Chapter 617: Adding Fuel to the Fire
On the docks of Port-au-Prince, the Duke of Leeds, disguised as a sugar merchant, swiftly boarded the merchant ship "Warm Breeze."
"These foolish and greedy Mulattoes," he sneered, glancing back at the island. "Do they truly think they're emperors of the Caribbean? How dare they demand 300,000 Pound Sterling in aid from me!"
The "Mulattoes" he referred to was a common term for people of mixed black and white heritage.
"Mind your step on the gangplank, Your Grace." The Duke of Leeds' assistant supported him, echoing his sentiment, "They carry such blood; what noble character could they possess? Greed is their most prominent trait.
"However, these fellows are quite capable fighters. They defeated Mably's army in less than half a month."
The Duke of Leeds tapped his cane on the deck as he walked towards the bow cabin, disdainfully remarking, "It merely means the French are useless. They always prattle on about liberty and equality. Ha! Now they're truly equal with the blacks."
"This is good for us, though," the assistant said.
"Indeed. Santo Domingo will now have to pay wages to its free black citizens, which will increase their plantation costs by over 20%. We'll no longer have to worry about competition from French sugar." The Duke of Leeds nodded to his assistant, who held the door open for him. "And I can leave this wretched place sooner."
Upon learning that the abolitionist organization had defeated the Governor's army, he immediately decided to return to Britain.
What a joke. He and his abolitionist organization were merely tools used to disrupt Santo Domingo. They truly thought of themselves as Britain's allies.
The Duke of Leeds traveled with the "Warm Breeze" to the Bahamas, where he transferred to a British warship to return to Europe. After all, a third-rate battleship was much faster and more stable than a merchant vessel.
However, as he sailed towards Bermuda, docking there for resupply, a warship dispatched from Britain also pulled into port.
The officers aboard that ship, upon learning the Duke of Leeds was on the island, rushed to deliver urgent instructions from the Foreign Secretary.
The Duke of Leeds took out his codebook, his brow furrowed as he translated the secret message. His expression quickly turned grave. He instructed his assistant, "Help me find a merchant ship. I need to return to Port-au-Prince."
The secret message stated: The French government has formally announced it will dispatch a 10,000-man expeditionary force to suppress the rebellion in Santo Domingo. The Foreign Secretary authorized the Duke of Leeds to do everything possible to assist the abolitionist organization there, to ensure the chaotic situation would not end.
"Damn it!" The Duke of Leeds tore the translated document to shreds and tossed it into the sea. He then returned to his cabin to write a reply to Lord Grenville, requesting 300,000 Pound Sterling in funds.
...
Paris.
Joseph, flanked by a dozen officers, walked out of the Paris Military Technology School.
"Your effective work ensures the smooth operation of the school," he remarked, turning to praise the military academy official beside him. "Regarding the warhorses, I will have the General Staff Headquarters allocate as many as possible to you. But there's no need to add too many riding courses; just ensure most soldiers don't fall off their horses. After all, training cavalry is the responsibility of the Army Officer Academy."
The Dean bowed slightly, a hint of regret in his voice. "Yes, Your Royal Highness, I will remember your instructions."
He had originally hoped to use this opportunity to increase dragoon courses. This branch of the military primarily used horses for mobility and dismounted to fight in formation, making them relatively easy to train, but the Crown Prince had rejected the idea.
It wasn't that Joseph didn't want to increase the number of cavalry. However, the Paris Military Technology School, which had split off from the Paris Police Academy, had enrolled over 6,000 new students this year. At the same time, many instructors had been transferred to military academies in Lyon and Toulouse, making it already difficult to ensure the quality of training for infantry and jägers.
A major war in Europe could erupt at any moment. The priority had to be achieving the goal of adding 50,000 new soldiers within two years. It was best not to let the foundational military technology schools become sidetracked.
Principal Joseph encouraged the Dean and other officials a little longer. Just as he was about to board his carriage, Fouché approached quickly, bowing to him, then spoke rapidly: "Your Royal Highness, news from the Caribbean Sea."
The Crown Prince had instructed him to report the situation in Santo Domingo immediately. So, after receiving intelligence from the region, he had rushed to the Tuileries Palace, and then tracked Joseph here.
Joseph gestured for him to get into the carriage, asking, "Is everything going smoothly?"
"Overall, quite smoothly, Your Royal Highness," Fouché replied, handing over the translated intelligence. "However, some unexpected situations arose, so Mr. Brissot and Delman temporarily adjusted the plan..."
Joseph listened as Fouché briefly outlined the situation in Santo Domingo, then nodded slightly. "I didn't expect the British to make their move on Santo Domingo so soon. Brissot and his people handled it well; this will cause Britain no small amount of trouble. However, if Buke goes to America, our textile industry will need to prepare in advance. Next, we must protest to Britain and try to maximize the international impact of this matter."
He then looked at Fouché. "However, the Duke of Leeds currently holds no official position in the British government, so Pitt is likely to dismiss it as his personal actions."
Fouché nodded. "That is likely the case, Your Royal Highness. But it is already quite embarrassing for the British."
"We must find a way to prevent the British government from disengaging."
Joseph pondered for a moment, then asked Fouché, "Do you believe the British are aware of the situation in America right now?"
"They should not be, Your Royal Highness. Mr. Brissot sent back intelligence after Buke was sent to America. It will take at least more than two weeks for those people to arrive in America and then stir up trouble."
"That means we have about half a month to manage this," Joseph nodded, a person immediately coming to mind. "Do you know Wilberforce?"
"Your Royal Highness, are you referring to William Wilberforce, Britain's Second Minister of Finance?"
"Yes, he is a leader of the British abolitionist movement."
Fouché immediately added, "Yes, Your Royal Highness, the Clapham Sect."
The Clapham Sect was an important force in the British Anti-Slavery Trade Movement. Since slavery had already been abolished in Britain itself, British abolitionism was referred to as "anti-slavery trade."
Joseph nodded. "Then let's get a few more people from this organization involved. Send someone to Britain immediately and proceed as follows..."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness."
A few days later, a British abolitionist journalist, introduced by a chamber of commerce, made contact with Earl Middleton, a London city councilor. Through him, the journalist secured an opportunity to interview the Second Minister of Finance, Wilberforce.
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