I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 338

< To You, Who Doesn't Know the Coolness of Meters (2) >

In this world, there are areas defined by differences in taste, and areas where superiority and inferiority are absolute.

Among these, the Imperial system and the International System of Units (SI, or metric system) are clearly in a field where superiority and inferiority are absolute.

But if switching to the better system were easy, Wellesley wouldn’t have reacted so awkwardly.

Actually, I understand his position.

If Wellesley had realistically explained the difficulties, I would have understood. But when he started talking about people who don’t appreciate the ‘coolness’ of yards and pounds, I got annoyed.

I can say with certainty that the only time you can even remotely associate ‘coolness’ with the Imperial system is when you use the phrase ‘100-mile fastball’ [a very fast pitch in baseball].

But baseball isn’t popular in England, so that phrase wouldn’t even come up.

So, there’s really no argument to be made.

A cool death sentence… but realistically, there are many obstacles to overcome.

The fact that all existing standards and criteria would have to be changed wasn’t the biggest problem.

We can just do it. It’s a bit confusing at first, but everyone will adapt after a little time.

Rather, as they use it, they’ll realize they’ve been using strange, arbitrary units, so I wasn’t worried about that.

The real problem was the peculiar conservatism of the British Empire, which is overly attached to its traditions.

The characteristic of England, which seems open-minded but is strangely conservative, has been verified time and time again in the original history [the author’s past life or knowledge of history].

In fact, the England of the original history didn’t strictly adhere to the Imperial system alone.

The International System of Units was introduced in the mid-to-late 20th century, and England also uses the metric system.

However, it was a mixed usage, and many still insisted on yards and pounds under the guise of tradition, convincing themselves that it was more convenient.

Moreover, strictly speaking, the reason why England in the original history adopted the metric system was because England wasn’t as powerful as the United States.

If England had maintained the national power of the British Empire, it would have adhered to the Imperial system like the United States, saying, ‘If you don’t like it, you can adapt to us.’

In other words, in this era, England will adhere to its own system of units like the United States in the original history with a 99.99% probability.

Is there even a possibility that the United States might abandon the US system of units and switch to the International System of Units?

Even if it’s the system of units used by the world’s strongest country, if it’s clearly flawed and impractical, no one will use it, a fact proven by the history of the Earth.

If things continue like this, the future where the British Empire is the only one using the Imperial system is becoming too clear, and it’s making my stomach churn.

Still, as a result of pressuring Wellesley by invoking the names of Edward and Adelaide, Wellesley really started to test the waters to introduce the metric system.

The shock of hearing ‘Uncle, traitor’ from the children he had raised almost like his own since they were babies must have been quite significant.

He protested about how they could do that to him, who had taken care of the children like their real father whenever I went abroad, but that’s none of my business.

Of course, as expected, Wellesley cautiously tested the waters and was ridiculed by several lawmakers for being out of his mind.

‘No, Prime Minister. Are you suggesting that we use that vulgar meter used by the French? Are you kidding me?’

‘It seems that the Prime Minister is also practicing humor these days. You don’t have to, Prime Minister. Haha!’

‘Meters are units used by dictators like Napoleon. They are not suitable symbols for advanced countries like our British Empire.’

‘···Haha, hahahaha.’

‘Hey, everyone! Does the Prime Minister really intend to introduce the system of units used by the French into our country? It’s a joke, a joke! Let’s all laugh. Hahahahahahahaha!’

The reason why there was no strong opposition was because they didn’t even consider this a serious discussion.

It’s not that I didn’t expect this to happen.

Frankly speaking, if the metric system wasn’t currently used anywhere else in the world, it might have been easier to introduce.

Because if it was a completely new system of units that was clearly superior to the existing system, it would have been possible to push it through.

However, in the current situation, the proposal to introduce the metric system was simply summarized in one sentence.

-Abandon the Imperial system and use the system of units used by the French?

Even I can’t think of a rebuttal to this invincible logic.

No matter how much I drone on about the decimal system or the original standard, with just that one sentence, everyone in the British Empire unites, so how can I win?

In the end, what Wellesley and I confirmed was that as long as France is involved, it is almost impossible to introduce the metric system on a large scale.

Those French guys are never helpful at crucial moments.

* * *

‘Your Highness! Did you see? This is really impossible. If I seriously push this forward, I might be ousted from the Prime Minister’s office in the next election. No, I might be assassinated before that!’

‘···I suppose so.’

If the longest-serving Prime Minister of the British Empire were to be ousted for abandoning yards and pounds and trying to introduce the metric system, wouldn’t this be a mockery that would remain in history?

Having confirmed that the conservatism of the British Empire is stronger than I thought, it seemed a bit unreasonable to push forward with a full-scale introduction here.

I have no choice but to shift to gradually chipping away at the problem and steadily laying the groundwork.

‘Let’s postpone the full-scale introduction for now and apply it only to the scientific community. Let’s do it in a mixed way, and then move on to using it in a mixed way in the industrial field.’

‘I think there will be strong opposition to that too…’

‘The scientific community doesn’t really use the Imperial system by choice. And the industrial sector will have a good excuse to mix unit systems in consideration of exports later on. Frankly, I’m not satisfied, but if we do this much, things will somehow work out later.’

‘Hoo, if I had kept pushing this, there would have been people who seriously called me a follower of Napoleon. I’m sweating all over.’

To call the son of the hero of the Battle of Waterloo a follower of Napoleon is absurd even with a little thought, but that’s how sensitive they are.

Still, it wasn’t a complete loss.

Because I reaffirmed that reform must consider not only practicality but also public sentiment.

‘Still, if we gradually apply it to the necessary fields in a mixed way, it will be possible to use it in general fields in about 50 years. The Prime Minister’s work will definitely be re-evaluated later, so think positively.’

‘···Yes.’

In the end, the ambitious plan to replace the Imperial system ended with half success, with mixed use only in areas where it is absolutely necessary.

Wellesley didn’t seem to be in a good mood, saying that the only flaw had been created in his perfect political career, but he will be evaluated as having taken a necessary step later, so he should cheer up.

Of course, the story will be different when my autobiography is released.

By the way, I think too many people’s dark history is contained in my autobiography. I don’t know if I can release this later.

What if the Prussians go into collective cognitive dissonance, saying, ‘Our Iron Chancellor [Otto von Bismarck] would never do this!’

But that means my autobiography will become a bestseller that everyone in the world has read, so wouldn’t that be a good thing?

Anyway, with this incident, the great Prime Minister Wellesley, who had been on a winning streak without ever hitting the brakes since his debut in politics, momentarily faltered, receiving the evaluation that he had shown a human side this time.

I had a very good handle on how to cheer up Wellesley, so I had no worries.

And as expected, not long after the commotion surrounding the Imperial system subsided, the news I had been waiting for arrived from across the Mediterranean.

Of course, Wellesley, who was summoned again by my call, was glancing at my face with an uneasy expression. Is this what they call PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder]?

It’s kind of funny.

‘What kind of request are you suddenly calling me for this time?’

‘Why are you so wary? It’s like I’m always tormenting you.’

‘···I’m anxious. I’m anxious.’

‘You must be upset that you became a laughingstock this time, but didn’t I give you the opportunity to plunder Spain?’

‘That last time was so impactful that the fact that I plundered Spain has long since disappeared from everyone’s minds.’

Is that so? Then I’ll have to plunder one more place to cure people’s amnesia.

‘This time it’s a bigger deal, so it’ll be okay. Our friend Egypt seems to be on the verge of bankruptcy.’

‘···Egypt is bankrupt?’

Wellesley’s expression, which had been grumbling half-jokingly, instantly changed to that of a cold-blooded politician.

‘I haven’t received a report yet.’

‘I’ve planted some things in Egypt. I’ve done the work in advance, so I can get the news quickly. The Prime Minister will receive a report in a few days.’

‘Spain can’t pay and Egypt is on the verge of bankruptcy? Your Highness, what on earth are you doing all over the world?’

No, anyone who hears this would think I’m deliberately tormenting those countries.

I’m a bit wronged because Spain didn’t collapse because I deliberately pushed them, but because they fell on their own and broke their heads.

I saw that Spain, by its nature, is likely to go on a rampage and self-destruct if it mistakes an opportunity, but that’s not my fault, is it?

And Egypt… it’s just that the fate that was originally going to happen was brought forward a little, so you should see it as being beaten a little earlier.

They were going to fail even if I didn’t do anything?

All I did was adjust the timing so that it would be a little more helpful to me and this country.

‘I’m saying this in case you misunderstand, but I didn’t particularly force them. I only gave them the opportunity to choose, and that choice came 100% from Egypt’s judgment.’

‘I’m personally curious about this, but has the other party to whom Your Highness gave the choice ever chosen something other than the direction Your Highness wanted?’

That’s of course… hmm, now that I think about it, I don’t really remember?

I’ve never threatened anyone with a knife, but it’s a strange thing.

‘I guess I’m just a lucky person.’

‘It seems you were very lucky this time too.’

‘That’s what I’m saying. Hahaha, so I’m trying to share this luck with the Prime Minister. I naturally like to give.’

Wellesley gave a bitter smile, but it wasn’t a big deal because it wasn’t a one- or two-day thing, so he nodded his head.

‘Let’s hear about the details later, what should I get from Egypt?’

‘You can do whatever you want except for one thing. The reason I called the Prime Minister was to make adjustments in advance so that there would be no overlap because what I decided to bring has already been decided.’

‘I can guess roughly.’

Since I’ve been doing things in Egypt so far, it seems that he understands immediately with just this hint.

Wellesley stared intently at the midpoint between Egypt and the Red Sea, stroked his chin, and continued.

‘Well, if I set out to extract it, there shouldn’t be a problem even if it doesn’t overlap with the side Your Highness wants. But how big are you planning to bring?’

‘How big? Of course, it’s all of it.’

From before the Civil War broke out, no, from the moment it was built, this is something I had my eye on.

The Egyptian government held a significant stake, but that was just entrusted to them.

So now, shouldn’t I take it all back completely?

‘I will have the Egyptian government sell all of its shares in the Suez Canal.’