I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 165

Became the Genius of the French Royal Family 165 Transformation (165/355)

Time of Transformation

“How did it end up like this…”

Marquis Belille sighed deeply on the ship docked at the harbor.

His once neat face was haggard from fatigue and stress, making him look like a different person.

“It’s all because of that incompetent François.”

What was he, a capable marshal who played an active role in the Seven Years’ War?

He was all talk, and I never dreamed he would be defeated without even putting up a fight against those youngsters who had just turned twenty.

No, if he had at least fought and then been defeated, I wouldn’t be so frustrated.

It’s not a joke, how is it possible to be subdued in three days?

In the future, Marquis Belille’s name will not only be recorded in history as one of the leaders of the rebellion, but also as the most incompetent fool who was subdued in three days.

I was already being criticized as a human trash for opposing the abolition of slavery, and now this glorious achievement has been added to the list.

Even though I managed to save my life, the name Marquis Belille was completely dead socially.

“Should I have listened to Duke Chartres from the beginning…”

With a thud, the ship docked completely at the harbor.

Marquis Belille, shaken from his thoughts, got off the ship, repeating to himself that it would be okay.

Yes. At least I’m in England now, so it’s not too late.

It may be difficult to make a comeback, but I’ve brought as many assets as possible that can be converted into cash, so I can live as well as anyone else.

I have already sent a request to the British Parliament to sell information about the French side and give me a suitable position.

Prime Minister William Pitt said he would come to meet me in person, so they must have been interested.

England and France have always been eager to devour each other.

Even if I become a traitor on the French side, I am likely to receive good treatment in England.

“Yes. Anyway, I received an answer that they would welcome me with open arms. The British must want information about France. Be careful not to reveal everything at once…”

Before I could even finalize my plans for the future, a group of people approached me, creating a buzzing sound.

They moved so quickly.

They must have been eagerly waiting for me.

Marquis Belille quickly straightened his clothes and tried to greet the young man walking in the lead.

“Hello. Are you the Prime Minister of England, William Pitt…”

“Arrest him. He’s an illegal immigrant.”

“Yes!”

As soon as the young man finished speaking, the soldiers who came forward grabbed Marquis Belille’s arm.

“What, what is it?”

Marquis Belille, who was slow to react to the unexpected situation, was completely restrained and subdued before he could do anything.

“What are you doing! You must have mistaken me for someone else. I am Marquis Belille of France, who was supposed to meet you here today!”

“Yes. That’s why I arrested you.”

“What nonsense… Aren’t you the one who sent me a reply saying that you would not ignore the difficulties of your fellow white brothers? You said you would welcome me as a VIP if I gave you useful information!”

“Ah~ I thought so at the time, but the situation has changed now. Who would have known that the rebellion would end in three days? And the information I can get from such an unimaginably incompetent person doesn’t seem to be very useful.”

Marquis Belille’s face crumpled like a piece of tissue at Pitt’s cold sneer.

“Wait! That’s a misunderstanding! I have much more information than you think! If we talk calmly, you will definitely understand…”

“Actually, I received a request for cooperation from the French side. They asked me to arrest him and hand him over if he came to England, so it’s no use saying anything.”

“These bastards… Did you plan to sell me to France from the beginning! I have information!”

“At this point, there’s no reason to protect you while antagonizing Duke of Orléans. Besides, there’s no guarantee that a guy who tries to sell his country once won’t stab you in the back again.”

Pitt turned away indifferently, as if he was no longer interested.

If I am summoned to France like this, the only thing waiting for me is the guillotine [a device used for execution by beheading during the French Revolution].

Marquis Belille distorted his face with despair and screamed.

“No, I can’t die like this! You vile island barbarian bastards! Do you know who I am! Let me go! Aaaaaah!”

Marquis Belille struggled violently and did not go easily, so Pitt, who turned his head slightly, smiled and waved his hand.

“I forgot. He was a nobleman, so treat him with respect. We are gentlemen who know etiquette.”

“Yes!”

Paak! Pow! Pow!

“Kkeuaaak!”

As soon as the order was given, a one-sided beating poured down.

The soldiers, who had politely subdued Marquis Belille in the manner of a gentleman’s country, dragged him, who had lost consciousness, to the ship that was preparing to set sail.

Thus, the leader of the rebellion, who had been running away until the very end.

Marquis Belille, who had tried to survive alone while abandoning his comrades, was thrown onto the ship heading to France like a pile of garbage.

※※※

Paris in the winter of 1789, a year of shock, horror, and fear, was not far away.

I declared the war completely over and held a triumphal ceremony.

Originally, it is not common to hold a victory ceremony after winning a civil war fought between one’s own people.

However, people recognized that this battle was not a simple civil war.

The majority of citizens were accepting this battle as a feat that swept away the entrenched forces who opposed reform all at once.

As evidence of this, a huge number of people poured out onto the streets on the day of the victory celebration.

Napoleon and other young officers riding horses behind me were unable to suppress their excitement.

It’s no wonder, since this is their first time experiencing this kind of atmosphere.

“My God… Your Highness, it seems like everyone living in Paris has come out.”

“Maybe.”

Of course, it was an exaggerated impression, but considering the current enthusiasm, it might not be such a severe exaggeration.

In fact, people like Robespierre and Danton played their roles as promoters very well even before holding this event.

In order to successfully complete this reform, commoners should not recognize the aristocratic class itself as the enemy.

After all, I was also the head of the aristocracy, and there were quite a few aristocrats among the young talents who followed me.

It would be difficult if an atmosphere was created where aristocrats were unconditionally hostile, as in the early French Revolution.

So, I created this structure as a confrontation between true aristocrats who care about the citizens and corrupt aristocrats.

The citizens praised the nobility of the aristocrats who practiced noblesse oblige [the responsibility of privileged people to act with generosity and nobility] in the true sense of the word.

“There, Duke of Orléans is coming!”

“General Napoleon is with him too?”

“Napoleon? Is that General Napoleon who swept away the rebels in just three days?”

“Savior of France! Long live Duke of Orléans!”

“Kkyaaaaak! Your Highness! You’re so cool!”

Because more people gathered than expected, it was difficult to suppress the crowd even though the soldiers were controlling the line.

Besides, today was a joyous festival day, so I had ordered in advance not to control the citizens too strictly.

“Duke! I’m from the Paris Gazette! Please say a word! Will all the aristocrats who rebelled be executed?”

“General Napoleon! You swept away the rebels like dusting off dust, please say a word about your impressions!”

“Duke! We will continue to trust and follow only you in the future. Thank you! Thank you!”

Is this what it feels like when the national soccer team that won the World Cup arrives at the airport?

No, even that doesn’t compare to the enormous energy that was뿜어져 나왔다 [뿜어져 나왔다 is a Korean word that means ‘bursting out’].

Even if I don’t like this, I have to endure even more difficult times for image management.

So, I smiled for several hours, waved my hand at the citizens, and roamed around Paris.

Being so popular that it’s on a different level is also tiring.

I was thinking that I could indirectly understand the psychology of a popular celebrity, when,

Pueoong! Pueooeong!

With the loud sound of celebratory gunshots, it was time for the main event of the day to be held.

“His Majesty the King is coming! Everyone clear the way!”

“H, His Majesty the King is coming!”

“Ooooo! Great Louis XVI! Savior of the citizens! Sun of France!”

The citizens who had been pouring out praise on this side rushed towards the direction where the celebratory gunshots rang out in an instant.

To think that I would see the day when Louis XVI would be called the hope of France while he was still alive.

It was a situation I had created, but it was honestly a funny sight.

Of course, this is just the beginning.

In the future, these voices of praise will cover not only Paris but all of France.

※※※

The investiture ceremony, which decorated the finale of the triumphal ceremony, was held amidst enthusiastic cheers.

Not only me, but also Napoleon, who suppressed the rebels, and talents such as Massena, Berthier, Jean Lannes, Davout, Joachim Murat, and Bercier all received medals directly bestowed by the King.

In addition, an official announcement followed that they would be appointed to the positions of generals who had been swept away after taking the side of the rebels.

There was naturally no voice of opposition.

If there was, a mob of angry citizens would have immediately poured out a club beating.

Anyway, after all these events were over, I returned to the Tuileries Palace and handed a handkerchief to the man slumped on the sofa, sweating profusely.

“Thank you for coming all the way to Paris, brother.”

“You were the main character of this event, so I had to come.”

Louis XVI, who roughly wiped the sweat with a handkerchief, shook his head as he got up.

“By the way, have there always been so many people in Paris? It doesn’t seem like this was the case when I came before.”

“It must mean that my brother and I are that popular. Please accept it positively.”

“…I didn’t do anything, but the citizens called me the Sun of France… Honestly, I don’t know if it’s okay to do this.”

Until now, it was common to think of Louis XIV when it came to a monarch symbolizing the sun.

However, Louis XVI’s authority and popularity were no less than those of Louis XIV in the past.

Louis XVI, who had just been breathing quietly on the throne of Versailles, was simply in a daze.

“You were able to achieve these results because you followed my thoughts well. In that respect, you didn’t do nothing. Originally, a king doesn’t do anything himself, but rather skillfully handles his subordinates.”

“…Actually, I don’t think I’ve handled anything.”

That’s right.

Still, I have to match the mood of the superiors at times like this so that they will continue to move as I want in the future.

“Brother. By the way, even though things have gone well so far, the future is more important. You should see the hearts of the citizens as nothing more than reeds. They are pouring out praise now, but when their lives become difficult, they will complain as if they had never done so.”

“…Is that so? Still, I plan to continue doing what you tell me to do in the future. Because I have a firm belief that everything will work out well.”

“Thank you for saying that. Then, let’s take this opportunity to address one thing.”

Perhaps a great step that will change the future of France, and the flow of European and world history.

The current France has at least the minimum preparation to accept that progress.

All that remains is the permission of King Louis XVI.

“Brother. Are you satisfied with the current system of France?”

“Huh?”

“Power is concentrated in the king, but because of that, there is extreme attention and responsibility. I am asking if you are prepared to continue shouldering all of this in the future.”

“······.”

Louis XVI could not answer immediately.

His personality cannot handle the position of an absolute monarch.

This is the very point that brought great tragedy to both France and Louis XVI in the original history.

And that is why now is the best time for France to change.

I smiled kindly and brought out the true feelings that Louis XVI had been secretly hoping for.

However, it was his true feelings that he would never have been able to express.

“I will create a country where you no longer have to bear the burden. You can just receive respect and praise and enjoy your favorite hobbies.”

The famous offer you can’t refuse.

My eyes, gazing at Louis XVI, who was tempted, drew a light arc.

It is now time to dismantle the outdated system that is behind the times one by one.

The image of a king wielding absolute power and controlling the country will no longer be found in France.