Chapter 91
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Breaking the Cartel (2)
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In principle, the House of Commons and the House of Lords held their meetings separately, in different chambers, on the same day.
While Killian was addressing the House of Lords at the Prime Minister’s request, Charles Wellesley and Benjamin Disraeli were steering the debate in the House of Commons.
“A politician’s first, second, and third duty is to the people!”
“The Irish are citizens of the British Empire, just as we are. They are not colonists. The government must, of course, do everything in its power to prevent this foreseen catastrophe!”
“That’s easy to say, but it all costs money, doesn't it? If we spend more than necessary on Ireland, there will be widespread resentment from others.”
“Are you implying that Irish lives are not lives?!”
“When did I say that! I’m saying we need to choose and focus our efforts.”
Wellesley would introduce a topic, and when a rebuttal came, Daniel O’Connell would passionately counter it.
The chamber was as chaotic and noisy as a marketplace.
“According to this report, if the Great Famine strikes without any preparation, the estimated number of Irish victims is over two million! One million will starve, and over a million more will be forced from their homes to seek survival elsewhere! Had we not seen this, we could perhaps claim we did not know such an outcome was possible! But everyone present here has now seen it.
Therefore, if such a disaster truly befalls them, those who stood by and opposed preparations will bear the responsibility for those horrific deaths! Why? Because the evidence that they knew and chose to ignore it is all too clear!”
“Mr. O’Connell is right!”
“Are Irish lives not worth as much as any other?”
“If you want to openly discriminate against them in favor of England, then just make Ireland a colony! If not, then treat them as citizens of the homeland deserve to be treated! If it were predicted that a million English people would starve to death, would you all be standing here like this?!”
These were the voices of those who valued Irish lives for their own sake.
Daniel O'Connell and the members of his Repeal Association were the primary proponents of this view.
“Who said we shouldn't prepare at all? But with the economy in a poor state and the reparations from the Qing Dynasty not yet fully paid, we must raise the funds more slowly!”
These were the people who opposed the aid but wished to avoid the criticism of being heartless monsters who ignored the suffering of millions.
“The Irish famine is a future event, years away, but the merchants who suffered losses before the war have already incurred massive damages! They should be the first to receive support!”
And then there were those who had handsomely lined their pockets with bribes from the opium merchants.
With people of different stances all mixed together, each pushing their own narrative, an agreement was not reached immediately.
But in the end, the majority opinion in the House of Commons was already decided.
As Daniel O'Connell fiercely pushed for saving the Irish people, Wellesley would subtly add a word from the side.
“If such a tragedy unfolds in Ireland, it will inevitably affect not only Ireland but the entire British Empire. What guarantee is there that the breakdown of public order in Ireland will not affect the mainland? And more importantly, if rumors spread that we knew of this and turned a blind eye, how will we be able to allay the anxieties of the colonies?”
“Hmm…?”
If the argument was solely for Ireland's benefit, it would naturally face backlash from England.
That was why Killian had given the Conservative Party a plausible reason in advance, allowing them to approach the issue from a different perspective than Daniel O'Connell.
“Consider this. Ireland is not a colony but a part of the homeland. If word spreads to the colonies that we knew a great famine was coming to such a place and failed to respond effectively, what will the colonial peoples think? They will have no choice but to conclude that if we let our own citizens starve to death, an even greater disaster would await them if something similar were to happen.”
“Can’t we just ensure it never becomes known?”
“There will always be those in the colonies who desire independence, and there are plenty of nations that wish to see us fail in stabilizing our colonies. If I were the French, I would absolutely exploit this. Just a subtle leak of information to those who want independence would be enough for it to spread like wildfire. What could be a more convenient tool?”
As O’Connell and Wellesley had said, if they had been ignorant, they could have pleaded that they didn't know it would come to this, but now even that excuse was gone.
The difference between not knowing and knowing but ignoring was as vast as the distance between heaven and earth.
In truth, a significant number of members in the House of Commons treated Ireland with contempt, but even they found it difficult to ignore this catastrophe now that they were aware of it.
Their only concern was that being too generous to Ireland might provoke a backlash on the mainland, but Wellesley had just provided them with a perfect excuse.
This was not just for Ireland, but for the entire British Empire.
The MPs who had accepted large sums from the opium merchants wanted to advocate more actively for their interests, but they decided to take a step back for now.
They were confident that any Irish relief measure passed here would be shot down in the House of Lords anyway.
When that happened, they could propose to persuade the Lords slowly while prioritizing relief measures for the merchants first.
After hours of discussion, Wellesley’s argument ultimately garnered the support of a vast majority.
“Thus, I hereby authorize the establishment of a committee to draft the Irish Great Famine Prevention Act and formulate countermeasures.”
The Speaker’s voice boomed through the hall, marking another victory for Wellesley’s faction in asserting their will.
However, for the young Conservative MP William Gladstone, who had been observing this entire process, his heart was anything but at ease.
It wasn't because he was against helping Ireland.
Gladstone, too, believed that measures had to be taken if such a famine were to strike Ireland.
Regarding the methodology, he felt that rather than simply providing relief, they should cultivate the Irish people's ability to overcome the crisis themselves, but he could concede on that point.
The real problem was the ominous premonition that there might be no place for him in the future of the Conservative Party.
Of course, having no place didn't mean he would be completely ostracized.
Gladstone was not on bad terms with Wellesley, who was set to become the core of the party, and he had a good relationship with Killian, who had rapidly emerged as a central figure in Wellesley’s faction.
But even so, he was merely on the periphery. The core of the Wellesley faction consisted of Charles Wellesley, Killian Gore, and Disraeli.
Among them, Disraeli’s political views often clashed so much with Gladstone’s that they could be considered polar opposites.
‘Hoo… In the end, if I stay here, I’ll only ever be the fourth or fifth in line.’
As long as Wellesley's faction remained solid, he couldn't even dream of the premiership, and he might even struggle to secure a key ministerial post.
Others might have been content with being the fourth or fifth most important person in the party, but he was different.
He had a burning desire to be the head of a party and possessed the ability to do so.
Moreover, though he hadn't realized it at first, the more he engaged in politics, the stronger his suspicion grew that he and the Conservative Party's ideology were not a good match.
‘Will I live as a lion’s claw, or become a wolf’s head?’
He had to make a decision before it was too late.
Gladstone sighed, watching Wellesley and Disraeli receive congratulatory applause with a complicated heart.
***
As the debate over Ireland failed to find common ground, the Lord Speaker suggested a short recess.
According to my calculations, the House of Commons should be reaching its conclusion around now, making this the optimal time to take a break.
It was also the perfect opportunity to shut the mouths of the nobles who were chattering away so loudly.
As soon as the debate was suspended, I quickly scanned the room for the individuals I had noted earlier.
Spotting a lone prey in a perfect position, I casually approached and struck up a conversation.
“The debate is dragging on. You’ve been working hard, Marquess of Anglesey.”
“...Hmph. I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but if you’re attempting to persuade me, I have no intention of complying. You’d be better off trying someone else.”
“That wasn’t my intention. I simply have a few interesting stories and thought I’d share them, wondering if you were aware.”
One must look before they leap, and the same applies when trying to win someone over.
It requires the skill to quickly assess whether the opponent is someone you can control or someone who needs to be gently coaxed.
And based on William Jardine’s information and my own investigation, the Marquess of Anglesey undoubtedly belonged to the former category.
He had earned his current position through his exploits in the Battle of Waterloo, but he was a man who, by nature, loved gambling and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle.
“I heard you were in considerable debt. But you’ve managed to pay it all off in recent years.”
“...What? Did you run a background check on me? I didn't take you for that kind of person...”
“I didn't take you for one either, and I must say I’m disappointed. One of the heroes of Waterloo, falling into debt from gambling and then accepting bribes from various sources to pay it off. And in case you aren’t aware, there’s a reason I hold drug addicts in contempt. The Prime Minister is doing everything in his power to ensure this war is recorded as a legitimate exercise of the British Empire’s rights. What do you think will happen if you mindlessly continue to side with the opium merchants?”
“No, but…”
“The Prime Minister and His Grace the Duke of Wellington are both deeply interested in this matter. As is Her Majesty the Queen. We’ve only just managed to erase the word ‘opium’ from the war, and now you want to bring it up again…? Can you handle the consequences? I doubt it, especially with this evidence.”
Those who accept bribes often do so carelessly, but businessmen never part with their money without some form of insurance.
Jardine had kept detailed records of the financial flows showing how he had delivered money to the nobles, and he had all the evidence to prove it.
Upon seeing a fraction of that irrefutable evidence, the Marquess’s eyes lost focus and began to tremble.
“N-no, wait. Where on earth did you get this…? Don’t tell me?”
“The next time you accept money, I suggest you first consider whether you might be backstabbed. Of course, if I were to release this, there might not be a ‘next time’.”
“Ha, hahaha… Come now, my dear Minister, surely you aren’t angry over a little joke? What an age we live in, all this talk of opium. Of course, human life comes first! Hahaha.”
“Then I can count on your cooperation not only on the Irish matter but also in getting rid of the drug merchants, correct? This is for your own good as well. It’s a chance for you to erase your own weakness. I’m not one who enjoys blackmail. I always seek a way for everyone to prosper together.”
Of course, the evidence I held wouldn't just disappear, but the Marquess had to believe he was reducing the number of people who could turn on him.
It wasn’t as if he had any other choice.
After pretending to contemplate for a moment, he flashed a bright smile and took my hand.
“Of course, I must help you. Haha, but if I do offer my assistance, might it be possible to destroy that evidence…?”
“Naturally, I would have to do that for you.”
“Really? Hahaha, you truly are a man of reason, Minister. It seems I’ve misunderstood you all this time.”
Look at him, believing me so readily. As if I would ever destroy this.
Still, it would be good for his mental health as long as he believed it, so I decided to let it be for now.
Besides, I didn’t have the luxury of spending too much time on someone like the Marquess if I wanted to change the mood in here.
After offering him some perfunctory pleasantries, I moved on to my next target.
This time, it was not someone who could be moved by simple threats, so I needed to be cautious.
“Your Grace, it is an honor to meet you like this. The debate is taking longer than expected. I hope it isn’t causing any problems with your other schedules?”
“Who would schedule other appointments on a day the House of Lords is in session? Besides, you are on a fool’s errand. It’s common sense that the nobles of this country are unlikely to go out of their way for Ireland.”
Francis Russell, the Duke of Bedford.
A prominent Whig nobleman and the elder brother of John Russell, a future pillar of the Whig Party, he was one of the wealthiest men in Britain.
He possessed such immense wealth that any ordinary luxury wouldn't even make a dent, so he himself had no significant ties to the opium merchants.
But unfortunately, it seems you failed to manage your family properly, Your Grace.
“I had anticipated as much. However, I am saddened that the ones voicing the strongest opposition seem to be doing so for reasons that go beyond mere principle.”
“You believe there are other reasons?”
“Yes. While the House of Commons has not yet sent up specific measures, any relief plan will inevitably involve financial expenditure. A significant number of those who are opposing it are simply upset that the compensation intended for the opium merchants might be used for Irish relief instead.”
“...I suspected as much, but even if that is the case, what can be done? We cannot force them. And there are people like me, who care little what happens to the opium merchants but also have little interest in supporting Ireland. In my view, the compensation should first be used to stimulate the real estate market. Many nobles have suffered considerable losses due to the recent economic downturn and falling property values. Irish aid is out of the question.”
Was he drawing a line in the sand, assuming I was about to ask for his vote?
He was right, of course; given that the majority of the members were large landowners, the House of Lords was bound to be particularly indifferent to the Irish question.
“I fully understand Your Grace’s concerns. I, too, would argue for an unconditional veto if an extreme bill were to come up that sends all the compensation to Ireland. However, what worries me is that individuals with perfectly sensible opinions like Your Grace might be misunderstood as being in league with the opium merchants.”
“You tell an amusing joke. That I might be misunderstood as backing the opium merchants? What would I have to gain by taking money from men poorer than myself to support them?”
“Of course, Your Grace would never do such a thing. But it is the members of Your Grace’s family that I am concerned about.”
As I handed him the documents I had received from Jardine, a sharp glint of anger appeared in the Duke of Bedford’s eyes.
“You expect me to believe my family accepted this money? Why would they?”
“Your Grace is one of the wealthiest men in this country, but that fortune is not your family’s personal property. To be honest, I came upon this evidence quite by chance. It is also the reason I have resolved to wipe out the opium merchants entirely.”
“I fail to see the connection between you possessing such evidence and your desire to wipe out the opium merchants.”
“This evidence was compiled by the opium merchants to persuade, or blackmail, individuals like Your Grace. It was meant to recruit those with significant influence in the House of Lords or the House of Commons for times when their situation became difficult, like now.”
“Is that really true?”
Of course it was a lie, how could it be true?
But since he had no way of verifying the truth, and with the evidence in hand, he had no choice but to believe what I said, right?
“Indeed. To explain the course of events, it was like this. Before I left the Qing Dynasty, the opium merchants were clamoring that the compensation must be allocated to them first. When I refused, they grew desperate and threatened me, claiming they had many connections in the central government and could have me removed from my position. Men like William Jardine and James Matheson were prime examples.”
“They dared to threaten a Minister? The madmen.”
“Even a cornered rat will bite a cat. So, I pretended to go along with them, then suddenly deployed soldiers to arrest them for illegal activities. A thorough search of their premises yielded these documents. But if I were to release this information, would it not cause too many victims? People like Your Grace would be unfairly misunderstood. So I decided to simply bury it.”
“Then you should have kept it buried. Why are you telling me this now?”
“There is no guarantee that I am the only one who possesses this information. Other opium merchants might be brandishing it to demand support. I had no choice but to reveal their conspiracy in advance and ask for your help.”
Not a single percent of it was true, but even I had to admit it was an astonishingly well-crafted lie where all the pieces fit together perfectly.
The proof was in the shadow of doubt on the Duke of Bedford’s face, which was visibly fading.
“Then where are these Jardine and Matheson fellows now?”
“I imagine they are in a world where you will never see them again.”
The two were currently shuttling between the United States and Canada, faithfully carrying out the tasks I had prepared for them, so they would never return to Britain.
But the Duke of Bedford, interpreting my words differently, nodded with a satisfied smile.
“Having commanded in war, you certainly handle matters with finality. So, what do you wish for me to do? Is it enough to cast my vote in favor of your proposal?”
“Yes. Afterward, we will widely publicize the harms of opium and impose strong regulations to prevent drugs from taking a foothold in this country. I would be grateful for your cooperation then as well.”
“Very well. I see no reason to refuse the chance to crush these scoundrels who dared to use me without knowing their place.”
After that, I continued to work my back-channel machinations until the recess ended. The result was that when the session resumed, the atmosphere had changed by 180 degrees.
“Support for men who sold illegal goods? What kind of support are we talking about? Of course, it is regrettable that they, as British citizens, suffered great losses, but prioritizing their compensation is out of the question! We should only consider supporting them if there is a budget surplus after everything else is taken care of.”
“Uh… Marquess? A moment ago, didn’t you argue that they should be the first to receive support?”
“I had some time to reflect during the break, and my thoughts have changed.”
“For a change of thought, that was rather abrupt, wasn’t it?”
“To be honest, I was merely opposing for the sake of opposition because I was unsure about supporting Ireland. But as I collected my thoughts during the break, God granted me the heart to help them, for they too are citizens of the British Empire. Therefore, if a bill comes from the House of Commons to help Ireland, I will actively support it! Save the Ireand!”
Everyone stared in bewilderment at the Marquess, who had been leading the opposition, suddenly transforming into an Irish human rights activist. But thanks to him, the voices of dissent were significantly diminished.
“I have no reason to oppose Irish relief. However, I can find even less reason to go out of our way to bail out scoundrels who peddled opium, not some ordinary commodity.”
With the Duke of Bedford, one of the most influential figures in the House of Lords, also voicing his approval, the mood of the parliament swung decisively in favor of the proposal, as if by magic.
“Hmph… If we were going to reach an agreement this easily, why on earth did we have such a heated debate earlier?”
The Lord Speaker, grumbling about the wasted time, looked around at the members one last time and asked.
“We will now proceed to a vote. Those in favor, please say ‘Aye’. Those opposed, please say ‘Nay’.”
“Aye!”
“Aye!”
“Aye!”
“Na…”
“AYYYYYYYE!”
The few timid voices of opposition that emerged were unceremoniously buried under the overwhelming chorus of approval.
Deciding that a detailed count was unnecessary, the Lord Speaker officially declared that the House of Lords had agreed to formulate an Irish relief plan as quickly as possible.
Clap, clap, clap!
“Thank you! I will be sure to repay you all with the best possible results!”
As I offered my thanks, a generous round of applause from the elder members of the House of Lords rained down upon me.
Good. I’ve won.