I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 316

Diplomatic War (3)

When it comes to picking the great powers of Europe since the Middle Ages, France is almost always a top contender.

Until the early to mid-19th century, French was considered an international language, and it was common for nobles and the upper classes of every country to learn French.

Even though Napoleon was a dictator, there’s an unspoken pride in the fact that he almost brought all of Europe under French control.

Of course, most intellectuals knew that was just past glory and the reality was different.

France’s current foreign policy is to be a faithful ally of the British Empire.

And to solidify its position as the world’s second-largest power, after the British Empire.

This strategy, established during the reign of the former King Louis-Philippe, reflected France’s reality.

“What benefit is there in antagonizing Britain, the world’s strongest power? If you can’t beat them, join them!”

“After all, the British Empire also needs a reliable ally to maintain its position. If we strengthen cooperation with them, we can solidify our second place. Wouldn’t it be foolish not to do this?”

In fact, this approach yielded results.

Although they shed a lot of blood in the war with Russia, Russia, a powerful competitor, was weakened, and control of the holy sites completely fell into French hands.

In addition, they completely seized the Indochina Peninsula in Asia and acquired rights to Vietnam in return for helping to suppress the Taiping Rebellion.

Contrary to the concerns of some intellectuals, the British Empire didn’t just exploit France and abandon them.

Instead, it shared the opportunity to pressure Qing [the Qing Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China] to easily take Vietnam, rewarding France for its help.

However, some French people were outraged that France had become a lackey of the British Empire.

“Didn’t we destroy Russia?”

“The British fought alongside us, too.”

“Yes, but we suffered the most damage, so why does Britain get the most benefit?”

Frankly, they weren’t very interested in the intricacies of power structures, international diplomatic relations, or the decreased mortality rate of the injured due to improved sanitation.

Such detailed explanations don’t resonate much with the general public.

Politicians began to grasp this sentiment and use it to strengthen their position.

[France isn’t satisfied with being second in the world forever. What guarantees that France can’t rise to the position of the world’s strongest power, equal to the British Empire!]

For appearances’ sake, and to avoid causing diplomatic problems, they didn’t explicitly say they would surpass the British Empire.

They didn’t incite hostility towards the British Empire.

However, they boasted that the alliance with the British Empire was necessary for France to become the world’s strongest power, and that France was carrying out its plans without hindrance.

François Guizot, who was still maintaining his position as Prime Minister thanks to his image as the victor of the Russian War and the architect of the colonization of Vietnam, faithfully adhered to this strategy.

“So, the Prime Minister and the Parliament are suggesting that we seriously consider France’s participation in the war?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. John Slidell, the Southern Ambassador, has promised to actively cooperate with European expansion south of the current United States territory if the South can survive.”

“Isn’t he just making empty promises?”

“If they don’t fulfill their promise, we can extract a price from the South.”

The primary goal of the South, which isn’t even recognized as a legitimate country, is to have Europe formally recognize them as one.

It sounds good to say Europe, but in fact, if the British Empire and France approve, all other countries will follow.

At best, Russia will act independently, but no one will care.

“We already fought a large-scale war when the late King was alive. Will the citizens understand sending troops again?”

“Your Majesty, the Russian War was almost a decade ago. Besides, this time, huge national interests are at stake.”

“Hmm… but that’s only if we win. If it ends ambiguously, it will be difficult to avoid criticism that we sent troops across the Atlantic Ocean and returned without any results, right? Then not only you but also the royal family’s position may be greatly shaken.”

Louis, the second son of the late Louis-Philippe and former Duke of Nemours, didn’t have a firm grip on royal authority.

Because the French, who have a rebellious streak, were constantly criticizing the royal family.

Still, the late Louis-Philippe enjoyed considerable popularity thanks to his victory against Russia and the colonization of Vietnam.

The current king is able to lead the country reasonably well entirely thanks to the achievements of his late father.

“Your Majesty, that’s just a worst-case scenario. Consider the results if we succeed. What is the one thing that puts France behind the British Empire? It’s influence in the Americas.”

France has many colonies in Africa, and although not as much as India in Asia, they saved face by controlling Southeast Asia.

However, unlike the British Empire, which occupies vast Canada, France currently has no significant presence in the New World.

This is because Saint-Domingue, once a strong source of funds for France, became independent under the name of the Empire of Haiti.

“…Certainly, if the South becomes a bridgehead for our re-entry into the Americas, as the Prime Minister said, there would be no reason not to recognize them as a country. However, the important thing is whether the South can actually become independent or not.”

“That’s right. After in-depth discussions with ministers and military officials, we concluded that victory can’t be guaranteed if France intervenes alone. The probability is 60 to 70%. However, even if the South becomes independent, France will have to endure enormous losses, so it will be virtually a pyrrhic victory [a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat].”

France already had the experience of providing enormous support when the United States became independent from Britain in the past, only to be left empty-handed.

There are always people who get angry if they only provide support to other countries.

“Then it’s out of the question…”

“However, if Britain mobilizes its navy, the probability of success will be over 90%. If Britain supports even the army, it will be virtually guaranteed.”

“…Bring in Britain? Will that work? I thought they had already declared that they would remain neutral?”

“Reversing diplomatic strategies is easy. The important thing is how to persuade them.”

“Come to think of it, the Prime Minister was close to the British royal consort, right? My father also told me to maintain a good relationship with the British royal consort when I was a crown prince.”

I later heard that the French royal family was able to safely avoid the storm of the revolution entirely thanks to Killian’s warning.

So, Louis had a great sense of gratitude towards Killian, but he didn’t have any hostile feelings.

“First of all, if Your Majesty permits, I will send a coded message to His Royal Highness the Prince Consort. If a positive answer doesn’t come back… then I will have to cross the Strait of Dover again.”

Although it wasn’t spoken out loud, a country that poses a significant threat to France, which maintains its position as the second-largest power, has recently emerged.

It is Prussia, located nearby.

Now that they are tied together as allies, there is no possibility of hostility, but there isn’t a single case in world history where an eternal alliance has existed.

France and Prussia were countries that could turn on each other at any time if the situation changed and their interests diverged.

So, now that Prussia can’t pose a direct threat, they must establish a foothold in the Americas.

While the public regarded Britain as a competitor, France’s real competitor was now Prussia.

It is now the 19th century.

It was an era when the number of colonies directly reflected a country’s national power.

* * *

I always jokingly called it the romantic 19th century, but I realized again that my thoughts were naive.

After all, people are creatures that live and learn every day.

Our 19th-century European powers, who read romance and read about barbarism, were ready to justify slavery at any time, depending on their needs.

I knew that France had considered participating in the Civil War in the original history and then gave up.

But I didn’t know they would openly entice me to participate to this extent. The butterfly effect [the idea that small actions can have large consequences] of history is really scary.

It’s amateurish to rush in just because you see an opportunity. That reveals your inner thoughts.

The answer is withheld until we understand why France is so frantic, what the public opinion is over there, and to what extent they are willing to sacrifice.

Anyway, if they send a coded letter directly like this, it means that France is serious about this matter, so they won’t give up even if we push them away a little.

As expected, when the British Empire sent a reply saying that it would remain neutral, Guizot, who was desperate, arrived in London again, as if he was a master at crossing the strait.

“No, Your Royal Highness the Prince Consort! How can you do this to us!”

“To us? Someone might misunderstand if they hear that.”

Is this man really mistaken that he is the Prime Minister of the British Empire, not France?

Or does he think I’m a member of the French royal family? Either way, he’s not in his right mind.

“Didn’t Your Highness protect the French government and royal family that were about to fall into the hands of those reds [a derogatory term for revolutionaries]? Then you are a friend of France.”

“I don’t think everyone who mentioned the revolution was a red…”

“Anyway, aren’t the British Empire and France an alliance tied together by a close friendship like brothers, centered on Your Highness as a bridge? It is no exaggeration to say that it is the relationship between the left and right hands that move the world, so how can we plan things separately?”

“Jesus said to let your left hand not know what your right hand is doing.”

“He also said to love your brother as yourself. Your Highness, it is time to make a decision.”

So, since when did France become my brother, you bastard?

Of course, unlike my inner thoughts, my mouth was calmly spouting completely opposite words.

“There is also a saying that financial matters must be handled with utmost care in order for brotherly friendship to be maintained. France is the most precious ally of the British Empire, but that is why we cannot decide on such an important matter based on personal feelings.”

“That’s right. Then, how about we seriously discuss the national interests that this participation will bring from now on?”

He’s not even beating around the bush anymore. Aren’t you guys a country that abolished slavery?

Do you really have the confidence to handle the backlash if you openly support the South?

“Prime Minister, although national interest is important, openly supporting the South may be seen as supporting slavery. Do you have any preparation or plans to handle that risk?”

“We will dispatch troops not to support slavery, but to protect our French companies, merchants, and citizens who have established themselves in the South.”

“I don’t know the economic situation in France, but it seems like there are more investors in North America in the North than in the South. The justification is too weak.”

“Justification can be created. Once dispatch is certain, wouldn’t the next steps follow automatically?”

“……”

“When you think about it, it’s similar to the Russian War. France will take the lead, so the British Empire should prepare just as many troops as it did then.”

He said in the letter that he only needed to mobilize the navy, but now he’s asking for the army to go with him.

Well, if we invest a similar force as in the Russian War as he said, the North will never be able to hold out.

But if we do that, it will be difficult to avoid criticism that we took the side of a country that practices slavery and crushed a country that advocates anti-slavery.

However, it is a bit too bad to refuse altogether because the benefits that can be obtained from this are a bit too precious.

In particular, it is a waste not to use an SSS-class tanker [a term from online gaming, referring to someone who can absorb a lot of damage] whose brain has been half-eaten by madness to draw all the aggro [another gaming term, referring to drawing the enemy’s attention].

However, army dispatch is absolutely impossible.

The moment the British Empire’s army lands in America and starts a full-scale war, it is inevitable that my name will be tied to those crazy people.

“How about France participates first, and when a clear justification is established, our Royal Navy blockades the sea?”

“That’s too unfavorable a condition for us. At least the British Empire’s navy must participate at the same time as us. If not, we will have no choice but to shed tears of blood and abandon the plan. If that happens, the North will swallow the South, so what will be their next goal? They will use all sorts of tricks to undermine the British Empire and Your Highness’s influence in Canada.”

After only heating up the fire, are you going to back out now if I don’t help?

Sorry, but now that I know what you have in mind, it is impossible to withdraw from this chaotic war.

Originally, you can’t escape in front of the final boss in RPG games [role-playing games].

“Prime Minister, I’m sorry, but that won’t happen.”

“…Yes? What do you mean by that.”

“This is a secret I’m telling you because it’s between us, but Spain is planning to sell a huge amount of weapons as well as warships to the South. So, there’s no way the South will be pushed back helplessly by the North.”

“…Spain?”

“I guess they plan to advance into Mexico or South America once again after the war as a reward…”

Oh my? Coincidentally, it overlaps exactly with the plan that France is setting up?

You’ll have to work harder if you don’t want to lose South America to the guys you didn’t even care about, customer.

Now this huge chessboard is completely in my hands.

The face of Prime Minister Guizot, which was being dyed pitch black in real time, was proving it.