I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 91

I already knew Benjamin Franklin was coming because Samuel Adams had told me.

Of course, Adams didn’t know my true identity, but all letters addressed to Count Lamarche were directed to me.

“I’ve heard a lot about you since I went to the New World. Everyone praises you as a respected intellectual.”

“You flatter me.”

A deep voice, still not entirely free of embarrassment.

Benjamin Franklin still looked at me with a suspicious expression.

It must have been a shocking encounter, enough to turn his hair white, but he seemed to have recovered relatively quickly.

“Actually, I wanted to see you when I went to the New World, but unfortunately, I couldn’t get the chance because you were in England. I’m glad I can meet you now.”

“I am also honored to meet you, Your Highness. I have only heard of you in rumors.”

I wasn’t showing it, but I was just as excited.

It was none other than Benjamin Franklin.

The face on the US 100 dollar bill, whom I had seen countless times in modern times.

He really looks exactly like the real 100 dollar bill; it’s amazing.

Moreover, Benjamin Franklin was a bit different from other American figures, which made him even more likable.

The majority of American figures in this era were born into wealthy families, at least with silver spoons in their mouths.

On the other hand, Franklin was the son of a poor candle maker who only attended school for two years because his family couldn’t afford it.

In other words, he rose to his current position purely through his own talent and effort.

In a way, he could be said to symbolize the American Dream.

Perhaps it’s because I spent a long time struggling as a ‘dirt spoon’ [a Korean term for someone born into poverty] in the past that I feel a sense of kinship.

But that’s that, and this is this.

Personal likes and dislikes should not influence negotiations.

I calmly rearranged my gaze. I brought the teacup to my lips and said calmly.

“You came to France because of the festival in Boston, right? Brewing tea leaves in the Massachusetts sea must have made for a very tasty tea.”

“…I think it was a foolish act. Of course, Adams had his own calculations, so he committed such an act, but I cannot deny that it was too hasty.”

“Well… I think if such an incident hadn’t occurred, the colonies would have continued to be dragged along under British rule. Look at the movements of Adams and the independence faction this time. That incident, which inevitably seemed forced, has somehow been disguised as a great uprising to escape oppression.”

“He’s originally skilled at manipulating people. But if a war really breaks out between the colonies and Britain, countless colonists will bleed.”

I sipped my tea without saying anything.

When no particular answer came back, Franklin continued.

“Adams said that he had spoken with Count Lamarche… that is, Your Highness. I must confirm the truth of this statement on behalf of all the colonists.”

“Spoken with… that’s a very Adams-like expression.”

Franklin’s gaze wavered.

Since he is so skilled at sophistry, I can roughly guess how he spoke to Franklin.

Franklin asked.

“…So, there is no concrete agreement?”

“Of course not. When I went to the New World, I was just a count. It would be absurd for me to make promises with the future of the country at stake.”

Then a shadow of disappointment fell over Franklin’s eyes.

“Can I know exactly what was discussed?”

“It is true that France has a great interest in the independence of the colonies. It would not be good for us if Britain continues to hold that wealthy land.”

Franklin nodded slightly.

“That’s right. The current situation is already water under the bridge. Do you know what measures Britain has taken against the colonies?”

“Did they order the abolition of the Massachusetts Self-Governing Territory?”

I asked with a deliberate jest, and Franklin widened his eyes and asked back.

“How did you…? Has the report already come up here?”

“Didn’t you receive a letter from Adams? I was the one who told him how Britain would respond. I already expected this to happen.”

“……..”

Franklin’s already wide eyes were now almost as big as watermelons.

I feel sorry for this talented intellectual, but he will have to remain in a state of shock for the foreseeable future.

Otherwise, he will inevitably become a difficult opponent in negotiations.

The reason I staged such a shocking meeting in the first place was to gain an advantage in the negotiations.

People naturally shrink back when they recognize that the person in front of them is far more capable than they are.

Then, naturally, the scope of their thinking is limited, and they don’t even harbor the desire to take the lead in negotiations.

The long negotiations with the colonies have only just begun.

I need to establish dominance from the very beginning.

“Since this is not an official occasion, let me ask more directly. What is your ultimate purpose in coming here?”

“We need France’s help. The colonies will never accept Britain’s decision. Now all that remains is war. So we need to secure as many allies as possible.”

“That’s right.”

“Didn’t Your Highness also say that the colonies are a wealthy land? I haven’t done a detailed calculation, but the total amount of wealth coming from the colonies is probably not much different from that of mainland Britain. And this land will continue to develop in the future. In other words, if you help us, it will be the same as inflicting a severe blow on Britain.”

As expected, Franklin continued to try to stimulate France’s competitive spirit against Britain.

In fact, Franklin’s main strategy when he came to France as a diplomat in the original history was not much different from now.

However, this was not so successful in history either.

Of course, from France’s point of view, they wanted to give Britain a big middle finger, but stepping into a battle with no chance of winning was a completely different story.

“If the colonies of the New World can break away from Britain, that would be the best possible outcome for us. The problem is whether you have the actual capacity to do so.”

“If the Great Kingdom of France helps us, we will have enough…”

“No. You clearly said that you want independence. Then you must first prove that you have the ability to do so. Suppose you don’t have the power to do so, but you are liberated from Britain with our help. Would we leave you alone, logically speaking?”

“That would be… impossible.”

“There is no more futile wish than to achieve independence with the power of others. If you harbor such a desire, the only result will be that the owner changes from Britain to France.”

No rebuttal came back.

After all, it is impossible for Franklin to present a card that will appeal to me at this stage.

Of course, I have already completed all the preparations to collectively lynch Britain from the shadows, but there is no reason to inform the colonies of that.

I will extract as much as I can before reluctantly stepping forward.

If possible, I need to lay the foundation for sucking them dry with a straw.

Otherwise, all France can gain from intervening in the American Revolutionary War is a huge debt.

“So, if the colonies prove that they have the power to win independence… can we assume that France will stand by our side and participate in the war?”

“We will consider participating in the war very positively. After that, it will depend on how attractive an offer you make.”

“I understand.”

Franklin looked down slightly with a complicated face.

If you think about it coldly, this alone would have been a satisfactory result for him.

It would be like finding a faint ray of hope in a situation so dark that you can’t see an inch ahead.

“Still, it would be a bit much to send a visitor who came all this way back empty-handed, so I’ll give you a gift.”

“…A gift?”

“When the war starts, it’s important to attract as many allies as possible. Moreover, if there is someone who will become an enemy, you must prepare for it in advance. You are only paying attention to Britain now, but shouldn’t you also pay attention to the north?”

“You mean the Iroquois Confederacy.”

Iroquois Confederacy.

A confederation of five Native American tribes who call themselves the Hodenosaunee [People of the Longhouse].

With a unique system of matrilineal society, they had formed a confederation even before Europeans came to the New World.

Having helped Britain during the Seven Years’ War, they faced a political split over which side to help during the American Revolutionary War.

Three tribes sided with Britain, and the other two sided with the colonies, and after the war, the confederation was naturally dissolved.

“Their power is not as strong as that of the colonies or Britain, but that doesn’t mean they should be treated carelessly. Let me give you a heads up that the Seneca, Cayuga, and Onondaga tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy are likely to side with Britain, so you should prepare for it in advance or prepare to negotiate from now on.”

“Is that reliable information?”

“Of course. And if you don’t have the means to persuade them, I have some materials that I have written, so take them and show them once. I have very carefully selected the atrocities that Britain has committed in the colonies. If they see that, the natives will lose all thoughts of siding with Britain.”

As I handed over the bundle of documents on the desk, Franklin quickly scanned the general contents.

“…It’s amazing. Thank you. With this, even if the natives don’t side with us, they won’t side with Britain.”

“Yes. Every second is critical from now on, so hurry up. I sincerely hope that the colonies can withstand Britain’s offensive well.”

“Yes. I will definitely meet the expectations of Your Highness and France.”

Franklin bowed politely and turned around and walked out.

I ordered Lavoisier to safely escort Franklin until he boarded the ship bound for the colonies, and then called a carriage to Versailles Palace.

Whether the colonies are destroyed by Britain or not, I will intervene in this war.

If the colonies do not hold out against Britain, unlike in the original history, our losses will be greater, but then we can squeeze the post-independence United States to make up for the losses.

However, in that case, it may be a little difficult to draw out public opinion for our participation in the war.

This is because it could be perceived as pouring water into a bottomless pit.

But I’m not particularly worried. They don’t know their own strength, and they don’t know who they have, but I do.

After all, you have that George Washington? Good luck.

I gave a sincere cheer to Franklin’s back as he faded into the distance and got on the carriage.

※※※

…Half a day later.

As soon as I arrived at Versailles Palace, I requested an audience with Louis XV.

“I have just sent away the representative from the colonies. I have taken the measures as I mentioned before.”

“I see. Huhu… The day when we really fight with England is becoming a reality.”

“Our preparations are perfect, while England doesn’t even know that we will intervene. As long as the national power of both sides is similar, this difference is decisive.”

“After all… it will be different from the Seven Years’ War, right?”

Perhaps because the memory of the painful defeat flashed through his mind.

Louis XV scratched the back of his neck with an uneasy face.

It was a crushing defeat that left him with a huge amount of debt and all the colonies in the New World plundered, so he might have PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder].

“Don’t worry. This time, it’s our turn to return the humiliation we tasted at that time. After all, in a game, the one who laughs last wins.”

“Yes… that’s right. It has to be.”

Even if I, who majored in history, have a lot of knowledge, I am not very helpful in terms of military science.

I can’t even dream of commanding the army directly, and I gave up the idea of going to the front lines a long time ago.

Even though I had already marked Napoleon in advance, he is now just a baby taking his first steps, so I have to wait a long time to see the results.

If I had even a thorough knowledge of weapons, I might have known more, but unfortunately, I know the general knowledge but do not know what is needed for invention.

If enough time is given, it is possible to shorten the invention time just by informing scientists of the concept, but it is impossible now.

This means that I can’t make something like a machine gun and aim for a scientific victory.

However, the victory or defeat of a war is not determined solely by the genius command of a strategist or the difference in technology.

If you major in history, you inevitably become inseparable from war history.

Looking at the numerous wars that have occurred in history, the victory or defeat is often determined even before the war breaks out.

Of course, the people living in that era did not think they would lose, but this is the reality.

So I decided to mobilize all my capabilities to create a situation where we have no choice but to win.

The result is now.

“But Christian. Have you thought about how to persuade the nobles? It would be good if you could issue bonds to the nobles, but if things go wrong, it will put too much burden on the royal finances…”

“Please leave that to me. Even if it doesn’t happen, I will co-guarantee it in the name of the Duke of Orléans in case things go wrong.”

“Oh, really?”

I gave Louis XV, who was noticeably delighted, a nonchalant smile.

And, in a subtle voice, I slipped the ultimate goal I wanted to achieve.

“It’s not much of a substitute, but I have one request.”

“What is it? If we win the war, you will naturally be the greatest contributor, so I will gladly grant you whatever you want.”

“Even if we drive England out of the New World, our France does not currently have a base there. So a reliable person needs to oversee the affairs of the New World and stabilize that side.”

“That’s true. So what you mean is…”

“That’s right.”

I nodded and said briefly.

“I would like you to give me the position of the first Governor-General of New France.”