I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 131

The Genius of the French Royal Family

< But It Actually Happened. >

The Spanish Embassy in France.

Bishop Quintano, the Spanish ambassador, headed to the Tuileries Palace with a light step.

Finally, he could get rid of Louisiana, a troublesome piece of land.

To be honest, he hadn’t expected Louisiana to be such a headache.

In fact, it was all because France was dragging its feet.

If they were going to take the land, they should have taken it. What was the point of delaying for years?

Of course, it wasn’t without reason.

Currently, New France’s main base was in the Canada region, and they were actively developing southward.

It was a bit much to force them to take Louisiana when they couldn’t maintain it.

Prince Christian said that he would stabilize Arkansas, north of Louisiana, after New France had completed its development smoothly, and then take the land.

Logically, it made sense, so the Spanish side accepted the proposal for the time being.

Christian also said that there was no need to unnecessarily provoke England, so this treaty should be kept secret for the time being, and Spain accepted this as well.

But after a few years, a problem arose.

The United States, obsessed with territorial expansion, was rapidly advancing southwest.

“Nueva España [New Spain] can’t manage Louisiana anyway. Just sell it to us.”

The United States, having occupied the Mississippi River basin, showed no signs of hiding its ambition for territorial expansion.

It was clear that the United States was no different from England.

“No, that’s… It’s difficult for us to give you a definite answer.”

“We’re not asking for a free transfer, but to help each other and fill in the necessary parts.”

Despite the talk of mutual benefit, Spain could clearly see the United States’ ulterior motives.

Frankly, if they sold Louisiana, would the United States be satisfied and stop expanding?

The probability was lower than countless gold treasures sunk in the Atlantic Ocean being washed ashore to the harbor.

Since Louisiana was already to be transferred to France, they couldn’t sell it even if they wanted to.

However, the problem was that they couldn’t tell the United States this fact because of the secret protection treaty.

From the United States’ perspective, they thought Spain was delaying without giving them a proper reason.

Because of this situation, the home country was urging them to quickly pressure France to take over Louisiana.

But it wasn’t as easy as they wanted it to be.

They had said they would take it if they developed the Arkansas region, so they had to hope that side would put in the effort.

But now, this tedious time of patience was coming to an end.

Surely, they wouldn’t suddenly change their minds after officially requesting to take over Louisiana.

“Your Highness. When should we proceed with the official transfer process?”

“I’m thinking around next year.”

“I see. We are ready for the transfer at any time. Louisiana is a strategic point of contact with the Caribbean Sea. I am confident that it will bring great benefits to New France.”

“I think so too. Please convey my regards to Prime Minister José.”

Bishop Quintano nodded his head with a face full of joy.

With this, Spain had nothing to do with whether France and the United States supported or opposed each other.

He quickly signed the document, fearing that Christian might change his mind.

“I pray that God blesses the future of New France.”

“I will also pray for the future of Spain. Let us maintain a good relationship in the future.”

Bishop Quintano bowed politely and rose from his seat.

Christian also looked very bright, perhaps because things were going well.

Well, it would be strange if he didn’t feel good after getting a large piece of land for free.

Only those who have experienced it know how much trouble the United States will cause in the future.

Thinking that way, he felt a little sorry for France.

In the end, they not only had to lend their strength to protect Gibraltar but also took on a long-term headache.

Quintano clicked his tongue at the Prime Minister’s scheme and left the palace with a light step.

However, he couldn’t see how Christian’s expression was changing as he watched his departing back.

Of course. People don’t have eyes on the back of their heads.

※※※

The twilight of the 1700s, as the turbulent 18th century slowly began to wane.

Europe was slowly catching its breath and building up its strength in reaction to the many major battles it had experienced.

Conversely, in the New World, the newly emerging power, the United States, was continuing its activities more actively than ever before.

The central figure was, of course, George Washington.

Under his command, which sustained the country by his mere presence, the United States advanced westward without hesitation.

And in the election after his term ended, Washington was re-elected as a matter of course.

The majority of Americans openly did not hesitate to say that Washington should lead the United States for life.

However, George Washington, leaving behind the overwhelming support pouring in for him, declared a momentous decision.

This election would be the last of his life as a politician.

The entire United States was turned upside down by the announcement that he would not run in the next presidential election.

Numerous politicians and citizen representatives asked Washington to withdraw his announcement, but Washington’s will was firm.

“If the leader of the country holds office for life, can that be called a country that pursues freedom?”

Even with Washington’s words, his supporters did not back down.

“There’s no problem in making an exception for the first president, is there? Isn’t that what all the people want?”

“I think it’s more important because it’s the first time [setting a precedent for future leaders].”

No further objections were raised to this concise statement.

After Washington’s decision was announced, praise poured in from all directions.

American intellectuals poured out columns every day, saying that Washington was a true guardian of freedom and an exemplary citizen.

From the allied country of France, a letter filled with praise from Prince Louis Christian arrived.

But where there is light, there is shadow.

As the time for Washington, the giant, to step down approached, ambitious people who had been holding their breath slowly began to come to the fore.

With the most likely presidential candidate gone, they couldn’t help but think, ‘Could it be possible for me too?’

The one who was acting most actively among them was Vice President John Adams.

Adams, who had made significant contributions to the United States’ pioneering projects, boldly claimed to be Washington’s right-hand man and took ambitious steps.

“To lead the United States in the future, we must be able to present a blueprint for the future, not the present. The United States must expand and continue to grow. And I, who have helped President Washington and contributed to the pioneering projects, am the only one who can fully carry on the spirit of this America!”

Adams made a bold move.

Since the north and west are occupied by New France, the only direction the United States can expand is south.

Therefore, it was necessary to somehow open up a path before the current territory became saturated.

The place that was targeted as the gateway was Louisiana.

Adams mobilized all of his diplomatic skills to prepare to purchase Louisiana from Spain.

Frankly, he was full of confidence.

Nueva España had not properly developed Louisiana and was mainly developing the Mexico area.

But strangely, this Spain was not listening at all.

If they were going to refuse, they should refuse, and if they were going to negotiate, they should negotiate, but strangely, they were just beating around the bush without giving a proper answer.

Adams, who had wasted several years, became increasingly anxious as Washington’s term of office approached.

That’s because some people were starting to doubt his diplomatic skills.

In particular, the Republicans who were checking him were eager to devour him every day.

Even Thomas Jefferson, who was in France, submitted an opinion to Congress that the United States’ purchase of Louisiana would fail if things continued this way.

And in December, before the year changed, shocking news was delivered that France would be ceded Louisiana from Spain.

Naturally, the United States was in an uproar.

“What is the Vice President doing!”

“He’s been stuck on buying Louisiana for over two years, and this is the result!”

“Expansion and growth are the paths that the United States must take? All sides are blocked by New France, so what expansion are you talking about? Are you saying we should go to war with France?”

In an instant, Congress turned into a hearing room.

Because of the karma he had built up by talking too much, Adams couldn’t make a proper defense.

“If only Jefferson had given me the information that France was trying to buy Louisiana…”

“Thomas Jefferson didn’t go as a spy, so how could he know about such a treaty? Besides, Jefferson warned that the purchase of Louisiana would fail if things continued this way! It was the Vice President who ignored this!”

No matter what he said, public opinion was not on Adams’ side.

Not only in Congress but also in major cities, columns criticizing Adams’ mistakes poured out.

The damned Republicans were as quick as if they had predicted that this would happen.

[The expansion policy of Vice President Adams, which has been put on hold. Is it realistic?]

[Two years wasted in vain. Vice President Adams’ misguided judgment.]

[The United States’ foreign strategy, which has become inevitable to revise. What is the right direction?]

In fact, strictly speaking, if Adams hadn’t promoted it so extensively in advance, the backlash wouldn’t have been so great.

It was his own fault, but the series of events was strange.

While Adams was pondering how to turn this situation around, another shocking piece of news flew across the Atlantic.

“French Ambassador Jefferson says he will negotiate with the Governor of New France regarding the purchase of Louisiana.”

“Negotiate? Are you saying he’s going to bring Louisiana over here?”

“That’s right.”

James Madison, a close friend of Jefferson and the leader of the Democratic-Republican Party, formally submitted a report written by Jefferson.

“Although Vice President Adams has failed to purchase Louisiana, leaving Louisiana to France as it is will be too disadvantageous to us in the long run. If the territory is completely surrounded by New France, further expansion will be impossible.”

“Huh. Who doesn’t know that? Not only us but also France will know this fact. Then would they be crazy enough to sell Louisiana to us? Even if they do sell it, they will demand a huge price.”

“Jefferson is said to have built a deep friendship with Prince Christian, the Governor of New France, during his stay in Paris. I think it would be good to trust him and leave it to him. If they present conditions that we cannot accept, we can just refuse.”

Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and no other members of the Federalist Party could object.

After briefly exchanging opinions among themselves, the Federalist Party soon resolved to accept Jefferson’s request.

Adams pretended to agree as if he couldn’t help it, but his true feelings were different.

‘You fool, you should have just criticized me moderately and ended it, but you’re being greedy and falling on your own.’

Thankfully, now that Jefferson has taken over the baton, he will have something to say even if things go wrong.

In the worst case, he can drag Jefferson in with him in a do-or-die operation.

Since the next president will inevitably come from the Federalist Party or the Democratic-Republican Party, this side will not be at a great disadvantage.

Unless France is crazy, there is no way they will sell Louisiana to Jefferson.

Even if they do sell it, they will demand a huge price, so he can just dig into that point and criticize Jefferson.

Yes. Considering all the possibilities, there is no chance that Jefferson will buy Louisiana.

No matter how you think about it, it’s an impossible assumption.

But it actually happened.

end