I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 376

While the Qing Dynasty was getting battered in Asia, a similar situation was unfolding on the opposite side of the world, in the Americas.

As soon as the war began, the Union forces of the North relentlessly pounded Spain, giving them no chance to recover.

The Northern Navy entered Guantanamo Bay and captured the fortress, and Union forces landed in Cuba virtually unopposed.

Encouraged by the North’s promise of support, local independence movements in Cuba rose up in various places, instantly plunging Spain into chaos.

It would have been difficult to respond even with a proper command system, but to make matters worse, Spain was utterly unprepared.

In the end, unable to mount an effective defense and dispersing its forces to try to block both sides, Spain had its main force annihilated by the Union army and was forced to surrender Santiago.

This all happened just one month after the start of the war.

Spain completely lost Cuba, which it had cherished so dearly.

Only then did Spain come to its senses and hastily assemble a fleet in its homeland, but this was also a disastrous decision.

The fleet should have been sent before Cuba fell; sending it after the fact was pointless.

The Spanish fleet, arriving late to the party across the Atlantic, could do nothing and turned back, only to be intercepted and annihilated by the Northern fleet.

If they had fought with adequate forces and strategy, a fierce battle would have been possible, but instead, they engaged in a nonsensical, giveaway-style battle and completely lost control of the Caribbean.

Due to this absurd outcome, there was even speculation in the North that Lincoln had planted spies in Spain beforehand.

“As expected, Your Excellency is amazing!”

“That’s right. We never dreamed that Your Excellency possessed such means.”

“Hahaha, no.”

*What is this? Why is the war going so smoothly?*

In fact, Lincoln was prepared to accept significant losses when going to war with Spain.

The damage was substantial even in the war with Mexico, and Spain was objectively a much stronger nation than Mexico.

But this was even less damaging than the war with Mexico, so Lincoln felt like he was being cheated.

At the same time, a strong sense of anger welled up.

*Were those pathetic guys, not knowing their place, interfering with our affairs and hindering us until now?*

Moreover, with repeated victories, public opinion grew more and more fervent with each passing day.

“Let’s completely crush those rotten bastards at this opportunity!”

The Union forces, having occupied Cuba, pushed straight into Puerto Rico, where Spain was also easily defeated and surrendered the island.

Thus, about 370 years after Columbus set foot in the New World, Spain lost everything it had built there.

Spain had to make a choice.

Whether to end the war here or to squeeze out even non-existent funds and wage a final resistance.

Opinions were divided in the parliament, and public opinion was also split, but in the end, Spain had no choice but to choose a truce.

If they squeezed out more resources to wage war, the country might truly collapse if they lost.

Even if they won, there was no guarantee that the Republic would give up the war, and if they kept fighting, they would not be able to bear the military expenditure.

Even if they won a battle, they couldn’t sustain the war, so how could they continue to fight?

It was a miserable end for an empire that was once called ‘the empire on which the sun never sets’ and commanded the seas of the world.

Not the British Empire, the strongest power of the era, nor France or Prussia, vying for the second-place spot, defeated them.

They were defeated by the Republic, which they thought they could beat no matter what.

They were pushed back during the Civil War, but at least they had a minimum excuse at that time.

*Isn’t war originally disadvantageous to the attacking side?*

Moreover, Spain transported its army across the ocean, so it had no choice but to feel doubly disadvantaged.

However, this time, they suffered a crushing defeat not only in the army but also in naval battles.

Clearly, the power itself was not that overwhelmingly different, but they were pathetically pushed back.

For a country that was once successful, this kind of defeat is bound to be more shocking.

It was because they had no choice but to accept the reality that they were now completely obsolete.

With their spirit broken, Spain was as good as finished.

The problem was public opinion within the Republic.

“Spain has proposed to conclude a peace treaty.”

“They were so cocky, but they ended up like this in just a few months. If I had known they were such pathetic guys, I would have crushed them sooner.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Your Excellency, what shall we do?”

“The South seems to want to end the war here. Secretary-General Engels said that if we agree, they will not oppose concluding a peace treaty.”

“Public opinion is dominated by the idea that we should push into Asia and occupy Spain’s Asian colonies.”

The Union forces still had the capacity to continue the war, and the citizens wanted Spain’s miserable downfall.

It wasn’t necessarily to occupy Asian colonies and expand the territory of the Republic, but simply an expression of anger to crush Spain so that it could never rise again.

“There’s no need to go that far. Spain is destined to be kicked out of Asia anyway.”

Even though it was a verbal agreement not left in writing, now that the situation has become like this, the agreement is as good as fulfilled.

Even if we don’t move our fleet, the British Empire will take care of the ending.

There’s no point in wasting energy on land that we can’t occupy anyway.

Lincoln finished his calculations and decided to put an end to this short but intense war.

“What the citizens want is revenge. Revenge is not just about guns and swords. We also intend to end the war, so ask the British Empire for cooperation.”

“Then what about public opinion…”

“Spain will lose everything in this war. If we focus on that part, the citizens will feel satisfied. Emphasize that the war is ending with our complete victory, not that we stopped even though we could have done more.”

*Let’s put the Spanish issue aside for now, the real problem was that there was one more problem left.*

“Then what are you going to do with Cuba?”

The North’s initial justification for picking a fight with Spain was, of course, supporting Cuba’s independence.

Of course, within the Republic, there was no intention of truly freeing Cuba.

If the North and South were not divided, it would be different, but with the South being a future enemy, Cuba’s geopolitical value was unimaginably high.

They could not give up Cuba unless they received significant compensation.

Even though it was against his sense of justice, Lincoln came to the conclusion that he had no choice but to make a decision.

“Cuba… First, announce that we will follow the opinions of the citizens.”

“Yes.”

“And win over those who are friendly to us among the independence forces and give them strength. Since Spain may invade again someday, the goal is to create public opinion that it is right to be under our protection for the time being.”

If they help them gain independence and then swallow them up, they will naturally receive enormous criticism from European countries and give them a justification to allow their intervention.

Therefore, they should make Cuba a protectorate, claiming that it does not yet have the ability to be independent, and gradually increase the voices within them that it is better to be annexed by them.

The Republic was shouting that it was different from European imperialists, but in order to win the competition with the Communist Party, it had no room to be picky about means.

The war with Spain was just the prelude to the beginning of a real fight.

Not a hot war of shooting guns and cannons, but a cold war of walking on thin ice was the future they had to experience.

* * *

[Exclusive Breaking News! Spain Proposes Surrender to the Republic!]

[What is the fate of Spain? What is the responsibility of the British Empire in this chaotic era?]

[The Republic’s advance into the Pacific? Alarms are ringing for the government’s complacent response!]

[Conflict between Prussia and Austria ignites? What is the future of the German Confederation?]

[The Asian front accelerates chaos. Are Hong Kong and Shanghai safe?]

[Malaria patients surge! Can the Panama Canal be completed?]

Chaos, chaos.

Looking at the breaking news that is updated every day, no newspaper said the same thing.

With scoops pouring out from all directions, newspapers would be frustrated that they only have one front page.

Those who do not know how the government or I are moving behind the scenes cannot help but feel a sense of crisis in this fierce storm.

The whole world is in an uproar, but the British Empire, the center of the world, is not showing any particular movement, so it is understandable that they feel strange.

In fact, some pro-opposition figures or non-mainstream figures in the ruling party cautiously suggested that the government was taking too complacent measures.

However, the truly wise do not shake their fishing rods loudly until a big catch is caught.

Neither Wellesley nor I paid attention to the noisy barking and watched the leisurely flow of the situation.

In fact, it’s good to have them making a fuss like this.

That way, the citizens will know what kind of incidents and accidents are happening outside.

Even if we solve the problem in a wonderful way, if there are no people who recognize it, it will not be a proper promotion.

“We have been informed that the Republic intends to conclude a peace treaty with Spain.”

“It’s a bit faster than expected. I thought they would last at least another month.”

The call from Lincoln came coincidentally when I was reading a letter from Okubo and lounging in front of the fireplace.

One side is going beyond the first, second, and third stages to the realm of brain damage [likely referring to extreme incompetence or foolishness], while the other is showing a move to fold the game when it’s time to applaud [knowing when to quit while ahead], so how can they not be compared?

Of course, we must consider the fact that Japan has a friend named Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] cheering them on, but even so, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder.

How can it flow so ghostly similar to the original history?

Strictly speaking, it cannot be said to be the same as the original history because the variable of Joseon has exploded, but I was personally curious about where the end of their rampage would be.

“I have already coordinated with the government, so give them a hint to implement it right away: that our British Empire, as a third party, will mediate the conclusion of a very reasonable peace treaty, here in London.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And who should participate in the meeting… Let’s see… It’s a bit much for me to go out myself, so I can leave it to Edward.”

If I ask them to create another seat so that he can participate with the government representative, they will take care of it.

This is the best choice because I can give Edward experience and directly reflect the clauses I am aiming for.

“Then the Spanish issue is about this much, and the rest is still this side.”

“Your Majesty, we are also receiving continuous calls from the Hong Kong and Shanghai Governor-General. They seem unable to grasp whether to intervene or remain on the sidelines.”

“Tell them to remain on the sidelines.”

France, which was sweetly lobbied by Rothschild [powerful European banking family], has already officially declared neutrality, and I was thinking of pulling in some of their money when restarting the Panama Canal, so I was acting like I was reluctantly giving in to their demands.

In fact, the military is restless and their hearts are burning, but it’s not that bad for me.

No matter how much Japan or Joseon are acting up now, they are not growing as big as Japan in the original history, so from my point of view, they are just cute tantrums.

If they keep acting like that and cross the line, then I can just cut off the protruding part.

Japan, Joseon, Qing Dynasty.

The opportunity to put those three hopeless brothers on the operating table at once will surely come.

I carefully folded the letter sent by Okubo, put it in the corner of the drawer, and sent a short reply.

*It must be nerve-wracking for the person involved, but suffer a little more.*

*Be careful not to be assassinated for saying the right thing.*

*When the time comes, I will reward you handsomely.*