Chapter 169: The Midas Touch (3) Bang. Bang. Bang.
The dull sound of the gavel striking wood three times echoed throughout the Palace of Westminster. The Lord Privy Seal, draped in red velvet as the King's representative, rose from his seat.
"June 23, 1793. This session concerning the corruption, embezzlement, and breach of duty of the East India Company will now begin. All those present here are loyal servants of His Majesty, admired and respected by the subjects of the British Empire. I ask that everyone conduct this session with decorum and dignity."
When the Lord Privy Seal sat down and the formalities ended, the governing party on the right side of the chamber—the Tories—launched the opening attack.
"Honorable members of the House of Lords and House of Commons. A few days ago, the Tory Party received information so shocking that we could scarcely believe it.
The East India Company.
This company, established to accumulate immense wealth in distant Asia and enrich our empire, has deceived the eyes of eighteen million Britons through falsified ledgers and slick tongues!
It threatens to rob the British people of the diligence and honesty for which we are known throughout the world!
Those despicable villains who stole from Great Britain the New World across the Atlantic—once overflowing with milk and honey—are now attempting to steal Great Britain's trust and reputation as well!
Oh Lord! Oh His Majesty the King! Punish these wretches swiftly! Punish those who cling to them and suck the lifeblood of our subjects alongside them!"
"Waaaah!!!"
The moment the Tory member finished speaking, applause erupted across Westminster.
Naturally, the applause came only from the right side of the chamber.
The Tory member, who had nearly reached the point of wailing in outrage by the end of his speech, calmly bowed his head and sat down as if nothing unusual had happened.
The opposition Whigs on the left side of the chamber ground their teeth.
"'Those who cling to them and suck the lifeblood of the people'? Are the Tories slandering others inside this sacred hall of Westminster?!"
"Slander?! Are you suggesting that criticizing traitors counts as 'malice'? Remarkable! It seems our Great Britain has produced saints! Perhaps next you will defend Satan himself!"
Bang. Bang. Bang.
"Order! Order! The Lord Privy Seal stands here on behalf of His Majesty—what disgraceful language is this from both sides!"
"My apologies."
"Ahem… my apologies."
Though the atmosphere calmed slightly after the gavel strike, the fighting spirit in the hearts of both parties had already ignited.
"Leader, the mood on the Tory side seems unusual. It almost looks like they came prepared to fight to the death today."
"I agree. Considering how aggressively they opened, Pitt must have caught a very large fish."
"What shall we do, Leader?"
"Hmm."
The Whig leader, Edmund Burke, thought for a moment before speaking.
"I will give the next speech myself."
"You… personally?"
Burke nodded calmly.
What kind of place was this Parliament?
If momentum slipped, evidence could be gathered—or conveniently disappear—no matter how decisive it was.
The momentum might currently lean toward the Tories, but if Burke himself spoke, there was no reason to lose the initiative unless Pitt personally stepped forward.
"The Whig Party may now speak."
"On behalf of the Whigs, I, Edmund Burke, will speak."
The moment the opposing party's heavyweight stood up, the young Tory members who had been snickering fell silent in tension.
"Why do you believe that Great Britain—the British Empire—has been able to sail the seas of the world, spreading the virtue and benevolence of His Majesty and bringing reason and Christianity to uncivilized lands?
I, Edmund Burke, believe the answer is simple.
The servants and people of the British Empire are more diligent, industrious, and eager to accumulate wealth than anyone else in the world.
As Professor Adam Smith once wrote, it is this very desire that drove us to explore the dark New World, to colonize it, and to sail the seas of the world, building wealth no other nation has ever achieved.
Yes! The desire to create wealth—that is the reason Great Britain has expanded across the world!
The pride of Britain, the Redcoats, willingly took up rifles and uniforms in pursuit of a better life.
The pride of Britain, the Royal Navy bearing the glorious title of HMS, willingly tended cannons and anchors in pursuit of a broader world.
The pride of Britain—eighteen million subjects—set out today for their workplaces and shops seeking prosperity.
All freely engage in commerce and trade, practicing Professor Smith's principles from The Wealth of Nations.
And now, if we begin restricting the East India Company, it would amount to overturning free trade itself and stripping away the divine right to commerce granted by God.
Of course, I do not claim the East India Company is innocent. Its past is filled with actions so immoral even the Virgin Mary could not overlook them.
But if we bind and punish a company simply because it broke a few laws, then no British citizen will ever again believe that hard work leads to prosperity.
That is all."
"Waaaah!!! Burke! Burke! Burke!"
This time, applause erupted only from the left side of the chamber.
"Whigs, order! Order! Now the Tory side may respond."
"The Tory Party will speak through the Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger."
A king's move answered by a king's move.
Now the leaders of both parties stood face to face.
"I, William Pitt, fully agree with Mr. Burke's statement that the market must be free."
But.
"However, while Mr. Burke and the Whigs may think otherwise, I cannot tolerate freedom turning into lawlessness.
A market can function only upon a chessboard of fair laws under the watchful guard of the state.
Furthermore, how can they speak of market freedom while legally preventing any other company from trading with Asia and India?
Is that not the height of contradiction?
I believe that answers the question."
Pitt turned toward Burke with his familiar smiling expression.
Burke merely shrugged.
"Well then. Once freedom is restricted by law, what guarantee is there it will not be restricted again?"
"Hmm. If that is truly your position, then let us stop wasting time and ask the remaining departments of government. Treasury?"
"The Treasury fully supports Prime Minister Pitt."
"The Board of Control also agrees."
The ministers representing the departments raised their hands as if they had been waiting.
Edmund Burke did not move.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer position was held by Pitt himself, and the Board of Control was led by his Tory ally Richard Wellesley.
The result was obvious.
"The Foreign Office believes this is not our matter. Neutral."
"The War Office also remains neutral."
The diplomatic and military ministries chose neutrality.
"Well then, Mr. Burke, your turn."
"Of course. The Whig Party firmly opposes Prime Minister Pitt's proposal."
"The Home Office agrees with the Whigs."
"The Board of Trade also supports the Whig position."
Two more hands rose immediately.
"…Hmm?"
"Is something strange, Mr. Burke?"
Burke slowly turned his head toward the one department that had not yet spoken.
"…The Admiralty."
The First Lord of the Admiralty, George Spencer, swallowed nervously before answering.
"…We will remain neutral until the judiciary delivers its ruling."
"First Lord! What are you saying?!"
"It seems the conclusion is clear. Excluding neutral parties, the executive departments are divided two to two. Therefore, we will refer the East India Company case to the Lord Chancellor for judgment."
Clap. Clap. Clap.
While Burke stared in disbelief, Pitt clapped his hands three times with a satisfied expression.
"Leader! What happened?! Why would the Admiralty—?!"
"Wait. I am just as confused."
Why?
Why would the First Lord of the Admiralty, a Whig, refuse to support the Whigs?
Why indeed.
"It's all thanks to you, Minister!"
"Ha ha ha."
I smiled like a sage while listening to Captain Thomas Hardy speak excitedly.
"I barely escaped ruin!"
"You and your comrades simply showed excellent judgment."
"Don't be modest! Without you we would have been bankrupt!"
"I merely showed the path. You were the ones who chose to walk it."
Even admirals and political appointees could not ignore a sudden shift in mood among the officers beneath them.
After the East India Company rumor spread and the stock price fell, officers who listened to me would have sold their shares.
Those who did not listen would now be standing along the Thames smoking silently.
And in such a situation, how could the Admiralty openly defend the East India Company?
A reckless naval commander might ignore politics, but the First Lord of the Admiralty could not.
In the end, the officers who listened to me became loyal supporters.
Those who lost money blamed the company's management.
Either way, Pitt's plan faced no obstacle.
"Captain Hardy."
"Yes, Minister."
"Enough about money. Show me the PX you mentioned earlier. The one that was completed today."
"Of course! I'll guide you there myself!"
Hey, William Pitt.
I did everything you asked.
Now it's time for me to collect my share.
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