I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 343

“We must never overlook this!”

Chief of the Defence Staff Berthier slammed his desk, erupting in fury.

“I’ve spent my entire life on the battlefield, but I’ve never seen such absurd bastards!”

“I feel the same. I doubted my own eyes when I saw the declaration they sent this time.”

Minister of War Jean Lan, still reeling from yesterday’s shock, shook his head.

Chief of the Army Staff Massena quietly clicked his tongue and asked,

“What does the Marshal say? It doesn’t seem like those who’ve gone this far would surrender.”

“He gave the authority to judge the situation on the ground, but it seems he wants to hear our opinions because this could become too big.”

“Well… I’d be nervous too.”

It’s hard not to feel apprehensive when the entire nation is prepared to fight to the death, ready to die.

A veteran like Napoleon can easily tell whether it’s a bluff or not.

It seems even he thinks their madness is genuinely extraordinary.

“Your Majesty, what shall we do? I believe we should take a hard line, especially in times like these.”

“Let’s hear everyone’s opinions first. Berthier is in favor of taking an even tougher stance.”

Jean Lan, meeting my gaze, sighed and said,

“If they actually resist by using civilians as shields, it will be difficult for us. They’re claiming that this entire war was a pre-arranged script by France.”

“Do other countries believe that?”

“Of course not. European countries are mostly reacting with ridicule. They know better than anyone that France’s main fleet hasn’t left Europe.”

“So, it will just end as the delusions of perpetrators playing the victim.”

“Yes. Therefore, we should systematically expose how absurd their claims are and continue to apply pressure. No more, no less.”

Hmm, this one’s a cautious type.

Next, Massena, meeting my gaze, spoke up on his own.

“I’m not sure if I should say I’m similar to or different from Berthier. If they’re calling the Guangdong French army their full strength, wouldn’t it be good to show them our real power? Sending either the Pacific Fleet or the European Fleet would demonstrate our military might.”

It’s like giving a serious punch to someone who’s calling a jab a straight. Honestly, it’s tempting.

As Massena said, sending just a part of the European Fleet would prevent them from even daring to talk nonsense.

However, it would be unseemly for France, the world’s strongest nation, to respond to such barking.

In this era, national pride has a significant impact, so we must consider how we appear to the outside world.

Of course, such things still exist in modern times, but it was more pronounced now.

And in a way, this situation is a test of how France, as the world’s strongest nation, resolves issues.

We could just beat them to the brink of death and then propose a truce if they don’t listen, but that’s not elegant.

And more than anything…

“I wouldn’t mind sending the fleet to Africa, but sending it all the way to Asia is a waste of money.”

“…That’s true.”

“And considering France’s prestige, we need to emphasize that there’s no need to use the power of Europe or the New World to punish them. Moving our main forces could give them an excuse to claim they fought well, even though they lost.”

“That also makes sense.”

Of course, that’s what I said, but their victim act wasn’t pleasant for me either.

If we use more force to suppress them now, the future is predictable.

Every year, they’ll hold ceremonies to commemorate the unfortunate victims who lost their lives at the hands of France, wailing, ‘Boo hoo hoo! Those heartless French bastards!’

So, this time, we must never give them such an excuse.

“We will also issue a statement. Their claims are delusional nonsense reaching severe levels of paranoia, and we will make it clear that our main fleet has not moved before and will not move in the future. We should also mention that there’s no need to do so.”

“Understood. I will relay this to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

“And tell Napoleon that we don’t need to do what the enemy wants. Civilian casualties are unavoidable, but they must not become our weapon. If we just state this major premise, Napoleon will figure out the rest.”

In other words, we just shouldn’t directly massacre their civilians.

Napoleon, who has far greater strategic insight than I do, will find the best option on his own.

“And now, it seems like it’s time to start dividing them, so bring in the ambassadors from Vietnam and Manchukuo.”

The only ones who are out of their minds right now are the crazed Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire, which hasn’t taken a clear stance and is hedging its bets.

Vietnam and Manchukuo had already been beaten to a pulp and lost the strength to resist.

I wonder how they’ll react when two of their trusted allies abandon them.

They probably won’t surrender immediately.

They weren’t sane enough to tuck their tails in that easily.

So, as I told the ambassadors before, everything that happens from now on is their own fault.

※※※

There’s nothing more demoralizing in war than being betrayed by a trusted ally.

The Japanese Imperial Family, who had been burning with the will to fight to the end, received unexpected bad news and were enraged.

“What? Vietnam and Manchukuo are withdrawing?”

“Yes. They are proceeding with ceasefire negotiations on the condition of returning all the colonies they have acquired so far.”

“Those cowards! How dare they stab their allies in the back after promising to stay together until the end?”

Prime Minister Ienari’s anger was echoed by other officials, who erupted in a chain reaction of fury.

“Those despicable bastards with no sense of honor! We must not forgive them!”

What are you going to do if you don’t forgive them?

There are hardly any ships left that can be launched properly.

“We must protest strongly!”

What are you going to do if you protest?

The water has already been spilled [an idiom meaning the situation is irreversible].

“To think that those who were of no help at all are surrendering faster than anyone else…”

“That’s why they are useless.”

“In the end, we are the only country that can lead Asia.”

As people’s voices grew louder, Ienari, regaining his senses, raised his hand to stop them.

“This is before the Emperor. Everyone, regain your composure and suppress your emotions. Your Majesty! I apologize for showing you such an unsightly scene.”

“It’s alright. More importantly, what is the current state of the war? Vietnam and Manchukuo have withdrawn from this war?”

“Yes. Representatives have even crawled to Hong Kong to sign the humiliating surrender documents.”

“Hmm… I thought we had a deep alliance, but is this the end? By the way, what is the Korean Empire saying?”

The Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire were the ones who virtually led this war.

Although they are called the Four Dragons of Asia [a term referring to highly developed economies in East Asia], Vietnam and Manchukuo were clearly weaker than the Korean Empire and the Empire of Japan.

“They haven’t said they will join us, but they haven’t refused either. Judging from the fact that they refused to sign the surrender documents this time, it seems they don’t intend to join Vietnam or Manchukuo.”

“Is that so… Then, what is the state of the war?”

The Emperor, who lives within the massive walls of the Imperial Palace, can only know the situation outside through the voices of his subjects.

Therefore, Ienari deliberately did not tell the Emperor everything.

It was high treason in itself to diminish the truth to the Emperor of the unbroken line [referring to the Japanese imperial lineage], but he couldn’t tell the truth.

If he did, the living god [a reference to the Japanese Emperor’s perceived divine status] might get scared and tell us to surrender too.

If that happened, Ienari, at least, would not be able to escape destruction.

No, not just Ienari, but everyone here would meet the same fate.

So, there is no need for the Emperor to know all the facts.

He just hopes that he will remain a symbol to boost people’s morale in a safe place.

“It’s difficult, but everyone is fighting with one heart and one mind.”

“I seem to recall hearing that our troops were constantly being pushed back…”

“Of course, that’s true, but they are overcoming the difference in strength with a patriotic spirit to fight for Your Majesty. They must know our fighting spirit. They won’t be able to continue this outrageous behavior forever.”

“Is that so? Your loyalty is truly commendable.”

That’s what he was saying, but the Emperor wasn’t a fool.

Even compared to the previous war, the attitude of the ministers was too different.

They were quick to make a fuss and praise their achievements as if they had the whole world when there was even a small success in the war.

But now, as if by a lie, not a single positive report came in.

Just empty words that they are doing their best, working hard, and fighting with all their might.

In other words, there is not even a feat worth magnifying with a microscope.

Even though he was sensing all of this, the Emperor could not make a decision.

Because the Emperor had no real power anyway.

But that is precisely why the Emperor has always survived.

No matter how the Shogun [military dictator of Japan] changed, the country’s system changed, and everything collapsed.

The Emperor’s system itself has survived without wavering.

‘If it really doesn’t work out, I can just blame everything on the Prime Minister.’

The young Emperor optimistically thought that this would be the case this time as well, and decided to wait for the end of this war deep within the Imperial Palace.

※※※

Ienari, who came out after reporting to the Emperor, kept biting his lips with anxiety and unease.

‘Damn it…’

The moment he released the strength in his teeth, profanity seemed like it would burst through his lips.

The current situation was that hopeless and bleak.

“Are the French still occupying the port and blockading the waterways?”

“Yes. They are not carrying out any more direct attacks than that. But they are thoroughly controlling the waterways…”

Narrow rivers where warships could not enter were fine, but transportation by sea had become impossible.

The same was true for transportation through large rivers adjacent to the sea.

Even if they tried to use the railroads that had recently been laid, there was no way to do so since the main railroads adjacent to the port were all cut off.

As a result, the way to transport food was completely blocked, and cries of food shortages were heard from all over the country.

At first, they were told to endure with mental strength, but as time passed, people were starting to starve to death.

At this point, the intentions of the French were clear.

They were literally trying to starve us to death, not just figuratively.

“Those vile bastards. How can they wage war in such a petty way? Are they really the strongest country in the world?”

“It seems their intention is to make us surrender if we don’t want to starve to death.”

“Nonsense! The Emperor has already ordered us to fight to the death, even if it’s the last person. Are we going to surrender?”

“But they won’t fight…”

Yes. That’s the problem.

If the bastards actually landed and fought, we could use civilians as shields or do whatever it takes, but they didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so.

So, the people were just starving for no reason, and the resentment was increasingly directed towards the government and the Imperial Family.

To overcome this situation, a fight must eventually break out.

No, at least they must turn the anger of the people towards the French, not themselves.

If even that is not possible…

“In this case, there’s no choice. Contact the French side secretly.”

In any case, the most important thing is for us to survive.

For that, he would gladly sacrifice the people or the Imperial Family.

‘As long as it’s not me.’

Ienari entrusted himself to this thought, which arose like a ray of light, without hesitation.

From now on, it’s a race against time.