He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 179

(179) Britain, France’s Greatest Enemy

In the year 1797, the powerful figures facing war also existed across the sea.

“Who’s targeting Gibraltar? Spain? Why?”

Britain’s greatest enemy was France.

This was always the case before Germany unified in the original timeline.

Of course, there was a time when Spain was a temporary, hypothetical enemy.

However, that was only during the 16th century when Spain became the dominant power in Europe.

Otherwise, Britain and France had been at each other’s throats since the Hundred Years’ War in the Middle Ages.

Therefore, British leaders had always adopted an anti-French policy as their national principle.

The current British leader, Prime Minister Pitt, was no exception.

But suddenly, Spain, a former ally, was attacking, which was quite surprising.

Foreign Secretary William Grenville shrugged.

“Well, Godoy [Manuel Godoy, the Prime Minister of Spain] must be crazy. Of course, France incited it.”

“Ha, those French guys. They asked us for a truce, and now they’re plotting a proxy war?”

“Would you say you don’t know? There was an incident where we tried to overthrow the French government. I heard that all the friends who tried to participate in the coup this time were exiled to the New World.”

At that moment, Pitt exclaimed in disbelief.

“This is a misunderstanding! Our government would rather support rebels, but we have never secretly supported a military coup!”

This was the famous 10 Downing Street, the cabinet meeting room in the British Prime Minister’s residence.

Of course, in the late 18th century, this place wasn’t yet the Prime Minister’s official residence.

It was the residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer [the British Treasury].

However, Pitt, like many former Prime Ministers, also held the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer, so it naturally became like the Prime Minister’s residence.

This shows how much Britain valued finance at the time.

In any case, Pitt, who was preoccupied with financial issues, felt extremely wronged.

He had already concluded a truce with France, and the failed invasion of Saint-Domingue [modern-day Haiti] had created a huge financial deficit.

Because of that, he no longer wanted to wage war.

But what military coup were they talking about?

Then, the Prime Minister’s secretary, William Wyndham, approached and whispered.

“It seems the East India Company is behind this, Prime Minister.”

Born in 1750, he was nine years older than Pitt.

However, due to his lower status and respect for Pitt’s brilliant mind, he willingly worked as his secretary.

If Pitt were secretly plotting something, Wyndham would be the executor.

For example, even in the Vendée Revolt [a royalist rebellion in France], he sent aid to the rebels through Wyndham.

Conversely, if Wyndham didn’t know, it wasn’t something Pitt did.

Pitt frowned deeply and turned to another minister.

“Please tell me it’s not true. Dundas, you’re originally in charge of the East India Company, aren’t you?”

“I am the Chairman of the Board of Control, but the Home Secretary is the Duke of Portland. Hmm. The Duke of Portland seems to be handling the East India Company issues as well.”

“Good heavens, I just left it to him as a Whig [a British political faction] countermeasure, how did he handle it?”

Henry Dundas was the Secretary at War and also the Chairman of the Board of Control.

Pitt entrusted foreign affairs to his friend Grenville, executed confidential matters through Wyndham, but passed on the war to Dundas.

In addition, Indian policy was also Dundas’s responsibility.

However, unlike East India trade or war policy, the East India Company itself was also a domestic issue.

But the Duke of Portland, William Cavendish, who was the Home Secretary, was a bit different from Pitt’s closest allies.

He was a former prominent figure of the Whig Party and once served as the interim Prime Minister of the coalition cabinet.

However, when the British political scene underwent a rapid reorganization after the French Revolution, the Duke of Portland broke away from the Whig Party.

Afterward, he joined forces with Pitt’s faction and became a minister in the current Pitt cabinet.

However, due to this complex merger process, the Duke of Portland wasn’t the type to work diligently.

Also, the person who should be ‘dealing’ with the highest board of directors of the East India Company is Prime Minister Pitt.

Prime Minister’s Secretary Wyndham whispered lowly.

“It seems the Chairman proceeded directly without telling us, Prime Minister.”

Pitt gritted his teeth and glared at Grenville.

“Is the Gibraltar information certain, Grenville?”

“It’s information sent by Prince ‘John’ of Portugal. He investigated the unusual movements of Spain and found out they are mobilizing their forces.”

“Is the Queen still unwell? It would be good if she could directly check them. Too bad.”

Portugal had been virtually under British influence since the early 18th century.

The reason is simple.

As they were pushed out of the Atlantic trade, trade with Britain accounted for most of their fiscal revenue.

Therefore, even if it’s not Spain, information from Portugal is immediately received by the British cabinet.

However, Britain’s faithful ally, Portugal, had a problem.

The current ruler, Queen Maria I, was suffering from mental illness.

Of course, Britain was similar, but while Britain had Prime Minister Pitt ruling instead, Portugal didn’t have anyone suitable to serve as regent.

The heir and future King João VI in the original timeline, ‘[João],’ was very weak in character.

You can see this from the fact that he was leaking confidential information to Britain.

Thanks to that, it was fortunate that they were able to learn about Spain’s movements, but conversely, they couldn’t trust and neglect Portugal.

Pitt, who was clutching his head, turned to the First Lord of the Admiralty, Earl Spencer.

“By the way, is the situation in Ireland still unsettling?”

Earl Spencer, the minister in charge of Ireland as well, frowned.

“Yes. A force called the United Irishmen is ready to rise up at any moment. It’s a touch-and-go situation.”

“Will it go as far as a rebellion?”

“Not yet. But who knows what will happen if there is foreign support. Especially…”

Suddenly, Earl Spencer brought up a strange story.

“It seems that Freemason members are involved in this issue.”

Freemasons.

A secret society that started in Britain.

In fact, it’s a fairly public organization because the upper class is involved.

The purpose is to pursue truth and transform the world.

But it seems that the society is helping Ireland’s independence.

Pitt asked with a dumbfounded expression.

“Aren’t those guys Englishmen? Why on earth!”

“Well, it must be their belief that Catholics should also receive equal rights. The head of the French Freemasons, Lafayette [Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War], seems to be involved in this issue.”

“It would have been better if the coup had succeeded, damn it.”

Pitt frowned and nodded.

“Okay. Let’s solve the most urgent problem first.”

Gibraltar, Ireland, and the uncooperative giant corporation, the East India Company.

All were troublesome issues that the Prime Minister must address.

So, what should be resolved first?

Pitt said very solemnly to the core ministers of the cabinet.

“Today, we must pass the income tax bill.”

It’s all about taxes.

***

European governments in the late 18th century were all suffering from financial deficits.

In particular, war expenses were the biggest problem.

War always requires a lot of money, but in the late 18th century, it was very difficult to calculate the cost-effectiveness.

It’s not an era where winning solves the financial deficit.

For example, even after Britain won the Seven Years’ War against France, they couldn’t solve the financial deficit and imposed a tea tax on the New World.

After that, the War of Independence broke out, and they lost the colony itself.

But Britain had been in a state of war for almost eight years since 1789.

The financial deficit was bound to become more and more serious.

To solve this problem, a new tax was essential.

Of course, the parliament was not interested in this issue.

“Slavery must be abolished immediately!”

The most hotly debated issue was, strangely enough, the abolition of slavery.

There is a reason for this.

It’s because of France.

Currently, Britain had just failed to invade Saint-Domingue.

However, despite Britain repeatedly winning in naval battles, the reason why France defended Saint-Domingue is actually one thing.

It was the recognition of Toussaint Louverture’s [leader of the Haitian Revolution] slave rebel army.

In other words, the emancipation of slaves led to Britain’s defeat.

While discussing the responsibility for this defeat, the abolitionists in parliament rose up.

In particular, the one shouting the loudest was the leader of the opposition Whig Party, Fox [Charles James Fox, a prominent British Whig statesman].

At Fox’s words, the member sitting in the speaker’s chair jumped up.

“What nonsense! The slave trade is the foundation of British trade policy! Slaves! Tobacco! Sugar! Don’t you know that these three are the basis of trade?”

“That’s old news! The slave trade has already lost its profitability and legitimacy. Look at France. They have already declared the abolition of slavery!”

“Advocating French policy, you must be a traitor!”

Speaker of the House, Earl Mansfield, shouted, and Fox shook his plump body and shouted.

“A traitor! Slavery is against the will of God, undermines Britain’s legitimacy, and is a good bill only for slave owners in the New World. Prime Minister Pitt! Tell me, should we continue to maintain slavery!”

Fox, a supporter of the French Revolution.

His generous physique, resembling Danton [Georges Danton, a leading figure in the early stages of the French Revolution], stood out.

He was once a figure who gained power and aimed for the position of Prime Minister.

However, after the Pitt regime came into power, he has been active as the opposition leader.

But Fox, as a supporter of the French Revolution, was also an abolitionist.

Of course, the British people of this era were also cultured people who had been baptized by the Enlightenment, so they had a sense of rejection of slavery itself.

It’s just that it’s such a profitable trade that they can’t help but turn a blind eye.

Then, a gentle-looking member stood up.

“Wouldn’t it be better for me to speak about slavery than the Prime Minister?”

“Mr. Wilberforce! Oh, a righteous member who opposes slavery. Tell those outrageous people what justice is!”

“Mr. Fox. I also support the abolition of slavery. I have also raised several bills calling for gradual abolition.”

Wilberforce [William Wilberforce, a British politician and philanthropist], Pitt’s friend who would later be known as the father of abolition.

Indeed, he had been advocating the abolition of slavery since the beginning of his political career and had also succeeded in passing a bill banning the slave trade within Britain.

However, he has not yet been able to stop the black slaves being sold to the New World.

So, will Wilberforce take advantage of this opportunity to assign blame for the defeat?

No.

“But at this point, when we don’t know when the war with France will start again, the abolition of slavery is a lower priority issue. I think there are more urgent issues.”

Fox snorted at the words that were considerate of Pitt.

“Ha! Abandoning justice for power! Like Pitt’s friend!”

Then, a gray-haired young man sitting in the front of the parliamentary ranks opened his mouth.

“Keep order, Mr. Fox.”

Pitt, now 38 years old and in his 14th year as Prime Minister.

His usual solemn face without a smile presses down even the outspoken Fox with his dignity.

Just as everyone was about to close their mouths, Pitt stood up and solemnly announced.

“There is intelligence that has come through the Foreign Office.”

“What is it?”

“The news that Gibraltar is under threat.”

At Pitt’s words, the faces of all the members changed.

“France and Spain. Both countries have joined hands to attack Gibraltar. As everyone knows, Gibraltar is the gateway to the Mediterranean and, in fact, the first entry point to India.”

Everyone in this place knows that Britain’s lifeline depends on trade with India.

After the loss of the New World, excluding the Canadian region, trade with India has become even more important.

But if Gibraltar is taken, trade with India through Egypt will be blocked.

That alone must be prevented.

Everyone thought the same.

Pitt did not miss this opportunity.

“Therefore, we want to form a new naval fleet to defend Gibraltar. To do so, finance is essential.”

“Wait, are you going to establish a new tax?”

“That’s right. It’s like tithing on income.”

Pitt affirmed the tax bill to the bewildered members.

“Commoners with an annual income of less than 60 pounds do not have to pay. Up to 200 pounds, 1/12 will be taxed, and over 200 pounds, 1/10 will be taxed.”

“No, wait a minute. To talk about a new tax so suddenly!”

“This tax levy can be said to be a wartime income tax to protect the country. Mr. Fox. Answer me. Is this justice or not?”

Fox gritted his teeth.

If he opposes it here, it will be like neglecting the defense of Gibraltar.

In that case, Fox’s political life will also be over.

His constituents will rebel, saying that he lost his practical interests while arguing about justice.

Inevitably, Fox spat out.

“It’s justice.”

The Home Secretary, the Duke of Portland, nodded and said.

“Let’s start the vote. It’s a vote to resolve whether to approve or disapprove the income tax bill.”

Soon after, the sound of a hammer announcing the passage of the bill was heard.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

The tax that became the origin of the modern income tax in later original history was passed on this day.

***

All these historical moments are, in fact, additional problems for the powerful.

“I hear the parliament is very noisy, Mr. Pitt.”

In Buckingham Palace, an old man was sitting on one side of the garden.

George III.

A king who was left in later original history as the Mad King.

He is also the person who lost the American Revolutionary War and created the United States.

But now he was looking at Pitt with eyes that seemed more intelligent than ever.

“I am sorry for causing concern, Your Majesty.”

“No, I am causing concern. There are many times when I am not in my right mind.”

“Your Majesty.”

Looking at the embarrassed Pitt, King George III said with a smile as if he was amused.

“The rebels in France killed the king, and now they have even overthrown the emperor.”

“Austria is still declaring itself an empire.”

“They even prepared a bridgehead on the land of the New World that we lost? Land near ‘New France’ that your predecessor once acquired.”

George III gnashed his teeth.

Of course, the predecessor king, George II, really didn’t do anything.

The nobles, including then Prime Minister Walpole and General Churchill, did everything.

Rather, George III, who is called the Mad King in later history, took responsibility for state affairs, promoted many things, and achieved results.

The person who raised Pitt to the position of Prime Minister in the first place was George III.

However, George III has two fatal weaknesses.

One is that he lost the American Revolutionary War, and the other is that he is suffering from a disease presumed to be porphyria [a genetic disorder that can affect the nervous system and skin].

A disease that can suddenly drive you unwell at any time.

Madness that they didn’t even know the cause of at the time.

George III sighed and looked at Pitt.

“Pitt, I don’t want to be a failed king.”

“Your Majesty.”

“I lost the New World to the rebels. And then France surpasses Britain? That can’t happen. Do you know what I mean?”

Pitt bowed his head.

“I know, Your Majesty.”

George III smiled as he looked at Pitt, the young Prime Minister he trusted the most.

“Good. I’ll tell you while I’m still in my right mind. Gibraltar is in danger? How are you going to stop it?”

“I’m thinking of sending the best fleet.”

“Who is it? The admiral?”