I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 99

Following the decision of George III and Parliament, England diverted a significant portion of its Atlantic fleet to India.

Consequently, naval supremacy naturally shifted to the French fleet, placing the British forces in America in a difficult position.

They no longer had any real desire to repel the colonial armies.

From the outset, Parliament had only instructed them not to surrender easily, without providing specific operational guidelines.

William Howe and Cornwallis, commanding the British forces, eventually consolidated their troops scattered across various locations.

The British army lacked the capacity to send supplies in multiple directions and could not cope with the simultaneous guerrilla tactics employed by the colonies.

However, concentrating their forces in one location meant abandoning the original plan to occupy the colonial territories.

Moreover, upon learning that the British forces were consolidating, Washington made an immediate decision.

The location where the British forces gathered was Yorktown, which facilitated large-scale resupply from the sea.

The defending forces numbered between 5,000 and 10,000.

Neutralizing this number of British troops would solidify the already favorable atmosphere for the Americans.

Washington formed a coalition of Continental Army troops gathered from various locations, along with French, Indian, and Spanish forces, and immediately advanced on Yorktown.

The force of 30,000 soldiers besieged the British base and slowly tightened the noose.

In a situation where naval supremacy was already lost, the order to inflict damage on the enemy was absurd.

Generals Howe and Cornwallis, pessimistic about the situation, raised the white flag and surrendered without hesitation.

The shocking news that approximately 10,000 soldiers had been taken prisoner soon reached the British Parliament.

“This never made sense from the start. All the soldiers in America should have been sent to India.”

“Then all of Canada would have fallen into enemy hands. That’s too much hindsight.”

“But the actual result is the worst possible outcome! This war is simply ruined! At this rate, it will be impossible to wage war in India!”

“Why would we stop the war in India? If we’ve lost America, we should divert all remaining forces to India and continue the all-out war!”

“If we do that, we can’t guarantee the safety of our captured soldiers and officers. Will you take responsibility for that, Congressman!”

It was not long ago that the prevailing opinion was that India should be recovered, but now there were many who advocated for the impossibility of war.

Some in the House of Commons even suggested passing a resolution declaring those who still wanted to continue the war as enemies of England.

Lord North, who had returned to Parliament after recovering from his illness, calmed the shouting members with a somber expression.

“First, everyone, calm down. We won’t solve anything by turning on each other.”

“…That’s true, but…”

“Unfortunately, it is impossible to continue the war. What would public opinion be if we ignored the soldiers captured in America and poured troops into India?”

“That’s true, but… we are suffering enormous losses in India as well. If we try to end the war like this, a triumphant France might demand that we give up India as well.”

A chilling silence filled the room.

This was what England feared most.

In fact, the majority of members in both the House of Lords and the House of Commons were gradually wanting to withdraw from this war.

However, a war is not something you can simply quit because you want to.

Inevitably, negotiations must be held with the opposing country regarding the aftermath, and the outcome of the war determines who has the upper hand in the negotiations.

Therefore, England had planned to strike a blow against the colonies in America and minimize losses in India before proposing negotiations to France.

However, the American front had already collapsed, and India was barely holding on.

What conditions would the enemy present if negotiations were held here?

The mere thought of it was dizzying.

After hesitating for a moment, Lord North took out a letter and waved it at the members.

“In fact, we have received a letter from the French side suggesting that it might be time to conclude this war. Perhaps they have also decided that there is no reason to continue the war any further?”

“Since they have already seized the victory, it seems they want to negotiate from the most advantageous position possible. Were there any conditions presented?”

“That is…”

Lord North trailed off without answering directly, and the Duke of Grafton spoke instead.

“The French side has requested that the Prime Minister personally come to Paris to participate in the negotiations. In other words, they want Lord North to come in person.”

“What nonsense is that!”

“Isn’t this just a way of telling us to sign the surrender document!”

The expected rebuttals erupted from all directions.

Not only the ruling party but also the opposition condemned France’s arrogant attitude and hurled insults.

However, no one actually suggested that the proposal should be rejected.

Who would take responsibility if France said, ‘Oh? Then let’s continue the war’?

If England took a stronger stance here, they might really lose India.

Then England might actually have to sign a surrender document.

In the end, there was only one conclusion that could be drawn from this situation.

Pass everything on to someone with the authority to take responsibility.

“Isn’t this… a matter for the Prime Minister’s discretion?”

“If the Prime Minister decides to go, we should respect that decision…”

Lord North, who had realistically expected this scenario, smiled bitterly.

“If I can go and reduce England’s losses even by a little, I am willing to do so. What is the humiliation I might suffer compared to the interests of the nation?”

“Lord North…”

“You are indeed a loyal subject.”

Having suffered such a major defeat, Lord North would inevitably have to step down from his position as Prime Minister once this matter was concluded.

The ruling party would likely revert to the Whig Party.

Still, if the losses on the English side could be minimized, a foundation for a comeback could be laid.

“In fact, I have already decided who will accompany me to the French side. Fortunately, they readily agreed to my proposal.”

“Oh, who is it?”

Lord North looked at the seats on the opposition side, which were now empty.

“It is William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, who served as Prime Minister before the previous one.”

※※※

William Pitt, the 1st Earl of Chatham, was a brilliant man who graduated from Oxford University and began his life as a politician by entering the House of Commons [the lower house of the British Parliament].

From the beginning, he gained attention by criticizing Walpole’s policies, and despite being of common origin, he steadily rose through the ranks to become the Secretary of State.

He also earned the title of ‘Great Commoner’ by providing the decisive background for England’s victory in the Seven Years’ War.

Eventually, he rose to the position of Prime Minister, becoming an unrivaled figure.

However, a few years later, when the British Parliament began imposing various taxes on the American colonies, such as the Stamp Act, the Navigation Acts, the Corn Laws, and the Sugar Act, he began to openly oppose the Parliament.

Considering what happened afterward, Pitt’s opinion can be seen as correct, but he was forced to resign due to pressure from various members of Parliament.

Lord North remembered Pitt’s actions and asked him to accompany him on the way to Paris.

It was a demanding schedule for Pitt, who was nearly 70 years old, but he stepped up to the front lines once again for the sake of England.

And, as a substitute, he asked if his son, who was studying at Cambridge University, could accompany him.

Lord North, who was already worried about Pitt’s age, accepted this request.

Thanks to this, a young man born in 1759 was able to travel to Paris with prominent figures from England.

The young man’s name was William Pitt, the same as his father.

In later generations, the father, who was called the Great Commoner, was referred to as Pitt the Elder, and the son as Pitt the Younger, but the son’s reputation was much higher.

But that was still far in the future.

Only two people in the world knew the true nature of the genius politician who would later become the youngest Prime Minister and lead the British Cabinet.

Pitt the Elder, one of them, was lost in thought as he looked at the distant view of the Palace of Versailles.

“To think that I would represent England again in my lifetime.”

“If Parliament had listened to my father’s words, this situation would not have happened in the first place. And to shamelessly ask us to clean up the mess they made…”

“Isn’t it better this way? I have been able to step back into the spotlight. My name is already plastered on the front page of the newspaper. And your name, which is the same as mine and is going to this negotiation with me, is also being mentioned.”

Pitt the Younger nodded calmly.

This precocious prodigy already possessed more political acumen than his father.

Either way, the ruling party is doomed to fall after this is over.

Then, naturally, the Whig Party will regain power, and attention will inevitably be focused on Pitt the Elder, who had previously advocated for a conciliatory policy toward the colonies.

It was the best possible setup for Pitt the Younger, who was just preparing to enter politics.

“My position will also change depending on how much my father achieves in this negotiation.”

“If I get a pretty good result, how well do you think you’ll be able to do in the future?”

“At the very least, I plan to become Prime Minister of England within 10 years and hold power for about 20 years.”

Pitt the Elder stared intently at his son, who was speaking calmly, as if he were taking a walk in the village, but with absurdly arrogant words.

Then, he burst into laughter and nodded.

“Yes, yes. A man should have that much ambition. The world thinks of politicians being young as a disadvantage, but I don’t necessarily see it that way.”

“I feel the same way. Rather, I would be grateful if they ignored me because I am so young.”

“Yes… In that respect, this negotiation will be a very good experience for you. You know who is coming as the representative of the French side, don’t you?”

“Duke Louis Christian of Orléans. I’m actually excited to see him in person as soon as possible.”

The reason why the Pitt family was confident that being young was not a disadvantage was because there was already someone in the neighboring country who had proven it with his whole body.

Louis Christian, who was commanding France at a young age despite being an illegitimate child.

He was only four years older than Pitt the Younger, who was born in 1759.

Christian’s existence itself was a major stimulus for Pitt the Younger.

“If you lead the British Parliament later, he will be someone you will inevitably confront. Moreover, he is only about 20 years old and is at the center of power in France, so his abilities must be extraordinary. Observe how he approaches this negotiation and analyze what you can learn from him.”

“Yes. I will thoroughly grasp and analyze the person named Louis Christian in my own way.”

In fact, even if he said this, Pitt the Younger did not see Christian in such a bad light.

Rather, as someone who was aiming for the pinnacle of power in England at a young age, he even felt a sense of kinship with Christian, who had pioneered that path first.

Of course, it is true that England suffered irreparable damage because of Christian.

But strictly speaking, wasn’t that because the old fogeys in Parliament ignored the advice of his wise father?

If he had been in the position of Prime Minister, he would not have given up the colonies like a fool.

So for now…

While Pitt was lost in thought, the carriage came to a stop.

“…Have we arrived?”

He turned his head slightly and saw the ancient and splendid scenery of the Palace of Versailles unfolding right in front of him.

Lord North, who was riding in the front carriage, got out of the carriage with a stiff face.

And, the moment he saw the young man who greeted him, Pitt took a breath as a sense of tension rose through his body.

Surprisingly, the young man slightly turned his gaze away from the Prime Minister of England and looked at himself getting off with his father.

It was not a mistake.

Their eyes definitely met.