I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 250

If You’re Frustrated, I’ll Do It Myself

Since France had crossed the continent, Britain, which had been fiercely fighting in Uyghur, had to watch the movements in China with a dumbfounded expression.

Even if they tried to accurately grasp how the situation was unfolding, the Qing Dynasty’s territory was quite vast.

A rapid communication system along the coast would have been somewhat helpful, but Xinjiang was too deep inland.

Since there was no means of communication across mainland China yet, Britain had to rely mainly on news coming from India.

Initially, they obtained information from the Qing, but after cross-checking, they realized that these guys were sending nothing but lies.

“You need to make a decision soon.”

Arthur Wellesley, the supreme commander of the British forces in the Xinjiang region, sighed at the constant urging of his adjutant.

“I’m going crazy. We missed the golden opportunity by a long shot, and now this is happening…”

It was all because of the damn Qing Dynasty’s fake information.

Britain first learned that France had landed in Guangdong through India.

When they asked the Qing what was going on, they said it was a minor misunderstanding.

But after a few weeks, a war broke out.

Looking back, they should have made a decision right then.

However, Wellesley was cautious and decided to observe the situation a bit longer.

He thought there would be no problem since the Qing promised to keep reporting in real-time.

In the end, the biggest mistake was trusting these damn guys.

“No, there’s a limit to how much you can lie. You said you repelled 5,000 French troops and stopped their advance! Where did you sell your conscience to exaggerate 0 people into 5,000! How many times did you inflate your achievements!”

“Multiplying any number by 0 results in 0, so calculation is impossible.”

“You crazy bastards!”

Of course, you could say it’s the fault of the one who got fooled, but Wellesley was initially convinced.

Isn’t it a strange story that 100,000 soldiers charged at 25,000, inflicted 5,000 casualties, and were almost annihilated themselves?

In fact, even if it had been just this much, the French army would have achieved a tremendous victory with a combat ratio well over 10:1.

Who would have expected that they couldn’t kill even one person and suffered a historic defeat?

“…If Beijing has been occupied, there’s nothing we can do. What do they want from us? They should have told us everything honestly and requested mediation before this happened.”

“…I think the Qing imperial family wants us to mediate even now.”

“Those incompetent fools. It’s one thing if only the capital was captured, but they’ve been through Moses’s miracle [referencing the parting of the Red Sea] from the south to the north. What conditions do they expect us to mediate under? Do they think the other side will say, ‘How about we call it a draw?’ and they’ll say, ‘Yes, sir! We will!’?”

“They still insist that if we take their side, they can push back the French.”

“Kaaack~Ptooey! Those crazy bastards need to limit their nonsense.”

If they really wanted to win, they should have laid everything bare and honestly surrendered after the first battle.

If they ask for help after the situation has become the worst, what can we do?

“Frankly, I can’t trust the information they’re sending anymore. Should I wait for an accurate report from India…?”

According to the Qing, Vietnam said they would conditionally send troops, and Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] promised to provide support after the rebellion ended.

So, their point is that if Britain joins in, they can attack France from all sides and drive them out.

The plan itself is plausible.

No matter how strong the French army is and how much of a genius Napoleon is at strategy, he can’t cover it alone if the front lines widen.

The problem is that the Qing’s report has no basis in reality at all.

First of all, the claim that Vietnam and Joseon will participate is suspicious.

According to British investigations, Vietnam, if not Joseon, was showing signs of gradually switching to France.

But they’re saying they’ll conditionally send troops?

I can’t believe it, no matter who else does.

So, I sent a request to the East India Company to properly investigate and report the facts.

However, no matter how many ships are sent from India, it takes quite a long detour to reach the Qing.

Naturally, the grasp of the situation is bound to be slow.

For the British army, which had always received rapid information based on its naval superiority, it was frustrating.

“Then should we politely refuse the Qing envoy?”

“…We’ll have to wait for the Prime Minister and Parliament’s decision.”

To be honest, my honest feeling was that I wished the Qing Dynasty would just collapse.

However, the fact that this was not a matter to be approached emotionally barely maintained my patience.

“If France enforces all the conditions they initially set, the structure of Asia will become too chaotic.”

“I understand they demanded the transfer of jurisdiction over disputed areas.”

“Yes. That means this area we are currently confronting will also be under French jurisdiction.”

“Then France might tell us to hand over Xinjiang to Russia.”

“…No. It’s more likely they’ll create a puppet state in Uyghur, claiming they’ll operate it neutrally.”

If I were a French decision-maker, I wouldn’t take the side of either Britain or Russia.

Even if Russia is an ally, there’s no way they’d help by giving them a chance to invade India.

The allies France wants are exactly like Spain or the Holy Roman Empire, countries that can never be a threat to them.

Russia was now standing at a crossroads, barely trying to cross that line.

After spending more time talking with Prime Minister Pitt over the past few years, Wellesley was now certain of this, if nothing else.

France has no intention of giving India to Russia, and they will never allow it.

“So, if the home country decides to cooperate with the Qing…”

“Well, I don’t think the Prime Minister is likely to take such a gamble… but we can’t just stand by and watch this either.”

I wonder if we should just pull out of Uyghur altogether and side with France to completely split up the Qing Dynasty.

But even if we do that, France will inevitably take all the valuable parts in the current situation.

Because they have occupied the major cities in the south and even Beijing.

If we were going to choose this option, we should have made a decision at least a month earlier.

The reason why the Qing made all sorts of false reports was probably because they felt anxious that we might side with France.

In the end, we can’t be sure that we can benefit no matter which side we choose now.

What decision will the Parliament make?

As time deepened, so did the agony.

※※※

The atmosphere in Paris these days was like a festival.

Just by looking around the streets, you could find people who were excited and singing, and the newspapers reported news of victories coming from Asia every day.

France is finally conquering the East.

It won’t be long until those arrogant Eastern dynasties kneel before the great King and Prime Minister.

An unprecedented achievement that no country has ever accomplished.

Is France finally leaping into a great empire that surpasses Rome, not just the second or third Rome?

The media was almost making a fuss every day.

[Napoleon’s rapid advance, now to Beijing!]

Since the war began, there has never been an article saying that our troops are struggling.

The media was thrilled that this was not distortion but reality.

From the reporters to the citizens who read it.

Everyone was wallowing in the swamp of happiness, overdosing on national pride.

“Prime Minister, today’s newspaper.”

“Yes. Let me see it myself.”

“There’s nothing much different today. Oh, it’s a bit different that Danton’s words are included.”

“This guy and that guy are all excited…”

It’s not that I don’t understand how they feel.

I calmed my mind with coffee and unfolded the morning newspaper that Grouchy brought.

Victory, and more victory.

I skipped over those now-obvious news and turned my attention to the back to find the news I was curious about.

[Speaker of the House Danton, “France is the greatest constitutional monarchy in human history. Tying the Qing Dynasty’s emperor and the Prime Minister together is rather disrespectful to the Prime Minister.”]

[France’s demands are not excessive at all. A satisfying revenge against the Qing Dynasty, which tried to speak out of both sides of its mouth!]

[Local Governor Robespierre. “The war will end even if I just lie down and sleep. I am simply amazed at the Prime Minister’s foresight in appointing Commander Napoleon.”]

Danton, that human, seemed quiet after the previous meeting, but he’s doing that again these days.

I wonder if this will really lead to a demand to put the Emperor under me.

No matter how I think about it, there’s no good in going that far.

“Hoo…”

As I sighed and threw the newspaper away, Grouchy carefully nodded and picked it up again.

“Those who don’t know the Prime Minister’s true intentions are raising their voices as if they know everything, so you must be suffering a lot.”

“That’s what I’m saying. No matter how much I say, no one listens. You understand.”

As expected, the head of security is different. He must know the truth better than anyone else since he’s been by my side.

“The Prime Minister wants to quietly ascend to the throne, not be this noisy. It seems they don’t know that being too noisy is not stylish. Napoleon and Danton.”

Ah, this guy is wrong too. Never mind.

“…Grouchy. What do you think is the reason why they don’t listen to me no matter how much I say?”

“The Prime Minister has shown the virtue of constant humility and modesty. In fact, wouldn’t it be stranger if there was someone who didn’t know that by now?”

“I guess that’s it? It will be like that in the future too.”

He doesn’t know that Grouchy is also included in their range, but I agree with his opinion for now.

In fact, even if I say something about this treaty now, it will already be concluded by the time the news reaches Beijing.

This is still okay. It just makes my stomach a little sore, but it’s not beyond the acceptable range.

But the problem is that no matter how much I rack my brains, I have a near-prophetic feeling that this won’t be the end.

Napoleon sent me a short reply to my letter demanding an explanation, saying, ‘Trust me,’ which makes me want to open his head and see what’s inside.

There are more than one or two things to deal with in Asia in the future.

Immediately after liberating the Qing, we need to establish a new order in Asia and adjust the balance of surrounding countries, but Robespierre is unsettling, not to mention Napoleon.

Who knows, he might even demand that the kings of the surrounding countries come to Paris.

By the time I receive news from that far away in Paris, the incident has already happened, so it’s frustrating.

“I don’t think this will work. According to the original plan, I thought next year would be the right time, but I think I’ll have to move it up a bit.”

“What are you going to move up?”

“To commemorate the firm establishment of France’s roots in Asia, we need to send key figures from the home country. Also, to commend our heroic soldiers who have achieved great victories.”

“I understand. Then who should be in charge? I’ll send someone to ask for their opinion now.”

I stopped Grouchy, who was about to call the secretary right away, and slowly raised my index finger and pointed it towards me.

“The person in charge is here, so you just need to match the rest. Tell Danton, and he’ll take care of it, so tell him that.”

“…Yes? Are you saying that the Prime Minister is going to Asia?”

“I thought I had to go there once anyway.”

Grouchy couldn’t answer and just froze at my somewhat out-of-the-blue words.

It’s understandable that he’s so shocked that I’m going to Asia, even though I was the governor of New France.

I fully understand his funny appearance of gaping and rolling his eyes.

But what can I do since I can’t see a solution remotely?

If you’re frustrated, I’ll have to do it myself.

End of If You’re Frustrated, I’ll Do It Myself