I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 370

< The Enemy of My Enemy (4) >

The agreement with the North proceeded without a hitch.

The American ambassador, as if Seward had perfectly conveyed my thoughts, engaged in the negotiations flawlessly.

– The British Empire and its allies will maintain neutrality.

Seward, delighted to have secured this reassuring clause, happily crossed the Atlantic again, while Wellesley, seemingly dumbfounded, brought the agreement to me.

“I have proceeded exactly as Your Majesty instructed.”

“As expected of the genius of diplomacy, Prime Minister Wellesley! Once again, you’ve held the United States in the palm of your hand and played with them.”

“What scheme are you plotting now?”

“Hmm? I’m simply offering sincere praise for the achievements of the Prime Minister. Why such a disgruntled reaction?”

Wellesley reflexively reached for a cigarette in his pocket, then put it back, shaking his head with a wry smile.

“By the way, may I really not have a smoke?”

“Please go outside and smoke. I’ll wait.”

“How could I dare? Haa, then let me at least have a cup of coffee while we talk. As written here, the home country must focus on Asia, so we’ve agreed to remain neutral in this situation.”

The content clearly favored the United States, but it couldn’t be recorded as such.

The benefit that this side would ostensibly gain from the North was a concession in the ongoing dispute over the ownership of natural resources in the Rocky Mountains.

“That’s good. This should be reasonably convincing to other countries as well.”

If you look closely, the extent of the British Empire’s neutrality in the conflict isn’t specified.

Whether it’s a diplomatic conflict, a local dispute, or a war.

Whatever it is, it’s all things to all men.

Of course, the Philippines weren’t even mentioned in the official agreement.

“But is a verbal agreement really sufficient? For the sake of enforceability, it would have been better to leave it in writing.”

“Is there really a need? The ambassador and the secretary each made promises, or something close to it, in front of the Prime Minister and me.”

“But it’s also true that unstated promises don’t need to be kept.”

“Of course. But that logic only applies when the powers are similar, and it certainly doesn’t apply between us and the North.”

“Of course, that’s true.”

Frankly speaking, verbal agreements have absolutely no meaning in international diplomacy.

It goes without saying that they’re not even as good as a formally recorded MOU [Memorandum of Understanding].

It’s irresponsible to agree to such a momentous matter as a planned war only verbally.

However, the one who is desperate is not us but them.

The North wants the British Empire to remain neutral, but we don’t care if we get involved.

Rather, the North would beg for the contents of this agreement to be recorded in writing, not the other way around.

“The North can’t violate the terms of the agreement unless they want to provoke us. And if they do, what can they do about it?”

The North has lost its direct access to the Pacific Ocean and has to go around the American continent.

To send a fleet to seize the Philippines and confront the British Empire would be suicidal.

Moreover, considering the completion of the Panama Canal, which is currently under construction, the North had to appease the British Empire.

Win the war against Spain and wash their hands of it?

If Lincoln were a politician who couldn’t even judge the situation, I would be grateful.

Of course, that won’t happen.

“Still, wouldn’t it have been better to clarify these things before moving on?”

“Prime Minister, no matter how secret the agreement, it will eventually be revealed to the world. Don’t just look at the present, think about the future. Imagine this secret agreement being made public later.”

Turning a blind eye to the United States’ war with Spain in exchange for seizing the Philippines from Spain.

Considering the benefits that the British Empire will gain through the Philippines, it’s better not to reveal this treaty to the outside world.

You might think that secrets can be kept, but how many past secret agreements and undisclosed information have been revealed in modern times?

Considering that, it’s better not to leave any records of secret agreements.

“I’m taking care of you so that you won’t be slandered as a cunning schemer with a different face later on. Aren’t you grateful?”

“Wow, I’m so surprised and grateful that you have such deep intentions.”

No, I’m serious, why don’t you believe me? I’m feeling wronged.

“I’m frustrated. My actions, full of good intentions, are not understood.”

“Of course, it’s for me too, but wouldn’t it be mostly for Your Majesty? It’s not me, but Your Majesty who is strangely concerned about the evaluation of posterity.”

Oops. I’ve been found out.

He’s getting more perceptive every day. That’s why I don’t like middle-aged men who are quick-witted.

* * *

The South was taken aback by the strange situation in which the North openly supported them.

The South, which had been nervous about how the North would react, felt relieved but also worried.

No one in the South didn’t know how much the North hated them.

Even so, the fact that they were taking their side meant that they had something they wanted, in addition to their hatred for Spain.

When Lincoln wanted to talk to the South, Engels sensed that the time had come and readily sent a representative.

“Nice to meet you. I am Mikhail Bakunin, a member of the Supreme Council.”

Lincoln could guess how important Engels considered this matter, given that such a prominent figure had come.

Mikhail Bakunin.

Although he was a bit different from Engels, he was a member of the Supreme Council with considerable influence, and now he was known to be cooperative with Engels.

He used to be considered the leading figure of anarchism, but after the establishment of the communist state, he was said to be active as a diligent communist.

However, Lincoln preferred Bakunin to other Southern members.

Although he hated communists, Bakunin had nothing to do with the Civil War.

In Lincoln’s mind, those involved in the Civil War were the most hated, and communists were only secondary.

However, the Southern figures who split the South into two, claiming independence, were all purged by the communists.

In that sense, Lincoln’s feelings towards Bakunin were complicated.

It was true that he had stabilized his regime by suppressing the communists, but unlike others, Lincoln didn’t really hate the communists.

In a way, he felt relieved that they had cleaned up the Southern traitors who had caused the division.

On the other hand, he wondered if it was right to let them die at the hands of the communists who had come from Europe, even though they were members of the same United States.

Even if he hated them, they were members of the same family, so it was natural to feel uncomfortable that they had died at the hands of strangers.

Still, one thing was certain: they were angels compared to Spain.

This was a truth that would never change, even if the sky were to split in two.

“Councilor Bakunin, how much have you been worried about the absurd claims made by Spain this time? But now, don’t worry about anything.”

“Thank you so much for understanding. To be honest, we didn’t expect your country to help us so readily.”

“Of course, we have to help you.”

Lincoln realized once again after seeing Bakunin’s reaction.

As expected, people from Europe don’t know how deeply the North hates Spain.

Although the Supreme Council was mostly composed of Southern figures, the mainstream was Engels and his comrades.

Then we must make the most of this point.

“Spain has never hidden its ambition for the American continent. We believe that the reason why Spain is making such unreasonable demands on the South is an attempt to expand its influence on the American continent again.”

“We think so too. Second-rate imperialists who ended a long time ago are still living in the past.”

“That’s right. Although there are ideological differences between our country and yours, we can’t stand by and watch more European countries push into this continent, can we?”

After all, Bakunin was also a person who came from Europe, and the white people who were the mainstream of the United States were all descendants of ancestors who came from Europe, but no one mentioned that fact.

“Now, the situation is urgent, so I won’t say much. What are the council and the Secretary-General planning to do?”

“For now, we plan to ignore Spain’s demands and watch their reaction.”

“Spain is not in a good situation right now. They will try to get money by any means, but do you have any countermeasures?”

“Well, they may resort to extreme measures, but we believe that the possibility is fifty-fifty. But if your country publicly supports us, wouldn’t the possibility of Spain resorting to extreme measures converge to zero?”

As he said, if the North openly sided with the South, Spain would not be able to attack the South.

If it was just the South alone, Spain would be willing to fight, but if the North was added, Spain would not be able to handle it.

They may not have known their place in the old days, but after the Civil War, Spain would know their place.

Engels’ intention to have the two countries publicly unite and pressure Spain was understandable.

However, because it was understandable, I was even less inclined to listen.

“Councilor. That’s not enough.”

“Yes?”

“Frankly. I’ll be honest without any political rhetoric. How many more times will we be able to unite for one purpose if not this time?”

“That is······.”

“There won’t be. I can say for sure. This alliance is only a one-time alliance that is formed because there is a common enemy called Spain. Are you going to end this precious opportunity with just the settlement of the debt to Spain?”

If the dispute is settled at the level of ‘the South does not have to pay money to Spain’, the South will be the only one to benefit.

The North will not be able to receive any compensation for its support, and Lincoln had no intention of ending the situation like this in the first place.

“Councilor. Think about it. Even if things end as they are here, Spain will not change. Cuba and Puerto Rico are still their colonies, and Spain’s clutches are also extended to Mexico. In other words, they can threaten the South at any time if they want to. Of course, you can rest assured that their condition is not good now. But can you guarantee that this will be the case in 10 or 20 years?”

“Hmm… that’s certainly true.”

Although he came as Engels’ right-hand man, Bakunin was originally a thinker with strong action.

It was easy for Lincoln, who boasted decades of political experience, to win over such a person.

“For the sake of the South, and for the sake of our North, Spain must be expelled from America. Above all, this is the time when Europe is obsessed with Asia. If we miss this opportunity, it may not come again.”

“…Why is that?”

“Well, of course, Europe will want to keep meddling in America. They know what it means for us to kick out Spain, so would they just stand by and watch? But right now, the British Empire is concerned about Asia, so they won’t have the leeway to intervene here. The Secretary-General must make a decision.”

“So, Your Excellency is saying… that we should go to war against Spain?”

Lincoln nodded firmly at his trembling voice, asking if he could handle the aftermath.

“Even if we have to give up Canada, no other great powers other than your country and our country should exist on this North American continent. Our conflict is enough after that.”

“…The alliance between the North and the South.”

“This is the only opportunity we have to join forces like this. I hope you don’t waste this opportunity.”

Just as the South is a terrible communist to the North, the North is a greedy capitalist pig to the South.

As Lincoln said, they were like water and oil that could never be mixed.

However, if the devil invades, Christianity and Islam must join hands and fight.

The holy war can be continued after the devil is defeated.

-This is only for once. But don’t misunderstand that we are going to be friendly.

-That’s what I should say. We are enemies again when this fight is over.

Like a cliché scene in a chivalry novel that was popular in the old days, Bakunin and Lincoln shook hands.

The alliance that will never be seen again was established.