Visiting France and Fans

Paris, the (First) French Republic

March 21st, 1790

"Salut, ça va?"

"Tout va bien."

Samuel Kim, the former president of the United States, exchanged greetings with the first and current president of the French Republic. The two hadn't seen each other for several years, yet they were still close friends. Marquis de Lafayette constantly exchanged letters with Samuel over the years, which allowed the two of them to have constant updates about the situation in their counterpart's country. Lafayette was swiftly elected president after the king fled southwards, and he established a modern constitution (the French Republic was a centralized state with a proportional, unicameral legislature with limited rights for freed slaves, despite Lafayette's best efforts). With Samuel traveling worldwide, Lafayette invited the Americans to visit France during his brief trip to Europe, an offer Samuel gladly accepted. The "Hun Fleet" arrived in Calais just three days before, and now, the members of the American expedition were in the capital of the French Republic. The two presidents sat in Lafayette's office to speak about private matters.

"How goes the war?" Samuel asked carefully in French.

President Lafayette sighed, "It is going well, but I'm afraid the other European nations will intervene soon. The former king and his forces are pushing hard, but we're slowly advancing. However, even if he is defeated, then I'm afraid the European monarchs will not watch ideally as a republic forms on their very borders."

The French King was now in Marseilles, far from the center of the French Republic. After rapidly losing popularity and support in the north, the king moved his base away from Versailles. While the city of Marseilles was filled with republican supporters, the King's soldiers, along with troops levied by nobles, "pacified" the city. Since much of the southern countryside was uninformed about the republican government in Paris, King Louis was able to hold power in the region through propaganda and heavy-handed tactics.

"King Louis' actions are surprising," The American stated, "In the other history, he attempted to flee the nation instead of trying to fight the revolutionaries..."

"Perhaps it is because the French government wasn't as bankrupt as last time, along with the fact that I prevented the radicals from executing the nobles," Lafayette suggested.

"It's possible, but we will never know for certain. How does it feel to be the president of France?"

"Unusual. It seemed like yesterday I was informed of the future of France. Now? I am the leader of France, a role I feel poorly prepared for."

"You managed to rein in the radicals and united the revolutionaries under a common banner. I'm sure you are more than adequate."

The French president sighed, "Yes, but now we are in a civil war with a European war looming in the distance. The Montagnards are still causing a ruckus in the General Assembly and though their influence has diminished, they are still capable of causing widespread disorder and chaos."

"Robespierre?"

"He's much more mellowed out now, but I'm afraid the civil war with the Monarchists will radicalize him."

Samuel nodded, "Ah yes... The Reign of Terror. Anyone that studied French history in my time knew about that period."

"If he does anything akin to it, I'll throw him into prison or exile," Lafayette said bluntly, "Now, what are your plans for your world voyage? In your last letter, you mentioned a few destinations, but they were incredibly vague."

"Well, France, of course. I'll be heading to the Netherlands in a few days to negotiate a treaty with the Dutch East India Company to acquire parts of South Africa."

"South Africa?"

"The Dutch Cape Colony and the areas around it. It has incredible deposits of minerals. Gold, copper, silver, diamonds, and more. If the British take the colony again, I fear they'll set up a racist state that persecutes Africans in the region again. Hopefully, the Dutch will concede at least the eastern portions of South Africa and establish a clause that allows us to occupy the entire area if the Netherlands should fall in the future."

"The Anglo-Dutch War. Perhaps you can entertain the idea of letting France have a share of the colony?"

"I think you already have enough on your plate in Haiti, Gilbert," Samuel chuckled.

"Don't remind me of that quagmire," Lafayette shook his head gently, "Now then, where to after the Netherlands?"

"Great Britain, I have an audience with the king."

"You jest."

"No, I am completely serious. He is... interested in meeting with me."

"Hopefully, he doesn't execute you on the spot." This time, it was Lafayette's turn to laugh, "After that, I'm guessing Asia?"

"A few stops in Africa, including the Cape Colony for trade and resupply, and then off to Vietnam, Lanfang Republic, China, Korea, and Japan."

"I'm sure your trip will be a huge success, Samuel," The former French noble grinned, "But if you don't mind, I was wondering if you could personally oversee some of the soldiers. Your legendary acclaim has reached even France. Some of them are ah... "fans" of you."

Samuel blinked, "That is both disturbing and shocking."

"Well, you did whip the British, and many Frenchmen are not too fond of them."

"That is probably an understatement, but I'll see what I can do."