Chapter 119
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: A Masterstroke of Ingenuity
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After 1841, a year filled with unexpected chaos and endless gossip, drew to a close, the new year of 1842 dawned.
Having given Governor-General Bagot and James their respective tasks in Canada, I returned to London with a somewhat lighter heart.
I never imagined I'd return without using up the full year I was given, but thankfully, I had completed my duties in the New World, so I wasn't anxious.
The problem was what was being said in London, but strangely, neither political party showed much of a reaction.
The Tory Party was likely waiting because Wellesley had said he would speak with me before making a move, but why was the Whig Party as quiet as a mouse?
It would have been natural for them to suggest sending Killian off as a special envoy to Asia if he were truly Asian royalty. Were they plotting something else?
"Killian! You're finally here! I asked you to come as soon as you received my letter. Why the delay?"
"I had matters to attend to as well, so it couldn't be helped. Still, I returned as quickly as I possibly could."
"Right, right. Nothing major has happened, so it doesn't matter. Sit down, and let's sort out the current situation. You've probably heard the gist of it, so you know what's going on, don't you?"
"Yes. I'm not aware of any recent developments, but I'm familiar with everything that has happened up to this point."
"Well, there's been no new information lately. Ah, but there is one more thing. Our diplomat stationed in the Qing Dynasty sent word. It seems they've heard the news about you over there as well. The Qing imperial court is apparently watching you more closely than before..."
I suppose it would be absurd from the Qing Dynasty's perspective.
The British sent some greenhorn kid as a minister to negotiate, and it turns out he's a relative of the Joseon royal family and a distant cousin of the Japanese Shogun?
If I were in their shoes, I'd have no choice but to investigate, wondering what on earth that fellow's true identity was.
"If even the Qing Dynasty sees it that way, then it must be considered confirmed. But Joseon will never admit that I have Tokugawa blood. Won't that cause problems?"
"Even if they don't admit it, if neither side's story has contradictions, we have no choice but to accept both. And strictly speaking, it's not a bad thing for you, is it? Though it must be a bit dizzying."
"It's more than just dizzying. Lord Wellesley, you may not grasp the full extent of it since you're unfamiliar with the relationships and sentiments among Northeast Asian countries, but if Joseon hears this, they'll probably faint from shock."
Joseon probably inserted my name into their genealogy to refute Japan's nonsense.
They surely never expected the British to conclude that both claims were true.
When this becomes known, they'll likely throw a fit and demand to correct the facts, but it's always easier to fabricate something than to disprove it.
Especially since I come from a slave background with no real roots, it would be impossible for them to gather any evidence to refute the claims.
"Either way, words once spoken cannot be taken back, so we must treat this as fact and decide our course of action. Within our party, there are voices suggesting we should actively leverage this, as it will significantly strengthen your position in Asia."
"That's to be expected. But why are the Whigs so quiet? Have you heard anything from them?"
"They've been strangely silent. Perhaps they're waiting to see how we'll move before making their own play?"
Could it be that they're treading carefully because I pressured Viscount Melbourne and Russell a bit too hard when dismantling Robert Peel's cabinet?
If so, it makes sense that they're holding their breath, waiting to see our next move.
However, even if they're pretending to be subservient, they're surely sharpening their knives in secret, so I can't let my guard down.
"The most obvious move for the Whigs would be to tie me down in Asia. They'll argue that since I'm not only well-versed in Asian affairs but also have a confirmed status, it would be easier to forge treaties with Asian nations, right?"
"Other members have expressed the same concern."
"On the contrary, if they do that, it's fine. I have more than enough arguments to counter them. First, as Prime Minister, you should make it clear. State that the Foreign Secretary will not be transferred to Asia for the time being."
"But the opposition will argue that it's for the national interest."
"You can simply say that's because they don't understand the psychology of Asian nations. We just recently fought a war with the Qing Dynasty. And now, they want to send me, the person responsible, as the chief official for Asian affairs? Doesn't that make our intentions to exploit them blatantly obvious?"
They might retort that we could just prove we come in peace and friendship, but from the perspective of the weaker Asian nations, we can simply say that's unacceptable.
No matter what the Whigs say, if I ask them, 'So, you know more about Asian affairs than I do?', they'll have no choice but to shut up.
If they try to argue further, I can just tell them to go and do it themselves if they're so knowledgeable.
And this isn't just an excuse; there's a degree of truth to it.
We need to intervene in Asia, but now is not the right time.
"In any case, the reason they've put me in their genealogies isn't because they want to give me something, but because they hope to gain some advantage from it. So, we should cool our heads for a moment and think about how to best exploit this opportunity."
"So you're saying we shouldn't jump at what seems like an opportunity."
"Yes. A situation where we can control Asia will inevitably arise. In preparation for that, we should hide our claws and put them at ease. Acting with short-sightedness will only cause us to lose the bigger prize."
By cleverly using my status as a distant relative of the Shogun, I can secure a legitimate pretext to intervene in Japan's civil wars when the Shogun eventually clashes with the daimyos.
Who would dare object when I claim I cannot stand by and watch my good relative suffer at the hands of vicious rebels?
Moreover, the Shogun, whose power will inevitably be challenged by the daimyos over time, will have no choice but to accept our help.
As for Joseon, I haven't come up with a concrete plan yet, but one thing is certain: now is not the time.
First, we must methodically build our foundation in North America. Once that is settled, we can swallow Asia next.
If I rush and get indigestion, I'll be the only one to suffer, won't I?
Priorities must be clear.
Risk factors must be minimized.
Finally, I discreetly mentioned a matter that absolutely had to be addressed.
"Prime Minister, and just in case, I'm telling you this in advance... it's possible this is nothing more than a delusion, but..."
"Hm? What is it?"
"It's not certain, so for now, please keep it to yourself."
"....?"
Perhaps it was a possibility he had never even imagined, for Wellesley's jaw dropped, his eyes filled with astonishment as he looked at me.
I didn't expect him to be this shocked. It was a good thing I told him in advance.
***
As soon as Killian Gore returned, the Tory Party sprang into action, as if its previous silence had been a lie.
"Asia is a vast market that the British Empire absolutely cannot ignore if it is to take another great leap forward. Therefore, we must not consider only short-term factors but establish a more long-term plan."
"According to Minister Killian Gore, it is best not to make any unnecessary moves that could unsettle Asian nations in the current situation."
"Some members may worry about what will happen if France or Russia moves first. However, if that happens, it will be even easier for us to approach Asian nations. We will have the pretext of helping a relative's country."
"And to establish such a long-term plan, it is imperative that Parliament and the government move as one. Furthermore, policy continuity must be guaranteed. We, the Tory Party, will not make the mistake of focusing solely on immediate gains and losing out on greater benefits in the future!"
They blocked any potential attacks from the opposition while subtly highlighting the Tory Party's expertise.
As the Prime Minister and the Tory Party moved swiftly, pro-Tory newspapers churned out articles, providing solid covering fire.
Watching this entire process unfold, Gladstone was now certain.
There was no doubt.
The true core of the Tory Party was not the Prime Minister, but Killian Gore.
Otherwise, there was no explaining how the Tory Party, which had been as lifeless as a corpse, suddenly regained its former agility the moment Killian returned.
Of course, the majority of the Whig Party still didn't believe Gladstone.
But even so, there was a way.
"Gentlemen. Do you still not see? The problem we must focus on is separating Killian Gore from the Tory Party as much as possible. The reason the Tory Party is so strong is that Killian and Disraeli hold firm positions centered around Prime Minister Wellesley."
"It's certainly undeniable that those three are the current core of the Tory Party."
"Precisely. And because the three of them are united, the Tory Party is balanced, and Wellesley's faction remains unshaken. But what do you suppose would happen if Killian were to leave?"
A significant number of Whigs held Wellesley in high regard, so by tailoring the scenario to their perceptions, he could sufficiently press his argument.
As expected, neither Russell nor Lord Palmerston raised any objections, continuing to listen intently.
"Just as you imagine, the Tory Party will become Wellesley's personal fiefdom. Disraeli alone cannot balance the Prime Minister."
"That's true. If that really happens, the Tory Party's power will likely diminish, at least compared to now."
Power, by its very nature, can never be shared.
It is a drug that even the most level-headed person cannot quit once they've had a taste.
At the very least, every member present in this room knew that fact.
"Isn't there a saying that the best way to ruin a politician is not to attack their weaknesses, but to praise them until they become arrogant? If just one of them, either Killian or Disraeli, were to leave, the balance of power within the Tory Party would quickly crumble."
"There's some logic to that, but the important thing is whether there's a way to exclude Killian Gore. Does he have a weakness that could lead to his downfall?"
"...He has no weaknesses."
Even after coming up with this strategy, Gladstone had long debated whether to use it.
In a way, Killian Gore was a benefactor who had helped him make a fresh start in the Whig Party.
He wondered if it was right to attack such a person in this manner, but no matter how he thought about it, there was no better way for the Whig Party to defeat the Tories.
And strictly speaking, this wasn't an attack.
If one changed their perspective, Killian himself would gain immense honor from this strategy.
Was that all?
If this were actually realized, it would undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the unification of the entire British Empire.
For the national interest.
That's right. When you got down to it, this was all for the good of the British Empire.
Having steeled his resolve, Gladstone finally revealed his trump card to his fellow party members.
"Killian's only weakness was that he was of Irish and Eastern mixed heritage. But now, that weakness has become a situation where it can be a strength. In other words, if we leave him as he is, it will become even more difficult for us to catch up to the Tory Party's growth."
"...Then what exactly are you proposing we do?"
"Think about it. The disappearance of his weakness also means the disappearance of any disqualifying factors. Therefore, if we simply create a situation where Killian Gore cannot intervene in politics, all our problems will be solved."
"Isn't that a contradiction? If he has no weaknesses, it should be easier for him to engage in politics, yet you say we should prevent him from doing so because he has no disqualifying factors?"
"Why do you think it doesn't make sense? There is such a position, isn't there? One of noble status, but with a tradition of not actively intervening in domestic politics."
As the senior members all frowned in thought at Gladstone's enigmatic words, Lord Palmerston stammered out a question in a dumbfounded voice.
"Surely... it's not what I'm thinking, is it?"
"It probably is. Let us recommend Minister Killian Gore as Her Majesty the Queen's consort. The unification of Ireland, the embrace of Asian nations to establish a foundation for a true global empire. No matter how you frame it, the justification is solid."
"No, that's just... what kind of ridiculous—"
Lord Palmerston, who had been about to shout at him to stop talking nonsense, froze for a moment and then scratched his chin.
Come to think of it, it's not that ridiculous, is it?
No, on the contrary, it makes perfect sense. It's a justification so grand that one could hardly refuse it.
They would have no choice but to accept this move.
And thus, they would lose the Prime Minister's right-hand man and greatest mind.