Chapter 149
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: A Moving Powder Keg
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Let’s be honest, there isn't a person alive who wasn't told by their parents to get along and not fight when they were kids.
But in the end, people fight when they fight, and that doesn't change even when they become adults.
After all, sharpening one's blades against someone different and excluding them was a perfectly natural human instinct.
Completely eliminating it is absolutely impossible.
*I just hate those French bastards who act all high and mighty for no reason.*
*I just feel uncomfortable around those Black people for some reason.*
*I just hate those damn arrogant English.*
Unless you could shoot them with a brainwashing beam, fundamentally altering the thoughts of such people is impossible.
However, one could certainly create an atmosphere where revealing such thoughts would earn you a beating.
“I say this not simply to maintain public order, nor to prevent the chaos that would arise from a nation divided by racial conflict. We all have unique cultures and traditions built from our respective circumstances, which we have refined to be ever more great and brilliant. Let's take an example. Quebec is predominantly populated by French immigrants, is it not? Is there anyone in Europe who doesn't know how delicious French cuisine is? The elegance and artistic sensibility you possess will be of indescribable help in maturing Canada's future culture.”
If you were to name a people who are truly sincere about taking pride in their culture, the French would undoubtedly be in the top three in Europe.
As my high praise fell upon them, the French-Canadian representatives from Quebec, gathered together, immediately broke into broad smiles and bowed their heads repeatedly.
Of course, I wasn't just here to coddle the French immigrants, so I immediately turned my gaze to the next target.
“Next, we have our loyal English immigrants. Your loyalty and reverence for the Crown will, I declare, serve as an example to everyone here.”
Since Canada was a colony of the British Empire, it was natural for the English to feel that they were, in the end, the foundation.
Subtly praising this point, the English contingent smiled just as contentedly as the French and raised their glasses.
“And to all of you from Ireland, I always wish to express my gratitude. Your faith, in trusting the government and my word and leaving behind your beloved homeland to come this far, will surely be rewarded. I make you a firm promise here today.”
As for the Irish, they were a group that supported me so overwhelmingly that they'd believe me if I called rye wheat, so I wasn't particularly worried.
However, it would be a bit troublesome if they became overconfident in me and began to think of Canada as their own.
My plan was to constantly guide them so they wouldn't go astray, and to shape the Irish to act as a lubricant, smoothly connecting the different races and immigrant groups.
“Finally, to our friends who have come up from the south in search of true freedom. I know well that you, more than anyone else here, have longed for true liberty and equality. It is because you can live here in safety that we can loudly proclaim that British Canada is a true land of freedom. Paradoxically, one does not know the value of freedom until one has felt its absence. And for that very reason, this land you live in can be reborn as a true nation of liberty.
Under the protection of our great Queen, all of you will continue to enjoy the freedom and rights protected by law as citizens of British Canada.”
“Thank you! Thank you!”
“We will never forget the grace of the Prince Consort and Her Majesty, even in death!”
The Black elders, representing the pioneer villages, were so overcome with emotion that they shed tears and bowed repeatedly.
The other immigrants watched them, smiling warmly and applauding.
*Unlike the barbaric United States, this place respects human rights; it is a truly advanced nation.*
After stoking everyone's pride to its absolute peak, I surveyed the room and concluded my speech.
“Though we have grown up sharing different cultures, we all have something in common. We are all citizens belonging to British Canada. And it is when all these characteristics of ours come together as one that this nation is made truly greater.
I am the Prince Consort of the British Empire, but I was born in Asia, and half the blood that flows in my veins comes from Ireland. And the heir to this nation, who will one day be your king, is of the direct lineage of the English royal family. In a way, this means that Canada itself can be seen as a monumental nation, symbolizing the future path of the British Empire.
Therefore, there is no need to fear or hesitate in respecting other cultures, accepting them, and blending together. Take pride. For the entire world will soon be watching you, studying your actions, and learning from them.”
If there was no reaction after all that, it would mean they were either emotionally barren or disliked me so much that they would oppose anything I said.
As expected, everyone in the room not only applauded and cheered enthusiastically but also began to move beyond their own circles to mingle with other immigrant groups.
The Black representatives, who had just been weeping from my encouragement, became a perfect target.
“Oh my, you must have suffered so much in that barbaric South. How do you find it, having come here?”
“What is there to say? It is difficult to start anew, but even that is simply joyful and exciting.”
“I can imagine. Tsk, tsk, tsk, you must have endured a great deal because of those who still maintain the barbaric institution of slavery. As the Prince Consort said, I hope you will only build good memories here from now on.”
“How kind of you. Thank you so much.”
*Good, good, the atmosphere is great.*
If I kept giving similar speeches at every opportunity before returning to London, my words would quickly spread throughout Canada.
It might not seem like much now, but once this atmosphere took hold, it would stand in stark contrast to the United States just below, further enhancing Canada's prestige.
Imagine the contrast between a country where, even a hundred years from now, people of color would have to use separate restrooms, and a country that was already beginning to break down racial barriers.
What if the United States, influenced by Canada, tried to resolve its racial issues?
The moment that happened, the American Civil War would break out, which was nothing but beneficial for my side.
In fact, I secretly anticipated that this was the more likely outcome.
Considering the butterfly effect of history, Canada's current atmosphere was bound to influence the United States in some way.
Of course, I was also openly spreading voices condemning the barbarity of slavery in the American North.
In any case, having spoken out so extensively, Canada would likely run smoothly without any major incidents for at least the next few years.
The only thing left was the question of when Russia would make its move, but considering Russia's abysmal infrastructure, wouldn't there still be plenty of time?
In retrospect, having not yet truly experienced Russia, I had slightly underestimated how far removed they were from common sense.
***
A few months after the signing of the Kingston Treaty.
While Canada was abuzz with the impending birth of the British Queen's child, a tense atmosphere also gripped Russia.
With Russia's boundless expansion stalled in Europe, everyone agreed that a breakthrough had to be found in Asia.
But when that meant Northeast Asia, not West Asia, the story changed.
-We must attack Primorye now. This is the golden opportunity, and if we miss it, we will regret it for years to come!
-Do you have any idea how far it is from Moscow or Saint Petersburg to Primorye? How will we handle supplies?
-Our tough Russian soldiers are already hardened by marching through barren lands. Supplies? We just have to work hard and do it well, that’s all.
The conflict between the war faction, which advocated for immediate action, and the cautious faction, which wanted to observe the situation further, had so far remained deadlocked.
Emperor Nicholas I of Russia had initially leaned toward a more cautious approach.
As the military leaders pointed out, the bulk of Russia's forces were concentrated around Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and the march from there to the far eastern end of Primorye was simply too long.
If they had laid down railways like the British, it wouldn't have been a problem, but Russia currently lacked the capacity to do so.
This meant they would inevitably have to travel by land, a journey that would take at least several months and make maintaining supply lines incredibly difficult.
-Still, we must act now that we have the funds to cover military expenses from the sale of Alaska! And critically, we are not the only ones facing difficulties. The Qing Dynasty is said to be on the verge of collapse from trying to pay the reparations owed to Britain. If we give them time, won't they recover? It will only become harder to seize the opportunity then.
The war faction's argument honestly had merit.
While moving troops to Primorye was not easy, it was equally true that the enemy was unprepared.
If the costs of war could be partially covered by the sale of Alaska, then objectively, now was the opportune moment.
As for the Qing Dynasty, now that the truth was known—that it was an old tiger that had lost not only its teeth but its claws as well—they were frankly not a threat at all.
Thus, their real enemy was not the Qing, but Russia's own harsh terrain.
Whether they could win this battle against nature and successfully dispatch their army to Primorye was the emperor's greatest concern.
But this concern was swiftly tipped to one side when news of the Kingston Treaty arrived from across the Atlantic.
“...The British Empire has swallowed not only Alaska but the entire western part of the North American continent?”
“Yes. In effect, the entire Pacific region has fallen into the hands of the British Empire.”
“To think those greedy bastards were so avariciously expanding their territory while we hesitated.”
Emperor Nicholas I's fists trembled as he looked at the map his ministers had hastily procured.
No, just how greedily had they devoured land to have their territory swell so much overnight?
Looking at it now, with a bit of exaggeration, British Canada alone looked as large as all of Russia combined. How was this situation even possible?
“The same bastards who stir up all of Europe to block us whenever we try to expand our territory even a little are now shamelessly gobbling up land like this?”
“Your Majesty, despite that, didn't our Foreign Minister secure an agreement that they would not object if we were to raise an army and occupy Primorye?”
“Yes… he did. But now I see that was just a ploy for them to swallow the entire western part of North America.”
While they were planning to occupy Primorye, those bastards were meticulously plotting to devour the New World.
And once again, they had moved a step faster.
“Your Majesty! Even if they have acquired such vast territories, it will take them a long time to stabilize their new lands. But if we do nothing during that time, even if we occupy Primorye, it will be difficult to close the gap between us.”
“Yes. You are right.”
Now that the British Empire controlled the entire eastern Pacific, it was only a matter of time before they extended their reach into Asia.
Weren't they already building naval bases in places like Shanghai, Tainan, Hong Kong, and Singapore?
If they continued to delay, the entire Pacific, both east and west, would fall into the hands of the British Empire.
By then, even if Russia occupied Primorye, it would never be free from British influence.
Nicholas I finally resolved that he would no longer be dragged along at the British Empire's pace.
“Very well! As things stand, we can hesitate no longer. Form up the army immediately and prepare to march on Primorye as swiftly as possible!”
“What shall we notify the Qing Dynasty?”
“Tell them that the region was originally territory of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, but we were forced to relinquish it under pressure from the Qing. Now that the situation has changed, propose that we once again divide the territory through a proper treaty.”
It was nonsense that anyone could see through, but then again, when had Russia ever made a rational argument?
The current Qing Dynasty was just a collection of fools who had been utterly defeated by the British.
“Your Majesty. It is not just the Qing. If we push down, we might face opposition from Korea, with whom we will share a border, or from Japan to the south.”
“Must we concern ourselves with the reactions of such small nations? And if they resist, all the better. It gives us a pretext to seize their lands as well.”
“A wise decision!”
“We all follow Your Majesty's will!”
As soon as the emperor's words fell, the war faction raised their voices, and even those who had urged caution had no choice but to concede and step back.
After seeing the British Empire's endless expansion, changing the emperor's mind was impossible from the start.
“We will seize Primorye and secure a path to the sea! I will never stand by and watch those British bastards manipulate this world as they please!”
The self-restraint of Russia, writhing with the desire for territorial expansion, had finally reached its breaking point.