The Fox of France - Chapter 480 (Patreon)

Chapter 480: Siege

"What do you mean by 'they all speak English'? Can't we, the British, speak English? What do you mean by 'the accent is off'? I also think that the guys from Canada, as well as those from the southern United States, don't speak proper English!" General Arthur Wellesley was itching to drag this real Quebecois troublemaker, who spoke English with a strange accent, out and have him shot a hundred times over. Yet, his reason told him he really couldn't do anything to the man.

The reason was simple: they now claimed it was a mistake and had sent someone to explain personally. If you harmed that person, it would not only immediately lead to the "Quebec Militia" turning against you, but what's more deadly is that the Quebecois troops on other fronts might also cause problems.

If these Quebecois troops collectively switched sides, the whole situation would immediately become troublesome. Therefore, General Arthur Wellesley, holding back his anger, said, "I believe this is a misunderstanding. So, can we now enter Quebec?"

"Your Excellency the General," the Quebecois said, "in theory, it's possible, but considering the usual habits of your corps are not very good. Last time you passed through Quebec, many of your practices already greatly dissatisfied the people of Quebec. So, before the Quebec Parliament gives permission, we cannot allow your corps to enter any city in Quebec."

General Arthur Wellesley's troops, having marauded, set fires, and killed people all the way from the southern United States, indeed had not the best habits. And his soldiers, coming from mainland England, had no industry, social relations here, and even the military pay was not very sufficient (after all, the Canadian Governor had run out of money long ago due to the prolonged war, and London could not possibly send money over at this time), resulting in reliance on looting to boost morale. Looting had a lot of inertia; it wasn't something that could be stopped suddenly, and General Arthur Wellesley didn't really try to stop it because doing so could damage morale to some extent. He felt that it wasn't time yet to address this issue during the war.

Indeed, General Arthur Wellesley's corps behaved poorly during their rest in Quebec and then moving south, although they didn't dare to commit atrocities like in the southern United States, stealing and such without paying was indeed happening. There were even standoffs with the Quebec Militia, and some British soldiers were shot in ambush.

General Arthur Wellesley knew his army had a bad reputation, and it would be strange for the Quebecois to allow their army into the city now.

"Our army can avoid entering the city, but you must clear the roads for us." Knowing the situation was unfavorable, General Arthur Wellesley could only grit his teeth and bear it; otherwise, these Quebecois were truly daring enough to rebel. Overall, North America was not a good place, characterized mainly by its troublesome people.

"This also requires you to apply to the Quebec Parliament and assure that you will not stay in Quebec for a long time, will not harass the residents of Quebec, and will march according to the time and routes we specify..." The Quebecois listed a bunch of demands in one breath, treating General Arthur Wellesley's corps as if they were locusts.

"How can military operations wait for parliamentary deliberation?" General Arthur Wellesley couldn't help but retort, "Besides, we have to fight against the Americans; how can we not stay here?"

"If you need to resist the advance of the American forces, you can do so here; we are behind you, what do you have to worry about? Why must you enter Quebec? If you don't plan to hold off the American forces here or need to move to other fronts, what's wrong with passing through Quebec along the specified route and timeline? Can't you determine how long it will take from Quebec to Ottawa?" the Quebecois countered.

"What do you mean 'we are behind you, what do you have to worry about'? What we worry about the most is you! 'March according to your specified time and route'? What if you collude with the Americans, ah no, you wouldn't collude with the Americans, but you would with the French. You collude with the French, then arrange our marching time and route, directly leading us into an encirclement?" General Arthur Wellesley thought to himself. However, he still suppressed his anger, stating his army could not accept such "excessive demands."

"Then you can request the Governor to negotiate with the Quebec Parliament on your behalf," the Quebecois said again.

This suggestion was an outright insult to General Arthur Wellesley's intelligence. It was wartime, and such bureaucratic procedures, then haggling back and forth, sending documents today, studying them for half a month, then sending back counter-proposals, studying again, and so on...

would waste too much time. It certainly would take too long to resolve before Emperor Constantine XI could return riding a white horse as swift as lightning.

"This would take too much time; it's simply not possible."

"Then you don't have to enter Quebec; you can go west from here to Cleveland—that city is still in our hands."

Cleveland was indeed still in British hands, but the situation there was not good because the Americans had been venturing there at night with small mines for some time. Although the British had killed many Americans attempting to lay mines, the threat of mines was increasing. Thus, the garrison in Cleveland was already retreating. Now, the Quebecois proposing this was clearly nonsensical, showing no sincere intention to solve the problem.

"In a time of war, such actions are tantamount to treason!" General Arthur Wellesley finally burst out, "Our army must pass through Quebec, and the route and timing must be decided by me. You must immediately clear the way; I can give you one day to consider. If after one day, you still do not clear the path, we will treat you as rebels!"

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