I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 473

< The Danish Dispute (2) >

[Tragedy Foreseen? Denmark’s Gamble with a Reason!]

[All or Nothing. Schleswig’s Tragedy, Used as a Tool for Gambling!]

Well, even I can’t help but unfold the newspaper with headlines like these.

If it’s true that humans are animals of adaptation and learning, then journalists in every country are getting better at writing headlines every day.

Just a little taste of the spicy 21st century, and the 19th-century newspapers are already evolving into something much spicier than they were in the original timeline.

I’m a little worried about what kind of propaganda will be everywhere once radio and TV are fully up and running.

But that’s a problem for the future.

The important thing is to throw in all sorts of MSG [monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer] to make the most of this opportunity right now.

“Now, look at this. The situation is getting interesting, isn’t it?”

[Holstein Uprising, Demanding Complete Separation from Denmark.]

[Central and Southern Schleswig All in Favor of Holstein. Demanding the Establishment of a Provisional Government Excluding Only the North.]

“An unexpected turn of events. Suddenly, the German Confederation issue is coming to the forefront.”

“That was a powder keg that could have exploded at any time. If someone lit a match, it was bound to go off.”

The British Empire has enough justification to attack Denmark, but Prussia alone doesn’t.

Therefore, the main reason the British Empire is hesitating to start the war is the risk of having to strike first to gain any profits.

The ruling and opposition parties all agreed on this, and Wellesley also made it clear that he could put pressure on Denmark, but anything more than that would be too much to ask.

Still, I was shocked by his audacity in asking me to create a suitable justification for him to get all of Greenland and Iceland.

“Denmark took such an unreasonable approach because it wanted to escape Prussia’s pressure and integrate all of Schleswig and Holstein. That’s why they forcibly tried to marry the princess to the Crown Prince of the British Empire, even though they knew it was unreasonable. Wow, how many people are they provoking at once?”

“The Germans in Holstein and Schleswig must be furious. What better justification could there be for those who have been looking for an opportunity to become independent?”

“If those two regions revolt like that, the German Confederation will naturally have the right to intervene, and Prussia will jump at the chance. It’s a very neat and perfect flow. Prussia is quite good.”

Wellesley exclaimed repeatedly, adding a comment in a strange tone.

“But I sense a strange, familiar scent from this unfamiliar Prussia….”

“Since when did you get so good at smelling things?”

“Prime Minister Bismarck is thorough, but so far his methods have been very orthodox, focusing on establishing justification. He’s more likely to create openings through pressure, but he hasn’t used this method of naturally swallowing everything. As far as I know, only one person uses such an intelligent, scary, and thieving method.”

Hey, a thief? There are more sophisticated expressions like ‘strategist.’ Are you being too harsh?

But looking at your grin, it seems like you understand what kind of opportunity this is.

“Just to be clear, I only gave Bismarck a few very common-sense suggestions. I didn’t mention any direct methods.”

“Of course, of course. You’re too smart to make a mistake that would get you caught. I’m just curious, what did you say?”

“Forcibly opening the door and entering is theft, but if the owner opens the door himself, he’s a guest. I just gave him appropriate metaphors with a few other examples. Bismarck is a bright person, so he understood right away. He was also lucky.”

If Freeman had failed to escape from Denmark and committed suicide, I would have had to use more complicated tactics to cause an uprising in Holstein.

But now that someone who has attracted the world’s attention has crawled into the German sphere on his own, I can’t help but take advantage of it.

“How long do you think Denmark can last?”

“I’m not a military expert, so it’s hard to say for sure, but a few months at most, wouldn’t you think?”

“Then we should finish our preparations quickly. Our British Empire, which protects world peace, can’t continue to watch the war going on right in front of us. Besides, we’re indirectly involved, so we have an obligation to mediate.”

Prussia wants Schleswig-Holstein so badly.

And there’s the war of nerves with Austria and the fight for leadership of the German Confederation.

This is a golden opportunity to tie all of this together and reach a compromise.

Therefore, we have to finish by satisfying Prussia’s desires while protecting Austria’s pride.

If we miss this opportunity, the German sphere may follow the path of the original timeline.

“As I mentioned before, Prime Minister Bismarck has already promised the reform of Prussia. But reform requires justification and the power to carry it out. So, it’s necessary to achieve sufficient results.”

“You mean Schleswig-Holstein will be the catalyst for Prussia’s reform. What are you going to do with Austria?”

“We’ll have to rely on Edward’s skills for that. He asked me to leave it to him, so I’m going to.”

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asked you to leave it to him? He certainly seems to have gained a lot of confidence since returning from Joseon [historical Korean kingdom], or is he that fond of the Austrian princess?”

Wellesley didn’t analyze the situation in his usual glib way but spoke like an uncle worried about his nephew.

“Political maneuvering is fine, but I hope His Royal Highness Edward will choose someone he truly likes.”

“I want that more than anything else.”

Edward seemed to have made up his mind, but as a father, he still wanted his son’s happy married life more than anything else.

There were many ways to win over Austria without using marriage.

I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but I should meet the child who may become my future daughter-in-law at least once.

* * *

After the First Schleswig-Holstein War, this area was more like a chaotic devil’s den where nothing was organized.

Although it formed a personal union with the King of Denmark as its king, Schleswig and Holstein had their own independent governments.

Here, Holstein recognized the King of Denmark as their king, but it was also half-affiliated with the German Confederation.

Since the ruling power was so twisted, it would have been strange if something *hadn’t* happened a long time ago.

In fact, the reason this place hasn’t been engulfed in war until now is purely because Prussia’s attention was elsewhere.

However, when Denmark showed the worst disgrace in European history and its authority was greatly damaged, and it was revealed that all of this was to completely annex Schleswig-Holstein, public sentiment exploded.

“Denmark, get out!”

“We, the citizens of Holstein, do not recognize Christian IX as our king!”

“Germans to Germany! Danes to Denmark!”

The Germans in the region, who had been waiting for an opportunity, rose up like a swarm of bees and demanded the dissolution of the personal union.

When Holstein acted like this, Schleswig didn’t stand still.

The Danes occupied more than half of the north, but the south had always been a stronghold of Germans.

Here, too, they claimed independence from Denmark and showed movements to promote joining the German Confederation.

“Schleswig has been serving the King of Denmark as king for 800 years! What nonsense are you talking about now, breaking away!”

“If we have to do the same now as we did in the past, is Europe all Italy’s? Forcing Germans to serve the Danish king is coercion and tyranny! We demand independence!”

Holstein was originally a German-centered place, but Schleswig’s public opinion was divided, and it was almost in a state of civil war.

When the Danes in the north and the Germans in the central and southern regions clashed, the local government panicked, and both sides naturally sent requests for help to the countries that would support them.

It was natural for Denmark, where the king was lying in bed, to be in chaos.

“What should I do? Should I abandon Schleswig?”

“Are you crazy? Why abandon a place that has been our land for 800 years!”

“But if we send troops as they demand, isn’t that war?”

“What’s the problem with dispatching troops to protect the Danes! If you abandon the people just because you’re afraid of fighting, how are you going to deal with the aftermath!”

“But what if a real war breaks out….”

Losing land and abandoning the citizens’ requests for help is an abandonment of duty that cannot be tolerated in a country.

However, if they lose in a real war, all those who advocated sending troops may have to pack their bags and leave the parliament.

The parliament, not knowing what to do, eventually decided to pass everything on to the king, who was lying in bed.

“Your Majesty. Danish citizens in Schleswig are asking for our help. What should I do?”

“Schleswig…Danish citizens….”

Christian IX, who was still mentally unstable, couldn’t properly grasp the current situation, and of course, he muttered whatever came to mind while lying in bed.

“We must protect it…Schleswig is Danish land….”

“See? His Majesty also wants it. Let everyone know that this isn’t an arbitrary decision of the parliament, but His Majesty’s will!”

It was impossible for the king of the country to abandon the citizens, so Denmark immediately gathered troops.

And soon after.

Under the pretext of taking responsibility for the safety of the Germans whose lives were threatened, Prime Minister Bismarck dispatched Prussian troops.

The speed was incomparably faster than that of Denmark, which hurriedly summoned troops, and the majestic Prussian army marched north.

Towards Schleswig.

“For hundreds of years, the Danes have been oppressing and ruling our compatriots. We are going to save our compatriots who have been groaning under the oppression of other countries until now!”

“For the compatriots!”

“Glory to Prussia!”

The mission given to the Prussian army, which was advancing without hesitation, was very simple.

-Advance to central Schleswig.

-Avoid touching the northern region, where Danes are the majority, as much as possible.

-Refrain from preemptive strikes against the Danish army, but actively induce their firing.

The Iron-Blooded Chancellor’s [Otto von Bismarck’s] intentions were clear, and there were no officers who didn’t understand this.

-We are only here to protect the safety of the Germans, so attacking the enemy first will undermine our justification.

But if they attack us, the story is different.

“Now! Everyone advance! For the glory of Prussia!”

After all, the only ruler who can lead Germany is the Iron-Blooded Chancellor Bismarck.

If we believe in and follow him, the unification of all Germany and the rise of the German people aren’t dreams but reality.