I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 361

One of the most common mistakes smart people make is overlooking the possibility that others might be just as intelligent as they are.

Those who are overly confident in their abilities are especially prone to falling into this trap.

Kim Jwa-geun was trying to resolve Joseon’s unstable political situation by leveraging Japan.

Okubo was trying to alleviate Japan’s turbulent political situation by leveraging Joseon.

Since both are pursuing the same strategy, the situation is bound to unfold in an unexpected manner.

Moreover, both sides are unfortunately receiving considerable support for the idea of attacking Qing [the last imperial dynasty of China] this time.

In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this is somewhat of a karmic consequence.

In Joseon’s [historical Korean kingdom] case, to successfully promote modernization, they excessively emphasized the superiority of the Korean people, leading to a backlash against the hitherto embraced policy of ‘serving the great powers’ [a traditional Korean foreign policy of maintaining good relations with powerful neighbors].

Japan, not much different from Joseon, used Killian’s influence to emphasize the amazing abilities of the Yamato people [the dominant ethnic group of Japan], injecting a strange sense of overconfidence that they were the best in Asia.

With people who are inevitably marginalized wanting to project national power outward, there are bound to be more people, from citizens to the upper class, who desire war.

Even those who call themselves intellectuals are spouting nonsense about how advancing into the continent is necessary for the country’s future.

Joseon to Manchuria. Japan to the continent.

Who could resist this temptation?

At least among the sensible people in Joseon and Japan, there weren’t many.

In the end, as each side inwardly shouted at the other, ‘Hey, you know things will go crazy if we continue like this, right? You need to stop!’ and frantically waved their hands, a very loud clap echoed.

The situation rapidly gained momentum, like a snowball rolling down a hill.

“Your Majesty! Japan has expressed deep gratitude for Joseon’s positive response to their proposal and has sent an additional proposal to form a consultative body for this purpose.”

“Very well, do as they ask.”

What is this? Were these damn Japanese really thinking of invading Qing?

Wasn’t it just a bluff?

Were these guys really aiming for the continent?

“Prime Minister! Joseon has agreed to form a consultative body.”

“There you see, Okubo. Joseon is obsessed with Manchuria right now! If we attack together, the current weak Qing will be no match for us!”

“Hmm…”

What? Are those Joseon bastards really planning to charge into the Manchurian plains?

If they attack Manchuria and we attack the coast from the sea, Qing definitely won’t be able to withstand it.

At this point, one possibility began to emerge.

-If they’re really going to war, this might be more feasible than I thought?

The British Empire said that it shouldn’t cause any disruption to Europe’s economy.

But if you think about it differently, if we plunder Qing, wouldn’t Europe naturally try to extract more from Qing as well?

Looking at it from a different perspective, Japan and Joseon are taking the initiative.

As domestic public opinion increasingly leaned towards war, Okubo had no choice but to make a decision.

Alright. As long as we suppress the military from becoming too prominent, one war might be inevitable.

“Saigo, I want you to go to Joseon as a special envoy. Get a definite answer from them, and if they agree, we’ll make a decision too. If they refuse, we’ll drop the idea.”

“Good. Leave it to me. I’ll get their approval, even if it costs me my life.”

To be honest, I just hope things fall apart and everything gets overturned.

If I had known Joseon had become such a crazy country, I would have come up with another excuse, but it’s already too late.

As they cursed each other inwardly, Joseon and Japan eventually took a bold step towards a swamp from which they couldn’t escape.

* * *

To be honest, I expected Japan to act up to some extent.

I told Okubo to restrain the military, but I knew very well how messed up the Japanese military became in the original history.

I’ve learned one thing from watching the rise and fall of many countries so far.

It takes tremendous ability for an individual to change the course of history.

I don’t know if Okubo has that much ability. He rose to the top of power too young and therefore didn’t have a proper foundation.

The only thing he can do is eagerly use my name to throw his weight around, but if he does that, it becomes difficult to do something in his own name.

As a result, things get more and more twisted, and the things he can control become fewer and fewer, so before he knows it, the situation is out of control.

I guess I expected things to unfold in Japan roughly along these lines.

In fact, what I really didn’t expect was Joseon.

Unlike other countries where I could use the original history deduction method, Joseon now had no basis for judgment.

Joseon successfully promoting modernization?

Even with Yi Ha-eung [a Joseon Dynasty politician] becoming king and Kim Jwa-geun, not the Andong Kim clan [a powerful Joseon Dynasty family], becoming the sole supreme power holder, how could I possibly predict where Joseon would go?

Of course, Kim Jwa-geun was at the center of the Seodo politics [a political faction in the late Joseon Dynasty] in the original history, but now the Seodo family had fallen and Kim Jwa-geun had seized control of the court.

With so many enlightenment thinkers who studied in London now holding positions, it was uncertain where this Joseon would roll.

So I left it alone for a while, but I never imagined they would be thinking of partnering with Japan to plunge into Manchuria.

I didn’t expect Yi Ha-eung and Kim Jwa-geun to go this far, but I had a feeling there might be some hidden truth.

Anyway, what does it matter? It’s obvious that the die has already been cast.

Still, I poked at them to see if they were completely out of control, and I got an immediate response.

A diplomat hurriedly set sail from Japan, crossed the Pacific Ocean, and bowed his head in front of me, almost prostrating himself.

“Killian Shaw… no, Your Majesty! I have rushed here at Your Majesty’s call!”

“You could have just sent a telegram to the embassy, but that’s quite the dedication.”

“How could I disrespectfully send only a telegram when Your Majesty has summoned me? I am Tojo Hidetoshi! I have come under the Prime Minister’s orders to thoroughly resolve any doubts Your Majesty may have!”

“Yes, yes. Tojo Hi… hmm? What was your name again?”

“Tojo Hidetoshi! I am from the Morioka Domain and currently work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Tojo… Tojo Hidetoshi. For some reason, a very familiar name comes to mind. Could he be related?

Considering the year, he might be his father, or even his grandfather.

Or maybe just a relative, but hearing this name gives me a strange feeling.

“So, Tojo Hidetoshi. How do you feel about coming to Canada from Japan?”

“I visited California, where Japanese immigrants live, and I was surprised. They are undertaking such a large-scale project to draw water.”

“The population is growing, so we need to draw water. With the home country providing massive support, California will become a fertile land overflowing with food.”

“This sight of a land where Asians are taking root and living transforming into a paradise on earth symbolizes Your Majesty’s grace…”

“Ah, enough. Tell me why you came here. The ambassador assured me that there was nothing to worry about, so why did you send a diplomat so urgently?”

I shuffled through the report sent by the Japanese side and let out a sneer.

“Look at this. So you’re saying that Joseon wants war, so there’s nothing you can do?”

“N, no. It’s not about shifting all the blame to Joseon…”

“Didn’t Japan initially propose the Jeongcheong Theory [a political theory advocating for the conquest of Korea] or whatever to Joseon? Now you’re saying Joseon wants war, which looks like nothing but passing the buck.”

I know it’s your specialty to blame others, but I can’t play along if you’re trying to pull the wool over my eyes like this.

“Absolutely not. It is true that the Jeongcheong Theory originated in our country. Therefore, we asked Joseon for their opinion, and now we have agreed to establish a consultative body for this purpose.”

“Hoo. That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

At this point, isn’t it practically saying that you’re really thinking of having a go?

The feeling I had from the beginning is finally solidifying into the conviction that it will become a reality.

Does this mean that Japan is destined to plunge into the continent no matter how strong it becomes?

Japan is one thing, but Joseon is also playing a part in it.

Well, how could they resist the bait of recovering Goguryeo territory [an ancient Korean kingdom] and restoring the ancient lands of Manchuria?

With the power and opportunity to expand to the continent, both Joseon and Japan can’t help but fall for it.

It’s not for nothing that people say “East Joseon, West Japan.” In fact, the two countries have many similar thoughts and actions.

Objectively speaking, the more you analyze it, the harder it is to find a reason why war wouldn’t break out.

The problem is the impact it will have on Asia…

As I silently sipped my tea, Tojo, who was watching my expression, began to ramble on.

“Of course, we are not saying that we will definitely go to war. As of now, there is no justification for it, and Japan is a peace-loving country. We would never wage war without any reason. We are simply informing Your Majesty in advance that we may do so if an unavoidable situation arises.”

“I see, I see. Then what would be an example of that unavoidable situation?”

“The Qing Dynasty is engaged in illegal fishing in Joseon’s and our territorial waters. We keep telling them to stop, but they are not listening.”

“That must be difficult.”

I’ve never seen people use illegal fishing as a pretext for war.

If you start a war for such an absurd reason, it might go down in history as a legendary case.

But knowing how crazy the Japanese military can be, I had a feeling that this might not be a joke but a reality.

“So, Tojo. Is that all the Prime Minister told you to tell me?”

“No. Well… he did say that he needed confirmation.”

“Confirmation? Confirmation of what?”

“If we secure territory on the continent… would you recognize it? Of course, we will ensure that the British Empire does not suffer even a grain of rice’s worth of damage.”

“…?”

Did you cross the Pacific Ocean just to ask me this directly?

Well, it’s definitely something you can’t convey by telegram.

In fact, what Japan really wants to confirm is not simply whether they can go to war, but whether they can occupy territory.

Joseon is bound to take Manchuria, so Japan must be planning to build a colony or establish a puppet state on the continent.

But simply going to war and swallowing up territory are two completely different stories.

In fact, there is a very high possibility that the European powers watching from the sidelines will ask when you said you could take the land… no, it’s closer to 100%.

“But even so, isn’t it a bit much to ask me that directly? The Prime Minister must be getting impatient. Or maybe you’re not even trying to get an answer in the first place.”

Tojo’s body stiffened at my casual remark.

I knew it. Seeing you come all the way to Canada to say such crazy things, I thought there must be something else.

“But Tojo, I have a personal question. Are you interested in militarism or the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere [an imperialist propaganda concept created and promulgated by the Empire of Japan] or anything like that?”

“E, e, e, what are you talking about! Neither I nor the Prime Minister are interested in such dangerous ideologies!”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

Tojo hurriedly shook his head, but honestly, how could I not ask that after hearing that surname?

Of course, the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere may not even exist now, but if you really establish a base on the continent, that word will become a reality, not just a future slogan.

Logically speaking, you might be satisfied with just hitting Qing now, but will the rampage of these two countries really end there?

You have no intention of doing more at all?

No, we don’t. I could believe it and move on, but unfortunately, I’m naturally suspicious.

I need to seriously consider how to take advantage of this, assuming that those two are going on a rampage.

I was already planning to start completely dominating the Pacific Ocean, but maybe this will turn out better than I thought?