I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 254

Quite some time has passed since the Forbidden City, the residence of the Son of Heaven, lost its master.

The Qing Dynasty was subtly hoping that France would eventually vacate the Forbidden City, but after the attempted assassination, they lost all leverage.

Initially, I planned a reconciliation scene reminiscent of a friendly photo op, welcoming the Son of Heaven back to the Forbidden City with a handshake. However, I had to revise the entire plan.

First, I needed to demonstrate that the assassination attempt wouldn’t affect France and that we were committed to bringing lasting peace to this land.

Also, I couldn’t keep the envoys waiting any longer.

Robespierre proposed a solution to resolve this swiftly.

“How about hosting a banquet inviting the Qing Emperor and envoys from various countries? This will emphasize mutual friendship and highlight our position,” he suggested.

“…Isn’t that essentially a banquet hosted *by* the Emperor?”

“Wouldn’t Asia be more familiar with this approach? Recommending our methods might seem like another form of overreach.”

From my perspective, meeting each envoy individually was too draining.

I had other pressing matters, so dealing with them all at once was appealing.

“Then, prepare it in a way that doesn’t feel too arrogant. We are, after all, more like guests who have settled in.”

“Understood. Leave it to me.”

Robespierre confidently declared and left, only to prove a few days later that he hadn’t understood a word I’d said.

“I’ve discussed the seating arrangement with the Qing Emperor. Given that this is unprecedented, I referred to the methods of previous emperors.”

The material he presented was based on Emperor Qianlong’s 70th birthday banquet.

It was similar in that it was a banquet attended by foreign envoys and people from various regions, but the reference point was too… pointed.

“Did the Qing Emperor agree to this willingly?”

“Yes. He trusted us and actively helped with the preparations.”

Losing the war was already humiliating, but having the occupying force host an event in their imperial palace, styled as if they were the emperor, must have been heartbreaking for the Crown Prince. I had to commend his superhuman patience.

Of course, his earnest desire to smooth over the assassination attempt was a major motivator.

Regardless, the Qing Dynasty’s submissive attitude would likely solidify the envoys’ convictions about our power.

Normally, they wouldn’t have overlooked this point, but the Crown Prince’s mental state seemed to be stretched to its limit.

*Just do everything they say and get it over with quickly.*

That kind of mentality was practically radiating from him from the start of the banquet.

“Prime Minister! Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?” I asked.

“No, you are being too kind.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied. Also, those rebels who dared to assassinate you have nothing to do with us. Recently, there have been rumors about ‘Supporting Qing, Destroying Yang’ [Supporting the Qing Dynasty, Destroying Foreigners], but please know that we have no connection to those sentiments.”

“Yes, yes. Of course.”

I wondered what he was so nervous about, and this was it.

As the Crown Prince, responsible for managing the chaotic internal affairs, the slogan ‘Supporting Qing, Destroying Yang’ must have been more terrifying than any curse.

“I am well aware that such incidents often occur in countries with strong national pride. Don’t worry, I don’t believe your country instigated this. If you had, you wouldn’t have stopped them.”

“That’s right. I think they are the ones who want us to be in trouble by claiming to support Qing. Perhaps it’s a new strategy from the rebels in the provinces. We cannot overlook the possibility that they are trying to incite further conflict through division.”

I doubted the ethnic minorities were capable of such sophisticated manipulation, but I understood the Crown Prince’s desperation.

From the start of the banquet, that kind of mentality was openly exuding.

“Prime Minister! Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable?”

“No, you are being too kind.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied. Also, those rebels who dared to assassinate you have nothing to do with us. Recently, there have been rumors about ‘Supporting Qing, Destroying Yang,’ but please know that we have nothing to do with those rumors.”

“Yes, yes. Of course.”

I wondered what he was so nervous about, and this was it.

As the Crown Prince, who had to take care of the chaotic internal affairs, the slogan ‘Supporting Qing, Destroying Yang’ must have been more terrifying than any curse.

“I am well aware that such incidents often occur in countries with strong national pride. Don’t worry, I don’t think your country instigated this. If you had, you wouldn’t have stopped them.”

I didn’t think the ethnic minorities could do such high-level division, but I knew how desperate the Crown Prince was.

As I was speaking with the Crown Prince, representatives from various countries approached and bowed.

“Prime Minister! Thank you for inviting us to this prestigious event!”

“It is an honor to meet you.”

It seemed the ridiculous title of Prime Minister had become official. It was too late to object, so I smiled and observed the envoys’ attire.

Following Qing Dynasty protocol, the Joseon [Korean] envoys were at the front, followed by representatives from Siam (Thailand), the Nguyen Dynasty (Vietnam), and Vientiane (Laos).

There were also envoys in distinctly Japanese attire, clearly from Japan.

Before I could inquire, the Crown Prince spoke with a strangely displeased expression.

“The Shogunate hasn’t sent envoys directly for some time, preferring to trade through Ryukyu [Okinawa], but now they’ve come directly.”

“Well, we decided to trade with France directly, while Ryukyu didn’t. Please understand that the situation is a bit different.”

The envoy, radiating a more distinctly Japanese aura, bowed deeply and continued.

“I am Kato, and it is an honor to meet the esteemed Prime Minister. Your Excellency’s reputation precedes you, even in our land. This is a tribute personally selected by the Shogun.”

“I appreciate it.”

A manager holding the gifts in the distance raised the scabbard of a gold-shining Japanese sword.

Of course, he couldn’t draw the sword, but it was clear that a considerable sum had been spent on it.

These people really love Japanese swords.

Was the ninja show that fueled Orientalism in France well-received internally?

“By the way, who are those people in the back…?”

“Ah, they are envoys from Ryukyu. You can consider Ryukyu our vassal state.”

The Ryukyu envoy bowed, trying to mask any emotion.

At this time, the Ryukyu Kingdom of Okinawa had not yet been fully incorporated into Japan.

Although it had been annexed by Satsuma [a Japanese feudal domain], the tribute trade through Ryukyu was so lucrative that it hadn’t been fully absorbed.

The Ryukyu Kingdom was well aware of this.

The reason they had survived was thanks to their relationship with the Ming Dynasty [the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644].

So, maintaining this relationship was crucial for their survival.

Ryukyu had continued to maintain relations with Qing using this approach.

But now that the situation in Asia had changed rapidly, how anxious must they be?

If the Shogunate decided there was no more benefit to be gained from Qing, they would try to annex it without hesitation.

As expected, a strange greeting came from the Ryukyu envoy, who still had his head bowed.

“Our King Shoko has always admired and respected Your Excellency’s achievements. Therefore, we would like to pay tribute to Your Excellency of France, as we have done to Qing.”

“Oh…”

Kato, startled by this remark that hadn’t been discussed with the Shogunate, glared at the Ryukyu envoy.

However, he knew that getting angry and speaking out in this situation wouldn’t achieve anything, so he simply bit his lip.

“I appreciate the thought, but our country has no intention of establishing a tribute-investiture system like Qing…”

“Then it is enough to establish normal diplomatic relations like other countries. Of course, we are under the protection of the Shogunate, so the Shogun must also allow it.”

They were trying to protect their right to survive while outwardly acknowledging the authority of the Edo Shogunate [the feudal military government of Japan during the Edo period from 1603-1868].

A sophisticated way of speaking.

From a third-person perspective, they were quite likable.

It would have been even better if they hadn’t brought this issue to me to resolve.

“Let’s discuss that issue later. There are still many people waiting their turn.”

“Understood. I will remain in Beijing and await Your Excellency’s call.”

“P, Prime Minister! We also have additional gifts that the Shogun instructed us to deliver. So, I will return then!”

Kato hurriedly added, not wanting to be outdone, and stepped back.

Judging from the current situation, the Ryukyu Kingdom seemed to be feeling an enormous threat to its safety, and this was progressing much faster than in the history I knew.

Everything was happening too quickly, from the Yihetuan [Boxer Rebellion]-like organization to the annexation of Ryukyu.

Just a few days ago, I almost regretted coming here, but I changed my mind again.

I have to stay here and adjust the situation for the time being, or else an uncontrollable chaos will unfold.

Seo Yongbo, who had been listening to the conversation through interpretation, chuckled, seemingly oblivious to my inner turmoil, and proudly presented the tributes with a forced smile.

“The diplomatic relations of the Japanese are subtly complicated. They are trying to rely on Your Excellency’s prestige to solve their problems. They are cunning as always.”

“…Well, diplomacy is inherently like that.”

It felt a bit strange to be called ‘Your Excellency’ by the Confucian Taliban [a derogatory term for someone with extreme traditionalist views] who had been so stubborn when I first arrived in Paris.

Seo Yongbo, seemingly unconcerned by the subtle atmosphere, proudly explained the gifts he brought with a forced smile.

“This white porcelain is a treasure crafted by Joseon’s finest potter. And the letters written on this fan contain our King’s wishes for continued friendship with Your Excellency.”

“Then, is it safe to interpret that Joseon has definitively agreed to establish friendly relations with us?”

“Yes, the court has concluded that all the agreements made in Paris will be observed.”

Was it really this easy?

The history of Joseon, which would foam at the mouth and shout for defending orthodoxy and rejecting heterodoxy [rejecting foreign or unorthodox beliefs], was vivid in my mind, but the butterfly effect of history was truly unpredictable.

Was the Qing Dynasty being crushed by Napoleon really that shocking?

That’s why the delivery of accurate information is so important.

But it seemed I wasn’t the only one surprised by this change in Joseon’s attitude.

The Qing Emperor, who had been quiet until now, suddenly poured wine into my glass and joined the conversation.

“Joseon is a country that has been part of China for over a thousand years. It is our most respectful and reliable vassal state.”

“Hahaha! I am overwhelmed by the Crown Prince’s praise. As the Crown Prince said, our Joseon has treated China as a parent or brother since before. Of course, Qing has always adhered to the principle of the Chinese order that the suzerain state [a state that controls another state in international affairs] does not interfere in the internal affairs of the vassal state [a state that is controlled by another state]. I am just grateful.”

Seo Yongbo responded with a gentle smile to the Crown Prince’s somewhat pointed remarks.

The Crown Prince was implying that even if France established diplomatic relations with Joseon, they shouldn’t forget that Joseon was a vassal state of Qing. Seo Yongbo, on the other hand, emphasized that they were an independent country, even though they were a vassal state.

Were these guys having a war of nerves in front of me, following Ryukyu and Japan…? I was going crazy.

But from my long experience, I instinctively knew the best course of action in this situation.

If it was an unavoidable fate, then there was no other way but to embrace it.

Okay. Now that it has come to this, I, Louis Christian, have no choice but to become the guardian of balance who truly reigns over Asia, not just in words.

End