Chapter 6: A Grand Mobilization
Rather than a belated birthday gift, it was more like a symbolic compensation that Arthur received—one given under Queen Victoria's pressure and Edward's satisfaction at having achieved his own goal.
Arthur's seventeenth birthday had fallen on January 13th. Due to the recent death of Duke Arthur, it had been a quiet affair shared only with his family, without any celebration or gathering.
But that didn't mean the British royal family, headed by Queen Victoria and Crown Prince Edward, were unaware of it.
On the contrary, Crown Prince Edward—granted the title of Prince of Wales at a young age—had long cultivated a powerful faction of his own. While that power meant little in the face of Queen Victoria's authority, it certainly meant he knew Arthur's birthday.
Still, the fifty million pounds that Crown Prince Edward gave was real, and Arthur wasn't going to refuse it.
Although thirty million of it came in the form of an interest-free loan from the Bank of London, the bank was largely owned by Edward himself. So in truth, the entire amount was effectively a gift.
With this, Arthur's total funds now reached an astonishing £137 million. In terms of personal wealth alone, he was confident he ranked among the top five richest individuals in the world.
Crown Prince Edward, seeing Queen Victoria's somewhat pleased expression, finally let out a breath of relief.
He understood that although he appeared to be the undisputed heir to the throne, if Queen Victoria were to officially revoke his title, the majority of British citizens and politicians would support her decision.
Never underestimate Queen Victoria's standing in the hearts of the British people.
The unification of the United Kingdom into one powerful entity relied heavily on the reverence she commanded across its kingdoms.
"Arthur, you should have become the most supreme duke of the British Empire, but since you chose to go to the remote Australia, I won't stop you. As your grandmother, I don't have much to give, so take this as compensation—one hundred million pounds in cash and industrial equipment worth fifty million,"
Queen Victoria said as she gently patted Arthur's head.
"Australia is a remote region. Let's not even mention education or medical care—the basic infrastructure there is extremely underdeveloped and unstable," she added.
"This money isn't for you to spend on leisure and pleasure. I expect you to use it, along with the industrial equipment, to develop Australia's infrastructure, healthcare, education, and industry. Do it for yourself—and for all Australians, understand?"
"I understand, Grandmother. Now that I have become Duke of Australia, I will devote my life to developing the entire territory,"
Arthur replied with a solemn nod.
"Good. Though we are traveling together, you'll be going to Australia, and I to New Zealand. Grandmother won't be there to watch over and protect you anymore. The path ahead is yours alone."
Queen Victoria continued her instructions:
"On behalf of the British royal family, I am gifting you a personal Royal Guard regiment of two thousand soldiers. Their families will also accompany you to Australia. Arthur, if it ever becomes too much, come find me in New Zealand. Don't try to endure it all alone."
Though her words may have sounded nagging, to Arthur, they were as warm and comforting as spring sunshine.
It had been more than five months since he arrived in this world, and Queen Victoria was one of the few people who had treated him with genuine care.
March 4th, 1900.
After more than two weeks of preparations, the fleet finally set sail—though its size had been further expanded.
The Royal Guard now totaled four thousand soldiers, half of whom were under Arthur's personal command.
The Royal Guard, also known as the Royal Guard Division, was a private military force of the British royal family, with a history spanning several centuries.
Every guardsman was an elite, handpicked from the British Army, surpassing regular troops in both discipline and training.
Though the Royal Navy of the British Empire was world-renowned, the Army was comparatively obscure.
But in reality, the British Army ranked among the top three in Europe, behind only Germany and France.
In terms of both soldier quality and equipment, it far exceeded the armies of most European nations.
And the Royal Guard Division, composed of five infantry regiments, two cavalry regiments, and a reserve regiment, was on par in combat capability with the elite forces of the German Empire.
This division was also a key means for the royal family to maintain control over the country.
The fleet's departure was met with a massive send-off from London's citizens. Even after the fleet had sailed off, the enthusiastic crowd lingered at the docks for a long time.
March 14th.
After ten days of travel, the fleet reached the Suez Canal—one of the busiest waterways in the world, both now and in the future.
The canal connected East Africa to India and Southeast Asia and was seen by the British as a vital artery for controlling India.
Because of its importance, the British Empire had stationed heavy forces in the region ever since it took control of the canal, ensuring its security.
The garrison stationed along the canal had long been informed of Queen Victoria's arrival and had already arranged formation to welcome her.
Arthur witnessed firsthand the deep reverence and admiration the British people had for Queen Victoria.
It was not only a reflection of their pride in the empire's achievements, but also a recognition of the Queen, who had ruled for decades with unmatched authority.
Together with Queen Victoria, Arthur reviewed the canal troops before the fleet resumed its journey—this time headed for India.
It seemed that Queen Victoria's journey wasn't just for rest and recovery.
Though the route was clearly defined, it included stopovers at the Suez Canal, India, and Australia, before finally reaching Whakaari Island in New Zealand.
Each of these stops held symbolic meaning.
Australia, of course, was now Arthur's new territory. Queen Victoria's visit there also served as a message of royal presence and deterrence to local forces.
As for the Suez Canal and India, they were strategic regions Britain could not afford to lose.
The British Empire's rise had been powered partly by its technological edge from the Industrial Revolution, and partly by the vast territories, populations, and cheap resources gained through colonization.
India, in particular, was an invaluable asset—not only rich in manpower and natural harbors, but also in agricultural output. It was long hailed as the "jewel in the crown."
For the British Empire, British India's strategic importance far exceeded that of any other colony.
(End of Chapter)
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