I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 334

People generally don’t associate anything positive with the term ‘so-and-so doctrine.’

It’s a word that evokes feelings of being unilateral, coercive, and exclusive.

That’s because a doctrine itself is an act of unilaterally declaring a country’s foreign policy.

It’s a proclamation that says, ‘We will pursue such and such policies from now on, so please be aware,’ and it doesn’t have any binding power.

In other words, if a country can officially make such a declaration, it can be said that it has a significant influence in the international community.

Otherwise, it can only end up being ridiculed with comments like, ‘What are those idiots saying? Who do they think they are?’

In the original history, the period when the United States began to be recognized as a major power was after the famous Monroe Doctrine.

After that, the countries that declared doctrines were the United States, the Soviet Union, and Germany, all of which were countries worthy of being called major powers.

In that respect, the Asia Doctrine declared this time by the self-proclaimed Four Dragons of Asia [South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Manchukuo], the alliance of enlightened factions in Asia, was nothing more than a laughingstock for Europe.

[Asian affairs are for Asians. Is it the grand ambition of a new major power or the arrogant delusion of an emerging country?]

[The Commonwealth officially raises objections to the Asian Union’s declaration.]

[The Holy Roman Empire comments that the enlightened nations’ declaration is premature. Will it lead to national disputes?]

Articles are pouring out endlessly even in Paris.

Who would have imagined that the snowball of Italy’s defeat in the war would roll this far?

Even Italy, which caused this situation, was being summoned and criticized again this time.

[Italy’s disgrace led to Asia’s misjudgment.]

[It’s all Italy’s fault.]

[Italian Emperor extremely angry. Cabinet resigns en masse.]

“This is almost madness. How far are they planning to go…?”

“It means that Europe has been greatly shocked.”

“Right. What do you think from your perspective as the person in charge of foreign affairs?”

Talleyrand, who was diligently toiling away as an advisor even after stepping down from his ministerial position, picked up any newspaper he could find and laughed.

“What the editorial here says is exactly what I feel. Let’s see… ‘The result of Italy, which ambitiously raised its military to be recognized as one of the pillars of a major power, was disastrous. They lacked preparation, on-site responsiveness, and the power to overcome the situation.’

Their rash actions are expected to further increase the chaos in Asia, and France’s mediation ability may soon be put to the test. Well, it’s something anyone can say, but it’s a statement that pierces the core. It means that the situation is complex yet clear.”

Complex yet clear.

It was the perfect explanation for the current situation.

“First, we need to see the reactions of other countries. It seems that Britain and the Holy Roman Empire are treating it as ridiculous nonsense.”

“Yes. Britain is likely to issue an additional statement saying, ‘Whether we interfere in Asia or not is our business, so mind your own business.’ Well, they won’t actually say it like that, but that’s what it boils down to.”

“What about the Holy Roman Empire?”

“To sum it up, they’re saying, ‘Italy is the weakest of us. Don’t be arrogant, you fools.’ Since those two countries are reacting like that, other countries will likely take a similar stance.”

When I heard that Italy would participate as an ally of Thailand, I thought this might happen.

Even if Britain lost India and its heyday power, it is not something that the rapidly growing Korean Empire or Japan can handle.

Even if they don’t directly invade Northeast Asia, they can just take warships to Southeast Asia and raze the ports to the ground.

They would think that they can just extort supplies from countries like Thailand.

Of course, the Commonwealth, the Korean Empire, and Japan are all allies of France, so they won’t immediately engage in armed conflict.

Even if that really happens, there will be grounds for us to intervene since allied countries are fighting each other.

That’s not a problem.

The biggest problem is when the Asian side goes crazy and tries to ignore our mediation.

I doubt they’ll be that crazy, but the high of victory can cloud reason.

Now that they’ve easily crushed Italy, I can’t even guess what kind of monster is growing in their heads.

I just hope they’re not seriously thinking that they can have a proper showdown with Europe.

“Your Majesty, there is one more thing we need to consider.”

“What is it?”

Talleyrand twisted the corners of his lips slightly and pointed to a pillar of Northeast Asia, French Guangzhou [a French colony in China].

“Strictly speaking, French Guangzhou is part of France, but it is in Asia. It is not yet clear how the self-proclaimed enlightened nations’ think about French Guangzhou.”

“Honestly, wouldn’t they not think anything of it?”

If they had really given it deep consideration, they wouldn’t have declared a doctrine at this point.

It is 99.99% certain that they were just spouting whatever came to mind while drunk on the victory over Italy.

“I think so too. But eventually, it will inevitably become a problem at some point, so wouldn’t it be better to address it quickly?”

“Let’s do that. I should also send a message to Robespierre, although he probably is already moving.”

It is obvious, but the military power of French Guangzhou does not match that of the Atlantic, Pacific, and European Frances.

However, since the French fleet and legions are stationed there, its military power cannot be compared to that of Asian countries.

Above all, French Guangzhou has a base in Asia.

Considering this, it can be said that French Guangzhou has the strongest military power in Asia.

The Korean Empire? Japan? Manchukuo? Vietnam?

I am confident that even if they were not defeated individually, they would be taken care of within three months even if the four of them combined.

And there is no fool in the world who doesn’t know this.

Probably.

※※※

“Hahahahahaha!”

“Euhahahahahahaha!”

Hanseong, the capital of the Korean Empire.

In the palace where the Emperor resides, the laughter of the officials never ceased, as if they were competing to see who could laugh the loudest.

“Keuhahahahaha!”

Of course, the Korean Emperor laughed the loudest of all.

When the Emperor laughed heartily, all the officials closed their mouths.

Because there could be no tactless person who would dare to laugh louder than the Emperor.

“So, so. You mean the ransom for the prisoners has arrived from Italy?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. If we combine it with the reparations collected from the Central Plains [historical region of China], we can repay a significant portion of the loans we took out from France.”

“I see. Then, can we now begin the reconstruction of Gyeongbok Palace [main royal palace of Korea’s Joseon dynasty], which has been our long-cherished desire?”

“If we get additional reparations from Thailand, we should be able to meet the budget.”

“Then we should do that. Anyway, Thailand is like a lamp in the wind if we set our minds to it.”

The Emperor had never felt so good since ascending the throne.

The humiliation of the past, when his self-esteem was crushed by the name of his great father, is now so distant that he cannot even remember it.

At first, he was anxious, but now everything seems to be going well.

If we were to pick the greatest monarch in the history of the Joseon Dynasty, it would have been Sejong the Great [4th king of Joseon dynasty] until now, but wouldn’t it be different in about 100 years?

Not only did he rebuild Joseon, which was withering due to external turmoil and internal strife, but he also successfully achieved modernization and even carried out the Northern Expedition [historical Korean foreign policy], which had been the dynasty’s long-cherished desire since the Jeongmyo and Byeongja years [referring to invasions of Korea by the Manchus].

Moreover, he plans to rebuild the burnt-down Gyeongbok Palace even more splendidly and magnificently to revive the dynasty’s pride, which had fallen to the ground.

All of these achievements were made under his reign.

To be honest, it doesn’t seem like he has done anything proactively, but isn’t it also a skill to ride the tide of the times well?

‘No… Even so, it’s a bit much to put my name before Sejong the Great, so let’s make it second. The second greatest king in the history of the dynasty and the greatest emperor who opened the door to the Korean Empire. That’s me.’

The Emperor, who had finished praising himself to the fullest, looked at the bird’s-eye view of the newly reborn Gyeongbok Palace and smiled contentedly.

“This is it. This is the palace where the Emperor of the Korean Empire will reside!”

“It is an honor that you like it, Your Majesty!”

“The scale does not match the Forbidden City [Chinese imperial palace], but size is not everything. In the future, the center of Asia will be this Gyeongbok Palace. Isn’t that right, Prime Minister Jeong?”

Jeong Yak-yong [Korean philosopher and polymath], who became the first Prime Minister of the Korean Empire, smiled brightly and nodded.

‘Isn’t the center of Asia still French Guangzhou? No matter how strong the Korean Empire becomes, it seems a bit much to entrust it with the center.’

However, Jeong Yak-yong was no longer a political novice with low political skills who went against the tide.

Even if he is saying something ridiculous, you have to react perfectly.

Then, later, you can gradually adjust the Emperor’s delusions in practice.

This was the wisdom of life he gained from being released from exile and the way to rise high in the political world.

“Just as the sun rises in the east, the future of Asia will be led by the sleeping tiger of the East! The sleeping dragon of the East! The Korean Empire, the nation of courtesy in the East! Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long live!”

Following Jeong Yak-yong’s three cheers of long live, all the other officials raised their hands and shouted in unison.

“Long live! Long live! Long live! May the Korean Empire last forever!”

“Haha! Yes, yes. If you have loyalty and patriotism towards the Empire, we will continue to move forward without stopping.”

Enthusiastic cheers and applause poured out towards the Emperor, who clenched his fist and shouted resolutely.

Jeong Yak-yong, who was suffering from overwork at the age of sixty without being able to retire, could only shed tears inwardly while maintaining a smile on his face like a professional.

‘Hoo… This is bullshit, even if I raise money, it’s not enough to rebuild Gyeongbok Palace. What should I say to Thailand to extort more reparations?’

Even if he says no, he cannot stop the Emperor and the officials of the Empire who are already drunk on victory.

Jeong Yak-yong envied Seo Yong-bo, who had retired from the political world due to old age, for the first time.

※※※

While a frenzy of victory celebrations was taking place in the Korean Empire.

The situation was no different in Japan, its neighbor.

“Keuhahaha!”

“Eumhahahaha!”

“Long live the Emperor! Long live!”

Should we call it harmony worthy of Eastern Joseon and Western Japan?

The series of conversations taking place in the imperial palaces of both countries, with only different languages, were eerily similar.

“This is all thanks to Sho… no, the Prime Minister’s brilliant leadership.”

“What have I done? It’s all thanks to the Emperor who firmly leads us. Your Majesty! I, Tokugawa Ienari [Japanese ruler during Edo period], will do my best to assist you!”

“Yes. I am truly grateful for your loyalty. I will continue to trust and rely on you, so please handle the affairs of the country well.”

“It is an honor that you trust me so much. I will spare no effort to devote myself to the future of the Great Japanese Empire!”

In fact, Ienari was also uneasy at first.

He was confident that they were invincible in Asia, but the opponent was one of the major European powers.

He thought that they would be different from the opponents they had fought so far, but what do you know?

When he opened the lid, the Europeans were no different from them.

They die when shot with a gun, die when stabbed with a knife, and die when shot with a cannon.

Until now, the difference in weapons was so significant that they could not start a fight, but now that they have weapons to kill the enemy, they can fight enough.

“It seems that the day of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere [Japanese concept promoting Asian unity under Japanese leadership] that we have been dreaming of is really not far away. We have expressed our firm will to the West, so they will not be able to take it lightly.”

“That’s right. If they don’t know their place and attack again, we can teach them a lesson like Ittaria? Ittari? [referring to Italy] and chase them away. Hahaha!”

Using Vietnam as a breakwater to defend themselves was a divine move even when thinking about it now.

If you fight with the natural defensive terrain of the jungle, it seems that you will not lose no matter who the opponent is.

If you avoid Vietnam and go around, you can attack the enemy from behind with the fleet stationed in Vietnam and cut off supplies.

It is a simple and clear strategy, but it is powerful because it is simple.

If they block Western interference in this way and gradually build up their strength, the Four Dragons of Asia will be able to have a size worthy of a dragon, not just empty words.

When that day comes, they will no longer have to fear European countries far away on the other side of the world.

If that day really comes, there is only one threat left.

Only French Guangzhou is stationed in the same Asia.

A strange heat flickered in Ienari’s eyes as he looked at the vast world map.