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The Fox of France - Chapter 516
🕑 Added 2024-05-02 06:44:22 +0000 UTCChapter 516: Cape Town
Lucien's plan was clearly Joseph's, bearing the hallmark of the "overt conspiracy" Joseph often boasted about. The goal was evident to any politically astute observer—the aim was to exacerbate America's divisions and enhance French influence over the United States, particularly in the North, making it a de facto vassal of France.
However, recognizing the French's objective and being able to counteract it were two different matters.
Of course, one could expose the French's intentions in the newspapers. But that would mean blocking many people's path to wealth. Then, without the French even needing to speak up, those same people would unite to heap slander upon you. In reality, they were the ones taking French francs, yet they would label those opposing them as being bribed with British pounds.
It's unknown who first concocted the far-reaching prophecy that those adhering to the maritime law system received five pounds from Britain for each supportive article they published. They were then nicknamed "Five Pounds."
In retaliation, those advocating for complete Frenchification were accused of receiving ten shillings from the French for each article they wrote, thus earning the moniker "Ten Shillings."
Since the war began, particularly after the North Atlantic naval battle, the British government began to use desperate measures to sustain itself. One such measure was the rampant issuance of government bonds and the suspension of pound-to-gold conversions. Naturally, this mirrored the French’s previous excessive issuance of assignats, causing the pound to rapidly devalue. Although theoretically, one pound was still worth 7.32 grams of gold, the suspension of conversions rendered this figure meaningless.
With the British government in dire need of money, issuing pounds now was as futile as the French Revolutionary government issuing assignats in 1793. So, the pound's value plummeted, making five pounds hardly comparable to ten shillings. However, pound coins remained extremely valuable, though they had virtually disappeared from circulation.
Napoleon was quite pleased with the current situation in North America. Although the United States had won the war against Britain, they gained nothing from it. Not only was their economy devastated, but internal conflicts were also ignited. This meant that in the short term, the US would pose no threat to Louisiana. From a long-term perspective, there was even a possibility of America fragmenting or becoming a new puppet of France.
"The Ministry of Truth has been remarkably effective lately. Of course, the Ministry of Public Security also performed very well, especially in coordination with us during the assassination incidents,” Lucien remarked after the meeting.
“Damn, except for the first sentence, the last half-hour was all about praising the Ministry of Public Security!” Lucien complained as he returned to his office.
"Minister, I actually think we are the victors,” Villefort said.
“Explain your thoughts?” Lucien asked.
"Minister, although the Ministry of Public Security received praise, their operational scope and controlled areas have not changed significantly. Moreover, their focus in North America is shifting from secretive operations to more open, legal activities, especially in universities and propaganda. This means that we led this initiative. Although the Ministry of Public Security was highly commended, they gained little in terms of substance,” Villefort responded.
"Still, the Ministry of Public Security did gain some authority in North American affairs, even if it's just to coordinate with our work," Lucien was somewhat dissatisfied.
"Minister, completely excluding the Ministry of Public Security from North America would not align with the First Consul's intentions. Forgive my frankness, but even if Fouché performed poorly, the First Consul would at most replace him, never letting the Ministry of Public Security exit North America,” Villefort explained.
Lucien knew Villefort made sense. Even as Napoleon's brother, Napoleon would not allow him sole control over the intelligence system. North America was too crucial, and Joseph had even stated in family meetings that in the long run, North America might be more important than mainland France. So, Lucien could have the upper hand in North America but not monopolize its intelligence lines. Even if Napoleon suddenly resigned and appointed him as the First Consul, he would still have to balance between the Ministry of Truth and the Ministry of Public Security, just as he balanced among departments within the Ministry of Truth itself.
Despite understanding this logically, Lucien still felt uncomfortable.
"Minister, consider, if you were Minister Fouché, how would you feel right now?" Villefort added.
"Ah, if I were Fouché?" Lucien pondered, then suddenly felt much better.
However, Fouché was not as displeased as Lucien imagined. On the contrary, he was quite happy. His expectations were not very high because he knew the extent of his reach. His department had closely coordinated with the Ministry of Truth in North America, fought a beautiful battle, and received Napoleon’s praise. More importantly, he smoothly enabled the Ministry of Public Security
to gain a foothold in the academic realm, albeit a minor one. Although the Ministry of Truth was indeed stronger in this area, this initial success was a significant victory for the Ministry of Public Security.
The situation in North America was essentially resolved. The verbal conflict between the North and South continued, and the battle among philosophy, literature, and law within the American academic circles persisted. Considering the French's comprehensive advantage in economic and cultural spheres, the defection of American legal scholars was almost inevitable, and the outcome of this war was almost certain.
Now, France’s primary concerns were two-fold: the new warships being constructed by Britain and another war at the world's edge.
The war had not officially begun, only showing initial signs. Prompted by the French, the Dutch sent some intelligence agents to Cape Town to incite a local uprising. The French also dispatched intelligence operatives to support the rebellion.
According to the British, they had been exceedingly generous to the Dutch and Lowlanders in Cape Town, far more so than to the North Americans initially. However, recent economic difficulties inevitably impacted Cape Town.
To the Boers in Cape Town, years of exploitation by the British were evident. Initially, they controlled the port, collecting money from passing merchants and sheltering ships, which was easy money. But when the British took over, these lucrative opportunities slipped from their hands. The port was now under British control, and the easy money was now going to the British.
Of course, the Boers could still engage in agriculture and pastoralism in the countryside. Life was actually bearable, even better than that of British farmers (which is why the British felt they should be satisfied). In a time of national preparation for war, the British raised taxes. Money decreased, and dissatisfaction increased, especially with the new taxes.
Despite life being tolerable, initially, the Boers had no intention of acting. Some even used this as a bargaining chip with the British, demanding a halt to the tax increases. In response, the threatened British immediately conducted a massive sweep in Cape Town, detaining a large number of Boers under "protective custody," including the Dutch intelligence agents, all of whom were captured.
Interestingly, the British in Cape Town lacked a sophisticated counter-espionage team, yet they managed to capture all the Dutch intelligence agents, a curious feat... Some claimed there was a traitor among the Dutch agents, but the true circumstances remained unknown.
Of course, the rural Boers began to stir, but without leadership, they lacked the strength to threaten Cape Town.
At that moment, the French made their move.
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