Chapter 87:


    14. End of the SecondHundred Years War  3


    Then whydid youe to see me after thearrest warranthad alreadybeen approved by theParisHigh Court? Were yougoingtomock me while watching me fall?


    Carnot replied to Talleyrands questions, while still keepinganexpressionlessface.


    Illyriasgovernorand former policeminister, Joseph Fouch[1], hasdisappeared. He musthave escaped becausehewas afraid of theparliament andthe tribunalsjudgement of his sins. Youhave hada secretrtionship withhim for a longtime andhave conductedvarious acts againstFrance along withhim, includingagitation and leaking of secrets.


    Therefore, I amproposing the following: as areference, pleasereveal Fouchs misdeeds andwrongdoings, and provide information on his current activitiesifpossible. The price forthe information willbeincludedinthe subsequenttrind willbetakeninto consideration to determine thelevelofyour punishment.


    In short, it meant selling Fouch toreceive bettertreatment. Talleyrand, whowere listeningquietly, burstintoughter andthe atmospherebecame colder.


    In thepast, Fouch andI were not on good terms, we used to growl at eachothereverytime we metatthe Pce of Versailles. I still dont likehim muchnow. ButI dont want to me others when Im struggling.


    He could see what Carnot wasthinkingwhen he suggestedthis. Itdid not matterifhewas making thingsup, so he spewed badthings about Fouch and drewa line.


    The maintarget of the Paris High Courtschoice was nothim, butFouch. But Talleyrandkept hismouthshut.


    Areyou really going to feel better livingthe restofyour life as atraitor in disgrace? Doyou wanttotarnish your past, whenyou sincerely devoted yourself to France andmade achievements?


    But Talleyrandremainedstill, withouta smile. Itmeantthat he hadmade up hismind. Seeing that, Carnot clicked his tongueinwardly.


    Charles MauricedeTalleyrand-Prigord, who wasnow atraitor, had beena prominentfigure during theFrench Revolutionand the early days of the Empire.


    Hisgreatcontributions were to manage to attract the UnitedStates and Denmark intothe war against Britain, and thedeparture of Prussiaand Spain fromthe anti-French alliance.


    Itwas Talleyrandwho swayed thesalons withhis skillful speaking skills, preaching the politicallegitimacy of theCoupdEtat du 18 brumaire. Hewas agreatman of thisera, in another sense thanNapoleon.


    Take himaway.


    Guardshiding behind pirs and behindthe doors appeared witha rope. Talleyrand gavehis hands withoutsaying anything as if he knewthat it would happen. It was themoment the giant fell.


    ===


    Napoleon Bonaparte, who had sessfullpleted the BattleofBadajoz andwas standing nexttothe fortress, wasnow feelinga sense of deja vu.


    The memories of the past, where he faced thesame scene, were revolvinginhis mindlike a panorama.


    It was February 2nd, 1805. The daywhen a nation, whichhas never dered pletedefeat since the Hundred Years War, knelt downinfrontofthe Pce of Versailles and prayed.


    Inthe world where Napoleon camefrom, France was able to ovee all thechallenges induced by the other powersofthe European continent andfinally hold the supremacyofthe world. Even Britain, which resisted until the end, eventuallysumbed to Frances all-outpressureand offensive.


    Thiswas alsothe first historicalmoment since the Roman Empires conquest of Britain, when Britainderedtotalsurrender.


    Ofcourse, unlikeinthe other world, where theyy t and beggedfor mercy, thesituation in the UnitedKingdom wasnot so bleak here.


    Greetings to YourMajesty theEmperor of theFrench Empire. I am Viscount Charlton, Husley Collins. I must first dere to YourMajesty that I amthe headofthis peace mission and have beenentrusted withfull authoritytonegotiate.


    Nice to meetyou. So, what position do youhold in thecurrent British Cab?


    Im ashamed, butI am serving as the Vice ForeignMinister. I amwell aware that it is customary forthe ambassadorofthe KingdombasedinFrance to takeonthis responsibility. However, due to the unfavorable circumstances, I willrece himwith official documentsbearing theroyalseal andofficialrecords of theCab.


    Thesecretarieswere asked to reviewthe confirmation procedures and official documents. Meanwhile, Napoleonlooked at the marshals of theEmpire waitingbehind him.


    Theywere struggling to preventthe cornersoftheirmouths fromgoingup, as if theywere holding backtheirdesire for joy.


    Its notsurprising. Its thefirsttime that Britainhas beensick like it is now.


    Thesafety of Britains maind from foreigninvasions had been guaranteedthanks to its geographicalcharacteristics of an ind country, being onefoot away fromthe continent.


    Spain, France, Denmark-Norway, theNethends, and many other countries thatpeted againstBritain failedtoattack its maind beyondthe sea, and so could not winwith certainty.


    As long as their terrifyingnavy, whichwas fearsome evenifthe Britishtriedtnd, was still lurkinginthe Strait of Dover, Britain wasable to fool the continental countriesbyprojecting itspoweratthe desiredtime andcebasedonits maind thatwaspletelyfree from the fire of war.


    It was preciselybecause of this geographical advantagethat theBritish were abletoy diplomatic games by switching allianceshere andthereunderthe pretextofprotecting Europes bnce and order.


    Fromthe Britishpointofview, itmeantleading a foreignpolicy pursuing extremeefficiency andpracticality for their owninterests, butfor the countriesaffected, it was only aperfidious move.


    Itwas particrly thecase forFrance, which hadbeen frustrated by Britains obstruction andmaneuveringwheneverittriedtoexpand evena littleinEurope.


    But Britainwas now kneeling andbegging forpeace. How happy could theFrench be? They could watch withtheirown eyesthe humiliating appearanceofthe Britishdering defeat.


    ImGeorges Tulisson, and Im in chargeofnegotiatingfor the Empires side. Lets talk in goodfaithfor the national interest andhonorofboth countries.


    Ata nce, the faces of theBritish diplomatswere dark and thefacesofthe French diplomatswere very bright. Itwas clear who hadthe upper handand who wasuneasy.


    And Napoleon, wholed the whole game, waswatchingfrom a distance fromthe negotiating table withhis armscrossed.


    Rumors circted thatthe Britishdiplomats werehaving coldsweatasthey were toldthat theFrench would run outand callfor the wartoresume if theydid not like the content of the negotiations.


    ===


    The Britishpeacedelegation came to NapoleonsCorps, which had upied thecity of Badajoz and wasbesieging the fortress.


    The armisticeagreement, which they broughtdisguised as aletter, wasshowing thetrue face of Britain, which French soldiers hadbeen waiting to see.


    Shock derivedfrom Londons financialmarkets engulfed their economy, which resulted in theBritish government losing patience with the war. As aresult, Britain was forcedtomake many concessions whennegotiatingwith France.


    1. TheUnited Kingdomwill break outofthe IberianPenins war immediately upon signingthe agreement andwill notdirectlyorindirectly support Spain and Portugal. Expedients such as hiring mercenaries anddispatchingofficersare alsoprohibited.


    2. The UnitedKingdom will return to Francethe upied CapeColony (previously the Dutch Cape Colony in Southern Africa), theCaribbean indsincluding Guadeloupe, and FrenchGuiana.


    3. The United Kingdom willpay France forthe restoration of 17 French ports, including Toulon, whichwas damagedduring the coastal blockade. TheSpanish ports upied by Franceare excluded.


    3. The United Kingdom wilpensate fora total of 122 French, Danishand Spanishcargoshipsseized during thetradeblockadeand the goods, resources and warsuppliesinthem. Inthe caseofdamaged or decayed shipments, they will be reced withgold or francsofthe samevalue.


    4. Thetradeblockadeagainst theUnited Kingdomwill be lifted. However, the UnitedKingdom will conducttariff adjustmentagreements with major European countries under theobservationofFrench officials.


    5. The UnitedKingdom cannotengage in any armed activities or sanctions against French ships that export weapons, gunpowderand other war supplies to theUnited States. The French ships will alsobetreated as exceptions to the British navigationordinances.


    In addition, theind of Malta, which hadbeen upied by theFrench and then by the British, would be returned to itsoriginalowner, the Order of Knights of the Hospital.[2]Therewere also petty agreementssuch as exchanging prisoners andpaying ransom, tomaintaintheirdignity.


    Although it was an agreementthat theBritish hadtoept as theyfacedthe difficultyofcarryingout the war, it was notanunconditional surrenderimposed by France.


    In other words, the situation wasdifferent fromthat of theRussian expedition, so there were someconcessionstomake forboth countries. Thiswas one of themain issues.


    The United Kingdom mustparticipateinthe meetingofthe agreement that you will conclude withSpainand Portugal. Thus, we will set up a table in the form of atrteral meeting and thekingdom will be in charge of coordinatingbetween allthe countries so that there willbenoroom forfurther conflict or dispute. I would alsolike to receive adefiniteanswer herethat this treaty canbeimplementedonly if youagreewith this point.


    Nowthat youvesigned an armistice with the Empire, youre an external country thathas beenruledout of the Peninsr War. I understand thatthis would be possible under theinternational diplomatic conventionthat allowsanexternalcountry to observe and arbitrate, if the country has no interestsineither side. But I dont think thatBritain cany this role, as it was still in a fierce battleagainst theEmpire afew daysago.


    TheKingdom is in favor of thearmistice becauseitdoes notwant topletely break the bnce of the European continent.


    If youmake concessions on this issue, thekingdom is willing to negotiate in favor of your countryinotherareas. I hope that you will remember thatthe ambition of KingLouisXIV[3], theSun King, sparkedthe SpanishSession War, which was a misfortunefor all of Europe.


    Without Britain, Spain andPortugalwouldnot be abletomaintaintheirfrontlines, as theywouldnot be abletocarryout the war, and theIberian Peninswouldbeinthe hands of France.


    The British werenow saying that theydid not want to see this, no matterthe cost.


    It seemedthat these sneakyinders werehiding thisasthey epted allofthe above proposals in a gentle manner. French diplomatsshowed signs of displeasure, butNapoleonwas alittle different.


    Its likeyou dont wanttocry but youp me in theface.


    Britain seemed to be afraidofthe riseofthe French Empirethat could engulfthe entire Iberian Penins, but Napoleon had no intentionofdoingso.


    Spain hada history of standing up as anationwide enemy andresisting to death to fight the Frenchinvasion.


    They had alreadypleted resistance nationalism and there wasnoroom forFrance to intervene.


    Even if France were to annex the Spanish territories, it would take astronomical administrative power, finance, and timetofullyintegrate theminto Frenchsociety andtoappease theSpanish people. How much blood would be shedinthe process Its a terrible thing to imagine.


    France and Spain were so different in culture, ethnicity, system,nguageand history, thatNapoleonhad no confidenceinassimting them.


    Contrary to themegalomaniac of thisworld, the current Napoleon did notwant theannexation of Spain.


    However, I willdefinitely getwhat I can.


    Internally, he hadalready setnsand goals for Francetoget the most out of it.


    Now, all he had to do wastaking astance thatsaid I canendure more and reap the profits. It wastime to endthis tedious war that had been going on for nearlyfive years.


    TL notes


    [1]Joseph Fouch


    [2]KnightsHospitaller


    [3]LouisXIV