The Problem Is the Economy, You Idiot #6
Japan underwent a process of renewal after that humiliating defeat. The long era of politics dominated by the elders came to an end, a true constitutional cabinet was established, and the budget that had been siphoned off by over 30% annually for warship construction was restored for the benefit of the common people. And the results were quite astonishing.
Japan lost its power projection overseas—it forfeited influence in Taiwan, the Philippines, and China—but paradoxically, that meant no more manpower or money draining away abroad. In other words, all investments flowed back domestically. If the Supreme Leader knew, he'd be shocked: during this period, Japan was growing steadily just like Bismarck's Germany. Even the Supreme Leader himself, though wary of that growth spurt, must have nodded inwardly, thinking, "That's what a normal country looks like." Truth be told, back in his own youth, the Supreme Leader had wanted to do the same. He just lacked the market for it.
But as in Germany, the real problem was people. Japan's National Defense Ministry, essentially dismantled and reassembled, brought a proposal for aid to the Qing to the cabinet.
"What kind of nonsense is this?!"
"It's a scenario approved by Britain."
"That's not the issue!"
Why the hell was Japan's Defense Ministry getting Britain's permission in the first place?! Prime Minister Shibusawa Eiichi was tearing his hair out.
Right now, Japan had both markets to buy from and sell to, all thanks to Korea's generosity. They could just buy from Sawada, slap it together, and resell for growth. What was this bullshit? Above all, what Japan needed—when all its gold was being ripped away by Britain—was Korean francs, Korean pounds, Korean marks. Especially those Korean pounds that came just enough to keep them from dying.
Why didn't these idiots get it? The Supreme Leader next door understood and had opened a path to survival for them.
"The Chinese army, which pushed all the way to the gates of Chang'an, has stalled against the Qing counterattack. If we send troops now, they'll be grateful to us."
"And Britain will cover our gold shortfall for this. At preferential rates."
That's not the goddamn problem!
"Don't you want the young men who'd have become ghosts on the Korean Peninsula to return home safe and sound, kowtow in thanks, and take over family businesses? Korea didn't work out, so now China? What kind of insane talk is this?!"
"Your Excellency, it's still true that we're short on gold."
"Is borrowing gold from Korea the path for Japan?"
"Right now, we need every last young man in factories, selling whatever we can! Come on!"
"We're not saying push to Chang'an. It's just to protect our neighbor in case things go south."
"No! This isn't the time!"
Young men returning home safe? Of course that's important. But right now was exactly when they needed those young hands! If they just kept earning sweet Korean pounds like this, they could pay off the reparations to Britain. Anyone could see Korea was going out of its way to keep Japan from borrowing from those British bastards.
That massive, powerful nation was throwing its markets wide open to Japan alone—no tariffs, no quotas! Think about the crap America pulls on them! Why else had Britain, America, and France been drooling over that muddy port? To make as much money there as Japan was, right?
The Supreme Leader hadn't imposed separate tariffs or quotas on any country, but thinking anyone could just waltz in and make bank was like opening a business with just a government permit in Iran. No wonder Britain had recently proposed a joint venture to Japan.
At this point, Britain wasn't thrilled that trade volume with Korea kept rising while they couldn't turn a profit. They were eyeing Japan as a fix. Was it because they weren't East Asians? Not a bad thought—quintessential British.
The Prime Minister thought: Looking at the facts, it was obvious Korea favored its scrappy little brother over its grumpy master. Britain must be making less from Korea than Japan was now. From the Supreme Leader's view, he had surplus resources, produce, and currency to industrialize that vast land, and Japan was the convenient neighbor for the job. But that didn't make it any less of a lifeline for Japan.
Japan had its first real shot at economic rise, and it was grabbing it. And now they wanted to send troops?! Five divisions?!
"We need at least five divisions for it to mean anything even in defense."
"So you're saying conscript?"
"Yes."
"Get out."
"Yes, sir."
"All of you, scram!"
Shibusawa Eiichi cleared the room. Then he hurriedly poured alcohol down his throat. The world had truly become an end-times hell. Living was goddamn hard.
"Oh, welcome. Lord Arthur, something urgent?"
"Frankly, we need Korea's mediation."
"Didn't I say not to intervene rashly?"
"...Yes."
After a long strike, I'd finally gotten my pretty girls back by my side. But it seemed this happiness was fleeting after all. I'd thought I'd push harder.
"The previous proposal still stands, right?"
"Of course. Taiwan isn't sufficiently civilized yet, so civilization will proceed under the joint leadership of Britain, Japan, and Korea. Then, once it's civilized enough, Korea will provisionally administer it."
"Hm, fine by me."
"Then, separately from that, let's talk about what you just mentioned."
"?"
"?"
"I understood that in exchange for not mediating rashly, I gained special interests in Taiwan?"
"If you want me to mediate now, you'll have to pay a different price. One big enough to overturn my non-interference stance."
Why was this guy acting up? The Supreme Leader he knew was far more cautious and reasonable—not someone who bulldozed with his own demands. Britain naturally thought they'd settled accounts over Taiwan. What more did he want?
"I heard your old friend was dragged to London over the Hong Kong affair."
The mood turned ice-cold. This was blatant interference in British sovereignty.
"You asked me to go back on my word, so Britain should do the same. Release that friend. Not guilty—no charges."
"I'll send it up to the home office, but frankly, a positive response is unlikely."
That was soft talk thanks to our goodwill so far—basically, "cut the crap." Of course, I'd brought it up precisely because I could make it not crap.
"And if possible, return that Hong Kong thing to his side too?"
"You're joking, right?"
"Of course."
Arthur Balfour finally laughed. He figured it was too absurd to be anything but a real joke.
"It's a joke now. Won't be soon."
The Supreme Leader continued indifferently, ignoring Arthur's laugh.
It was a few days later that Yuan Shikai grabbed London's coattails.
"The Qing bastards pushed to Wuhan! A bit further, and Nanjing's right there!"
That insane news set the London stock exchange ablaze.
"Good news?"
"It's a fire, you madman!"
They'd said Chang'an was in sight—what the hell? But the Chinese army, armed with Western weapons assuming ample supply, had their lines collapse to guerrilla tactics. Their defeat was already a foregone conclusion. Now it was about minimizing losses.
"If I may, Korea's mediation seems desperately needed."
"Agreed. So, has that friend been released by now?"
"...Is that friend so important?"
"I don't abandon friends easily. It's not about national interest. Besides, Britain—and you, Lord Arthur—are my friends too."
"Well, fine then. You want him back in power, I take it?"
Planning to puppet him and rule China? Half right. Half wrong.
"That's for the Chinese to decide. As long as he regains his freedom, anyone with eyes will back him."
"Fine. But as Your Excellency said, we're Korea's friends too, agreed?"
"Agreed."
"Then naturally, no returning Hong Kong. We're Korea's friends, aren't we?"
"Is that so? Pity. In that case, we can't mediate."
"Your Excellency?"
Has this Easterner lost his mind?! Refusing mediation over a condition Britain could never accept, letting the Qing swallow half of China, then gobbling the rest? Arthur couldn't agree to that scheme. China as a counterweight to Korea didn't mean Korea could let it collapse.
'Guess I need to show him a bitter taste.'
To appreciate sweetness, you sometimes had to taste bitterness first. Arthur planned to shove some real bitterness down this Easterner's throat, then soothe with sweetness—when he felt a gaze. A faint one from afar. Glancing at a nearby mirror, he saw the madam watching him from the distant terrace.
Come to think of it, this was France. No place for Britain's grand alliance strategy to be carelessly exposed.