I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 68

The Messenger of Peace (2)

As the appointment procedures neared completion, I busily met with people around me before departing.

In an era without airplanes, even ships weren’t that fast, so it took nearly three months or more just to travel from London to Asia.

This was shortened thanks to the commercialization of steamships; in the old days, it could take up to half a year depending on weather conditions.

But even shortened, a round trip would take at least half a year, and realistically, you’d need to plan for about seven months—a long journey.

Considering the time spent working in Guangzhou [a major port city in China, also known as Canton], it could easily take over a year, so I needed to manage my connections well to avoid any issues later.

Still, being a minister is definitely a good position.

Before, I had to make all sorts of excuses to have a meal with Victoria, but now, just mentioning discussions about national affairs was a free pass.

Thanks to this, I was able to visit the palace so often that I almost tried all the signature dishes of the chef in charge of Victoria’s banquets.

Is this why they say you have to be successful?

“Are you ready to leave?”

“Yes. I plan to leave in three days.”

“Usually, top officials like ministers rarely go to the field, but isn’t this just a minister in name only, essentially doing the work of a staff member?”

“I can’t help it. I’m young, after all.”

A minister, one of the top core members of the British Empire’s cabinet, leaving the country for a year?

As Victoria said, this was something that shouldn’t happen easily.

Superiors have their roles, and subordinates have theirs.

In that sense, it was indeed surprisingly unconventional for me, a minister, to go all the way to Guangzhou.

“Even if you’re young, if you’re given the title of minister, you should be treated accordingly.”

“It’s alright. I actually find this more comfortable. And the fact that a minister is going directly to the field is evidence that the British Empire is paying close attention to this issue. Since I’ve already received approval from Parliament for everything needed, my words will carry more weight.”

Even if I became a minister, no one would look kindly on a young guy acting important just because he’s a minister.

Humility is a virtue that transcends time and place, always a universal truth.

A young minister who lowers himself and goes directly to the field to achieve results.

Just hearing that makes you feel like he’s not only good at his job but also has a great personality, doesn’t it?

“Alright. It’s already been decided, and since you’re going all the way out there, I hope you bring back solid results for all your hard work.”

“Um? Shouldn’t you be saying things like, ‘Don’t be too obsessed with results there, your health is the top priority, come back safely’?”

“Both I and the minister are still young, so we won’t collapse from overworking a bit. So work hard and bring back the best results. Then, wouldn’t you be treated as a real minister instead of just a temporary one like now? Oh, but be careful of endemic diseases.”

I didn’t expect to receive pressure for results even in a place like this.

As I naturally smiled wryly, Victoria glared at me with a subtle look.

“You’re not going to tell me you haven’t even thought about that, are you?”

“No, of course not. I have to do my best to increase my value. Hahaha!”

“And what else do you have to say?”

“Pardon?”

“You’re going to be away for over a year, are you just going to say ‘I’ll be back’ and leave?”

Of course not.

I know what kind of consequences I would have to face if I did that, so there’s no way I’d take such a risk.

I cleared my throat and took out a small box from my pocket, placing it on the table.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to personally celebrate Your Majesty’s birthday this year, so I’ve prepared a bracelet with a design that goes well with the locket I gave you last time. And there’s a letter inside, so if you have time, please read it…”

“A letter? Did you write it yourself?”

“Yes, of course, I wrote it myself.”

“I’m looking forward to it. I wonder what’s written inside.”

“If possible, I would appreciate it if you could read it after I leave London…”

Since the letter doesn’t have to worry about the eyes of the world, it contains many expressions that might be a bit embarrassing.

Victoria seemed to read my thoughts, staring at my face for a moment before smiling brightly and nodding.

“Alright. As a monarch, there’s nothing I can’t grant for such a wish. I was originally going to open it right here and read it out loud, but…”

“If you do that, my sensitive emotions might be so wounded that I might never be able to write a letter again.”

“Oh dear. Then I have to be careful since that means you’ll continue to write letters in the future. I’ll read the letter leisurely later as you wish, so Minister, take care of yourself.”

“I will do my best not to disappoint your expectations.”

It seems like our Queen’s patience is slowly running out, so it looks like I have one more reason to do my best to achieve results.

As I get older, I’ll have to be even more careful, so I have no choice.

I have to come back with results that no one can find fault with.

* * *

After finishing the dinner with Victoria, I headed straight to Westminster [the location of the Houses of Parliament in London].

For the year I’m in Guangzhou, I won’t be able to exert any influence on Parliament.

So, I need to pay careful attention to prevent first-class dangerous substances like the British Parliament from going astray in advance.

Otherwise, it might explode on its own and drag me in.

“Lord Wellesley, I’ll trust you with that then.”

“Hahaha, don’t worry. I’ve already told them to summarize everything that happens in Parliament and send it to you every day. Even though there’s a three-month time difference, you’ll be able to know how London is doing.”

“Even though the diplomatic issue with Qing China is a hot topic, the most important thing is the people’s livelihood and the economy. If you neglect this, you can’t guarantee victory in the next election, so you must keep an eye on it.”

If I solve the external problems but fail in internal affairs, it would be like making porridge and giving it to the dog [a saying that means wasting effort].

Of course, the British economy was stagnant in both good and bad ways, so the possibility of that happening was low.

But if you have such a complacent thought, it will definitely happen in reality.

“And around the end of this year or next year, the public opinion to start a war will definitely become dominant. Act as I told you then.”

“That won’t be difficult. But Killian, if everything goes according to your plan, our influence will inevitably grow even more than it is now, right?”

“Of course.”

“Then, even if we get through the next election, shouldn’t we start to clarify our stance from the election after that? The old greedy bastards in our party are already bothering me a lot, giving me a headache.”

From the perspective of the senior members who have been holding onto the party until now, the rapidly rising young faction is bound to be a concern.

It will seem like they are forming their own independent force centered around Wellesley, rather than sticking to the senior members and taking over the baton as before.

“But His Grace the Duke [likely referring to the Duke of Wellington] is still healthy, so no one is openly doing that, right?”

“That’s true now. But my father is also getting old, so he can’t exert influence like he did when he was active forever. And even if my brother becomes the Duke of Wellington, it will be difficult for him to look after me like my father did in the beginning.”

“It’s alright. If things go according to my plan, the senior members of the Conservative Party won’t even dare to think about checking us from the election after the next one.”

There are still plenty of disasters left to strike this country, not just the current issue with Qing China.

If we can ride on top of that wave without collapsing, we can easily ignore the nagging of the old men who are about to retire.

“But Minister, the senior members of the Conservative Party are a problem, but what are you going to do about Gladstone?”

“Gladstone? Why, haven’t you been getting along well lately?”

“It’s not just lately, I haven’t agreed with you or Lord Wellesley for a while. I think the more his presence grows, the more problems it will cause for unifying the party.”

As Disraeli spoke with a reluctant expression, Wellesley nodded slightly next to him.

In the original history, Gladstone quit the Conservative Party and moved to the Whig Party after the Opium War broke out, so should I see this as what was coming?

Unlike Wellesley or Disraeli, Gladstone wasn’t that deeply involved with me anyway.

We maintained personal friendships as alumni of Eton [a prestigious British boarding school] and cooperated when we could, but that was it.

In particular, Disraeli and Gladstone were aiming in completely opposite directions, as proven by their actions in the original history, so they were bound to clash if put together.

The reason why we continued to stay close was because Gladstone’s abilities were that outstanding.

Of course, there was also a desire to not lose such a talented person to the Whig Party.

“You mean there are serious conflicts of opinion?”

“Yes. I guarantee that Gladstone will disagree with our next plan as well.”

“That has its own meaning, so let’s watch for now. I’ll take action regarding Gladstone after I return.”

Disraeli seemed a little dissatisfied, but he agreed to the policy of watching the situation for now and moved on.

Whether to keep Gladstone or use him in another way has been a concern since I first met him.

It seems like the time to make a decision is approaching, but there were more urgent matters to deal with than that right now.

I gave Wellesley and Disraeli a few more precautions and then called James last.

“How are the things I told you to prepare last time going?”

“I’ve handled it perfectly. I bought companies from five merchants who suffered huge losses and had to close their businesses due to the ban on opium trade in Qing China, and I’ve disguised people from the British Detective Agency as employees there.”

“Good. Depending on the situation, we may have to pretend to export opium, so if possible, let’s recruit some real merchants as well.”

“Yes. But are you sure it’s okay for me not to go myself?”

“Of course. Even if you’ve become independent from the Aaron family, most people still recognize us as a group. People who are related to me should never be involved in this. So, only use the personnel from the British Detective Agency on the surface and don’t even lift a finger from the James Detective Agency. Instead, I gave you another job, right? Prioritize that.”

Contrary to the work in Guangzhou, it’s beneficial to make it obvious that I’m involved in this.

That’s why I was sending James directly, but of course, he didn’t know all the details yet, so he showed a questionable reaction.

“I don’t doubt your words, Master, but is this really something I have to go all the way to the New World for? Especially at a time like this…”

“Of course. In terms of importance, this could be 10 times more important than the work in Guangzhou.”

“Is it really that important?”

“That’s right. So, search thoroughly from central Mexico to the adjacent areas of the United States, secure samples, and get opinions from reputable scholars.”

It’s 1838 now, so James will be putting together a team and starting a full-scale investigation around 1839 or 1840.

At that time, I’ll definitely be able to find traces of this epidemic in central Mexico or the United States, which are presumed to be the origin of this disease.

The epidemic began to spread in earnest in the eastern United States from 1842 to 1843, but it’s too late to prepare from then.

“Alright. Then I’ll finish all the preparations before you return from Qing China.”

Yes. Please find it before I return to England.

If I can’t find this, I’ll have to make a prophecy that the blood of the Asian shaman flowing in my body is whispering, but I really don’t want to do that.

Still, someone has to say it, so it’s necessary to warn about that danger somehow.

The day when an epidemic that can completely wipe out Ireland’s staple food, potatoes, will cross the Atlantic is not far off.

* * *

After finishing everything I could do domestically, I finally boarded a ship to Asia and left London.

Eight years ago, when I came here, I was literally a kid with nothing in my hands, but I’ve been working hard since then.

The illusion that I had when I came here, that I was a scion of the British aristocracy, is now a reality, not a misunderstanding.

There are still many mountains to climb, but honestly, wouldn’t you say I’m doing pretty well?

If I do about twice as much work as I’ve done so far… Sigh, looking at it this way, I’m still a long way off.

And when I came to England, I didn’t realize it because I was happy to escape the life in Joseon [an old kingdom of Korea], which was like a sewer, but the sea route to Asia at that time was no joke.

Leaving London, going all the way down to the southernmost tip of Africa, taking the Cape of Good Hope, crossing the Indian Ocean, stopping at a port near Ceylon [modern-day Sri Lanka] for supplies, and taking a short break.

Then, passing through the Strait of Malacca, entering the South China Sea, and arriving at the port of Guangzhou, now called Canton, marked the end of the long journey.

I wonder how I managed to endure such a boring voyage when I was young.

I felt grateful to James, who traveled back and forth on such a dangerous route to bring someone else’s son, even though it was my father’s request.

“Minister, welcome to Guangzhou! I am Charles Elliot, the Chief Superintendent of Trade of the Great Qing Dynasty, succeeding Lord Napier!”

“I am Killian Gore. I heard your name a lot when I was in London, Superintendent of Trade.”

After years of perseverance, I arrived at the port and got off the ship, and the crowd of yellow people filling my eyes bowed towards me.

From the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the naval officers dispatched, and the merchant representatives who were getting anxious day by day.

Having heard about it in advance, they didn’t show any particular reaction to my ridiculously young appearance.

Rather, Elliot, who had been in charge of this area until now, was extremely cautious, carefully watching my every move even after exchanging greetings.

“Um… Minister, does the fact that you came here yourself mean that I’m now dismissed…?”

“That’s not it. The home country is well aware that you have been working hard as the Superintendent of Trade. However, we have determined that someone with stronger authority and representation is needed, so please work in the form of assisting me.”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a dismissal, but his position was lowered from the top manager to an assistant, but he breathed a sigh of relief.

“I understand. To be honest, I was wondering if something big was going to happen, but if the work is adjusted to assist the Minister, I think it’s fortunate for me.”

“Is the situation that bad?”

“I don’t know how the home country is judging it, but Qing China’s position is so strong that they say there will be absolutely no compromise.”

Of course, that’s right. What crazy country would declare a war on drugs and then back down, saying, ‘Thinking about it, we were too harsh, I think it’s okay to sell it again’?

“Qing China is like that, but what is the reaction of the merchants here?”

“You can check that right now. The representatives are here at this very moment.”

As soon as Elliot’s words fell, two men who had been watching me with sparkling eyes from behind approached me.

Elliot’s expression hardened rapidly, so I had a feeling.

Has he been suffering quite a bit until now?

If he, the Superintendent of Trade with full authority, is showing difficulty, these must be figures representing the local merchants or local representatives of the East India Company [a British trading company that held a monopoly on trade with India and China].

Of course, Charles Elliot was in a superior position to them, but he had no choice but to handle things with some mutual respect, as the amount of money going back and forth was significant.

I could easily guess how much stress this process would cause.

As I finished my own judgment, the middle-aged man, who seemed more like a merchant among the two, bowed with a friendly smile.

“Hello, Minister! I’m William Jardine, here to greet you as a representative of the local merchants.”

“Nice to meet you. The government fully understands the difficulties you are experiencing here. I will also do my best for a smooth resolution, so I ask for your cooperation.”

“Of course! It’s none other than the Minister who came directly for us, so of course, we have to do our best to help! We will follow your wishes entirely, so just tell us what to do!”

“Hahaha, thank you. With everyone being so cooperative, I feel like the negotiations with Qing China will go well.”

Are they trying to somehow make up for the losses they’ve suffered so far, or are they just weak to power?

Seeing them so obedient, a friendly smile naturally appeared on my face.

Could it be that he just didn’t have a good personal relationship with Charles Elliot, and I jumped to conclusions too quickly?

If I do this right, things might go smoother than I thought…

“In fact, the harm of opium is less than that of alcohol, isn’t it? It’s absurd to say that they’ll ban opium while drinking alcohol well. I’m relieved to know that the government and parliament feel the same way as we do!”

Yeah. Not at all.

To put it bluntly, clapping requires two hands, so there’s no way trade would flourish if the East India Company was just enthusiastically producing opium on its own.

Those who make it, those who sell it.

As expected, both are crazy.