I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 96

Our… Maybe We’re Strong?

···Recently, there hasn’t been a day without loud arguments in the British Parliament.

Emergency meetings were called several times a day, and sharp debates took place whether the leaders of each party attended or not.

The topic was, of course, the participation of France, the Netherlands, and Spain in the American Revolutionary War.

This was a stark contrast to the recent past, when they were confidently discussing how to crush the insignificant colonial resistance.

“The French fleet, which had been stationed in the Mediterranean, has reportedly moved into the Atlantic. The Dutch fleet has also joined them. At this rate, we can no longer maintain the blockade of Brest [a French port city],” one member stated.

“That’s correct. Admiral Keppel, who commands the navy in the Channel Islands, is also requesting reinforcements,” another added.

France possessed a substantial fleet in the Mediterranean and another based in Brest.

At the war’s outset, Britain swiftly blockaded Brest to prevent the French fleet from attacking British merchant ships.

However, the French, anticipating this move, promptly redirected their Mediterranean fleet towards the Atlantic.

They even mobilized allied ships, employing a nimble tactic of harassing the British fleet blockading Brest.

Admiral Keppel quickly realized that France had been preparing for this war for quite some time.

The fleet’s movements and coordinated actions with its allies left no doubt about their preparedness.

Evidence of meticulous planning to counter Britain in the Atlantic was apparent.

However, unlike experienced commanders like Keppel, the British Parliament and King George III had yet to fully grasp the situation’s gravity.

Adding to the complexity, Keppel belonged to the Whig Party, not the ruling Tory Party.

As in history, he remained out of favor with George III.

Lord Sandwich, the minister responsible for the navy, shared a similar predicament.

Consequently, the Tory Party, aligned with the king, deliberately delayed providing support to Admiral Keppel, even amidst the crisis.

“The most pressing matter is supplying General Howe in America. Lord North, instruct Admiral Keppel to defend with his current resources,” a Tory member declared.

“What nonsense! If the blockade of Brest is lifted, the French fleet will have free passage into and out of the Atlantic. Our warships and merchant ships will suffer immense losses!”

“Regardless of French actions, their naval strength is far inferior to ours.”

“We must not disregard the fact that Spain and the Netherlands are allied with France.”

“Even so, haven’t those nations suffered defeats at our hands in the past? This coalition is merely a facade; they cannot effectively unite their forces. We can defeat them individually.”
The Tory Party members’ claims weren’t entirely unfounded.

Britain’s power at the time was considerable enough to justify such confidence.

They firmly believed that France was no match for them at sea, let alone on land.

Spain and the Netherlands?

Even in a one-on-one confrontation, Britain’s overwhelming naval power would crush them.

“The days of the Spanish boasting their invincible armada are long gone. No matter how they attack, we can calmly repel them. Realistically, they won’t commit fully to this war.”

Lord North, after carefully reviewing incoming reports, found the ruling party’s analysis convincing.

“His Majesty recently stated that crushing the insolent colonial rebels is the top priority. I must prioritize His Majesty’s wishes.”
The Whig Party members, in the opposition, didn’t strongly object, given the king’s stance.

They also secretly thought, ‘Surely we won’t be defeated at sea?’

However, they wouldn’t remain silent.

In particular, the Duke of Grafton, who felt betrayed by Christian, was determined to inflict damage on France by any means.

“Matching the enemy’s moves is valid, but we must also seize the initiative. Let’s proceed with the Tory Party’s plan for the Atlantic, but what if we take the initiative in India? Let’s completely eliminate French influence there this time.”

“···That’s not a bad idea. It seems reasonable.”

This time, the Tory Party members readily agreed.

“Then, let’s put the Duke of Grafton’s proposal to a vote.”

At the time, France’s power in the West Indies was less than the British East India Company’s.

A preemptive strike could inflict significant damage from the outset.

Grafton’s proposal passed overwhelmingly.

“Then, order the British East India Company to attack France…”

Bang!

Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the room.

The members of Parliament turned towards the source of the noise.

“Who dares cause such a commotion in this sacred Parliament!” Lord North, valuing decorum, shouted angrily.

A young nobleman who had rushed in bowed his head and spoke.

“Urgent news from India, from the East India Company.”

“···From India?”

What could be so urgent to cause such a disturbance?

The expressions of the members of Parliament, including Lord North, stiffened.

“Read it quickly.”

“Yes!”

The young nobleman cleared his throat and began in a loud voice.

“Top priority delivery requested. The Kingdom of Mysore [a kingdom in southern India] and the Maratha Confederacy [a late medieval/early modern Indian power] have formed an alliance and declared war on the home country. The Kingdom of Mysore has dispatched a large army to the Carnatic region [a region in southern India]. The Maratha Confederacy is also invading our territory in alliance with France. It is impossible to defend all three fronts with the East India Company’s forces alone, so we urgently request the dispatch of reinforcements…”

Lord North’s face paled as he listened.

The atmosphere in Parliament turned frigid.

“···Not only the Atlantic but also India has launched a preemptive strike?”

“Mysore and Maratha have united? An Islamic and a Hindu state?”

How secretly had they been plotting?

Losing India would be an irreparable and enormous loss for Britain.

The shock would far outweigh losing the colonies in North America.

“Lord Grafton… You confidently assured us earlier that France had no intention of fighting us at the Vatican.”

“···I have no excuse. I was completely deceived by that cunning Prince Christian.”
Grafton immediately bowed his head without offering any excuses.

While they could use this opportunity to attack him further, Lord North refrained.

With India united and allied with France against them, they couldn’t waste time on petty political squabbles.

The situation was dire.

“Then, we must assume that Prince Christian was preparing for this from the moment he met Lord Grafton at the Vatican. If so, France’s incomprehensible movements now make sense.”

“Could France be involved in the colonies’ strange behavior as well?”

“That’s possible. There may have been collusion between the colonies’ independence factions and France beforehand.”
The members of Parliament felt a chill run down their spines at Lord North’s reasoning.

While France was sharpening its knives, they had been caught completely unprepared.

“······.”

Silence filled the Parliament.

The members, now sensing the crisis, were a far cry from their earlier confident selves.

Who in France was orchestrating this?

Though uncertain, Lord North was half-convinced that Prince Christian was the mastermind.

Despite only knowing him from reports, his actions were a series of remarkable feats that captivated Lord North.

The fact that he had completely deceived Grafton at the Vatican left no doubt about his abilities.

Louis Christian, Duke of Orléans.

Perhaps, in the future, Britain’s greatest enemy would bear this name.

Lord North repeatedly pondered Christian’s name, searching for a plan to overcome the situation.

※※※

Across North America, amidst fierce battles, George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army, sensed a shift in momentum.

“The British army’s response is becoming increasingly passive.”

In truth, the American federal government was more surprised by the repeated victories than the British.

Washington, who commanded the army, was initially bewildered.

Having fought alongside the British during the Seven Years’ War, he knew the disparity between the Continental Army and the British army better than anyone.

He hadn’t expected to win at the war’s outset.

Success would be buying time.

Stopping the enemy’s advance even once would be a miracle.

But what had happened?

The British army hadn’t displayed the might he remembered.

This was because Washington’s Continental Army avoided direct confrontations.

After the initial victory, Washington consistently engaged in small-scale battles across a wide area.

The British army, cautious after early defeats, also avoided major battles.

This was a boon for the Continental Army.

Furthermore, the Indians, influenced by Christian and Adams, provided subtle but significant assistance.

The British army couldn’t advance easily due to these constant surprise attacks from the northeast.

They adopted a strategy of fortifying and holding occupied areas until supplies arrived.

However, these supplies were delayed.

Washington hadn’t anticipated such extensive French support and was bewildered by the situation.

Those unaware of the complex war situation attributed all the credit to Washington.

“Oooooh! George Washington!”

“We believed in you! Washington!”

“God of War!”

Since they were winning every battle, this was the perception among ordinary people.

Even intellectuals shared similar sentiments.

“Hahahaha! Washington! You’re the man!”

“Didn’t I say it would be okay with Washington? He is indeed the commander-in-chief of our Continental Army!”

“Ah, yes······. Well······.”

Washington awkwardly nodded at the praise.

“Is it that Britain is weak, or are we strong? Or is it both?”

“Hahahaha! That could be the case.”

The senior members of the federal government were ecstatic.

In the original timeline, the United States struggled with financial difficulties.

In reality, the United States was wealthy, but the government didn’t control that wealth.

However, with the war progressing favorably, wealthy colonists generously invested in the government.

This ensured timely salary payments and adequate weapon supplies.

“Still, we must not be complacent. Britain is the strongest country in the world. We only seem to be overwhelming them because their main forces haven’t landed yet. The situation could change drastically when they arrive. We must acquire as much power as possible while we have the opportunity.”

“If Mr. Washington says so, then that’s how it is. Do as you wish.”

The federal government’s trust in Washington was absolute; they would believe anything he said.

While fortunate for Washington, he also felt the burden of his country’s future resting on his shoulders.

“Hoo··· My head hurts.”

He also heard discussions about the post-war plans.

Some citizens were already suggesting he become king.

He simply wanted to retire to his hometown and rest, but the situation wouldn’t allow it.

“I’ll have to talk to Mr. Franklin and… Prince Christian.”

Washington, who had been gazing intently at the other side of the Atlantic, turned away and walked back to the barracks.