I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 325

The Great Asian Circus

Robespierre was looking at the confident young Asian man with a mixture of strange emotions.

His name was Im Cheok-seo, wasn’t it?

It was hard to guess his age because Easterners often looked younger than they were, but he was definitely more than twenty years younger than himself.

He had no connection or common ground with this man, but he felt strangely like he was looking at his younger self.

It was those eyes.

Those eyes, filled with the confidence that he could do anything if given the opportunity, were exactly like his own from the past.

“So, you’re saying that the northern region is in turmoil and you want to come up with a solution.”

“Yes. I am grateful that Governor-General, who is so busy, has taken the time to meet with me.”

“The stability of Northeast Asia is an important issue for us as well, so it’s only natural.”

“Then, let’s get straight to the point.”

The interpreter, having received two maps from Im Cheok-seo, spread them out on the table for Robespierre to see clearly.

“This is the map from three months ago, and this is the current map. As you can see, they are still fighting each other and playing a game of territorial acquisition. And the problem is that it’s gradually moving south.”

“That’s true, but I don’t think the flames of war will reach Fujian. According to our analysts, it will end around Hubei or Hunan.”

“That may be the case right now. Or it may just end in a stalemate. But the problem is that if they keep fighting each other like this, there’s a possibility that an overwhelmingly powerful force will emerge in the distant future.”

The saying that chaos breeds heroes was a truth that Europeans knew from experience, not just Asians.

There is no such thing as a conflict that lasts forever.

The one who ends the war will inevitably appear at some point.

Whether it’s a country, a person, or a group.

“You’re saying that the northern region is being reorganized into a new order and there’s a risk that it will return to being a single entity.”

“Yes. If that happens, the surrounding small countries will naturally be at the mercy of the newly born superpower. They could invade and annex them at any time if they have the opportunity. Wouldn’t the justification for the war be sufficient if they said they were once the same country and wanted to be the same country again?”

It didn’t seem sufficient at all, but was this a common justification from an Eastern perspective?

Robespierre clicked his tongue quietly and stared intently at the map.

“But it’s difficult for us to actively intervene. The home country is pursuing a policy of prioritizing peace in Europe, so we can’t raise an army in Asia.”

“That’s true, but…”

“And it wouldn’t look good for Europe to interfere in Asian affairs at every turn. It would set a bad precedent.”

France was already the one who caused the great Qing Empire to be torn to pieces.

If they interfered again and cracked down on countries that were trying to live quietly, it was easy to guess what kind of reaction they would get.

Robespierre had decided to make a name for himself, but he had no intention of ruining things by being greedy.

Im Cheok-seo’s eyes twitched slightly.

It was only for a moment, but the seasoned Robespierre immediately sensed the feeling of, ‘Oh? This isn’t right.’

“Are you saying that France won’t intervene in this matter at all? I’m sure I’ve explained the potential side effects.”

“Then I’d like to ask for your opinion. As a party to this conflict, what kind of intervention does your country want?”

“First of all, I’d like you to issue a strong statement saying that our allies will inevitably feel threatened if this war continues any longer.”

“We were planning to do that much anyway.”

“And I thought it would be a good idea to mobilize our allies appropriately to create a basis for military intervention…”

Using relatively weak allies to provoke an opponent you want to start a war with is a classic declaration of war.

A prime example is when Rome used its ally Numidia to constantly provoke Carthage when it attacked them.

If the other side couldn’t stand it any longer and attacked, they would try to intervene militarily under the pretext of invading an ally.

Robespierre had initially considered this method as well.

Since they had a good meat shield called Manchukuo, they could create an excuse as much as they wanted.

Manchukuo would have gladly accepted their proposal if they had been given appropriate compensation.

But unfortunately, they couldn’t use that method in the current situation.

“France directly raising an army is out of the question. Of course, if they directly attacked a French ally that wasn’t doing anything, things would be different, but we won’t be inducing that.”

“Yes? Why on earth…”

“I don’t know if you know this, but the Olympics will be held in Paris soon. As the first Olympics to be held in a country other than Greece, the home country is making every preparation. So we have no choice but to postpone raising an army as a last resort.”

Im Cheok-seo’s face stiffened, as he obviously had no idea what the Olympics were.

“No, what on earth is that…”

“To put it simply, it’s a sports festival. However, the original purpose of its establishment is to promote human perfection and international peace through exchange, so we are trying to create an unwritten rule that we will not engage in armed conflict during this period. What would the home country say if I raised an army at a time like this without being aware of the situation?”

He wanted to quit his job as the Governor-General of French Guangzhou, but he would never end it in the form of a dishonorable recall.

However, Robespierre’s mood was not very good, as much as Im Cheok-seo’s expression was distorted.

If they weren’t the kind of guys who would understand what you were saying, they wouldn’t have caused this problem in the first place. To resolve the situation without using force?

It was easy to say, but it was a daunting task to actually try to do it.

Even the confident young man named Im Cheok-seo had suddenly become mute.

Anyone would think he had sealed his lips with wax.

‘It’s a characteristic of inexperienced youth. Well, I was like that too.’

Still, he must be a good person if he came as a representative of a country.

Even the proposal that Im Cheok-seo had put forward was not that bad.

No, rather, it was extremely efficient and close to the orthodox method.

Im Cheok-seo was probably trying to gradually build exchanges with France in this way.

And in the end, he was planning to subtly include himself as one of the allied countries.

If everything had gone according to plan, it might have been possible.

Honestly, it would be frustrating.

Suddenly, he heard a rejection that he couldn’t take military action because of some unheard-of Olympics.

He must have thought of not only plan A but also B or C, but if the fundamental premise collapses, it becomes useless.

And a person who lacks experience is fine when everything goes according to plan, but when the plan starts to go wrong, they collapse rapidly.

Improvisation from experience is not for nothing.

Robespierre was also shockingly similar to that young man in the past.

He develops the ability to slip through blocked roads like a snake while everything is being broken and shattered.

“Anyway, thank you for coming all the way here. I’ve prepared a place for you to stay, so please rest.”

“No, Governor-General. We still need to discuss it further…”

“I have a lot of work left to do. Let’s do the rest tomorrow.”

They were using polite language to each other, but it was obvious who was the boss and who was the subordinate.

Im Cheok-seo couldn’t say a word and followed the interpreter out of the governor’s office.

Robespierre, watching the back of the young man who had seen the true nature of society, covered his mouth to hide the laughter that was unknowingly coming out.

※※※

At the very moment when the report came in that Asia was not looking good.

The first official Olympics to be held outside of Greece in history was taking place in Paris.

The fervor was beyond imagination in an era when national pride and patriotism were emphasized to an extent that cannot be compared to the modern era.

He ordered them to pay full attention to the fact that violence was likely to occur in this atmosphere.

“It’s a great crowd. It’s a great success.”

“The number of participating countries has increased by 10 compared to the first event.”

“If Asian countries participate next time, the number of participating countries will increase significantly.”

“It’s a great success. It’s a great success again!”

Yes, yes. Why are you praising me so much now?

France, which has successfully hosted international events several times, cannot be the same as Greece.

Of course, the level of preparation and progress of the competition will be as different as heaven and earth.

“The last expo was a great success, the [Concours Hippique] horse show was a great success, and this Olympics is a great success. Everything you touch is a success.”

“I am always impressed by His Majesty’s planning skills. Hahaha.”

“Still, I wish I could have had Asian countries participate in this competition, but it’s a little disappointing.”

They participated in the expo held in the United States, so I thought the Olympics would be possible, but unfortunately, it ended up being canceled this time.

Unlike expos, which introduce their culture and technology, the Olympics are held with events tailored to the Western world.

Of course, there’s no way that taekwondo or judo would be in the Olympics of this era.

Japan and Joseon [historical Korean kingdom], who had ambitiously tried to promote participation, immediately ran away, saying they would aim for the next opportunity as soon as they saw the competition events.

Still, they sent a large observation team this time, saying they would try to participate next time.

It’s called an observation team, but in reality, it’s a reconnaissance team that came to analyze the games.

I feel a little sorry to think that this is how national-led elite sports development is starting.

Even in this era, Asia’s sports infrastructure will grow into a deformed structure.

Still, isn’t it true that you have to accept some side effects if you want to catch up from a lagging position?

If you experience the side effects about 100 years earlier than modern Asia, you will be able to improve 100 years faster.

“Your Majesty, look at that. The dignitaries from Asia are also very engrossed in watching the games.”

“They are so engrossed that they are even writing something down non-stop. Hahaha.”

“This is all thanks to His Majesty, as well as the hard work of our Ministry of Culture.”

Everyone didn’t know why they were writing so hard, but everyone was praising themselves as if they didn’t know anything.

Whether they did or not, I was watching the game quietly for a while.

The diplomats from Japan and Joseon, who were mixed in with the Asian observation team, approached me.

Since it had already been discussed in advance, the guards quietly moved out of the way so that they could enter.

“Your Majesty, thank you so much for taking the time.”

“The competition is in full swing, so let’s proceed concisely. What did Robespierre say?”

“Yes. The coordination with the Governor-General has already been completed. If Your Majesty gives us permission, we will take action immediately.”

“Then there won’t be any problems. Proceed.”

At that moment, the whistle announcing the end of the game rang, and the audience’s tremendous shouts echoed around.

The diplomats from Joseon and Japan were buried in the sound and returned to their original positions as if nothing had happened.

The eyes of the world are currently focused on France, so they have no intention of moving openly.

They are just cheering hard, hoping that France will win more medals than all the other countries combined.

I’m worried that I’ll be so focused on that that I might neglect Asia for a while.

What if other Asian countries try to act as vigilantes with excessive loyalty?

I’m too busy watching the Olympics to pay attention.