I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 429

The eventful year of 1868 passed, and a new day dawned in 1869.

Smiljan, Austrian Empire.

A grand carriage rolled into the center of the small village.

The villagers couldn’t help but stare at the extravagant carriage, so out of place in their humble village.

Though Smiljan boasted a long history, it was merely a village with a population of fewer than 3,000 people.

The elementary school had only been established for about 30 years and possessed few notable features.

The gentleman inside the carriage inquired at the church, then directed the carriage towards Gospic, a town near the Lika River.

Even though Gospic was nearly ten times larger than Smiljan, it was still not a large town, and the carriage drew considerable attention there as well.

In Gospic, the carriage made its way to the Eastern Orthodox Church’s chapel. As the carriage halted, the door opened, and a gentleman in an expensive suit stepped out.

“Good morning.”

“Welcome, how may I help you?”

“I’ve come to see Father Milutin. I heard he came here from Smiljan. Is it possible to see him now?”

“I am Milutin.”

The priest, whose hairline was rapidly receding, revealing a broad forehead, regarded the gentleman with a kind smile.

The gentleman immediately bowed politely and presented a business card.

“I am Horace from the James Group. Have you heard of the James Group?”

“Of course. Isn’t it the largest company in the world? But I heard the James Group is based in the British Empire, so what brings you here…?”

“That’s just for business. I represent the scholarship foundation. The scholarship foundation operates all over the world, not only here in Austria but also in Asia. Actually, I’m not originally from the British Empire, but from the United States.”

Having come from a family with a strong background in education in the United States, he had been recruited with a generous offer to join the James Group Scholarship Foundation.

His mission was to discover outstanding talents from around the world and place them in educational institutions under the James Group’s influence.

Talented children would receive the education they deserved, and the group would benefit as many of these children would eventually join the James Group.

Wasn’t this the perfect win-win situation?

“Father, first, please accept this small token of our group’s sincerity.”

“Yes? No, this is quite a donation… Thank you. You’re not just making money, but using that money for the betterment of society, so God will bless the work of the James Group.”

“Sharing good fortune is our group’s motto.”

“I truly appreciate the donation. But I don’t believe you came here solely to deliver the donation…”

Even a scholarship foundation wouldn’t engage in volunteer work without expecting some benefit. Why would they come to this rural area to give a donation?

Father Milutin was puzzled but soon understood the reason.

“I heard your son is very bright. Have you decided which school to send him to?”

“…Yes? I’m not sure where you heard that… I was planning to send him to Karlovac, as I thought it would be best to send him to a better school.”

It was true that the neighborhood was abuzz with rumors of his son’s intelligence, but he hadn’t imagined it would reach the ears of such a prominent scholarship foundation.

Father Milutin unconsciously shrugged, wondering if his son was truly that gifted.

“That’s excellent. Then how about sending him to study in London? He would receive customized education from the world’s top scholars, from higher education to university.”

“No, that’s certainly a wonderful opportunity, but… Sending him to study in London would be very expensive, and I haven’t considered it yet, so I need to think about it.”

“That’s not a problem. If he passes the interview, tuition is free. Of course, living expenses are also fully covered. Why not have him take the interview first and then decide?”

“You’re supporting not only tuition but also living expenses? The benefits are too generous…”

A suspicious look crossed his face, but Horace anticipated this reaction.

“Don’t worry. If you wish, one of the parents can accompany the student to London to help him adjust. We will support living expenses for about half a year, and if you like, I can introduce you to people within the scholarship foundation, so you have nothing to worry about.”

“I appreciate it, but are these benefits standard? Is the James Scholarship Foundation a…charity organization?”

“No. This only applies to special scholarship students, who are selected through a rigorous process. If your son passes the interview, he can become a special scholarship student.”

“That’s what I don’t understand. My son is only about twelve years old, so what are you looking for in an interview?”

“The chairman of the scholarship foundation specifically mentioned your son’s name. That’s why he was granted an immediate interview.”

Horace was nervous that he might ask who the chairman was, but fortunately, the priest was distracted and didn’t pursue the question.

If the name of the British Imperial Consort [referring to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband] had been revealed, he might have dismissed it as an unbelievable deception.

‘By the way, how did His Majesty hear about a child living in this rural backwater?’

The James Scholarship Foundation was, strictly speaking, a social contribution organization largely separate from the main James Group, and many prominent figures, including Killian, were registered as directors.

Some individuals didn’t directly participate in the foundation’s operations and merely lent their names to support good causes, but Killian occasionally recommended individuals like this.

No one would object to a recommendation from the British Imperial Consort.

“Do you think our child will be able to adapt well in London?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t met him. But among the students who have been recommended and interviewed in this manner, not a single one has failed. So far, the success rate is 100 percent.”

“…I’m a little embarrassed. Our son has only received a normal education at school, but how…?”

“I’ve heard that most scholarship students became scholarship students in a similar way. So don’t worry and just have him take the interview.”

Horace himself didn’t know the exact reasons for the child’s selection, so he couldn’t offer further explanation.

Of course, since every chosen candidate had succeeded, it wasn’t wrong to confidently recommend him.

“Then I’ll speak with my son first.”

“You can take your time deciding. I’ll simply enjoy my vacation here and relax.”

Father Milutin, watching Horace bow politely and depart, shook his head in bewilderment and headed to the bishop to deliver the donation.

If this donation proved genuine, wouldn’t it be wise to seriously consider sending his son?

In truth, even as he pondered, the priest had already made up his mind.

He had been offered customized education up to university in the capital of the British Empire, the most successful nation in the world.

Men should venture into great waters to become great men.

Milutin, who had recognized his son’s genius since his elementary education in Smiljan, returned home with light steps and summoned his wife and son to explain the day’s events.

As expected, his wife, Duka, agreed, and his son’s eyes lit up at the mention of the British Empire.

“Then can I go to school in London right away this year?”

“Yes, yes. If you pass the interview, you can.”

“If I go to London, will I be able to see the famous Killian, His Majesty?”

“Uh…well? Perhaps it’s possible?”

“Then I’ll go!”

Milutin, witnessing his son’s bright smile and enthusiastic nod, made a momentous decision for his son’s future and resolved to accept the offer.

Nikola Tesla, a child prodigy who had been rumored to be bright since his elementary education in Smiljan, was about to leave the small village of Austria for the British Empire.

* * *

At the same time, on the other side of the earth.

Hanseong [modern-day Seoul], the capital of Joseon [historical Korean kingdom].

A strange atmosphere filled with tension and anticipation permeated the air.

The harbor was so crowded that there was barely room to stand, and high-ranking government officials were lined up, indicating the magnitude of the event about to unfold.

However, even in this tense moment, some individuals displayed reluctant reactions.

“I don’t believe much will change even if you all come out and bow your heads. Isn’t this a futile effort?”

Prime Minister Kim Jwa-geun, who had relinquished some power but still held the title, openly clicked his tongue at the ministers of the military lined up behind him.

“You’re mistaken. Haven’t you received detailed information through the embassy? His Royal Highness the Crown Prince appreciates this sort of display.”

“…I’m somewhat skeptical of that information. Is it truly certain?”

“Of course. I heard that Japan is preparing an even grander welcoming event than us.”

The military officials were enthralled by the grand ambition of attracting the Crown Prince to their side and securing the support of the British Empire.

“The Manchurian front is already leaning towards our victory. If the British Empire supports us here, the long-cherished desire to restore Manchuria will be fulfilled. In our hands, and no one else’s!”

The Minister of War, along with the Vice Ministers and generals from various regions, couldn’t suppress their gleeful expressions as they watched the British Empire’s steamship approach from afar.

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has willingly expressed his intention to join us in this historic moment when Joseon is reborn as an empire.”

“So I believe we should investigate the intentions behind that… or perhaps not.”

“The intention is clear. We are treating His Royal Highness the Crown Prince even more lavishly than when His Majesty Killian visited in the past. According to our information, the Crown Prince is quite vain and seeks to solidify his position, so he desires to participate in such grand events to showcase his importance.”

The Crown Prince desired praise, and Joseon and Japan were prepared to shower him with praise and treat him with utmost deference.

If they praised the Crown Prince so lavishly, wouldn’t the other side naturally grant their wishes?

However, the problem was that Kim Jwa-geun found the plan too transparent.

Logically, if the Crown Prince were truly so thoughtless, would Killian have entrusted him with a mission to Asia?

If the Crown Prince was indeed lacking, then his plan was to exploit that deficiency.

Then what did the other side truly want? There were still some uncertainties, but what were they relying on to display such confidence?

Most importantly, Crown Prince Edward was not Killian.

Killian had not treated Joseon with hostility, whether due to its being his hometown or for other reasons, even if he didn’t particularly favor it.

But would the same hold true for the Crown Prince?

They hadn’t yet discerned the Crown Prince’s views on Joseon or Japan, but witnessing those who were indulging in overly optimistic fantasies made his head ache.

“If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince suggests settling the war with Qing China [the ruling dynasty of China at the time] appropriately, what will you do?”

“The conditions are paramount. We will do our utmost to persuade His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to mediate with conditions favorable to us.”

But how exactly?

If they wanted the Crown Prince to side with them, they would have to offer something in return, but what could the military provide?

Ppoooo! Ppoooo!

Kim Jwa-geun, about to interject further, turned his gaze towards the massive warship emitting a deafening sound as it docked at the port, and simply closed his mouth.

Damn soldiers.

The generals, interpreting his silence as approval, exchanged compliments and continued to discuss their hopeful prospects.

“Come to think of it, His Highness the Crown Prince does not yet have a Crown Princess. If we play our cards right, could we not produce a Crown Princess from Joseon?”

“I heard that Japan is also aiming for that now.”

“Hey, even if they are allies, we cannot afford to give them this opportunity.”

“That’s right. Then let us strongly urge His Highness not to miss this opportunity.”

As if to mock the anxieties of individuals like Kim Jwa-geun and Okubo, who struggled to conceal their unease.

Joseon, which proclaimed itself the Great Joseon Empire, and Japan, which echoed its sentiment, were two runaway trains that had long since derailed and were hurtling towards an unknown destination that no one could foresee.