I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 68

Become My Sword

A week after the crucial decision that would determine the future of France was made in Versailles.

“Welcome~! Thank you so much for coming such a long way.”

Vernon Dallier, who had been appointed to manage Limoges since his grandfather’s time, couldn’t maintain his composure due to the sudden visit today.

“As expected of Prince Christian! I’ve heard rumors that you are handsome, but I’ve only realized today that even the rumors don’t accurately reflect reality!”

He hadn’t slept properly since yesterday because of the news that a prominent figure on the rise in central politics would be visiting.

Louis Christian.

Recently in France, even if you were a local bourgeois [middle class], you couldn’t avoid criticism for being ignorant if you didn’t know this name.

“The Lamarche County is located just north of Limoges, so please feel free to visit in the future.”

“Thank you for welcoming me so sincerely. Do you have any children?”

“Yes. I have a young son. My wife thinks it’s better to educate our child in Paris, so she’s currently looking into colleges there. Oh… well, thank you!”

Vernon quickly slipped the letter of recommendation Christian handed him into his pocket.

Even if you’re a local bourgeois, you’ll inevitably be called a country bumpkin if you go up to Paris.

For these people, the Prince’s letter of recommendation was the best gift that couldn’t be exchanged for a thousand gold pieces.

Christian, unable to hide his pleased smile, brought up the main reason he came here.

Vernon, who had already received all of Christian’s favors, naturally revealed everything he knew.

When the story was over, he got up from his seat and bowed several times.

“…I will bring Administrator Turgot to you right away. As you instructed, I will thoroughly silence the people below.”

Vernon bowed once more and carefully opened the door and went out. Then, he suppressed the urge to jump up and down and smiled.

“Hehe, to receive a letter of recommendation from the Prince himself. I have to go brag to my wife right away. Thank you, Your Highness, loyalty, loyalty!”

An hour later, Vernon returned with a middle-aged man with a solemn impression.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I am Turgot, the administrator of Limoges.”

“Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you in Paris.”

“Haha, then I’ll be on my way.”

Vernon quickly left the scene.

Christian handed Turgot, who was left alone, a letter.

“You’ve heard the story, right? Count Maurepas recommended you to His Majesty as the Superintendent of Finance.”

“Yes. I think it’s an honor beyond my capabilities. I heard that Your Highness also approved of it. Thank you very much.”

The position of administrator used to be virtually the same as that of a governor, but its prestige has declined slightly since the strengthening of royal authority.

This is because officials dispatched from the central government shared the governor’s authority in various fields.

Moreover, Turgot was the administrator of Limoges, which was one of the poorest regions in France.

For the administrator here to be appointed as the Superintendent of Finance was a tremendous success.

It was quite a burden, but Turgot’s expression was surprisingly calm.

“It seems like you have no intention of refusing. Then, may I hear what policies you plan to implement in that position?”

“Could Your Highness’s opinion of my appointment change depending on my answer now?”

“That won’t happen, so feel free to speak your mind.”

Turgot looked at Christian’s face with suspicion.

He was certain that there must be a simple reason why such a prominent figure suddenly sought him out.

Perhaps this was some kind of test.

But he didn’t really care.

This was because the problems of the current France were so obvious that drastic measures were inevitable.

“First of all, the most urgent thing is to reduce the royal family’s expenditures and unify the haphazard tax system. And in order to prevent excessive execution, I plan to require my approval for expenditures above a certain amount, and then unify the land tax. Ultimately, we must allow free trade of grain and prohibit speculation. I am confident that France’s debt will decrease noticeably even if we only implement this much.”

“As expected… that’s exactly what I thought. It would be an effective way to reduce debt.”

“Thank you for recognizing that.”

“But it seems like you’ll be kicked out of that position much faster than France will be normalized.”

Turgot nodded without much concern, as it was a familiar reaction.

“There are bound to be opposing forces to reform everywhere. It was the same when I became the administrator of Limoges. But in the end, you can prove it with results. I am confident.”

In fact, the situation in Limoges has greatly improved since Turgot took office.

It was because of these definite results that Count Maurepas recommended him as the new Superintendent of Finance.

But ironically, this memory of success will eventually tighten Turgot’s neck.

“Let me tell you one fatal element that you are overlooking.”

“······?”

“When you implemented reform policies in Limoges, the only people who opposed you were landlords with a few tenant farmers. But have you ever made a list of the people who will oppose you when you implement such policies in the future?”

“I understand what you mean. Still, wouldn’t I be able to exercise my authority as the Superintendent of Finance? If I have His Majesty’s permission, I can suppress their opposition with results.”

A rigid personality that believes in his theories more than anything else and does not compromise.

Moreover, the more people who have been producing results, the more likely they are to fall into this kind of trap.

Christian could fully understand why Turgot’s reforms were destined to fail completely.

“Turgot, do you know that the Superintendent of Finance is a position that needs to be more political than anyone else?”

“…I don’t quite understand. Rather, wouldn’t many evils arise if someone with such powerful authority enforced policies for political reasons?”

“It’s the opposite. The more people who push forward without considering the political aspects, the more serious conflicts they will cause and the greater chaos they will create.”

“That sounds like compromising with reality. You can’t cure this sick era by doing that. I think there must be a firm belief and determination to cut off the rotten parts boldly.”

There are not many people who can speak so confidently in front of Christian, who is currently emerging as a powerful figure in the central government.

Especially if he is about to take office in an important position.

That’s why Christian liked the man in front of him even more.

“You speak well. You think that this France is suffering from a chronic illness like a seriously ill patient, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Even ordinary people need a lot of effort to get a seriously ill patient back on their feet. But have you ever thought about how much effort it would take to rebuild such a country? Can you do it alone? Then that country wouldn’t have been sick in the first place.”

“······.”

Turgot opened his mouth to argue, but he couldn’t say anything.

“First, create a shade that can protect you and create a means to suppress political enemies who will oppose the reform. Otherwise, no matter how much you shout the right thing, it will only end as an empty echo.”

“…But I’ve never implemented policies like that before. I don’t have any connections to do that…”

“That’s why I came here.”

“Is this a persuasion to join Your Highness’s side?”

“No, this is an opportunity.”

Turgot asked back as if he didn’t understand.

“…An opportunity?”

“Whether you remain a failed reformer who knelt before the wall of reality, or a great reformer who cut off the deep-rooted evils of France. I will give you a chance to choose. I value you highly, so I don’t intend to force you. I’ll let you choose yourself.”

Christian said only that much and got up.

Turgot’s eyes widened as he really tried to open the door and leave.

“What are you going to do if I refuse?”

Christian slowly turned around. His gaze lightly swept over Turgot’s embarrassed body.

“I won’t do anything. I said I wouldn’t force you.”

“······.”

“But, I know you won’t refuse. I have somewhere to go, so let’s meet again in Versailles later. Give me your answer then.”

“May I ask on what basis you think I will take Your Highness’s hand?”

Christian smirked.

Just by looking at Turgot’s trembling eyes, he could fully read his inner thoughts.

“Didn’t I say that I value you very highly?”

After all, using coercive methods against this type of person would only backfire.

With that, Christian indifferently left the official residence.

Then, he joined his entourage and got into the carriage.

He knew what kind of answer would come without having to see it.

Turgot is rigid, but not completely blocked.

If he said this much, he would have realized that he needed to be protected by a powerful force.

Moreover, as he is a person with a strong desire to be recognized by others, the time of 고민 [worry/deliberation] will not be long.

If he manages to win over Turgot, the two axes of law and economy will come under his influence.

Then, all that is needed now is just one thing.

It is not so necessary now, but it will be the most important factor in the long run.

Christian hurried to complete that last piece of the puzzle.

※※※

Islands that are separated from the mainland often do not pay attention to major events on the continent because they are busy with their own affairs.

Corsica was no different.

From the beginning, this island has boasted a turbulent history in which its owners have changed incessantly.

Sometimes it was part of the Eastern Roman Empire, then it fell into the hands of the Lombards, then it belonged to the Papal States, then it was briefly subordinate to England, and now it has fallen into the hands of France.

Geographically, it was closer to Italy than France, and recently it was the territory of the Republic of Genoa.

However, Genoa, which had become fed up with the constant revolts, sold Corsica to France.

Of course, the revolts continued even after France came in.

Still, the revolutionary forces could not hold out any longer as the French forces began to enter in earnest.

Pascale Paoli, the center of the revolution, fled to England as it was, and Carlo Buonaparte, his supporter, went under France.

Governor Marbeuf, who was dispatched to stabilize this land, welcomed me with open arms, who had come a long way to help him.

“I never thought you would actually come.”

“If I can be of help, I should come. His Majesty the King’s will is that I do my best to ensure that Corsica remains French territory in the future.”

“Yes. I will continue to do my best. By the way… what happened to the matter I asked His Majesty about?”

“It was a great suggestion. So I personally asked His Majesty to grant noble titles more broadly than you suggested. It has been decided that I will personally confer them.”

Recognizing the influential figures of Corsica, who are classified as pro-French, as French nobles.

It is an orthodox method, but it is the best method that shows the best efficiency.

“Oh, thank you. This will definitely save my face in Corsica.”

“That’s why I came in person. This kind of show is the best way to give the impression that France is paying attention to this land. What was the name of the local nobleman you’re backing?”

“Are you talking about Buonaparte? I told him to wait in the next room to greet Your Highness. Shall I call him in?”

“Do that.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Marbeuf quickly sent someone.

Perhaps he was really in the next room, as a young man who looked very nervous came in after only a few seconds.

Marbeuf got up from his seat and greeted the young man, who didn’t seem to be even thirty years old, with a smile.

“Come on, let me introduce you. This is Prince Louis Christian. You must have heard about the smallpox vaccine, right? He’s the one who made it.”

“Of course I know. Prince Christian. It is an honor to meet you. I am Carlo Buonaparte.”

“Nice to meet you. I heard that you are so cooperative with France? His Majesty is very satisfied with your loyalty.”

Carlo bowed and respectfully grabbed the hand I held out.

“I am grateful for the generous disposition of His Great Majesty. From now on, we will never go against the will of Greater France and will be loyal.”

“Okay. Then you are now officially a French nobleman. We will officially announce this fact at tomorrow’s event. And I would like to give you a personal gift.”

“No! I’m not doing loyalty in exchange for such a price…”

I pretended not to see Carlo, who was startled and shook his head, and placed the prepared documents on the table.

“This is a personal favor I’m doing, so don’t refuse. Do you have any sons?”

“Yes… my second child was born two years ago.”

“Really? Then I’ll lend you my name to help that child’s future even a little bit. How about a letter of recommendation to enter the Central Military Academy and the Military Academy? Of course, I’ll take care of everything so that you can receive education for free.”

“I don’t know how to repay this grace…”

People naturally tend to be blindly devoted to matters related to their children and their future.

It is a natural reaction to be overwhelmed when a member of the royal family of a country is backing them, not just ordinary privileges.

“What is the name of the second child who was born two years ago?”

“Navrione… no, from now on, I have to use a French name since I’m French.”

Carlo quickly put his son’s French name in his mouth, fearing that my mind might change.

“Napoleon. Napoleon Bonaparte.”

“Yes… that name. It’s a really good name.”

“…Is that so? Thank you!”

The reason why I bothered to come all the way to Corsica, which is far away from France, was to meet this moment from the beginning.

I slowly wrote the name on the letter of recommendation, enjoying the pleasant elation.

With this, the last piece of the puzzle that will become my strongest force has fallen into my hands smoothly.