I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 147

The Genius of the French Royal Family 147 The Beginning of the End (147/355)

[Children of Orléans, Rapid Advance!]

[The Advance of New France! Spreading the Great Wave of Freedom to the Pacific!]

[Rebels Overturning Nueva España [New Spain, the Spanish colonial territory in North America], Annihilated by French Forces in Just 3 Days?]

Newspaper headlines that would make their way not only to New France but also to mainland France.

Perfectly crafted with appropriate exaggeration and propaganda.

“Would you like to take a look?”

“If the citizens recognize our efforts like this, there could be no greater reward.”

Alexandre Berthier stood stiffly before me, his face tense.

Come to think of it, I seemed to have had less interaction with Berthier than with Napoleon or other future marshals.

It couldn’t be helped, as I sent him to the New World to gain experience as soon as I scouted him.

Massená was in a similar situation, but he was from a common background, so he regarded me as a life-saving benefactor.

On the other hand, Berthier was from a noble family who could have succeeded on his own merits from the start.

He might be grateful that I recognized his abilities and quickly promoted him, but the extent of that gratitude would inevitably be different.

“I’m sorry for calling you here when you probably wanted to be on the front lines.”

“Not at all. The tasks assigned to my unit have already been completed. Rather, I consider it an honor to be summoned by Your Highness.”

“Good. I wanted to have a thorough conversation with you, not just hear situation reports.”

Berthier was a different type of general compared to Massená, Jean Lannes, and Davout, who were famous as Napoleon’s marshals.

Of course, it’s not to say that he was less capable than those distinguished marshals like Grouchy.

If someone like Massená was the best field commander of the time, Berthier was undoubtedly the best chief of staff.

Even though his ability to command a corps might have been slightly lacking, his talent for reading the overall situation and assisting the commander-in-chief was unmatched.

Throughout France, and even all of Europe, there would be few who possessed more talent than Berthier.

In the original history, Napoleon praised Berthier, saying, ‘He has the talent to understand everything about an operation with just one word from me.’

There’s even a story that he lamented during his exile on Saint Helena [island where Napoleon was exiled after his defeat] that if only Berthier had been alive, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a state.

In some ways, this is the kind of person I need as much as Napoleon.

“Berthier, what do you think of the state of our New French army? Is there anything you think could be improved?”

“There are quite a few inefficiencies, but they are all being rapidly improved. I believe that many things will change when those Your Highness has appointed lead the army.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Then, what about my officers that you’ve directly experienced?”

“I understand why people call them the Children of Orléans and praise them. I am proud to be a part of that glorious group. Massená has the qualities to become the best commander I have ever seen. Davout and Lannes are the same. They are also blessed with talents that are no less excellent than Massená.”

Berthier rattled off evaluations of his colleagues as if he had copied them from a cheat sheet.

The chilling thing was that the evaluations were accurate enough that there was no need to add anything more.

“Then, what about Napoleon?”

“Napoleon… is a different kind of person from us. I felt it 확실히 [clearly] after working with him on operations recently. He is the only one who can unite the individualistic and strong-willed Children of Orléans on the battlefield. Massená seems a little jealous that Napoleon receives the most favor from Your Highness, but I think I know why.”

“Massená will soon realize that I’m not showing favoritism. No, he may have already felt it like you. I intend to give all of you the opportunity to fully demonstrate your abilities and talents, so don’t be impatient.”

“Of course, no one doubts Your Highness. I can assure you of that!”

He spoke earnestly, then suddenly became cautious and glanced at me before asking a question.

“But Your Highness… may I ask you something?”

“Of course. I’ll tell you if it’s something I can answer.”

“As I said before, Davout, Lannes, and Massená are all capable of being marshals of a nation. Putting aside how you found all these talents, you are gathering them all and giving them experience.”

“Well, it would be a national loss if talents like you were buried.”

“But the army of New France is evolving in an increasingly independent direction. It will grow even stronger in the future. It is an overwhelmingly powerful force to be used against Indians or remnants of Nueva España.”

Berthier continued to speak, carefully watching my expression.

He was clearly trying not to look suspicious.

“Don’t worry, the things you’re worried about won’t happen. The biggest reason I’m reorganizing the army now is because the enemies France will have to face in the future are that powerful.”

“By enemies, do you mean… England?”

“That will inevitably be the case in the distant future. Have you heard about the negotiations England had with Spain this time?”

The bizarre slogan of the white man’s burden that England insisted on.

And the story that they reduced the reparations that Spain had to pay by a whopping one-fifth made Berthier’s mouth drop open.

“Those crazy bastards… oh, I’m sorry. They’re completely out of control.”

“They are crazy bastards. No matter what we do, England is always one step ahead. But there will definitely come a time when we have to compete with that England properly. It’s an unavoidable fate.”

The American Revolutionary War was a victory of diplomacy, but there’s no guarantee that it will go so well in the future.

Originally, the rule of Europe is to take down the most successful country first.

Besides, France and England are bound to clash properly someday.

When that time comes, the allies will naturally not help us as actively as before.

That’s because the general opinion is that France is clearly inferior to England, but that’s not the case now.

The wise way is to wait for the two strongest countries to fight and collapse, and then reap the benefits.

“Do you think England is so strong that we need to become much stronger than we are now?”

“Yes. So you need to grow even further than you are now. We can’t do anything about the navy, but at least the army should be so different that England doesn’t even dare to think about fighting us, shouldn’t it?”

“Just leave it to us. We will not betray Your Highness’s expectations.”

Good.

Of course, it has to be that way so that I won’t be in trouble.

“I’ll be expecting it. Then, is there anything else you’re curious about?”

“Rather than a question… Napoleon and Massená are currently burning with the desire to advance all the way to the Pacific. If there’s a problem, should I stop them?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already warned Napoleon. If it seems like there will still be a problem, you can mediate.”

There are many soldiers of indigenous origin in this army.

No, most of the reports said that they were the most enthusiastic about this battle.

Perhaps the natives of Nueva España territory would consider it more beneficial to come under our influence.

France would be a much better choice than Spain, which treated them like slaves and ignored them.

“Oh, but be careful not to clash with the United States. We’ve already decided to recognize South Texas as a state of the United States.”

“…I understand. They won’t have any reason to pick a fight with us, so it won’t be too difficult.”

With just these words, Berthier smiled bitterly as if he understood the general situation.

As I’ve felt many times, a quick-witted subordinate is a good thing.

To be honest, it would have been a bit petty to explain this operation in detail myself.

“Then, since the northern part of Texas that Your Highness told us to occupy has already fallen into our hands, we will set our next goal as California. This is not so urgent, so we will be careful not to expand too recklessly.”

“Good. Perfect.”

Berthier had no idea what value the lands I had designated had, but he didn’t ask any questions at all.

Perhaps he judged that there was no need to know.

In fact, he wouldn’t have understood even if I had told him.

If the Texas oil fields were needed for future growth, California was needed to enjoy immediate publicity.

I’ve tried various methods, but the best way to increase the insufficient population is still to accept immigrants.

We also need to accept so many white immigrants that they outnumber the ever-increasing indigenous and black populations.

However, it was difficult to drastically increase the number of immigrants beyond simply giving them land as an incentive.

So now we need to start using the gold that will come out of California.

Of course, the gold that actually comes out of California is not that great, but the important thing is the image.

Then and now, people tend to imagine sitting on a fortune with a windfall.

If we just leak the information that gold mines have been discovered, people from all over the world will flock to us.

We just need to control the flow appropriately and suck up the honey.

Either way, if they settle down here and live, they will become our citizens.

They may not be able to sit on a fortune with a windfall, but they will be able to live a stable life, so it’s a win-win, right? Yes, that’s right.

“Then I will lead the troops back to the unit.”

“I look forward to your future performance.”

I was enjoying the situation unfolding without a hitch and was about to see Berthier off in a good mood.

However, as if life is all about unexpected variables coming at times like this, a messenger soaked in sweat rushed into my camp.

“Your Highness, urgent news!”

I could see the horse collapsing behind the messenger, exhausted from the urgency.

What news could be so urgent right now?

Nothing really comes to mind…

Tearing open the letter with several layers of security seals, I first checked where the news came from.

The sender was Crown Prince Auguste. Judging from the familiar handwriting, he wrote the letter himself.

But he wrote it in such a hurry that the letters were messy and the content was only two lines long.

“What on earth is going on…?”

-His Majesty’s health has deteriorated rapidly. It seems we need to prepare ourselves, so please return to Versailles as soon as you receive this letter.

After confirming the contents, I put the letter in my pocket without hesitation and got up from my seat.

The excitement in my head cooled down, and only cold reason dominated my body.

Berthier, who was standing awkwardly next to me, looked at me with a worried expression.

“Is it bad news?”

“Berthier. Forget all the orders I just gave.”

“Yes?”

“I am issuing new orders from now on. Occupy California as quickly as possible. And tell the headquarters to prepare all the troops of New France to carry out the next operation at any time.”

Berthier’s eyes widened at the sudden 180-degree change in orders.

Still, true to his quick wit, he did not question it and quickly took action.

“Grouchy, we need to return to the home country right away. Prepare.”

“Understood!”

Grouchy hurried out after Berthier, and only then could I belatedly sink into thought.

It would be a lie to say that I wasn’t expecting it.

Louis XV’s age was now approaching 80, so it wouldn’t be strange if his health deteriorated at any time.

I knew it. I definitely knew it.

What should I say?

A strange emotion that I can’t express in words was slowly crawling up from the depths of my heart.

I expected it to come someday, and I thought it was the time it had to come, but deep down I hoped that this day would not come.

I don’t know yet. What do you call this emotion?