I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 383

It goes without saying that dispatching the heir to the British Empire on a trip isn’t as simple as one might think.

First, a plan must be established through the Foreign Office, and arrangements made regarding protocol and the specifics of the schedule.

Security must be airtight, requiring cooperation not only from the UK but also from the host countries.

Moreover, it’s not just a matter of visiting another country and returning.

Who will he meet, what events will he attend, and how much exposure will he have to the public?

Even how the domestic and international media will report it—there were countless things to consider.

Since this wasn’t coordinated in advance and the schedule was being set so suddenly, everyone in charge would have to work almost around the clock to meet the deadline.

Even after all of this was done, it was necessary to get approval from the most important person.

“You’re sending Edward to Asia?”

“He wants to go.”

“I wouldn’t mind at other times, but we’re in the middle of a war now, aren’t we? You’re sending our child to such a place?”

“Strictly speaking, the war is happening in Qing China, so I think Joseon [Korea] and Japan should be safe…”

“Even so, he’s still young, and sending him that far is too dangerous. Even if he wants to go, you should have stopped him.”

Young? It’s a bit much to call someone well over twenty “young.”

Of course, no matter how old the child is, a mother will always feel anxious, but still, you shouldn’t try to keep him too close.

“I first went to Qing China when I was much younger than Edward… and there was even a war going on then.”

“How can you compare yourself to him? That’s why he’s trying to do such reckless things.”

“Rather than being reckless, it seems like he has something in mind this time. It’s rare for Edward to step up and say he’ll do something from start to finish, isn’t it? So, how about trusting him just this once?”

“Hmm… I’m worried.”

Sigh, I’m going through so much trouble trying to take care of my son.

Still, he’s my son, so he’ll do well if he puts his mind to it.

Of course, I wasn’t going to just blindly trust him and end up regretting it.

It’s easy to see young people rushing ahead and messing things up, so it would be wise to prepare for the worst.

After getting Victoria’s permission, I called Wellesley, Gladstone, and Disraeli to coordinate the upcoming schedule.

Considering the insane situation in Asia right now, anything could happen.

The best thing would be for Edward to get the best results without needing to use any backup plans, but oh well.

No matter how much I scheme and toil, I can’t change the outcome of a die that’s already been thrown.

However, I can at least bring a loaded die that always rolls a 6.

I’ve done everything I can, so all that’s left is to hope he does well.

* * *

“So… you’re saying you want to visit both Joseon and Japan.”

“Yes. Is it possible?”

“Is anything impossible in this world? It’s possible if the staff work a little more overtime and cut the number of days they go home in half.”

“That’s a very pointed remark, but I can’t help it. The Imperial Family will generously reward those who work hard. How about that?”

“That sounds good.”

After the Asian tour schedule was set, Edward first visited Wellesley.

Knowing his father’s personality, he must have taken out all sorts of insurance policies, but he had no intention of using them.

“How does the Prime Minister want this marriage dispute to end? Do you have a particular direction you want to take?”

“I don’t know about other regions, but in Asia, no one in the British Empire understands the situation as well as His Majesty. I think it’s best to go in the direction His Majesty suggests.”

“That’s true. But even if that’s the final outcome, opinions may differ on how to approach it, right? I sometimes think my father is too lenient in resolving things.”

“His Majesty is looking ahead not just to short-term gains but to things decades down the line.”

In a way, it might sound like he was criticizing Killian’s methods, but Wellesley explained it step by step as if teaching a young student.

Of course, it wasn’t that Edward didn’t know that.

Rather, he was confident that he could play his part precisely because he knew.

“Prime Minister, of course, I know that too. It’s not that my father’s policy is wrong. No matter how much I am my father’s son, I can’t even begin to match his foresight.”

“That’s how I feel too. At first, I wonder why he’s doing this, but later on, I realize he’s always right.”

“But even my father sometimes has to sacrifice the few for the sake of the many. In fact, that’s the right thing to do. So, shouldn’t I pick up the small things that my father inevitably misses?”

“So… what exactly are you planning to do, Your Highness?”

Being Killian’s son, it wasn’t hard to guess how Asia would view him.

He had studied Asian culture and their sentiments enough.

Joseon and Japan had used Killian’s name extensively to promote their self-esteem during their modernization.

The name Killian was a kind of guarantee that Joseon and Japanese people were as good as white people, and it was a matter of their pride.

So, his son wouldn’t be any different.

Wouldn’t they be ecstatic to know that the next emperor of the world’s strongest empire, the British Empire, had their blood flowing through him?

Perhaps an even grander welcoming ceremony than when he went to Canada would be held.

No, it was guaranteed to be that way.

“I am my father’s son, but I am also a different person from my father. I need to take advantage of this as much as possible.”

He would use Killian’s halo, but since it wasn’t Killian himself, he could cut it off at an appropriate level.

“His Majesty’s reputation is high. It’s good to use it, but if you tarnish it, it could be difficult for Your Highness to handle.”

“It’s okay. I will never tarnish my father’s name. On the contrary.”

If Killian himself went, the officials of Joseon and Japan would all bow their heads to the ground and not dare to look up.

But even though Edward was his son, he wasn’t Killian himself.

Still, as the Crown Prince of the British Empire, he would receive the utmost hospitality, but inevitably, they would have to do some calculations in their heads.

A young man in his twenties. And if he was raised as the Crown Prince from a young age and was ignorant of the world and arrogant, what more needed to be said?

Wellesley, understanding Edward’s intentions, frowned slightly.

“Your Highness, then perhaps…”

“Yes. For this reason, I would like to ask for a little favor. Would that be possible? It’s all for the benefit of the home country.”

Seeing Wellesley’s slightly admiring reaction, Edward was confident of success.

Being young is good for this reason.

You can always assume that the people you’re dealing with are off guard.

* * *

Both Joseon and Japan, unexpectedly welcoming the Crown Prince of the British Empire, couldn’t hide their embarrassment.

They thought it would be nice to just receive a congratulatory message from Killian, but beyond that, the Crown Prince himself was coming, so of course, they couldn’t help but be at a loss.

“There must be absolutely no negligence in the preparation!”

“Of course! It’s the Crown Prince who’s coming, not just any prince! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! The next Emperor of the British Empire!”

“I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is still young, so he must have a wide range of interests. I never imagined he would come all the way here in person.”

“Isn’t this proof that the British Empire values our country that much? Hahaha!”

Both Joseon and Japan were very excited and elated.

Those belonging to the Imperial Family Marriage Promotion Committee were already considering the success of the event as guaranteed and were holding their heads high.

“By the way, Prime Minister. Didn’t you say that making such a request was suicidal? But the results are so good, don’t you have anything to say?”

“…”

“What about the Prime Minister?”

“…”

Kim Jwa-geun and Okubo were slowly tilting their glasses without saying a word, with expressions as if they had chewed on a bug.

They had joined the committee to take on the least risky task, but they ended up being a burden here too.

In fact, Kim Jwa-geun was quite embarrassed, even though he didn’t show it.

Why is this working?

He clearly expected a reply from the British Empire telling them not to talk nonsense, but the Crown Prince is participating in person?

Logically, the Crown Prince wouldn’t support Joseon and Japan forming an alliance and attacking Qing, would he?

But it didn’t seem like he was going to come all the way here and overturn the situation.

If that was his intention, he would have used a different method instead of coming in person.

He racked his brain to figure out why he was coming, but nothing came to mind.

He glanced over and saw Okubo narrowing his brows and staring intently at his glass, probably thinking the same thing.

However, unlike these two, the ministers of the committee were already drunk with excitement and out of control.

“Now, now, everyone! Even Prime Ministers make mistakes sometimes. It seems like there have been a few mistakes lately, but it’s probably because they’ve been overworked.”

“That’s right. We should lighten the Prime Ministers’ burden now. Prime Minister, don’t worry and leave it to us. We’ll take responsibility and handle things well.”

“…Then do so.”

He was already wondering how to get out of this, and now they’re kindly offering to exclude him, so he couldn’t ask for more.

Kim Jwa-geun tried to hide his displeasure as much as possible, composed himself, and sighed.

“I’m trying to make objective judgments, but it seems like the flow of the times is too fast, and my old brain keeps falling behind. After all, it’s better for young people to lead this kind of thing.”

Kim Jwa-geun came out so readily that the ministers were rather embarrassed.

“…Ah… well, we’re just grateful that you say so.”

“We’ll do our best not to disappoint the Prime Minister’s expectations.”

Not disappoint expectations my ass. If that were the case, you would have been racking your brains to figure out what the Crown Prince’s intentions were, instead of just drinking.

But they firmly believed that the British Empire was backing them, so they gave up thinking any further.

If things continue like this, he wouldn’t be surprised if a diplomatic disaster occurred at the wedding.

“Everyone! Then shall we discuss what preparations we should make to welcome His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?”

“First, we need to thoroughly understand His Royal Highness’s hobbies and tendencies. Let’s request all information about His Royal Highness from the embassy in London. And we need to prepare everything he wants.”

“Perhaps His Highness likes alcohol and women?”

“Is there a man who doesn’t like alcohol and women? Ah, of course, since he’s the next Emperor of the British Empire, we must prepare women who are not vulgar but elegant. If His Highness is not interested in women, we can just dismiss them.”

Very healthy discussions were continuing, but Kim Jwa-geun could read the greed boiling deep in the ministers’ eyes.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get on the good side of the Crown Prince of the British Empire.

Moreover, unlike Killian, the Crown Prince was still a young and vigorous man.

If they played their cards right, they might be able to see effects beyond just making connections.

Of course, he had no intention of walking this dangerous tightrope, so he would just stay away and watch.

Whether they walk the tightrope or fall, let them do as they please.

Kim Jwa-geun smirked and silently drank his alcohol.