I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 459

< The Dawn of a New Era >

Three days after Joseon [Korea] was thrown into turmoil by an unexpected purge, in Tokyo, Empire of Japan.

Prime Minister Okubo and the cabinet’s chief officers, including the Foreign Minister, who had urgently returned from Joseon, were gathered.

In a conference hall of a scale similar to an imperial council, save for the Emperor’s absence, they were discussing strategies following the recent incident.

“Is this the right way to handle this, Prime Minister?” the Foreign Minister asked, his tone uneasy as he glanced at the empty seats where the heads of the army and navy should have been.

The reason for their absence was simple: Okubo had them arrested and imprisoned upon his return.

“It’s reliable information from Joseon. The military’s arrogance has gone too far; they’ve committed the absurd act of using force against the British Empire. You’re not suggesting we side with them against the British Empire, are you?”

“But still… to remove ministers for something like this…”

“It’s not just this incident. There’s evidence that the terrible things happening discreetly were done with their approval, so they can’t deny it anymore.”

Okubo had been outwardly quiet, but he had been far from idle. He had been gathering evidence of their excessive abuses while feigning appeasement of the military, all in preparation for the day Killian had promised.

Burning the British Empire’s flag was merely a pretext to strike them down; he had already secured the necessary evidence.

“However, Prime Minister, the brave soldiers of the Empire are still fiercely fighting in southern China. If we remove all the key figures of the military here, their morale…”

“Of course, we need to end the war. How long do you intend to continue this insane war? Do you really think the homeland can advance to the heart of the continent and occupy all that vast land?”

“…”

No one objected; instead, realistic concerns about the increasingly strained supply lines began to surface.

‘Yes, this is a proper meeting and discussion.’

The insane individuals currently imprisoned were the type who could calmly suggest that Japanese people are herbivores and should eat grass.

With these madmen gone, the rational voices that had been suppressed began to emerge, pleasing Okubo greatly.

“Still, it’s undeniable that we’ve been winning so far. Based on this, I hope the Foreign Minister will pay special attention to securing the most favorable terms for ending the war.”

“Understood. I will strive to achieve the best possible outcome, ensuring the Empire’s glory extends to the continent.”

“And to the British Empire, we promise to severely punish all those involved in this incident… No, it would be better to demonstrate it through action.”

“I will expedite their trial and submit all their past wrongdoings as evidence. I will report the approval of the diplomatic note to His Majesty the Emperor.”

‘Everything is falling into place; it seems the country is finally returning to normal.’

The military, which had been endlessly draining taxes to conquer the continent for the past few years, had now effectively lost its voice.

The problem was that, unlike Joseon, which coveted Manchuria, Japan lacked the ability to maintain control even if it occupied the coast of China.

Strictly speaking, Joseon was in a similar position, but at least Joseon was connected to Manchuria by land.

However, abandoning the land already in hand was even more impossible.

‘Ugh… These disgusting bastards didn’t even clean up after themselves, driving people crazy.’

It is said that a beautiful person leaves a beautiful place, but the place where these ‘poopers’ stayed was only filled with a deep stench.

It was truly disgusting, but what could he do, no matter how dirty it was?

Okubo could only grit his teeth and do his best to clean up the mess they left behind.

* * *

As time passed and the full story became clear, the furiously agitated atmosphere of the parliament calmed down again.

The burning of the imperial flag was an unthinkable disaster, but the reactions of Joseon and Japan were so strong that those unfamiliar with the situation found it difficult to criticize further.

“Therefore, the home country has decided to dismiss all thirty-two people involved in this incident, including the Minister of the Army, and refer them to trial. They will all be prosecuted for treason…”

“The Prime Minister, with the approval of His Majesty the Emperor, has referred all those involved in this matter to trial, and the court has handed down severe sentences. The friendship and trust between the home country and the British Empire must not be shaken in the future…”

‘Both of them are very good with words.’

In summary, they’ve removed all the reckless ones, so they’ll be quiet and obedient from now on, not disturbing us. Isn’t that what they’re saying?

It was the answer I wanted, and I was also strangely pleased that things were being handled so cleanly.

If it were the Japanese military during World War II that I knew, it would have been impossible for them to be swept away to this extent, but it was significant that opposing forces like Kim Jwa-geun [a Joseon politician] and Okubo were biding their time, waiting for an opportunity.

And above all, someone’s manipulation behind the scenes, controlling them to handle things as they pleased, must have shone brightly.

A plan to stabilize Joseon’s politics through the purge while simultaneously planting someone to their liking as the next emperor to further increase influence… but the reality is a bit different.

This plan will only be completed after weakening the influence of the Joseon royal family as much as possible, eventually turning them into nominal figures.

Anyway, with the immediate crisis averted, it’s time to bring the half-crazed madmen of Asia back to normal.

To summarize the current situation in Northeast Asia in one word: it was a festival of madness.

Joseon, now calling itself an empire, was fiercely fighting with Qing [China], which couldn’t give up Manchuria, and Japan, which had devoured Taiwan except for British-controlled Tainan, was also engaged in daily battles in southern Fujian and Guangdong.

The possibility of Qing, currently conquering Xinjiang, handling these three-front wars was virtually non-existent.

But what politicians are interested in isn’t whether Qing wins or loses…

“Your Majesty, although Joseon and Japan have taken sincere measures, they haven’t included any compensation for the home country. Post-incident measures are post-incident measures, and we must receive compensation for what has already happened.”

“I think so too, but is that the will of the parliament?”

“Yes. Originally, there were many voices demanding strict accountability, but because Joseon’s response was quite firm, the atmosphere has shifted towards demanding appropriate compensation.”

Parliament has the power to make decisions on everything, but my influence is greatest when it comes to Northeast Asia, so they can’t help but listen to my opinion first.

Though Wellesley is hinting, I can easily guess what was said in parliament without hearing it.

Logically, how much can the British Empire really squeeze out of Joseon right now?

What they really want isn’t compensation from Joseon.

“They just want us to tell Qing, our honey pot, to stay quiet and not shake any further, right?”

“In fact, not only the home country’s parliament but also most of Europe will be hoping for us to step in.”

China, the land of gold with the world’s highest consumption power except for India, must be solely for the European whites.

So, there have been constant requests to mediate before the war in Asia further negatively impacts Qing’s economy.

I had many urgent issues to deal with, and since there wasn’t a clear justification to intervene, I had been leaving it alone until now, but now the story has changed.

From the start, I was aiming for the best time to intervene; I never really intended to leave it alone.

And thanks to Edward, I was able to seize a golden opportunity to intervene in this situation from a position of complete superiority.

“Of course, that’s what I intended from the beginning. While we’re on the topic, Prime Minister, please get the parliament’s approval. I plan to mediate between Qing, Japan, and Joseon under our leadership, and I’d like to have full authority to do so.”

“The parliament won’t refuse. But surely you don’t really intend to just mediate, do you?”

Of course not.

Even real estate brokers receive brokerage fees; how can a peace broker who stops a war not receive a fee?

“I’ve had something in mind for a while. I’ll make sure to get a good return, so you don’t have to worry too much. Ah, but there is a problem.”

“Yes? What problem are you talking about?”

“Even now, there are governors-general in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and if the territory increases from here, we’ll need new governors-general, so we need to prepare in advance. And above all, assimilation of the local residents is crucial. This is a strategic location that we must have in the future.”

Wellesley glanced at the map and nodded.

I’ve instilled in him almost like a mantra that there’s no guarantee that the world’s strongest power now will remain the world’s strongest power in the future.

If I had started in America, I wouldn’t have these worries, but is this the sorrow of a gold spoon looking at a diamond spoon [a metaphor for having advantages but still desiring more]?

“After receiving the Foreign Office’s approval, I will talk to the Qing side immediately. Qing must have been hoping for the war to end, so they will probably respond happily.”

“Of course. If they refuse, we can hint that we will side with Joseon or Japan. I doubt they’re so out of their minds that we’d have to say such a thing.”

“Understood. Ah, and His Highness the Crown Prince will be returning soon, what should we do?”

“It seems that there will be significant results from this meeting, and this is ultimately an opportunity gained thanks to that child’s good work. It would be good to promote that extensively.”

Edward is my son, but he’s also like a nephew to Wellesley, whom he’s seen almost every day since he was a baby.

It’s inevitable that he feels affection for such a child, who has grown up to be trustworthy enough to bequeath a large piece of land in the home country.

“By the way, Your Majesty, I heard recently that James has retired from the front lines?”

“Yes. He’s getting old.”

“I see. Hearing that makes me realize how much time has passed. It feels like only yesterday when the three of us sat around in the mansion, talking about future plans and strategizing.”

“To be honest, it wasn’t just yesterday. My memory is hazy. It’s been over 30 years; saying it like it was yesterday is typical old man talk.”

“I’m 60 now. I can’t complain if I’m called an old man at that age.”

When I first saw him, he was a fresh-faced young man in his twenties, but when did he get so worn out?

I turned to look at his face, which had become noticeably gray and wrinkled, and asked.

“Surely you don’t want to step down like James now, do you?”

“Of course not. I can still do one more term. But beyond that, to be honest, I’m not confident. My health may not keep up, and my stamina and motivation aren’t what they used to be.”

“I see. So much time has already passed.”

Like the saying that no flower blooms for ten days [a metaphor for the fleeting nature of glory], does this mean that the politicians who have brilliantly adorned the political circles of the British Empire are also slowly disappearing into the annals of history?

Suddenly, I looked in the mirror and noticed the noticeably thinning hair.

It’s not to the point where I’m being called bald yet, and I’m not particularly saddened by a few wrinkles on my face.

But when James and Wellesley step down from their positions, I feel like I’ll be quite sad then.

“Come to think of it, do you remember that? When Your Majesty was at the card game…”

I put aside my work for a while and spent the night drinking, using Wellesley’s endless old memories as appetizers.