I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 67

I Have a Plan

My confident declaration was met with silence in the room for a moment.

Even Count Morépa, who had been actively expressing his support, and Maurepas and Choiseul, who were already on my side, were reluctant to speak.

The first to break the silence was the Minister of Finance, who had consistently voiced her opposition.

“Absolutely impossible. With all due respect, I believe Your Highness is not making an objective judgment.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. Currently, the only territory we can truly call our own in the New World is Saint-Domingue [modern-day Haiti and Dominican Republic]. However, this area is quite far from the mainland, making it difficult to use as a forward base. Therefore, reclaiming the old territory of New France is practically impossible.”

The Minister of Finance’s reaction was not unreasonable.

Those who handle the budget tend to be conservative in their execution.

I didn’t blame her for that.

It was their duty to be so, as those responsible for the country’s finances.

In particular, the current Minister of Finance, Marie Thérèse, was the one who argued that war with England was impossible during the Falkland Islands crisis.

Louis XV sided with Thérèse, who had clashed fiercely with Choiseul at the time.

But unfortunately, the situation is very different now.

“Of course, it may seem like a far-fetched goal right now. But if we consider the current situation in the New World and the chaos that will unfold in the future, it is entirely possible.”

“Right now, Louisiana is under Spanish rule, and the northern part is all English territory. Even if the 13 colonies in the Midwest become independent, the north will still be English territory. It would take an enormous amount of national power to occupy it, and it wouldn’t be worth it no matter how you look at it.”

“Of course, it is impossible for us to pour troops into the New World and simply drive out the British.”

Even if France has a strong army, it cannot expel the British from North America without any territory of its own.

At best, it would be able to seize and defend a portion of the territory.

In fact, it could be said that it would be a good fight just to get that far.

“Surely Your Highness doesn’t think that the 13 colonies are strong enough to drive the British out of the New World altogether?”

“As you can see in the report, I’m not that out of touch with reality. And if they were really that strong, they wouldn’t need our help.”

“Then how on earth…”

Before the Minister of Finance could finish speaking, I pointed with my pen to an area far away from the New World.

Maupeou, seeing where my pen was pointing, murmured quietly.

“India…”

“Yes. This area will be the Achilles’ heel that can elicit concessions from England.”

“That’s more realistic than doing something in the New World. But even in India, France currently has a weaker base than England.”

“That’s right. So we need to make good use of the Indian states.”

Currently, England was actively pursuing its Indian colonization plan, but there were still strong powers in the region.

The most representative were the Maratha Confederacy in North India, which was enjoying a period of revival, and the Kingdom of Mysore in South India, which had emerged as the strongest power.

In fact, in the original history, England suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Kingdom of Mysore during the American Revolutionary War.

Of course, it was only a one-off victory, but I have no intention of doing anything long-term in India in the first place.

Choiseul raised his eyebrows with a sly smile.

“If the two kingdoms of India are all on our side, it’s worth a try. But I know that the kingdoms of India traditionally don’t get along very well. Is it possible to achieve such an alliance?”

“I have a plan. And if we don’t act right away, but persuade them over a sufficient period of time, we can influence them as we want.”

“After achieving a great victory in India, we urge them to give up on the New World based on that… But in that case, wouldn’t it be better for us to give up on the New World and occupy India? That seems more profitable.”

“No. Then it will be difficult to get the cooperation of India. We have to make it clear that we want to drive out the British and that we are no longer interested in India. We can easily attract India by sending a clear signal that we are focusing on the New World.”

I know how valuable North America is, but most people in this era don’t know that.

“If we try to occupy India, England will never let it go. They will cling to it with the determination to fight to the death. Then, in the end, everyone will lose, just like in the Seven Years’ War. We have to open an escape route to some extent so that they don’t overreact.”

This time, neither the Minister of Finance nor the Minister of Home Affairs raised any objections.

Instead, a voice of pure doubt came out, not opposition.

“But realistically, is it possible to manage all that territory in the New World? Aren’t you being too greedy?”

“Of course not. But there are two main reasons for this plan.”

It is true that the territory of New France is vast, but that is why it lacked substance.

Most of the land was not developed, and the population was smaller than that of the British colonies.

So there is no way that the vast land can be properly managed.

“So Your Highness wants to embrace that land even though you know you can’t rule it all?”

“That’s because it’s the only way to completely expel the British from the New World. If the 13 colonies become independent and we get the territory of New France, England will naturally not be able to set foot in the New World.”

If the British forces are left behind in a clumsy manner, there is a risk that they will grow into an unexpected source of trouble at any time.

The first thing to be accomplished for the stability of the New World was the complete expulsion of the British.

Of course, the threat will not disappear completely just by eliminating England.

“If England disappears, the next thing to watch out for is the 13 colonies that will become independent. So we need to have materials to negotiate with them. Among them, territory is always the best negotiating card.”

Choiseul narrowed his brows as if he didn’t understand.

“Are you saying that even though we helped them gain independence, they might turn against us?”

“Of course.”

Anyone who knows the history of the United States can easily guess the future.

Manifest Destiny, the slogan they put forward while pioneering the West.

This time, the ridiculous logic that Americans were destined by God to spread democracy in the New World will be directed at us.

Of course, they won’t come out recklessly like they did to the natives.

At first, they will likely try to solve it through negotiations.

But it’s obvious that they will use force if things don’t go their way.

Before that happens, we can consolidate our internal affairs by selling some of the land to the United States as a gesture of goodwill.

Unlike other people, I knew which land was worthless and which was the golden land that I had to have.

We can get rid of unprofitable areas appropriately, increase the population around the core areas, and promote industrialization.

Fortunately, most of the lands that were the driving force behind the development of the United States in the original history were in the territory of New France.

The Great Lakes, where enormous iron ore deposits are buried and where fresh water can be drawn without even the need to purify seawater. And the southern region where oil comes out, and so on.

It’s no wonder that the United States is said to have blessed land.

I am the only one who can preempt these areas and extract maximum efficiency.

Of course, I can’t reveal all these facts, so I needed a suitable excuse.

Not only Choiseul, but also Maupeou seemed unable to easily agree that the 13 colonies should be wary.

“Even if the colonies are greedy for territory, would they try to confront the country that helped them gain independence?”

“Prime Minister.”

But I had a magic word to convince them.

“After all, they are also British.”

“Ah…”

All the ministers nodded at once as if they had promised.

Enlightenment came so quickly.

Louis XV, judging that a conclusion had been reached, smiled contentedly and announced the end of the discussion.

“As expected, you have a plan.”

※※※

After the cabinet meeting, only Louis XV, Count Morépa, and I remained in the room.

“I’m glad that a conclusion has been reached. The Minister of Finance seems a little passive, though.”

“Your Majesty. Now that the goals for the future have been clearly defined, I believe that it is too risky to put someone with a lukewarm attitude in the position of Minister of Finance. I think it would be better to replace her with someone else.”

“Hmm… that makes sense. Christian, what do you think?”

“I agree with the replacement itself. However, Minister of Finance Thérèse has faithfully performed her duties so far, so I think it would be better to change her position in the form of a personnel transfer rather than dismissal. She also has experience as an advisor to the church, so how about giving her the position of Minister of Religious Affairs?”

If she holds a grudge because she was dismissed and spreads information, it will be difficult for us.

The best way is to save her face appropriately and have her step down to another position.

Count Morépa quickly agreed with my opinion.

“That’s a great idea. As expected, His Highness the Prince has a unique insight. Hahaha.”

“Then who would be good as Thérèse’s successor? Do you have anyone to recommend?”

At that moment, I felt Morépa’s gaze strongly glancing at me.

He must be wary that I might plant my confidant.

Choiseul and Maupeou are already recognized as my allies.

If I appoint the Minister of Finance here, it may be seen as interfering too deeply in state affairs.

That’s not my style.

I already knew who Morépa would recommend, and even if I had a choice, I would choose the same person, so there’s no need to step in here.

It would be better to step back here, pretending to save Morépa’s face.

“Count Morépa has more experience in state affairs than I do, so I think he knows a suitable person. So how about reviewing the person recommended by the Count first?”

“Is that so? Then tell me, Count.”

As expected, Count Morépa’s complexion brightened at once.

He bowed slightly to me as if thanking me, and then rattled off the economists and bureaucrats he knew.

“…Among them, the most outstanding person is the current Baron Anne Robert Jacques Turgot de Launais. He is currently serving as an administrator in Limoges, and his work is very clean. His knowledge of economics is impeccable, and his understanding of commerce is deep. I can’t think of anyone more suitable than him right now.”

“Baron Turgot… Christian, have you heard of him?”

“Yes. I’ve heard that he’s a very capable administrator. I think it’s an appropriate appointment.”

“If the two of you agree, I won’t object either. Let’s change Thérèse’s position and appoint Baron Turgot to that position.”

“I am honored!”

Count Morépa bowed deeply.

Then, he glanced at me and gave me a very friendly smile.

I also smiled back at him slightly and then greeted Louis XV.

Recently, the relationship between me and Auguste has become much closer, and since he has taken my side to this extent, Count Morépa will now regard me as a complete ally.

In addition, he recommended the Minister of Finance, who will have a huge impact on France, so he will become even more powerful.

Baron Turgot will appear on the stage a few years earlier than in the original history, but this is within the scope of assumption.

His ability to greatly improve Limoges, one of the poorest regions in France, has already been verified, so I was not worried.

Count Morépa believes that he can control Turgot, but that will not go as planned.

According to history, Turgot stubbornly pursued reform policies and was eventually kicked out due to the fierce opposition of Count Morépa and other nobles who recommended him.

His policy of advocating complete freedom of commerce and industry and trying to introduce progressive taxes was certainly a necessary reform for the current situation in France.

However, politics is reality, and reform always faces opposition.

Unable to cope with the fierce counterattack of the opposition, he was eventually kicked out of his position in just two years.

Of course, the same thing will not be repeated this time with my existence.

The authority of the French Minister of Finance is, in some ways, more powerful than that of the Prime Minister.

If I bring Turgot under my influence, just like Maupeou, who was dismissed in the original history, at least all the minimum preparations will be in place.

I’m sorry, Count Morépa, but I’ll take this opportunity as well.

He won’t even notice, so there won’t be any hard feelings.