I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 444

< The Great Swindler (6) >

Leopold II hastily signed the documents and rose from his seat, but he wasn’t so panicked that he completely lost his reason.

After carefully reading the contract one last time, he inquired about the clauses that bothered him before departing.

“Your Majesty, now that I look at it again, there are a few points I don’t understand. May I ask about them?”

“Of course. Do you perhaps want to retract the contract?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that there are some phrases in the contract that I don’t understand, and I simply want to confirm them.”

“Then you could have signed more slowly… If you want to retract it now, just say the word. I’m not such a heartless person.”

Judging by his tone, Leopold II must have felt that 5 million pounds was too cheap after seeing him sign so readily.

*So, he would secure the price of 5 million pounds no matter what.*

As Killian had said, the value of the rubber industry would only continue to rise, so there was no possibility that he would suffer a loss.

He wasn’t going to rule Congo for a few years and then relinquish it; the country would be the permanent property of the royal family from now on, so how much money *couldn’t* he extract?

Leopold II had already calculated that he could extract 30 million pounds while he was alive.

He stammered and feigned surprise, but 5 million pounds was a substantial sum, though not an amount he couldn’t afford.

Moreover, he could even pay in installments over 20 years, so it would be foolish to refuse.

However, there was only one thing that bothered him.

“What is this penalty clause?”

“Ah, it’s nothing much. The possibility is close to zero, but isn’t there a chance that I might not actually receive the 5 million pounds?”

“Surely I wouldn’t fail to honor a contract with the British Empire, of all nations?”

“Of course, but every contract in the world must have a risk avoidance clause. So, it’s just a phrase that I included out of habit.”

“I understand that if I can’t pay the 5 million pounds, I have to pay with other assets of the royal family. But the fact that the British Empire would reclaim the rights to the rubber industry… Does that mean you’re taking the 5 million pounds in another way and also taking back the rubber business in Congo?”

If this happened, the British Empire would keep the rights to the rubber industry and unilaterally extract 5 million pounds from the Belgian royal family.

Of course, this would only happen if the Belgian royal family failed to pay the 5 million pounds, but it couldn’t help but feel like a very one-sided clause.

“Your Majesty, it’s natural that you would think it’s strange. However, this kind of event will only occur if the Belgian royal family intentionally hides profits and deceives the home country. You would agree with this, wouldn’t you?”

“So, it’s a kind of punishment… or rather, a form of compensation.”

As Killian said, considering the profits to be made from rubber production and export in the future, it was impossible for him not to be able to repay the money.

The same was true even if he shared the profits with the Congolese natives.

So, if such a thing happened, it would mean that Belgium had committed a serious irregularity, so he would receive the money and reclaim the rubber business rights.

From Killian’s point of view, it wasn’t a clause that he couldn’t understand.

It felt terribly meticulous, but he must be jealous that he missed the opportunity to earn tens of millions of pounds in the future.

Leopold II, who had always been envious of the Suez Canal that the British Empire possessed, did not feel that way at this moment.

“…I understand. It’s not worth discussing seriously since it’s something that won’t happen anyway. I would never deceive Your Majesty, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Of course, I believe that. That’s why I sponsored you with such a large sum of money under the guise of investment. Besides, I pride myself on having a good eye for people, if nothing else.”

He was clearly praising him, but his smiling face was strangely annoying.

Was he so confident because he thought he was in a superior position to him?

A half-baked white man who was only lucky enough to become the son-in-law of the world’s most powerful country.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s consideration, things have been settled very quickly. Then I will return as soon as possible, as I cannot leave the country for too long.”

“I was also happy to see Your Majesty after a long time. Oh, and Your Majesty.”

Killian, who had stopped him from returning, added a word in a meaningful tone.

“I vaguely remember hearing that it’s quite dangerous to climb up rubber trees to work. I think it would be good to equip the natives with protective gear with the funds I invested. Then I think Your Majesty, who is so benevolent, will be able to entrust the work to the natives with more peace of mind.”

“That’s a very good idea. I’ll make sure to pass on the message.”

*Protective gear, what kind of protective gear.*

Was he crazy to spend money on protective gear for blacks who could be replaced at any time?

Anyway, the sponsorship money Killian gave was in the Congo Association’s account, so he had no way of knowing how he spent it.

If he asked to see the books later, he would just send him fabricated data.

He would use that money to hire mercenaries on the ground.

Leopold II emerged from Buckingham Palace and lit a cigarette.

He had suffered a little, but it was definitely proven that he had completely deceived Killian with this.

No matter how much people said he had the greatest wisdom in Europe, he was just an ordinary person in his presence.

How many people in the world could treat the royal family of the world’s most powerful country like fools?

He boarded a ship back to his home country, filled with a sense of victory.

* * *

When a plan is established, executing it as quickly as possible is the shortcut to making money.

As soon as Leopold II returned to Belgium, he began to lay the groundwork for full-scale exploitation in Congo.

Although he was the king, he did not have the authority to create an army at will, so he called the Minister of the Interior and subtly threw out some bait.

“You must have heard? The Congo Association is planning to mass-produce and export rubber from Congo in earnest this time. But as you know, Congo is a bit large, isn’t it? Of course, there may be various accidents, and above all, greedy Arab merchants and thieves may sneak in. I think there should be police and soldiers to repel them and maintain the internal security of the country. What do you think?”

“That’s a valid opinion. But have you thought about how to organize the organization?”

“Of course. I think that not only the commander but also all the officers should be thoroughly appointed by our Belgian soldiers. And the troops should be recruited locally. I’m sure that the operating expenses will be covered by my private funds and the income of Congo itself, so we won’t have to ask the cabinet and the parliament for help.”

“To go so far to protect the blacks of Congo… I don’t think there will ever be anyone who cares about Africa as much as Your Majesty has and will.”

It was only natural that an army was needed to maintain a large area like Congo, so no one objected.

Moreover, he said that he would take care of the budget himself, so who would dare to complain?

Of course, Leopold II did not ask the parliament or the cabinet for a budget entirely because he wanted to operate this army according to his own tastes.

After receiving approval from the Foreign Office and the Cabinet, he sent Major Roger of the Belgian Army, whom he had personally selected, and Stanley, the head of the Congo Association, to Congo.

The other officers and non-commissioned officers he brought with him were also allured by money, and upon arriving in Congo, they were given their first mission to form troops from local natives.

Commander Roger, who lacked local information, trusted the Congo Association entirely and faithfully followed Stanley’s advice.

“In order to complete the formation of the Force Publique [Public Force, the colonial army], as ordered by His Majesty, it is necessary to gather troops from as many different regions as possible.”

“Different regions? That will take a lot of time. Shouldn’t we just conscript soldiers from a few large tribes?”

“That way, soldiers within the army can create a kind of faction among themselves. We must mix various origins so that they do not feel a sense of homogeneity.”

“That makes sense.”

Although they were officers, the Belgian soldiers were a minority, and the number of soldiers they wanted to recruit was at least several thousand.

No, shouldn’t there be at least 10,000 to cover such a large area efficiently?

“First of all, among the Congolese natives, we can recruit the warrior tribe of Okongo here. They are too belligerent to be treated as simple labor and their relationship with the surrounding tribes is not good. If we use them as military police, the effect will be very certain. And for the rest, I think we should bring in mercenaries from West Africa and Zanzibar.”

“Wow, the association members are very thorough in their work. It’s no wonder they are so favored by His Majesty.”

“That’s all I can help with for now. After that, I haven’t received any special orders from His Majesty…”

“The rest is our responsibility, so you don’t have to worry.”

The worst squad, made up of only those who were known to be cruel in the military.

By hiring local tribes, buying slaves who were secretly being sold elsewhere, and even mobilizing mercenaries from other regions, the army to protect the security of Congo was finally completed.

It was around that time that the atrocities of these people, called the Force Publique, began.

1870.

Congo, the Ngombe tribe.

Taang! Tatatatang!

“Ugh!”

“Why are you doing this? What did we do wrong…”

Finally, full-scale rubber production began in earnest throughout Congo.

They first entered the village without warning, dragged women and children away, imprisoned them, and pointed guns at the village representatives and negotiated.

“Bring the rubber. If you fill the quota, I’ll return the women.”

“W-we are a tribe that has a friendly relationship with the King of Belgium…”

Tang!

“Kyaaak! Honey!”

“This bastard, I told you to bring the rubber, what nonsense are you talking about? Is the King of Belgium your friend? Stop talking nonsense and bring the rubber right now. Otherwise, all these women will have holes in their bodies like that cripple over there.”

“A-alright! I’ll bring it! So please, just my wife and children…”

“So, instead of talking, run and get the rubber! These bastards don’t understand unless they get hit!”

Unilateral violence and massacre. And even forced labor.

It goes without saying that even if they brought the rubber as they were ordered, the hostages were destined not to be released.

The administrators of the Congo Association went around each tribe, strictly checking the quotas, and those who did not meet the quota mercilessly cut off their wrists.

This cruel act did not distinguish between men and women, young and old, and even if they met the quota, they had to perform additional labor to provide food and livestock to release the hostages.

In addition, Leopold II cleverly introduced joint liability into this exploitation.

If someone didn’t fill their quota, it was passed on to their surrounding family or neighbors.

So, even if you were lucky enough to finish your quota, you would have to take on the share of someone whose hand was cut off, so this hellish forced labor would never end.

If you protested how could this be, all that would come back was a cold sneer that you had already given up your rights.

Surprisingly, as these brutal acts continued, not only the Belgian officers but also the black soldiers of Publika began to exploit the natives even more harshly.

This was thanks to the Congo Association thoroughly dividing the natives by excluding the families and tribes of the soldiers belonging to the army from labor.

Just one month after the Force Publique was organized and began its full-scale actions.

It was enough time for the entire Congo to be stained with blood and tears.

* * *

At the same time.

London, Great Britain.

“…I didn’t want to get involved, but I’m writing a word because I can’t bear the anger after seeing the situation. This is not something that can be done with human skin on. Even Pinkerton [likely referring to the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, known for its ruthless methods], who has been involved in many near-criminal activities, is disgusted, and when I saw the hard-to-find photo data, I couldn’t bear the nausea that was rising.

Some may say, what face do those who exploit the colonies together have to criticize this, but this is a massacre beyond the level of exploitation. Leopold II is now trying to massacre everyone in Congo. And…”

Even I naturally sighed and shook my head as I read James’ endless letter.

It was true that Leopold II had built up his image so well that I had no choice but to watch until he actually committed the act.

Still, I kindly told him how much risk he would have to bear if he did something stupid and couldn’t pay the money at all, but seeing him do this, he is a truly hopeless human being.

It meant that he knew full well that what he was doing was directly betraying and mocking the trust of the British Empire, but he had no qualms about it.

He must have been convinced that he would never get caught, so his contract with me seems to be out of his mind.

Maybe he’s giggling in that palace in Brussels right now, seeing sales that are on a different level than ever before.

Well, he doesn’t have many days left to laugh, so laugh as much as you can now.

I took out a few of the gruesome photos enclosed in the letter to check them, but I closed them as they were.

If you lied to the whole world, you have to fully endure the aftermath when you get caught, right?

Let’s see how ugly he’ll struggle.