I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 295

The news of the Royal Navy’s sinking sent shockwaves through Paris and London, triggering an enormous aftershock across Europe.

French citizens, initially dispirited by the defeat at Trafalgar, were reignited with national pride. They cheered victoriously, flooding the streets, while London descended into immediate chaos.

“Execute Collingwood!”

“The Parliament that entrusted the navy to Collingwood must step down!”

“Bring Pitt back!”

Collingwood, having faced an unwinnable battle from the start, was driven to the brink of frustration. But such is the burden of responsibility.

Citizens chanted ‘We miss Pitt!’ daily, urging his return. Unfortunately for them, Pitt had already left London.

Why would someone who was showered with eggs and stones instead of appreciation upon leaving office ever consider returning?

Still, the parliamentarians clung to one last hope.

If Wellesley could just secure a victory in Asia.

Success there might somehow minimize their losses and allow them to reach a truce.

The possibility was slim, but the French forces in Asia were nearing a point where supply issues would become a significant concern, making the fight not entirely impossible.

If Wellesley could execute his strategies and tactics effectively… after all, hadn’t Nelson achieved victory against seemingly insurmountable odds?

The Parliament made excuses, claiming they were devising countermeasures using all available means, and anxiously awaited good news from Asia.

France, too, refrained from pressing Britain further at this juncture.

Having achieved a major naval victory, they could have landed their army on British soil. Instead, France focused on blockading Russia.

Of course, it was always unlikely that the Russian Black Sea Fleet, already engaged with Spain, could effectively counter the French fleet.

“Sink every ship floating on the sea. From now on, no Russian ship shall pass through the Black Sea.”

And not just the Black Sea.

Even the trade routes with Britain, frequently used by Russia, were completely severed.

“From now on, British and Russian ships are prohibited from traversing the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Any ships attempting to pass secretly are to be seized, and if they resist, you are authorized to sink them.”

Sweden, embroiled in territorial disputes with Russia, responded to France’s demands with eagerness, seizing Russian ships with a vengeance.

The future King of Sweden, or rather, the Queen (a descendant of Christian), had no reason to fear war with Russia.

Previously, under the watchful eye of the Royal Navy, they had lived cautiously, fearing being caught in the crossfire. But now, the situation was different.

“Alright, from now on, any enemy ships passing through here are ours. Search them thoroughly… no, strictly monitor them for any suspicious items!”

The seas of Europe, once Britain’s domain, had become a treasure trove for France and its allies.

Spain, in particular, acted recklessly, as if seeking to avenge all the resentment they had suffered from Britain, even resorting to piracy.

“We can’t let the Swedes have all the fun. If they’re causing trouble in the North Sea, then the Mediterranean is ours. We will control all Turkish and British ships!”

Had Britain ever been so severely isolated in its history?

The island nation, having lost control of the sea, was effectively a rat in a trap.

This comprehensive economic pressure was an unbearable torment for Britain, which couldn’t sustain its current economic system solely through domestic demand.

Wouldn’t it be better to land the army and fight, resisting with everything they had, or simply surrender?

Wasn’t this economic pressure a form of humiliation, forcing them to their knees?

Some argued for surrender, but their voices were quickly silenced.

Yielding during Pitt’s time might have been different, but surrendering after the navy’s complete destruction would guarantee harsh treatment.

It was best to await news from Asia before making any drastic moves.

The parliamentarians agreed to endure and hold out for just one more month.

And finally…

A single urgent message arrived in London from Asia, where they had been clinging to a sliver of hope, awaiting external contact day after day.

[The Allied forces led by General Wellesley were utterly defeated by Napoleon of France.]

Percival collapsed, clutching the back of his neck, as screams and shouts erupted in Parliament.

The undeniable reality weighed heavily on the Palace of Westminster.

A fact that would remain unchanged no matter how much they protested: the future they had chosen.

Now it was time to pay the price.

Yes. It was all over.

※※※

The victory report from Asia signaled the celebratory fireworks to end this long and drawn-out war, and ushered in an era of full-scale humiliation for Britain.

From the outset, there was no public sentiment in France advocating for mercy or an end to the war.

Since no politician in a representative democracy could defy public opinion, I had no choice but to faithfully fulfill the citizens’ desires.

This wasn’t unique to the French; it was a universal human sentiment.

Isn’t it a universal rule in fighting games to taunt your opponent after winning, dancing on their metaphorical corpse?

Moreover, considering the historical relationship between Britain and France, it was only natural.

-The British and Russian Allied forces, commanding an army of over 80,000 in Asia for a final stand, were divided and defeated by Marshal Napoleon’s brilliant tactics.

-The genius hailed as Britain’s greatest strategist knelt before France’s finest.

-The ignorance and incompetence of the British Parliament, which believed the army had a chance even after the navy’s destruction, were exposed.

-Russia, having turned its back on France and trusted Britain, now faces the consequences of its choice.

The newspapers thrived, selling rapidly as soon as they hit the stands.

Still, it wouldn’t be entertaining if all the attention focused solely on Britain, so I granted an interview to the Paris Sibo [a fictional newspaper] at my dear brother’s request.

“Britain is Britain, but we must not overlook Russia either. France has historically conceded numerous interests to Russia as an ally. The King and Queen’s marital harmony was the envy of other nations. Yet, Russia repaid our kindness with enmity. They even shamelessly exploited the unfortunate passing of the Queen as a pretext for war.”

“Did Britain instigate them?”

“Regardless of who tempted them, Russia ultimately turned its sword against our country and even insulted the royal family. I am not only the Prime Minister of this country but also a member of the royal family. And, as a Frenchman who loves his wife, I cannot tolerate Russia’s atrocities.”

-This writer fully agrees with the Prime Minister’s sentiment that he cannot forgive Russia as a Frenchman who loves his wife. Even Britain has never directly insulted the French royal family. But Russia has clearly crossed the line.

Even though the royal family no longer wielded as much power as before, the French people held them in high regard.

The royal family, having voluntarily relinquished power for the sake of the people and completed reforms, was the pride and honor of France.

Which other royal family in the world would demonstrate such a 모습 [Korean word for ‘appearance’ or ‘figure’, implying selflessness and dedication to the people]?

The Paris Sibo’s article effectively struck a chord with the citizens.

“No, I didn’t realize it because Britain was in the way, but those Russian bastards are complete scoundrels, aren’t they?”

“Britain is always like that, so let’s put them aside, but aren’t these guys the worst?”

“That’s right. How can they use the passing of their own royal family member as a pretext for war?”

“I heard that the Queen was mistreated in Russia, not given any respect? In short, they just saw her as a tool for war.”

“Damn bastards. I’d feel better if we just burned Moscow to the ground.”

Everywhere you went in Paris, public opinion against Russia had risen to nearly the same level as that against Britain.

Ah, of course, I have no intention of sending the army to Russia.

It wouldn’t have much of an impact anyway.

If you threaten to burn down their capital, they’ll burn it down themselves. If you try to ruin their economy, it’s already in ruins. Russia is a country that defies logic.

To truly defeat them, you’d have to invade like the Mongols, kill everyone, and burn everything. But that’s an impossible strategy in this era…

“Prime Minister, the results of the investigation you requested are in.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. Public support for accepting reasonable compensation and making peace is less than 10%. The vast majority of the people seem to believe that we should inflict even greater damage on Britain and Russia. The parliament shares this view.”

“I see. What do our allies say?”

I asked out of courtesy, but I already knew the answer.

Our allies, already greedy, were busy tearing them apart, fearing we might stop them.

“Sweden is asking if they can disguise themselves as pirates and plunder merchant ships like Spain… how should we respond?”

…Crazy bastards. They’re really going all the way.

On one hand, I wonder how much Britain and Russia bullied the surrounding countries to provoke such retaliation.

“Tell them to do as they please. We’re at war anyway until they raise the white flag and surrender. But ensure there’s absolutely no massacre of civilians.”

“Yes, I will relay that.”

“And we need to formally propose an agenda to liberate all the countries that Russia and Prussia seized. First, we need to pass a resolution in the French Parliament and then make it public with the consent of our allied countries.”

“Ah, you mean Poland.”

Not just Poland, but countless ethnic groups desired independence in the lands occupied by Russia.

This wave of independence could spread to the Holy Roman Empire, but I’ve repeatedly instructed them to integrate the ethnic groups and address any grievances.

If they ignore that and succumb to public pressure, it’s their problem, not mine.

Of course, I won’t make excessive demands to liberate the lands occupied by the Holy Roman Empire.

“Ah, then what should we do about Britain?”

“We’ll have to talk to them directly anyway. They’ll contact us on their own in a few days. It might take a little longer, though.”

They’re not fools; they know that the longer they delay, the higher the price they’ll have to pay.

Of course, I wasn’t 100% certain, as I was too confident last time and received the ridiculous result of a vote of no confidence in Pitt.

You never know what desperate people might do.

But if they tried that now, the British citizens would probably storm Parliament and behead all the parliamentarians.

Every morning, I sipped coffee, enjoying news about Britain and Russia as a dessert.

…Oh my. I definitely didn’t add sugar, but it’s sweet?

And, as expected, exactly a week later.

The British Ambassador, Viscount Castlereagh, requested a meeting with me, looking like he was on the verge of collapse.

I wonder how much he’s suffered to look so haggard.

But I don’t particularly feel sorry for him.

“Oh, Viscount Castlereagh. Good morning.”

“…Yes. Good morning, Prime Minister.”

“I haven’t seen you lately. I imagine you’ve had some unpleasant experiences.”

“…I believe you can guess why I requested this meeting… can we get straight to the point?”

I was going to provoke him a little, but does that mean he lacks the mental 余裕 [Japanese word for ‘composure’ or ‘leeway’] to listen to that?

I don’t harbor much ill will towards Viscount Castlereagh, so should I refrain from further goading and be considerate?

“Please do. Then, shall we hear what decision your parliament has made?”

“…Yes. The home country hopes to conclude a truce in exchange for ceding India. If you wish, we will even assist your country in establishing itself in India.”

“Oh, my. This is really…”

I smiled brightly and tore up the proposal that Viscount Castlereagh had presented.

“You don’t seem to understand the situation.”

I guess not. Do they need to be beaten further to come to their senses?

“I’ll give you one last chance. I’ll present two options, and your Prime Minister can come here and choose.”

It’s absurd that they still think they’re in a position to offer something.

They should just accept what they’re given.

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