I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 351

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May 14, 1865.

Workers across the South launched a general strike.

A massive number of people flocked to the capital, Richmond.

Textile and metal factories across the country closed, and with the addition of female workers, the scale began to grow endlessly.

The main slogans of their protest were ‘Bread,’ ‘Taxes,’ and ‘Break Time.’

May 15. The strike expanded to the capital, Richmond. A total of nearly 200,000 people flooded in.

Soldiers fired to forcibly disperse the protesters, and the situation was no longer just a matter for the workers.

Students also participated, and the slogan quickly expanded to ‘Regime Change.’

As the situation rapidly unfolded, embassies of various countries were put on alert, and detailed information spread everywhere via telegram.

May 16. The scale of the strike now expanded to the entire city, and the American Labor Federation declared a general strike.

All factories stopped operating, and even universities went on strike. President Jefferson eventually mobilized the military in earnest, escalating the conflict.

But what kind of place is America?

A country where anyone can easily handle firearms under the pretext of defending themselves.

Moreover, the protesters, from who knows where, began to possess weapons that only soldiers would use, and they began attacking police and military bases.

As the military and protesters began firing at each other, the atmosphere became uncontrollably grim.

Now, there were no more people shouting soft slogans demanding taxes or break time.

Those who shouted ‘Overthrow the Regime’ and ‘Dismantle the Government’ began to run wild, destroying the entire Richmond Police Station, and all the police officers scattered.

“If you have any conscience, throw away your weapons! Aren’t you citizens of this country too!”

“Don’t live as the government’s dogs! Join us!”

May 17.

Militias and private mercenaries from government-affiliated detective agencies refused orders and murdered government officers before joining the rioters.

All administrative institutions in the city were paralyzed, the doors of prisons and detention centers were opened, and even armories were seized.

After that, on May 18, even the cavalry units sided with the citizens, and the spectacle of suppression forces disobeying orders in real-time during formation emerged. The government had no choice but to admit that it could not control the situation.

The Southern government, which had not collapsed even while fighting against 2 million Northern troops, completely collapsed in just five days.

But Engels, who led this great achievement, had no intention of stopping there.

“Everyone! Only one step remains until the completion of the revolution. But if we do not perfectly complete this revolution, it will eventually be frustrated halfway like the French Revolution. To ensure that no one can tarnish the purity of this revolution, we must organize an organization that can build a country that satisfies all citizens! I, Engels, will become the secretary and do my best to fulfill my final mission so that no one dares to harbor the vain desire to become the Napoleon of America!”

“Engels! Engels! Engels!”

“Long live Secretary Engels!”

The masses eagerly wanted a new organization to replace the government, and the American Labor Council was established around the International [referring to the First International, an international organization that aimed to unite a variety of different left-wing socialist, communist and anarchist political groups and trade union organizations].

The council formally sent an envoy to President Jefferson, demanding that he dissolve the executive branch and transfer power to the council.

Three days later. When the desired answer did not come, Council Secretary Engels forcibly detained government officials and dissolved the government.

Jefferson Davis, the hero who saved the South from the hands of the North, the guardian of tradition, and the hero of victory, was recorded as the first and last president of the South.

The Confederate States of America, which had ambitiously declared independence from the North, disappeared into history in just one year.

* * *

The fall of the Confederate States of America was naturally first reported to the North and Canada.

Members of the British Empire’s Parliament, who had just set foot in the port of Toronto across the Atlantic, immediately noticed that the atmosphere was unsettling.

“Councilor Russell, doesn’t the atmosphere seem strange?”

“Indeed. The people who came out to welcome us also seem flustered. And where did His Highness go again?”

“That’s what I’m saying. I came all the way here to see His Highness.”

“Can’t you see His Highness in London?”

“It’s different from seeing him in London. This Canada is a historical land where His Highness’s great will and purpose are alive. Seeing His Highness here is like following in his footsteps…”

Here we go again.

As Robert’s praise of Killian was activated, Russell slyly avoided his gaze and looked around.

He chattered so much while crossing the Atlantic on the ship, and he still has more to say. I guess that’s why they say youth is good.

“So, Councilor Killian, when developing this Canada… the development process most suitable for industrialization… his great insight to immediately recognize that the Great Lakes are suitable terrain for industrialization…”

He was reciting the Crimean War chronicles on the ship, and now it’s the history of Canada’s development.

He looks like a Killian fanatic, but surprisingly, there are many such people among the young councilors these days.

The person at the center of it is Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, who is scheduled to be the next Secretary of State for India.

With such a talented person, who will become the next Marquess of Salisbury and the center of the Conservative Party, so deeply in love with Killian, it is obvious that the Conservative Party after Prime Minister Wellesley will also take a pro-royal stance.

This was not a welcome thing for the Liberal Party, but coincidentally, there were rumors that there were many such young people within the Liberal Party as well.

It’s not bad for the parliament to be close to the royal family, but we should refrain from worshiping them like this.

But even if I say these words indirectly, it doesn’t work for Killian worshipers like Robert.

If I give this kind of advice, they 오히려 [Korean word meaning “rather” or “on the contrary”] take it as inferiority or jealousy, so there is no way to persuade them.

In this case, it’s best to just change the subject.

“Let’s hear more about His Highness’s amazing achievements later and try to figure out the situation now. Tell me, when will His Highness arrive?”

The aide who received Russell’s question immediately asked around and returned with wide eyes.

“Councilor! It’s a disaster!”

“I thought so, seeing how flustered they are even though we’ve arrived. What’s going on that’s so chaotic?”

“Communists have rioted in the South! The government has been completely overturned, and the whole country is in chaos because the council established by the reds is dominating the country.”

“…A large-scale riot has occurred?”

“It’s not just a riot, but the government has been overturned, and the country has come to an end.”

What is this sound? When Russell turned around with a dumbfounded expression, Robert was also blinking with a similar face.

The country collapses due to workers’ strikes?

Is that even possible?

“No, wait a minute. When I boarded the ship in London, there was no mention of a large-scale riot?”

“It happened in the last few days.”

“In such a short period of time? No… damn it. What the hell is going on.”

The reason why Russell and Robert came to Canada was to hear opinions on the recent movement to incorporate Canada into the home country [referring to Great Britain].

Of course, the opinion of the parliament was to reject Canada’s request for incorporation into the home country with the most plausible reason possible.

It’s not all of them, but many people in the home country thought it was absurd that those who were merely colonies would become members of the home country.

“Did we time it a little wrong… what’s the local public opinion like?”

“The colonial parliament is in a state of unprecedented tension. It’s unprecedented for workers to overthrow the country and even try to establish a new government…”

“I guess so. I hope this doesn’t backfire. Is that why His Highness didn’t come out?”

If Killian is there, Canadians won’t rise up like the reds in the South, but it’s still necessary to keep an eye on the situation.

He must be running around busily right now, so it’s natural that he can’t pay attention to this.

“Councilor Russell, now that this has happened, let’s join His Highness right away.”

“Ah, Councilors, I’m sorry, but His Highness is not in Toronto right now. He took a train to the west a few days ago. He’s probably in California by now.”

“California? Did a riot break out there too?”

Things have really gone wrong.

To Robert and Russell’s urgent questions, the local aide shook his head with a subtle expression.

“That’s not it. I don’t know the exact reason, but it’s said to be a problem related to immigrants.”

“…Immigrants?”

Well, with the whole country in chaos due to the reds’ riots, it’s natural that the immigrant community is in turmoil.

Even if a riot doesn’t break out, Killian may have gone there to manage public sentiment in advance.

“Anyway, everything His Highness does has a reason. Councilor Russell, let’s try to understand the local public sentiment here in our own way.”

“…Let’s do that.”

I still don’t understand what’s going on, but I have to move first.

Regardless of the interests of the ruling and opposition parties, Robert and Russell began to move in unison in this unprecedented situation.

* * *

The South was devastated by the socialist revolution.

Everything has been going according to plan so far, but such a delicate plan is likely to be greatly distorted by even minor variables.

At first, I thought it was the nonsense of delusional people, but the reason why I can’t turn a deaf ear to the sound that Japanese and Korean students said is also there.

Japan and Joseon [historical Korean kingdom] are trying to attack Qing China [the last imperial dynasty of China] and advance to the continent?

If Europeans heard it, 99 out of 100 would think it’s nonsense, but I’m the only exception.

I know very well that Japan, more than any other country, is capable of doing everything that can be imagined.

If they were people who judged and acted thoroughly with reason, would they have attacked Pearl Harbor?

I don’t know how Joseon will come out, but when I went there last time, it seemed like Joseon wasn’t exactly in its right mind either.

Besides, isn’t it a characteristic of Asia that they become more confident and fearless than anyone else when they are together, even if they are alone?

There’s nothing to be afraid of together, so the possibility of attacking Qing China was by no means 0.

It’s a story that came out at a drinking party, so I don’t know how credible it is, but it wouldn’t hurt to check it out first.

Of course, I thought the probability was less than 3%.

If there were any signs of that, the embassy would have reported to me right away.

But.

“Ha, hahaha… Your Highness. That’s…”

“Why can’t you speak?”

The Japanese students who were talking at the drinking party were sweating profusely and couldn’t lift their heads in front of me.

Most of them were the children of Japanese senators, so they were the most fearless among the international students, but in front of me, they were all just gentle sheep.

“Your Highness. So that’s naturally…”

“It’s a natural thing to say, but keep in mind that if it turns out that you’ve lied, not only you but also your parents will be very sad.”

Even if they are Japanese senators, it’s easy for me to blow them away if I want to.

The international students, who couldn’t possibly not know that fact, only looked at each other and began to make excuses in awkward English.

“We, we just discuss! It’s an accident that came out while we were discussing!”

“So, is it true that such words are actually exchanged?”

“Uh… uh…”

“I’m not trying to push you, I’m just trying to figure out the facts, so don’t worry too much and tell me. I promise that there will be no disadvantages for you.”

When I reassured them by mentioning the name of the royal family, they exchanged glances with each other a few times and carefully opened their mouths.

“If Your Highness promises for sure…”

“Yes. I’ll promise in my name, so tell me. You’ll be satisfied if I not only don’t disadvantage you, but also give you a seat here, right?”

“If so… next time I’ll find out more details and tell you. If it’s Your Highness’s promise, I am trust!”

Okay, if you don’t want to be i am corpse, you’ll have to find out the details and tell me.

I don’t know what Okubo and Kim Jwa-geun are doing, but I’m going to have to crack down on discipline soon.