I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 216

The Truth Everyone Should Know

“It seems you are mistaken due to your lack of understanding of the political situation in the Central Plains… Both conditions are absolutely unacceptable from our perspective.”

“In that case, we cannot back down either.”

“No, listen here. What do you even know about the order of the Central Plains? All the peoples of the Central Plains live in contentment under the heavenly grace bestowed by the Emperor. For outsiders to come and talk about liberation is quite presumptuous, don’t you think?”

“If they are so content, why have they revolted?”

Nelson’s sly response twisted Wolf-Be’s expression.

“Has your country’s populace unconditionally followed the royal family without complaint for hundreds of years? Minor disputes can happen at any time, but to invade on that pretext is an excessive act of violence.”

“We know more than you think. For example, invading a peaceful neighboring country and forcing a humiliating surrender…”

“That is completely untrue!”

“I heard the king kneeled and kowtowed until his forehead bled? No country in Europe demands such barbaric submission.”

What on earth is this blue-eyed foreigner babbling about?

Did the Qing Dynasty invade a neighboring country and force such humiliation?

At least, as far as Wolf-Be knew, there had been no such war in recent decades.

‘Kowtowing until his forehead bled? Is he talking about the *Samgeogugo Dorye* [Three Kneelings and Nine Kowtows, a formal act of submission]?’

Qing officials kneel three times and kowtow nine times when meeting the Emperor.

But this was a perfectly normal etiquette, and only Western diplomats questioned it.

To force this upon another country’s king… that would mean either the king of that country came to Beijing, or the Emperor traveled to that country.

‘Are these barbarian bastards talking nonsense… or are they perhaps referring to when the Joseon [Korean] king performed the *Samgeogugo Dorye* to Emperor Hong Taiji?’

Whether blood actually flowed from his forehead or not, the fact that the Joseon king paid homage to Hong Taiji is a matter of historical record.

But that was almost 200 years ago, so why bring up such an ancient event now?

“I doubt your country has any intention of engaging in proper negotiations… Let me emphasize once again that what you are doing is blatant interference in our internal affairs.”

“And what Qing is doing is a clear violation of the Treaty of Paris. We absolutely cannot condone it.”

So what the hell is this Treaty of Paris, you barbarian bastards?

Wolf-Be suppressed his anger with superhuman patience and took a light breath.

“Well… since your country is ignorant of the order of the Central Plains, you should study it properly and come back.”

“If that’s the case, how about inviting representatives of the minority groups who have revolted here for a three-way meeting? If they truly do not wish to secede from Qing, we will withdraw.”

“Put aside this ridiculous excuse about minority groups and please engage in proper negotiations. We will compensate you with 6 million taels [a unit of Chinese currency] of silver for the opium you have ruined. If you withdraw your demand for territorial cession, we are willing to add more silver. Consider it calmly.”

“Hmph! We did not come all this way for a few coins of silver. Unless the liberation of oppressed peoples and the cession of territory to oversee its implementation are guaranteed, negotiations will remain at a standstill forever.”

“Then do as you please!”

Wolf-Be, having reached the limit of his patience, slammed the table and stood up.

In the 4000-year history of the Central Plains, they had been forced to cede land to barbarians, but never voluntarily offered territory.

This was not merely a matter of practical interest, but a grave issue that could undermine the fundamental symbolism of *Zhonghua* [the Chinese civilization] thought.

Even if Wolf-Be were to accept this treaty, the Emperor would never approve it.

Instead of a treaty being concluded, there was a 99.9% chance that Wolf-Be himself would lose his head.

As Wolf-Be stormed out in a fit of anger, Nelson leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile dozens of seconds later.

“I thought he would burst out immediately, but he endured longer than expected.”

“Indeed. It seems Russia’s southward advance was quite a threat.”

“Even so, the fact that they stubbornly insist on not ceding territory shows that their pride is different from what we expected.”

Nelson believed that Qing might accept their demands if they launched attacks from all directions.

However, the French side assured him that this would never happen, so he could push as hard as he wanted.

The lofty pride of the Central Plains would never yield until it was broken beyond repair.

“Well… it’s hard for us to imagine the extent of their arrogance, having reigned as rulers of the continent for 4000 years.”

Even Egypt, intoxicated by its past glory, had its neck cut off for standing stiffly before Rome.

Qing possesses far greater power than that Egypt, so it is only natural that they would fight as long as they could.

“Now that the plan has been set, all that remains is to push forward. Messenger, immediately order the allied forces to execute the operation as planned.”

“Yes!”

What kind of face will that guy who stormed out just now have when we meet next time?

Nelson hoped that he would maintain his convictions and provide even greater amusement.

※※※

The Emperor in Beijing, upon hearing the conditions set by Britain, naturally erupted in immense fury.

The Emperor, who immediately declared war on Britain, once again ordered Wolf-Be to lead the army and repel all Western invaders.

The European Allied Forces, who had anticipated this, immediately dispatched additional troops.

Some troops from the French 2nd Corps, led by Davout, occupied Hong Kong Island and began constructing a base.

In fact, there were almost no defensive forces, so no real battle took place.

Davout named this desolate field Christian Ville and decided to use it as a supply base for the Allied forces.

Of course, most of the resources for supplies were actually being borne by Britain.

“Marshal! General Herman Willem Daendels of the Netherlands has arrived.”

“Very well. Let him in.”

Almost simultaneously with setting aside Christian’s directive, which he had read almost to shreds, the Dutch general entered the barracks.

“Greetings, Marshal.”

“Yes. Thank you for coming all the way here.”

“Hahaha, trouble? Rather, I am grateful for the invitation.”

Herman, who was in charge of the Dutch forces this time, was known as a pro-French figure from the start.

He sent Davout friendly glances and slightly pulled the chair forward, narrowing the distance.

“But does the French army not have any plans to land on the mainland of Qing yet? I was secretly hoping to see the might of the invincible 2nd Corps, which is famous.”

“We may go out and fight when the time comes. But I did not bring all the forces of the 2nd Corps, and I intend to stay in place for now because I have received orders from the Prime Minister.”

“Oh~ Orders from Prime Minister Christian? I heard that there is nothing he cannot do, but is he also knowledgeable in military strategy? I really respect him.”

“The Prime Minister is indeed an unparalleled figure, but he does not dictate specific strategies. However, you could say he provides the overall framework? His skill in drawing up grand designs is second to none. In fact, this grand expedition is practically the Prime Minister’s work.”

Herman nodded repeatedly.

The only order he received from the Dutch King was one.

To establish a friendly relationship with France in any way possible and secure even slightly greater interests in the trade war that would unfold in the future.

“Yes. We were able to participate in this war thanks to Prime Minister Christian. So please do not hesitate to discuss anything with us. We will do whatever we can.”

“Thank you for saying that. Then I will tell you the instructions I received from the Prime Minister.”

“Yes, please.”

“I know that your country has put great effort into accurately recording information and knowledge since ancient times. I heard that this record is also leaving detailed records by mobilizing a large number of people, right?”

Davout originally considered this war an opportunity to show off France’s powerful military might.

He wanted to shock the world with the latest rifles and cannons, which were even more advanced than during the Egyptian expedition.

The Qing Dynasty’s Eight Banners Army?

He was confident that he could overwhelm them with an exchange ratio of 10:1 if they fought properly.

He was confident that he could push into the capital of Qing as long as the landing was successful and there were no problems with supplies.

That’s how high the morale of the French army was.

However.

“Avoid standing out as much as possible in this war. It is impossible not to fight at all, so it will be enough to fight only once at a decisive moment.”

Before Davout left France, Christian emphasized again and again not to fight to the best of his ability.

“Why is that?”

“The interests that can be gained from this war have already been secured through negotiations. It’s a war that isn’t honorable anyway. We must avoid being pointed fingers at in the future by stepping forward.”

He didn’t know what that meant, but Davout’s loyalty to Christian was absolute.

If he told him to fight with his life on the line, he would fight with his life on the line, and if he told him to slack off, he would do his best to loaf around.

Davout was a person who worked with all his heart and soul no matter what he did.

He snapped out of his thoughts and continued speaking to General Herman, who was staring at him intently.

“The Prime Minister wants your country to record and spread the results of this war in such detail that no one can doubt it.”

“How many European countries are participating in this war? Who would doubt it? Even the United States sent support troops, so the rumors will spread widely to the New World.”

“No. It’s not about spreading it to Europe or the United States.”

Davout drew a line with his finger on the map of Asia he had been looking at.

“What the Prime Minister wants is here. All the countries in Asia must receive the results of this war accurately and quickly, without even an inch of error.”

“Spread it to Asian countries other than Qing? We have ties with *Zipangu* [Japan], so it won’t be difficult… Southeast Asia shouldn’t be too difficult either. But *Corea* [Joseon, Korea] above *Zipangu* is a little different. The Coreans do not want to establish diplomatic relations with European countries.”

“That’s what I want your country to do. It doesn’t matter if you use the connections of *Zipang*… whatever country, or if you get in touch from Southeast Asia. The Prime Minister wants all the countries under the influence of Qing to know the results of this war. That is, the information as it is, without any lies mixed in.”

Herman blinked with an expression that he couldn’t understand.

Of course, Davout didn’t know the Prime Minister’s true intentions either, so he had nothing else to say.

What was certain was that the Prime Minister seemed more interested in something new that would arise from the results of this war than the results themselves.

“I understand. Since the Prime Minister wants it, we will do our best to proceed. Instead, if everything goes well, I would appreciate it if you could tell them not to forget our efforts.”

“Of course. The Prime Minister is more certain of rewards and punishments than anyone else in the world. If the results are good, he will definitely reward you in some way.”

He didn’t tell Herman, but the ending of this war that they were recording would surely be decorated with a battle between Qing’s Eight Banners Army and the French 2nd Corps.

It would be the first and last battle that Davout would command in this war, but all the countries of Asia would soon know the amazing results.

Without a single exception.

Yes. That fact more than anything else made Davout’s heart race.

The Truth Everyone Should Know End