I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 92

“The Governor-General of Nouvelle-France [New France]… If you, who have overseen this plan from beginning to end, desire such a position, it can certainly be granted. But is it truly necessary for you to take on such arduous tasks?”

While the title of governor-general of a new colony might sound like that of an immensely powerful figure, the reality is quite different.

It would be so if it were the governor-general of an already stable colony, but Nouvelle-France is not such a place.

The foundations that France had laid in the past have long been uprooted, necessitating a completely fresh start.

Even if they were to successfully drive out the British and take over the region, the number of things to be concerned about would be far from few.

“Certainly, the first governor-general of Nouvelle-France is likely to be incredibly busy, without a moment to catch their breath. But it is precisely for this reason that I cannot entrust it to others. Whether Nouvelle-France can successfully establish itself depends entirely on the first governor-general’s skill in handling affairs; it would not be an exaggeration to say so.”

“Hmm… Is the difficulty level that high?”

Louis XV looked unconvinced.

“The British colonies that will gain independence with our help will naturally be favorably inclined towards us… And Spain, which occupies the south, is our ally, is it not? Then the only ones who might cause friction are the Native American Indians…”

“It’s not a matter of such simple consideration. We must regard both the colonies and Spain as our competitors. Especially the colonies, as they will become the greatest threat to Nouvelle-France in the future.”

“…You said something similar last time. But even if their roots are British, they wouldn’t be so ungrateful as to pose a threat to us, would they? They wouldn’t even have the practical strength to pick a fight with us, would they?”

“That is why I said that the rise or fall of Nouvelle-France depends on the skill of the first governor-general. Perhaps while I am governor-general, they will remain close to us.”

It is a clear fact that I have forged close relationships with the founding fathers of America and provided assistance.

If I emphasize this aspect, I might even be able to subtly add my name to the list of founding fathers.

Even if it doesn’t go that far, public opinion in America will certainly be largely favorable towards me.

I was on friendly terms with the first president, Washington, and the third president, Jefferson, so there’s nothing to worry about.

“But the problem is what happens after time passes. The feeling of gratitude tends to fade after decades. If they weigh it against their immediate national interests and determine it to be advantageous, they will overturn it at any time. Isn’t that how alliances work in the international community?”

“Hmm… But will the day come when they covet our territory to the point of turning against us?”

“Yes. If we do not prepare, that day will definitely come.”

Louis XV, and indeed no one else in the world at this time, knows that the territory of Nouvelle-France that I am envisioning holds immense value.

The driving force that allowed the United States to quickly overtake the great powers of Europe and rise to become the world’s strongest nation in the original timeline.

It was the Great Lakes region, which could supply vast amounts of iron ore and industrial freshwater almost infinitely during the Second Industrial Revolution.

In addition, the gold of the West and the oil fields of the South, which can be called another blessing, were geographically easy for us to extend our reach.

If we can settle down in this position and successfully develop it, Nouvelle-France could become more powerful than France itself in the long run.

Unfortunately, however, France did not have the capacity to defend this land.

Only immediately after independence will the United States not know anything and leave us alone.

The problem is what happens after they realize the value of the Great Lakes.

First, they will conduct negotiations that are close to threats, demanding that we split everything in half amicably, and then gradually try to take everything for themselves, wouldn’t they?

I know very well how much the United States in the original timeline expanded its territory and waged wars with nonsensical logic and grounds.

I probably understand the essence of that country much better than the future Americans who are currently living in the colonies.

Of course, this fact cannot be explained to Louis XV or the other nobles.

At least, I would need to pretend to investigate the reserves of iron ore after actually occupying Nouvelle-France to provide convincing evidence.

Still, the trust I have built up so far comes into play at times like this.

Louis XV is someone who would believe me even if I said I could make cheese from grapes.

He did not offer any particular objections to what might sound like somewhat far-fetched words.

“Since it’s you saying it, there must be some basis. But if you go to the colony altogether, wouldn’t it be difficult for me or Auguste [likely referring to Louis XVI] to seek your help when we really need it?”

I wondered why he was showing such an anxious reaction, but that was the reason.

Perhaps he lacks confidence in leading the country alone if I settle down in the colonies.

Louis XV himself may not know it, but Auguste, who will inherit the throne later, will certainly show his limitations.

This is not a bad development.

It’s proof that he has become that much more dependent on me.

“Of course, I won’t stay there forever. I plan to handle only the urgent matters and then remain in the home country. I can set up my deputy there and have them handle the work.”

“Ah, that would be good. If you’re going to operate it that way, I have no complaints.”

“However, there is one more thing I would like to ask. I would like you to give me full authority over the operation of Nouvelle-France.”

“Full authority… Are you saying that administrative or judicial power alone is not enough?”

I nodded calmly.

From a cold perspective, colonial management is a structure that cannot be sustained in the long term, even if it works in the short term.

The history I have seen, heard, and lived proves that.

So, if Nouvelle-France is simply operated like the current colonies, it will inevitably end up being a waste of effort.

At least, as long as I rule, I can never allow it to flow into such a future.

“Nouvelle-France must not be regarded as a mere colony to France. Like its name, it must become a new France.”

“Hmm… I don’t quite get it.”

“In other words, we must not engage in typical colonial management. Perhaps most French people will try to manage Nouvelle-France in the same way that Britain manages its New World colonies. But we must not do that. Haven’t the New World colonies immediately demanded independence as soon as they gained wealth and power?”

“Indeed… That’s true. We need to learn from Britain’s mistakes and establish our own operating policy.”

“But a typical governor-general does not have the authority to decide that. We cannot properly promote the work if we have to move while receiving permission and consent from the home country for every single thing. So, I would like you to entrust me with full authority while I am governor-general. It may seem like an unreasonable request, but I will prove it with results.”

Louis XV nodded without much thought.

Anyway, the work of managing Nouvelle-France is still far into the future.

It may be considered premature to discuss such matters already when we have not even won the war yet.

That is why I am making this request at this timing.

To Louis XV, the issue of securing resources for the war right now was 100 million times more important than deciding on the authority of the colonial governor-general after the war.

“For now, I will give you the power to do what you want. Instead, you must take on the role of persuading the nobles at the subsequent meeting. There will be many who will show anxiety about going to war with England.”

“Of course. Leave it to me.”

In fact, the current France is only holding its own against England purely due to the power it has accumulated in the past and its sheer size, boasting the largest population in Europe, but its substance does not match that.

The local administration is nothing short of disastrous, the tax system is backward, the finances are hopeless, and everything can be seen as a complete mess.

If you look at each one, you might wonder how such a country is acting as the leader of Europe.

The most representative example is the very existence of banks.

England had already created the Bank of England in the 17th century and successfully established it within the system.

On the other hand, France followed England and established a bank, but suffered a disastrous failure during the Mississippi Bubble incident [an early 18th-century French financial scheme that collapsed spectacularly].

Thanks to this, the current France still did not have a central bank even at the end of the 18th century.

When waging war, they had to collect more taxes or incur debt in a haphazard manner.

However, with the French royal family’s credit rating having penetrated the Earth’s mantle, it was not even easy to incur debt.

I was planning to revise these outdated systems one by one after concluding this war with a victory.

It is impossible to overhaul everything at once, but at least we must have an administrative and financial system suitable for a modern nation.

Of course, there may be considerable backlash, but it doesn’t matter because I have a good card prepared for this time.

After the stabilization of the colony is successfully achieved, we can take a breather from then on.

Nouvelle-France, like its name, will become a symbol heralding the era of a new France.

And the person who will stand at the center of it is, of course, the first governor-general.

※※※

1774.

England’s move to crush the rising colonies was relentless.

First, it closed Boston Harbor and completely deprived the Massachusetts Bay Colony of its authority.

In addition, Massachusetts passed a bill allowing British officials to be tried in England if they were accused.

Even Washington, who belonged to the relatively moderate faction, expressed tremendous anger at this bill.

In short, even if a British official murdered a colonist, they could simply go to England and be tried.

In addition, laws were passed one after another to unilaterally favor the British army.

The colonists named this law the ‘Intolerable Acts’ and expressed their opposition, but England easily ignored all these voices.

England no longer considered the colonies as objects of negotiation.

How dare a colony arrogantly interfere with the decisions of the home country?

This overbearing attitude naturally further fueled the anger of the colonists.

Samuel Adams, who was the most radical and active among the independence faction, did not miss this opportunity.

He conducted a public opinion campaign throughout the colonies, raising anti-British sentiment among the colonies.

And finally, at the fervent request of the colonists, the Continental Congress, where representatives of the 13 colonies gathered, was held.

The actions of the independence faction were much more planned and effective, so this meeting was larger in scale than in the original timeline.

First of all, the representative of Georgia, who had not participated in the First Continental Congress, now expressed his intention to attend.

Even the Indian forces that threatened Georgia were now aligned with the colonies.

The Iroquois Confederacy in the north also expressed its intention to send representatives to the Continental Congress.

On the day of the meeting, Benjamin Franklin greeted the representatives who were arriving one after another at Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia.

In the meantime, a middle-aged man with a familiar face waved his hand with a happy expression and approached.

“You were here.”

“Adams… So you came too.”

“Of course. How could I miss such a historic occasion?”

“Are you aware that all this chaos started because of you?”

Adams confidently met Franklin’s eyes as if he had nothing to feel guilty about.

“It’s all for our future. Look at this situation now. The 13 colonies have united against the evil giant England, and even the Native American Indians have agreed with us and sent representatives, haven’t they?”

“Yes… I was surprised by that too. Was it your work to persuade the Indians?”

“The data you gave me was of great help. They now believe that England has ambitions to completely occupy the New World, using this colony as a forward base. So they are thinking of using us as a breakwater to stop England.”

“You have a great ability to incite.”

Franklin was newly impressed and surprised by the power of the data that Christian had given him.

At the same time, he had questions.

How could he grasp the trends here from far away France and even create such plausible data for incitement?

He had traveled around the New World for about half a year, but it was hard to believe that he had grasped all these contents in just that time.

“By the way, I was really surprised. I never thought that Count Lamartine would be the same person as Prince Christian of France.”

“Don’t even mention it. I was so surprised that this old heart almost stopped.”

“But what was it like when you actually talked to him? Didn’t you feel that he was definitely a trustworthy person?”

“I’ve only seen him once, so I don’t think I can give a definite answer about his personality. But as for his ability, he seems to be a flawless person. I’ve seen countless prominent politicians in England, but I think he’s a cut above them.”

Adams smiled satisfactorily at Franklin’s evaluation.

He seemed to have become very close to him, as he had been sticking close to him when he was in the New World.

“Adams, what was your impression of Prince Christian when you saw him before? Give me an honest and objective evaluation.”

“Yes. He was a very intelligent, honest, and communicative person. At least, I don’t think there is anyone who would be a better ally than him for our independence.”

“…Is that so.”

Franklin had a similar feeling, but somehow there was one thing that bothered him.

But just as he was about to open his mouth, a voice calling them from behind was heard a little earlier than him.

“It’s almost time for the meeting to start. Mr. Franklin, Mr. Adams, let’s go in.”

“Ah, I see. I’ll go right away.”

Suppressing the question that had risen right to his throat, Franklin turned his body.

Yes. There’s no need to create suspicion with something that’s not even certain yet.

The result will come out when I go to France later and face him again.

Franklin shook off Christian’s face, which he couldn’t read at all, from his mind and moved his steps, trying to be calm.