I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 114

“Let’s meet.”

“Are you sure? The Shawnee tribe of Ohio has clashed with the United States several times and are quite warlike Indians.”

Lavoisier, who was acting as a sort of chief of staff, asked worriedly.

“Most of the Indian tribes, except for the Iroquois Confederacy, were our allies during the Seven Years’ War. The Shawnee were as well.”

“Ah… that’s certainly true.”

“And since they’ll be searched and we’ll have guards with us, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“Understood. Then I will order a more thorough pre-screening.”

“Yes, and tell the soldiers not to be rude.”

I sipped the wine in my hand and stamped the documents that needed to be processed.

“What’s most urgent is to foster large cities… to do that, we need a population influx.”

Currently, there are only a handful of places in New France that can be called cities.

Still, places like Toronto and Montreal have good regional advantages, and they can develop on their own if left alone.

The problem is how to increase the population explosively from here and spread it downwards.

We need to set up a simple framework within a few years at most.

No matter how strong my influence is, it will naturally diminish if I leave my position for several years.

If I lay the basic framework here, I need to return to Paris and show my face.

Considering that I need to show visible results before that, the conditions are quite tight.

“Let’s see, the number of immigrants coming from the home country this quarter is 3,252… not a small number, but woefully insufficient.”

Once the development progresses to some extent, immigrants will flock from Europe, so there’s no need to worry about the future.

Rather, this is the most precarious time, as we need to build the foundation for that.

If we don’t somehow balance the population, we can’t rule out the possibility of being eaten up by the United States.

And after considering various aspects, I came to the conclusion that we should use the conflict between the United States and the natives as effectively as possible.

We can’t just assimilate them indiscriminately, but right now, every single person is precious.

Shall we try to control this situation by walking a tightrope as much as possible?

I greeted the sturdy men walking towards me from afar under the watch of the soldiers.

“Welcome.”

These men had an appearance that was clearly different from white people.

Their faces were hardened, not even trying to hide their anger towards the invaders from the outside.

“…Pleased to meet you.”

The man standing in the front row returned my greeting and slowly stepped forward.

A middle-aged man who appeared to be an interpreter conveyed his words to me.

“There’s someone who can speak our language. Well, it’s not surprising since we were allies during the Seven Years’ War.”

“The new ruler of France, I heard you were young, but you really are young. My name is Pucksinwah. I came as a representative of the Shawnee tribe.”

“I am Louis-Christian, the Governor-General of New France and the Duke of Orléans. But you don’t look too well, would you like to rest a bit before we talk?”

The warrior who identified himself as Pucksinwah looked down at his loose left sleeve and bit his lip.

“I’m fine now.”

“I see. Did you lose that arm fighting the Americans?”

“…Yes. I wouldn’t have been able to save my life if they had kept chasing me, but strangely enough, they were reluctant to invade our territory.”

He gave a bitter smile, as if he was dumbfounded or frustrated.

It’s a fact that only I know, but Pucksinwah of the Shawnee tribe should have died in battle with the United States around this time in the original history.

And his son, who succeeded him, would grow into a giant who would later inspire the anger and fear of the entire United States.

Tecumseh, whom the United States claims as a champion of Native American rights and Canada claims as a patriot who blocked American ambition, is the very person.

The reason why Pucksinwah is still alive now, unlike in the original history, is probably because Ohio is recognized as the territory of New France, not the territory of the United States.

No matter how much they brought troops to suppress the Indians, they couldn’t cross the territory of another country.

“The Ohio where you live is currently classified as the territory of our New France. That’s why the United States couldn’t keep chasing you.”

“…I heard that fact on my way here, but… does that make sense? Our land is ours. Why has our land, which our ancestors have lived on and cultivated for hundreds of years, suddenly become your land?”

A voice trembling with undisguised anger.

Considering their situation, it is understandable that such a reaction would come out.

As they say, they had been living well for hundreds of years, generation after generation, when suddenly white-skinned, blue-eyed guys came.

And these foreigners suddenly say that from now on, this is their land, so get out.

Moreover, if they don’t listen, they shoot them with guns and burn down the villages.

Or they bring a certificate of unknown origin, saying that someone they don’t even know sold this land, and drive people out.

It was clearly robbery and invasion.

It was common for the strong to invade and conquer in any place, but it was certainly a bit funny to claim their land even before doing so.

Even more absurd is that they have already divided the area among themselves, saying this side is my land, that side is your land.

“At first, I was relieved that the American bastards didn’t keep chasing us, but now that I know the reason, I feel like a fool for feeling relieved.”

“You may not know it, but even when the Seven Years’ War broke out, the British side recognized Ohio as French territory.”

“…So you’re no different from the Americans after all. You’re going to claim our land as your own?”

“It’s better to be hit first than to lie about the facts. Not only your land, but roughly this much area is currently recognized as our territory.”

At my signal, Lavoisier brought a map showing the entire landscape of North America.

Pucksinwah’s face, after confirming the territories of the United States, New Spain, and New France, crumpled like a piece of paper.

“What… what is this?”

“As I said, our France, the United States, and Spain in the south have agreed to divide the area like this, and it has been recognized.”

“Recognized? Who recognized this?”

“The countries in Europe have agreed to do this. It may be hard for you to accept, but…”

“It’s not that it’s hard to accept, it’s impossible! This is our land, and this is where the Choctaw live, and this basin is where the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Seminole live. But since when has this place become French and American land? And that white people across the sea recognized it and reached an agreement among themselves, what is this… !”

To be honest, what Pucksinwah is saying is all right.

The logic of the countries that occupy America now is, no matter how plausible it is, ultimately nothing more than a byproduct of the age of imperialism.

However, just because it is morally right does not mean that we have to accept it.

In this era, it is true that desire is packaged in plausible rhetoric, and the country with the national power to realize that truth is the law.

“Pucksinwah, so why did you come all the way here with your tribesmen? Surely you didn’t come just to whine like a child.”

“Whine…”

“It’s unfortunate, but even if it’s unreasonable, reality is reality. As a warrior leading a tribe, you should have recognized this bleak situation and come up with your own countermeasures.”

“Of course I do. I came to see if France is the same kind as the United States, or if they are people with whom there is room for cooperation. And now that I know that you are no different, I am feeling the need to brace myself. Let me make it clear that you shouldn’t think that you can control this land as you please forever!”

A cry close to a scream, mixed with the frustration and anger he had experienced so far.

Considering their situation, I can fully understand and sympathize with them.

I asked again.

“You said you won’t be able to do as you please, but is there a specific method?”

“I don’t think I need to tell you that.”

“I can guess roughly anyway, you’re thinking of something like a tribal integration alliance, right?”

Pucksinwah’s body trembled.

“Think what you want…”

“Let me make it clear.”

However, just because I sympathize with them doesn’t mean I’ll accept everything.

Why, there’s also the famous saying that I understand, but I can’t forgive.

I am not a human rights activist or a moral professor, but the Governor-General of New France.

I have a role to play in this position, and I have a plan for it.

If anyone tries to deviate from this, I have to cut them off ruthlessly, even if it seems heartless.

“The moment you put the thoughts you have in mind into action, you will regret it with tears of blood.”

While Pucksinwah paused for a moment at my clearly lowered tone, I put down a piece of paper.

It was an agreement signed by the chiefs and elders of the Iroquois Confederacy.

For the Shawnee, who had been planning to create a large-scale tribal alliance, it was like being checkmated at the start of chess.

“What… what is this…”

“The natives on the Canadian side have already agreed to join us. And the Choctaw in the south are currently in positive agreement. Do you think I’ll let you carry out your plan to form a grand alliance?”

“… …”

“In addition, let me tell you one more thing, the United States has officially offered cooperation to this side. It was a proposal to cooperate with this side to develop the central region and sweep away the natives who are hindering it.”

When I had dinner with Vice President John Adams, he showed great interest in this issue.

He was also focused on preparing for the era after Washington.

If he sweeps away the Indians, completes the development of new land, and gains the reputation of leading it, winning the presidential election after Washington is as good as guaranteed.

He asked this side for cooperation for that, and I was in a state of postponing the answer for the time being.

“The reason for telling me that… is to threaten me?”

“I was evaluating that side as that side was re-evaluating us. As for me, I want to resolve it nicely with those who allied with us and fought against England before, but if the situation does not allow it, I have no choice but to use ruthless methods.”

“…In the end, it’s no different from saying that if we don’t accept your rule, you’ll kill us.”

“I understand your anger. But understanding it is separate from tolerating indulgence. You can feel like I’m threatening you. Take it as you like. Fight if you want to fight. But, in that case.”

Even if that side bows down and comes in, it becomes meaningless if they cause internal strife.

We have no choice but to create a situation where we have to bow down and come in as cooperatively as possible.

“Not a single person with the blood of the Shawnee will be left on this continent.”

“…We won’t give in to such threats…”

“But if you maintain cooperation with us, I will allow you to continue living in the land where you lived. You can live while protecting your culture, or you can live in harmony with us.”

“Even so, in the end, we will be absorbed by the white people and discriminated against, so what’s the point…”

“If you’re worried about that, stay here for a while and meet the people of the Iroquois Confederacy.”

Before I could say anything, Lavoisier handed Pucksinwah the prepared materials first.

“I can’t give you a vague guarantee that there will be no discrimination, but I can definitely say one thing. There will be an indescribable difference between a native who is not a New Frenchman and a native who is a citizen of New France.”

“… …”

“No matter how much I talk, it’s better to see it with your own eyes. Experience it for yourself first. Let’s talk about it later.”

Many of the tribes in the Iroquois Confederacy that accepted my offer have already entered the city.

In addition, those of their children who wanted to could receive all education for free with the recommendation of me, the Prince of France.

No matter how native they are, there is no one who would dare to discriminate against a human being with a letter of recommendation from the prince.

In addition, the tribes that promised to pay taxes regularly were given representatives in the New France Assembly.

In fact, giving one seat each cannot affect the actual voting, and it is only a symbolic meaning.

But the important thing is that it shows that we are paying attention to the natives that much.

This will be a good contrast to the United States, which is massacring natives in the south, so rumors will soon spread among the natives.

Pucksinwah also slowly got up from his seat with a suspicious face.

“First, I will see and decide as you said… no, I will decide.”

“Yes. And you should seriously think about what is better for the future of not only you but also your tribe and children. Living a life where you don’t know when you’ll die on a battlefield where bullets are pouring down, or protecting your tribes while living comfortably under the shadow of the Governor-General of the Great French Kingdom. The choice is yours.”

Having said what he had to say, I gently patted Pucksinwah on the shoulder.

“If you don’t treat the wound on your arm well, your life may be in danger due to tetanus. I’ll attach a doctor, so take a good rest and sort out your thoughts for now.”

“…Yes.”

A naturally formed superior-inferior relationship.

Pucksinwah left the place with a complicated expression without saying anything.

I ended my interest in them with an order to provide the Shawnee with the most luxurious accommodation and food.

It won’t take long.

I’ll be able to hear the answer within a week at the latest.

It was an unexpected visit, but it was lucky that a horse that could be used usefully came rolling in on its own.

If we can win over the Shawnee, we can easily conquer the southern part of the Great Lakes by putting them forward.

And if we use the American proposal in reverse to carry out propaganda work in parallel…

“…Hehehe.”

This was the best way, and fortunately, the American ‘United’ States started a war with the natives as in the original history, opening up a golden opportunity.

“…Kekeke. I’ll take it well.”

After all, there’s nothing as thrilling and enjoyable as stealing a tower that you’ve put so much effort into.

But Lavoisier? Why are these guys all turning their heads away?

Do I have something on my face?

End