I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 267

< The Timing of Cutting Ties >

Admiral Nelson had always taken pride in the British Royal Navy’s strength.

Having dedicated his life to the military, he had never tasted defeat at sea.

He had occasionally encountered minor setbacks, but ultimately, victory was always his.

His recognized abilities allowed him to stand as the commander-in-chief, leading the navy.

Now, if he could crown this war with victory, his name would forever shine brilliantly in the annals of history.

“We must not give them a moment to breathe. We must keep the pressure on,” he declared.

He was confident, but not arrogant.

Currently, the navy was the only arena where British forces held a distinct advantage over the French in Asia.

As for the army, Russia continued to dispatch reinforcements, but Nelson harbored reservations about the Russian army.

Unsurprisingly, Wellesley, in command of the British army, succinctly summarized the Russian army.

“They’re just idiots.”

He avoided the foolish error of harboring high expectations for his allies.

By expecting nothing from the outset, he would avoid disappointment and prevent them from hindering his progress.

The Russian army’s primary purpose was simply to serve as a human punching bag, depleting the French army’s resources.

Even if they were inept, the bullets and cannonballs expended on them were equally consumed, weren’t they?

That was sufficient for them to fulfill their role.

After all, the key to this war, from beginning to end, lay with the British navy.

The outcome hinged on the Royal Navy’s ability to completely sever support from mainland France.

“What became of the French forces in Hong Kong? Did they leave behind any supplies or useful equipment?”

“They evacuated all vital weapons and documents. It appears they’ve already relocated their base inland to Guangdong Province.”

“They’re quick. Frustratingly swift decision-making.”

He had hoped to destroy the French warships docked in Hong Kong, but his efforts yielded nothing but wasted energy.

Their occupation of Hong Kong was a natural consequence of their forces.

The main French contingent was currently stationed near Beijing, and Hong Kong’s defense infrastructure was not fully established.

Recognizing their inability to hold it, they made the difficult but necessary decision to relinquish what they had.

Nelson, eager to reduce the number of French steamships by even one, was far from pleased with the outcome of the Hong Kong operation.

“What is the army doing?”

“Marshal Wellesley is advancing eastward with the Russian army.”

“Good. So far, everything is proceeding according to plan.”

The journey from Xinjiang to Beijing would be lengthy, but the Anglo-Russian allied forces were not pressed for time.

After all, they had delegated the responsibility of supplying provisions to the Qing Dynasty, and their true objective was not to invade Beijing and reclaim the capital.

Currently, the allied forces in Asia were organized into three primary groups.

The East India Fleet, commanded by Nelson, the army led by Wellesley and Bennigsen, and the Boxers, a group of insurgents secretly contacted by the Qing Dynasty.

Nelson and Wellesley’s strategy was as follows.

The Boxers, who were running rampant throughout the country, would be united to launch an assault on Guangdong Province.

And if the British and Russian armies advanced westward, posing a threat to Beijing, they could compel the French to choose between two options.

If Nelson blockaded the sea route and cut off the French army’s supplies, it would be possible to slowly starve the enemy into submission.

“There’s no need to rush. As long as we control the sea, time is on our side.”

Regardless of the army’s strength, the navy held paramount importance in warfare.

No matter how much the landlubbers [a derogatory term for those unfamiliar with the sea] stirred, the one who controlled the sea would ultimately rule the era.

As long as the Royal Navy remained strong, the British Empire could, at the very least, avert defeat even in the direst circumstances.

Even though he spoke as if he would concede everything, not even Nelson believed that the British Parliament would actually honor its promises.

Well, whatever, it was of no concern to him.

For him, the paramount concern was that Britain maintained its global hegemony.

※※※

Hanseong [present-day Seoul], Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom], Changdeokgung Palace, Seonjeongjeon Hall, where the royal court convened.

Finally, news of the great war engulfing the entire continent reached Joseon in the Far East.

In the past, Joseon had little interest in the great powers waging war or seizing land nearby, but now the situation was different, as they realized it could affect them as well.

“The atmosphere is unusual. The fact that the Emperor secretly sent a secret letter, of all people, shows that this situation is not something to be taken lightly.”

Seo Yong-bo, who succeeded Kim Jae-chan, who had retired due to old age, as the new Chief State Councilor, continued with a noticeably nervous tone.

“As far as we have confirmed, the English, Russians, and French are at war, and the Qing is preparing to intervene. Even in the distant Gurapa (Europe) continent, the flames of war are rising. It is truly a great war that has engulfed the entire world. It would not be surprising if it developed into a war on a scale that could be called a world war.”

“Is our Joseon… inevitably going to be involved?”

“At least the Qing wants us to be.”

The Qing Dynasty was once again scheming behind the scenes, despite the peace treaty it had signed with France.

Even the contents were something that Joseon could not easily accept.

“To raise an army and enter the Shandong Peninsula to attack France… isn’t this asking us to declare war?”

“They asked us to send reinforcements last time, but now they’re openly encouraging us to go to war. Asking us to send at least ten thousand troops is no different from treating us as a complete vassal state.”

In the past, when they sent support troops to the war with Russia, it was only on a scale of 250 people, but asking them to send tens of thousands of troops was simply outrageous.

No, in the first place, Joseon’s finances could not afford to send tens of thousands of troops.

Unless they were responsible for all supplies.

“Can’t we get away with it by saying that the situation is not like last time?”

“It’s impossible. The Qing has written down in detail the reasons why we must participate. They have clearly stated that if we do not comply, we will not be fulfilling our obligations as a tributary state.”

“Hmph…”

No one in Joseon expected the Jiaqing Emperor to be so resolute.

This was not simply a matter of whether or not to go to war, but a notification to choose which side to take between the Qing, the Anglo-Russian alliance, and France.

“Your Majesty! Even though France is a powerful country, the Qing is backed by the English and Russians. Considering the overall strength, it shouldn’t be that big of a difference. Then, isn’t it the duty of Joseon, a Sinitic state [a state influenced by Chinese culture], to protect the order of the Middle Kingdom [China]?”

“The Minister of War’s words make sense, but if France wins the war, we may be unfairly blamed. England is far away, but France has a base nearby. Moreover, strictly speaking, Joseon doesn’t have enough loyalty to bet its national fortune on the Qing!”

“Hmph, Minister of Finance! Are you saying that it makes sense to side with the barbarians and reject the dynasty of the Middle Kingdom?”

“No, we have to say it right. In fact, the Qing imperial family is also descended from barbarians! If they are not barbarians because they have become civilized, then France cannot be called barbarians either. I heard that their prime minister is a gentleman who advocates for benevolent rule.”

This was on a different level than the issue of sending support troops before.

Faced with the crossroads of choosing one of the two, the opinions of the ministers were completely divided.

Some argued that it was illogical to side with the barbarians who were attempting to overthrow the imperial family of the Middle Kingdom, while others countered that it was irrelevant because France was not a barbarian.

Even within the Noron faction [a political faction in Joseon], opinions were randomly divided, irrespective of the Sipa and Byeokpa factions [sub-factions within the Noron faction].

Amid the fiercely opposed sides, the young king’s forehead became increasingly furrowed.

“What happens if we delay the decision again with various excuses?”

“Judging from the Qing’s attitude, it seems that they will interpret it as a direct act of hostility. If that’s really the case, it would be a better choice to actively side with France and receive their protection.”

“Your Majesty! No matter how much France has accepted Confucianism, they are still just greedy barbarians! How would the Confucian scholars across the country accept this humiliating decision!”

“The ultimate direction that Confucianism pursues is to civilize that nature! Those who deny this now are heretics who deny the words of Zhu Xi [a prominent Confucian scholar]! Your Majesty! Please have insight!”

Insight, my ass.

Yi Gong grabbed his head, which felt like it was about to break from the ministers’ clamor coming from all directions, and looked at Seo Yong-bo and Jeong Yak-yong.

However, contrary to the king’s wishes, the two remained silent and did not say a word.

The reason was predictable.

The fact that they were pro-French was a widely known fact in the court, so no matter what they said, it would only provoke the opposition.

In the end, the choice would have to be the king’s responsibility.

Fortunately, thanks to the early suppression of the Hong Gyeong-rae rebellion [a peasant revolt in Joseon], the king’s position in the court was very solid.

No matter how much the opposition objected, he could ignore and suppress them this time only.

As long as the result was good, the process could be justified.

The problem, if there was one, was that he was not sure which side to choose to get good results.

“This kind of wasteful debate will not end. The ministers should write down their opinions and submit them to the throne. I will review each one myself and make a decision within two days!”

All he could do was buy time like this.

Yi Gong dismissed the ministers and secretly ordered the Seungji [royal secretary] to summon Jeong Yak-yong and Seo Yong-bo.

‘Why do these things keep happening in my reign?’

The king’s heart, who had to make a crucial decision that could determine the fate of Joseon, continued to grow heavier as time went on.

※※※

While I was agonizing over how to deal with the British bastards’ offensive.

The Crown Prince’s visit was so sudden that even I couldn’t have predicted it.

“Prime Minister. I have something urgent to tell you.”

Anyone would think that it was the Qing Dynasty, not France, that had received a declaration of war.

The Crown Prince’s eyes were dark, and his hair was dry enough to be seen even with his queue [a traditional Manchu hairstyle].

“I don’t know what’s going on, but you must have been suffering a lot.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“But I’m busy, so I don’t think I can talk for too long.”

Did he come here to test me, thinking I wouldn’t know?

I already knew from my intelligence network that the Emperor, who had gone mad with revenge, was trying to use the Boxers.

If the Crown Prince came here to test me on this, then this guy’s value is over.

I should just consider getting rid of him.

“I understand. Then I’ll get straight to the point.”

Contrary to my expectations, the Crown Prince knelt down and bowed his head, crying out in a sorrowful voice.

“Please save me! Your Majesty!”

“…Huh?”

“I really have nothing to do with this!”

Oh ho. Is that how it is?

The best card to tear the Qing apart rolled into my hand on its own.

< The Timing of Cutting Ties > End