With the British now taking action, the original secret diplomatic war between France and Austria had essentially been taken over by them. It was not about underestimating the French, but rather that the French government’s diplomacy was truly lacking. Of course, this had a lot to do with the fact that the Bonaparte dynasty was deeply resented across Europe. During the reign of Napoleon III, relations with other countries had briefly improved, but that window closed completely after France annexed the Italian territories. In a sense, Napoleon III had set a trap for his own son. The annexation of Italy was a personal triumph, but it also created a gaping wound that could never be healed. There was no way around it as this was no longer the Middle Ages. European nationalism had risen. While France could gobble up land, it could not digest it, and it made enemies in the process. Especially for the many smaller nations of Europe, the need to protect their sovereignty meant they had to unite against France. This served as a warning to other major powers to not follow France’s example. That was the main reason why the French Foreign Ministry could not get results. It was not that the small nations were resolute in principle, but their political realities simply prevented them from aligning with France. With the smaller countries out of reach, there was no chance with the major powers either. There can only be one hegemon. Everyone else was a competitor. Even alliances were only temporary. This was especially true since Austria and Russia had been allied for so long. That left only Britain as France’s diplomatic option. Already surrounded by enemies, and now saddled with an unreliable ally, France had naturally taken over Russia’s place as the most hated state on the continent. Diplomacy should be left to the experts. As much as Napoleon IV might not want to admit it, he was fully aware that in diplomacy, Britain and Austria were the real masters. As a second-tier player, France had no business interfering and making things worse. … As British and Austrian diplomacy began to clash, the European continent once again entered a period of shifting alliances and upheaval. Meanwhile, the Japanese government, focused on its offensive in the Philippines, had no idea it had just narrowly escaped disaster. If Spain had taken a clear stance, or if Britain had decided they were no longer useful, the Royal Navy would have quickly shown Japan how ruthless the world could be. Colonialism requires more than just strength. Countries like Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal have managed to hold on to their overseas colonies because they have their own means of survival. If strength were the only factor, Britain, France, and Austria would have already carved up all the colonies in the world, leaving no room for small countries like the Netherlands or Portugal to participate. The big powers refrained from seizing those colonies not because there was no value in them. In fact, the Philippines, Cuba, and Indonesia were all prosperous regions at the time. They were left untouched because of politics. As members of the established order, the big powers had to follow the rules. If they acted recklessly, the backlash from the international order would eventually come for them too. That is why most challengers were rising powers. Those with nothing to lose were not afraid of consequences, since they were never part of the system to begin with. Of course, being a challenger came with risks. If they picked the wrong moment, they could easily be crushed before making any real gains. Admiral Itō Sukeyuki did not have time to worry about those risks. At the moment, he was still celebrating the success of the surprise attack on Luzon. With the element of surprise and coordination from within, the Japanese forces not only completed the landing successfully but also captured three Spanish warships docked in the harbor. Although these sailing warships were outdated and had already fallen out of use in modern navies, and two of them were damaged during last night’s battle, Itō was not the least bit displeased. Britain, France, and Austria might have abandoned sailing ships and even moved past ironclads into the pre-dreadnought era, but most of the world’s navies still relied on sailing vessels. Japan’s navy was no exception. Aside from a few ironclads purchased from the British for show, most of their ships were still sail-powered. The reason was simple—poverty. The cost of building a single ironclad could fund the construction of several sailing ships of the same tonnage. As for the more advanced pre-dreadnoughts, there was simply no need to mention them. With the Japanese Navy’s budget, they could not afford such ships at all. A quick look at the Japanese government’s financial income says it all. Eighty million yen might seem like a considerable amount, but in reality, it was barely enough. When converted into Austrian guilders, it amounted to just sixteen million. In British pounds, it was merely eight million. (Author’s Note: One yen is approximately equal to 0.75 grams of gold. The exchange rate between the guilder and the yen is roughly 4.88:1.) The cost of a single pre-dreadnought reached over a million pounds. If imported, the price would likely double, and when factoring in various after-sales services, the cost increased even further. No matter how militaristic the Japanese government might be, it would never spend one-third of its national revenue on a single ship. With the landing operation successful, the Navy’s job was basically done. From here on, they just needed to keep an eye on the remaining Spanish ships and ensure that sea routes remained open. A decisive naval battle was out of the question. In the attack on Luzon, the Spanish Philippines Fleet had already lost one-third of its ships. This loss put the already disadvantaged fleet in an even worse situation. They could not even carry out commerce raiding missions effectively due to their slower speeds, let alone hope to engage the Japanese in battle. At the command post of Japan’s southbound fleet, a middle-aged officer reported with a helpless tone, “Commander, we’ve inspected the captured Spanish warships. The damage isn’t too serious. They can be repaired right here in Luzon. However, they are quite old. The newest one entered service in 1875, and most will have to be decommissioned in just a few years. I really don’t know what the Spaniards were thinking. One of the ships was not even designed with a steam engine in mind. They added it later on, and the layout is completely unbalanced.” The decline of an empire is never without reason. Typically, it comes with rampant bureaucracy and serious corruption. Spain was no exception. But every system exists for a reason. What may appear to be absurd or irrational often reflects deep lessons rooted in bureaucratic traditions. Of course, such institutional issues were beyond the understanding of Japan’s still-young naval officers. They were filled with patriotic zeal and ready to fight for the rise of Japan. They had not yet had the chance to become corrupted. Admiral Itō Sukeyuki nodded thoughtfully and said, “Don’t worry about these minor issues. If the Spanish government weren’t corrupt, we wouldn’t even be here. The ships may be old, but that doesn’t matter. The era of sailing warships is over. Using them for a few more years will be enough. The Philippine archipelago is not small. If the Spaniards want to play hide-and-seek with us, they won’t be so easy to catch. In the battles to come, we will need more ships. Send men to begin repairs on the damaged vessels immediately. I’ve already informed the homeland. They will send sailors and officers over as soon as possible so we can get them into fighting shape.” Frankly speaking, the southbound fleet should not have lingered in Luzon. The best course would have been to press the advantage and completely destroy the remainder of the Spanish Philippines Fleet. But there was no helping it. Victory in the landing had to be followed by spoils. With the army raking in profits, the navy could not just stand by and watch. The Japanese Army and Navy did not get along. If the navy did not get a piece of the pie, then all of Spain’s centuries of accumulation in the Philippines would fall into army hands alone. And once those gains were swallowed, there would be no spitting them out. Even if you brought the matter before Emperor Meiji himself, there was no chance the army would back down. Japan’s national wealth was thin, and that made everyone short-sighted. Compared to these immediate, tangible profits, chasing after fleeing enemies seemed much less important. … At the Chen Mansion, the headquarters of the Hongmen in Luzon, the place was already packed with people. Many had arrived with their entire families, and the cries of children could be heard from time to time. The noise left Chen Taoyue, the group’s leader, feeling anxious and irritable, yet he had no outlet to vent. The outside world was in complete chaos. After driving out the Spaniards, the Japanese soldiers had begun to loot indiscriminately. People had no choice but to band together for safety. Even running a gang required the support of the people. These gathered refugees were the foundation of the Hongmen’s presence in Luzon. If they weren’t already members, they were the families of members, or relatives by blood and marriage. Glancing at the noisy and crowded scene, Chen Taoyue sighed. There was no other choice. Things had happened too suddenly, and there had been no time to react. This was unlike the earlier anti-Chinese riots, where there had at least been warning signs. Back then, those with connections like them had already made plans to escape in advance. This time, not only had they been caught unprepared, but they also had to take in a large group of people, all while worrying that Japanese troops might come knocking at any moment. “Master, all the weapons are ready. Should we distribute them now?” The steward’s voice pulled Chen Taoyue back from his thoughts. Times had changed. With the Chinese stronghold in Lanfang Province now established, it had become much easier for them to acquire arms. As long as someone was willing to pay, Austrian arms dealers were willing to sell. If they weren’t concerned about Spain’s reaction, they could have even gotten artillery. Originally, these weapons were meant to deal with the natives. While the anti-Chinese movements were orchestrated by the colonial authorities, the ones pushed forward to carry them out were still the local natives. The authorities would only step in to take credit when things had run their course. Times were changing, and colonial governments now had to consider public opinion. Besides, if they always showed their true face too early, the sheep would flee, and then how could they shear the wool or enjoy the mutton? Chen Taoyue had earned his position as leader through struggle. Now that they had weapons, there was no way he was going to sit and wait to die. “Go ahead and distribute them. Also, send someone to contact Mr. Honorino. We need his help now.” Personally reaching out to the Japanese wasn’t impossible. Thanks to the Hongmen’s network across Southeast Asia, Chen Taoyue had made connections with quite a few Japanese. They might not have the authority to speak for the army, but they could at least act as intermediaries. If the Japanese wanted to take the Philippines, they would need the cooperation of local powers. The influence of the local Japanese community wasn’t enough on its own. If the Hongmen were willing to join forces, the Japanese would have no reason to refuse. The problem was that Chen Taoyue was unwilling to get involved with them. Like many Chinese in Southeast Asia at the time, Chen Taoyue had a deep fear of foreign powers. Even though the Japanese had already taken the upper hand, he still believed in the Spanish. There was no doubt that if Spain ended up winning the war, they would launch a sweeping purge of anyone who had collaborated with the Japanese. Chen Taoyue had no desire to be caught up in that kind of mess. Under these circumstances, the only option was to ask someone less cautious to handle things. As Austria’s diplomatic officer stationed in the Philippines, Mr. Honorino was exactly the kind of person who wasn’t afraid of trouble. Ever since the establishment of the Lanfang Autonomous Province, he had dealt with situations like this many times each year. For the sake of money, Mr. Honorino never turned anyone away. This was considered a legitimate side income. Acting as an intermediary or directly accepting commissions to negotiate, as long as it did not harm Austria’s interests, was fully permitted by the Austrian government. In truth, he had never harmed Austrian interests. Although the title of “foreign affairs officer” sounded impressive, the actual authority was extremely limited. These officers did not truly represent Austria. The real diplomatic authority lay with the envoys or ambassadors stationed in various regions. The purpose of appointing foreign affairs officers was twofold. On one hand, they facilitated trade and helped resolve commercial disputes. On the other, establishing full diplomatic missions was expensive and politically sensitive. It would be inappropriate to set up an embassy in another country’s colony. The status between the two parties was clearly unequal. As the saying goes, speak of the devil and he appears. Before the steward could take any action, a tall and burly white man walked right in. “No need to trouble yourself, Chen. As soon as I got the message, I came straight away. That’s what friends are for, right?” It was Honorino. Chen Taoyue had never been particularly fond of this overly familiar man, but now he suddenly found him rather likable. Even though he knew Honorino was only in it for the money, the fact that he was willing to show up and help at such a critical moment already made him more reliable than most so-called friends. “Of course, you’re the best friend I could ask for. Now I need your help to deal with the Japanese. As long as the Japanese troops stay out of Chinatown and don’t loot, I’m willing to offer them up to two hundred thousand guilders in compensation.” In a time of crisis, Chen Taoyue couldn’t afford to care about the money. Besides, he wasn’t footing the bill alone as the cost would be shared by everyone. Everyone knew that if they didn’t bleed a little now, once the Japanese soldiers charged in, they would lose both their lives and their wealth. Hearing the figure, Honorino exclaimed, “I didn’t expect you all to be this wealthy!” After a brief pause, he added, “Chen, are you sure you want to offer this money? You know that if you pay the Japanese, and the Spanish end up winning the war, it could bring you a lot of trouble later.” Everyone fell silent. That sum was already the most they could afford. If it weren’t a last resort, no one would want to pay for safety. The risk went both ways. On one hand, the money could spark Japanese greed. On the other hand, if the Spanish returned in triumph, they might come demanding payment as well. Chen Taoyue asked in return, “Mr. Honorino, if we don’t pay, do you have any way to stop the Japanese troops from looting?” Honolino waved his hand and replied, “No. But if you’re willing to pay, then I do have a way. Since it’s about paying for peace, it’s better to give the money to us instead. One price, three hundred fifty thousand guilders. I’ll settle the troubles with both the Japanese and the Spanish for you.” Looking at Honorino making bold promises, Chen Taoyue frowned. His words were too full of confidence. If the promise had come from a senior Austrian figure, it might have been believable, but for a mere foreign affairs officer, he likely didn’t have that much influence. Sensing the suspicion in everyone’s eyes, Honolino continued, “Don’t worry, the money isn’t for me. I don’t have that kind of appetite. This money is for the Austrian government. As long as you’re willing to pay, I can authorize you, on behalf of the Austrian government, to hoist the Holy Roman Empire’s flag. I will also speak to the Japanese and confirm that you are imperial citizens. I’ve lived in Japan and know what their government is like. They won’t dare challenge the Empire. Even if some of them act out of line and come into Chinatown to loot, the Empire will later demand double the compensation from them on your behalf. Of course, this citizenship is temporary. Once the crisis ends, it will be revoked. To show our sincerity, we can sign a contract now and you can pay after everything is over. Since we’re all friends, I’m not afraid you’ll refuse to pay.” For the sake of promotion, Honorino was giving it his all. While foreign affairs officers had many chances to profit personally, they rarely had clear accomplishments. Worse yet, even when they achieved something, it often went unnoticed back home. To move up, he needed something tangible to prove his capabilities to the Austrian government. A few hundred thousand guilders was nothing to Austria, but if he could bring that money in without much effort, it would be enough to demonstrate his value. Perhaps it was the post-payment condition that moved them. The previously doubtful looks began to fade. An elderly man asked in a steady voice, “Mr. Honorino, if we want to obtain permanent citizenship, how much would it cost us?” The more one experienced, the more one valued safety. Many people present had acquired other European citizenships before, but the protection they received was heavily discounted the moment others saw their skin color. Small issues could be solved with money, but in situations like this, no one would step up for them. In contrast, Austria was significantly better. At least in Southeast Asia, they treated people equally. No matter their skin color, anyone with citizenship would be protected. Honorino shook his head and said, “This isn’t a matter of money. To get Austrian citizenship, the key is your level of contribution. If you want to know the specific requirements, you’ll need to inquire with the colonial authorities. In any case, it’s very difficult. Personally, I’d suggest you consider moving to the Lanfang Autonomous Province. Compared to other parts of Southeast Asia, it’s much more suitable for people like you.” Hearing this explanation, many sighed. They all knew what the situation was like in Lanfang. If it weren’t for the plantations and mines they couldn’t uproot, they would have moved their entire families there already.
*** https://postimg.cc/gallery/PwXsBkC (Maps of the current territories of the countries in this novel made by ScH) Support the translation and read more chapters at https://ko-fi.com/dragonlegion
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"What do you mean... people like you?" lol
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