I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 346

< Communism (4) >

“The era of greedy capitalists is coming to an end! This terrible abuse and exploitation of workers, driven by material desires, will soon be over! Our time is approaching.”

“The French government isn’t even pretending to listen to our demands. Are we machines? No, even machines break down after running for 14 hours a day without rest. Are our demands so unreasonable? If they truly think so, let the government debate us!”

“Even in the British Empire, research shows that simply grinding people down actually reduces work efficiency. This isn’t just for our benefit! We want guaranteed rest periods, and in return, we will work with more focus and increase productivity!”

“French government, answer us! Will you accept our demands, or will you reject them!”

The offensive grew fiercer day by day.

The solidarity of the socialists, united from the beginning by Engels’ leadership in the International [the International Workingmen’s Association, an early socialist organization], was unexpectedly strong.

The voices in the cabinet that initially dismissed them had vanished without a trace.

‘This is getting serious.’

‘Are those bastards really going to revolt? Should we crush them then? Or now?’

It seemed like they could be arrested if they did anything wrong, but Engels was walking a tightrope, careful not to cross the line.

They could be immediately arrested for leading strikes or inciting violence, but so far, they had only been talking and not taking any real action.

However, many politicians believed that their antics were having a negative impact on society.

The problem was that cracking down on them all at once would require bearing a significant backlash, and why should France endure such a cost?

Even their leader, Engels, was from Prussia and grew up in England.

Bakunin, who had the next highest level of support, was Russian.

The only Frenchman was Proudhon, but he was already on his last legs, so his presence was minimal.

In other words, they were furious that red communists imported from overseas were causing trouble in their country.

However, Guizot, who had returned from London, adopted a different approach and stalled for time.

“We are aware of the demands for improving workers’ rights. However, to approach this in a scientifically verified manner, our scholars are working day and night on research. France, the land of freedom and equality, will never turn a blind eye to the difficulties of its citizens!”

Currently, not many countries in Europe react as sensitively to the word ‘revolution’ as France does.

Guizot decided to buy time and secure the minimum amount of concessions from the capitalists.

The question was whether he could buy enough time, but Guizot had decided to trust Killian’s assurance not to worry.

He boasted to the cabinet ministers that he had a plan, but he didn’t really know how to send them to America.

However, Killian kept his promise.

The heart of the Paris International.

In a small mansion that was too modest to be the center of socialists from around the world, Engels was having a private meeting with a man.

“I never imagined that the esteemed King James would visit me in person.”

Engels carefully examined the middle-aged man in a neat suit and offered him coffee.

There wasn’t a single socialist in the world who hadn’t heard of his reputation as the head of the NBA [National Black Alliance, a fictional organization in this context], which was sweeping across America.

There were many theories about his true identity, but very few people had actually met him.

Because he received so many death threats, he used doubles.

Of course, the person in front of him might also be a double, but Engels didn’t care about such trivial matters.

Whether he was a double or not, the important thing was that King James had decided to ally with them.

“I came to meet Friedrich Engels, the center of socialists around the world, so of course I had to come in person. Thank you for welcoming me.”

“Not at all. You are a senior figure who has been fighting for the rights of minorities since before I even started my activities.”

“Actually, I’ve been fighting alone in the Americas, so I’m encouraged to see such a strong force of like-minded comrades in Europe.”

He was a man who had continued to work for the abolition of slavery and advocate for the rights of minorities, even while facing numerous death threats.

Engels wondered why such a person had come all the way here.

“But why did you come all the way here, Mr. James?”

“I wanted to see with my own eyes how strong the wave of socialism is in Europe. And as I expected, seeing this fire burning so fiercely, I think I made the right decision to come.”

James said with a slightly excited face, bringing the coffee on the table to his lips.

“Mr. Engels, are you aware of the situation in the Americas?”

“I know that the South still maintains its barbaric slavery system.”

“It’s not just that. They are now suppressing blacks even more harshly than before and are revising laws to solidify slavery. This terrible atrocity, which abandons human dignity, is being committed there at this very moment.”

“That’s truly unfortunate. Why are our educated and civilized white people doing such beastly things?”

In fact, not all communists were free from racism.

In this era, it was an objective fact that white people were superior and black people were inferior, so socialists naturally held these ideas as a foundation.

However, most socialists thought that it was wrong for such excellent and intelligent people to torment inferior beings.

“Both the North and the South are equally crazy. The North is also implementing strict control policies to prevent workers from voicing any opinions, under the pretext of restoring post-war damage and identifying traitors. Their resentment is incomparable to that of Europe.”

Engels closed his eyes and savored the aroma of the coffee, organizing his thoughts.

James continued without waiting for his reply.

“I know that the International is achieving remarkable results in France. But as a result, surveillance from various countries will become very severe. Do you have any countermeasures for that?”

“If they oppress us, it will only strengthen our unity.”

“That’s underestimating their abilities too much. Will they only use oppression? Once each country decides to suppress the International, they will use all sorts of methods. I can say this with certainty because I’ve led similar organizations. From division to manipulation, incitement, defamation, and unimaginable dirty tactics will overwhelm the organization.”

“…I see. Then we should consider countermeasures for that.”

“So, would you like to hear my proposal?”

Engels naturally straightened his posture and listened to the words of a senior figure who had led a large organization for over a decade.

“I will certainly listen to Mr. James’s advice.”

“Achieving results in Paris is good. But as we saw in the French Revolution, creating a new world is impossible by simply overturning things. We need a way to establish a new government and block external intervention. And once we have firmly established ourselves, countless socialists around the world, encouraged by this success, will rise up together.”

“That certainly makes sense. So, you are also a socialist, Mr. James.”

“Of course. This rotten era of oppression must come to an end. However, I cannot shake off the concern that even if the revolution in France succeeds, it will be undermined by the intervention of other countries afterwards.”

That was certainly a valid point.

France had too many powerful countries around it.

What if Prussia or the British Empire, feeling a sense of crisis, intervened when they truly swept away the rotten capitalists?

The thought alone made his head spin.

“I have a way to overcome this. First of all, Mr. Engels, you have successfully planted the seed of socialism in France and throughout Europe, haven’t you?”

“…Yes. It’s hard to say that it has blossomed yet, but it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the seed itself has been sown.”

“They will now plot to suppress you, Mr. Engels, but what if you leave Europe? Even if they try to plot, if there is no target, it will lose its power.”

“Leave Europe? Then, could it be…?”

Engels’ eyes flickered slightly as he understood James’s proposal.

“Yes. How about joining me in abolishing slavery in the Americas and overthrowing the South? If we combine the organizational power of the International and my NBA, it’s not impossible.”

“But abandoning Europe and going to America…”

“It’s not abandoning it. The seeds you have sown here will not die even if you leave, but will continue to grow and prepare to bloom. And the establishment of a true socialist state across the Atlantic will be the best nourishment for them. Moreover, neither the British Empire nor Prussia will be able to intervene immediately even if the Southern regime collapses. The dissatisfied workers in the North will also respond when the South awakens.”

When that happens, a socialist revolution will occur not only in Europe but throughout the world, and the corrupt old regimes will collapse like dominoes.

Certainly, according to James’s words, they might be able to achieve their goals without the interference of Europe.

“Mr. James, but the majority of citizens in the South hate black people, so even if black people rise up, wouldn’t they just be suppressed?”

“That’s right. So, we need to create a reason for the ordinary citizens of the South to rise up as well. I’ve already prepared that, so you don’t have to worry.”

A picture naturally formed in Engels’s mind.

First, start a revolution in the South to establish an ideal socialist government, and then extend its influence to the North.

With the workers’ dissatisfaction already at its peak, they could easily start a revolution in the North by using James’s organization.

If they made the entire United States a socialist country, the workers in Europe would not be able to remain unaffected.

Even if the British Empire, France, or Prussia tried to react belatedly, it would already be too late.

The awakened workers would cut the chains around their necks and stick bamboo spears into the greasy bellies of the greedy capitalists.

This could work. A definite possibility was taking shape in his mind like a picture book, continuing to spread.

“First, tell me the detailed plan. Then, let’s have a serious discussion.”

Engels half-hardened his heart, thinking of his friend who was still pathetically studying capitalism in London.

Marx, did you say that the revolution would ultimately fail?

Then I will prove you wrong with my actions.

* * *

Not long after Guizot returned to France.

James, who had rushed to France after receiving my telegram, immediately told me about his meeting with Engels.

As expected of someone who had worked with me for decades and built a business, his ability to handle people is no joke.

To win over Engels and take him to America in one go?

I had prepared other measures in case of failure, but thanks to ending with Plan A, I didn’t have to waste time.

“Hehehehe.”

“…Your Highness?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I think I just laughed because I thought I could see a very interesting sight.”

I took a piece of paper and began to write a letter carefully, one word at a time.

Even so, if the North and South are stained with red, it could be difficult to clean up, so I need to have at least minimal insurance.

By the way, a country divided into North and South, with one side being communist and the other being capitalist… wait, isn’t this?

I smiled bitterly at the deja vu I felt again and stamped the seal symbolizing the British royal family on the carefully written letter.

Dear President Lincoln, you owe me one.