Chapter 10

Food War (3)

Port of London, United Kingdom.

Amid the Russian national anthem played by the honor guard lined up at the London port, the Russian delegation was disembarking.

"Where is the Deputy Foreign Minister?"

When Prince Alexander asked with a puzzled look, a prompt reply came.

"The Tsar is preparing the gift. He should have been here a few minutes ago…."

Immediately after, several people began to disembark one by one.

And a massive object was slowly lowered from the ship.

"What is that…."

"It is a gift of friendship from the Tsar, expressing his wish for the continuation of friendship between the British Empire and Russia."

A moment later, the cover was removed.

It was far too large to be a bell.

It resembled a giant boulder.

The Foreign Secretary smiled, pointing to the massive bell, which was as tall as four people stacked on top of each other.

"It is a gift from the Tsar to the British Empire."

The Tsar Bell.

Although it had fallen and broken due to a fire long ago, it was the fourth Tsar Bell, recast after the fragments were melted down and additional silver and gold were added, all by the Tsar's command before departure.

"If this bell is used in the restoration of the Palace of Westminster (the British Parliament), I believe the friendship between the British Empire and the Russian Empire will resound forever."

Last year, a massive fire caused by negligence in a fireplace in the House of Lords destroyed the entire Parliament. Since then, a reconstruction committee has been formed, but the design plans have not yet been finalized.

Thus, it was possible for Russia to offer the bell, which would be needed when installing the bell tower.

The United Kingdom always needed allies. The strategy of blockading the sea and providing financial support to allies to decisively defeat the enemy on the continent had long been the British Empire's winning strategy against its European adversaries.

And Russia was making a gesture, offering to take on that role and maintain good relations. Naturally, the UK had no reason to worsen its relationship with Russia, which was being so amicable.

Relations with France would naturally become strained, but when had the UK ever had good relations with France? There were still many in France who longed for Napoleon, and there were no British politicians who trusted France.

After exchanging some appropriate pleasantries, King William IV introduced the woman beside him.

"This is Alexandrina Victoria, the first in line to the throne of the British Empire and, personally, my most precious niece."

"Alexandrina Victoria."

"Alexander Nikolaevich Romanov."

The girl, a year younger, blushed and bowed to the boy, who politely kissed her hand.

***

What is it, really what is it?

Russian Foreign Minister: The gift from the Russian Empire, the Tsar Bell, is intended for use in the bell tower of the new Palace of Westminster, to resound the eternal friendship between the two nations.

I've heard of the Tsar Bell. It's the largest bell in the world, and I think I also heard that it has never been rung.

But it's going to be hung on Big Ben? That's crazy.

'...Is it because of me?'

No, I should correct that. It's because of me. Otherwise, this crazy situation wouldn't have happened.

***

"The Tsar... Your Highness, the Crown Prince?"

"Ah, um, Minister, what did you say?"

"You've been a bit... distracted since a while ago."

"Um, yes."

The Crown Prince blushed and shook his head.

"No, no."

"What's wrong?"

"Minister, you don't need to worry. I'm just... it's nothing, really."

The minister looked puzzled but didn't press the Crown Prince for more details.

"Anyway, there will be an informal meeting at the ball tonight. Although Your Highness is not in charge of the practical work, it would be good to attend and gain some experience."

"I understand."

Saying this, Alexander quietly repeated a name in his mind.

'Alexandrina. Alexandrina Victoria.'

***

"Prime Minister."

"…The Napoleonic Wars."

The current Prime Minister of the British Empire, Lord Charles Grey, sighed.

"The Napoleonic Wars ended less than 20 years ago."

The cigarette smoke dissipated into the air.

"Yet the French are dreaming of another war."

The leader of the Tory Party, Duke of Wellington, opened his eyes and spoke.

"Whether in the past, present, or future, if I were to name the greatest strategist, it would be Napoleon. Facing him and defeating him... it was the greatest glory of my life."

"Your Grace, this is not the time for reminiscing."

Lord Charles Grey spoke politely to the old statesman.

"Your Grace, you defeated Napoleon. But you also know very well the great sacrifices the British Empire had to make until the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's downfall."

"Yes."

Wellington nodded.

"Since Joan of Arc, the most feared figure in Britain has been him."

In the past, present, and future.

If there was the greatest, it was him.

Napoleon.

To the military genius, Wellington could only pay his respects.

After the victory at Waterloo, someone asked Wellington:

Since you defeated Napoleon, aren't you one step above Napoleon?

At that time, Wellington was furious.

Whether in the past, present, or future, if there was the greatest military commander, it would be only one person, Napoleon.

And that thought has never changed.

"And another Napoleon is on the move. Louis-Philippe is not only planning another invasion of Belgium but is also openly coveting Gibraltar."

Of course, I don't think he is as brilliant a military genius as Napoleon.

If he really were, one would have to wonder if God was favoring France. There's even a joke that France is the land God created when He was in His best condition. For such a land to produce military geniuses of Napoleon's level one after another?

'It's absurd.'

But if, by some chance, Louis-Philippe's abilities are that high.

Wellington felt a chill run down his spine.

While the Continental Blockade made life difficult for the continental nations, it nearly starved the British Empire to death.

What would happen if the British Empire lost Gibraltar?

The Suez Canal doesn't exist yet, but losing control of the Mediterranean would be a severe blow.

Losing control of the Mediterranean means losing the most powerful means for the British Empire to intervene in Europe.

It's not a simple matter.

"Admiral Nelson also faced Napoleon, let's recall his words."

Wellington straightened his posture and asked.

"Is England, are we all prepared to fulfill our duties, Prime Minister?"

The eyes of the hero of the Napoleonic Wars and the leader of the opposition party seemed to reflect the Battle of Waterloo and the many battlefields he had to pass through to stand there.

And the Prime Minister of the British Empire answered him.

"We cannot start a war immediately. England is not yet prepared. Fortunately, it seems they are not prepared either."

The damage from the war against all of Europe during the Napoleonic era has not yet been fully recovered.

In less than a generation, with the wounds still fresh and Napoleon gone, the hatred is vivid, but the scars have not yet healed.

"But we must prepare for war."

Gathering the fleet, preparing the army, stockpiling funds, and finding allies.

"Whether it will be a separate issue or not, just listen to my idle talk."

"I will listen."

"Are we preparing for the war that will happen tomorrow?"

"No."

"Next year? Anyway, we don't know. Nothing is certain. In that sense, the German Confederation has little value as an ally, and the same goes for its constituent states. If they can't provide military support at the right time due to internal issues, what good are they?"

"Unless we plan and launch a preemptive strike, it's meaningless."

"If they join after the war starts, they can't be considered a reliable ally. Let's leave it at that. Unless Austria and Prussia can compromise and properly manage the German Confederation, it won't happen."

"It won't."

Would it be wise to bring Prussia or the Austrian Empire into the fold in advance? If Prussia is on our side and Austria sides with France, or vice versa? During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon trusted his military prowess and neglected diplomacy, but can we be sure Louis-Philippe will do the same?

"If I were Louis-Philippe, I would definitely bring one of Austria or Prussia to my side, the opposite of where we draw the line."

The Holy Alliance, after the Greek War of Independence, is nothing more than a signboard, practically dissolved. The only one still clinging to the name of the Holy Alliance is Tsar Nicholas of Russia.

In any case, the British Empire cannot, by any means, satisfy both countries.

In contrast, France has a wider range of choices.

"By promising to secure hegemony in the German Confederation for either Prussia or Austria if they win, it's enough to make the two heads of the German Confederation turn their guns on each other. You can't catch two rabbits at once."

The difference in stance between the defender and the attacker. The defender must invest much more in terms of cost, time, resources, and manpower than the attacker. Is it for nothing that ten soldiers can't stop one thief?

Of course, that can't be an excuse for the ten soldiers who failed to stop the thief. If a thief breaks in, they must take full responsibility for the failure of their mission. If a soldier makes excuses about defense being harder than attack after failing to guard, they should be hanged immediately, according to Wellington's principle.

A soldier who fails in an operation can be forgiven, but a soldier who fails in vigilance can never be forgiven.

"So, there is only one answer."

The Prime Minister and Wellington didn't say it, but they understood each other.

"What will you do?"

"We must have an audience with His Majesty the King."

"Persuading the King is not enough. We also need approval from both houses of Parliament, as it is a rare occurrence…."

"It's rare but not unprecedented, and one of them is currently ongoing, so there's no legal issue. That's enough, more than enough."

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