I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 263

Prime Minister’s Office, London, Great Britain.

“We’ve finalized discussions with Russia. Now, if your country participates, everything will be perfect.”

“I’m sure you’re aware that, from our perspective, both England and France are objects of hatred.”

“I won’t deny that. However, our actions last time were mostly to shoulder responsibility at France’s request. Frankly, we’re not crazy enough to withdraw our embassy because we dislike kebabs.”

‘You are crazy, though.’

Turkish Ambassador Ibrahim reflexively swallowed the thought.

The scars from the Greek War of Independence, inflicted by England and France, remained a deep disgrace in the Ottoman Empire’s history.

Moreover, Russia was one of the Ottoman Empire’s worst adversaries, having waged war whenever the opportunity arose for nearly a century.

In this context, Pitt’s proposal to side with them seemed like madness at first.

“Of course, your country, with its long history of conflict with Europe, may not be keen on getting involved in another dispute. But this is also an unprecedented opportunity.”

“Opportunity?”

“First, allow me to apologize. I understand your situation isn’t ideal after Greece gained independence and Egypt slipped from your sphere of influence.”

“······.”

“Let me be clear: while Greece’s independence was desired by all of Europe at the time, Egypt is a different matter. France’s unilateral establishment of Egypt as their protectorate was blatant.”

If nothing else, this statement was convincing.

Unlike England, France was the first to move into Egypt.

They didn’t know it then, but in hindsight, the purpose was clear: to seize the Suez Canal for themselves.

Greece’s independence must have been of little importance to France.

From the Ottoman perspective, it was infuriating, but the difference in national power was so vast that they couldn’t even protest to France.

“Of course, you may want to maintain the status quo. But is that truly possible?”

“Did you summon me here to offer pessimistic predictions about my country’s future?”

“Of course not. As I explained in my letter to the Sultan, I’m here to reiterate our request for you to join the great tide that is coming. Now that Russia’s participation is confirmed, the picture is complete.”

“Are you suggesting we join forces with Russia? You can’t be serious.”

Ibrahim’s voice was filled with undisguised disgust.

The relationship between the two countries defied description, even for a seasoned diplomat who unconsciously revealed his feelings.

Even now, he wondered why the Sultan hadn’t immediately dismissed Pitt’s nonsense.

“I promise you clearly here that if you side with us this time, the deep-rooted conflict between Russia and the Ottomans will never happen again.”

“How can you guarantee that, Prime Minister?”

“The reason Russia has been trying to move south is ostensibly religious, but frankly, everyone knows that’s just an excuse. Their desire is for a warm-water port that doesn’t freeze year-round.”

The warmest ports in Russia are the cities adjacent to the Black Sea.

However, the Black Sea is essentially a closed sea, and without control of the Bosphorus Strait, it’s only half as valuable.

The Ottomans can’t simply hand over Istanbul, their capital, saying, ‘Here you go!’

In the end, the conflict between the two countries was an unavoidable fate due to geographical conditions.

“As you said, Prime Minister, those greedy Russians want a warm-water port. So they’ll never stop moving south. What makes you so sure the conflict will end?”

“It’s simple. If Russia expands its influence to the east and obtains the warm-water port it desires, it will have no reason to attack your country. Besides, there’s now a good buffer zone between the two countries: Greece. We will take responsibility for securing a non-aggression pact with Russia for your country.”

“Giving up the Asian side in exchange for stopping the conflict here…”

“Yes. In return, please make a gesture of religious concession to Russia. If you save face for Russia to that extent, the negotiation itself will end smoothly.”

It doesn’t sound unreasonable.

No, it was a brilliant compromise.

If things went this way, the Ottomans would be indebted to England.

The empire’s national power is declining daily, an undeniable reality.

Regaining the glory of the past is an impossible dream.

If they could stop the decline and see even a slight chance of rebound, that alone would be a blessing.

Of course, the surrounding conditions would have to cooperate.

No matter how much the Ottomans tried to reform, if Russia invaded, the current empire would have no power to resist.

Until now, England and France have subtly intervened to prevent the Ottomans from collapsing in order to keep Russia in check, but how long can they maintain that?

In fact, the fate of the Ottomans was in the hands of Europe.

So, silencing the biggest threat, Russia, was an irresistible temptation for the Ottomans.

Now he understood why the Sultan had ordered him to coordinate with Pitt.

“So, what do you want us to do? I repeat, our situation isn’t great, so we can’t do much.”

“It’s simple. All you have to do is keep Spain’s attention until this war is over.”

“You’re thinking of keeping France’s allies in check… what about the Holy Roman Empire?”

“Prussia will take care of that.”

“What? You’ve brought in Prussia too?”

In fact, the story wasn’t completely over yet.

Prussia had lost much of the power it held in the 18th century, and its current national power was below that of the Holy Roman Empire.

Pitt didn’t ask much of Frederick William III, the new King of Prussia.

-Just create a tense atmosphere so that the Holy Roman Empire cannot send troops elsewhere.

-If they actually wage war and raise an army, we will unconditionally cooperate to regain the territories taken from the Holy Roman Empire in the long term.

-Russia and Turkey are also on our side, so there is a good chance of winning.

It was almost desperate, revolving-door diplomacy, but it cleverly targeted what each country desperately wanted.

Prussia agreed to cooperate with England on the condition that the Ottomans and Russia participate.

Either way, they were going to wither and dry up if they continued as they were, so there was no choice.

And that was the same for the Ottomans.

Although they had a long-standing animosity with Spain, the Ottoman Empire’s national power was less than half of what it had been in its heyday.

Still, Pitt thought it would be enough to hold back the two countries, which were still suffering from the aftereffects of sending expeditionary forces to Asia.

“You don’t have to wage a full-scale war. In the beginning, it will be enough to persistently plunder Spanish merchant ships with privateers based in Tripoli.”

“…Are you really done talking with Russia and Prussia?”

“Of course. If you wish, I can arrange a four-way meeting with their ambassadors tomorrow.”

The revolving door might be exposed, but Pitt’s excellent rhetoric could easily cover that up.

“If things continue as they are, there will be no place for any country other than France and its followers in this world. What we are trying to do is a holy war to create a better world, a historical step for liberation. On behalf of all the citizens of England, I thank you for your decision.”
Pitt stood up from his seat and bowed politely.

Ibrahim, watching the scene, suddenly felt his mouth twitch.

‘These guys really love the word liberation.’

When he thought about it, they said they attacked them for the liberation of Greece, and they were the only ones who gritted their teeth and called the war with Qing [referring to the Qing Dynasty of China] a war of liberation, even though everyone else called it the Opium War.

And this time, it’s a war to liberate the world from the clutches of France… he felt a little jealous, but they just had to look at the benefits and get out.

If they could beat up Spain, whom they disliked, and gain profits, it wouldn’t be a bad deal.

They had nothing but evil left anyway.

If they were going to keep falling like this, it wouldn’t be bad to grab one of them and take them down with them.

It would be even better if the target was a country that had screwed them over in the past.

※※※

The vast Qing continent has a clear time difference between the east and west, even though it is the same country.

In Beijing, it was morning when Christian was taking care of state affairs.

In Xinjiang Province, at the western end, the sun was just rising to brighten the dawn.

“Is this… is this the decision made by the Tsar [Russian Emperor]? Are you really going to go ahead with this?”

“What about the alliance with France then?”

“What do you mean what about it! Of course, it’s broken!”

“A person who inherited our imperial family’s blood will be the next king of France, is this okay?”

Bang!

General Bennigsen slammed the table with his fist at the increasingly chaotic atmosphere of the staff, which was not calming down.

“Didn’t everyone expect this to happen! What will the other officers think if you show such a flustered appearance now!”

“So, sorry!”

“Commander. Then are we going to start a joint operation with England right away?”

“Yes, we have to. I’ve already finished talking with Wellesley.”

Bennigsen picked up the most recent imperial decree with his finger.

“The Qing emperor, who fled to the north, also has a strong antipathy toward France. In addition, there are demonstrations calling for anti-France in the southeast. This is an opportunity that will not come again. We cannot abandon this grace that God has bestowed upon Russia to become a true Third Rome!” [Referring to the idea of Russia being the successor to the Roman and Byzantine Empires]

Even at this point of issuing the marching order, he still had doubts.

But they are soldiers.

If the Tsar’s order has been given, they will risk their lives to fulfill their mission for the glory of their country.

“We will move as soon as the declaration of war sent in advance arrives in Beijing. Our goal is the French army on the outskirts. We will make the hypocritical guys who came to disarm us under the pretext of mediation the sacrifice of the outbreak.”
The hibernating beasts of winter, who had been crouching down until now, are resuming their activities after a long hibernation.

In line with this, the British forces in Europe and India will also match their movements.

Everything will be decided before the main force stationed in France is fully投入 [fully committed] into the front line.

No matter how much Christian is an unparalleled genius.

Even if Napoleon, who leads the 2nd Corps, is the god of war who will not appear again in Europe, there will be no way to do anything this time.

“All troops! In the shortest possible time, France, the French army…”

It is a marching order against France, the strongest in the current world.

Bennigsen deliberately shouted more spasmodically, holding back his trembling voice.

“Defeat the French army and we will become the strongest!”

That’s right. There is no turning back now.

Will the Russian double-headed eagle flag tear apart the French lily and reign at the top of Europe?

Only God knows the answer now.

End