I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 317

I Hope Our Relationship Improves

I was diligently completing the blueprint for France’s grand plan, not just for 100 years, but for 200 years. One day, having perfectly laid all the groundwork, I was gleefully examining the map.

“Long term, this area will be like this… the Holy Roman Empire around here. And America will probably be around this point, too?”

People who love history tend to be crazy about beautifully crafted maps.

That’s why, even in my past life, some of my colleagues who lived busy lives enjoyed playing historical simulation games.

They would stare at the screen all day, wearing strange smiles. I guess that’s how they felt back then.

No, I’m not running a simulation; I’m doing this in reality, so my sense of accomplishment is incomparable to theirs.

“At this rate, it’ll last not just 200 years, but 300 years…”

The land currently occupied by France in Europe is undoubtedly the most lucrative golden area.

This is because it includes France’s fertile territory and the mining areas seized from Prussia.

Additionally, thanks to the contract guaranteeing our stake in the Suez Canal in Egypt, there’s no need to worry about our influence diminishing.

We didn’t forcefully seize it; we owned 51% of the company that built and operated the Suez Canal.

The remaining 49% could be divided among others, and as long as we received our share of the profits, there wouldn’t be any complaints.

As the Asian market grows and trade becomes more active, the power of the canal will only increase.

Already this year, the canal’s revenue has significantly increased as Asian countries have grown in stature.

In the original timeline, Britain, which owned the canal, had to relinquish it due to international pressure, but things are different here.

Of course, we should expect forces in Egypt to eventually nationalize the canal.

However, the plan to maintain our involvement in the canal’s operation is almost complete.

This means that France will continue to dominate trade in the Mediterranean.

Furthermore, France didn’t stop there; during the last Great War, we subtly made Panama a protectorate.

Originally, this area wasn’t popular among Europeans due to the swarming mosquitoes.

And the same was true for Central and South American countries.

At the time, Central and South America were battlegrounds where the United States, pursuing its southern policy, Mexico, trying to stop it, and newly independent Colombia were vying for power.

To resolve this, I sent Bernadotte with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude, and surprisingly, he successfully completed the mission.

It’s just sad that the report itself was missed because Napoleon had just crushed the Qing Dynasty.

In addition, Theodore cleverly used his diplomatic skills to officially make Panama a French overseas territory.

Thanks to this, we were able to establish a stable plan for starting the canal construction.

In the original timeline, the Panama Canal was only completed after numerous major failures, but now it’s different.

The reason the construction of the Panama Canal was so delayed wasn’t just technical issues, but mainly malaria and yellow fever.

In particular, malaria was one of the worst diseases that claimed the lives of many workers.

Unfortunately, people of that era mistakenly believed that ants transmitted malaria.

As a result, they tried to get rid of ants by making the surroundings damp and even leaving out water bowls, which was heaven for mosquitoes.

However, I know this history of failure, so I firmly told them not to even start construction unless a perfect plan was in place.

Even the United States in the 20th century, which had solid mosquito対策 [mosquito countermeasures], suffered nearly 6,000 deaths, so we shouldn’t approach it carelessly.

“Still, once Panama is 뚫어놓으면 [뚫어놓으면 – if we make a hole through Panama, meaning if we build the canal], it will pay for itself, so there’s no other choice.”

Without the Panama Canal, ships from the Atlantic side of France would have to travel over 20,000 km around to enter the Pacific Ocean.

The power of the canal, which can reduce this to a single day, is so great that it can be said to be even greater than the Suez Canal.

In particular, I couldn’t even imagine how much influence France could exert on the United States by owning this canal.

The United States is so interested in this canal that they have even requested to cooperate in the canal construction project.

“If we control the logistics hubs around the world and plant our flag in the oil fields of Arabia to extract oil, even if my descendants try to do Elan짓 [Elan짓 – foolish or wasteful actions], we can easily last 300 years, right?”

Honestly, if they mess this up even after I’ve done this much, then that country deserves to fail.

There’s no need to struggle to make such a 천하의 븅신 같은 country [천하의 븅신 같은 – the world’s most idiotic] better.

Anyway, as I was linking these countless plans together and feeling pleased, a guest arrived.

“Your Majesty, thank you for granting me an audience.”

“Oh, you’ve come? My plans have become much smoother thanks to the achievements you’ve made.”

“I am more than pleased that I have been of assistance to Your Majesty.”

“Having capable subordinates like you is my greatest fortune. Here, have a seat.”

Bernadotte didn’t refuse and sat in the seat I offered.

A satisfied smile naturally appeared on my face as I looked at him.

How could I not be pleased with my 귀염둥이 [귀염둥이 – endearing term, like ‘cutie’ or ‘darling’] who easily suppressed various rebellions overseas and even acquired Panama?

“What brings you here? I’m in a very good mood today, so I’ll grant you one special request.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Judging by your reaction, it seems you’ve come to make a request. Tell me anything.”

Bernadotte opened his mouth as soon as I finished speaking, as if he really wanted something.

“Then please cancel my assignment to the Middle East!”

“…Hmm? You’re asking me to cancel that?”

My voice naturally rose in tone at this absurd request to kick away the promised position of success.

“Th, that is, it’s not because I have any resistance to Your Majesty’s orders, and…”

“Ah, yes. I’m not angry, so tell me slowly. Why are you asking me to cancel it?”

“Well… first of all, the Arabian Peninsula is too hot…”

“It’s hot in the summer, but at this time of year, it shouldn’t be much different from Panama, where you were?”

“There are rumors that there are more bugs than in France…”

“Panama was a mosquito heaven, wasn’t it?”

“……”

Bernadotte, whose excuses had quickly become flimsy, shut his mouth.

Surely he doesn’t dislike going there for those reasons, right? Did some dissatisfaction accumulate without my knowing?

If that’s the case, I need to find out the cause and resolve it immediately.

Taking care of my subordinates’ satisfaction to some extent is also my duty as a superior, and above all, this guy is called the most successful traitor in human history.

Of course, the reason for his betrayal was largely Napoleon’s fault, and Bernadotte’s personality wasn’t really seriously flawed.

If that were the case, I wouldn’t have promoted him in the first place.

“Don’t make flimsy excuses and tell me honestly. I’ll listen if you have a valid reason.”

“…Yes. To be honest, it’s because I want to get some attention now.”

“…?”

This is quite a novel reason.

But it’s also absurd and somewhat understandable at the same time.

“Perhaps you think that the achievements you made last time weren’t recognized enough?”

“What value would there be? I just occupied a land swarming with mosquitoes.”

“I think I said that the value of Panama is no less than 광동 [Guangdong, a wealthy province in China], and could be even greater?”

“That’s… Your Majesty gave me those generous words to comfort me…”

“Yes, yes. I see now. So, you’re saying it’s too much to make me occupy a trash land that’s just humid and full of mosquitoes like Panama, and now send me to a hot country like a 찜통 [찜통 – a steamer or hot box]?”

Bernadotte shook his head like a fan, saying no, but his true feelings were clear.

It seems that I could use telepathy without having to become 궁예 [Gungye, a Korean historical figure known for his supposed telepathic abilities].

“Let me tell you once again about the value of the Arabian Peninsula.”

The land that we agreed to take over from Britain is the oil field area where oil is concentrated.

Of course, even if I explain to Bernadotte what oil is, it won’t work now, but the value of this area wasn’t just oil.

“…In other words, we must secure these strategically important overseas locations to prevent our absolute naval power from wavering. I guess you’re still on the army side, so your understanding of the sea is a bit lacking.”

“Still, if I’m going to be the head of overseas territories, wouldn’t a more important place in Asia be better…?”

“Really? Then who do you think is capable enough to take on this important role in your place?”

“Yes. I think Marshal Napoleon could fulfill Your Majesty’s expectations admirably. If a key figure like the Marshal comes, the people in the region will easily know that France is serious.”

So, you’re confessing that ‘I have friction with that Napoleon~!’

I didn’t know until now, but are the two of them not getting along here as in the original timeline?

Well, even if history changes, people’s fundamental tendencies don’t change much.

Napoleon, who doesn’t blame others thanks to my painful correction, still hasn’t fixed his self-praising habit.

“Bernadotte. I’m saying this seriously, but if you really can’t go, I have no choice but to send Napoleon. The reason is that I think making this region a stable French territory is the most important thing for France’s next 200 years. Do you understand?”

“…Uh… well… yes.”

“The reason I tried to send you there in the first place was because I valued your ability to suppress all overseas rebellions without a single failure and even subjugate Panama. But if you really want to go to Asia, there’s nothing I can do. Tell Napoleon to come and see me on his way out. I have no choice but to tell him about the strategic value of Arabia and seek his understanding.”

“Haha… so, Your Majesty. It’s not that I’m insisting on going to Asia unconditionally, but I wasn’t sure if Arabia was that important of a land…”

Look at this guy.

Is he finally understanding what kind of opportunity he missed?

But it’s your choice to leave, but not to come back.

“Oh dear… so, you mean you want to go again now because it’s a really important land? I’ve never doubted your loyalty until now, but it’s a bit shocking.”

“No, no, no! That’s not it at all! The Queen will know better than anyone how deep my loyalty is… Whenever I go to the parties hosted by the Queen, I praise Your Majesty so much that my mouth is dry…”

“Marie is originally a kind person, so she only sees the good in people, so there’s nothing I can do. Of course, what I said earlier was a joke, and I don’t doubt your loyalty itself.”

“Of course. I am only loyal to Your Majesty and France…”

“But it’s also true that you once refused the position. But now that I’ve heard you, it seems that you and Napoleon don’t get along well, so I’ll punish you for this incident by making you reconcile with him.”

I’m sorry to Napoleon, who was suddenly dragged onto the stage, but he was originally an attention seeker, so he’ll probably like it.

“Go to the Arabian Peninsula together and try to merge the region together. I’ll give a special reward to the one who achieves better results, so do your best.”

Reconcile the enemies who don’t get along, and I eat the land flowing with milk and honey.

Wouldn’t this be killing two birds with one stone?

But will they be able to reconcile properly and come back?