I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 142

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Toronto.

Governorate-General of New France.

“What on earth is going on?”

“Are these crazy Yankee bastards really trying to start a war?”

“They’re demanding we hand over the entire southern part of Texas. What else could it be but war?”

“No, they might just be trying to negotiate after taking a hard stance first, so we shouldn’t jump to conclusions!”

New France, which had been optimistic about the situation, was thrown into chaos by America’s sudden actions.

Every department, whether diplomatic, administrative, or military, was on high alert, closely monitoring the conflict between the United States and Spain.

And predictions considering all possibilities poured in as reports to me, the ultimate decision-maker.

“It seems the prevailing opinion is that a war is unlikely to break out.”

“Wouldn’t you agree? After all, Spain and the United States are currently maintaining an alliance with us.”

“Alliances mean nothing when it comes to a nation’s interests.”

Lavoisier gave a wry smile, as if to say, ‘Surely not.’

“Even so, Spain is an ally that fought on the same side when the United States declared independence. It’s practically a blood alliance… Surely, the United States wouldn’t do something so absurd, unless they want to be completely isolated diplomatically.”

“Of course, they wouldn’t openly fight. But the important thing is that the United States has openly revealed its intention to take Texas. Even if they don’t clash right away, it means a conflict is inevitable in the end.”

During this period, America’s desire for territorial expansion was, without exaggeration, almost pathological.

It’s no wonder they’re so eager, with vast, appetizing territories stretching out endlessly at every turn.

Still, I didn’t expect them to act so brazenly with Spain being a clear ally, as Lavoisier said.

Jefferson isn’t someone who lacks judgment to that extent, so there must be some ulterior motive.

“Napoleon, who is currently in the south, has also sent reports that the atmosphere is unusual. For now, we have to assume that the United States is putting on a show of being serious.”

“There must be a reason for this.”

“I have a rough idea. The typical way to strengthen unity when the internal situation is chaotic is to create an external enemy.”

Jefferson used all sorts of negative tactics to win the election against Adams.

Failure to expand territory due to diplomatic blunders, large-scale escapes due to neglect of slave management, and responsibility for the resulting social unrest.

It’s always easy to see the problems of the government when you’re not the one involved.

It couldn’t be more fun to relentlessly criticize while the other side just takes it like a punching bag.

However, once you become president, the story changes.

If you’re frustrated, you should run yourself. The moment you’re called onto the actual field, you lose all sense of what to do.

Jefferson was now in a position where he had to solve the very problems he had criticized so vehemently.

“But no matter how I think about it, there’s no solution. Black people who want freedom keep escaping, so what can the government do? All they can do is increase surveillance and improve the treatment of slaves so they don’t feel like risking their lives to escape.”

“The diplomatic issues aren’t much better. Buying Florida and Louisiana was practically a giveaway on our part, but anything more is impossible. Even if we try to buy land from Nueva España [New Spain, the Spanish colonial territory in North America], they won’t quietly sell it.”

“So he must have been anxious. He had to do something, but he had no good ideas, so he was going to be criticized for the same logic he had used to criticize others.”

It’s a surprisingly typical case for approval ratings to plummet after people realize you’re no different once you’re elected.

From Jefferson’s perspective, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of crisis that the Federalists would regain power if he failed to win re-election.

Then, a conflict broke out on the border between Louisiana and Texas… Okay, I’m starting to get a sense of it.

The plan is to shift all the aggro to Spain and buy some time.

Spain, who was sleeping peacefully at home, is now clutching their head after being hit by a rock that flew over from the commotion next door.

“Lavoisier, request a summit with the United States. They’ll probably agree right away, as if they’ve been waiting for it.”

“Understood. But shouldn’t we wait for Spain’s response?”

“It takes ages for news to cross the Atlantic and reach Spain. They probably haven’t even realized that their own house is on fire yet. And it’ll be better to take credit for resolving the situation, right?”

“I see. I’ll relay Your Highness’s orders to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately.”

Fortunately, this incident happened while I was in New France.

If I had received this news in Paris, even I would have been half mentally broken.

Even if I tried to fix it, there would have been limitations in dealing with it due to the physical distance.

“Still, Jefferson is definitely not normal. How can he so brazenly pass the buck to another country like this?”

The more I think about it, the more resentful I feel.

Is he learning from what I did in France and using it himself?

If so, should I see this as my karma?

From now on, I should strive to be a more exemplary, humble, and sound diplomat… Yeah, right.

Since it’s come to this.

I have no choice but to move the plan forward.

※※※

The conflict between the United States and Nueva España over territorial expansion!

It goes without saying that Europe was turned upside down as soon as this news was reported.

England and Prussia rejoiced at the prospect of the anti-British alliance faltering, while Austria, the Netherlands, and Russia did not hide their unease.

I immediately sent letters to France and Spain, offering to mediate.

The center of the anti-British alliance is France, no matter what anyone says, and New France is located in the disputed territory of the New World, so there was justification.

The Viceroyalty of Nueva España, which had been waiting for news from the home country, welcomed my proposal with open arms.

Although they boasted the largest territory in North America, the reality was not so good.

The administrative power to cover the vast territory was not in place, and the control over the provinces was almost non-existent.

In fact, the reality of Nueva España was that they were just barely holding on to that large landmass.

If the home country doesn’t provide assistance right away, they will lose to the United States a hundred times out of a hundred, even if they fight alone.

Of course, even if they were to actually fight, the United States was wary of Spain’s presence behind them.

Even if Spain were to step in, there would be limitations to sending troops across the distant Atlantic to engage in a brawl.

However, to start a war and seize territory from a country that fought for their independence just 10 years ago?

Wouldn’t that be an act worthy of being called an ungrateful wretch?

As long as the justification lies with Spain, other allied countries can also put diplomatic pressure on the United States.

So, all things considered, there’s nothing bad for me, the Governor of New France.

I can just appear like a savior, suck up all the benefits, and disappear.

As expected, Jefferson, who received our proposal, came to Toronto as if he had been waiting for it.

Of course, he didn’t forget to mobilize troops as if he were really starting a war.

His acting skills are worthy of an Academy Award.

What should I say?

It’s similar to the psychology of someone who gets into a fight in school and secretly hopes someone will stop them, while saying to the friend who’s trying to stop them, ‘Hey, let go, I said let go!’

Anyway, Jefferson, who arrived in Toronto with a thick face, gave a very different impression than before.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness Prince Christian.”

“Yes. Congratulations again on your landslide victory in the election.”

“It’s all thanks to Your Highness’s support, haha.”

Perhaps because he has become the president of a country, there is a different kind of experience in his attitude and tone.

It’s definitely a strange feeling to think that the clueless intellectual who first came to Paris is now sitting in front of me as president.

“By the way, I didn’t expect such a mess to break out before my congratulatory gift arrived.”

“I feel the same way. I was just about to move into the White House when I heard that my citizens had been killed in Louisiana. Moreover, as the president responsible for a country, my anger was even more intense.”

“I understand. I can’t help but be angry when I think about the people I’m responsible for being harmed.”

Of course, it’s half sincere and half false, but there is no boundary between truth and falsehood for a truly excellent politician.

It’s enough to hypnotize yourself into believing that a lie is the truth.

“Still, Nueva España must have been very embarrassed.”

“I understand, but I cannot compromise. Our citizens have lost their lives.”

“But selling the southern part of Texas is an unacceptable condition for them.”

“Of course, we know that too. However, our position is that this issue is not subject to compromise.”

Confusing, confusing.

Anyone can see that he’s being unreasonable, and he knows it too.

Then there’s only one conclusion.

He was signaling for me to offer him a way out.

He has taken a strong stance, and as a result, he has obtained this much concession from the other country.

It’s obvious that he’s aiming for this kind of picture.

But I can never let that happen.

If it ends like that, I’ll be the only one taking the blame, right?

“I don’t think the President really intends to go to war with Spain.”

“That’s right.”

“But you want to get your hands on southern Texas, right?”

“Of course, if there’s a way to do that.”

Summits in this era are different from modern ones.

Modern summits are meetings between the heads of state, and it is difficult to make secret agreements because the speed of information dissemination is fast.

But now, it is possible to conclude behind-the-scenes agreements that are different on the surface and inside.

Without Spain, France, or even the United States knowing.

“I mentioned it once in Paris before, didn’t I? I thought President Jefferson would definitely keep that in mind.”

“In Paris?”

Jefferson blinked in surprise for a moment, and then the corners of his mouth twitched.

“Ah, of course I was thinking about it. But this story is… you know? It’s something that requires great security.”

“No one can eavesdrop on our conversation here. And I won’t leave any records of our conversation from now on, so you don’t have to feel burdened. In fact, the President doesn’t think it’s a waste to end this commotion with just a moderate concession, does he?”

“Of course. To be honest, I want to achieve at least enough results to ensure my re-election.”

The smile on Jefferson’s face looked strangely more sinister than before.

Of course, without needing to talk about others, my face probably doesn’t look much different from his right now.

“How much preparation have you made?”

“I have already secretly contacted the leaders of that region. I don’t know if you know this, but there is quite a bit of desire for independence in that region. It’s probably thanks to the stimulation of our successful independence.”

“That’s a positive sign. It’s worth trying to proceed.”

I only gave him a hint when we parted in Paris, but I didn’t expect him to have already taken action.

Now I’m completely convinced.

Perhaps because of my influence, Jefferson has definitely become a more cunning and sophisticated schemer than in the original history.

“Then I’ll assume that New France is tacitly in agreement.”

“Yes. If Nueva España is no longer Spanish territory, there’s no reason for us to intervene.”

“That’s right. We’re not attacking an ‘allied country’.”

There’s only one case in this world where Nueva España is no longer Spanish territory.

The independence of the Mexican Empire.

Of course, Jefferson’s intention to make Mexico independent was not because he was a freedom fighter, nor was it out of sympathy for the people there.

If it’s no longer Spanish territory, the United States doesn’t need to buy Texas, they can just invade it.

Because it’s not an allied country. It’s just attacking a newly independent country. If that newly independent country has even killed its own citizens, then there’s even less of a problem.

Then, they can just throw a few coins as consolation money and claim that they bought the land.

And when that happens, I certainly don’t intend to just stand by and watch.

At least the oil-rich oil fields in northern Texas should be ours, right?

The United States will draw enough aggro [aggression], so we can just subtly get involved in the middle.

The United ‘States’ of America and the central country of Europe, the central countr… no, France.

The moment the two countries’ historic first collaboration opens.

I feel like I’m becoming such a bad guy, but it’s okay because history proves it. When there’s the worst guy, the next worst guys are forgotten, right?

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