Chapter 153
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: A World in Upheaval (2)
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True to the red shield they used as their family crest, the name Rothschild was said to mean exactly that: red shield.
The name of this family, which had grown from a neighborhood punching bag ignored by all into a titan that held the world's economy in its grasp, was still famous even in modern times.
Befitting a Jewish financial dynasty, they were the protagonists of all sorts of conspiracy theories, with a strong image as the shadowy figures who ruled the world. However, the current Rothschilds were not quite at that level yet.
To be precise, they could truly become so in a few decades, but the time was not yet ripe.
The greatest financial power in the British Empire at present was the Baring family; the British Rothschilds, if one had to rank them, were merely a formidable second-in-command, rapidly closing the gap.
But for that very reason, this was the perfect time to make contact with them.
It wasn't because I was short on money.
When it came to funds, I had already established a system through James that was more than capable of rivaling the Rothschild family.
The crucial point, however, was that my ventures were mainly in fields that handled large-scale manpower.
The Rothschild family, on the other hand, possessed a powerful financial network not just in Britain but across all of Europe, a network I would struggle to replicate no matter what I did.
Even if I could somehow swallow Britain whole, how could I possibly defeat this financial dynasty in their own game when they had roots not only in their old home of Germany but also in Italy, Austria, and France?
Not that I had any intention of trying to beat them, as I had planned from the beginning to grow my fortune by targeting sectors other than finance.
“Is this our first time meeting? I've been hearing about the Rothschild family for some time. In finance, you are said to be second only to the Baring family in the British Empire, are you not?”
“We are undeservedly blessed to hear such a gracious assessment from various circles.”
“Undeservedly? I’ve looked into it myself and found that your family has done a great deal for the nation. I believe you even provided funds to the Duke of Wellington during the Napoleonic Wars?”
“Yes. I understand the financial aid was provided because my late father strongly insisted on supporting the Duke of Wellington.”
“I see. Are you not truly a patriot? Did this country offer you fair compensation at the time?”
Rothschild seemed to ponder for a moment before shaking his head firmly and bowing deeply.
“How could we have offered support to the British Empire while expecting worldly rewards as it faced a great adversary that was setting all of Europe ablaze? Nevertheless, we have no complaints, as we were shown many conveniences in carrying on our business afterward.”
“Is that so? And yet, I’ve heard you are unable to use the Austrian baronial title your family holds. I’ve also heard you cannot run for election due to the issue of the Christian oath. Is this not an overly harsh treatment?”
I had heard that in the original history, there were quite a few cases where a member of the Rothschild family won an election only to have the result nullified for being unable to take that oath.
It wasn't until much later, after the Jews Relief Act was passed, that Jews were able to bypass that oath in the British Parliament.
So, at this point in time, no matter how much money they had, the Rothschild family was nothing more than a wealthy upstart, possessing neither power nor honor.
It was a stark contrast to the situation of Francis Baring, the current head of the Baring family, who was a baron of the British Empire.
“Having been able to accumulate so much wealth in the British Empire, I believe it would be an extravagance to wish for more. We can only hope that should we contribute to the British Empire in the future, we might receive a reward befitting our service.”
“In that case, you ought to be given a chance to prove your merit, and as it happens, I have just the thing. I was thinking of giving you such an opportunity. Are you willing to hear me out?”
“If it is a matter of financial support for a government project, we are more than capable.”
A flicker of color returned to Rothschild's face.
His family had maintained its ties to the government through such means until now, so perhaps he expected this to be something similar.
“No, it’s not that kind of matter. In fact, it might be a bit tricky, but it is a venture where the reward will be as certain as the difficulty.”
“As long as a definite profit can be made, what would we financiers refuse?”
“Is that so? Then I must ask you a few things beforehand. What are your thoughts on trade finance centered around the East India Company?”
“Why, it is a smooth road ahead for the future of the British Empire…”
“Spare me the platitudes and give me a cold, objective assessment. That is the only way I can be certain whether I can entrust this task to you or not.”
Although it was in decline, the East India Company was still a massive economic and political collective that served as the focal point for the magnates of the British Empire.
But viewed dispassionately, they had long outlived their usefulness and had nowhere to go but down.
Still, because of their fundamental size, even the British government was merely observing the situation rather than taking direct action against them.
It would have been fine if they had survived like zombies before quietly collapsing, but the problem was that the East India Company, which effectively held India in its grip, had been blundering nonstop.
Thanks to that, a massive rebellion known as the Sepoy Mutiny had erupted, and Britain had to pay an enormous price to suppress it.
So, what reason was there to keep this zombie corporation, already obsolete for its time, alive any longer?
With Russia’s attention on the Qing Dynasty and France’s on Vietnam, it was time to deal with the India problem once and for all.
Rothschild couldn't have guessed my intentions yet, but he must have known I wasn't particularly fond of the East India Company.
After a moment of contemplation, he hesitated before cautiously opening his mouth.
“The East India Company has lost its trade monopoly with the Qing Dynasty, and I understand it is also losing public support in India due to its harsh governance. While this may not be a major problem for now, its revenues are consistently falling, and more importantly, the company's business model is not very sophisticated. Should I call it an old-fashioned model that would have worked well 50 years ago? Its limits are clear, I believe.”
“I see. So you’re saying that in the future, your method of making money with money will have better prospects than those who specialize in trade, like the Baring family.”
“Trade is important, of course. But what I meant was, if I were an investor, I would refrain from increasing any further investment in the East India Company.”
“Indeed. You are right. In fact, it’s not just me; the current government is also questioning whether it is right to leave the East India Company as it is. We must choose one of two options: either fundamentally reform it, or shut it down through an appropriate process. The problem is, if the East India Company closes, it will inevitably take time and money to form a new organization of that magnitude, wouldn't you say?”
Even if the British Empire were to get rid of the East India Company and rule India directly, it would need to create a justification for doing so.
But when it came down to it, that too was a costly endeavor, and if there was one thing I didn't want, it was to spend my own money on a venture that wouldn't yield that much profit.
Of course, Rothschild, being a financier who chased profits, would feel similarly, but I had quite a few bargaining chips to present to him.
“Your Highness, in our opinion…”
“Ah, of course, I am well aware this is not a particularly attractive investment. But in the long run, isn't this a proposal that will undoubtedly benefit you? Most of the factions that look unfavorably upon rising powers like yourselves are closely intertwined with the East India Company. The Baring family is no exception.”
“...That is true.”
If the East India Company were to fall, the families tied to it would naturally face a period of decline, and the Rothschild family would instantly rise to become the supreme financial power in the British Empire.
“And we, the British Empire, never mistreat those who have rendered service to the nation. It may be difficult now due to public opinion, but if you render a great service, wouldn't Parliament make a slight amendment to the law requiring a Christian oath to enter its halls?”
“Is that truly possible?”
“Of course. And once His Majesty returns, you will be permitted to use your Austrian baronial title, but in the end, it is still a foreign title, is it not? I will secure you a hereditary barony so that you may live with your heads held high in this country.”
The power to grant noble titles belonged not to Parliament, but to the Queen, and I was the Queen's husband.
At my guarantee, a strange light entered the eyes of Rothschild, who had been showing a lukewarm reaction until just a moment ago.
“Specifically, what would you have us do…?”
Just as I thought, once a man has money, he next seeks power and honor.
To think he would fall for it so readily.
“It’s nothing so difficult.”
All you have to do is follow my orders, turn the entire East India Company into a non-performing asset, and force it to close its doors.
See? Simple, isn't it?
***
While Europe and Asia were suddenly entangled, rapidly descending into chaos.
The island of Japan, floating alone in the distant Far Eastern sea, could by no means remain free from this influence.
“Russia will wage war on the Qing Dynasty… It has not been long since the Qing were defeated by Igirisu. Is the world going mad?”
“As long as Your Majesty is here, no malevolent force can approach the land of Yamato, so please trust your subjects and be at ease!”
The 120th Tennō of Japan.
Emperor Ninkō, the fourth son of Emperor Kōkaku, looked down at the Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyoshi, who had his head pressed to the floor, with a gaze that was less than confident.
Although he was little more than a scarecrow, he was nominally the leader whom all subjects of Japan revered and followed.
Naturally, various news from home and abroad reached his ears, and thanks to that, he had a grasp of the unfolding situation.
The Shogun, aware of this fact, was frantically trying to appease the Tennō.
Moreover, while in the past it was not at all strange for the Tennō to be a mere ornament while his vassals wielded real power, voices criticizing this practice had been on the rise recently.
Due to Neo-Confucianism from Joseon, a vertical way of thinking centered on the Emperor as the nation's king had been established. Furthermore, this had been refined with Japan's National Learning and Shintoism, leading to a recent rapid increase in Tennō worship.
Those influenced by this strange ideology did not look kindly upon the Shogun ignoring the Tennō and handling state affairs autocratically.
To the Shogun, it was all just half-mad nonsense, but when the number of people spouting that nonsense grew, he had no choice but to pay attention.
Though, at best, it only meant he consulted the Tennō, who had originally been a mere rubber stamp, with a little more politeness.
“I have heard that the Qing have already exhausted much of their national strength in the previous war. And I am told that these foreigners, the Russians, are one of the foremost powers even in that land of Europa. Is not the defeat of the Qing a foregone conclusion?”
“Your insight is brilliant, Your Majesty! We, too, anticipate as much.”
“Then is there any guarantee that those foreigners, the Russians, will not turn their blades on us next?”
“For Russia to face us, they must first pass through Joseon. Therefore, we intended to communicate closely with Joseon to prepare. However, we have received news that Joseon is independently preparing an accord with Igirisu. This raises the concern that we alone will be isolated, and thus we believe it is necessary for us to also promptly conclude a treaty with the Igirisu side!”
Originally, treaties with foreign countries required the Tennō's permission, but in practice, they had always been handled in a way where the Tennō simply followed the Shogun's lead.
Thinking this time would be no different, Ieyoshi continued his explanation without much thought.
“These foreigners are known for forcing unequal treaties, but according to rumors, the true power in Igirisu, Killian, was deeply moved by the kindness our country showed him. This is all due to Your Majesty's virtue. If Your Majesty were to extend a hand to them first, they too would feel Your Majesty's grace and be greatly moved!”
“Ah, yes. I remember hearing of it. The one called Killian of Igirisu is of mixed European and Asian blood, is he not?”
“Yes! That is correct.”
“And I also heard he is a distant relative of the Shogun. What a strange fate this is.”
Of course, it was a fabricated connection, but Ieyoshi saw no need to tell the Tennō such truths.
After all, what good would it do for him, a decorative flower, to know such things?
“Such a connection is all thanks to the grace of His Majesty the Emperor…”
“I wish to meet him.”
“...Eh?”
Meet? Meet whom?
For a moment, Ieyoshi failed to comprehend the words and blinked, as the Tennō continued nonchalantly.
“Is he not of Yamato blood, who has succeeded so admirably in that distant land? If I, the Emperor of this nation, were to meet him personally to offer praise and encouragement, would it not deepen the friendship between our two countries?”
“Oh… that is… truly…”
*What in the world is this madman saying?*
Inwardly, he wanted to scream at him to stop talking nonsense, but this was a public audience with other daimyō watching.
“A brilliant… decision, Your Majesty. However…”
He tried to come up with an excuse, but it was such an unexpected move that he couldn't think of a suitable reason to object.
Still, he had to say something, anything, to put a stop to this…
“Indeed! Even if he is a nobleman of Igirisu, is not half of him ultimately a subject of Your Majesty!”
“If he is granted an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, the loyalty of the Yamato blood within him will surely awaken!”
Awaken his loyalty? What utter nonsense.
Far from stopping it, other clueless daimyō began to voice their agreement, and Ieyoshi's face turned pale.
‘This is a disaster. These people, if I don't do something…’