I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 192

The first day of the conference was supposed to be about discussing peace, but ironically, it became a stark reminder of Europe’s absolute dominance.

The fate of Africa and West Asia was now entirely dependent on the interests of the European powers.

Only a few centuries ago, the Ottoman Empire seemed capable of defeating all of Europe combined.

Even though they had suffered defeats in recent wars, many still believed in their historical strength.

However, the reality was that they were treated like a punching bag, openly ignored in a gathering of powerful nations.

The Ottoman representatives couldn’t even voice a single complaint, fearing they might upset England.

If the representatives who witnessed all this were to return to their respective countries, the flow of international diplomacy would likely change significantly.

So, while the first day indirectly revealed the reshaped status of the great powers, the second day focused more on actual treaty negotiations.

“It would be ideal if we could prevent wars altogether, but no matter how hard we try, there will inevitably come a time when conflicts are unavoidable. However, war is ultimately a human endeavor. If we don’t establish at least some basic rules, we will all head down a path of mutual destruction. Therefore, I hope we can establish clear norms that everyone can agree on here.”

From ancient times until now, war has always been dictated by money.

And as capitalism began to sprout, this rule only became more firmly established.

War is money, and to gain more money, war is inevitable.

However, as human science advances, the damage caused by war also increases exponentially.

The representatives of the great powers, well aware of this, raised no objections this time.

In fact, Pitt was the first to agree with my statement, indicating that England viewed this matter positively.

“I agree with France’s opinion. We white people must be different from those uncivilized races even when we wage war. Unleashing our power without restraint would make us no different from beasts.”

“As Prime Minister Pitt said, I want to conclude a firm treaty that binds everyone in the international community.”

If an agreement was reached here and a country failed to comply with the treaty, it would face not only condemnation but also practical restrictions.

With France and England, along with numerous other great powers, in favor, other countries had no choice.

In reality, this was something that benefited everyone, so there was no reason to oppose it.

Thanks to this, the treaty ratification proceeded very smoothly.

This international agreement, which would later be known as the Paris Accord or the Paris Treaty, included dozens of individual agreements, but the main points were as follows:

Improving the condition of wounded and sick soldiers and shipwrecked individuals in war.

Humanitarian conventions for prisoners of war.

Conventions on the protection of civilians in wartime.

And the declaration on the prohibition of chemical warfare was the issue I pushed for most strongly.

“However, Prime Minister Christian, I agree with all the previous points. Even in war, firing on civilians or treating prisoners harshly should be prohibited. But the prohibition of chemical warfare seems a bit abstract. Could you give us an example?”

“It’s simple. Remember the Seven Years’ War, when smallpox was used to annihilate the enemy? Such inhumane acts of using epidemics or poison to destroy the enemy must be prohibited.”

“Ahem!”

Someone from a certain country, who had not only carried this out but also proudly recorded it, coughed urgently.

“Is something the matter, Prime Minister Pitt?”

“Oh, I just had some tea go down the wrong pipe… It’s nothing.”

“Is that so? Anyway, if such cruel and ruthless acts are not restricted, what will the future of war look like? There will be all sorts of terrible and brutal methods based on the idea that all you have to do is annihilate the enemy. Human science and technology are constantly advancing. If we don’t put a stop to it now, we might end up with bombs that spread diseases later on.”

“That’s certainly true. Since there’s already a country that has used similar methods, we can’t guarantee that such a thing won’t happen again.”

Joseph II stared intently at Pitt and echoed my words.

In fact, England wasn’t the only one to use disease in war.

However, using smallpox, which was a symbol of terror for Europeans before the vaccine was developed, in a war between European countries was a reprehensible act.

Pitt, aware of this, hurriedly made excuses.

“Lest there be any misunderstandings, I would like to say that we only spread smallpox to the Indians [Native Americans]. We have never used such petty tactics against our fellow Europeans.”

“No one said anything. We’re just saying that we should strictly regulate such acts from now on. Anyway, I understand that England also agrees to this convention. Is there any problem?”

“…Of course.”

Could it be that he never expected to be suddenly confronted with such a topic?

Pitt’s gaze as he tilted his teacup and looked at me was filled with obvious displeasure.

Seeing that the iron face had broken his poker face, the mental shock he had received over the past two days must have been quite significant, right?

I’m sorry, but the shock you’ll receive in the future will be incomparable to what you’ve experienced so far. What should I do?

But when you think about it, it’s your own fault, so you have nothing to say, right?

No one held a knife to your throat and threatened you; you chose to be the Prime Minister of England, so you have no choice but to endure it with grit.

※※※

Pitt, who had taken a big hit from me, made a request to me in front of everyone as soon as the meeting was over.

“Come to think of it, I heard that France is currently undertaking a massive project. Are you trying to develop a self-propelled carriage that combines railroads and steam engines?”

“Oh, has the news already spread that far?”

While the improvement of the steam engine was being pursued in secret, it was physically impossible to hide the full-scale railroad construction from other countries.

I had fully expected that the ambassadors of each country would spread rumors everywhere that France was doing something innovative.

“If it’s not too much to ask, could we see it too? The ambassadors are making such a fuss that it’s hard to suppress our curiosity. Of course, if France is keeping it a secret, then there’s nothing we can do…”

Look at this?

He’s openly asking to see it, thinking of copying it if it’s useful.

However, in this era, it was difficult to completely block industrial espionage, no matter how much you tried to hide it.

Besides, England would build railroads in the near future anyway, even if I didn’t interfere.

From Pitt’s perspective, he must want to repay me for the feeling of being constantly beaten by me, but I thought it would be quite interesting to use this opportunity in reverse.

“It’s not really something to keep secret. Since the representatives of each country have gathered, it would be a perfect opportunity for a demonstration. I’ll guide you.”

“…Huh? Are you really just going to show it to us?”

“As I said, there’s no reason to hide it. If you’re impressed, please give praise to the development team, who have spared no effort in development, even sacrificing their sleep time.”

Since things have come to this, I sent someone to Treville to prepare for a railroad demonstration, thinking of making the most of this opportunity.

Not only Pitt but also the leaders of each country, who had heard about the railroad construction, flocked to me, asking to be taken to the demonstration site as well.

“Shall we go then? We can reach the place where the railroad is laid in less than an hour by carriage.”

Of course, the railroad was still undergoing research and development, so it was far from complete.

However, recently, the speed has increased to the point where it is faster than a carriage.

Even this alone is enough to make those who see it for the first time unable to hide their shock and admiration.

In fact, the leaders of each country, seeing the giant locomotive that began to move, spewing steam for the first time in human history, couldn’t close their mouths.

Choo-choo!

“Ugh, ugh! It’s really moving!”

Prime Minister Godoy, who was on top of the locomotive, screamed and gripped the railing tightly as the locomotive rattled.

Pitt also widened his eyes and looked around, trying to find something to hold on to.

“I-is it possible to turn corners or stop normally?”

“Of course, it goes along the path of the laid railroad. Surely you don’t think I would ride with you on something whose safety is not guaranteed.”

“Oh, oh… To think there’s such a thing in the world. It feels like riding a ship moving on land.”

Regardless of East or West, past or present, men have a longing for something big and magnificent.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of politicians, who had been discussing the world with solemn faces, now acting like children who had discovered a new toy.

“Prime Minister! Is this locomotive at its maximum speed right now?”

“No. According to the researchers, it can be at least several times faster than it is now.”

“Oh… If this is commercialized, it will be a revolution.”

“I was half-doubtful until now, but it seems that France is indeed at the pinnacle of technology. Who would have ever imagined that steam engines could be used like this! If we have something like this, the speed of transporting resources will be incomparably faster than before… I can only admire it.”

Perhaps because they are the ones leading a country, not just simple spectators, they are quick to notice.

At first, they were purely admiring, but soon they began to exchange opinions on how to efficiently utilize this railroad.

“By the way, Prime Minister. I heard that the person who improved the steam engine, which is the heart of this locomotive, is British… Is that true?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Ah… I see. That’s… peculiar.”

Prime Minister Godoy of Spain, who asked the question, glanced at Pitt and hid the laughter that was about to burst out.

“Prime Minister Godoy. Why do you say it’s peculiar that the person who made this engine is British?”

“Oh, well… With the smallpox vaccination and all, it seems that strangely, talented people from England are all developing their abilities in France. That’s why I say it’s peculiar.”

“I’ll say in advance that I didn’t do it on purpose. It just so happened that the person who suited the plan I was devising was British. And since they are people who don’t hold any important positions in England, it’s not like I’m poaching talent.”

“Of course, of course. And frankly speaking, even if you did poach talent, isn’t it the fault of the one who lost them? How could they be so blind that they couldn’t utilize such talented people even though they were in their own country… Ahem. Ahem!”

It’s obvious that he’s trying to mock England.

However, if Pitt gets angry here, it would be tantamount to admitting that their judgment is truly terrible.

As expected, Pitt gritted his teeth and pretended not to hear, trying to change the subject.

“That’s beside the point, I was surprised that Prime Minister Christian readily disclosed this great invention. I never thought that we would be able to ride it, let alone see it.”

“The greater the invention, the more it should be shared. France has always practiced the aesthetics of giving, just like how we actively tried to export the smallpox vaccine to all of Europe, because it would enrich the lives of many people. The same goes for railroads. If railroads are laid all over the European continent, goods can be transported much more freely than now. Isn’t it exciting just to imagine it?”

Unlike you Brits, we French share what we have.

When I added that I would tell them the know-how anytime if other countries wanted it, a considerable number of countries immediately showed interest.

As they saw directly in this place, the competitiveness of a country will definitely differ depending on how quickly it has railroad infrastructure.

And of course, even if you try to research and lay railroads from now on, it will take a huge amount of money and time.

“If we receive help from France, we can put it into practical use at least 10 years faster. Our country is willing to provide assistance at any time, so please tell us later if you want to have individual negotiations.”

“In that case, negotiate with us first…!”

“Ahem, France and the Holy Roman Empire are blood allies tied by blood. Of course, France should have priority first.”

“If that’s the case, Russia and France are also blood allies!”

“We, Spain, will unconditionally offer a higher price than other countries!”

Yes. Keep fighting like that.

The more you compete, the higher the bid price I will get.

I glanced at Pitt, who was silent, and asked.

“Does England have no intention of participating in this competition?”

“We are sufficient even without the help of other countries.”

“I see. Well, England certainly has the potential to do so. By the way, being here reminds me of something from the past. Do you remember what you said when you came to France before, Prime Minister?”

“What did I say?”

“Didn’t you say that you built the first iron bridge in the world? We also tried to build an iron bridge, but gave up due to financial reasons, so I honestly admired England’s progressive construction technology.”

Until now, the country that has been at the forefront of world science and technology has undoubtedly been England.

But the evidence that buries that as a past fact is this locomotive that is slowly moving forward now.

Without adding any special words, Pitt’s face hardened as he understood the hidden meaning in my words.

“We will catch up soon.”

“Of course, I believe you will.”

What is the reason why I showed you the railroad?

Now that I’ve shown you something with this much impact, England will be so desperate that they’ll pour resources into research.

But what I’m pushing for isn’t just railroad construction.

Like the saying, ‘Hide a tree in the forest,’ it’s just that it wasn’t fully revealed because it was hidden in the huge forest called the railroad.

Now that it’s perfectly on track, the speed at which science and technology are developing is beyond the realm that I can completely control.

Like this locomotive that will accelerate more and more in the future, even I can’t perfectly predict how quickly France will advance.

How much can England keep up with me?

If they can’t keep up, they can’t be a competitor, and even if they do keep up, England, which lacks a foundation, will have no choice but to suck up other countries that much.

When I think about it, in the original history, France worked hard to keep up with the hegemonic British Empire. This is a bit interesting.

So, personally, I hope that England will work hard to keep up with me now.

For the infinite development of my France.

End