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The Fox of France - Chapter 459
🕑 Added 2024-04-03 04:14:11 +0000 UTCChapter 459: Chain Reaction (4)
Naturally, if the Americans were to take the blame, it would only be fair to discuss the matter with them. At this moment, the American envoy, urgently dispatched, sought out Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, and he seemed to be in quite a hurry. This urgency stemmed from the British fleet's burning of Savannah. After the great fire in Savannah, President Jefferson sent his envoy, Speil, aboard a French transport ship to France. Upon landing in Paris, Speil, without even stopping by the American embassy for a cup of coffee, hurriedly sought out Talleyrand.
Talleyrand, already informed about the Savannah fire, and Speil, an old friend, exchanged pleasantries upon meeting. After the initial greetings, Talleyrand commented on how Speil had lost weight and then proceeded to vehemently criticize the British.
"The First Consul has heard of the despicable crimes committed by the British on your soil and extends his condolences. He has asked me to convey to you his belief that justice will prevail. He believes that the great American people will surely rely on their own strength to defeat the evil Carthage."
While Speil appreciated the sentiment, he detected a potentially unsettling implication in the phrase "surely rely on their own strength to defeat the evil Carthage."
Speil couldn't help but ask, "Foreign Minister Talleyrand, could you clarify what 'rely on their own strength' means? Are you implying that France intends to sit back and watch from across the Atlantic rather than confront the British?"
Given the circumstances, Speil couldn't afford to be too forward with his questions, so he instead replied, "I believe, with God's help, we will certainly defeat these barbarians. But as we fight against the world's most formidable and wicked barbarians since Genghis Khan, we hope the civilized world will stand with us against these barbarians."
"You are absolutely right, my friend," Talleyrand replied. "In fact, the entire free world has already stood up against the British's wrongful actions. You mentioned your journey here by boat and train, so there are some things you might not be aware of yet. On the same day the British set fire to Savannah, our French fleet, in defense of free trade and navigation rights, engaged in a minor skirmish with the British fleet near Carrickfergus in Ireland. Our fleet was barbarously rammed by the British, but we stood our ground, maintaining our right to free trade with Ireland.
Furthermore, the Dutch Republic and the Kingdom of Spain have both stood up against the evil Goliath. Especially Spain, as you know, the British have shamelessly occupied Spanish territory for many years. Our Spanish friends, out of their love for peace, have always sought to reclaim their territory through peaceful means. However, the British have always mistaken our Spanish friends' love for peace as a sign of weakness. So now, the Kingdom of Spain has decided to stand up and employ more effective measures to resolve the Gibraltar issue."
Talleyrand's response energized Speil, as it seemed France was about to lead the "free world" in a total assault against the British.
While a powerful France wasn't entirely beneficial, the French actions in Louisiana had been troublesome for the United States. But at least, for now, they appeared morally upright.
"An empire stands not only on its military and economic strength but also on its ideals. An empire that loses its ideals, its sense of nobility, is almost certainly on the path to collapse."
This was a conclusion Joseph and Napoleon had drawn from their historical studies. So, France, even in handling international affairs with a lack of fairness, still maintained a veneer of decency.
"I am personally grateful to hear this. I agree that the free world should unite to defeat the English barbarians," Speil concurred.
"Countries of the free world helping each other is a natural duty," Talleyrand responded. "For instance, the struggles of Ireland and Spain against England also support America's struggle; and America's struggle, in turn, supports the just battles of us, as well as Ireland and Spain. Recently, our Spanish friends have something they need America's support for..."
The so-called need for American support naturally referred to the Spanish, and even the French, laying mines in Gibraltar, a task that now fell to America to acknowledge.
Although Speil was somewhat dissatisfied with the French and Spanish's hesitant actions, he did not oppose the request. This was not only because he was seeking French support but also because America needed victorious news to boost morale. Even if the action wasn't performed by America, as long as it was acknowledged by the US, it could be used domestically to claim a successful strike against the British.
Thus, an agreement was swiftly reached. Following this, Speil, arranged by Talleyrand, met with the First Consul Napoleon to discuss matters of mutual concern warmly. Napoleon, representing France, expressed his appreciation for the
American people's contribution to maintaining freedom, democracy, and national independence.
Speil also thanked Napoleon for his support and stated that America, as a member of the free world, has always upheld free trade and religious freedom. He asserted that America does not discriminate against Catholics and does not tolerate any discrimination against Catholics. In fact, apart from the Church of England, which essentially serves as England's spy organization, America treats all legitimate religions with equal respect.
With French support and American endorsement, the Spanish began preparations for mine-laying operations near the Gibraltar harbor. To increase efficiency, the French resorted to their old tactics and "leased" several of their mine-laying ships to Spain. Then, under the cover of night, the French mine-laying ships began deploying mines near the Gibraltar fortress.
These French vessels were among the world's first warships designed specifically for laying mines. With these ships, in one night, the French – no, the Spanish – ah, that's not quite right... Correctly speaking, the Americans could lay forty mines in the main shipping lanes outside the Gibraltar harbor.
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