He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 117

< The Best Choice - 117 >

Tae-oh stared blankly at King George, who was asking about the ‘best choice.’

At the same time, he recalled the historical events that were supposed to unfold.

After Benjamin Franklin rejected Britain’s proposal at the peace talks, the next step would be an alliance between America and France.

As he remembered, Benjamin Franklin flatly rejected the British proposal but then went to France and pretended that peace negotiations with Britain were progressing well.

He created a false impression, as if Britain might grant independence at any moment.

For France, which was already considering entering the war, the peace talks with Britain were a significant concern.

There was a risk that all the efforts to support the North American colonies from behind would be in vain.

And now, Britain might preemptively grant independence to North America.

If Britain readily recognized independence, the relationship between North America and Britain would rapidly improve, potentially accelerating the already developing British industry.

That would mean Britain rising to become the wealthiest nation in Europe.

From France’s perspective, facing Britain across the English Channel, this was a very worrying situation.

According to actual history, France, unable to overcome this fear, accepted Benjamin Franklin’s proposal and formed a united front with North America.

Having formed an alliance, France waged war against Britain alongside the North American colonial army, ultimately contributing to the birth of the United States.

Unable to contain his frustration, King George urged Tae-oh.

“Ahem, Lord Sanderson, what are you doing? Tell me, what is the best choice we can make right now?”

Tae-oh, having finished his deliberation, opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty.”

At that, not only the King but all the ministers and nobles listened with bated breath.

“The best choice we can make… I believe the answer lies in what France hates and fears the most right now.”

“If it is what France hates and fears the most… wouldn’t it be for us, Britain, to win the war against North America? So, are you saying that winning the war is the best choice?”

Tae-oh shook his head.

“No, Your Majesty. That was a fear they had before. The fear France has now goes one step further.”

“Ahem—frustrating. Stop beating around the bush and give me the answer!”

Tae-oh, taking a moment to gather himself, answered as if he had made up his mind.

“I believe France’s fear… lies in a declaration, under Your Majesty’s sacred name, to recognize the independence of the North American colonies to all the world.”

“What, what did you say?”

The surroundings became noisy.

Soon, angry voices erupted from among the ministers and nobles.

“What kind of absurd nonsense is that!”

“Lord Sanderson! Are you openly suggesting His Majesty give up North America?”

“Is he truly out of his mind?”

“Your Majesty! How can you just listen to the words of such an arrogant and insolent man!”

However, there were also quite a few opinions, mainly from the Whig Party [a British political faction favoring constitutional monarchy], that agreed with Tae-oh’s words.

“But, realistically speaking, isn’t Lord Sanderson’s statement not entirely wrong?”

“That’s right! Looking at the current war situation, it doesn’t seem like a completely wrong approach. It’s a proposal worth considering seriously.”

King George, suppressing his discomfort, asked Tae-oh.

“Why do you see that as the best choice at this point in time?”

The gazes of the nobles and ministers once again focused on Tae-oh.

“After seeing the British army suffer a major defeat at the Battle of Saratoga against the North American colonial army, France has shifted from doubting the military capabilities of the colonial army to believing in them.

Or rather, it seems their thoughts began to change significantly from the earlier battles, seeing the colonial army effectively resisting the British army.

In other words, they seem to have calculated that they can sufficiently win against the British army if they unite with them.”

A general-turned-official questioned with a very displeased expression.

“Ha—someone who has never been to the battlefield speaks so easily. Does the French army not know that our British army has not fought with all its might? To consider us, the strongest British army, as an opponent they can sufficiently defeat and form an alliance… What nonsense…”

However, he couldn’t continue speaking and quietly stepped back under King George’s murderous glare.

“Lord Sanderson, don’t mind him and continue speaking!”

Tae-oh, bowing his head to King George, continued his argument.

“Benjamin Franklin, the colonial representative, will go to France and spread the impression that our Britain is about to recognize the North American colonies as an independent nation.”

King George’s brow furrowed unpleasantly.

“Why would that man spread such absurd lies?”

“Of course, he will not say it directly. He will only try to convey such an impression.”

“Deliberately create such an impression?”

“Yes. If Your Majesty recognizes the independence of the colonies and maintains a good relationship as before, it is clear that our Britain will greatly overwhelm France economically and militarily based on close cooperation with North America, which has abundant resources. France is very afraid of this. And Benjamin Franklin, aware of this, will actively try to exploit it.”

“Hmm—France is… afraid of us recognizing the independence of the North American colonies….”

“It’s not just France. The Netherlands, Spain, and perhaps all surrounding countries will absolutely not want independence resulting from our decision.”

Prime Minister North, who had been listening all along, asked Tae-oh.

“But North America and France were once enemy states that fought each other to the death. Just as our Britain and France were enemies, France was the same enemy to them. Would they so easily join hands with each other?”

“What meaning is there in the concept of allies and enemies in international relations? Yesterday’s enemy becomes today’s ally.

Also, isn’t it said that the enemy of my enemy is my friend? Clearly, France and the North American colonies were enemy states pointing guns at each other, but now that they have a common goal of having Britain as their enemy, wouldn’t it be more natural for them to form an alliance in the international community?

Moreover, consider that France has been sending a lot of war materials to the North American colonial army by mobilizing shell companies and secret agents without Britain’s knowledge. France is no longer a country that can be seen as an enemy to the colonial army.”

This time, a stubborn-looking old Earl challenged him.

“The surrounding countries are afraid of us recognizing independence… Hmm, isn’t that too much of an arbitrary interpretation? I think the opposite is more likely.

How much money have we poured into fighting the war for several years? If we recognize their independence now, how much will the surrounding countries ridicule our Britain?

Also, even if France forms an alliance and participates fully in the war, it is doubtful whether France, with its poor domestic situation, has the power to change the course of the war.

Furthermore, if we kneel to the North American colonies like that, independence movements may erupt like wildfire in other colonies in the future.

Considering all these situations comprehensively, Lord Sanderson’s short-sighted decision to recognize independence will be the worst choice, gaining nothing but ridicule and only leaving us with things to lose in the future.”

Tae-oh retorted to the Earl, who was meticulously questioning him.

“Then, please choose one of the following two options.

The first is that the war will continue for at least three more years, spending astronomical amounts of money each year to wage the war, but eventually losing the war due to France’s participation, losing the colonies, and greatly diminishing our status in Europe.”

“······.”

“The second is that Your Majesty bestows the grace of recognizing their independence in advance, greatly reducing the financial burden of unnecessary war, developing industry through smooth trade with North America, overwhelming France, and exerting great power in Europe.”

“Ahem—what nonsense! The choices you are presenting are extremely tailored to Lord Sanderson’s taste, aren’t they? Why are you excluding the most likely option that our Britain will win against them?”

Tae-oh countered.

“Britain’s victory is the most likely option? Hmm… It is a war in which we are struggling even without France’s full support. If France participates fully in the war as an ally, can we really win easily?”

“······.”

“If this war were unfolding in Britain or even on the European continent, the chances of winning would be quite high. But it is a battle taking place in a distant land, in terrain that is too unfamiliar to our British army.

Moreover, not only is the transportation of supplies not smooth, but it also takes months to deliver a single order.”

“······.”

“Then, can we really create better results than before France’s participation?

And if we had intended to win, we should have pushed forward relentlessly as I said from the beginning. I warned you so, but you indulged in appeasement policies and parties, and this is how it turned out, isn’t it?

With that mindset, if France forms an alliance and officially declares its participation, do you really think we can win even by luck in the future?”

Tae-oh turned back to King George.

“Your Majesty. The opportunity that I am giving you, which can be seen as the ‘best choice,’ may be the last one. If we pass this point and France and the North American colonies form an alliance, it is certain that this wasteful war will drag more countries into the war and plunge us into a quagmire for years to come.

And in the end, it will be recorded in history as a foolish war that only brings losses to our Britain without anything to gain.”

Tae-oh, taking a moment to catch his breath, said with a determined expression.

“If Your Majesty does not immediately recognize the independence of the North American colonies, I will bet everything… that the war will proceed as I have said.”

Once again, the surroundings stirred greatly.

King George, who had been silently watching Tae-oh, solemnly asked the ministers and nobles.

“Well, Lord Sanderson has bet everything in this place! You all know very well what it means to bet everything in front of the King, don’t you? If there is anyone among you who can confidently speak about the outcome of this war, betting everything like Lord Sanderson, come forward and speak up quickly.”

However, no one readily came forward. Everyone lowered their heads and only looked around cautiously.

King George, looking around with a pathetic expression, burst into a hearty laugh.

“Hahaha—interesting. Until just now, you were all good at making excuses and arguing, but when asked to risk your necks, you are all busy protecting yourselves. Is Sanderson the only one after all? How can I not like Sanderson like this?”

“Your Majesty, I am honored.”

King George nodded his head and opened his mouth as if muttering to himself.

“Yes, that best choice is ultimately a matter that I must carefully consider and decide. Yes, yes… I understand. I will think more deeply with the Prime Minister and the ministers and make a quick decision.”

*

Inside the carriage heading home. Tae-oh’s feelings were complicated.

‘It won’t be easy, but if King George accepts my words and recognizes America’s independence, history will flow in a completely different direction from what I know, right?’

In fact, Tae-oh had been feeling for several years that the actual history he knew and the events that were unfolding were gradually changing.

The timing of events related to the American Revolutionary War had changed slightly, and above all, the healthy King George was a very different development from actual history.

Moreover, the rapidly growing British coffee industry was also a process that did not exist in history at all.

‘If George III joins hands with the Whig Party and recognizes American independence, it will be noisy for a while due to the confrontation with the Tory Party [a British political faction traditionally supporting royal authority], but it will soon stabilize.

King George, who has implemented this decision decisively, will once again receive great respect from the Americans, and free trade between Britain and America will also become active….’

America, with its vast resources, would give Britain many resources in exchange for using the world trade system that Britain had already established, gaining great benefits.

This would soon lead to an economic boom in both countries, and it was a natural order for America to show rapid economic and political growth.

As a result, Britain would become the most powerful country in Europe, no, in the entire world.

‘The problem is France….’

In fact, France also seemed to be able to gain some benefits from economic exchange with America, as they had contributed to helping America so far.

And this might prevent the worsening of public opinion for the time being, while somewhat offsetting the poor domestic economic situation.

However, as they feared, France would try to check Britain by forming alliances with Spain and others because of Britain’s ever-growing position.

‘If they avoid the worst poverty, will the French Revolution, which will erupt in 10 years, be delayed?’

Until now, history had mostly flowed as he knew it, but if Britain recognized America’s independence, the world was likely to change in a completely different way.

‘What choice will King George make….’

The lights passing by the carriage window seemed to dance even more 불안하게 [unsteadily] today.

◈ One month later. Theo Marriage Agency, 5th floor CEO’s office.

Thump—

The door was flung open, and Viscount Simon Hughes rushed in.

He was holding something like a pamphlet in his hand.

“CEO! CEO! Did you… did you see this?”

“?”

Tae-oh inadvertently accepted the pamphlet he was handing over.

A pamphlet hastily printed, with the ink not even dry yet, connected by several sheets. On the front page, an astonishing phrase was written.

『King George Approves North American Colonies as Independent Nations!!』

Below the title printed in large letters, a brief mention of the related content was written.

Tae-oh quickly read through the contents.

King George, with the strong support of Whig Party members, had accepted the independence of the North American colonies, and Britain would consistently promote a treaty allowing free trade with the independent nation in the future.

Simon asked with a nervous face.

“CEO. What will happen now? If the war suddenly ends here and the North American colonies become one independent country… Huh, I can’t grasp it at all?”

Tae-oh couldn’t grasp it either.

Early May 1778.

History was swirling in a completely different direction from what Tae-oh knew.

< The Best Choice - 117 > End