I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 251

Became a Genius of the French Royal Family – Chapter 251: The Collapse of the Celestial Order (251/355)

The Forbidden City, Beijing.

This city, where the Son of Heaven had resided since the Ming Dynasty, was now an ownerless, unclaimed land.

“So, our nation no longer wishes to fight with your country. We would like to formally conclude a ceasefire agreement.”

“Do you know how many times we’ve heard those words? Every time, your country schemed behind our backs, which is why we’re in this situation now.”

Napoleon, who had settled in the Forbidden City, responded coldly to the earnest request of Minning, the Crown Prince of the Qing Dynasty, who had come to see him.

“We can no longer trust the word ‘negotiation’ from your lips. How do we know you’re not trying to buy time and entice other countries to continue the war?”

“That’s why this time is different. As proof, I, the Crown Prince, will remain here until the agreement is formally concluded to guarantee it. Would you believe us then?”

“Excuse me, but is the Crown Prince the only prince of this country?”

“I have younger brothers.”

“Then, well……”

Minning understood the implication of the ambiguous ending.

Securing the Crown Prince alone was not enough.

It was an absurd humiliation, but the fact that he could understand the other party’s perspective only made him feel even more miserable.

“Once this treaty is concluded, a clear proclamation will be issued in the name of the Son of Heaven of the Central Plains [China]. Then, wouldn’t it be irrelevant whether your country suspects us or not? If we were to speak with two tongues in that situation, we would no longer be able to maintain any diplomatic relations with other countries.”

“It seems a satisfactory answer hasn’t arrived from England.”

Napoleon immediately saw through the reason why the Qing Dynasty was acting so submissively.

Unless they were fools, the only way for the Qing to continue fighting them in this situation was to bring in the British forces stationed in Xinjiang [a region in Northwest China].

So, they had been dragging their feet until they were rejected, and only then did they come begging for peace.

‘But I didn’t think England would just stand by and watch this situation. Are they waiting for instructions from their home country?’

Currently, England’s top priority was to secure the safety of India at all costs.

It was no exaggeration to say that everything else was considered a secondary issue.

However, if France were to extend its influence into Xinjiang Province, India would immediately fall within their sphere of influence.

Of course, how to advance troops from Xinjiang to India would be another matter, but the important thing was that the possibility of invasion would arise.

‘If England is hesitating, I should drive a wedge in now.’

If it ended like this, there would be no point in having created such a grand scheme.

It didn’t matter since he was sure that England would never give up so easily, but if he pushed them, it would be even more effective.

“…First of all, the fact that the Crown Prince has personally volunteered as a hostage makes me think that we can finally acknowledge your country’s sincerity. Shall we begin constructive discussions then?”

“I am responsible for this meeting. Will your commander represent your country this time as well?”

“Governor Robespierre is in charge of diplomatic affairs, but he is currently absent due to important business, so I am acting on his behalf. So, we can start right away without wasting time.”

Napoleon kindly escorted the Crown Prince to the south of the Forbidden City and began genuine negotiations this time.

“Shall we start by listening to the Qing Dynasty’s demands? What do you want?”

“Both countries must immediately cease all acts of war. And your country must withdraw its troops and return to its base in Guangdong [a province in Southeast China]. These are the two things.”

“The first will naturally be implemented once the treaty is concluded, but the second is a bit difficult. Surely you don’t mean for us to return empty-handed as we came?”

“No. Of course, we must pay you appropriate reparations.”

If they paid huge reparations this time, following the last war, the Qing’s finances would be on the verge of collapse, without any exaggeration.

Nevertheless, offering to settle with reparations was a declaration of their absolute refusal to cede territory.

Of course, that was none of Napoleon’s business.

“You said you would compensate with reparations, but seriously, does the Qing have the means to do so now?”

“Of course, we will pay as quickly as possible to the best of our ability. Isn’t it the principle that reparations are paid in installments over several years?”

“That’s true, but there is an analysis that we won’t be able to receive it all even after decades, not just years. Our economic experts are convinced that we won’t be able to receive any more reparations even if we demand them. So, shouldn’t we take the lacking part ourselves?”

“What do you mean by taking it directly……”

“First, cede the entire Kowloon Peninsula connected to Hong Kong to us. And open all the ports designated by us, and recognize our exclusive trade rights. In addition, Guangdong Province as a whole should be made our protectorate, and the jurisdiction over the disputed areas that we previously requested should also be handed over.”

The hurdles were even higher than the conditions France had initially demanded.

Ceding the Kowloon Peninsula was one thing, but making Guangdong Province a protectorate was essentially asking for more territory.

The Crown Prince suppressed his inner curses and racked his brains to reduce the burden somehow.

“That… the conditions are too…”

“Ah, of course, you must also accept our previous proposals to grant us most-favored-nation status and recognize our Prime Minister as equal to the Son of Heaven of the Central Plains. This is so basic that I forgot to mention it.”

“……”

From the moment he came here, the Crown Prince knew very well that he had no choice.

The Jiaqing Emperor had lost all desire for state affairs after fleeing, so he did not issue any orders.

He only repeated that he didn’t care what happened as long as he could drive out those damned Westerners and return to the Forbidden City.

He had never imagined that they would become a weak country that had no choice but to give him whatever he asked for, even just a few years ago.

“I understand. We will proceed in a direction that accommodates your country’s proposals as much as possible.”

In the end, the negotiations proceeded entirely as Napoleon intended.

Naturally, almost all the contents were in a shape that unilaterally benefited France.

To summarize the additional items, excluding what Napoleon had said earlier:

1. The Qing will bear the costs consumed by the war and the rewards to be given to the soldiers. Instead, France agreed not to demand excessive reparations beyond that, considering the Qing’s financial situation.
2. France can demand additional ports to be opened at any time if it is determined that additional openings are necessary in addition to the ports designated by France.
3. Allow the stationing of diplomatic envoys in Beijing and recognize extraterritorial rights for all French citizens residing in the Qing.
4. Return all property of French citizens confiscated so far.
5. Abolish the Qing Dynasty’s ban on overseas emigration of its own people and allow them to acquire French nationality if they wish.
6. French companies will be given priority to bid on large-scale construction projects such as railroads that will be built in the Qing in the future.
7. Do not restrict the diplomatic rights of vassal states and allow them to freely trade with foreign countries.
8. Stop the harsh human rights violations taking place in various places and comply with international law.
9. The Qing imperial family will directly declare and notify all vassal states of all these matters.

If you look at each one, there were plenty of contents that the Qing Dynasty could not help but grab the back of their necks.

Items 5 and 7 may seem like a fuss over nothing in some cases, but this was a matter that directly touched the order and pride of the Central Plains.

In particular, if 7 is accepted, the prestige of the Son of Heaven will be completely collapsed.

Of course, countries like Vietnam were already not paying attention to the Qing, but it was a different story to officially acknowledge this themselves.

“Is your country trying to… ruin us?”

“Of course not. What we want is just one thing.”

Napoleon’s sincerity, which was neither a pretense nor self-deception, from the beginning.

His sincere words, without a hint of falsehood, pierced through his mouth and emitted a strange resonance.

“Permanent peace in Asia.”

※※※

Like a skilled technician making crafts according to blueprints.

Napoleon’s post-war work was swift and uninhibited.

“The Qing has agreed to our country’s desire for peace and has concluded a historic treaty in Beijing! With this, Asia will be able to face a richer and more brilliant future!”

Harmony for peace.

Forward march for the future.

The Asian countries, which had been consistent with closure and isolation, had no choice but to face a major turning point with this announcement from the Qing.

[The Qing recognizes France as an equal friend and a reliable trading partner. The Prime Minister of France is a diplomatic partner who can sit side by side with the Son of Heaven of the Central Plains……]

In fact, the surrender document, which can be neatly summarized in one line as ‘I was beaten up and surrendered with a white flag,’ quickly spread around the world.

Napoleon, who had received this document in advance, looked at the achievements he had made with the utmost pride.

“See, I guaranteed that everything would go as expected, right?”

“…You really did it. Well, now that it’s done, we have to go to the end……”

“It’s difficult to be surprised by just this much. This is only the first stage of the grand plan I have in mind.”

“I’m really curious, but did you get permission from the Prime Minister for the subsequent plans too?”

So far, Dabu had seen that the Prime Minister was someone who trusted Napoleon’s abilities more than anyone else.

From that point of view, it is understandable that he approved Napoleon’s plan.

However, it was still unknown whether he would agree to the friend’s plan behind it.

“Are you still doubting that? You also received the newspapers from France last time, right? That is the nation’s answer to my decision.”

In Napoleon’s room, the front page of a newspaper recently published in France was hung up.

I was wondering how he was going to take all those things with him since he had to vacate the room in the Forbidden City soon.

“I see… Well, after seeing the news that just arrived, I think I can really think that way.”

“Hmm? Did another special article about us appear in our home country?”

“I received a call from Governor Robespierre. High-ranking officials from our home country are visiting here to commemorate our heroic achievements. To greet the Emperor of Qing as well.”

“Hahaha! See that. The parliament and the administration are also encouraged by our achievements. But who is in charge? Danton?”

“The Prime Minister you admire is coming himself.”

The god of war, who had captured Beijing in just six weeks after resuming the war, clenched his fists in emotion without realizing it.

“Finally! The Prime Minister is finally……!”

Why would the Prime Minister bother to visit this land of the Far East at a time like this?

It was a manifestation of his will to ascend to the throne of the Emperor of Asia, stepping on the red carpet that he had laid out.

Now that it has come to this, I have to speed up the plan even more and make the Prime Minister feel satisfied.

There was no time to leisurely admire his achievements like this.

“Dabu! Come with me right now. Tell the Crown Prince to finish preparing to welcome the Prime Minister!”

“…I will.”

I still don’t know if this is right, but it doesn’t matter because my friend will take responsibility anyway.

Later, if the Prime Minister scolds him, Dabu decided to say this.