I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 521

< Toward Eternity >

Everyone dreams of eternity.

Eternal love, eternal vows, eternal rule.

But nothing in this world is eternal, and the end always comes.

Perhaps people pursue eternity precisely because they know better than anyone that it is impossible.

A traditional term boasting a history of over 2000 years since the Qin Emperor.

The title of the Son of Heaven, the emperor of the Middle Kingdom, has always been the pride of the people of the Central Plains [historical region in China, considered the cradle of Chinese civilization].

However, from the late Qing Dynasty [1644-1912], the foundation of this pride began to shake at its roots.

Looking back to when it started, it was indeed from the war with the British Empire.

Though they were considered quite successful, the Central Plains’ Celestial Empire was utterly defeated by the British Empire, whom they regarded as mere leaders of Western barbarians.

Shocking as it was, they could accept it to this point.

Strictly speaking, the empires of the Central Plains had been defeated by northern barbarians more than once or twice.

Going back to ancient times, from the Xiongnu [ancient nomadic people] to the Khitans [nomadic people who founded the Liao dynasty], Jurchens [ Tungistic people who founded the Jin dynasty], and Mongols.

Powerful barbarians had pushed into the Central Plains with force on several occasions.

However, the butterfly effect brought about by the humiliating treaty of territorial cession, unprecedented in history, was enormous.

Rebellions broke out everywhere, and the Qing Dynasty, already lacking the capacity to suppress them, even borrowed the power of Western powers to quell the rebellions.

As a result, it was only natural that they were increasingly deprived of their interests and forced to act as their puppets.

Still, they could tolerate it to this point.

After all, the British Empire was the world’s strongest power and undeniably had a far more advanced civilization than the Qing.

In fact, officials who had studied in the British Empire unanimously declared that the gap between the British Empire and the Qing Dynasty was vast, and there were efforts to adopt their advanced technology.

However, a major event that completely overturned the pride of the Han Chinese [the dominant ethnic group in China] finally occurred, and that was the war with the Joseon-Japan alliance [referring to the First Sino-Japanese War, though the alliance is a simplification].

A war against lowly pirates who used to plunder the coast and a tributary state that paid them tribute.

Even though the Qing had weakened, most people predicted that they would surely not lose to such entities.

But that ‘surely not’ actually happened, and the shock was beyond imagination.

“To think we’re losing land even to Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] now.”

“Weren’t we the best in Asia, even if not against Westerners? Why?”

First, the Han Chinese, who had been quietly accumulating discontent in the provinces, flared up.

“Isn’t it all because the Manchus [the ruling ethnic minority in the Qing Dynasty] are leading the country that it has come to this state?”

“When the Han Chinese led the country, such things didn’t happen. The Manchus are not qualified to lead this country!”

Discontent with the ruling powers living lavishly in Beijing was mainly unfolding in the south, with Guangzhou [a major port city in southern China] as its center.

Guangzhou was right next to British Hong Kong, so even if they were wanted in the mainland, they could always escape to Hong Kong, and the Qing Dynasty could not take any action.

Moreover, those who had been educated in Hong Kong could not help but realize 24/7 how irrationally the current Qing Dynasty was operating, which further strengthened this tendency.

Sun Wen [Sun Yat-sen, a Chinese revolutionary, first president and founding father of the Republic of China] was one of those energetic young people.

“The Qing Dynasty is hopeless! To make our nation great again, we have no choice but to overthrow the Qing!”

“Then, should we start a revolution?”

“Yes! Revolution! The only way to smash this rotten system and restore the spirit of our Chinese nation is through that!”

“But revolution won’t be as easy as it sounds…”

Most of Sun Wen’s classmates who studied with him at a school in Hong Kong agreed that the Qing was corrupt.

Many also agreed with the claim that China could only live if the Qing fell, but the key was, of course, what to do specifically.

“There have been quite a few cases of countries being overthrown by revolution, right? For example, the communist revolution in the South and the anarchist revolution in Russia!”

“But even if we leave Russia aside, it’s hard to say that the South is successful… In the end, a dictator came to power, so what kind of revolution is that?”

“That’s right. Communist and anarchist revolutions have all ended in failure. But we can’t aim for a constitutional monarchy like the British Empire either. This country has always been under the rule of absolute imperial power.”

The meaning of the title of emperor in the Central Plains is different from that of a Western king.

How can the Son of Heaven, the one who executes the mandate of heaven [the belief that the emperor’s right to rule comes from a divine source], be bound by human laws like a constitution?

In fact, although the British Empire was a clear constitutional monarchy, Joseon and Japan, which paid tribute to the British Empire, did not see the British Emperor as bound by law.

Even Asians studying here in Hong Kong regarded Queen Victoria or Killian of the British Empire almost as demigods, and Sun Wen could not be free from that perception either.

“We have to walk a completely different path. A world without emperors or nobles. We must start a revolution with the goal of a country where all of our Chinese people can live equally!”

“Is there such a powerful country in the world?”

“There is one. The United States of America over there on the American continent is such a country, isn’t it? A country of citizens with no nobles, who elect their leaders by voting.”

A democratic revolution different from communist or anarchist revolutions.

Sun Wen was convinced that this was the path they should take.

He is currently hiding in safe Hong Kong for fear of being caught by the Qing Dynasty, but when the time comes, he will cross over to the Central Plains and establish his own organization.

To achieve this justice, it doesn’t matter which forces he brings in, even if it means ceding territory.

He has already given up on returning Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan, and Hainan, which have become British colonies, to the embrace of China.

The young people here, who are thoroughly assimilated into the British Empire in real time, were no longer seen as the same people.

In the end, if he wants to achieve something, he must elicit the response of the Central Plains.

To break the shackles that have lasted for over 2000 years and for the Chinese people to become truly independent.

The four letters of the Republic of China were being engraved like a brand into the heart of the spirited young man, Sun Wen.

* * *

[…Concerns are spreading as Disraeli [Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, a British Conservative statesman and novelist], the central figure of the ruling party, steps down from all official duties due to deteriorating health. Queen Victoria has announced that she sincerely wishes for Disraeli’s speedy recovery…]

As I read the article on the desk aloud, the old man lying in bed chuckled.

“I heard you had a party with the Prime Minister last time without me? I heard everything.”

“I clearly invited you, but you couldn’t make it then. If you feel wronged, recover quickly and join us.”

“I should. It’s just that being sick is okay, but not being able to go outside is the most nerve-wracking thing. The world is moving so fast, but I have to be stuck at home.”

London Victoria Hospital.

VIP private room.

I listened to Disraeli’s grumbling as he occupied the spacious bed alone and brought him several reports he wanted to read.

“By the way, I heard that an oil field has been discovered in Canada. The Prime Minister, who visited yesterday, said that he thinks Her Majesty knew about it in advance no matter how he thought about it.”

“I knew it. I kindly told him everything, but he didn’t believe me.”

“Hahaha. Why didn’t you just say you came from the future?”

“Oh? You’re sharp. It’s a secret, but it’s as you said.”

Disraeli let out a hollow laugh and shook his head from side to side while lying in bed.

“I think Her Majesty is getting old too. She’s making jokes that even a three-year-old wouldn’t believe.”

“Is that so? Certainly, my knees and waist aren’t what they used to be these days. I should have developed the habit of sitting upright when I was younger.”

“Hehehe, it’s not unfair to think that we’re all withering together.”

Starting with Prime Minister Guizot [French statesman], James, Kim Jwa-geun [Korean politician], and recently Russell of the Liberal Party passed away.

Disraeli, who had lamented that he had never seen Gladstone [William Ewart Gladstone, a British Liberal statesman and four times Prime Minister of the United Kingdom] so distraught, fell ill with heart disease himself a few years later.

“But my body is much more comfortable now. I don’t have to do annoying things, there are no speeches, and there are no local tour schedules, so how comfortable is that? When the time comes, they bring me food, and if I say I’m sick, they come and massage me. There’s no such luxury.”

“That’s because you’re receiving the best treatment at this hospital. If you knew how much I urged the medical staff in charge of you, you’d shed tears of emotion.”

He picked up a newspaper rolling around on his head with a strange smile.

“Her Majesty also issued an official statement wishing for my recovery. Surely, I’m the only one who can enjoy the luxury of receiving such concern from the royal family in this British Empire. Maybe if the Prime Minister falls ill later.”

“Don’t say such terrible things that are just awful to hear.”

“I have many thoughts while lying here, but didn’t we all know that everyone would have to come someday? It’s like when you raise a dog, you all know that you’ll have to send it away in 15 years at the latest, but you hope that day doesn’t come.”

Disraeli read the back of the newspaper in every corner and clicked his tongue softly.

“By the way, that Gladstone is still active. Does he have two hearts? How can he be so active?”

“I saw him recently, and he seemed genuinely worried. He said he hopes you recover well and resume your parliamentary activities.”

“If he wants to prove that’s true, tell him to read a eulogy at my funeral. If he accepts it willingly, I’ll acknowledge his sincerity too.”

“Ah, stop talking about that damn funeral, it’s bad luck.”

“Well, isn’t it okay? It’s not like James quietly closed his eyes somewhere in a foreign land, but I’ll be leaving here in London with everyone’s blessings. I’m satisfied.”

Is this how people who are facing the end let go of everything?

He seemed completely detached from the world, so much so that I couldn’t even imagine his ambitious younger days.

“What else does Her Majesty want?”

“Want? I’ve finished everything I wanted. That’s why I’m handing it all over to my son and enjoying myself like this.”

“Considering that, you’re still doing something, aren’t you? I know that the oil drilling operation in Adelaide was also under Her Majesty’s instructions.”

“It’s not a big deal. I’m just doing the finishing touches with the hope that the things I’ve built don’t just shine for a few generations and then disappear.”

There is nothing eternal in this world, but just as everyone admires that unattainable value, I am no exception.

I hope that what I have built with my own hands will not disappear in vain, even if it goes to my great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

It would be impossible for a simple private company, but with the backing of the world’s strongest empire’s royal family, nothing is impossible.

“I’m dying to know, please tell me. Frankly, among the people around Her Majesty now, there is no one who can keep a promise to take a secret to the grave as well as I can. If I close my eyes without hearing Her Majesty’s plans, I might not be able to go to the Lord’s side because I’ll be too upset.”

“Gosh, if you put it that way, I’d be a really bad guy if I didn’t give you an answer.”

Well, it’s the time when a partner who has been with me for literally half a century is finishing his life.

There’s no reason not to satisfy even such a small curiosity.

“So, this is roughly what I’m going to pass on to my descendants. First, you know that just holding onto the Panama and Suez Canals will allow you to remain a major player in global logistics, so there’s no need to explain further. In addition, my son will take over the United States’ grain market, which will become the world’s largest, as a private company.”

“…Hoo. So, what about oil, which has been rising in value recently?”

“There’s probably a lot buried not only in Canada but also in Alaska. And the same goes for the various regions in the Middle East that I’ve now made royal territories.”

He added that if they created a huge corporation encompassing the British territories, Joseon, and Japan in Northeast Asia, the rough preparations would be complete, and Disraeli couldn’t close his mouth.

“You were planning something much bigger than I imagined. I feel proud to think that I contributed an arm to that grand project. Hahaha! I thought this was the heyday of the royal family, but it’s a shame that the heyday is still a long way off. I wanted to see it in person.”

“I won’t be able to see it in person either, so I’ll just have to leave it as an imaginary scene.”

After chatting about trivial things for a while, I left the hospital room late at night.

As I returned to Buckingham with a somewhat unsettled feeling, a servant who rushed out in a hurry told me that a call had just come in saying that Disraeli had just passed away.

There is nothing eternal in this world.

I could feel the end was approaching.