Chapter 131
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Prince Consort (3)
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I had never spoken to anyone about what I planned to achieve through Canada, or how I intended to maintain the British Empire's future hegemony.
It was a story too far ahead of its time, and for now, it would have sounded like nothing more than nonsense that no one could possibly sympathize with.
How could the people of this era understand the importance of the Pacific Ocean? And who could possibly know that the United States would become the top dog on the planet, overshadowing Britain, Russia, and France?
Anyone who spoke of such things would be treated as mentally unstable and told to save their delusions for their diary.
Even Wellesley, who held absolute trust in me, seemed unable to grasp what connection the American continent had with Britain's hegemony.
“First, to understand my vision, you must know what an outrageously blessed land the American continent is. It may be hindsight, but it’s no exaggeration to say that the worst mistake in the history of the British Empire was failing to manage its colonies properly, leading to the independence of the United States. That land holds limitless potential.”
“Well… it is a vast and expansive land, comparable in size to all of Europe.”
“It’s more than that. If you want to produce food, there are great plains suitable for agriculture. If you want to develop industry, there are lands more geographically suited for it than anywhere else in the world, scattered all over.”
From the primary to the tertiary sectors, America was a cheat-code of a land where you could find the optimal environment for anything you wanted to do, all within its borders.
“Is it to that extent?”
“Did I not submit a report detailing the value of Canada from various angles? The land occupied by the United States is a step above even that. And that land has more than enough potential to accommodate any number of immigrants, no matter how many flock to it from the outside. This means that as time goes on, its population will explode at an insane rate.”
“Hmm… so you’re saying that in time, the national power of the United States will surpass that of France or Russia?”
“It’s only a matter of time. Can you imagine how fast it will grow when it has the land and food to support a population boom, the domestic resources to develop its industry, and a continuous influx of people not just from within but from outside as well?”
Until the World Wars, not even the United States itself truly knew how strong it was, so how could other nations possibly guess?
But I, at least, knew better than anyone what a monstrous nation it could become.
“Then was your reason for pouring so much effort into Canada to use it to check the growth of the United States?”
“Yes. But to do that, we must first nurture Canada to a sufficient size.”
By settling the large number of Irish who would have originally gone to the United States in Canada, and by drawing in additional Black populations, the immediate population shortage could be managed somehow.
For the rest, we needed to attract as many immigrants as possible while expanding westward, but to succeed, there was still one more mountain to climb.
“The problem is that the United States, blinded by its hunger for territorial expansion, will stop at nothing to prevent its interests from being taken away. Until at least several decades have passed, Canada will struggle to check the United States, no matter how much it grows.”
“Do you think so? No matter what, Canada is British territory. I doubt they would antagonize us just to seize a little more land.”
“No. They will.”
When the United States purchased Louisiana from France, it had implicitly revealed its intention to attack and take it by force someday if it wasn't sold.
What peaceful resolution could one expect from people who spout nonsensical gibberish about ‘Manifest Destiny,’ claiming it is God’s providence for America to devour all of North America?
“Are you saying they would go to war with us just to gain a bit more land in the west?”
“If I were in the United States’ shoes, I’d think, ‘The British Empire only dabbles on the Atlantic; they can't easily send troops to the western part of the continent. So, if we push forward and occupy the west first, then negotiate, they'll have no choice but to accept.’”
“That is… well, true. We have almost no means of sending troops to western Canada. It might be different if a transcontinental railway were built, but as you said, that would take at least several decades.”
“Exactly. That is why this is such a crucial time for us. If we let this moment pass, it will become nearly impossible to check the United States in the Americas, and we’ll have no choice but to watch them grow to an infinite size.”
“I think I understand what you’re saying. But I don’t see how that connects to an impending war.”
Wellesley and Disraeli, now completely engrossed in my story, watched with eagle eyes, waiting with bated breath for me to speak.
“As I just said, the United States will not stop until it has acquired enough land to satisfy itself. And the land they are currently coveting is Texas, in the southwest.”
Wellesley, staring intently at the map my finger pointed to, nodded his head with interest.
“I see. Are you saying the United States will go to war with Mexico?”
“If left alone, the United States will gleefully beat up Mexico and gobble up Texas.”
“The fact that you added the condition ‘if left alone’ suggests you have something more in mind, doesn't it?”
“Of course.”
The United States is strong, but not invincible. Especially in its current state, with a ticking time bomb inside it, it might not even have the luxury to wage war with Mexico, depending on the circumstances.
There is the method of quelling internal discontent by creating an external enemy, but what if the bomb inside the body detonates even faster?
The most important thing is for us to seize the gateway to the Pacific and not let go.
For now, Canada cannot handle the United States, but if we continue to grow steadily while they waste time, we can achieve a balance where they can no longer take us lightly.
In the meantime, we can just throw Mexico to them as a sacrifice and let them deal with their own internal strife.
“The most critical factor in the coming war is how quickly Canada can push south and claim the Pacific. What’s important is not ceding the Pacific to the United States, while at the same time, dragging out time without souring relations with them as much as possible. If we can achieve these two things, the hegemony of the British Empire will continue indefinitely.”
If Canada grew to a scale comparable to the British mainland, the new problem of how to handle the colony would arise, but that would only increase my importance.
I concluded the meeting by emphasizing that this was merely a prediction and that the actual outcome could be entirely different.
Of course, I didn't think for a moment that the result would be any different.
* * *
The opinions of Parliament and the Cabinet regarding my authority were naturally coordinated, but there was still one great mountain left to climb.
The great mountain that was Her Majesty Queen Victoria naturally stood in Parliament's way upon hearing that I might go to Canada, her smile softer and her voice more benevolent than ever.
“Oh, how surprising. To think that in our great British Empire, there is not a single person capable of replacing my husband.”
“Haha… hahaha… Indeed, Your Majesty. Originally, the opposition party was supposed to recommend a candidate, but they ultimately failed to find a suitable person, so we were forced to….”
“I cannot understand it, no matter how I try. Are you saying that in this country, which possesses the finest minds in Europe, nay, the world, there is not a single person who can take my consort’s place?”
“It is partly a matter of ability, but the current situation in Canada is also quite unique. The number of Irish and Black people in Canada is growing by the day, so it is best for His Highness the Prince Consort, who has their absolute trust, to stabilize the situation…”
They tried their best to frame it as the Whigs being incompetent, but it didn't seem easy to soothe Victoria, who was already upset.
In fact, from a conventional point of view, she wasn't wrong at all.
With so many members in Parliament and officials in the Cabinet, how could there not be a single talented individual who would confidently step forward to stabilize Canada?
Of course, this was less about ability and more about the structural problems in Canada at present, but explaining it would be too long and complicated.
Victoria clicked her tongue softly and swept her gaze over the Prime Minister and Cabinet members, who didn't know what to do.
“Then, must my consort leave for Canada immediately?”
“No, Your Majesty. For now, urgent matters can be handled through written instructions. He can go when a situation arises that requires his personal attention. The important thing is that the very presence of His Highness the Prince Consort has a positive effect on Canada’s stability.”
“If a situation arises where he must go to Canada in person, that would mean a major problem has occurred, wouldn't it?”
“That is… still, there will be absolutely no danger for you to worry about.”
“In any case, if such a major incident occurs, and he returns after resolving it, shouldn't there be a corresponding reward?”
Wait.
Could it be that her display of displeasure from the moment she heard the news wasn't because she was genuinely upset, but to steer the conversation in this direction?
To apply pressure, implying that since her husband was going abroad and enduring such hardship, he should be given something more?
As I stood there, deeply moved by this belated realization of Victoria's true intentions, Wellesley quickly nodded in agreement.
“Her Majesty is right. Naturally, one who has achieved great merit deserves commensurate honor and reward. I will take responsibility for this matter and secure Parliament's consent, so Your Majesty need not worry.”
“Then I shall be counting on you. It is the Prince Consort of this nation, of all people, who is going all the way to that distant Canada for the sake of the country. I would feel too sorry if he were not rewarded accordingly.”
That worried expression was definitely not an act. I would have to be careful not to mention even a hint of war in front of her.
If she reacted like this just to the news of me going to Canada, she might forcibly tie me up to prevent me from going outside if she knew a war could break out.
“Ah, and one more thing. If he is not leaving for Canada right away, we should take this opportunity to settle a matter we haven't yet finished. In fact, I asked you to come today, Prime Minister, to discuss this very issue.”
“A matter to be settled, you say…?”
“The matter of his title. It doesn't look right for the husband of the Queen of the British Empire to hold only an Irish earldom and an English barony, does it?”
“You are correct. Do you have a title in mind, Your Majesty?”
Victoria glanced my way, then nodded with a warm smile.
This was also something I hadn't heard about at all. Was she planning it as a surprise?
“My father held the titles of Duke of Kent and Strathearn, and Earl of Dublin. Since my father had no sons, these titles naturally became extinct upon his death. I believe these titles, which my father held, are the most fitting for my beloved spouse.”
“Then, the titles as they were…?”
“No. Since Killian is of Irish descent, I think it would be good to include Dublin to further emphasize the union with Ireland. Excluding Strathearn, what do you think of creating a dual dukedom of Kent and Dublin?”
“I see no problem with that at all.”
Originally, after the Acts of Union were passed, the House of Hanover favored granting titles that combined several regions to emphasize unity.
In that respect, linking Kent and Dublin together would certainly have the symbolic meaning of integration.
The title of Duke of Kent itself was held by Victoria's father, whom she lost at a young age, so the narrative of her passing it on to her husband seemed all the more poignant.
On top of this, I had also recently become the legal heir of the Duke of Sussex. Does this mean I will eventually inherit the title of Duke of Sussex as well?
It felt like my name was getting longer and my titles were constantly increasing; soon, just introducing myself would take an eternity.
“Ah, and one last thing. Please review the possibility of me visiting Canada once the situation has stabilized.”
“…Pardon? Your Majesty, to Canada? That is too…”
“Dangerous? But if that's the case, wouldn't I become a wicked wife who sends her husband to such a dangerous place without ever showing her face?”
“But Your Majesty is the leader of this British Empire. There is no precedent for the monarch of this country visiting such a distant place.”
“As far as I know, there is also no precedent for sending the Prince Consort to a colony across the Atlantic. Of course, it could be dangerous, but with thorough preparation, there should be no problem. Our British Empire's navigational skills are the best in the world. And above all, you can understand the immense significance of the Queen herself coming to encourage her consort, who devotes his entire being to the nation's interests, can't you, Prime Minister?”
As she said, the very fact of a visit from the Queen of the British Empire would have a positive impact on Canada that could not be fully expressed in numbers.
Moreover, Victoria herself would gain the laudable story of having crossed the Atlantic to encourage her husband who was dedicating himself to the nation, so it could be considered a gain for her as well.
Finally, it would be the decisive blow that would completely cement my position in Canada, which was already soaring.
When the Queen of the British Empire puts on such a performance, who could resist becoming enthusiastic?
I had been worried she might be sulking, but to think she was only pretending to be upset while drawing up such a grand plan.
A dukedom of Kent and Dublin, followed by a firm promise from Parliament and the government of additional rewards once the Canadian situation was resolved.
Is this the happiness of a husband with a capable wife?
This is so sweet.