I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 99

Ireland (2)

The banquet to conclude Victoria’s visit to Ireland was planned to be smaller than the events held in London.

Still, while modest compared to the royal events in London, it was a large-scale banquet rarely seen in Ireland.

If all the previous events were geared towards the citizens of Ireland, this banquet was intended as a gathering for the Irish upper class.

Local politicians and businessmen who held some prominence in Dublin, Belfast, and several other major cities were invited on a large scale, and naturally, no one declined.

Perhaps to engage with local influential figures, some members of parliament from London were also brought in.

Among them was a face familiar to me.

*It’s good that you came, but why did you suddenly appear like this without a word?*

“Mr. Disraeli, I didn’t expect to see you again before returning to London. What brings you all the way here?”

“Hahaha, I couldn’t simply remain idle in London while our minister is working so diligently alone. I rushed over to help with the final touches, even if I am a bit late to the party.”

“It seems more like you’re here to enjoy the ‘finishing touches,’ but the schedule in Ireland concludes with this banquet.”

“You’re going to Scotland next, aren’t you? I’ll gladly assist you there as well.”

It’s hard to feel convinced, especially when he says those words while wearing the most eye-catching and flamboyant outfit at this banquet.

He looked every bit the partygoer, but Disraeli always enjoyed wearing this style of clothing, so I decided to disregard it.

“Anyway, since you came all the way to Ireland, it would be beneficial for you to speak with local influential figures. I must attend to Her Majesty the Queen soon, so I don’t think I can stay with you the entire time.”

“I see. But to be honest, I didn’t realize that Her Majesty would connect with the citizens so passionately. Most members of parliament share a similar sentiment.”

Disraeli glanced at Victoria, who was receiving greetings from the Irish nobles, and continued.

“Her Majesty relies on the minister a great deal. Is it fair to interpret this trend as a considerable advantage for us? What do you think, Minister?”

“If you put it so simply, it’s reasonable to see it as an advantage, but… there are many factors to consider, as this could turn into a disaster at any moment. Let’s discuss this with Wellesley as soon as we return to London.”

“I understand. Then, since I came all the way here, I’ll go and greet the locals.”

*Look at that sociability, as expected of someone with strong interpersonal skills.*

If it were someone like Gladstone, he would have maintained a serious atmosphere from beginning to end, but Disraeli was approaching two Irish men who were looking around with a cheerful face.

The older man, who looked almost seventy, and his son, looked at me and Disraeli with wide eyes and bowed their heads.

“Are you Earl Aaron Baek and Minister Killian Gore! I-if you don’t mind, would we be honored to speak with you?”

“You don’t have to be so formal. It’s a pleasant banquet, so feel free to say whatever you wish. Oh, and the person next to me is Benjamin Disraeli, a member of the British House of Commons.”

“Oh! Mr. Disraeli. I’ve heard a great deal about you. To see the two key figures of the Wellesley faction, the future of the Conservative Party, in one place… Ah, this old man is out of his mind and hasn’t even introduced himself. I’m Arthur Guinness, running a small business in Dublin, and next to me is my son, Benjamin Guinness. My son is very interested in politics and admires the Minister. In fact, our family has been on the Conservative Party side for generations.”

Hearing that his son admired me was a common refrain I heard every time I visited Ireland, but the surname of these men caught my attention.

“Guinness? Don’t tell me the business you’re running is a beer business?”

Who else would the Guinness father and son be doing business in Dublin at this time?

As expected, the old man, upon hearing my words, asked back with a face filled with emotion.

“Oh! Minister, you know our beer?”

“Of course, I know Guinness beer.”

“To think that even someone like the Minister knows about it, I’m convinced that we’re making good beer.”

Disraeli, who was listening to the story, chimed in with a delighted expression.

“I drink Guinness beer from time to time. The bittersweet taste of the stout [a dark, heavy-bodied beer] is excellent. To think that I would meet the people who make it like this, I think it was a good idea to come to Ireland.”

“How grateful we are… Actually, I always carry some fresh beer with me because I can showcase the taste to others for business purposes, so would you like to try it? You’ll experience a different taste compared to drinking it in London.”

“I would be grateful if you poured it for me.”

Guinness beer drunk locally in the 19th century – I can’t miss this.

The upper classes of this era mainly drank wine or whiskey, and beer was considered a drink for workers, but I enjoyed both.

There were some members of parliament like Disraeli who occasionally drank beer, but thinking about it, drinking beer like this in Ireland would be much better for my image.

When Arthur Guinness gestured, his son Benjamin quickly poured black beer into a clean glass and handed it politely to me and Disraeli.

“Unlike other breweries, we don’t sell ordinary ales [a type of beer brewed from malted barley using a warm fermentation] and focus only on this porter [a dark style of beer developed in London] and stout. In fact, we used to sell ordinary ales, but we stopped production a while ago. Based on 80 years of accumulated know-how, we are proud to have recently succeeded in producing high-quality beer that everyone can enjoy.”

“It certainly has a bittersweet and heavy taste. It can’t be compared to the general low-priced beer floating around in London.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

I don’t know if it’s because of the memories or because I’m drinking freshly brewed beer locally, but it’s truly delicious.

“I agree with the Minister. It’s no wonder Guinness beer is selling well in England right now. This beer is definitely worthy of being called a beer that represents Ireland.”

“Hahaha… Actually, our family has quite a bit of English blood mixed in. Thanks to that, we received some support. Of course, we still work hard with the mindset that we represent Ireland.”

They established themselves in Ireland, but the family has English blood flowing through them.

*If I use it well, I can make quite a bit of money here too?*

It’s already a proven fact that Guinness will become one of the kings of the world’s stout in the future, so if I get involved, wouldn’t that time come faster?

In addition, I can show off that I’m growing the local business, and Guinness doesn’t have a bad image in England, so I can enjoy a win-win effect.

“You are exporting beer to England now; are you exporting to other countries as well?”

“We are continuing to export to the colonies of the British Empire.”

“To Canada or the United States?”

“We are doing it, but it is still on a small scale. Transportation technology is improving as steamships are being introduced, but…”

“Why don’t you build a brewery there?”

“That’s the best way, but the financial problem is still significant.”

*So, you mean you have the will to do it. Then there’s nothing to worry about.*

“I can introduce you to a good investor on the financial side.”

“R-really? If the Minister introduces me to someone reliable, I would be grateful.”

“A large-scale emigration from Ireland to Canada will begin soon anyway. When immigrants go over, many people will naturally have difficulties adapting, and there will be people who miss their homeland. In that case, they’ll have no choice but to be comforted by feeling the familiar taste of their hometown. Now that I think about it, Guinness can play a very big role. What do you think?”

“I’ve never thought about it from that perspective, but that could really happen. You are indeed the Minister. You even look into the convenience of the Irish people in such detail.”

Not only Arthur and Benjamin, but also other influential Irish people who were listening to the story exclaimed without exception.

*As I thought, it’s an excellent plan.*

James is making so much money that it’s overflowing, and he’s successfully growing businesses in both the United States and Canada, so he can definitely build a beer brewery.

The demand for the business to settle down in the early stages will be consumed by Irish immigrants, so there is nothing to worry about.

In addition, it will be an effective means of emotionally stabilizing Irish immigrants, so it can be said that it is a business that the country should encourage.

It’s a win-win-win situation where you can get money, fame, and practicality all at once.

In fact, I should have considered not only jobs and means of livelihood, but also these mental aspects, but fortunately, the part I had overlooked rolled in on its own.

“Then, as soon as I return to London, I will tell a well-known investor to contact you.”

“Thank you! Thank you, Minister!”

“It’s also for the sake of Ireland, so I should definitely help.”

Since I gained a considerable profit from an unexpected place, a smile naturally appeared on my face.

As I was happily thinking about how to grow this accidental result in the future, Arthur Guinness suddenly turned pale and hurriedly bowed.

*There’s no need to thank me this much, isn’t it too much?*

“Y-y-your Majesty!”

*That’s right, unless you’ve seen the Queen in person… um?*

When I reflexively turned my head, Victoria was staring at me and Arthur with an interesting expression.

“I clearly told you to come upstairs a little later. I wondered what was going on because you didn’t move from the first floor, but it seems like you were having a pretty interesting conversation?”

“Ah… I was talking, and it’s already this late. The story is over. Shall we go up?”

“Going up is going up, and I’m curious too, so show me the taste.”

Arthur Guinness, who didn’t know what to do, was startled and opened his mouth wide.

“Your Majesty, drinking beer that workers enjoy…?”

“I ate rutabaga [a root vegetable], so why can’t I drink beer? Rather, I’m more curious because it’s said to be a popular drink among workers.”

Arthur Guinness’s face turned white with tension as Victoria took the glass and elegantly tilted it.

If Victoria makes a bad review here, the brewery business, which has been going smoothly so far, could be ruined.

However, Victoria lightly emptied the Guinness and returned the glass to Arthur Guinness without losing her dignified smile.

“I’m glad that the workers are drinking such delicious alcohol. Please continue to brew such delicious alcohol in the future so that the tired and exhausted workers can forget their hard day for a while.”

“Your Majesty! I don’t know how to thank you for saying that! I will keep your words in my heart for the rest of my life and do my best to supply the best alcohol to the citizens at a low price!”

Arthur Guinness was so moved that he even shed tears and bowed his head repeatedly.

*How happy would he be to be able to sell beer with the label of beer praised by the Queen of the British Empire?*

Moreover, she even gave a comment that people who make alcohol couldn’t help but be moved by, so if I were in that position, I couldn’t help but cry.

*Our Queen has really become a natural-born politician.*

It’s wording that can’t come out unless you understand exactly how to penetrate people’s hearts.

As a teacher who has been teaching her how to understand and utilize people’s hearts… it’s a very rewarding sight.

She comforted Arthur Guinness, who was shedding tears of emotion, and then slowly turned her gaze to me.

“Now, then, Minister. Shall we go upstairs and share the rest of the story?”

*No, I mean, I didn’t deliberately delay it, but I was really having an important conversation and the time was delayed.*

However, I, who am wise enough to know that making excuses will only lead to greater anger, obediently lowered my eyes and followed her as she walked up gracefully.

*As a teacher who taught her how to understand people’s hearts… I regret it just a little.*