Chapter 146: Chapter 132: Father and Son

New York City, New York, the United States of America
August 15th, 1810

Samuel Kim read through a stack of reports that he received from various government officials in his large study room. His house, which was in Manhattan, was large and spacious to accommodate his frequent guests and his large family. His study was filled with books and memoirs that he collected during his life. The chair he was sitting on was made in Korea, which he had bought during his first visit to Asia. His desk was made in France and was a personal gift sent by Lafayette (along with his many bookshelves). Every object in his room made Samuel recall a past memory, which was why the study was his favorite room in the house.

Despite his "retirement," he consistently read about domestic and international affairs. After all, he was still the de facto head of the Watchmen Society and an advisor to the president. He needed to remain sharp and knowledgeable to help the country chug along, though he was slowly phasing out his involvement in government as he wanted the government to be able to run without him.

While he was reading a file about the Norwegian-Swedish War that ended a few months ago, his eldest son knocked and walked into Samuel's private study with a tray. The tray carried a teapot, two cups of tea, and biscuits. Justin smiled at his father and gently placed the tray down on the desk, "What are you reading?"

"The Norwegian-Swedish War. Those Norwegians never stood a chance," Samuel replied as Justin poured tea into the two cups. He accepted one of the cups with a respectful nod and drank the content, "Did your mother want me to come down and eat?"

"She's still preparing dinner with Emily and Hexiao. Is there anything interesting in that pile that I can read as well?"

Samuel chuckled, "To me, they're all interesting. I'm comparing the... other history with this world's history. For example, look here. In the history that I come from, Charles August was killed on May 28th of this year. Yet, from what I have heard and read, he is still alive and he is now King Charles XIV of Sweden after the previous king abdicated due to health complications. Now the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg has taken over Sweden, instead of the House of Bernadotte."

"That is interesting," Justin mused, "But doesn't that mean it will be harder to predict the future?"

"Yes, but we can still draw similar situations from the other history to apply to this world. However, we still have knowledge about future technologies and natural disasters, so it shouldn't pose too much of a problem."

Justin picked up a piece of paper from the pile and skimmed it, "If I remember correctly, the Spanish Civil War didn't occur until the 20th century, correct?"

"You are right. However, history has changed greatly in the last thirty-five years. It seems like the Second Coalition War and the French Republic's victory in it has led to an early crisis in Spain. That, and the fact that the French Republic detached parts of Spain and left behind some weapons for the Liberal rebels to use."

"Which is why Venezuela is in open revolt," The special operator muttered as he read another report, "Interesting that he took Bolivar under his wing. Is he a member of the Society?"

The elder Kim shook his head. Despite the fact that he was nearly sixty years old, his hair was barely greying, "No, but we have NIS agents "encouraging" him. Not outright manipulation, but steering him in the right direction. The Society wants to see Miranda reach Caracas right before the earthquake in 1812 hits so that it looks like he has divine approval."

"Why not just act the Patron to call in a meteor..."

"You've been watching too many modern movies," Samuel frowned, but a hint of amusement gleamed from his eyes. "The Patron contacts and provides when it feels like it needs to. Hold on, since you are already here... I need your help with something."

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The former president opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a pair of maps. He unrolled a few of them and laid them out for his son to see, "Help me draw the new borders in Europe and in the Americas."

One of the maps was the map of this world, which needed to be updated. The other map was a map of the other world in the year 1810. Justin looked at the foreign borders that were displayed on the second map, "France looks huge."

"You know exactly why."

"I know, I know. It's just... hard to imagine that Representative Nathaniel Bonapart was the conqueror of Europe in the other history. I've met him and his family before, they're all nice and peaceful people."

"It was surprising that he didn't continue his career in the military, but I'm happy that he's doing well here. I believe he joined the Liberal Party to appease his mother-in-law, but he seems sincere in his pursuit of progressivism," Samuel let out a real scowl that made Justin shiver, "Unfortunately, some of the changes I have brought are... not good."

Justin sighed, "Are you still thinking about King Louis?"

"Just help me redraw the borders."

Colonel Kim nodded wordlessly. He knew better than to push his father about the issue. While France was a (fairly) stable republic, the Second French Republic also led to King Louis' flight to Saint Domingue. And now, after negotiations with the Spanish government, Spanish Hispaniola had been sold to the former French king. The leader of the 707th Battalion adjusted the borders of the "French Empire" to include nearly the entirety of the island of Hispaniola, with only the southwestern parts belonging to the small (and now besieged) Republic of Haiti. He then edited the borders of Venezuela, with the southernmost provinces (which were in rebellion) colored in red compared to the Spanish controlled provinces colored in yellow. Wisconsin, Akansa, and Alabama were all colored into deeper shades of blue to signify their statehood (which brought the total to twenty-eight in the Union). In addition to the adjustments on the map, Justin jotted down the population of the United States on a separate sheet. Next to the line that said "1810," he wrote "10,329,005 ."

As for Europe, he glanced over to his father, who was doing it himself. Norway was now part of Sweden, which formed the Kingdom of Sweden-Norway. Finland was under siege by the Russians, as Russia wanted to redeem themselves after the losses they suffered during the Second Coalition War and the Crimean War.

"I feel like something bad will happen soon," Samuel mumbled quietly.

"Are you afraid that Jackson might win the presidency in two years?" Justin said teasingly.

The former Marine commandant rolled his eyes and lightly punched his son's shoulder, "No, he'll do a fine job. He's passionate, articulate, and progressive. He's firmly on Hamilton's side on many issues and I expect a bright future ahead of him. No, this is not about who's the next president. I'm afraid within a few years, something explosive will happen."

"Like what?"

"I don't know, son. But I think a storm is coming... Revolutions and wars that will rock America..."

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