As their family emblem suggests—a red shield—the name Rothschild literally means red shield.
From being the neighborhood punching bag that everyone looked down upon, they had risen to become giants who controlled the world's economy through finance. Their name was already very famous even in modern times.
Because they were a Jewish financial dynasty, they were often the subject of all sorts of conspiracy theories, portrayed as shadowy figures secretly ruling the world.
But the Rothschilds of the present were not quite at that level yet.
More precisely, they would truly reach that position several decades later.
For now, the time was not yet ripe.
At present, the most powerful financial family in the British Empire was the Baring family, and the Rothschilds in Britain were, at best, a rapidly rising second place.
But precisely for that reason, now was the perfect time to approach them.
It was not because I urgently needed money.
If it came to money, I had already built a system through James that was more than capable of rivaling the Rothschild family.
The important difference was this.
Most of the areas I had invested in were industries involving large-scale manpower.
The Rothschilds, on the other hand, possessed an immense financial network spanning all of Europe, not just Britain.
No matter what I did, that was something I could not easily replicate.
Even if I somehow dominated Britain, how could I defeat a financial empire rooted across Germany, Italy, Austria, and France?
In any case, I had never intended to compete with them directly in finance.
I had always planned to grow my wealth through other sectors.
"So this is our first meeting, is it not? I have heard about the Rothschild family for quite some time. In finance, you are currently second only to the Baring family within the British Empire, I hear."
"I am aware that such praise is occasionally spoken of us, though it is more than we deserve."
"More than you deserve? I have looked into your family a little. You have done quite a lot for this country. I heard you even provided funds to the Duke of Wellington during the Napoleonic Wars."
"Yes. I understand that our late father strongly insisted that we should support the Duke of Wellington, which led to the financial assistance."
"I see. Then he was truly a patriot. Did this country properly reward you for that?"
Rothschild hesitated for a moment, then shook his head firmly and bowed deeply.
"How could we have offered assistance while expecting worldly rewards when the British Empire was fighting an enemy that set all Europe ablaze? Even so, the convenience granted to us afterward in continuing our business has left us with no complaints."
"Is that so? But I heard you cannot use the Austrian baronial title your family holds. And I also heard you cannot stand in elections because of the Christian oath requirement. Is that not rather unfair?"
In the original history as well, there were several cases where members of the Rothschild family won elections but had their victories invalidated because they could not swear that oath.
Judaism would not be allowed to bypass the oath in Parliament until much later, after the Jewish Relief Act was passed.
So at this point in time, no matter how wealthy they were, the Rothschilds remained little more than nouveau riche without power or honor.
It stood in sharp contrast to Francis Baring, head of the Baring family, who held a baronial title in Britain.
"Considering that we have been able to accumulate such wealth within the British Empire, asking for more might be considered excessive. Still, we hope that if we continue contributing to the Empire, perhaps one day we may receive rewards befitting those achievements."
"Well then, you must first receive an opportunity to earn such merit. As it happens, I am considering offering you such an opportunity. Would you care to hear it?"
"If the government requires financial assistance for a project, we would be more than willing."
Rothschild's face brightened instantly.
Perhaps he assumed this would be similar to the connections his family had maintained with the government until now.
"No, it is not that sort of matter. In fact, it may be somewhat troublesome. But the greater the difficulty, the greater the reward."
"As long as it guarantees profit, people in finance like us would not refuse such a venture."
"Is that so? Then I must ask a few questions first. What do you think of the trade finance centered around the East India Company?"
"That is clearly the future of the British Empire—"
"Not flattery. I want an objective evaluation. Only then can I decide whether I can entrust you with this matter."
Although declining, the East India Company still served as the center of a massive economic and political network among Britain's elites.
But objectively speaking, its usefulness had long since ended.
It had little future beyond a steady decline.
The British government understood this but hesitated to act immediately due to the company's enormous influence.
If it had simply lingered like a zombie corporation and quietly faded away, that would have been fine.
But the East India Company, which effectively controlled India, continued making catastrophic mistakes.
Those mistakes eventually triggered the Sepoy Rebellion, forcing Britain to spend enormous sums suppressing it.
So why continue keeping such a zombie company alive?
Russia's attention was on Qing.
France's attention was on Vietnam.
Now was the perfect time to deal with the Indian problem.
Rothschild had not yet guessed my intention, but he likely already understood that I did not view the East India Company favorably.
After a moment's hesitation, he spoke cautiously.
"I understand that the East India Company has already lost its monopoly over trade with Qing China. And in India, its harsh governance is steadily losing public support. This may not become a major issue immediately, but its revenues are declining, and above all, its business model is not particularly sophisticated. It feels… outdated. Perhaps effective fifty years ago, but now its limitations are clear."
"I see. So you believe the future lies not with trading families like the Barings but with financial methods like yours—making money with money."
"Trade will always remain important. But if I were an investor, I would avoid increasing investment in the East India Company."
"You are correct. In fact, the government itself has begun questioning whether the East India Company should remain as it is. Either it must undergo fundamental reform, or it must be dissolved through an appropriate process. The problem is that if it disappears, creating a new organization to replace it would inevitably require time and money."
Even if Britain were to rule India directly after removing the East India Company, a justification would still be needed.
And creating that justification would cost money.
Personally, I had no interest in spending my own money on a project that would not generate significant profit.
Rothschild, as a financier chasing profit, probably felt the same way.
But I had plenty of negotiation cards to offer him.
"Your Highness, we believe—"
"Yes, yes, I understand this may not appear to be a particularly attractive investment. But in the long run, it benefits you greatly. Most of the forces that look down on rising powers like your family are closely tied to the East India Company. The Baring family included."
"…That is true."
If the East India Company collapsed, the families connected to it would inevitably decline.
The Rothschilds would rise to become the dominant financial power in Britain.
"And the British Empire does not mistreat those who serve it well. Public opinion might make things difficult right now. But if you achieve great merit, Parliament may well revise the rule requiring the Christian oath before entering Parliament."
"Is that truly possible?"
"Of course. And once the Queen returns, you will likely be allowed to use your Austrian baronial title. But that is still a foreign title. I will ensure that you receive a hereditary barony within Britain itself."
Granting noble titles was the Queen's authority.
And I was the Queen's husband.
At my assurance, Rothschild's eyes changed immediately.
"May I ask… what exactly you wish us to do?"
Just as expected.
Once people gain wealth, they begin to pursue power and honor.
And he accepted the bait far more easily than I expected.
"It is not very complicated."
All he had to do was follow my instructions and turn the East India Company into a pile of bad debt until it collapsed.
Simple, wasn't it?
As Europe and Asia suddenly became entangled, the world's turmoil intensified rapidly.
And the island nation of Japan, floating alone in the distant seas of the Far East, could not remain unaffected.
"Russia will go to war with Qing… Qing was only recently defeated by Britain. Has the world gone mad?"
"As long as Your Majesty reigns, no suspicious forces will ever approach the sacred land of Yamato! Please trust your servants and rest easy!"
The 120th Emperor of Japan.
Emperor Ninkō, the fourth son of Emperor Kōkaku, looked at Shogun Tokugawa Ieyoshi, who was bowing with his head pressed to the floor, with obvious skepticism.
Although the Emperor was little more than a ceremonial figure, he was still, in name, the supreme leader whom all subjects of Japan respected.
Naturally, news from both inside and outside the country reached his ears.
He understood the situation reasonably well.
The Shogun knew this and desperately tried to reassure him.
In earlier times, it was perfectly normal for the Emperor to serve as a decorative symbol while his ministers wielded real power.
But recently, criticism of that arrangement had begun to grow.
This was partly due to the influence of Neo-Confucianism from Joseon, which promoted a hierarchical order centered on the monarch.
In Japan, this ideology had merged with kokugaku and Shinto, producing a rapidly growing ideology of Emperor worship.
Those influenced by such ideas disliked the Shogun ruling independently while ignoring the Emperor.
From the Shogun's perspective, it was nonsense.
But when too many people began repeating that nonsense, he had no choice but to be cautious.
At most, he simply began asking the Emperor's opinion more politely than before.
"I have heard that Qing has already exhausted much of its strength in the previous war. And Russia is said to be one of the strongest nations in Europe. Is Qing's defeat not inevitable?"
"Your Majesty's insight is most brilliant! That is exactly what we believe as well."
"Then is there any guarantee that Russia will not turn its blade toward us next?"
"For Russia to reach us, it must first pass through Joseon. Therefore we intend to maintain close communication with Joseon. However, we have discovered that Joseon is preparing an agreement with Britain on its own. If that happens, we risk becoming isolated. Therefore we believe it is necessary for us to conclude an agreement with Britain as soon as possible!"
Technically, agreements with foreign powers required the Emperor's approval.
But in practice, if the Shogun proposed something, the Emperor simply followed.
Expecting the same outcome this time, Ieyoshi continued speaking.
"Foreigners are known for imposing unequal treaties, but according to rumors, the British leader Killian was deeply moved by the kindness Japan showed him. This is all thanks to Your Majesty's virtue. If Your Majesty extends your hand first, they will surely be grateful!"
"Ah yes. I recall hearing about that. The Britishman called Killian is said to be of mixed European and Asian heritage, is he not?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"And I also heard he is a distant relative of the Shogun. A most curious connection."
Of course, the connection was fabricated.
But Ieyoshi had no intention of telling the Emperor that.
The Emperor was merely a decorative figure.
There was no benefit in telling him the truth.
"All of this is due to Your Majesty's grace—"
"I would like to meet him."
"…Pardon?"
Meet who?
Ieyoshi blinked in confusion.
The Emperor continued calmly.
"Is he not a descendant of Yamato blood who has achieved great success in distant lands? If I, the Emperor of this country, meet him personally and offer praise and encouragement, would that not deepen the friendship between our nations?"
"Ah… well… that is…"
What nonsense is this man saying?
Ieyoshi wanted to shout that aloud.
But this was a public gathering attended by many daimyō.
"Your Majesty's… wisdom is admirable. However…"
He tried desperately to invent an excuse.
But the sudden proposal left him without a convincing argument.
Before he could speak again—
"That is correct! Even if he is a British nobleman, half his blood belongs to Your Majesty's people!"
"If he is granted an audience with the Emperor, the Yamato blood within him will surely awaken!"
Awaken my foot.
Instead of stopping the idea, the other daimyō eagerly supported it.
Ieyoshi's face turned pale.
This is bad. If I don't stop this somehow…