I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 64

The High Place (2)

The riots that erupted across Ireland were suppressed before they gained momentum, ending as minor disturbances.

Up to that point, everything had proceeded according to plan. However, the arrest of O’Brien instead of Daniel O’Connell, who was intended to be framed, changed everything.

These were indiscriminate riots timed to disrupt the election period.

The force behind these riots, threatening the sanctity of parliamentary politics, was revealed to be a radical faction within the Young Ireland party, a defunct political group.

Several radicals who had collaborated with O’Brien were arrested in quick succession, while others hastily issued public statements.

“We oppose violence! We uphold peace!”

“Violence is unacceptable!”

“Young Ireland party? I don’t know those people.”

From the outset, not everyone in the Young Ireland party advocated for violence as O’Brien did.

Their opposition stemmed from O’Connell’s absolute rejection of violence under any circumstances.

They viewed violence as a last resort, while only a minority insisted on its unconditional use.

Furthermore, when it was revealed that O’Brien had attempted to frame O’Connell as the instigator of the riots to usurp his position, the Young Ireland party imploded.

Anyone suspected of associating with O’Brien risked being beaten to death by angry mobs before the Irish police could arrest them.

Thomas Osborne and John Mitchel, despite being known as leading figures in the Young Ireland party alongside O’Brien, were not exempt from this danger.

“Punish O’Brien!”

“Peace is the only path for Ireland!”

The extremists who had questioned Daniel O’Connell’s methods and sought to build their own power vanished completely before the election concluded.

Reaffirming Daniel O’Connell’s sole leadership of the Repeal Association [an Irish political movement advocating for the repeal of the Act of Union 1800, which united Great Britain and Ireland], the 1837 general election, which had initially swept through Ireland, concluded amidst this chaos.

On the day the election schedule ended, Daniel O’Connell visited me before anyone else.

“Killian, was this all your doing?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play coy. You inquired about O’Brien previously. Did you anticipate this outcome then?”

“You are perceptive, as expected. Indeed. The reason I didn’t confide in you, O’Connell, is straightforward. Any reaction from you might have altered O’Brien’s plans, correct? My intention was to prevent that.”

O’Connell observed me silently before sighing and taking a seat.

“Tell me the entire story. I know O’Brien well. I doubt he orchestrated this solely to oust me and seize control of the Repeal Association. There must be an underlying motive, and you are aware of it.”

“Understood. I intended to contact you regardless, so this is convenient.”

I had not disclosed the complete narrative to Robert Peel, but O’Connell is a crucial future collaborator.

He requires the full account to facilitate future actions.

I revealed O’Brien’s true objective and the Whigs’ [a British political party] plan to abandon him.

As he listened, O’Connell’s facial muscles visibly tightened.

“…I suspected as much. His aim wasn’t merely to eliminate me but to implicate the Tories and incite a nationwide riot. He was plotting something truly terrifying…”

“You understand my rationale, correct? There’s a significant distinction between expressing radical views and attempting to implement them. He crossed a line that I couldn’t ignore.”

“…I understand. So, you imprisoned O’Brien and eliminated all the Young Ireland party members who were making radical claims?”

“Given your inclinations, it would have been challenging for you to remove those individuals. However, as demonstrated by O’Brien’s case, retaining those young individuals poses a risk of future incidents. We must address the issue proactively.”

This concerns not only O’Connell but also my personal safety.

O’Brien’s scheme remained a minor incident because it was never executed.

However, was O’Brien the only member of the Young Ireland party who wished to eliminate me?

The more I advance in the House of Lords and achieve success, the more resentment I will attract from radicals.

Therefore, to avert future complications, I must dismantle them completely this time.

“But weren’t the Whigs the masterminds behind this? Why did you spare them until the election concluded? Capitalizing on this opportunity could have eradicated them entirely.”

“Eradicate them? Why?”

“Even if O’Brien was radical, this wouldn’t have transpired without their incitement. They instigated the problem and should face the consequences… No, would that be detrimental to us in the long run…? Did you orchestrate this deliberately?”

As expected, decades of political experience are invaluable.

With minimal prompting, he deduces the situation.

“I intend to caution the Whigs against rash actions, as their involvement could complicate matters. This will make them aware that someone is monitoring them.”

“Ostensibly, they are a substantial opposition party with over 200 seats, compelling the Tories to maintain vigilance. Our significance will remain elevated.”

“Furthermore, all those who questioned your policies have been eliminated. Even the remaining radicals have shifted their allegiance and are now supporting you, ensuring internal harmony within the party until the next election.”

“…I am indebted to you once again. So, what course of action should I pursue?”

I was concerned that he might resent my handling of matters without his consent, but fortunately, he exhibits no such sentiments.

Despite being a moderate, Daniel O’Connell is a seasoned figure who has thrived in the 19th-century political arena for decades.

He appears to have intuitively grasped the extent of the benefits without requiring detailed explanations.

“Please refrain from directly pressuring the Whigs for the time being. Instead, act in a manner that prompts the Whigs to ponder, ‘Does he know everything?’”

“What about you?”

“I will enter the House of Lords next year and dedicate myself to Ireland’s cause in my own way.”

“The Tories permitted your entry into the House of Lords? So, I will be active in the House of Commons, and you will be active in the House of Lords. Hahaha, isn’t this welcome news?”

O’Connell’s complexion, previously tense, brightened considerably.

Regardless of his efforts in the House of Commons, the House of Lords wields significant influence within the British Empire.

Although outright vetoes have become less frequent, they retain the authority to demand amendments to laws at any time.

Additionally, it serves as the de facto Supreme Court.

Consequently, the House of Lords is widely perceived as superior to the House of Commons.

This perception will shift in the late 19th century, but it reflects the current state of affairs in the British Empire.

In essence, even if I expand my influence in the House of Commons through O’Connell, my progress will be hindered without control over the House of Lords.

“The House of Commons exhibits some of that tendency, but the House of Lords is replete with individuals united by a sense of privilege. I intend to acclimate myself to the atmosphere initially.”

“Indeed. Some may harbor resentment due to your Irish heritage, so maintain a low profile initially. If you require assistance, do not hesitate to contact me. If there’s anything I can do to assist in the House of Commons, I will gladly do so. And as you are aware, endeavor to cultivate relationships with those who have been granted seats in the House of Lords as representatives of Ireland.”

The British House of Lords primarily admits nobles from England and Wales but cannot entirely disregard nobles from Scotland and Ireland.

Consequently, they permit 16 nobles from Scotland and 28 nobles from Ireland to serve as representatives in the House of Lords for life.

However, upon the death of a representative, the position is not inherited by their children; instead, a new representative family is selected to assume the seat in the House of Lords.

The sole means for a family to permanently secure a seat in the House of Lords is to be newly granted an English title, as the Tories have promised me.

“I hope they approve of me.”

“…I cannot guarantee it due to your age. But what if they disapprove? It’s not as if you’ll remain passive while being mindful of them.”

Having known him for years, he now understands me intimately.

Frankly, less than half of them will acknowledge and support me from the outset.

As soon as a young man reaches adulthood, he is granted an English title and secures a permanent seat, unlike themselves, who have a limited tenure. How could they possibly approve of that?

There is an almost certain likelihood that they will subtly criticize me, citing discomfort or attempting to undermine me under the guise of inexperience.

There is a slim chance that my prediction will be incorrect, but unfortunately, ominous premonitions tend to materialize.

So, what can I do?

If my presence is too unsettling for them, I have no alternative but to assist them in adjusting their perspective.

* * *

August 1837.

The momentous journey of 798,000 voters selecting their representatives concluded, and the joy and sorrow of each political party were once again intertwined.

[Repeated election pattern, no party secured a majority of seats]

[Repeal Association, will it ally with the Tories again?]

[Repeal Association leader Daniel O’Connell’s meaningful remarks, “Everyone knows what will happen from now on.”]

John Russell lowered his head, observing Lord Melbourne’s miserably distorted expression.

Tories 310 seats

Whigs 292 seats

Finally, the Repeal Association led by Daniel O’Connell held 56 seats.

Not only did they fail to secure a majority, but they were also surpassed by the Tories.

Moreover, this election coincided with the recent economic crisis.

It was an election that overwhelmingly favored the opposition party, so even if they couldn’t secure a majority, they shouldn’t have lost to the Tories.

Yet, they still lost.

“…Russell. I will not inquire into how this transpired. However, we must accurately assess our current situation, correct? Have you ascertained the cause of this outcome?”

“I apologize. I have a general understanding, but I have not fully comprehended it yet.”

Russell was frustrated.

Despite thorough retrospection, their plan appeared flawless.

They had meticulously prepared and even employed perfect deception tactics to mislead the Tories.

In fact, the Tories remained unaware of their movements until the very end and appeared rather disconcerted when the situation unraveled.

The problem lies in his inability to comprehend why things went so awry.

“First and foremost, there is no indication of information being leaked from our side. I fear O’Brien bungled things ineptly…”

“That is not the primary concern. O’Brien will not suffer alone; he will implicate us. What if our involvement is exposed?”

“There is no cause for concern. Throughout the election period, he repeatedly asserted his innocence and alleged Whig instigation, but he failed to provide any evidence.”

“Isn’t that also peculiar? If he were not inept, he would have secured at least circumstantial evidence of our party’s involvement, even if he lacked evidence against you or me.”

In reality, O’Brien’s tip-off had a slight impact on the Whigs’ seat count, which was lower than in the previous election.

Fortunately, O’Brien did not present any substantial evidence, or the Whigs would have suffered a devastating defeat.

“According to O’Brien’s claims, the location where he had amassed evidence was completely raided by someone.”

“Raided by someone? You were not responsible, were you?”

“Of course not. Someone who discerned O’Brien’s plan must have acted preemptively.”

“I cannot comprehend it. Who is it? Is it the individual who sent this warning?”

Russell bit his lip tightly as he gazed at the letter of unknown origin that Lord Melbourne had placed on the table.

Because of this, he was unable to respond effectively when O’Brien attempted to implicate them.

Since he did not actively deny it from the outset, he was suspected of concealing something, resulting in a decrease of nearly 30 seats compared to the previous election.

The contents of the warning were not particularly significant.

-If you wish to prevent the complete truth from being revealed, refrain from any action and remain still.

John Russell and Lord Melbourne panicked upon receiving the letter shortly after O’Brien’s arrest.

Initially, they suspected it was a bluff, but the circumstances suggested otherwise.

“It is evident. The individual who sent this warning is responsible for thwarting our plan. And based on the current situation, it is highly probable that this individual possesses evidence linking us to O’Brien.”

“Then it wouldn’t be a Tory, would it? If it were a Tory, they would have exploited this and destroyed us long ago.”

“I concur. Had they used this to attack us during the election period, we would have struggled to defend not only 200 seats but also 100 seats. We might have shrunk even further. There is no way the Tories would have missed such a golden opportunity.”

Frankly, the Whigs’ incitement of O’Brien to eliminate O’Connell would not have been fatal in itself.

It would have caused a significant uproar in Ireland, but in the mainland, it would have been a matter of offering a few apologies and being forgotten in a few years.

The problem lies in their collusion with O’Brien and their encouragement of Irish independence.

This was an act that directly contradicted the national interest, and if the issue escalated, they would have no defense against accusations of treason.

Of course, they had no intention of granting Ireland independence; they planned to exploit O’Brien and then abandon him.

However, regardless of their intentions, if solid evidence were presented, they would be ruined.

Even if they claimed they intended to abandon him later, it would merely be a claim.

“If it is not the Tories, then who is it? The only person who comes to mind is O’Connell. Have we been outmaneuvered by him again this time?”

“…It is true that O’Connell is the only person who comes to mind.”

If O’Connell is behind it, it makes sense that he is merely withholding the evidence rather than releasing it.

If the Whigs are completely ruined, the Repeal Association will lose its position as a kingmaker.

From their perspective, it would be best for the Whigs to maintain a moderate size without securing a majority of seats.

“Just looking at an interview with a newspaper this time, he is openly hinting that he knows something. Is this also a form of warning to us? To remain still and avoid causing trouble if we wish to avoid harm?”

“I sensed that as soon as I saw that article.”

“Hmph… Then we are in a predicament. It is difficult to exert influence in the House of Lords because the Tories are strong anyway, and even in the House of Commons, if the Repeal Association aligns with the Tories, we are powerless. Moreover, since the Repeal Association possesses our weaknesses, we have no choice but to cooperate if they demand it…”

“I apologize. I should have paid closer attention to Daniel O’Connell.”

He confidently pursued the plan, but instead of achieving results, he only encountered the worst possible outcome, leaving him speechless.

Nevertheless, Lord Melbourne did not fault Russell.

“I was the one who accepted your proposal, so if anyone should bear responsibility, it is me. Perhaps this is the consequence of attempting to win through deception rather than fair play.”

“…No. If I had planned more thoroughly…”

“We cannot alter the past, so let us focus on our future actions.”

“Currently, we have no choice but to observe the situation. And we must ensure that this does not reach the ears of the Tories. If Daniel O’Connell is behind it, we must ascertain his demands.”

Based on the circumstances, Daniel O’Connell is the most likely mastermind behind this.

However, Russell could not shake off a peculiar feeling.

He had encountered Daniel O’Connell on several occasions and had engaged in extensive conversations with him.

He was undoubtedly a capable and perceptive politician, but was he a strategist capable of reversing their plans and tying their hands?

If everything he had displayed previously was an act… No, that is impossible.

However, regardless of his assessment, Daniel O’Connell benefited the most from this, and even the interview indicated that he knew something.

Daniel O’Connell himself, or someone close to him, was undoubtedly the mastermind behind this entire plan.

And this unknown individual possesses a weapon capable of destroying them at any moment.

Experiencing a chilling sense of crisis unlike any he had encountered since entering politics.

John Russell examined the haphazardly scribbled handwriting of the warning and inquired.

“…Who the hell are you?”

Of course, there was no response.