I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 181

Became a Genius of the French Royal Family 181 The End of the Century (181/355)

< The End of the Century >

Westminster Palace, London.

The cabinet ministers were all gathered at the Houses of Parliament, where both the House of Lords and the House of Commons of the British Empire were located.

It was because of the unusual movements taking place on the continent.

In fact, after several meetings, the conclusion itself had already been reached.

All that remained was the final coordination of opinions.

“So, Prussia doesn’t want an all-out war?” Pitt flipped through a thick report with his characteristic inscrutable smile.

“What exactly is Prussia’s reason for avoiding war? Even when Bavaria was helplessly annexed into the Holy Roman Empire, they seemed quite passive.”

“The Holy Roman Empire doesn’t seem to matter to them, but they seem wary of France’s participation. According to the Prussian ambassador, the late King Frederick II repeatedly urged them to be cautious.”

“Frederick II?”

Frederick II, who passed away several years ago, is called Frederick the Great in Prussia in honor of his achievements.

And his successor, Frederick William II, was in many ways less capable than his predecessor.

It would not have been easy to ignore the legacy left by the great late king.

As Pitt gestured for him to continue, the Foreign Secretary continued his report.

“Yes. Frederick II reportedly carefully observed France’s movements and the results of the American Revolutionary War and came to a conclusion. The one behind France is undoubtedly Christian, and there is a monster coiled up inside him.”

“Hmm…”

Perhaps the insight of someone called the Great King is extraordinary.

In fact, it’s not wrong.

That’s what we thought too.

However, such a cautious attitude is what Britain should take.

Other countries need to be a little more reckless and rash, drawing out France’s power.

“So, Prussia just wants us to intervene and strike a proper balance?”

“Yes. It seems they believe that if we show signs of intervention, France won’t be able to act rashly.”

“Why should we do that when there’s no benefit for us?”

“Prussia seems to think that if they lose their leadership on the continent, we will also suffer in the long run because an alliance centered on France will dominate the European continent.”

It was an undeniable fact.

However, Pitt was not so easily swayed by such flimsy threats.

“If we suffer 10 losses, Prussia will suffer 100, or even 1000—it’s no exaggeration to say. I remember there was a discussion last time about how the other side is the one in a hurry, so why should we do what they want? Did you clearly convey our opinion to the Prussian ambassador?”

“Yes. The Prussian side said they understood for now.”

“Then let’s bring him in here and finalize the discussion. Tell him to come in.”

As Pitt’s permission was given, the door of the parliament opened, and the tense Prussian ambassador walked in.

Before the ambassador could say anything, Pitt took the initiative.

“Welcome. Originally, we don’t summon ambassadors directly to the parliament like this, but we have arranged this meeting because we judged that the matter is urgent and requires speed.”

Although his tone was certainly polite, the Prussian ambassador still did not relax.

Prussia already knew what kind of country Britain was.

During the Seven Years’ War, Britain withdrew from the war alone as if they didn’t care about the alliance once their business was done.

Because of that, the great King Frederick was driven into a corner and almost took his own life.

They are people who cannot be found to have any loyalty even if you wash your eyes and look for it.

But what can I do? We’re the ones who need it, so we have no choice but to bow down for now.

“No. I am grateful that you have promised to help without ignoring our difficulties.”

“Of course, we are just doing what we have to do. Our country also owes you a debt from the past.”

The Prussian ambassador’s eyes widened at Pitt’s unexpected remark.

He never expected them to acknowledge that fact first.

Could it be that this British cabinet is filled with more rational and conscientious people than before?

“…Then, are you granting our request?”

“Of course. But our cabinet and parliament believe that your country is overlooking one important fact.”

“Yes? What on earth is that…”

“If we show signs of intervention, France won’t be able to openly raise an army, so a balance will be struck. Yes, logically, that would be a reasonable expectation. But that doesn’t apply to the current France.”
Pitt continued, wearing a pitiful expression as if he was only worried about Prussia’s future.

“The Prime Minister of France, Louis Christian, possesses the wisdom of God and the cunning of the devil in one body. If we threaten them carelessly, they will laugh and attack your country. I remember that your late king, Frederick the Great, left a similar message.”

“…That’s certainly true, but…”

“Currently, France has reportedly brought a significant portion of its army from the New World to Europe. Why? They have already decided to go to war. They will definitely think it’s good if we act passively.”

“Th-then what should we do…”

Even if Russia is busy fighting with Turkey, Prussia alone can never defeat France and the Holy Roman Empire.

What if France instigated the Holy Roman Empire from the beginning with the intention of going to war?

Prussia may have been played by France from the start.

“But don’t worry too much.”
Pitt nodded resolutely.

“Our British Empire has no intention of letting France run rampant any longer. And next to your country is our ally, the Electorate of Hanover [a German territory ruled by the British monarch]. We serve the same king, so we wouldn’t just stand by and watch.”
The Electorate of Hanover, located in northern Germany, had long been in a personal union with Britain, sharing the same king.

In particular, George I and his predecessor, George II, were kings born in Hanover.

Therefore, the previous kings were more interested in the situation on the European continent than in the British mainland.

Recognizing this point, Prussia did not doubt the truth of what Britain was saying.

However.

Unfortunately, the current British King George III, although from the House of Hanover, is a British king born in Britain.

For Britain now, Hanover was merely a convenient excuse for Britain to intervene in German affairs.

At least, the British Parliament, led by Pitt, thought so.

Even in this commotion, Britain was easily avoiding the suspicions pouring in from neighboring countries under the guise of protecting Hanover’s safety.

“So… you’re saying that war is inevitable, but you will still check France. In other words, can I understand that you will definitely dispatch troops if war breaks out?”

“Of course. If France marches north, they will have to face our combined forces of Britain and Hanover. So don’t be afraid and stand up to them with dignity! We will be behind you.”

“Oh…!”

Of course, Pitt had already finished calculating in his head, even though he was only saying nice things.

No matter how strong the French army is, it won’t be a problem for them.

Since there are no more colonies in the New World, there is no need to fight directly with France.

And if those French infantrymen try to land on the British mainland by boat?

They wouldn’t dare to do that with our overwhelming naval power.

Then the last thing left is India, but there was no problem with that either.

Are those guys who are digging cornerstones in the west going to start a fight with the East India Company, which has recently greatly strengthened its forces?

That’s just suicide.

In the end, unlike the Seven Years’ War, the front line will be formed in the German region, so even if Britain loses, there will be no major losses.

No, rather, we must take this opportunity to fully understand France’s power.

Even though France’s army has become stronger, their power has only been revealed twice.

And one of those times was a fight with the southern United States, which is hardly even called a second-rate power.

We needed to confirm whether they were only specialized in beating up civilians who were far below their level, or whether they had really surpassed other countries.

Frankly speaking, Prussia and Hanover were the best test subjects for this.

It would be great if they fought bravely and inflicted damage on France.

“Thank you so much! Our country will never forget your sincerity.”
The ambassador expressed his gratitude several times and hurried out of the parliament to deliver the news to Prussia.

Pitt, who was seeing off such an ambassador, was asked worriedly by his close friend Wilberforce, who approached him.

“I know what you mean, but isn’t this a bit of a risky gamble?”

“What’s risky about it?”

“It’s good to test France’s power. But since we also promised to dispatch troops, we can’t avoid losses if a battle actually breaks out, can we?”

It’s not worth using the lives of our own soldiers just for exploration.
Pitt chuckled at the sight of his friend, who was looking at him with more serious eyes than ever.

“Don’t worry. There won’t be any problems.”

“No, what do you mean…”

“I said I would dispatch troops, but did I promise how many troops I would send? I don’t think so.”

“…Oh… you, you don’t mean…”

Wilberforce’s mouth dropped open as wide as it could possibly go.

Really?

Even so, is it really okay to go this far?

Pitt accepted such a friend’s gaze without any hesitation and conveyed the will of the parliament and the king to the Minister of War.

“Gather the navy and carry out a show of force so that France can see it clearly. Never approach near French territorial waters.”

“Understood.”

War is coming.

This is not the kind of threat that can be avoided just because we don’t want it.

And cowards who are afraid of an unavoidable fight cannot become the masters of the era to come.

Those who are qualified are only those who can boldly ignite this spark and gain a definite advantage.

Pitt’s eyes, gazing at the west where the continent is, were emitting a cold light as if the gentle expression from before was a lie.

※※※

“Urgent news! The British fleet is gathering on a large scale! They are firing cannons as if to show off in the sea not far from our territory!”

A provocative act that anyone can see is telling them to try it if they can.

The most embarrassed by this outrageous British provocation was not France but Prussia.

However, the fact that they showed such a strong will also proved that Britain’s will to participate in the war was firm.

Prussia, which had become like riding a tiger [in a precarious situation], boldly rejected all the demands of the Holy Roman Empire in one stroke.

The Electorate of Hanover also joined Prussia and fiercely criticized France and Austria’s coercive attitude.

What is the public opinion of French citizens watching all these situations?

Of course, the voices of ‘War! Never again war!’ are dominating.

“How much do these British bastards look down on us to provoke us so openly!”

“Hanover? What are these little bastards doing, subtly interfering and spouting nonsense? Do they think we can’t touch them if they hide behind Britain?”

The citizens, who were already in a bad mood due to a series of accidents, gradually began to openly utter the word war.

Newspapers also spread articles that further stimulated this psychology.

[Philanthropy does not symbolize weakness! Let’s prove the strength of France!]

[Guardians of freedom and equality, do not hesitate! Prussia is no longer our enemy!]

The voices of citizens demanding a public statement from the government grew louder day by day.

And finally, judging that this atmosphere had almost reached its peak, I publicly appeared in a square filled with citizens.

“Dear citizens. Representing the will of His Majesty the King and the Parliament, I, Louis Christian, am here to deliver a significant announcement to you.”

“Woo-oh-oh-oh-oh!”

“Long live the Prime Minister! Long live France!”

“Recently, our France has achieved more brilliant achievements than any other country. The country, which was once the exclusive property of clergymen and nobles, is now being operated rationally under the mutual agreement of nobles and citizens. I can confidently say that it is the fairest country in the world, reflecting the will of the citizens and valuing human rights.”

“Prime Minister! Please continue to take responsibility for this France forever!”

“As long as I, Louis Christian, am in this position, France will continue to make remarkable progress! But unfortunately, there are those who envy and are jealous of our prosperity. That’s right. They are the losers who are falling behind the times that you are seeing now.”

Even though I didn’t specifically name which country it was, curses burst out from the crowd all at once.

“Those damn British bastards!”

“Let’s smash Prussia, the lackey of England!”

“Most of you here may not have experienced it directly, but France experienced a painful experience 30 years ago. In the war that lasted for 7 years, we were defeated by the alliance of England, Prussia, and Hanover, and we had to sacrifice the lives of many parents.”

Although it has become a story of the distant past, the humiliation of the Seven Years’ War is still etched in the hearts of French citizens as a painful thorn.

Even though we won the American Revolutionary War and repaid them, that was only a war that took place in the colonies.

It was difficult to say that we had completely avenged them with us as the main characters.

“But finally, the opportunity has come! Those arrogant enemies are still intoxicated with the glory of their old victory and cannot see reality. But what about us? Our national power has become incomparably stronger than before, and our unity has become infinitely stronger. Is there even a slight possibility that we will lose this war?”

“No!”

“Vive la France!”

“So, I will declare it clearly from this place. Take up your swords and cut off the memories of defeat that remain in our hearts! From this moment on, there will not be even a handful of humiliation left in the past and future of our France!”

All of Paris, all of France, rose up.

War was declared in the name of the parliament, and Louis XVI’s permission was granted.

All the army marshals, including Napoleon, Jean Lannes, Davout, and Massena, gathered in one place.

The war that will decorate the end of the 18th century has finally raised its curtain over the European continent.

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