Chapter 5 : Crown Prince's Gift

In fact, it is not only the British Empire, but for most of the royal families of most European monarchy countries, Queen Victoria is the Representative of the monarchy countries.

Queen Victoria, who is known as the grandmother of European monarch, is not just an empty talk. The royal families of many countries have close blood relationship with Queen Victoria. Even the German Emperor Wilhelm II, one of the great powers, is also the grandson of Queen Victoria.

In the original history, when Queen Victoria died on the White Island, she was surrounded by many of her descendants, including Crown Prince Edward and Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Kaiser Wilhelm II, he was always by Queen Victoria's side, which shows show lofty Queen Victoria's status is to the major European royal families.

Queen Victoria's idea was unsurprisingly met with overwhelming opposition. No one would be willing to let the 80-year-old Queen travel all the way to the White Island, which is more than 10,000 kilometers away.

Even though many people understand Queen Victoria's longing for her deceased relatives, neither the British Empire nor the European Royal family can accept the blow of the loss of Queen Victoria.

However, no one can stop the determined Queen Victoria, even Prime Minister Robert and Crown Prince Edward.

The only good thing is that Queen Victoria did not decide to leave immediately, but wait until Arthur had dealt with everything, and went to Australia with him.

Although Duke Arthur was assassinated abruptly, he still left Arthur a lot of wealth and property.

Leaving aside the two duchies and one earldom that have been exchange for Australia, the castles, two military factories, a steel factory and a shipyard that originally belong to Duke Arthur are worth at least hundreds of millions of pounds.

Duke Arthur also left behind a large number of shares in industrial and other industrial factories or companies, with a valuation of at least tens of millions of pounds.

Now that Arthur is going to Australia, most of the people in these properties have to relocate or liquidate all of them.

For Arthur, all the shares in his hands need to be liquidated. Although these shares may be able to appreciate in the future, Arthur, who is about to go to Australia, obviously does not have much time to wait for these stocks to appreciate.

It's better to convert all of them into British pounds and contribute to the development of Australia.

As for these military factories, steel mill and shipyard, it is better to relocate them all to Australia if possible.

There factories are very scarce in Australia. They can not only fill the gap in Australia's industry for a long time, but also accelerate the development of Australia's industry and technology.

As for the castles left by Duke Arthur, if nothing else happens, Arthur will not return to the British Empire, so there is no need to keep them.

These castles are all centuries-old castles, covering a very large area, and the supporting infrastructure is also very complete. They also have gardens, multiple restaurants, and a large number of precious work of art.

The Value of these castles along may exceed 60 millions pounds, which is a quarter of total annual financial revenue of the British Empire.

The good news is that Butler Hunter was in charge of managing Duke Arthur's property before, so he is very familiar with all Duke Arthur's properties.

After learning that Arthur planned to sell all his properties and go to Australia, butler did not object, but silently help Arthur sell the properties that he had managed by himself.

Perhaps it is because the British Empire is now stable and prosperous, and the developed economy has created many rich people. The sale of Duke Arthur's property went smoothly. It only took a month, and most of the stocks and castles have been sold.

Especially the castle, which was very popular with those nobles, not only he can sell all of them every quickly, but also brought Arthur a total of near 70 millions pounds.

Coupled with the sale of shears, Arthur's cash in hand has reached a terrifying 70 millions pounds.

Editor : You must know that the buying power of pound is high in the 1900s. 1 million pound is almost equal to 137 millions pounds in today money.

March 1, Buckingham Palace.

This is the last day of Arthur's stay in the British Empire, and it is also that day before Queen Victoria decide to travel.

The British government is extremely busy on this day, not only to deal with daily government affairs, but also reconfirm Queen Victoria's travel preparations for tomorrow.

As the Queen of the British Empire, Queen Victoria's ceremonial standards for travel cannot be low.

On this trip, Queen Victoria will not only bring a Royal guard of up to 200 people, but also an escort fleet including two battleships and five cruisers.

Along with Princess Beatrice, Arthur, Princess Margaret, member of the royal family including Louise and Patricia, Harvey the Palace steward and Jon the Deputy Prime Minister.

In order to take care of Queen Victoria's daily life, twelve additional servants, three maids, five cooks and two pastry chefs were brought along on this trip.

After finishing all the final preparations, Queen Victoria also began to say her final farewell to government officials and Crown Prince Edward.

The farewell of Crown Prince Edward and Queen Victoria was very stiff, perhaps because both of them had their own concerns.

But after all, his wish was fulfilled, and Crown Prince Edward looked very relaxed and happy at this time, smiling and exhorting Arthur who was beside Queen Victoria. "Arthur, after you go to your own territory, remember not to act recklessly, and only benevolent can rule a country for a long time. Learn more from your grandmother and strive to be a qualified ruler." 

"Yes, uncle." Although he didn't understand why Crown Prince Edward seemed a little active, Arthur only took it as his uncle's advice when he was about to leave.

"Edward, Arthur is leaving. As an uncle, don't you think you have to give something to your nephew?" Suddenly, Queen Victoria, who had been silent at the side, said and staring at Edward with a slightly deep look.

" Oh, looked at me, how did I forget such an important thing?" Crown Prince Edward broke out in a cold sweat immediately, and then said quickly. "Arthur, I promised you a gift when you left to your territory, and now it's time to honor it. I heard that you sold all your properties some time ago, and there is nothing I can do to help you. Well, I will give you 20 millions pounds in my name, and then I will ask London Bank to loan you 30 millions pounds without interest. Considered it as a belated birthday gift for you, I couldn't have a happy birthday with you due to a special circumstances, but I still want to say happy 17th birthday to you."