I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 196

Becoming the Genius of the French Royal Family 196 The Secret to Quickly Breaking an Alliance (196/355)

The Secret to Quickly Breaking an Alliance

“Seriously, what the hell is wrong with those crazy British bastards?”

“That is… even if we ask, we only get the same answer as before.”

“So, you’re saying they want war! Is that what the British really want?”

The 28th Sultan of the Great Ottoman Empire, Selim III, could no longer contain his anger and completely lost it.

Despite the Sultan’s rage, his ministers hesitated and couldn’t offer any real answers.

“Summon the British ambassador immediately! I will hear the answer directly from him!”

“That is…”

“What now! Don’t tell me the British ambassador refuses to answer my call?”

“The British embassy is already empty. They all left yesterday.”

At the news that the embassy had cleared out, Selim III blinked blankly for a moment.

“…Are you saying the British ambassadors actually left? Why?”

“…That is…”

“Stop saying ‘That is’! What is the reason the British ambassadors suddenly left?”

“They said they didn’t like the kebab…”

Crack!

Something snapped in Selim III’s head.

He understood why his ministers hesitated to speak.

Leaving the embassy because they didn’t like the kebab?

This could only be interpreted as mockery.

“Those crazy bastards, did they think the homeland was such a joke…?”

“The fact that they withdrew the embassy for such a ridiculous reason clearly means they are preparing for war. It seems the British are really going to fight us.”

“Are they trying to make Greece independent and turn it into their puppet state? Why?”

Until recently, Britain had sided with the Ottomans to block Russia’s southward expansion.

But now, they were changing their tune as easily as flipping a hand, pouring out insulting provocations as if to say, ‘Are you still not going to war?’

Even the reason was absurd.

They didn’t like the food?

How dare those who make pies out of sardines find fault with anything?

Or have their tongues collectively gone bad, unable to understand normal flavors?

“Perhaps they’ve decided that as long as Greece is in our hands, they can’t stop Russia’s southward expansion. So, they’re trying to make Greece independent and plant their own flag there, aren’t they?”

“That would be a reasonable assumption. They wouldn’t be acting up for no reason.”

“Now that Britain has come out like this, Greece will surely make a move as well. We must organize the fleet before it’s too late.”

“We must. But if we engage in a full-scale war with Britain, what are our chances of winning?”

“If the Sultan prays with all his heart and soul, God will protect us. We can definitely win!”

Selim III sighed inwardly at the boastful words of the old-guard soldiers represented by the Janissaries [elite infantry units that formed the Ottoman Sultan’s household troops].

He had tried to achieve military reform by organizing a new-style army called the Nizam-i Cedid [New Order Army], but he had not achieved any real results due to the opposition of the established Janissaries.

“Faith is certainly necessary, but God will not answer our wishes with that alone. It must be supported by corresponding action.”

“There is no more important action than maintaining a devout heart.”

“…So, the reason we lost to Russia until now was because we lacked a devout heart?”

“Yes. Abandoning the traditions passed down from the past and trying to learn the ways of those infidels was the problem and the seed of sin. The empire’s decline began around that time.”

“Hahaha…”

Hearing the far-fetched logic that completely reversed cause and effect, he lost the energy to even argue.

The Janissaries were subtly criticizing him by framing modernization as corruption.

Seeing the very cause of the empire’s fall now raising their voices in anger made his head ache.

“If that’s really what you think, then I will pray to God until the end of the war. So, will you repel the British forces?”

“…That’s a slightly different story…”

He even thought about deliberately losing badly in this war and using it as an excuse to implement a major reform.

However, even if they lost, they had to lose moderately; if Greece became completely independent, it would be too much of a blow to them.

Even if they were to reform, they needed a growth engine, but if they suffered a crushing defeat in the war, it would take a long time to recover.

No matter which option he chose, he couldn’t see a hopeful future.

It was then that Mehmed Ali, who had been silent until now, stepped forward.

“What about using the Mamluks of Egypt?”

“Egypt?”

“Yes. Objectively, Britain’s current power is formidable. But for Britain to come to Greece, their fleet has to travel a considerable distance. We have the geographical advantage, so if we can mobilize the Mamluks of Egypt, we have a good chance of winning.”

Selim III listened carefully to Ali’s explanation.

“…If we promise them even more definite autonomy in exchange for cooperation… it makes sense.”

Russia and the Ottomans were easily pushed back because they could easily mobilize troops against each other, but Britain was different.

After all, Britain’s homeland was far away.

If they pushed with the superiority of troops, they could somehow maintain a stalemate and end the war vaguely.

Following Mehmed Ali’s suggestion, Selim III immediately dispatched a messenger to Egypt.

The Mamluks, who were already enjoying some autonomy, immediately accepted the Ottoman proposal to legally guarantee their rights.

Watching all this, Mehmed Ali squeezed all his strength to suppress the rising corners of his mouth.

Everything was flowing exactly as he had heard in Paris.

The contract with Christian was completely kept.

Now, all that remained was for Britain and France to fulfill their promises.

If those two countries were to lose here, the plan would be completely ruined, but he didn’t have any such worries.

What future could there be for people who still said they lost the war because they lacked faith?

Ali’s silent sneer filled the room.

※※※

The Ottomans eventually ignored Britain’s demands and executed the revolutionary Rigas [Rigas Feraios, a Greek writer, intellectual, and revolutionary].

This strong stance became the signal for fierce resistance to erupt throughout Greece.

Macedonia, the Peloponnese, and Central Greece issued official statements criticizing the Ottoman’s brutal actions.

However, even at this point, the Greek independence faction had no intention of engaging in a full-scale war with the Ottomans.

The reason was simple.

They weren’t ready yet.

The original goal of the Greek independence faction was to use this incident to rally public opinion and contact Western European powers based on it.

That’s what it should have been… but the situation was strange.

[Greece Finally Breaks Free from Ottoman Oppression and Declares Independence!]

[Heroes of Macedonia. Can they show the miraculous tactics of the brave Alexander the Great again?]

[Greece’s Desire for Freedom! Raising the Flag of Independence Beyond 400 Years!]

Without the Greeks even knowing it, Greece had already become a country that had declared independence.

Across Europe, the independence of Greece was covered in major headlines, and writings by intellectuals from various countries supporting them spread everywhere.

“Oh, oh, I believed in you!”

“As expected, the descendants of Socrates!”

“Freedom for Greece! A hammer blow to the oppressors who suppress freedom!”

Surprisingly, maps reflecting the territory of an already independent Greece had even appeared in Russia and the Holy Roman Empire.

Faced with this reality, the Greek leaders, who had been trying to be careful, had no choice.

They were already considered to have declared independence, so what more could they say?

“W, we declare the founding of the new Greek independent state and resolutely, re, resolutely reject Ottoman rule!”

The Greek coalition, pushed to the front lines, hastily gathered troops and engaged in battle with the local Ottoman forces.

However, no matter how much the Ottoman Empire had declined, the Greek army, without a proper regular army, was no match.

Moreover, the Ottomans announced that they would mobilize a large number of troops by enlisting the Mamluks of Egypt in order to block British intervention.

In a desperate crisis that the Greek independence army could not overcome.

Britain, which calls itself the police of Europe, came onto the mound like a relief pitcher [a baseball analogy for a player who comes in to relieve a struggling teammate].

But contrary to everyone’s expectations, the only country that declared war on the Ottomans was not Britain.

One of the strongest powers in Europe, shoulder to shoulder with Britain.

France, with the banner of liberty, equality, and fraternity, joined the war, marking the official beginning of the Greek War of Independence.

※※※

French Army 1st Corps.

The atmosphere in the command was by no means friendly.

This was because they were holding a meeting with key figures from the opposing country, with whom they would be conducting joint operations from now on.

France and Britain were sworn enemies who had been fighting to the death for hundreds of years.

Just because they had formed an alliance for a while didn’t mean that the long-standing grudges would disappear.

“It is an honor to meet the famous Marshal Napoleon. I am Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson of the British Royal Navy.”

“Nice to meet you. It is an honor for me to meet the center of the British Navy, who is also famous in France.”

Although their perceptions of each other were not good, the two commanders, who represented the military power of both countries, did not outwardly express their feelings.

In any case, they were allies who had to join hands and fight in this war.

If they were to falter here, the only result would be an increase in the death rate of their own troops.

Already, the two men’s minds were filled with thoughts of how to use the other to minimize their own troops’ casualties.

“First of all, let me be frank. I do not believe that the British army can perfectly match our steps and carry out the operation. What do you think, Vice Admiral?”

“I agree. But Britain and France, and all of Europe, want it, so wouldn’t there be no other way?”

“Of course, we must fight together and win. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we have to carry out joint operations.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I will leave the sea to Britain. Instead, leave the land to France.”

Nelson smiled at the suggestion he had been hoping for.

“In other words, if we can help the French army land on enemy territory, you mean you can wipe out the enemy’s army on your own. That’s a great confidence.”

“Anyway, the Holy Roman Empire and Russia have agreed to help with supplies, so there’s no problem.”

“But if we suffer a crushing defeat at sea, wouldn’t the French army be in danger of being isolated?”

“If that happens, we will immediately go north and leave the front lines. But will that happen?”

At Napoleon’s question, which was mixed with a slight sneer, Nelson calmly shook his head and answered with just one word.

“No.”

“Then there’s no problem. And according to our information, the Mamluks of Egypt are gathering to join the Turkish army. We’re going to take care of that first, what do you think?”

“Divide and conquer is the basis of strategy. I understand. We’ll set our first destination as Egypt.”

After sharing only the minimum necessary conversation, the leaders of both armies rose from their seats.

To be honest, just being polite and courteous throughout the conversation made them feel sick to their stomachs.

It was physiologically impossible to maintain an alliance with those bastards for even a second longer.

That’s why Nelson and Napoleon naturally came to one common conclusion.

During the war, the two countries are allies who must help each other and fight, whether they like it or not.

That means that if the war ends, this uncomfortable alliance will naturally be dissolved.

Therefore.

End this war. In an instant.

The Secret to Quickly Breaking an Alliance End