I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 504

[British Empire Royal Family Chemical Industry, Full-Scale Introduction of Artificial Chemical Fertilizers!]

[Confidence in Immediate Increase in Food Production, Will It Really Become a Reality?]

Ideology, thought, religion, etc.—there are many important things in the world, but ultimately, survival is paramount.

When you think about it, the birth of ideology is directly related to survival, and any grand idea will be discarded if it doesn’t address this fundamental need.

That’s why Killian’s announcement immediately captured global attention.

Although there was no internet or TV, information spread surprisingly fast for the 19th century, thanks to the British Empire Royal Family leveraging its influence to the fullest extent.

This was also a victory for Killian’s promotional strategy, as he avoided complex scientific explanations.

The news that spread to Europe, Asia, and America was a simple, easily understandable statement:

-Killian and his research team have created an artificial fertilizer that can double global food production within 10 years.

Unsurprisingly, political circles worldwide reacted first.

“Is this real? What’s the science behind it?”

“I heard they’re making ammonia from nitrogen. Given the scale of the announcement, it must be true.”

“Even so, mass production and widespread adoption will take time, right?”

“Not at all. They announced it on the very day they started mass production.”

“…If this works as they say, what kind of impact will it have?”

The world was shaken by this sudden, unexpected technological breakthrough.

If the effect is as certain as Killian claims, it would fundamentally reshape the world’s agricultural structure.

Being shaken from the roots means everything changes.

“If we don’t have to plant legumes to restore nitrogen levels, does that mean we can continuously plant only wheat?”

“Then will the price of bread fall? Will flour-related industries collapse?”

“…Even if the price falls, if the volume sold increases significantly, isn’t it ultimately a profit? Commoners can’t afford bread now because there isn’t enough.”

This was the perspective in Europe, where wheat is a staple.

“So, using this Killian fertilizer will dramatically increase rice production as well?”

“That’s right. Asia’s soil is already nutrient-deficient, so rice yields haven’t been high recently. If we artificially inject nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, rice production will definitely increase.”

“As expected of His Majesty Killian! Our Joseon [historical Korean kingdom] is the closest to the British Empire among Asian countries, so let’s quickly buy the production method or the fertilizer itself.”

“Being able to produce more rice means we can feed our Imperial Army more fully. Your Majesty the Emperor! Other countries are expected to focus all their efforts on military expansion, so I believe the Imperial Army should not be left behind!”

This was the perspective in Asia, where rice is a staple.

Everyone’s thoughts diverged slightly.

If food production truly increases significantly within a few years, how should policies be revised?

This was a sudden homework assignment for politicians, and most were overwhelmed just calculating the potential ripple effects.

In that respect, the political circles of the British Empire, who had been forewarned, were able to anticipate the future.

In fact, 10 Downing Street, where Wellesley resided, was constantly visited by key figures from the political world, and secret meetings were held daily.

“Now, everyone, let’s avoid wasteful political strife and express opinions based on solid facts. Does anyone object to His Majesty’s assessment?”

The reason the meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s residence rather than Parliament was to prevent leaks at this stage.

Even Gladstone and Disraeli, who typically held opposing views, were unusually silent this time.

“If food becomes sufficient, the next step is military expansion… It’s an undeniable prediction.”

“We are now in an era where ammonia can be produced without relying on sources like saltpeter [potassium nitrate, used in gunpowder], so not producing more gunpowder is like not drinking water when you’re thirsty. It’s inevitable.”

“No matter how many fertilizer production plants we build, they will be used for military purposes almost immediately. We can’t even say we won’t do that.”

If any country decides to focus all its efforts on national defense and increase its military power, could the British Empire simply stand idly by?

“What if we could get a global agreement to prevent that from happening?”

“It’s hard for even the workers inside the factory to agree, so other countries will hardly agree.”

“Wouldn’t it be possible to create a binding organization?”

“Then there will be a barrage of criticism that the British Empire has finally revealed its ambition to conquer the world.”

The ministers and key figures from both parties frowned, engaging in heated debates with serious expressions.

Just a few days ago, articles predicting a blissful, rosy future, free from the fear of famine, were everywhere.

But suddenly, they were seriously discussing the potential for infinite military expansion, and Wellesley couldn’t help but sigh, wondering if this was simply human nature.

Wellesley felt a renewed sense of resentment towards Killian, who had caused all of this and then passed the consequences onto him.

“The establishment of an authoritative international organization still seems like a meaningful idea. If we can set up a system that can faithfully listen to our voices without being criticized for excessive greed…”

“But Prime Minister, why did His Majesty go back to Canada at this time?”

“He says he has things to take care of. He said it had to be at this time, but how can I truly know his intentions? Seeing that he took Alfred with him, it seems to be related to the James Group’s inheritance.”

“Ah… I see, he’s going to resolve the agent issue for sure.”

Food, grain markets—Wellesley didn’t know the exact reason why Killian went to Canada.

He just said it had to be now, so Wellesley made assumptions.

‘Could it be that he’s dumping everything on me and going to rest in Canada? No way.’

Wellesley didn’t think Killian would go that far, but he couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling.

* * *

The words of someone with the world’s greatest power and wealth tend to carry significant weight in an official setting.

Even in modern times, stock prices soar with just a word from the US president.

My influence now can be compared to that of the US president in the 21st century, so naturally, the world accepted my words as fact.

[Famine’s Black Knight, Completely Defeated by Human Wisdom!]

[Following smallpox and cholera, even famine. Will the position of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse continue to diminish like this?]

You could easily find these articles not only in the British Empire but anywhere in the world, and people’s faces shone with hope for the future.

And when everyone is so excited, it’s the perfect opportunity to expand the business into the next area.

“Alfred, do you know why I bothered to bring you to a place like this?”

“Isn’t it because you’re going to incorporate the company you’re about to acquire into the James Group? Then I, as my father’s agent, will have to manage it in the future, so you brought me along.”

“It’s not just that. Personally, I’m quite interested in this area, so I want you to take control of it for sure.”

“…You’re interested? In that new grain company?”

Alfred didn’t seem to understand, but food was, is, and will continue to be an essential commodity inseparable from humanity.

I had firmly stated that the fear of famine was over, and everyone’s reasoning was temporarily suspended, but to be clear, the world’s breadbasket is limited.

No matter how much food production increases by two or three times, the population will increase, and food consumption per capita will continue to rise.

So, in the end, most countries in Europe and Asia were still destined to import food.

If there are importing countries, there are exporting countries, and one of the countries that will continue to be the best in the world in this food exporting country is undoubtedly the United States.

No country in Europe, not even France, which has the most fertile land in Europe, can compare.

Compared to these guys who have this land blessed by God, they had to fold several times in food production.

But as a member of a foreign royal family, I can’t directly jump into the already sensitive American grain industry.

I can’t put James Group forward either, because everyone now knows that the owner of James Group is the British Empire Royal Family.

So here, it was necessary to partner with a 100 percent American businessman in the form of an alliance, and a remarkably suitable talent caught my eye.

“Your Majesty, we have arrived. Shall I let him in?”

“Yes. Let’s see his face and talk.”

When my permission was granted, the door opened, and a young man entered the room with a stiff posture.

“Y-Your Majesty! It’s an honor to find… no, it’s an honor that you found me. I, I am William Cargill.”

“Nice to meet you, Cargill. I’m sure you already know who I am, and this is my second son, Alfred. He will be working with you in the future, so I brought him along to get to know each other in advance.”

“To think that I would be collaborating with a member of the British Empire Royal Family… Your Majesty, I was just trying to run a family business…”

“Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m going to swallow your company or anything. Logically speaking, would someone like me be so greedy for a new company run by your family that I would do this?”

“N-No, not at all! I would never think that!”

If you were to name the most famous unlisted company in the world in the 21st century, the name that always comes up is Cargill.

Despite being a huge company that accounts for 40% of the world’s grain trade, it is an unlisted company with 90% of the company’s shares held by family members.

The large and beautiful scale of the company, which even owns artificial satellites to periodically check the crop conditions of the world’s breadbasket, has become a hot topic on the Korean internet several times.

The reason I contacted Cargill as soon as I found the name while looking for a suitable company was that even I had heard of their name.

“You founded the company in 1865, so it hasn’t even been 10 years yet.”

“Yes. So I didn’t know why Your Majesty called someone like me, an insignificant country bumpkin.”

“It’s because I judged that your business has potential. You say you’re creating a grain warehouse company and adjusting the timing of shipments in a planned way, and I highly value people with such brilliant ideas. Why don’t you expand your plans to the entire United States and Canada and execute them?”

Even someone without a sense of business could easily predict how much his company could grow if he received my support.

And when I make such a proposal, the value of my name gave more reliable trust than anything else.

In short, what would the consort of the British Empire and the person with the greatest wealth in the world lack that he would covet a small grain company?

If he wanted to, he could buy an even bigger company with money.

“Y-Your Majesty, I am so honored. But that…”

“I will guarantee 50 percent of your family’s shares. Then you won’t have to worry about anything, right?”

“If you guarantee the shares… Thank you! Thank you, Your Majesty! What am I that you would bestow such grace on me?”

Anyway, to avoid being tackled by the US government, it is best to keep the owner of the company as Cargill, an American.

Then, if I support Alfred from behind and raise Cargill, it will be able to grow into an even stronger and larger company than in the original history.

“It’s my pleasure to support promising businessmen. Work hard.”

From the energy industry to steel, luxury goods, and now grain.

I feel like I know how Thanos felt when he was collecting Infinity Stones [powerful artifacts in the Marvel universe].

Interesting.