Chapter 98
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Ireland
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Ireland
“Truly remarkable. I never thought I’d see such a sight in my lifetime.”
Daniel O'Connell mused as he once again looked over the newspaper articles he had collected over the past week.
Queen Victoria’s visit to Ireland was, from start to finish, the culmination of meticulously planned political engineering.
Others might just cheer, “Wow, our Queen, our Secretary are the best,” but O’Connell knew better.
“To think she would eat a rutabaga in front of everyone. Uncooked, at that… and without the slightest change in her expression.”
To be precise, her expression did change.
Not a grimace, but a radiant smile.
Watching that, O’Connell felt not just admiration, but a sliver of respect.
He himself had tried rutabaga a few times before coming to Ireland, on Killian’s recommendation.
It was less tasty than a potato, with a worse texture, and you had to eat one and a half times as much to feel as full.
Yet, the Queen of the British Empire had eaten it before all and declared it would be served at every royal meal.
Many of the other Irish members of Parliament who had witnessed the scene with him had remarked that they now saw the Queen in a new light.
“I knew she wasn’t just a young figurehead, but she seems far more brilliant than I expected.”
“At the very least, she is a definite improvement over her predecessors. Has there ever been a British monarch who cared for Ireland this much?”
“I heard she said something similar in Dublin, not just in Cobh, correct? The improvement in public opinion of the monarchy in Ireland is palpable.”
[Queen Victoria’s Politics for the People]
[Why Did Queen Victoria Come to Ireland? Thanks to the Persuasion of Foreign Secretary Killian Gore]
[Secretary Killian Gore: ‘I Will Promote an Active Immigration Policy for the Irish People’]
[A Land of Opportunity, a New Home for the Irish. What is Canada Like?]
In just a week, a flood of articles had been published.
They had already spread throughout the sizable cities, and with the bishops in rural villages diligently spreading the news, it wouldn't be long before everyone in Ireland knew.
The reason for inviting so many Catholic bishops, especially those from rural areas, must have been with this in mind.
It showed respect for Catholicism, the faith of the majority of the Irish, and expressed a will to share in the actual suffering of the citizens.
And it wasn't just empty words; she had proven her resolve by eating the relief crop herself.
As the other MPs had said, it wasn’t a one-time performance in Cobh; she had shown the same consistency in Dublin.
In Belfast, she was even scheduled to meet directly with citizens and representatives from commerce and industry to listen to their grievances. At this point, he was honestly curious.
Why was the Queen paying so much attention to Ireland?
It was understandable that Killian, being Irish, would pour his heart into this land.
But Queen Victoria had never once set foot in Ireland in her life; he couldn't fathom why she would go to such lengths.
Because she was close to Killian? Could a queen of a nation come all this way and chew on a rutabaga for such a simple reason?
He doubted even a wife could eat it so deliciously at her husband’s request.
Of course, as someone who had even declared she would remain single to be faithful to her citizens, perhaps she was acting out of a genuine desire to serve her people.
Even so, he had never imagined she would be this good to Ireland.
It had even led to the silly joke that Queen Victoria had fallen for Killian.
“Have you heard, Mr. O'Connell? Some Irish people are saying they wish Secretary Killian would become the Prince Consort.”
“What an absurd notion.”
Well, he could understand why such talk was circulating.
For how long had Ireland been ignored by Britain?
That was why the Irish people had welcomed Killian’s rise to Secretary, his incredible achievements, and his becoming a powerful politician in the British Empire as if it were their own success.
And if he went beyond that to become the Prince Consort of the British Empire, they would feel an immense vicarious satisfaction.
But realistically, it was nonsense.
Becoming Prince Consort meant one’s political influence would all but vanish. The Killian he had observed until now was a born politician.
Would such a man, given the chance to become Prince Consort, willingly leave the political arena with his hands and feet tied?
Thinking more coldly, the very idea of Queen Victoria falling for an Irish nobleman was utterly unrealistic to begin with.
‘Still, whatever the case, I must admit their relationship is closer than I ever anticipated.’
No matter how politically astute the Queen was, her recent actions were a bold move that even O’Connell hadn't remotely considered.
He hadn't known there was a way to capture the hearts of the citizens so completely, and he was likely not the only one who thought so.
That was why it was already being hailed as the ‘Victoria-style communication method’ and receiving widespread attention.
Perhaps in the future, all sorts of politicians would try to imitate her to win public support.
Considering Killian was the one who planned this visit to Ireland, it was certain that all of this had come from his mind.
He had known from their very first meeting long ago that this was a young man far more brilliant than himself.
But to think he would rise this far at the mere age of twenty.
The outcome of the war with the Qing Dynasty was also an unbelievably tremendous result, but since he had only received the report, it hadn't felt real.
But now, watching the process unfold beside him, he could clearly understand.
From the moment Queen Victoria set foot in Cobh, the calls for independence in Ireland had effectively vanished.
Once they weathered the potato blight and the Irish people settled in Canada, it would be even more definitive.
At that point, those who cried for independence would surely be treated as troublemakers.
“The difference in political skill is just too vast… I suppose this is an unavoidable tide.”
Though he called it political engineering, O’Connell didn't necessarily view it negatively.
For a politician to realize their ideals, winning the support of the citizens was essential, and political skill was the means to that end.
No matter how lofty one’s ideals, without popularity, they were nothing more than empty soliloquies no one would listen to.
And strictly speaking, Killian wasn't just a man skilled at gaining popularity.
The real reason the independence sentiment in Ireland had collapsed in just ten days was the stark difference in competence shown by the independence faction versus the home rule faction.
-Our Secretary Killian, even while dispatched to the Qing Dynasty, heard about the potato blight, sent investigators, and even devised countermeasures. What in the world has the independence faction done?
-The one who convinced Her Majesty the Queen to come to Ireland was also Secretary Killian. So what exactly did the independence faction do?
-The one who found the rutabaga was Secretary Killian, and the one who planned the Canada immigration program was the Secretary too. So the independence faction…
That was just what he had heard yesterday in the south, which had been a stronghold of the independence movement.
It was a painful truth, but he couldn't refute it.
Why? Because it was a fact.
However, to say there was no sense of unfairness would be a lie.
Compared to other politicians, O’Connell had worked much harder and had actually produced results.
It was just that Killian, the one he was being compared to, was in a league of his own.
Honestly, wasn't it too harsh a standard to be compared to a man who investigated the truth about the potato blight and prepared countermeasures while on official duty in the far-off Qing Dynasty?
But in the end, that was no different from confessing that his own abilities were inferior to Killian’s.
He could try to deny it, but it was a fact he felt more keenly with each passing day. What could he do?
Above all, he was at an age and physical condition where he had to start thinking about retirement, while Killian was still a young man of twenty.
It meant that at an age when other politicians hadn't even reached the starting line, he was already showing such results.
“If I can just confirm one last thing… I might be able to let go of my lingering attachments.”
What did it truly mean to be for Ireland?
Daniel O’Connell, a politician who had dedicated his entire life to Irish independence from the day he entered politics, sighed as he closed the newspapers filled with praise for Killian and Victoria.
***
The Queen’s rutabaga-eating spectacle, likely the first of its kind to be recorded in history, concluded amidst even greater cheers than expected.
Following Dublin, the conference held in Belfast was also a resounding success.
At this rate, Victoria was sure to become the most beloved monarch in the history of the British Empire in Ireland.
As a bonus, I emerged as the true patriot who orchestrated it all, the hope of Ireland.
With all events ending in great success, the final day was dedicated to a grand ball to wish for a blessed future for Ireland.
Victoria had already informed me that she would be dancing with me all day, and I should be prepared.
After she had worked so hard for me, diligently eating rutabagas, it was the least I could do.
Dancing was hardly the issue. If I didn't show her the utmost sincerity I could muster, I would be the one unable to bear the unease.
Having the most celebrated Queen and Secretary in Ireland seen together constantly would surely have a positive effect on local public opinion. There was no downside to it.
As I was reviewing the plans for the final event in Ireland, Daniel O’Connell came to see me.
“Well now, working at this hour?”
“If I let my guard down just because things have gone well so far, I might ruin it at the very end. Isn't it always the final step that's most important?”
“That's true. But to see you not letting up your guard even after such a huge success makes me feel ashamed of myself.”
In truth, the source of my tension was my worry about how to repay Victoria’s kindness, not the event itself, but there was no need to correct him.
O’Connell, who had been marveling to himself, looked around with a nostalgic expression.
“This reminds me of when we first met. I never imagined you would become such a giant in such a short time. Did you, by any chance, know this would happen?”
“Of course not. I just did my best, and luck followed.”
“Your achievements are too incredible to be attributed to mere luck. Did you know? In Ireland, the once-tense confrontation between the independence and home rule factions has already begun to tip toward the latter. By the time Her Majesty the Queen heads to Scotland, I suspect the independence faction here will be all but extinct.”
The fact that the Irish people had accepted Victoria as their Queen meant they had acknowledged themselves as citizens of the British Empire.
Even if they didn't recognize this causal link, it was an inevitable psychological effect.
Having accepted the Queen of the British Empire as their own queen, they could no longer separate Ireland from the Empire.
“Her Majesty is genuinely concerned for Ireland. And I, too, will never allow the Irish people to continue living in poverty as they do now.”
“...Is the Canada immigration plan also a stepping stone for that?”
“Of course. It is a method that kills three birds with one stone, benefiting Ireland, the British Empire, and Canada all at once.”
Ireland was already caught in a Malthusian trap. As long as it maintained its current population, its people were destined to live in poverty forever.
Moreover, with the potato blight reducing yields, even planting rutabagas wouldn't completely prevent starvation deaths.
Therefore, it was necessary to systematically settle as many people as possible in Canada.
“Yes… Canada is vast, so even if a million Irish people were to move there, they could live comfortably enough. But wouldn't such a massive influx of people cause a lot of chaos at first?”
“That is why we will implement the immigration policy steadily over three years. By dispersing people into three areas—industrial zones, agricultural zones, and western pioneering—we can minimize the chaos.”
“Western pioneering? You mean to expand Canada’s territory further? That land is mostly worthless, isn't it?”
In the modern era, a foothold to the Pacific is considered extremely important, but in this age, practically no one understood the significance of the Pacific Ocean.
The center of the world was the Atlantic, and even the United States did not yet possess land with direct access to the Pacific.
Therefore, thinking of the future, we had to begin western expansion as soon as possible to secure as much territory as we could.
“The New World is a treasure trove of resources. We must occupy a wider expanse of land to secure more mining rights in the future.”
“But without a motive for people to move west, pioneering won't be easy, will it?”
“You need not worry about that either. I have a plan.”
-Gold has been discovered in British Columbia, in western Canada, and the area to its south.
That one piece of news would be enough to make people flock west with crazed eyes.
This was a surefire move with a 100% success rate, proven by the original history.
“You’ve thought that far ahead as well. I have no choice but to surrender. Then, I will ask one last thing.”
Erasing the faint smile he had been wearing, O’Connell looked at me with an utterly serious expression.
Sensing the grave atmosphere, I too straightened my posture and hardened my expression.
“I will answer anything I can.”
“As I said before, the voice for independence in Ireland is bound to grow smaller. It is a painful reality, but a reality nonetheless that must not be denied. However, I am still not convinced. If we pursue home rule, can Ireland truly become better off than it is now?”
It was a question from a man who had lived his life as an advocate for independence, dedicated to his homeland.
I nodded with all the sincerity I could muster.
“Of course.”
“If Ireland cannot gain independence from the British Empire, no matter how much it grows, won't it ultimately be forced to live under England's shadow?”
“I will ensure that does not happen. That is why I am moving so busily right now.”
“...Now? Then does this mass immigration plan also…”
“It is necessary to prevent the Great Famine, but that is not its only purpose. For the Irish to gain power, they cannot remain confined to the small land of Ireland. We must play in a bigger pond and make that pond ours. And of course, the British Empire will foot the bill.”
It might be impossible in the short term, but if Ireland could avoid the devastation of the Great Famine, overcome it safely, and then have the Irish diaspora take control of Canada’s core echelons…
Would the influence of the Irish people then be the same as it is now?
Of course, the British political establishment might overreact out of a sense of crisis, but as long as I was here, there was no risk of that happening.
“You intend to use the power of the British Empire to elevate the standing of the Irish people…”
“We may not see it in our lifetimes, but in the distant future, no one knows whether England will still be the center of the British Empire. We will have to wait and see with joyful anticipation.”
“Heh, I see. So that was it.”
Having received the answer he was looking for, O’Connell’s face relaxed considerably.
That was a relief. I had wondered what I would do if he insisted that independence was the only way for Ireland.
“To think you already had plans and solutions for the minor issues I was worried about… I suppose I have no choice but to concede. You have proven with results everything I so desperately wanted to do but could not. At this point, what meaning is there in me saying I concede or not?”
“Not at all. It is because you were here, Mr. O’Connell, that I was able to grow this far.”
“Yes. I won’t deny that we have been of good help to each other so far. But you know this as well, don’t you? To become a true leader, one must eventually build their own solid base of power. But currently, my Repeal Association holds about half the seats in Ireland, which chips away at your influence.”
“I don't see it as chipping away, but as mutual support.”
“Thank you for saying so. Still, this arrangement is ultimately a temporary measure. The Irish people want a hope they can truly believe in and follow. I once thought I might be that hope, but now I know. My role was to pave the way so that hope could run forward without obstruction.”
O’Connell took several deep breaths, like a man who had made a monumental decision, then squeezed his eyes shut and continued.
“In the next general election, the Irish Repeal Association, including myself, will all change our party affiliation to the Conservative Party and come under your leadership. We will also spare no support in sending the Irish people to Canada.”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course, I am. I was still deliberating even as I came in here, and after hearing your story just now, my mind is completely made up.”
So the time has finally come.
I had thought this day was inevitable, but I didn't expect to hear these words before even leaving Ireland.
It’s easy to say, but for a man who had been the head of an organization for half his life to bend his will and place himself under a young man not even half his age was no easy decision.
In a time like this, even offering words of feigned modesty would be a disservice to the other party.
“I understand. Then, I look forward to working with you again.”
“I am the one who should say that. No, not just for me or my party members, but for the people of Ireland. Make it so they can live lives where they need not feel envious of the people of England.”
“I swear it.”
Even without a promise, Ireland would continue to prosper within the British Empire, gradually penetrating its very core.
Now that I had taken all of Ireland upon my shoulders, it was inevitable.
From now on, I am Ireland.
And Ireland is me.