I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 266

Do Not Go That Way

In the wake of France’s unexpected and aggressive declaration of war, the British fleet relentlessly struck France from all directions in a simultaneous, all-out assault.

While France belatedly scrambled to devise a response to this comprehensive offensive, Frederick William III, who had ascended to the throne of Prussia several years prior, was deep in thought amidst his advisors.

‘Is this our only chance? Is risking everything truly worth it?’

He found it difficult to decide.

Initially, he had intended to limit his actions to a show of force at the border to deter the Holy Roman Empire from joining the war, as requested by Britain.

Wilhelm III secretly believed that Britain was more likely to lose, considering overall national power. Britain was undoubtedly the second strongest in Europe.

A clear second, far ahead of any nation ranked third or lower.

The problem was that the nation they were waging war against was France, the strongest power in Europe.

Of course, it wasn’t as if they had no chance of winning.

Currently, France had only two legions stationed in Asia.

Even two legions were a formidable force, but if their crucial supply lines were cut off, even the most elite army would struggle to endure.

Britain intended to use the East India Company’s powerful naval force to blockade the exit of the Suez Canal, and they had succeeded.

With this development, the strategic landscape Wilhelm had envisioned became confusingly muddled.

Perhaps sensing an opportunity, the Ottoman Empire, which had previously only timidly plundered Spanish merchant ships, changed its approach and began to act more aggressively.

If Prussia were to push forward more aggressively here, wouldn’t they be able to seize more spoils after the war? If they could reclaim even half of the industrial areas seized by the loathsome French and Holy Roman Empire, the nation could rise again.

However, on the other hand, it was undeniable that the loss of those regions was due to Britain’s duplicitous attitude.

Considering that, he was loath to side with Britain, no matter how much they asked.

Wilhelm III’s honest desire was for both Britain and France to collapse together.

However, since France was clearly stronger than Britain, Prussia needed to side with Britain to balance the power if both were to fall.

Lacking decisive decision-making skills, Wilhelm III was spending his days agonizing, unable to commit to either course.

Understanding the king’s feelings, Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, and Chancellor Karl August von Hardenberg stood firmly by his side.

“Your Majesty, whatever decision you make, I will risk my life to carry out your orders.”

“The defeat in the last war allowed us to accelerate internal reforms. However, no matter how well the system is organized, we cannot grow further without the resources and economic power to support it.”

“So, you believe we should actively oppose France this time?”

“It’s a gamble to some extent, but the reality is that if we continue as we are, we will struggle to catch up even with the outdated Habsburgs [Austrian Royal House], let alone France. So, we have no choice but to gamble.”

Despite the chancellor’s advice, which perfectly aligned with his own thoughts, Wilhelm III couldn’t readily nod in agreement.

“Even so, actively helping those British… it’s a matter of national pride…”

“We are not helping Britain, but prioritizing our own interests. If Britain becomes disadvantaged, we should abandon them without hesitation and seek our own survival. To do that, it would be good to have an excuse ready that we had no choice.”

“Oh! That seems like a good idea.”

‘Come to think of it, hadn’t the British used exactly that method in the last war?’

‘So, even if we were treated the same way, they couldn’t blame us.’

Share the joy of victory together and bear the burden of defeat alone.

“The problem is, what if those Holy Roman Empire guys really come at us with everything they’ve got…”

“They are just large scarecrows. Without French support, they are no match for our army.”

“That might have been the case in the past, but…”

Blücher was confident, but the king didn’t take his words at face value.

While he was indeed Prussia’s greatest warrior, Blücher fundamentally lacked refinement.

He was simple-minded, lacked strategic insight, and, although he didn’t know if it was true, he had even heard the shocking rumor that he couldn’t read a map.

However, he was also a man who cherished his subordinates like his own children, led by example more than anyone else, and never dismissed the advice of his staff.

But he was such an impetuous person that he always made empty promises that he could win any war if he fought it.

His loyalty was acknowledged, but his opinions needed to be filtered somewhat.

“Even if we defeat the Holy Roman Empire, don’t they have far more abundant resources than we do now? There will inevitably be a difference in the speed at which they reorganize their army or revive their economy.”

“That is true, but…”

“So, let’s create a tense atmosphere while observing their movements.”

Currently, Prussia’s lifeline was Silesia and the gradually developing Polish territories.

They had to defend these two places at all costs while finding a way to recover the Ruhr region.

“First, we need to watch how effectively Britain is pressuring France. And especially, get information as quickly as possible on how the war in Asia is unfolding.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

As the leader of a declining nation, he didn’t have many opportunities left.

So, he had to be as cautious as possible.

If necessary, he wouldn’t hesitate to betray an ally.

※※※

Paris, the capital of France, the nation with the strongest military power in Europe.

After overwhelmingly crushing the Qing Dynasty [last imperial dynasty of China], the strongest nation in the East, no one dared to imagine challenging France.

Which sane nation would dare to do that?

But that insane nation had finally appeared.

Still, the citizens weren’t too shocked.

Perhaps it was because they had expected that a clash with Britain, of all nations, would come someday.

The parliament, which had been wavering, regained its senses when faced with the imminent crisis.

Even though the Prime Minister and the Grand Marshal were in Asia, there were still many talented individuals left in Paris.

Danton was the first to use the authority of the parliament to declare Britain an enemy of France and resolve to mobilize all forces.

Although they had lost the initial initiative, they had no intention of being dragged along any further.

France was more serious than ever.

“This is driving me crazy.”

“Tell me about it.”

Masséna and Berthier, summoned to the parliament, were scratching their heads, waiting for their turn.

“The Prime Minister didn’t say anything?”

“No. There’s no way word could get here from Asia that quickly anyway.”

“Then what about the army? Napoleon and Davout are both away.”

“What else can we do? We have to take charge.”

If the British were within walking distance like the Prussians, they would have already been reduced to ashes, but the sea was of no help.

Of course, Britain was confident and launched a preemptive strike, trusting in that.

Masséna wasn’t one to refuse the position of supreme commander, but the fact that his first stage was the war against Britain was certainly quite a burden.

If he didn’t produce satisfactory results here, wouldn’t he be immediately sidelined?

Berthier, from the beginning, was a talent specialized in being the second-in-command rather than the first, so his position was different from his own.

Murat and Bessières were the same.

These friends were the best cavalry commanders, so no one suggested that they take on the role of Grand Marshal.

Michel and Soult, who had recently been appointed as marshals, were also the same.

They were capable enough to lead a legion, but not qualified to command more than that.

The current French army system was a work that Prime Minister Christian had painstakingly completed, so no one dared to object to it.

In the first place, no one had the mind to do so.

“I wonder if I can perform the role of Grand Marshal well…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll support you as Chief of Staff. Frankly, you alone are no match for Napoleon, but if I support you from the side… well, wouldn’t you be about 0.9 Napoleon?”

“Good. That’s enough to push back those British.”

Masséna’s expression brightened at Berthier’s joke.

‘Come to think of it, he didn’t need to do as much as Napoleon.’

‘He didn’t need to do that much to crush the British.’

Gaining confidence, Masséna boldly declared before the members of parliament.

“In accordance with the will of His Majesty, the Parliament, and the citizens, I, André Masséna, swear in this place! Before this year is over, Britain will fully realize how ignorant they were and who they drew their swords against!”

He was going to say within half a year, but he generously set the period to one year, considering the variable of the navy.

“First, we will mobilize our navy to push back the British navy trying to blockade the canal.”

The Royal Navy being the king of the sea is just an outdated delusion held by the British.

Let’s start the war by clearly showing them that fact first.

“Grand Marshal Masséna, how do you plan to deal with the allies who cooperated with Britain?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to punish the allies who can send troops first, rather than confronting Britain with the navy?”

“It’s meaningless. What Britain is aiming for is to isolate Prime Minister and Commander Napoleon’s forces in Asia. Even if you seize the continent, it’s difficult to block Britain’s aim unless you can walk to the Qing Dynasty.”

“I’ve thought about that method too, but I’ve decided not to put it into practice because the Prime Minister has repeatedly said it from before.”

Although word hadn’t arrived from Asia yet, Christian had emphasized to Napoleon since long ago.

“Is there a special order from the Prime Minister?”

“What is it? No matter how I think about it, it seems like Britain alone can’t do anything if we just crush Russia.”

“It’s what we’ve heard so much that it’s ingrained in our ears. Perhaps the Prime Minister predicted that a day like this might come from then on.”

‘…He probably did…’

The majority of the members of parliament, including Danton, were followers of Christian who could believe that Christian had performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes [Biblical event where Jesus multiplies bread and fish to feed a large crowd].

So, it was true that they had no emotion even if he had predicted this great war in advance.

Rather, they were closer to the feeling of ‘Well, of course.’

“So, what did the Prime Minister say?”

“If you crash into Moscow, you’re dead.”

Originally, it was ‘Never invade Moscow,’ but it doesn’t matter as long as the meaning is conveyed.

From that day on, the opinion of sending troops to Russia never came out again in the parliament.

Do Not Go That Way End