I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 354

< The United Kingdom (3) >

[British Empire of Canada, Imminent Elevation to Kingdom? Only Approval from the Home Country Remains!]

[Duke Killian for King, 97.3% Approval in Own Poll!]

The excitement surrounding Canada showed no signs of slowing down.

The issue of a communist revolution in the South no longer held anyone’s interest, at least not in Canada.

It’s often said that one big issue can bury another, but no one would have predicted that such a massive event could be so completely overshadowed.

“Your Highness, it seems Canada has already made up its mind. Shouldn’t we start coordinating with the home country [Great Britain]?”

“It appears so. Representative Russell, what’s the mood like back home?”

“Parliament has decided to entrust everything to Your Highness, so they can’t very well say anything to the contrary now. But they are definitely surprised by how big this has become. After all, Canada joining the United Kingdom is a significant matter. We also need to carefully consider what impact it will have on other colonies…”

“The impact on other colonies?”

I asked, feigning innocence, but it was a point that should have been considered from the start.

There are many instances of colonies gaining independence, and while it’s rare for them to be incorporated into the home country, it’s not unheard of.

However, the British Empire was unique in that it formed a United Kingdom.

For a colony like Canada to be elevated to a kingdom, have its own king, and be incorporated as a member of the home country was unprecedented.

“The morale of other colonies might be affected by Canada’s example. Of course, Canada has always been different from other colonies.”

“Indeed, Canada’s core consists of royalists and capitalists from the British Empire. The Irish immigrants are also originally citizens of the British Empire. Besides, their economic power is on a completely different level from other colonies, so strictly speaking, it doesn’t make sense for them to apply Canada’s example to themselves. Of course, people’s psychology doesn’t always work that way, so I plan to take some measures.”

I had a rough idea of how to frame it.

I would portray this event as the British Empire’s unique colonial policy of developing colonies to the point of incorporating them into the home country.

“Instead of letting Canada shake the morale of other colonies, I’ll make them see this as a very positive example. If we can give them hope that they too can be incorporated into the home country like Canada in the future, wouldn’t that be a very good motivator?”

“That makes sense, but… is that even possible?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? If they have the economic power of Canada, if they are as important to the home country as Canada, and if they can be as emotionally connected with the home country as Canada, why wouldn’t they be able to join the United Kingdom?”

“The British Empire is truly becoming an empire. In fact, if you look at it objectively, that’s the right thing to do. If it benefits the national interest, there’s no reason not to.”

Even though he said that, most colonies would not be incorporated into the home country.

Only accepting those with good reason is the same as abandoning those without.

But those colonies would have to be granted independence anyway as time passed, so there’s no need to hold onto them.

The best thing to do is to cherish countries that are profitable and helpful, and completely assimilate them into the home country.

Canada will be recorded in history as the first successful case.

Robert was someone who unconditionally supported my decisions, and Russell didn’t raise any objections either, as he had been observing the local atmosphere in Canada.

However, the key is still the public opinion in Great Britain itself.

No matter how rational it may be, such rationality can easily be crushed by the ‘I still don’t like it’ mentality of the old guard.

“I think I’ll have to attend Parliament and give a speech myself. Representative Russell, I would appreciate it if you could accompany me. It would be more persuasive if representatives who have directly witnessed the atmosphere on the ground could testify.”

Robert was a constant admirer of me, so I didn’t need to tell him what to do.

With the influence of the young parliamentarians who recently entered Parliament, as well as Disraeli and Wellesley, the Conservative Party would effectively reach a unanimous decision.

The House of Lords would also unconditionally respect the decision of the House of Commons, as Wellesley’s brother, the Duke of Wellington, was a prominent figure there.

With Russell there to convey the atmosphere in Canada, there would be no uncertainties.

The time had come for the British Empire to truly take off as a true empire, not just in name.

* * *

[The Approaching Threat of Communism! What if They Cross Over to Europe!]

[Restless Workers, General Strike Domestically?]

[Vacillating Government, Are There Any Measures!]

“Everyone must have been surprised and concerned by the recent events in the Americas. Fortunately, I was able to stay in Canada and receive relatively detailed reports on the situation. Not only I, but also Representatives Russell and Robert, all witnessed this unbelievable situation in Canada and hurriedly returned to discuss ways to resolve it with you.”

Finally, with my return, the attention of the tumultuous British Empire was focused on me.

Canada, clamoring to be elevated to a kingdom.

The South, where a communist uprising had destroyed a great nation in an instant, and a new country had been established.

The North, indiscriminately beating people to suppress the communists.

I was the one who could clearly summarize the events unfolding in the Americas, a collaboration of incomprehensible chaos.

Not only the British Empire, but even the embassies of France and Prussia urgently sent requests to meet with me.

It was a major event that a country larger than Mexico, a country with the strength to fight against the 2 million troops of the North [United States of America during the Civil War], had collapsed in an instant.

In particular, France, where the International [International Workingmen’s Association, a socialist organization] had established its headquarters, would inevitably feel even more uneasy than other countries.

If those communists crossed the sea and established a new country, where would they target first if they returned?

Naturally, it would be Paris, where their headquarters were located.

For this reason, the staff of the French embassy were even waiting in Parliament to hear what was being said as quickly as possible.

“Honorable members, the Americas are in chaos. To avoid becoming like them, our British Empire needs to move quickly.”

“His Highness has stated that the American situation should be approached not individually, but as a whole. This includes the plan to merge Canada into the United Kingdom, and we would like to hear a detailed explanation of this part first.”

“It’s simple. Elevate Canada to a kingdom and combine my authority as Duke of Canada and plenipotentiary ambassador to create the position of king.”

“And that king would naturally be Your Highness?”

“Of course.”

When I said it so confidently, the Parliament fell silent for a moment.

There’s no point in beating around the bush, so it’s best to just accept it without hesitation.

“If it were a country that has no relationship with the British Empire, it would be fine. But if Canada is incorporated into the British Empire, it becomes part of the home country, and it’s a bit much for a king to have that much power…”

“I understand. The power of the British Empire must come from Parliament, the representatives of the citizens. Of course, Canada should be no exception. However, Canada is too far away from the home country. Therefore, the reality is that we have no choice but to establish a separate parliament in Canada and allow a certain degree of autonomy.”

“Then shouldn’t we discuss how much autonomy to grant?”

“Looking at the United States right below us, they grant considerable autonomy to each state in order to efficiently govern a vast territory. But really important matters are under central control. We can adjust the authority by referring to that. And the reason I want to have strong authority in Canada is not because I’m blinded by a desire for power. Of course, it’s not like I’m thinking, ‘Oh, I wanted to be a king, this is great’.”

I said jokingly with a light laugh, and the members of Parliament smiled slightly, easing the tense atmosphere.

“There are many purposes for this. First of all, it’s important how Canada and its royal family think of me. In fact, I initially intended to return most of the authority and transfer power to the newly created parliament. However, when the citizens of Canada heard that it would be elevated to a kingdom, they naturally wanted me to wield authority as king. In a brief poll, over 97% of them were in favor.”

Even if you conduct a survey asking whether Gibraltar should be returned to Spain, 2-3% will always answer like contrarians.

In fact, 97% is practically unanimous, so you can roughly understand the level of local public opinion.

Moreover, this was not a survey conducted by me, but a self-conducted survey in Canada by Russell, who belongs to the Liberal Party, so the credibility was even higher.

“···But no matter how much the citizens of Canada want it, that’s······.”

“Of course, it doesn’t make sense for me to stay in Canada 365 days a year. In fact, nothing will really change. We will form the Canadian Parliament and government, entrust the practical affairs to them, and I will only approve important decisions.”

Frankly speaking, nothing changes politically.

From the beginning, I decided the major direction of Canada, and the colonial parliament and governor-general managed the practical affairs on my behalf.

Even if it becomes a kingdom, the Duke of Canada will become the king, the colonial parliament will become the parliament, and the governor-general will only change his name to prime minister.

Nothing really changes.

The only thing that changes is that the label of colonial citizen changes to British Empire citizen, and the title of member of the British Empire is added?

But this change, which is nothing, will have a great impact, as if it were everything.

Nothing, everything.

I should remember that and use it in a speech later.

“One of the reasons why Canada should be incorporated into the home country is to respond to the threat of communism that is expanding in the South. Communism has the characteristic of denying all vertical structures such as feudalism, colonialism, and slavery. It’s not just words, but since they have actually destroyed the existing order and established a new country, there is a concern that they will have an ominous influence on Canada, which is closely adjacent to them.”

“So, as a preemptive measure, you’re going to elevate it to a kingdom and incorporate it into the home country.”

“There’s one more thing. All of Europe is afraid that the wave of communism will cross over to Europe, isn’t it? I carefully watched the process of how communism arose in Canada. The North is simply beating people to suppress communism, but you can’t suppress ideology that way. The way to stop the wave of communism is simple. Just make the citizens think their claims are nonsense.”

“The problem is how that’s possible.”

“First of all, we need to approach the problem from two perspectives: short-term measures and mid- to long-term measures. Elevating Canada to a kingdom and incorporating it into the home country is a short-term measure. They will gain satisfaction from becoming citizens of the British Empire, not a colony, so they won’t even listen to the claims of communists who call for the overthrow of colonialism, right?”

The members of Parliament, who were listening to my story intently, nodded in agreement.

Of course, these changes should not be limited to Canada. The British Empire, and Europe, should now seriously overhaul the current hopeless environment.

“Next, it’s important to create an environment where workers can thrive, even if we can’t accept all the demands they make. It’s not just for the workers. It’s for the maintenance of this society, this system. If you carefully consider the reasons why France in the past and the South now were overthrown by revolution, you will find the answer.”

“Well, since they saw the South collapse, the capitalists will try to compromise at an appropriate level.”

“And if we improve the status of workers in that way, no one will complain even if we incorporate Canada into the home country.”

If working hours are reduced and holidays are guaranteed right away, what does it matter that one of the colonies receives the same treatment?

I guarantee that no one will be interested in it to an amazing extent.

“Managing the dissatisfaction of Canada and the home country at the same time and suppressing the rise of communism… it seems like a good strategy.”

“Yes. And Canada will be the last line of defense to prevent communism in the Americas from crossing over to Europe. In simple terms, this is a kind of system competition to compare which system is superior. If the citizens and society of Canada are more deprived than the socialist country in the South, the wave of communism will quickly sweep across Europe. But conversely, if Canada becomes a much richer country than the South, who in the world would be foolish enough to advocate communism?”

British Canada, or rather, my Canada, will be at the forefront of the fight to drive communism out of this world.

How can a country with such a heavy mission be in a colonial state?

Rather, it would be more difficult if it were not part of the British Empire.

Because the country that fights against communism and wins must be the British Empire, not anyone else.

“Listening to Your Highness, I feel like my complicated mind has been neatly organized.”

“Thank you for understanding. I will continue to cooperate with Parliament to overcome the current complex situation.”

There’s one thing I didn’t say, and that is that there was something absolutely necessary for Canada to overwhelm the South with its economic power, and that was money.

We need to build more factories, increase the population, and improve the facilities to crush those communists, right?

For this reason, I will continue to draw on the budget and the power of the British Empire without hesitation, but I believe that no one will refuse.

After all, all of this is like fertilizer that will be used for a sacred war.

So I will be more directly involved in the future.

All for me and the British Empire.