I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 424

< The Communist Civil War (7) >

Most European countries were in an uproar over the Communist Party and Engels.

But no matter how festive things seem, people who are barely making ends meet can’t truly enjoy the atmosphere.

There were only two countries in Europe that weren’t exactly thrilled to see Engels getting a beating.

The first, of course, was Russia.

With their own imperial family becoming a global laughingstock, who cared if the leader of the Communist Party across the continent was plagiarizing or not?

The nobles were using this opportunity to weaken the Emperor’s power, and the Emperor was fighting back, so Russia had no energy to pay attention to the troubles of other countries.

Besides Russia, there was one other country that wasn’t exactly enjoying the South getting pummeled: Prussia.

Still, Prussia wasn’t as bad as Russia.

At least ordinary citizens and nobles could laugh and mock the foolish communists.

The problem was that the King and the Prime Minister, the leaders of the country, couldn’t do the same.

“So… anyway, you’re saying that the British Empire won’t hold this foolish man accountable anymore?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, Killian has clearly promised that.”

“That’s a relief. I owe them a great debt.”

“Yes, you do. That’s the problem.”

Forgiveness was appreciated, but there is no such thing as unconditional forgiveness in international diplomacy.

Considering what Prussia had lost in this incident, Wilhelm felt like he could beat his son half to death and still not be satisfied.

How foolish he had been to prepare a grand event to welcome such a man.

“Re-establish ties with the British Imperial Family… is that impossible, right?”

“Well, it seems His Royal Highness the Crown Prince doesn’t want it. When I asked him why, he said he couldn’t handle the Princess.”

“That incompetent fool. He doesn’t have the confidence to handle a woman… Ugh, what a loser.”

“Perhaps it’s because he knows he messed up. Marrying into the British Empire to strengthen the alliance is good, but it’s also true that the Imperial Family might try to interfere more than necessary, using the last incident as an excuse. Canceling the marriage was the right choice.”

“So, in the end, we missed an opportunity because of that fool’s antics! If he had just stayed still, the marriage would have come to us on its own!”

Killian had no intention of sending his daughter to Prussia from the start, but Wilhelm and Bismarck, unaware of this, simply regretted missing this golden opportunity.

“Still, thanks to this incident, Russia’s momentum has definitely been broken, so that’s a relief, isn’t it? It means one less thing for us to worry about.”

“That’s true. What do you think? Can Russia recover?”

“With the imperial power stabilized, the balance of power has begun to shake, so this chaos will continue for a while. Moreover, Russia is currently pushing for rapid industrialization, which has intensified conflicts between workers and capitalists. They won’t be able to recover for at least 10 years. Maybe they’ll collapse altogether.”

With a communist state established in the South, the major European powers outwardly shifted their policies to listen to the voices of the workers.

However, Russia, a latecomer, declared that such things were merely compromises for the weak and squeezed the workers even harder.

-Muscles get stronger the more you use them. The same goes for people. Workers get stronger the more they work!

It was a slogan that made one wonder if they were sane, but Russia was originally like an island on the continent, with a strong tendency to stand apart from Europe.

No matter what Europe said, Moscow remained steadfast.

“If Russia is out of the picture, Turkey will also breathe a sigh of relief. Then, is France the only one left? France has agreed to cooperate with us, so if we can just persuade Turkey to push out Austria, I can consider my work done in my generation.”

“If that happens, Your Majesty will be praised as the greatest sage ruler in Prussian history.”

Having secured about 40% of the Philippines, firmly establishing a foothold in Asia, and obtaining half of Panama, creating a path to the Americas.

If he could push out Austria and seize the leadership of Germany, which king of Prussia could compare to Wilhelm?

Bismarck’s words were by no means mere flattery, and Wilhelm himself knew it well.

“My only concern is that I only have one son. If I happen to pass away first, your role will become even more crucial. Are you up for it?”

“I will prove myself capable.”

“Good, I’m counting on you. By the way, things have been noisy across the Atlantic lately. Do you know anything about it?”

“Ah… actually, I have something to tell you about that. It seems I need to go to New York.”

“New York? You mean the United States? Why would you go there?”

Bismarck told him about the debate between Marx and Engels that he had received information about just yesterday.

Wilhelm, who had not been very interested in the matter until now, blinked, his face full of questions.

“They asked you to be an observer? Ah… now that I think about it, Engels and Marx are both from Prussia, right? Were you acquainted with those two?”

“I wouldn’t say I know them well… but I have a very small connection with them.”

“That’s quite unexpected. An observer for the debate… who else is participating?”

“It has been confirmed that His Majesty Killian will also participate as another observer.”

“That man is everywhere. You’d think he had multiple bodies. Still, if even the British Imperial Family is participating, it will be a debate that goes down in history… It wouldn’t be bad if our Prussia could have a seat at the table. Yes, you should go.”

Bismarck knew from the start that Wilhelm would agree.

However, one concern was that his relationship with Marx and Engels was not a pleasant memory.

‘No. Everyone has their own position and is old enough to know better. No one would bring up old grudges.’

It would be an international disgrace if it became known that the Iron-Blooded Chancellor [Otto von Bismarck’s nickname, referring to his ruthless political style] had challenged someone to a fistfight, fought until his nose bled, and ended up lying on the floor.

Moreover, he had even written in his autobiography that he had secretly beaten up some naive communist thinkers he met in London.

Yes. It’s just unnecessary worry.

The Iron-Blooded Chancellor shook off his slight anxiety and left to prepare for his departure to New York.

* * *

A few days later, on the other side of the Atlantic.

New York was more vibrant than ever, anticipating the arrival of dignitaries from various countries.

It was already one of the most prosperous cities in the United States, but how often had it received such international attention?

The British Imperial Family, the Prime Minister of Prussia, and dignitaries from France, Spain, the Vatican, Greece, and even Turkey were flocking to see this debate of the century.

Of course, the debate was not being held in New York.

Still, Lincoln wanted to promote his country’s power, which was not inferior to that of the great powers, and he confidently chose New York as a city that could showcase it.

As expected, the people from Europe were amazed by the rapidly developing scenery of New York and were inwardly astonished by the potential of the rapidly growing North.

They realized that defeating Spain was not just luck and that the United States’ power had already far surpassed that of Spain.

Those from France and Prussia also had a feeling that the United States might become a potential competitor in the future.

For the United States, which had been constantly belittled as a former colony, a second-rate power, and hicks from across the Atlantic, it was a sight that couldn’t help but make them proud.

Lincoln was practically trying to turn this debate into a celebration show for his third successful election, and the plan was proceeding smoothly with my approval.

“The debate will be held in Fredericksburg, on the border between us and the South. The working-level officials from both countries have already prepared a venue where the debate can be held without any inconvenience, and we have also made thorough preparations to ensure the safety of all dignitaries.”

“The South surprisingly agreed to everything.”

“According to the information we have received, the council members in the South are also pressuring Engels. They are telling Engels to quickly clarify things because the communist ideology they believe in is becoming a laughingstock in the world.”

“I see.”

It was all information that I had given to Lincoln, but Lincoln was explaining the situation in the South to me and the other dignitaries as if it were something he had discovered himself.

The conspiracy theory itself has been completely crushed, but if it seems like I led the success of this debate as soon as the conspiracy theory arose, it could lead to a boring flow of events.

Elevating the unprecedented three-term President Lincoln as the main figure in this debate was also a kind of insurance to prevent the aggro from being directed at me.

“By the way, has the South been complaining about the fact that Prime Minister Bismarck and I are attending as observers? They might think we’re siding with Marx.”

“So, they said they would have Mikhail Bakunin, one of the council members, attend as an observer as well. There’s no reason to refuse, so we’re thinking of doing that. Do you have any objections?”

“Of course not. They’ll feel more secure if there’s a socialist thinker in the observer’s seat. It will also avoid criticism that the debate is biased, and I think it’s an appropriate choice.”

Seeing Bakunin, who is only looking for an opportunity to get rid of Engels with this opportunity, becoming an observer, one can guess what the atmosphere in the South is like.

Engels is definitely isolated, and the council must be leading this.

With everyone’s opinions aligned, the preparations for the debate proceeded smoothly.

Finally, with the eyes of the world focused on it, the debate of the century was held in Fredericksburg.

The two people having the debate were in the very center.

And the observers who would observe and testify right next to them were right next to them.

Finally, the dignitaries from each country sat around the edges, and the reporters, who were there to cover the event, swallowed hard, clutching their notebooks and pens in the corner.

Their eyes and ears were fixed on the debate seats, which were not yet occupied, as if they would not miss a single word.

“Ah, we will now begin the debate.”

As the moderator’s solemn voice echoed, Marx and Engels, escorted by guards, slowly began to walk towards the debate seats.

They had been consciously trying not to look at each other as they got closer, but as they sat down, they couldn’t help but look at each other and smile bitterly.

Looking at them like this, I suddenly remember when I first met them.

Back then, Marx wasn’t so hairy, and Engels’ eyes were sparkling with youthful passion. How did they get so old?

“It’s been a while. Ah, I shouldn’t call you that anymore, Comrade Secretary Engels.”

“…I knew this day would come someday. I just didn’t know it would be today.”

Even though he was almost pushed out, Engels’ expression seemed more calm than I expected.

Marx nodded at the sight, and the staff carefully placed the pre-delivered materials on the table.

“Since so many people are watching, let’s get started right away. First, let me formally introduce myself to you. My name is Karl Marx, and I am a professor at Oxford University. I am a mere scholar who has gained undeserved fame for writing a few unremarkable books.”

His representative work, which had plunged the world into shock and horror. He pulled out Das Kapital [Marx’s most famous work, analyzing capitalism], placing it on top of the table so that everyone could see it, and calmly continued, looking around intently.

“I am the original author of the unfortunate ideology called Engelsism.”