I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 136

< The Result Will Tell >

“Abolishing the slave trade? What country in the world would propose such an absurd bill!”

“Since no one else will, our Great Britain should take the lead and set an example!”

“So, why should *we* be the ones to set that example!”

The British Parliament was in the middle of a heated debate.

Despite the major event of Maria Theresa’s death, British politicians and citizens didn’t have the leeway [余裕 – yoyu, lit. surplus or room to spare] to pay attention to it.

It was all because of the bill to abolish the slave trade proposed by William Wilberforce.

Moreover, this bill aimed not only at the slave trade but ultimately at the abolition of slavery itself.

It would have been stranger if there *wasn’t* an uproar.

“Do you know how many companies and people are involved in the slave trade right now, Mr. Wilberforce!”

“Of course, I know. Since American independence, the slave trade has been in constant decline. It’s a sunset industry, and ethically indefensible. Why should we protect it any longer!”

As opposition grew in political circles, Wilberforce brought the issue into the public sphere.

In particular, the evangelical groups, who were recently passionate about human rights issues, became strong allies.

It was as Prince Christian had advised.

“Here are pictures and writings that vividly depict the reality of black people being dragged from Africa. The fact that black people are inferior to white people is not a reason for them to be treated this way! No, not even animals are treated like this.”

With the rapid development of ironmaking technology, England was slowly becoming industrialized.

The majority of citizens living in England at this time didn’t care what happened to slavery, and thanks to this apathy, they responded to Wilberforce’s words.

“Everyone, you may turn a blind eye to reality even after hearing this story. But from this moment on, you can never say you didn’t know this fact. Even as we live comfortably and peacefully, countless people are suffering and dying down there. If it were for the sake of us British citizens, we could at least pretend not to see! But the reality is that the profits from slaves are only going into the pockets of a very few!”

“If there’s a problem with the slavery system, shouldn’t we just improve it? Is there really a reason to abolish it…?”

“From the moment they become slaves, they are deprived of the most fundamental rights given by God. What kind of improvement can be made to this? If you treat them well, does that mean they are no longer slaves?”

The occasional objections were all within the expected range, so it was easy to refute them.

After several hours of debate, he took a breath and returned to his office.

Even though he was busy every day, running around giving speeches and debates, strangely, he wasn’t that tired.

Was it because the sense of accomplishment that he was doing something that someone had to do filled his heart?

And his friend who was pushing him to do such meaningful work.

Prime Minister William Pitt was waiting for him.

“Just arriving?”

“Oh, Pitt. Were you waiting for me?”

“That’s why I’ve been holed up in your office. Judging by your face, today’s debate went quite well.”

“Because you’re fully supporting me. But is this okay? I heard you were originally planning to do something by taking advantage of the power vacuum in Austria.”

When the news of Maria Theresa’s death was reported, the British Parliament was also noisy for a while.

Various opinions came out, such as strengthening the alliance with Prussia and undermining France’s alliance.

But Pitt’s choice was the abolition of slavery.

The logic was to seize the agenda first in England by taking advantage of this chaotic situation, and the result is, as you can see, a fierce debate is taking place.

“I have my own calculations, so don’t think of it as a debt. Do you honestly think the obvious tricks of the old men in Parliament will work? Prince Christian is the kind of person who will seize any opportunity to extract something additional if we come out like this.”

“I guess so.”

“So, just focus on your work now. If we handle this well, it will greatly help improve our image of England.”

What is there to fear when the current Prime Minister of Great Britain is supporting you this much?

Wilberforce thanked him several times and immediately left for his next speech.

Watching his friend rush out after stuffing himself with something to eat, Pitt sighed softly.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll definitely fulfill your wish, so don’t think too badly of me.”

He could never say this in front of the person himself, but Pitt didn’t really care what happened to slavery.

He thought it was a trend of the times that would eventually be abolished, but he didn’t necessarily think it had to be done now.

So why is he actively supporting Wilberforce?

It was an easy excuse to appeal to other countries.

*England is working hard to save the slaves.*

*We’re too busy fighting among ourselves to pay attention to other places.* That was what he wanted to show in an easy-to-understand way.

“Since His Majesty and the ministers have given their permission… I should cheer for Wilberforce to be more active.”

Pitt’s real aim is not the abolition of slavery.

Not even the situation in the east, which is chaotic due to Maria Theresa’s death.

What he’s trying to dig into is much further east.

It was India, the land of gold that England had to occupy to become a true empire.

Due to the defeat in the last war, its influence has weakened a lot, but Pitt is now secretly strengthening the power of the East India Company.

And the work of alienating the Maratha Confederacy [a late medieval/early modern Indian empire] and the Mysore Sultanate [another kingdom in Southern India], which are inherently unable to get along, is also in full swing.

Even if they lost the war, England’s potential was not dead.

You can see this from the fact that steel production has increased by two times in the last year alone as the industrial structure has changed.

Since France is in West India, it may be impossible to occupy all of India, but it is enough to take over the central and southern parts.

The King and the ministers also agreed with Pitt’s idea.

Currently, major events such as Maria Theresa’s death and the abolition of slavery are happening one after another.

The majority of European countries are not yet interested in how the war is going in distant India.

By the time they find out, the preliminary work will be almost finished.

When that time comes, the long hours of humiliation will be completely over.

Until that day comes, let’s wear the mask of a naive and kind human rights advocate.

But even if we move in secret, we can’t completely avoid the eyes of France, which has a base in West India.

So now is the time to make a deal.

He was nervous, but not worried.

Because he had a good bargaining chip that the French side couldn’t dare to refuse.

※※※

A month after England was turned upside down, at the Tuileries Palace in Paris.

“…I never expected the Prime Minister of England to come all the way here.”

France became very noisy due to the unexpected visit of a state guest.

It is only natural that the current Prime Minister, not a member or minister of the British Parliament, visited suddenly.

The official reason was to ask for support for the abolition of slavery.

It was a very humanitarian visit to work together to improve world human rights.

In fact, since taking office as Prime Minister, Pitt has been working to improve the image of England, advocating a new and changed England.

Immediately, among intellectuals, there were often words that Pitt’s England seemed different.

“Frankly, I didn’t know that the Prime Minister was so serious about abolishing slavery.”

“Is that so? Wilberforce told me that Your Highness also sympathized with his beliefs.”

“Because it’s the right thing to do.”

I was thinking of working behind the scenes if necessary, but now there was no need to do so.

To that extent, Pitt was pushing for the abolition of the slave trade and slavery in earnest.

It seems that he has grown into an even more difficult opponent while I haven’t seen him.

“Since this is a private meeting, I would like to ask you something. In fact, isn’t it much better for Your Highness that slavery is abolished? Please use your power.”

After confirming that there was no one around, Pitt smiled meaningfully and lowered his voice.

“Profit? It’s good that justice is realized, but I don’t know what kind of profit it will be. Rather, it seems that there will be disruptions in the production of sugar in Saint-Domingue [now Haiti]…”

“But.”

Pitt, who cut off our words in a low voice, chuckled and continued.

“Wouldn’t it be a very good spark to swallow up the New World? That’s why you encouraged Wilberforce.”

“Hmm…”

Look at this?

Rather than flinching, I was slightly impressed.

It wasn’t a short-term plan, but a rather long-term layout, and I honestly didn’t know he would notice this.

“I don’t quite understand what the Prime Minister is saying. What does the New World have to do with the abolition of slavery?”

“You don’t have to test me. Slavery and internal conflicts in the United States, ignition of conflicts in Nueva España [New Spain, colonial territory of the Spanish Empire]. With this much, you know that I’m not just talking without any basis, right?”

“…Amazing. Honestly, I was impressed.”

If you’ve come in this far, you have to admit what you have to admit.

If I keep denying it any further, only we will look foolish.

“If England and France join hands, honestly, what can’t we do? Slavery will be abolished, and Your Highness’s wishes will be fulfilled. I will close my mouth and pretend not to know anything.”

“You’re very kind. But you’re not going to create a structure where we unilaterally benefit and use it politically?”

“I’m using it enough. England will be remembered as the country that brought about this great progress, and my name will be at the center of it. And this will be of great help in improving England’s external perception, which has been branded as an arrogant and reckless country.”

“…That makes sense.”

If there is someone burning with the desire to leave their name in history, they will have the exact same face as Pitt now.

The passion, conviction, and pride that cannot be shown unless it is at a young age like now overflowed from his expression.

“Then I’ll take it that Your Highness will cooperate and go back. I can’t leave my seat for long because I’m so busy. Haha.”

The pride of having completely gained an advantage in the debate.

As he was returning with such a sense of superiority, I threw a word behind his back.

“I hope the plan to merge India goes smoothly as well.”

“… …!”

Pitt, who had stiffened in the same posture as he was walking, turned to us with stiff movements.

“…Of course… It would be nice to occupy India someday.”

“Don’t worry. Since what we’re aiming for is clear, let’s focus on that for now.”

Did you think you could unilaterally exchange deals and get away with it?

If you throw a punch, you have to get hit too.

Pitt, who nodded awkwardly, left the palace with a cautious step, unlike when he was initially full of energy.

※※※

“I can’t underestimate him. Were they also seeing through everything?”

For a moment, I thought we were in a more advantageous position, but it was a complete delusion.

When he nonchalantly revealed our intentions at the end, I was honestly about to sweat.

“But still… Have we found a compromise that we can both accept?”

Christian told us to focus on each other’s goals for now.

In other words, he will take the lead in the New World, so he will condone England taking the lead in East India.

Anyway, even if both sides fight fiercely, they will not be able to achieve what they are aiming for, so it means that they should compromise appropriately.

That’s what I wanted.

We are India, and they are the New World.

The areas that each other wants to occupy are clear, and both lands have definite value.

As soon as I got into the carriage, the sound of a bleak rain suddenly hit the window.

“Yes. There’s no need to clash right now.”

England and France. There is no need to argue about which one made the wise choice now.

The upcoming results will tell which one will be the real winner.

< The Result Will Tell > End