I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 57

Homecoming (2)

“Hahaha! You’ve worked so hard this time as well. As expected, everything goes smoothly when I send you.”

The superficial protagonist of the welcome party was Auguste, but Louis XV was the first to commend me.

“I heard a little from Auguste earlier that he received a lot of help from you. Well done. Your relationship must be good for France to stand firmly on a bedrock.”

“Rest assured. Thanks to this, I was able to strengthen my brotherly love with my brother.”

“I attached you to Auguste hoping that I would have that opportunity, but I’m so glad it worked out well. I’ll listen to a detailed report later, but since I have time, shall I hear a rough story? What did the Pope say…”

Louis XV, who was about to bombard me with questions, suddenly stopped talking and looked back.

Marie was standing right behind him, wearing an awkward smile.

The King, who looked at me and Marie alternately, smiled as if he was embarrassed.

“Haha, I was too oblivious. I’ll go to Auguste, so let’s talk later.”

Perhaps he felt Marie’s silent pressure.

As Louis XV disappeared almost fleeing, she came to me quickly.

“Christia…”

“Marie, I missed you.”

Before I could finish speaking, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her into my arms.

“Wait a minute. Everyone’s watching…”

“What if they see us? It’s even better.”

There’s no one who would criticize a couple for showing affection in public.

Rather, if we, who are the talk of the town right now, show off our affection like this, it will be a promotion in itself.

Of course, to be honest, the desire to just hug her right now was greater than such calculations.

After flapping her arms for a moment, she chuckled and hugged me back quietly.

“You’ve been doing really well while I was away. The articles now describe you as the most popular person in Paris, right?”

“That’s just an exaggeration. But I was a little surprised. To be honest, I didn’t expect such a good response.”

“I feel a bit bad saying this since I was the one who suggested it, but I felt the same way. By the way, did anything else happen while I was away? Was there anyone who was rude or had any difficulties?”

“There wasn’t anything like that. Recently, I’ve been feeling that public opinion towards me is becoming more favorable, so I feel good. Oh, come to think of it, Ambassador Mercy did say something a little disappointing.”

Mercy Argento, the Austrian ambassador to France.

He certainly might not like the way things are going right now.

“What exactly did Ambassador Mercy say?”

“It seems he read the article. He said that if you keep praising France so much, what will Austria become, and my mother won’t like it either.”

“Hmm… what did you say in response?”

“What do I care? I’m French now… I wanted to say that, but it would have been a disaster, right? So I just said, ‘Okay~’.”

So she just ignored him neatly.

Mercy must have snitched to Terezia [Maria Theresa, Marie Antoinette’s mother and Empress of Austria], so I need to think about countermeasures when they start arguing.

“You did a good job. I’ll take care of the aftermath, so let’s keep the current route for the time being.”

“Yes! And now that I think about it, how about you and I cook together later? It doesn’t seem like potatoes are being supplied in France, so wouldn’t it be nice to make French dishes with potatoes? The citizens of Paris really like the food I make.”

Her voice is full of pride and joy as she says that.

Seeing her face full of smiles, the demonstration she did last time must have been very successful.

“To be honest, most of the work was done by the chef, but I also contributed. My mysterious water control skills are now praised as being almost at a certain level.”

“When we return to the Tuileries Palace, I’ll be able to indulge in your heroic tales for a while. If you have any interesting stories, please select them carefully and tell me.”

“Of course. And I have many stories I want to hear too. I’ve heard so many stories about the Vatican, but I’ve never been there and probably never will. I heard that people from the Ottoman Empire also came, but do people really wrap their heads in cloths there?”

“Haha, I understand. I’ll answer any questions you have. Anyway, I’ll be by your side from now on, so there’s no need to rush.”

Marie, who had escaped from my arms, glared at me sullenly.

“Really? If you go abroad again after saying this, I’m really going to be angry this time.”

“Of course. Would grandfather give me such a mission again? Even if I go to another country, I won’t stay for a long time like this time. Otherwise, I’ll be hated by my precious granddaughter-in-law.”

I said it with great enthusiasm, but when I thought about it, wouldn’t this usually be a flag-raising statement [a statement that foreshadows a negative event]?

Feeling an uneasy premonition, I quickly added a word.

“If I have to go somewhere for unavoidable reasons, it wouldn’t be bad to go together this time. I don’t feel comfortable being away from you for a long time either.”

“I’d rather do that to make myself feel better. Still, His Majesty will give you a break for the time being, right? Or I’ll say something with conviction.”

“No, no, you have to stay still. What if you ruin the favor you barely gained?”

Until Marie’s popularity is completely on track, she shouldn’t be given any work that could be seen as political activity.

Marie knows that too.

This is just a light grumble that she said once.

Everyone will accept that much as a cute act of affection, but there are sometimes people who nitpick at such things.

Even in this place alone, there will be trucks full of people who will bite us whenever they get the chance.

Marie smiled bitterly as she looked around at the nobles who were still glancing at me and her.

“Anyway, Versailles Palace is always crowded with people. Even though we’re in Paris now, we’ll eventually have to come here…”

“You’ll get used to it. Let’s enjoy it as much as we can and go back to Paris.”

Now I need to get additional reports from the spies I’ve planted and approve the pending work.

I also need to come up with a plan to put additional pressure on the Duke of Chartres, since I got an unexpected harvest from him.

When I finish one thing, another task arises, but strangely, I’m not tired.

Rather than feeling tired, I enjoy it.

The feeling of increasing power and influence is subtly addictive.

I now understand a little why some people get drunk on power and go crazy.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that I won’t face the same outcome.

I’m different from others.

I’m special.

The downfall of ruined powerful people usually begins when they have such thoughts.

So, let’s not get too loose, especially at times like this.

I haven’t even started climbing, let alone reaching the summit.

※※※

“…As His Highness the Prince reported, the edict officially proclaimed by the Vatican has arrived.”

Even after the welcome party ended, Versailles Palace did not return to its usual atmosphere.

Louis XV, who had recently begun to take an active role in state affairs, convened a meeting as if he had been waiting for it.

“It is right to punish those who misuse faith and harm the national interest. With this, it should be seen that the Vatican has also agreed to the measures previously taken by the High Court.”

It was positive news, but the faces of the nobles who were reporting were not so bright.

This was because Louis XV’s expression, who was watching them, showed that the King’s mood was not comfortable.

“Are you saying that you dragged on something that could have been resolved so easily for years?”

Foreign Minister Count Saint-Florentin’s body stiffened.

The faces of Duke Choiseul, who was in charge of state affairs before, and current Prime Minister Maupeou were also filled with tension.

“…Your Majesty. Rather than being resolved at once, it should be seen that the diplomatic and political efforts made during that time have finally paid off…”

“Then tell me in detail about the efforts you have made during that time.”

It was an unexpected disaster.

Count Saint-Florentin, who was reporting, gestured to Maupeou, asking him to do something.

Maupeou slyly pretended not to see the rescue signal and avoided his gaze.

Thinking about it, Maupeou and Choiseul, who were on Christian’s line, didn’t seem to be blamed so much.

Count Saint-Florentin desperately tried to think of an excuse while sweating profusely.

“In fact, that part was handled mainly by the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, so I only received the handover. And because the court pushed forward too aggressively, there was a limit to what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could do.”

“I see. So you couldn’t do anything for more than 5 years?”

Count Saint-Florentin could not answer rashly.

Not only him, but no one opened their mouths.

In the end, everything is said by the results.

It was true that the work that the nobles had been dragging on was resolved as soon as Christian stepped in…

“Gentlemen. If you have a mouth, you should speak. If you really didn’t feel the seriousness of this situation, how can I understand it?”

Louis XV wasn’t really angry.

However, he was using this as an opportunity to hold his subordinates accountable for their incompetence and to lead the state affairs as he wanted.

And of course, no one in this place didn’t know this.

Instead of Count Saint-Florentin, who was bowing his head, the Superintendent of Finance opened his mouth.

“…Of course, His Highness the Prince has achieved results, but strictly speaking, this was different from what we were trying to do at first. This should be interpreted as a kind of compromise and coordination with the Vatican…”

“As always, you are fluent only when making excuses.”

The Superintendent of Finance immediately closed his mouth at Louis XV’s cold voice.

“I’m not just talking about the expulsion of the Jesuits. This is only open to the heads of each department gathered here, but he has also brought other diplomatic achievements. Is this because Christian is so outstanding that he is on a different level? Or is there a problem with the system of operating the organization so far? I have a feeling that both of these may be the case.”

“Are you planning to reorganize the organizational system?”

“Rather than reorganizing it immediately, I need to take a look at it. Who knows if there are rotten parts like the court. If I’m saying something that doesn’t make sense, feel free to raise an objection at any time.”

“No, no. Your Majesty is right.”

The King’s recent actions have been frighteningly meticulous.

No matter what he did, he had a good reason to do so, so it was not easy to express dissenting opinions.

“I wanted to hear the story directly from Christian, but since that child has returned to Paris, let’s talk based on this report for now. What do you think about the diplomatic steps that France should take in the future?”

“I think it’s a wise decision. It is right to avoid a full-scale war with England until the time comes.”

Maupeou, who had been waiting for an opportunity, stepped forward to agree as soon as he finished speaking.

There was no disagreement from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Superintendent of Finance.

“Even if we can’t completely avoid conflict with England, we should avoid large-scale clashes if possible. If they think so too, our room to maneuver will widen.”

“A full-scale war with England is absolutely impossible. Because we don’t have enough money to do that right now.”

“I’m glad everyone agrees. Still, the next proposal will probably be quite controversial…”

Louis XV placed a thick document on the table.

“I would like to hear everyone’s opinion on this matter. Christian stated in the report as follows. Although it may sound like a ridiculous story, the area where France will eventually have to focus its efforts again is…”

The King’s finger pointed to one side of the vast continent across the Atlantic.

“The New World.”

※※※

The Tuileries Palace, which I returned to after a long time, was the opposite of Versailles Palace, deserted and relaxed.

Even though the number of nobles who come to get acquainted with me has increased recently, the footsteps of the upper class are still rare.

Rather, it was mainly people from the bourgeois [middle] class.

“Are you talking about the Duke of Orléans?”

“Yes. I got some pretty good testimonies this time.”

I showed the documents sent by the spies and the witnesses I had bought to Lavoisier, or rather, to his son.

“He was the most suspicious person. But it’s surprising that the son doesn’t seem to be involved. Didn’t Your Highness initially say that the son was the most likely culprit?”

“The original reasoning can be wrong. If it’s always right, it’s not reasoning, it’s prediction, right?”

“That’s true. But this testimony seems to be quite helpful. How did you get it?”

“I bought it with money.”

Lavoisier showed a questionable reaction to my confident words.

“If he was involved in this, he would have been quite close to the Duke of Orléans, but he opened his mouth with money? Didn’t he say something like, ‘Do you think you can buy me with money’?”

“I gave him too much money to say that. Of course, the Duke of Orléans is richer than me, but he doesn’t spread it around to other people.”

“That’s surprising. Nobles always say that they value honor more than money, so I thought there were really many people like that.”

“Lavoisier. Almost everything in the world can be solved with money. If that’s not the case, it’s just that the amount of money was not enough. And one thing you must keep in mind is that the people who say they don’t like money are the craziest about money in the world.”

In my experience, most of the guys who claim they have no desire for material things are shady people.

People who are really ascetic don’t even say such things.

“When I think about it, that’s really true. Your Highness is honest in that respect.”

“Of course. I love money so much. You too, right?”

“Yes. Because I need money to do research to my heart’s content. In that sense, I’ve brought you another case that will bring huge profits.”

This is the most welcome news I’ve heard today.

“Really? What is it? Did you find another promising investment this time?”

“It’s a little different. As a result of continuous investment so far, we have acquired a significant stake in a fairly large trading company. The important thing is that this place is nationally recognized and licensed to trade slaves.”

“Slave trade…”

“Yes. Your Highness said that this slave trade will enter a declining path within the next few decades. But even so, it is now boasting explosive demand. The New World also needs to replenish slaves due to the aftermath of the Seven Years’ War. We will probably make a huge income this year.”

Lavoisier’s voice was full of confidence.

In fact, it was something anyone could have predicted.

Even a child would know that the demand for slaves has increased recently.

“So, are we going to jump into the trade business in earnest?”

“No. We don’t need to do such a thing. The initial investment cost is huge, and if Your Highness is right, it will be a failing business in a few decades. So what I’m suggesting is that we focus all our capabilities on maximizing the company’s profits this time, and then sell all our shares and get out when we can get the highest price. If we increase our investment, the company will welcome us with both hands.”

“That’s a suggestion worth considering.”

England is the big player in the slave trade, but France also boasts a scale that is among the best in Europe.

Since France lost all its colonies in the New World except for Saint-Domingue [modern-day Haiti], it has recently been selling slaves mainly to other countries’ colonies and making money.

“Which areas have a high demand for slaves right now?”

“Let’s see… It changes every year, but this year, British colonies are said to be the main customers. In particular, the southern colonies are expected to have a high demand.”

The British North American colonies.

In other words, it refers to the United States, which will wage war with England and become independent in five years.

Slave trade and the New World.

America and England, and France.

After careful consideration, I nodded and got up from my seat.

I heard that there was something to discuss about the report I submitted last time, and the timing was just right.

“Let’s do as you suggested. First, tell them that we will increase our investment. And I’ll have to see His Majesty.”