Chapter 90
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Breaking the Cartel
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When one thinks of a Member of Parliament's term, it's easy to assume it's a guaranteed period, whether four or five years.
In the modern era, that's a given, but surprisingly, this was not such a time.
Members of the House of Lords served for life, barring exceptional circumstances.
Members of the House of Commons typically had a seven-year term, but it rarely ran its full course.
It was so common for Parliament to be dissolved and new elections held that completing a full seven-year term was actually the rarer occurrence.
Still, with the current political stability, the likelihood of a vote of no confidence or a dissolution of Parliament was rather low.
The ruling Tory Party was standing firmer than ever, and Robert Peel's cabinet was impeccable.
Above all, had I not brought the Qing Dynasty to its knees and secured immense gains for Britain?
The ruling party and the cabinet were working hard to manage their approval ratings by publicizing these achievements daily.
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The Whig Party could do nothing but watch these developments, twiddling their thumbs, as the gap in approval ratings continued to widen.
What would happen if an election were held in this climate?
A landslide victory for the Tories was a foregone conclusion; the fight for the Whigs would be whether they could even secure 200 seats.
Should I be relieved that such a scenario would actually be a bit troublesome for me?
There was still some time until the next election, so I needed to diligently strengthen my own foundation in the meantime.
To that end, I had to give generous praise to Wellesley and Disraeli, who had worked hard in my absence.
Those two were already like extensions of myself politically, so it was necessary to continue sharing glory and profit with them.
I needed them to keep producing results, just as they had been.
“I heard you went to Buckingham Palace two days in a row, yesterday and the day before.”
“The day before yesterday was for a ball, and yesterday was to discuss some matters.”
“Hmm. Is that so? I was rather hoping you were finally becoming a member of the British royal family.”
Wellesley said with a grin, making it unclear if he was joking or serious.
Either way, it was a good opportunity to gauge how others perceived the situation.
“Are there any such rumors circulating?”
“Rumors? You mean about your relationship with Her Majesty the Queen?”
“Yes. If false rumors spread too far, I would feel terribly sorry for Her Majesty.”
While no particular rumors had spread among the general public yet, it could be different among the nobility, so it was worth checking.
Wellesley seemed to ponder for a moment before shaking his head.
“I don’t think anyone is talking about it seriously. But honestly, is there anyone in London who doesn’t know that Her Majesty holds you in special regard?”
Disraeli, who had been listening from the side, nodded in agreement.
“Her Majesty must, after all, bear an heir to succeed the throne. You, Minister, are seen more as the Queen’s confidant, I suppose.”
“It is a bit funny when you think about it. If I were in your shoes, Killian, rumors would probably have spread all over London by now. Something about a rosy atmosphere between the Queen and the second son of the Duke of Wellington.”
“But Minister, aren’t you now in a position comparable to Mr. Wellesley?”
“If the rumors about his mixed Eastern royal blood are true, perhaps… Killian, is that rumor true? Ah, every lady I meet these days asks me about it, and it’s driving me mad. They all cling to me because they know I’m the closest person to you.”
So, the upper echelons of this country still believed I wasn't in the same league as Victoria.
No matter that I had become a minister and achieved great things, the perception was that I hadn't even earned a place on that stage yet.
As Wellesley said, if I were the son of the Duke of Wellington, there would already be rumors of a romance… no, I might have already been hooked and dragged in by Victoria.
Emotionally, it might be upsetting, but from a cool-headed perspective, it was actually a good thing.
The perception that ‘he’s still not good enough’ also meant they were underestimating me.
“I don’t know if I have royal blood or not. That’s something Joseon and Japan will have to sort out and bring me a family registry to find out, wouldn't you say?”
Frankly, if Joseon or Japan decided to add me to a royal family registry, then I would be royalty. If not, things would stay as they are.
However, Wellesley, interpreting my words differently, sighed and nodded.
“So the investigation is still ongoing, and we have to wait a bit longer. I see. I heard it goes back some 300 years, so I suppose you can't expect immediate results. When others ask, I’ll just say it’s still under investigation over there.”
“Yes. Then let’s wrap up the matter concerning me for now and discuss our future plans. As I said earlier, the reason I went to see Her Majesty at Buckingham yesterday was because of this report.”
When I showed them the report from James that I had shown Victoria the day before, both men reacted immediately.
“Potato blight? If this spreads, the potato harvest will be completely ruined, and it’s incredibly contagious?”
“With a contagion level that high, it won’t be something we can stop just by trying. Unless we prevent a single ship from the New World from reaching Europe, this disease will inevitably spread here as well.”
“Precisely. In regions like Ireland that are heavily dependent on potatoes, it will be a scene from hell the moment this disease spreads. That’s why we must prepare now.”
“Prepare… We must, but is it possible? To do anything across all of Ireland, the government and Parliament would have to move as one.”
Of course.
Although Disraeli put it mildly, he was essentially asking if the British Parliament would actively respond to a crisis where, at the end of the day, it was only the Irish who would die, not the people of mainland Britain.
Would they really do something so inhumane when a million people would starve to death and another million would lose their homes and emigrate?
Surprisingly, yes, they would.
The fact that Britain didn't care about Ireland, combined with the currently fashionable population theory of Thomas Malthus, would serve as the basis for such a decision.
“You mean the argument will be that for us to avoid the Malthusian trap, the population needs to be adjusted below a certain level. Therefore, from a long-term perspective, it won't be a major problem if some Irish people die?”
“…Of course, no one would be crazy enough to say it that directly. But there will be quite a few members of Parliament thinking it.”
“Naturally. They’ll be deeply concerned that using the budget to help Ireland will cost them votes from their mainland supporters.”
It goes without saying that Malthus never once said people should ignore death from disease or famine to avoid the Malthusian trap.
But since when have politicians ever cared about such details when citing theories?
They simply pick and choose what best serves their electoral interests.
“But Killian, from the Tory Party’s perspective, we can’t ignore Ireland right now, can we? It’s one of our important support bases. If we handle it well, moving the House of Commons shouldn't be too difficult, I think.”
“I agree. We also have Mr. O'Connell in the House of Commons, so creating public opinion won't be that hard. In fact, even mainland public opinion can be easily swayed with a little media massage.”
In the original history, Britain's passive response to Ireland was partly due to the British leadership engineering the situation that way.
When Victoria visited Ireland to see the reality for herself, Parliament arranged her itinerary so that she only visited the affluent areas of Northern Ireland, which were largely unaffected by the Great Famine.
So, the Queen was left with the impression, ‘What’s this? I came because I heard the famine was severe, but everyone seems to be doing fine.’ Naturally, she lost interest in Ireland.
How must the Irish people have felt seeing that?
It’s no wonder Ireland came to despise Britain with a passion.
Unlike the modern era where the horrors of a situation can be transmitted instantly via the internet, in this age, you wouldn't know what was happening in the next region over unless someone told you.
But conversely, if I diligently explained the catastrophe the Great Famine would bring and how detrimental it would be to the British Empire's national interest, swaying public opinion wouldn't be a problem.
However, the key would be how to move the nobles and capitalists who held the media in their hands.
“Fortunately, Her Majesty has promised to cooperate fully on this matter. I will leave the House of Commons to you, Mr. Wellesley, and you, Mr. Disraeli. But we’ll still be held back if we don’t do something about the House of Lords, won’t we? So, I will try to handle that side of things.”
“Do you think the old geezers in the House of Lords will listen to you? It might be different if my father helps, but he seems to have lost all interest in politics lately.”
“Of course, they won’t listen easily, but I have to try. This isn't just for Ireland. Please don't forget that this is a perfect opportunity for me to reclaim all the support in Ireland that I've entrusted to Mr. O'Connell, and a chance to further strengthen the unity of the British Empire.”
“Aha, I see. You mean if we help Ireland in its time of need, they will truly become part of the British Empire?”
“It's not just Ireland. I am laying the groundwork with Canada in mind as well.”
Ruling colonies through coercion will never last.
This fact was already proven in the original history by Ireland and Canada breaking away from Britain.
But to maintain the long-term hegemony of the British Empire, and more importantly, for me to become the real power within that hegemonic nation, Ireland must not break away.
Of course, having only Ireland wouldn't create a balance, but what if I could also secure Canada?
And what if it was a Canada that, unlike in the original history, began to industrialize and expand westward actively from now on?
Right now, any attempt to do anything would be hampered by a lack of population, but a good excuse to solve that has just presented itself, hasn't it?
“Thinking about it coolly, simply planting alternative crops or importing grain won't be enough to completely prevent the coming famine. To some extent, we’ll have no choice but to send the overly concentrated population of Ireland to emigrate.”
“So you intend to send those people to Canada? It certainly seems like it could be quite effective…”
“As it is, there's an absolute shortage of people to develop farmland in Canada and mine resources near the Great Lakes. I’ve already had the Prime Minister amend all the relevant laws a few years ago to build the foundation, so all we need to do is establish a systematic immigration program.”
“…You had the laws amended years ago? Didn’t you only recently learn about the coming famine? Don’t tell me you foresaw this and sent James to the New World…”
Sharp, aren't you? But would you believe me if I told you it was all true?
“Oh, come on, don’t go that far… It’s just that my conviction that the New World is the future and the investments I made on the side might pay off in this way, that's all.”
“Well, that’s just how you operate, isn’t it? Haha. In that case, I’ll back you fully this time as well.”
Wellesley spoke playfully as always, but this attitude was only possible because of his absolute trust in me.
I nodded with a look of conviction, as if to reassure him.
“Everything will go smoothly this time too, so don't worry. Once this is successfully concluded, not just Ireland but Canada as well will be our backyard within ten years.”
In the original history, a significant number of the Irish who embarked on mass emigration due to the Great Famine ended up in the United States.
What’s more, their animosity towards Britain was so strong that during the American Civil War, they even surreptitiously attacked the British colony of Canada.
Every single person is crucial for developing the New World; I can’t let such a population drain happen.
And though I didn’t say it out loud, if the Irish become the majority in Canada, who do you think will be the British politician most supported and loved by Canada?
There’s no need to even say it.
***
To begin proper activities as a member of the British House of Lords, one had to be at least 21 years of age.
And since I was still only 20 in 1840, I couldn't yet vote on agendas or give speeches in the House of Lords.
But it was a different story for a cabinet minister.
A minister couldn't vote on specific motions, but they could give speeches in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Thanks to this, at the Prime Minister's request, I was able to stand before the more than 200 nobles of this country for the first time.
It was a historic moment, my debut in the House of Lords, but the gazes of the elders were not exactly warm.
It wasn't so much hostility as it was a lamentation of ‘Tsk, tsk, for such a green young whelp to be standing in a place like this already, what is the world coming to?’
Actually, there were a few who sent me looks of clear hostility.
I knew exactly why they were doing it, and their open antagonism made it easier for me to deal with them, which was a relief.
Could they maintain those rigid glares until the end of this session? If so, I’d be willing to give them credit.
“Minister, you are here today to testify on the unfamiliar issue of the potato blight. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Most of the members here have seen the submitted report. However, its contents are somewhat shocking, so I believe further confirmation is necessary. Can the reliability of the contents recorded in this report be guaranteed?”
“Of course. I personally commissioned this report, and it includes testimonies not only from local scholars but also from local farmers who have been engaged in potato farming for a long time. I considered bringing actual samples to show you, but I deliberately chose not to, as it would be a disaster if the blight spores were to spread.”
“I see. Indeed, if it is that contagious, it could be dangerous. Carelessly bringing infected potatoes could spread it not just throughout our country but across all of Europe.”
“But Minister, weren’t you in the Qing Dynasty until just recently? When on earth did you learn of this and have a report prepared? Could it be that you are exaggerating to maintain the popularity you gained from the war?”
“Hold your tongue! Is the Whig Party capable of anything other than finding fault? To denigrate a minister’s patriotic devotion to his country in such a manner!”
“Who is denigrating anyone? It is you who is strange for trying to shut down someone who is pointing out something strange!”
Hmm, just as I expected, a warm and affectionate place.
This is how a parliament should be, in any era, East or West.
I would have been more flustered if they had listened to each other's opinions seriously and engaged in a dignified debate. This is much more comfortable.
“First, to be clear, I did indeed order the preparation of this report before I left for the Qing Dynasty. As some of you may know, I have a great interest in the Irish problem. And Ireland's current agricultural structure, which relies on a single variety of potato, can hardly be called healthy. So I was constantly looking for ways to improve it, and it was then that I happened to hear a rumor about a potato blight.”
“I understand. So you heard the rumor and sent people to the New World to collect data before you left for the Qing Dynasty.”
“Yes. Therefore, this report was not hastily prepared after my return from the Qing Dynasty. Please consider it a report that contains only fully verified information gathered over nearly two years of investigation.”
“It certainly seems that if events unfold as this report and the minister’s predictions suggest, a major crisis will occur. But wouldn’t publicizing this cause immense chaos in Ireland?”
“I also believe that releasing all of this information to the public would not be a wise move. However, we must have solid countermeasures in place to avoid the worst-case scenario. The lives of millions are at stake.”
The members of the House of Lords seemed reluctant, but no one stepped forward to voice an opposing opinion.
Now that I had directly stated that millions of lives were at stake, there were few who could recklessly say, ‘What does that have to do with me?’
Of course, their lofty pride as members of the House of Lords wouldn't allow them to meekly follow the lead of a 20-year-old kid.
A member who had been glaring at me from the start interjected with a cantankerous voice.
“But Minister, the war has just ended. The reparations have not yet fully arrived, and the relief for the affected mainland merchants is not yet complete. Is it really necessary to concern ourselves with a potato blight that may or may not strike at any time?”
“By affected merchants, are you perhaps referring to those who suffered massive losses while selling unauthorized goods in the Qing Dynasty?”
“They are still merchants of the British Empire. The Qing bastards came onto a perfectly good island and burned all their property, so of course, they should be compensated for their losses!”
“I see. Your point is certainly valid, my lord. In that case, why don't we discuss that matter today as well?”
As expected, those who received enormous bribes and support from the opium merchants were a different breed.
But why did you think I enticed William Jardine and James Matheson with the promise of sparing their lives in exchange for information?
It was precisely to shut the mouths of noisy bastards like them.
Let’s see if you can still hold to your arguments after seeing the documents I’m about to distribute, my lords.