but…”

“It’s going to fail no matter what.”

Edward’s eyes widened at the last word I whispered so quietly that it was barely audible.

*Try doing it without me.*

Do you think Panama, one of the world’s leading malaria-infested areas, looks like a joke?

It’s the 20th century, let alone now, it’s an era where people don’t even know that malaria is transmitted through mosquitoes.

If I were to start construction on the canal, I was going to make this fact clear, but if they were going to exclude me, I wouldn’t need to tell them this.

The government-led construction project is bound to be overturned.

Then the government will end up with the disgrace of having unnecessarily started digging in land where they can’t even sell the canal.

At that time, if I take over the project and dig the canal with my own money, I can attribute [gain] the business rights to the royal family entirely without being disturbed by anyone.

Indeed, it seems like it’s okay to let them enjoy themselves now.

“They must be firmly believing that they can succeed because they only have to dig 50 miles to build a canal, but if they fail… that would be quite a sight to see.”

50 miles is about 80 kilometers [approximately 50 miles].

As I unconsciously calculated in my head at Edward’s muttering voice, a terrible assumption suddenly came to my mind.

If I continue to raise the British Empire to be stronger than in the original history, will the world’s standard become the yard-pound system [a system of measurement using units like yards and pounds]?

A world where the whole world expresses length in yards and weight in pounds.

What a terrible and frightening imagination.

Before committing an even greater sin to the world, I should do something about this.