I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 224

Became a Genius of the French Royal Family Chapter 224: Clash of the Titans (224/355)

< Clash of the Titans >

“Everything went as you said. They came to me without me having to do anything.”

As expected, Talleyrand returned with a gleeful expression even before his scheduled tasks were completed.

“The envoys from Japan and Vietnam have already confirmed that they will establish diplomatic relations with us. All that’s left is to secure the best possible conditions… Now that we know what they’re thinking, it won’t be difficult.”

In politics and diplomacy, the side whose intentions are revealed first is bound to lose leverage.

Moreover, Talleyrand, who had reached the pinnacle of diplomacy in modern Europe, would see the Asian delegations as easy marks to exploit.

“So, when and how do you plan to finalize the treaties with them?”

“I plan to draft a rough outline first and then dispatch diplomats. Didn’t the Prime Minister also approve of this approach?”

“That would be the standard procedure. After all, Champa will be absorbed by Vietnam even if we do nothing, so it’s wise to use it strategically. And Vietnam will also realize that if we seriously support Champa, they might face setbacks, so we should leverage that to secure as many concessions as possible.”

“That’s right. And Kondo from Zipangu [historical European term for Japan] is subtly concerned about the movements of Joseon [historical Korean kingdom].”

Of course, he would be worried about the neighboring country. It would be strange if Joseon didn’t feel anxious seeing other countries prospering right next door.

“Kondo will be very uncomfortable if he doesn’t get significantly better terms than Joseon, especially after all the posturing he’s done. Did he hint at any of that?”

“He tried to conceal it, but it was quite obvious. He used all sorts of flowery language to explain why they could be our best allies.”

Of course, Talleyrand had been given detailed background information on each country in advance, so he would have taken everything the envoys said with a healthy dose of skepticism.

“By the way, is there any news from Joseon, which Kondo is so concerned about?”

“Their representative seemed preoccupied. Instead, the deputy representative approached me and subtly tried to gauge our intentions.”

“Oh, really?”

What kind of persuasive techniques did Jeong Yak-yong [a prominent Joseon scholar and official] use to sway that staunch Confucian representative?

“The Joseon deputy representative mentioned that the Prime Minister is well-versed in Eastern thought and philosophy, so he asked if you could emphasize that in the letter to the Joseon royal family.”

“I have a general idea of what they’re trying to achieve. That’s not difficult.”

Eastern learning as a foundation, Western learning for practical application; Chinese learning as the base, Western learning for application; the Self-Strengthening Movement.

This was the theory that Qing [the last imperial dynasty of China] and Joseon put forward when they belatedly attempted to modernize in the original timeline.

It’s a buffet-style reform that preserves the core Eastern ideologies while selectively adopting Western technology.

At first glance, it sounds plausible, but this approach is fundamentally flawed.

“I wonder how long it will take for them to realize that separating ideology and technology is inherently a mistake…”

“Wouldn’t they have to learn through trial and error?”

Well, the fact that they’ve decided to experiment with this theory more than 70 years earlier could be a significant development.

I’m indifferent because I foresee the outcome, but I should acknowledge progress where it exists.

If it were the Joseon I remember, there was a high probability they would cling to Neo-Confucianism until the very end and achieve nothing.

Having someone like Jeong Yak-yong in this delegation might be the best stroke of luck for Joseon.

Whether they seize this opportunity or squander it is now up to their court.

Frankly, I’ve fulfilled my duty to my past life to the minimum extent.

“But Talleyrand, what about the matter I asked you to monitor?”

“Ah, I was just about to report on that. Other countries are remaining quiet, but the United Kingdom is stirring up trouble again. It seems that Lord Castlereagh, the British ambassador, is secretly trying to make contact with Asian countries.”

As expected, it’s the United Kingdom. I would have been surprised if they weren’t engaging in behind-the-scenes maneuvers like this.

“Lord Castlereagh must be quite frustrated. They invested the most resources into this war, but they’re starting to feel that things aren’t unfolding as they expected.”

“What should we do? Should we preemptively warn the other delegations?”

“No. If there are any fools who are tempted by the British proposal even after coming this far, it would be beneficial to weed them out. If idiots eliminate themselves, it’s advantageous for us.”

“A kind of loyalty test, then. I’ll simply observe them and refrain from saying anything directly.”

I listened to Talleyrand’s detailed report for another 30 minutes and provided him with further instructions.

Lord Castlereagh’s actions at this time cannot be solely his own initiative.

Pitt [British Prime Minister] must have given him specific orders.

The United Kingdom is already bound by our agreement, so they can’t divert their attention to Northeast Asia right now.

The United Kingdom is different from France.

No, not just the United Kingdom, but the European countries of this era are consumed by thoughts of exploiting Asia.

But how can the United Kingdom, which is responsible for separating ethnic minorities from Qing China, exploit Asian countries now?

I could imagine Pitt with his head in his hands, deep in thought.

Ultimately, all they can do in the current situation is to entice Japan and Vietnam to postpone trade with us as much as possible, but they are already hooked fish.

No matter what the United Kingdom offers, they are unlikely to listen.

All that’s left is Joseon… I don’t think we need to worry about them any more.

Rather, I secretly hoped that Lord Castlereagh would meet Seo Yong-bo [a Joseon official].

Even if it is the United Kingdom armed with negativity, they must engage in cold-blooded negotiations unless it is a situation where they can afford to be negative.

Lord Castlereagh, a diplomat comparable to Talleyrand, is capable of that.

But what can infuriate such a reasonable person the most is the Confucian scholars of this era.

I hope you savor the spicy taste of K-Neo-Confucianism to your heart’s content.

※※※

Lord Castlereagh Robert Stewart was a promising diplomat recognized for his abilities even in the United Kingdom.

In particular, the current Prime Minister, Pitt, highly valued his abilities and entrusted him with the important task of being the ambassador to France, which is developing rapidly.

Lord Castlereagh’s mission was to represent the interests of the United Kingdom as effectively as possible within France, which was developing at a frightening pace.

In that respect, the mission he received from Pitt this time placed a considerable amount of pressure on Lord Castlereagh.

-For the sake of the British Empire’s Greater East Asia strategy, it is difficult for France to expand its sphere of influence in Northeast Asia any further.

Although he did not give direct instructions, interpreting Pitt’s words meant that he had to somehow interfere with France or bring about results that would benefit the United Kingdom.

But that’s easier said than done.

“It’s absurd for us to discuss trade with a country we don’t know well…”

The Dai Viet [historical name for Vietnam] diplomat, with whom he had managed to arrange a meeting with difficulty, indirectly rejected Lord Castlereagh’s proposal.

“Wouldn’t that be something you can learn from now on? Our British Empire controls most of India and is a major European power that led the war with Qing China this time. I can assure you that trading with us will be of greater benefit to your country than trading with France right now. The land that France occupies in Asia is only a small part of the West Indies and Hong Kong, which is no different from wasteland. But we can connect your country with the vast market of India.”

“Hmm… But still, it’s a bit difficult to trade with a country that sells opium…”

In the end, is that the stumbling block?

The countries of Asia now had detailed information about this war because of the Dutch merchants.

In other words, they know all the real reasons why the war broke out.

No matter how much the United Kingdom advocates for ethnic minorities, the reason why it doesn’t resonate is all because of this.

‘Damn Dutch cuckoo birds… No. They spread the information at the request of France…’

Even if I only think this far, I can roughly guess France’s despicable intentions.

So, these guys must have used us from the beginning as a tool to dominate Asia.

“Please wait a moment. If you listen carefully to what I’m about to say, your mind will change…”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to give France any unnecessary misunderstandings, so I’ll excuse myself.”

With that, the Vietnamese delegation hurriedly left Lord Castlereagh.

The man of Ninjashow, Kondo, whom I met next, was no different.

“It is the Shogun’s will that we cannot trade with countries that sell drugs. I’m sorry, but I don’t think it will be easy to have a formal discussion.”

“No, but at least hear me out…”

Kondo left a model shuriken as a sign of regret and hurried back.

That’s why I said selling opium should be a carefully considered matter… What is this?

Our national image has plummeted to this level; what kind of diplomacy am I supposed to conduct?

It would be easier to half-threaten them with overwhelming power, but I can’t do such a crazy thing in French territory.

‘Hoo… Well, I expected those two guys to become France’s lackeys. Anyway, it’s a success if I get even one, so there’s still one card left.’

Joseon. Those guys didn’t seem very friendly to France from the beginning.

The fact that they were walking around with such a shit-eating grin on their faces while they came as envoys clearly meant that there was something wrong between the two countries.

I had already obtained information that there had been a huge Catholic persecution in Joseon.

The United Kingdom has a religion that is distinct from those Catholic countries, so if we approach them with this as an excuse, we may be able to get a friendly response.

With great difficulty, he managed to arrange a meeting with Seo Yong-bo, the representative of Joseon.

“Hello. I am Lord Castlereagh Robert Stewart, Ambassador of the British Empire.”

“I am Seo Yong-bo, Right State Councilor of Joseon.”

“I know that Right State Councilor is one of the top three positions in the country. It is an honor to meet you like this.”

“…We also know about your country. The country that sold opium to Qing.”

“Ah~ There are deep and deep misunderstandings and hidden truths piled up there. I will now try to resolve the questions one by one.”

Lord Castlereagh, who had become urgent, hurriedly tried to put out the fire, but Seo Yong-bo didn’t seem very interested in that.

Instead, he suddenly asked a question.

“By any chance, does the ambassador know the Three Bonds and Five Relationships [core Confucian ethical principles]?”

“……Yes?”

“I guess you don’t know. Was the French Prime Minister an exception?”

“Prime Minister Christian is certainly a talented person. But our British Prime Minister William Pitt is also as talented as Prime Minister Christian…”

“Then, can that Pitt person interpret the meaning of the Five Relationships?”

What is this guy saying at the meeting place?

How would they know what the Three Bonds and Five Relationships are?

I almost blurted out, ‘Then do you know Plato and Socrates?’

“East and West are as culturally different as they are geographically distant. Isn’t narrowing that gap the fun of exchange? Hahaha!”

“That’s true, but there’s also a saying that it’s wise not to associate with those who don’t understand even if you talk to them. Of course, the Confucianists say that it is the duty of a scholar to enlighten the ignorant, so if you want to be taught, I will gladly teach you Neo-Confucianism…”

“No, no. We are not here to teach each other. Didn’t I say that I wanted to meet you to discuss the constructive future of Joseon and the United Kingdom?”

A diplomat who had previously gone to Qing as an envoy once said that Qing was so proud of themselves that it was disgusting.

I expected that Joseon might be the same.

But what should I say this is… It’s a completely different kind of difficult opponent from Qing.

“The Prime Minister of France was a scholar who understood the words of Zhu Xi [a prominent Neo-Confucian philosopher]. That’s why I talked to him, but I personally doubt whether your country is qualified to do so. What more can I say to those who don’t know the Three Bonds or the Five Relationships?”

“……”

I was breathless, and my head was dizzy.

Lord Castlereagh, who had prided himself on being able to negotiate skillfully with any opponent, was on this day.

For the first time in his life, he almost threw his glass.

< Clash of the Titans > End