I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 215

Since the Crusades, European nations had never united to invade another continent for hundreds of years.

In fact, even the Crusades, when considered, were geographically on a different continent, but psychologically, they weren’t that far removed.

In that sense, this war, which involved invading even the distant Qing Dynasty in the East, was an unprecedented grand expedition.

It was a battle that could be quite burdensome for the participating nations, but the actual atmosphere turned out to be the opposite.

“Prime Minister! We will also lend a hand. So, if possible, please consider our position during the post-war negotiations later…”

“Aren’t France and our Holy Roman Empire brotherly nations? We cannot send our brother to the battlefield alone. But could we possibly get a foothold in Zhangzhou or Xiamen?”

People sometimes compare nations to living creatures, and when I see things like this, I realize it’s not entirely wrong.

Even someone who lacks confidence when alone becomes brave when they’re part of a group, right?

That’s exactly how Europe looked right now.

I couldn’t have imagined that even the Netherlands or Portugal would ask to join, let alone the Holy Roman Empire.

Frankly, no matter how much the Qing Dynasty was declining, it wasn’t at a level that the Netherlands could easily take on.

In that sense, Europe was definitely caught up in a strange frenzy that even I hadn’t intended.

If it were just a simple Opium War, it wouldn’t have turned out like this.

However, Britain’s justification of saving those who were suffering worked surprisingly well.

Perhaps it was because there was already a precedent with Greece in Europe.

Is it possible that they’re genuinely mistaken that they’ve become harbingers of freedom along with Britain?

No. This isn’t a delusion, but rather method acting.

They’re all desperate because they’re afraid of falling behind in the division of spoils that will begin now if they don’t act this way.

As proof, even the American ambassador came to see me on the day Britain resolved to send a final ultimatum to Qing.

“Prime Minister… is there a place for us, perhaps?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I heard that if Europe wins the war against Qing, they will ban the sale of opium.”

“That’s how it should be. The reason we’re willing to wage war isn’t for such sordid reasons as selling drugs.”

“Ah… that’s right. Of course, that’s the case.”

The American ambassador didn’t show it, but I could roughly read their psychology.

They were overshadowed by Britain, but the Americans were actually second to none in selling opium in Qing.

As expected of the descendants of Britain, the United States was buying opium in bulk from Turkey and smuggling it into Qing.

One funny thing was that American merchants sold opium, claiming to be British, and the British, conversely, sold opium, claiming to be American.

In this situation, the United States couldn’t help but be on edge when the war suddenly broke out.

“But does the United States have the leeway to participate in this alliance?”

“Of course. Above all, our United States is sincerely supporting the ethnic minorities of Asia as those who have achieved independence on their own.”

“So you want to participate in the war?”

“Yes. I would really appreciate it.”

Just say it honestly.

You want to dig a backdoor in preparation for when the official opium sales route is blocked, right?

Even if they ban sales, there are plenty of ways to smuggle if you have a base in Qing.

Britain knows that too, so they readily agreed to ban opium sales as we said.

However, in the case of the United States, it would be difficult to smuggle if both Qing and Europe told them not to sell opium.

Not only that, but the United States, which is growing rapidly, would be anxious if they were the only ones who couldn’t get on this huge trend.

Unlike the original history, the current United States has a much weaker foundation for growth.

Instead, they experienced the Civil War much earlier, so they can move much more freely.

“If that’s the will of the United States, then that’s great. We were already wondering how to help the ethnic minorities of Asia achieve independence. Britain has taken on the task, but it seems a bit too much for them to handle alone, don’t you think?”

“…I suppose so.”

“So, please have the United States take on that task with Britain. Is that okay with you?”

They’ve already made a case for participating, so they can’t say no now.

Either way, the United States will judge that it’s a worthwhile deal if they can get involved here, even with such a justification.

As expected, the ambassador nodded.

Of course, if you can’t even make this judgment, you should give up your ambassadorship and return to the United States.

“If it’s just to assist Britain… I think we can do it.”

“That’s enough. Then, I look forward to working with you.”

In this case, all we have to do is open the canal and send a few steamships?

The dream match between the Eight Banners Army [Qing Dynasty’s primary military force] and Napoleon is unlikely to happen at all.

As a historian, it’s a bit disappointing, but as a prime minister, there’s nothing better than this situation.

※※※

When he came to his senses, Navy Admiral Nelson, who had been put in charge of the European Union expeditionary force, led the main force to Qing.

The number of fleets sent by countries other than Britain wasn’t that large, but when combined, it was an enormous force.

First, Britain dispatched 20 warships, 3 newly built steam warships, and 20 transport ships.

France sent 5 warships, 8 steam warships, and 1 troop transport ship, and other countries sent at least 3 warships and thousands of troops.

This is more than enough to occupy a port and prepare to land troops.

Of course, it wasn’t just Britain that was elated.

The Qing Dynasty also heard that troops were coming from India and made its own preparations.

Imperial Commissioner Langbao, who had suppressed the rebellion of the Yao people, mobilized as many as 15,000 troops to defend Guangzhou.

In addition, he mobilized cannons and warships as much as possible to form a defensive line, making it difficult for Nelson to attack easily.

“Even when rotten, a crucian carp is still a crucian carp [even in decline, there’s still strength]. They’re quite heavily guarded.”

“Commander, should we leave some troops here and go further north?”

“That would be a good idea. No matter how much they’re defending, they can’t possibly guard this wide coastline entirely.”

Even at this moment, the Qing’s defensive forces were increasing in real time, but Nelson wasn’t flustered.

“Do you know? There’s a saying in the East that if you know the enemy and know yourself, you will win every battle.”

“It’s such an obvious statement, but it’s also a fact that we sometimes overlook. But who did you hear that from?”

“The Prime Minister of France. It seems that he told the French army to share detailed information about Qing with us. We thought we had done our own research, but the information France has is on a different level from ours.”

The information that Christian gave him wasn’t just research or anything like that.

What should I say?

It felt like the touch of a master who had studied Qing for a very long time.

Could it be that France had anticipated all of these situations and had been studying Qing for a long time?

Whatever the truth, thanks to that, Nelson knew the reality of Qing more accurately than the Qing people themselves.

It is often said that the defending side has the advantage in war if they buy time, but this is an exception.

“Qing’s attention is all focused on Guangzhou, so we’ll go north and strike Amoy [modern-day Xiamen]. And if we stay still with the Tianjin coast within range, victory will be ours.”

Qing’s attention is focused on Guangzhou, but soon the Russian invasion will begin from the north.

Will Qing still be able to afford to defend leisurely when that happens?

Nelson leisurely looked down at the map of Qing’s coastline spread out on the table.

Seeing it like this, I feel anew that it’s a really filthy wide land.

What would it feel like to cut this vast land into pieces?

Such a sadistic thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

※※※

“Dismissal? What are you talking about!”

“Whoa, calm down. It’s an order directly from the Emperor. It’s not an immediate dismissal, but a dismissal if you fail to persuade those Westerners and send them back.”

“No… those guys aren’t breaking through our defenses right now. Does it make sense to dismiss me here?”

“That’s just Guangzhou. Those guys are occupying the gateway to Macau right now. The voices of criticism from the Forbidden City [the Chinese imperial palace] aren’t ordinary.”

With just this short conversation, Langbao quickly grasped the process by which his dismissal was decided.

So, these damn treacherous bastards aren’t looking at the current situation objectively at all.

“Please tell His Majesty. Even if Tianjin falls, we will eventually win if we go to all-out war. We have to be prepared for a huge bloodbath, but we have to endure it now. Otherwise, you can’t imagine how much humiliation we will suffer from those barbarians.”

“It’s not that simple. An urgent report has come in that the movements of the Arasa [Russian] bastards in the north are unusual. Can we withstand it if we are attacked from above and below when there are constant rebellions, large and small, in the country? Are you going to continue the war while enduring all of that? Of course, we may be able to win if we go to all-out war. But the Emperor has decided that the national fortune may decline if we do so.”

“…What?”

Why on earth are the Arasa suddenly pushing down?

“Isn’t it obvious? All of those Western barbarians are in cahoots with the British bastards.”

“…So, you’re saying that we should negotiate with the British bastards first. I understand.”

If that’s the situation, there’s no choice for them.

Of course, Langbao was in a position to fight back even if that was the case, but the Emperor’s judgment is absolute law.

Langbao swallowed tears of blood and sent a message to the British general to negotiate.

Nelson replied, as if he knew it would happen, that the governor should come to where they were.

Langbao, holding the Emperor’s decree, was able to see Nelson, the head of the enemy, near Tianjin.

“Nice to meet you.”

“Welcome. I’ve heard that you want to negotiate. I also think it’s good to resolve conflicts through dialogue and compromise, as long as we are civilized countries.”

“If that were the case, you shouldn’t have brought warships in the first place, right? Let’s hear the reason why you’re attacking us.”

“That’s because your country violated an important agreement.”

What the hell is this barbarian talking about?

What agreement are you talking about?

“I know that this country has never made any treaties with your country?”

“Years ago, the countries of Europe gathered in Paris, France, with the desire to eliminate war and strife, and signed a peace treaty. No country with civilization and intelligence should oppress or forcibly dominate other ethnic groups. However, Qing is blatantly ignoring the Paris Treaty we have signed and oppressing many countries, isn’t it?”

“……?”

Langbao, who couldn’t follow the flow of the conversation for a moment, opened his mouth wide.

So, you’re saying that they invaded because we ignored the treaty they made among themselves?

No way, I must have misheard.

“No, so what are you trying to say specifically? Tell me specifically what you want.”

“It’s simple. Liberate the oppressed ethnic minorities and give them freedom. And in order to watch whether your country is fulfilling that, I would like you to cede land where we can be stationed.”

Langbao, who confirmed that he hadn’t misheard, closed his eyes and sighed.

Your Majesty, do I still have to continue this negotiation even in this situation?

Tears welled up in Langbao’s eyes as he looked in the direction of the Forbidden City.

End