I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 176

Becoming a Genius in the French Royal Family 176: Master of Cutting Losses (176/355)

Master of Cutting Losses

I always feel that fixing things is harder than causing them.

Fortunately, the Assembly hadn’t messed with issues directly affecting the lives of ordinary citizens too much.

“So, a debt relief for citizens was proposed?”

“Well, that… it was just under consideration, and we knew it was absurd, so we didn’t actually pass it.”

“Robespierre, what did I tell you before I went to Nouvelle France [New France, referring to France’s territories in North America]?”

“You told me to avoid radical policies and to refrain from fighting with Danton over pride…”

It’s creepy how he remembers everything.

Of course, Robespierre could argue that he was following my instructions in his own way.

“I tried to cooperate with Danton to implement reforms as you said, Prime Minister. But the Senate is openly showing that they have no intention of cooperating with us. They don’t even try to hide their attitude, like, ‘How can our noble house play in the same water as you guys?'”

“Really? They say the opposite. They say you seem to enjoy manipulating the arrogant nobles to your will.”

Originally, when judging any issue, you must listen to both sides.

After dissolving the Assembly, I summoned the representatives who led the fight in the Senate and the House to hear the whole story.

And as expected, both sides claimed that the other was the cause.

But it’s not like they’re lying.

It’s more likely that both sides are telling the truth.

“First, I will review all the bills passed by the House while I was away and revise or repeal them. Any objections?”

“…No.”

“It’s not that I completely deny your ideas. The current situation where the Senate can paralyze the House by abusing its veto power needs to be improved.”

Originally, I was going to thoroughly check the system while I was here, but things progressed faster than expected in America, so I couldn’t help it.

In a way, I should be grateful that there wasn’t a real bloody fight.

I wanted to make them all do headstands, but I held back because this environment was inevitable.

If I had actually gone for something like debt relief, I would still be racking my brain trying to figure out how to fix it.

The fact that people’s livelihood bills are all stalled is a problem that can be dealt with from now on, and most of the bills that need to be scrapped are about the distribution of power in the Assembly.

I can just give both sides a carrot each.

“First, the bill that allows the House to neutralize the Senate’s veto power will be repealed. I think you’ll agree that this was too much. Any complaints?”

“…No. However, I think some kind of check is necessary.”

“Okay. So, I’m thinking of adding a clause that requires two-thirds of the House members to agree to re-vote on a bill vetoed by the Senate. And if it is determined that this may conflict with current law, the Senate can ask the court to judge. I’ve already finished talking with the Senate, so pass this amendment in the House.”

Robespierre slowly nodded, as if he had no complaints.

He seemed to be clearly aware of his disgrace this time, and he couldn’t raise his head the whole time.

In fact, even though he was a talented orator and lawyer, his abilities as a politician were not outstanding.

Robespierre was excellent at building his power and seizing power, but he was not good at running the country.

You could say he was overprotective. His ideals are high, but his ability to realize them in reality doesn’t keep up.

In the original history, he is famous for carrying out excessive reign of terror to enforce his will, and eventually his head was cut off on the guillotine.

I gave him the job thinking it would be different this time, but his extreme tendencies didn’t go away.

This was clearly a fatal flaw as a politician.

“Robespierre, do you hate nobles?”

“…Yes?”

Unexpected by the question, Robespierre paused to collect his thoughts and said in an insecure voice.

“I don’t think so personally, but if it seemed that way, I have no excuse.”

“I don’t particularly think so either. That’s why I asked.”

“…I believe that reducing the influence of the nobility is the way for France to become a healthier country. But after hearing your story, Prime Minister, I think there may have been anger towards the nobility within me.”

“You are definitely a capable person. Your contemplation of social phenomena is excellent, and your knowledge goes without saying. But if I ask if you are a good politician, the reason why I have to say no at this point is…?”

Robespierre, who was about to answer reflexively, stopped and organized his thoughts.

After thinking deeply, he carefully opened his mouth when I had almost emptied my cup of tea.

“Isn’t it because I can’t abandon the extreme aspects that you always talk about?”

“That’s right. And expressing that tendency directly to your opponents is the most fatal thing. When you’re doing politics, you shouldn’t make enemies like that. Unless I can cut off their breath at any time, you shouldn’t let the other person recognize me as an enemy. Always keep this iron rule in mind.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

“If you show that kind of behavior again after I’ve said this much, you should remain a good lawyer, not a politician. That would be good for both this country and you.”

It means that if you do this again, you’re fired, but in other words, it also means that I’m just going to let it go this time.

After all, it’s not easy to replace an intellectual like Robespierre, and it’s not like he’s just a flawed person.

First of all, Robespierre boasted an overwhelming integrity that could not be compared to anyone else in the current Assembly.

A knife-like morality and strictness that does not tolerate even an inch of corruption.

This is just a hypocrisy if it only applies to others, but Robespierre himself never did anything wrong.

There are quite a few key positions that require a person who doesn’t have a speck of dust, both publicly and privately.

If there were many people who could be replaced at any time, I would have cut him off immediately, but if he was such a person, I wouldn’t have kept him by my side like this.

I can only hope that he will develop further with this mistake as an opportunity.

As Robespierre bowed his head and left, Louis XVI, who had been sipping wine in the distance, burst into laughter.

“As expected, all the problems are solved in one day when you come! As expected, France must have the Duke of Orléans!”

“…Brother, is the wine good?”

“Of course, of course. It’s so delicious to drink while watching all the worries unravel like the Gordian knot [a complex problem solved by a bold stroke]. As expected, having a capable younger brother is so reassuring.”

“…That’s a relief.”

It’s already been a while since I realized that it’s useless to say more here, as it will only hurt my mouth.

I meant to relieve the burden by freeing him from his duties as king, but not to throw everything away.

But if I say this, I’ll probably get the answer, ‘I’m sorry I’m not capable~’.

What can I do if he says he’s incompetent?

Louis XVI, who has already obtained the invincible shield, is now immune to any attacks.

Who can I blame? It’s all my karma.

“Brother, then please continue to drink wine here. I have to go see my wife and children now. I have to apologize for not coming right away.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already told them everything~. I subtly told them that you were very angry and sorry that you couldn’t go to your beloved wife right away because of a very important matter. Go with peace of mind.”

Hey, tell me honestly. Are you pretending to be stupid?

Louis XVI subtly avoided my gaze and emptied his wine glass, as if he had heard my curse coming from my heart.

“Kuh… delicious.”

The forced exclamation sounds very unpleasant.

Just you wait, brother.

Louis Christian will remember this.

※※※

While Christian was patching up the conflict in the French Assembly,

London, Great Britain.

“Intelligence has arrived that the Nouvelle France army will intervene in the American war.”

British Prime Minister Pitt summoned the ambassador of the Confederate States of America to explain the situation.

“Can the current military power of the Confederate States of America stop the Nouvelle France army?”

“…It’s hard enough to fight the North, but if the Nouvelle France army invades, we can’t defend it alone!”

“I see. Our experts have the same opinion. Considering the military power of the Nouvelle France army, the consensus was that the South, which already has no capacity, would hardly last for months.”

Pitt secretly accepted some of the lower-ranking officers who had fled from the French civil war.

And based on their experience, he was able to roughly estimate the current military power of the French army.

Of course, it was only a rough estimate, but what was certain was that the current French army was much stronger than before.

If they had fully intervened in the American Civil War, the reason is obvious.

It is an expression of their will to end the civil war and normalize the United States again.

‘Honestly, I thought I could squeeze it out for at least two more years… Aren’t you folding the game too quickly?’

I had intelligence that the domestic situation in France was quite noisy, so I thought that might be the reason.

It’s not just France, but this side is also involved, so it must have been uneasy to lead the situation in a chaotic political situation in their own country.

“If you gave us this information, can we take it as meaning that England will also send troops to us?”

The ambassador of the Confederate States of America looked at this side with a face mixed with expectation and gratitude.

But Pitt only tapped the teacup in front of him without any definite answer.

“That’s right. I should definitely convey this side’s future policy.”

In fact, the route by which England obtained this information was none other than through Christian.

He sent only a notice that they would intervene militarily without saying anything else.

And at the same time, they launched a massive publicity campaign to establish their legitimacy in both Europe and the New World.

[A crusade for freedom and equality! France draws its sword in the American war over slavery!]

[France responds to the desperate request of President Jefferson of the North! A great march for the advancement of human rights! Will blacks be able to gain true freedom?]

There is no doubt that these kinds of articles are now everywhere.

It would not be unreasonable to interpret Christian’s hint to this side as a signal to slowly pull out.

Then I have to make a decision.

Will we also send troops, or will we cut losses here?

Pitt, who had already made a decision before entering this seat, declared in the most polite, but firm tone without any compromise.

“From now on, our Great Britain has decided to withdraw from all disputes taking place in the United States. So, the ambassador must vacate the embassy by this week… no, by tomorrow.”

“…Yes?”

The Southern Ambassador’s mouth dropped open at the unexpected declaration of cutting losses.

“W-What are you talking about? You clearly said that England would never abandon the South, so let’s stay on the same boat until the end.”

“I did.”

“Are you saying two different things with one mouth now? Are you deceiving us!”

“When did we deceive the South? We actually got on the same boat, and now that we’ve reached the destination, it’s time to get off.”

“The war isn’t over yet, so what do you mean we’ve reached the destination!”

The face of the Southern Ambassador, who realized that he had been played from beginning to end, turned pale.

On the other hand, Pitt continued to speak calmly without losing his composure.

“Ah, it seems there was some confusion with the figurative expression. The destination we were talking about meant until the end of the alliance.”

“No… you crazy…! Then that means! You said that we would cooperate with us because white people have a duty to enlighten other ignorant races!”

“Ah~ I’m going to continue that enlightenment in India. When I think about it, it seems like the blacks can be enlightened by the French. By the way, the Prime Minister of France seems to have considerable enthusiasm.”

Leaving the American ambassador speechless, Pitt got up from his seat first.

Before leaving, he added a word in a tone that soothed a young child, as if he had just thought of it.

“And when I think about it, our England was a country that banned slavery.”

“You son of a…”

Before the ambassador could utter a curse, Pitt laughed and closed the door and left.

I didn’t feel sorry at all. I think I kept enough etiquette and trust.

Of course. England is a country of gentlemen.

Master of Cutting Losses End