I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 206

The Great Steam Age

“What are you talking about? You’re not going back to France?”

“It’s not that I won’t go back at all, but I want to stay in Nouvelle France [New France, a historical French colony in North America] for a while longer to gain more practical experience.”

Just a few days ago, he was enjoying the sights as a tourist. What did he eat wrong?

Perhaps my bewildered feelings were evident on my face, as Theodore hurriedly added a few words.

“Didn’t you bring me here to gain diverse experiences, Father? After looking around this place, I realized that what I lack most is that very experience. That’s why I want to stay here.”

“If that’s what you want, I won’t oppose it. But tell me more specifically what made you feel that way.”

Could Lavoisier or Laplace be putting ideas in his head?

“It’s a conclusion I reached after considering various factors. Frankly, Lavoisier did instill confidence in me, but that wasn’t the whole reason. The biggest reason is that I feel more at ease working in this New World than in France.”

“Because people in France have excessive expectations of you?”

I already knew that my son was feeling considerable pressure.

How could I not?

Even if I were in his position, I would be stressed to the point of getting a hole in my stomach.

“…I’m sorry, but that’s the case. Everyone else naturally assumes that I will follow in your footsteps, so I acted accordingly, but I wasn’t confident.”

“So you want to be here where the eyes of the French people can’t reach?”

“At first, that was close to my feelings… but it’s a little different now. Lavoisier says that people from Europe call this land the land of opportunity. I think this land could be a land of opportunity for me in many ways… or should I say, that’s what I feel?”

To be coldly calculating, Theodore becoming the next Governor-General of Nouvelle France would be the best outcome for me.

Even with all this and that, there is no connection as certain as blood in this era.

“Alright. If you gain experience with the help of Lavoisier and Laplace for a few years, you’ll be able to handle the Governor-General’s duties without any problems.”

But still, Lavoisier and Laplace’s bald spots bothered me.

What if Theodore becomes like that and my lovely son resents me?

No, before that, if Marie sees my son in that state, she might put a hole in my head with a hammer.

Anyway, I don’t know exactly what Theodore is fixated on, but I’m relieved to know that it’s not just because Lavoisier encouraged him.

Perhaps, like my son, he really saw through the potential of this land.

Unlike before, Nouvelle France was making tremendous progress that could be seen with the naked eye.

“I was planning to stay here a little longer anyway, so I’ll take measures in the meantime. I can already see how happy Lavoisier and Laplace will be.”

“Thank you. I will do my best not to tarnish my father’s reputation!”

Haa, becoming the Governor-General of a rapidly growing country won’t be easy. I originally intended to entrust it to him after the framework was more established, but seeing the boy’s beaming face, I think this might not be bad either.

At least for the next few decades, Nouvelle France will only continue to surge forward.

In this situation, anyone could do better than average unless they deliberately sabotage things.

Well, if it really doesn’t work out, I can just help him from behind.

Even if Theodore becomes the Governor-General, I will still be the de facto leader of Nouvelle France.

※※※

Prime Minister Christian’s visit was a major event that excited the people of Nouvelle France.

In conjunction with this, the Governor-General’s office and the parliament prepared another large event.

The name of the event organizer was Robert Fulton.

He was an engineer and inventor born in Pennsylvania, now part of the United States.

“Robert, you’ve made perfect preparations, right?”

“Of course. Didn’t Lavoisier see it last time? It’s a ship that has already undergone several test runs. According to the newly changed distance markings, let’s see… it can easily travel 300km.”

They had already conducted several experiments together.

Lavoisier did not raise any objections and headed to Montreal Island, where today’s event would be held.

Located in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, the gateway to the Atlantic Ocean, Montreal was experiencing a rapid increase in population.

As Governor-General Louis Christian himself was participating in the event, the riverside was crowded with a huge crowd.

Of course, it wasn’t just the Governor-General’s participation that drew so many people.

The event itself was full of sights that were interesting enough to attract people’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen! The operation of the steamship that we are ambitiously introducing is finally beginning. This steamship, unlike existing ships, is a groundbreaking means of transportation that moves without using wind. It doesn’t use oars, and it doesn’t borrow the power of the wind, but it moves on its own, a collection of modern technology! Its name is the Orleans!”

As a huge ship with a flag bearing the emblem symbolizing the Orleans dukedom appeared, the spectators exclaimed in unison.

“Wow, it really doesn’t have sails?”

“There are no rowers either? But how does it move?”

“Doesn’t it move with the smoke coming out of that huge pillar?”

“A ship moves by spewing smoke?”

In fact, steamships had already existed for more than a decade.

Even in France, a ship with Watt’s steam engine had appeared more than a decade ago, but a major disaster occurred when the engine stopped 15 minutes into the demonstration.

Numerous inventors attempted to commercialize steamships, but all attempts failed.

Robert Fulton was one of them.

Born in Pennsylvania, he crossed over to England wanting to see a wider world.

He became interested in mechanical inventions and was about to blossom his talents.

At that moment, French Prime Minister Louis Christian took notice of him and brought him to France.

Robert could still not forget the shock he felt when he first met Christian.

Surprisingly, Prime Minister Christian had already finished planning the commercialization of steamships.

He had scientists to realize the plan, as well as overwhelming funds that would never run out no matter how much he used.

Robert Fulton’s existence was the last piece to complete the grand puzzle.

“A steamship is a complex machine. A boiler to supply steam, a propulsion device to move the ship forward, and if the overall design structure of the ship is even slightly off, it becomes a piece of scrap metal. I don’t think we’ll be able to produce a perfect product from the beginning. So don’t be discouraged and continue to work hard to achieve results.”

What could be more attractive to an inventor than this?

Christian granted Robert everything he wanted.

However, there was one condition.

The only condition the Prime Minister demanded was that the research be conducted in Nouvelle France, not France.

“Why are you trying to commercialize it in Nouvelle France first, not France?”

“It would be more advantageous to maximize the technological gap with England. England is now focusing all its attention on the canal being built in Egypt and the railroads being laid across the European continent. Therefore, they will inevitably pay less attention to the steamship experiments taking place in Nouvelle France.”

“I see.”

“Do you feel guilty about doing something unfavorable to England?”

“Of course not. Pennsylvania was a British territory when I was born, but now it’s a territory of the United States. And now I consider France, which recognized my abilities and talents, to be my hometown.”

The words he gave to the Prime Minister at the time were not empty words but sincere.

The fact that the thing he made is recorded as a great invention that will mark a line in world history.

There was nothing more important and glorious for an inventor than this.

It was only natural to pledge allegiance for life to the person who made these achievements possible.

“Good. Then I’ll be expecting it, so do your best.”

Puuuuuuuu!

Robert came out of his reverie at the sound of the steamship’s horn announcing its departure.

The sight of a ship that was 50 meters long and had a volume of over 200 tons going upstream was a spectacle in itself.

Of course, it was smaller than the battleships used for military purposes, but the sight of it spewing black smoke and moving quickly gave it a different sense of intimidation than a sailing ship.

“Great! It’s a success after all! Hahahaha!”

According to the previous calculations, this Orleans can travel a distance of 300km in almost 30 hours.

It’s not much faster than the current generation of sailing ships, but steamships are still under development.

Clearly, this speed will more than double in just 10 years.

Perhaps because he knew this fact, Prime Minister Christian seemed very satisfied with the sight before him.

“Excellent. I’m glad I brought you here.”

“Thank you, Prime Minister!”

“As soon as I return to the home country, I will tell the parliament to award you the highest grade of medal. The achievements you have made are worth it.”

“Thank you, thank you! I will continue to pour all my abilities into improving steamships.”

Who would have known that the son of a Pennsylvania tailor would receive the highest grade of medal in France?

Here, the Prime Minister even assured him that he would be recorded in history books as a hero who greatly increased France’s national power.

He is a different person from the investors who have been demanding results after taking money all day long.

How can you not feel like being loyal to him?

From now on, his name is not Robert, an English name.

As soon as he returned, he decided to change his name to Robert and become a true French citizen.

Above all, Robert, no, Robert, could not control his heart, which was pounding with excitement just imagining the future ahead.

The steamships he created will spew black smoke and dominate the seas of this world.

Now the whole world will fear these new rulers of the sea.

※※※

Puuuuuuuu!

Everyone gathered here shouted in admiration and awe at the majesty of the steamship, which emitted tremendous noise and black smoke.

It is truly a joyful and exciting sight.

The structure of the Orleans, created by Robert Fulton, is similar to that of the Clermont [the first commercially successful steamboat], built in 1807 in the original history.

Of course, the actual specifications were better as this side provided full support.

“Wow! Father. Do ships in Nouvelle France travel while spewing smoke?”

“Are you stupid? It’s not usually like that, but this is the new ship your father made.”

“The speed itself doesn’t seem to be much faster than existing sailing ships… but it’s still amazing.”

The children gave various reactions, but no one grasped the true value of the steamship.

Of course, even Robert, who built the ship himself, could not predict the era of steamships that would unfold in the future, so it was only natural.

“Kids. As you can see from that steamship, the era you will live in will be completely different from what it has been. It’s good to accept the knowledge of the people of the previous generation, but you must remember that you shouldn’t learn their stereotypes as well.”

“Yes!”

The 18th century, when people didn’t even know about railroads, steamships, or even the existence of the telegraph, is now over.

The powerful horn of the steamship sounded in my ears like a signal announcing the beginning of a new world.

The really fun time starts now.

I’m even starting to get excited.

The Great Steam Age End