He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 156

(156) Baring Proposes a New World Deal

September 1796, the small town of Mombello, located next to Milan, was bustling.

-Clang, clang, clang!

Originally, this place was a French army encampment during the occupation of Milan.

Since the former territory of the Kingdom of Sardinia had become French territory, everyone should have returned to Turin.

However, Napoleon maintained the encampment here for a very simple reason.

Milan was the most convenient place to send troops anywhere in northern Italy in case of emergency.

Naturally, the old nobles of Milan feared this place and dared not come.

But today, the old nobles were rushing to Mombello, competing with each other.

It was the moment when a unique [precious metal] was born.

Lavoisier, famous as France’s foremost chemist, shouted with a flamboyant attitude.

“Now, look! This is silver born from mud! It’s aluminum!”

Lavoisier, who once burned diamonds to reveal the law of conservation of mass, knew very well how important it was to focus public attention on scientific experiments, especially when introducing a new precious metal to the world.

-Bubble! Bubble! Bubble!

Next to Lavoisier, a large bauxite solution was boiling, and sodium was being poured in.

It was the so-called sodium process.

With this process, aluminum could only be obtained with enormous time, effort, and sodium.

It visually demonstrated that aluminum was obtained through a highly difficult process.

“It’s silver! It’s silver! Oh my god, it takes so much time and effort to find a silver mine!”

“They say it’s almost a stone on the surface? It’s lighter and shinier than silver!”

“No! They’re pouring so much of that expensive sodium? Then!”

The most influential person in Milan, Duke Serbelloni, exclaimed.

“That’s more expensive!”

It’s better to have someone with some superficial knowledge in times like this.

Sodium is abundant in salt, but extraction is quite difficult with the technology of this era.

Therefore, the sodium process itself is very expensive.

Of course, it would be different if you had no education at all, but Duke Serbelloni was a noble with enough education to know this fact.

At Duke Serbelloni’s fuss, the old nobles of Milan were enthusiastic.

After a while, Lavoisier ran to Eugene, who was watching the show from a distance in the encampment.

“It’s a great success! Now aluminum will spread to France, Italy, and even the old imperial territories!”

“Have 100 aluminum coins already been given out as gifts?”

“Yes! All the influential figures from Milan, Florence, and even Venice who participated received them!”

Then, Adjutant Ippolite, who was checking the number of coins, was surprised and asked.

“Isn’t Venice in rebellion right now? How did someone come from there?”

Currently, Venice was clearly in a state of rebellion against France.

Thus, Junot and Murat had been dispatched as suppression forces.

However, nobles from Venice had flocked to Eugene’s aluminum presentation show.

Eugene retorted cynically.

“That means the rebellion is happening haphazardly.”

“Are you saying it’s only happening in Terra Ferma [Venetian mainland]?”

“Yes. Venice proper, or rather the old Venetian capital, is very indifferent. On the contrary, there are countless upper classes who are trying to adapt to the new system and are on our side.”

Eugene twisted his lips, lightly lifting an aluminum coin.

“But I didn’t expect them to come all the way to see the aluminum coins.”

Even if a country falls, there are bound to be upper classes who want to survive.

The thousand-year-old Republic of Venice was no different.

Especially since France had a legal system that thoroughly recognized private property.

Ironically, while the old French nobles were often expelled and had their property confiscated in the early days of the revolution, the conquered Italian nobles were able to preserve their private property.

That’s why even the Venetian nobles who were in rebellion came to see the aluminum coins.

In any case, it was a show presented by the Italian conqueror, Napoleon’s adopted son, and France’s top chemist.

But then, Collo suddenly rushed to Eugene and reported.

“Patron, it seems that the market price will be set at about 10 times that of silver.”

“You already know that? How?”

“Someone from the Vatican came.”

Eugene peeked out from the encampment and widened his eyes.

A familiar clergyman wearing a red cardinal’s hat was sending a greeting from afar.

Luigi Chiaramonti, soon to be the Cardinal of Imola.

The top power in the Vatican, who would later become Pius VII in the original history, had also come to Mombello.

Collo whispered next to Eugene, looking at the Cardinal of Imola.

“His Eminence the Cardinal wants to appoint the Italian Bank as the new Vatican Bank. The first contract payment is to start with [endorsing] these aluminum coins.”

Since ancient times, endorsing financial transactions has been one of the Vatican’s prerogatives.

Because finance is ultimately based on trust, and trust in European society began with the [Church].

For quite some time, the church was a more reliable trading partner than frequently bankrupt kings or lords.

Forcing them to repay interest or debts in the name of God was a bonus.

Even though the Protestant Reformation had occurred, religious wars had broken out, and even the Great Revolution had erupted, the Catholic Church still had strong credit.

For example, it was enough to give transaction credibility to a metal that appeared for the first time.

Eugene wore a satisfied smile.

“It’s not the Middle Ages, but the Vatican’s credibility cannot be ignored yet. Good. Huh?”

Then Eugene’s eyes widened.

A man wearing a hat was seen next to the Cardinal of Imola.

Eugene knew that man’s face very well.

It seemed that the man didn’t recognize Eugene because he had grown up.

“Collo, bring that person next to His Eminence the Cardinal to the secret interview room.”

“Yes? Who is it?”

“Damas would have known? It’s a pity he’s in Paris. He’s the top sponsor of the business you used to deal with.”

At Eugene’s words, Collo, who was once the front man for Barings Bank, was startled.

“Francis Baring. The actual owner of Barings Brothers Bank.”

The influential British banker, Baring, had come to Italy himself.

***

True financiers do not discriminate against factions, nationalities, or ages.

Francis Baring was indeed like that.

“Wow, every time I see you, it’s a new business? The scale of your business has become as grand as you’ve grown. Mr. Bonaparte.”

Baring, who finally recognized Eugene, laughed heartily, making a fuss.

Eugene was also very happy to see Baring after a long time.

Even if Baring hadn’t existed, Eugene might have been able to grow as a soldier.

However, if he hadn’t met Baring through Recamier, the Eugene Cartel would not have been born at all.

In that respect, Baring was a benefactor to Eugene.

But there is one problem.

He was a banker from England, an enemy country that was clearly fighting against France.

That’s why Eugene invited Baring to the [secret room] deep inside the old Habsburg family palace in Mombello.

“Please call me Mr. Bonaparte now, Mr. Baring. Nice to meet you.”

“Huhu, yes. The son of a general, huh? No, were you already a general? Brigadier General? Major General?”

“The elections haven’t finished in Paris yet. Once the new parliament is established and the directors are changed, I will be formally promoted. As a division commander.”

In September 1796, there would soon be parliamentary elections in France.

However, as Barras pointed out, the royalists were in a dominant position.

Danton was hastily abolishing the Clergy Management Act and campaigning, but time was running out. So, Paris was on the verge of chaos.

That was also why military merit rewards had not been properly implemented.

From Eugene’s point of view, it was a golden time to build a business foundation.

Baring, who had been tired of watching parliamentary elections in England, easily understood Eugene’s words.

“Then now is the most opportune time to discuss transactions with a businessman from an enemy country because it’s a time of regime change.”

Eugene shrugged lightly and asked.

“Speaking of a time of regime change, is there no prospect of the British Prime Minister changing? I think he’s been in power for 13 years already.”

“He’s still a young Prime Minister at only 37 years old. He’s far from dying, and the king’s trust in him is enormous, right? Of course, only when he’s sane.”

“Are the seizures that severe?”

At Eugene’s sharp question, Baring asked back with a strange smile.

“Well, it happens occasionally. By the way, you’ve already obtained that information. What route? It’s been quite a while since we had a direct transaction? Maybe Jewish?”

What Eugene and Baring were talking about now was a secret history of the British royal family.

So, the person who actually runs England now was the young Prime Minister, Pitt, at the age of 37.

He had been in power for 13 years since he first took office at the age of 24.

However, England was strictly a monarchy, and the nominal ruler was King George III.

Moreover, unlike modern history, at the end of the 18th century, the monarch still had considerable real power.

But George III had two fatal weaknesses.

One was that he had allowed the independence of the United States of America in the New World.

The other was that the king was [prone to] madness.

Later historical analysis estimates that he suffered from a peculiar disease called porphyria.

However, it was a [condition] that was difficult to even know the cause with current medicine.

Fortunately for England, as of 1796, he was only having occasional, temporary seizures.

However, the frequency was increasing.

Of course, it was a secret of the royal family, but everyone who knew knew about it.

Eugene knew it only because he had read the records of his previous life.

“Well, when you’re smuggling, you tend to have multiple routes.”

“Huhu, good. I won’t bother asking. Then let’s start trading on the premise that you know the British situation roughly.”

“What kind of deal are you proposing? Peace negotiations are impossible unless you return the port of Pondicherry.”

Pondicherry, a port in eastern India, was France’s last remaining colony.

However, immediately after the outbreak of the revolution, the British army in India occupied Pondicherry.

At this time, the French East India Company helped the Indian princes with its last remaining strength, so the British East India Company was currently at war in India.

However, from France’s point of view, the Indian trade route was completely cut off.

Baring whistled, widening his eyes as if admiring.

“I thought you were only focused on the war in Europe, but you also know the news from India?”

“I had to know because of the gunpowder problem. Thanks to that, the French East India Company was finally confirmed to be bankrupt.”

“Well, the British Empire’s fleet is the best in the world. Even if Pondicherry is not captured, it is difficult for French companies to survive as long as the war continues.”

Baring said, lightly drinking Ethiopian coffee.

“But I’m a banker. I didn’t come to talk about politics. I came to propose a profitable deal. Coming here, there was an unexpected [asset], though.”

Eugene held up an aluminum coin and smiled.

“You mean aluminum? I’ll give it to you as a gift on your way. About 100 coins.”

“Oh, that’s generous. From what I can see, it seems to be trading between 10 and 20 times the price of silver.”

“Can you calculate that?”

Eugene had just introduced the aluminum coin to the world.

Of course, seeing that Baring had smuggled in through the cardinal, it was highly likely that he had heard about it from Cardinal Imola.

Nevertheless, mentioning 20 times the price of silver was surprising.

Because the actual transaction price in the early to mid-19th century when aluminum was traded was exactly that much.

The quick-calculating banker, Baring, laughed heartily.

“If you did this much of a show, you’d have to get that much to make ends meet. I heard you’ve been doing a lot of business? The Milan Post Office, the Marseille Armory, and now you’ve even set up a new bank in Genoa?”

“Where did you hear that? It seems like a rough idea, but you know all of our [organization’s] businesses.”

“Group? Hmm, yes. That’s a perfect term for you, who is developing a wide variety of businesses.”

Baring, who was talking like a fortune teller, revealed the source of the information.

“I heard it from Nathan. You know? I heard you also made some equity investments. It seems to be under a borrowed name, though.”

So, he heard it from Nathan Rothschild, or Nathan Rothschild in English.

Eugene felt strange.

Because the Rothschild and Baring families would later engage in bloody competition in the original history.

Nevertheless, Eugene realized anew that Rothschild in Germany and Baring in England were trading.

There are no borders for capital.

Even though there was no such thing as capitalism yet.

“There are no borders for profit.”

“That’s a very good saying. Yes, profit is the truth for financiers. So, let’s start trading. Now that you’ve obtained that aluminum coin, don’t you need an investment destination?”

“I think it will be difficult to make new investments for a while because I’m paying off debts.”

Suddenly, Baring took something out of his pocket and wore a triumphant smile.

“Really? Even for a deal about the New World that France lost?”

At that moment, Eugene widened his eyes and narrowed his brows.

“Let’s hear the story. Where is it?”

A map was unfolded in front of Eugene.

***

In fact, even in the original history, Baring helps France, specifically Napoleon, with the New World deal.

It’s just that it’s not the area on the map he brought today.

“Florida? Where is that?”

Marie, who was taking off her earrings next to Eugene, tilted her head.

Marie played her part perfectly today as well.

She showed her skills in entertaining the old nobles who came to see the aluminum ingots and silver coins.

It seems that she didn’t have time to take off her dress and accessories because of that.

Eugene chuckled, watching Marie’s beautiful dress.

“I thought you would suggest Louisiana. I was offered a strange place.”

“Huh? Louisiana? Oh my, I’ve heard of it somewhere.”

“It means the land of Louis XIV. It refers to the old New France [French territory in North America].”

Louisiana, or Louisiana.

In modern history, it is the central part of the United States, including the state of Mississippi.

However, it was originally France’s colony, New France, which Louis XIV secured after the war.

It’s a strange naming convention for the old New France, but it can’t be helped because that’s the truth.

During the Seven Years’ War, France was defeated by England and Prussia, and all the land was taken away along with Quebec.

Furthermore, Baring is the land that is in charge of brokerage transactions between France and the United States.

But strangely, Baring ran to France to give them land.

Eugene unfolded the map that Baring had brought.

-Chwaaak!

As Marie approached, Eugene stood behind Marie and said.

“Here it is.”

Marie stared at the map and widened her eyes.

“It’s adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean?”

“Yes.”

“You can revive the old New France? But how are you going to trade here?”

Eugene stared intently at the map.

Marie was changing her dress.

But Eugene was excited about something else.

The land marked on the map.

Not an island, but a continental part.

The only place on the east coast of the North American continent, which is entirely occupied by England and the United States, that is not yet English or American land.

The Florida Peninsula occupied by Spain.

Of course, this deal is a gamble.

But if you can occupy this land now, you can change history.

“We’ll have to trade with the Spanish royal family. 15 million francs should be enough.”

Year 1796.

Baring brought Eugene an unexpected jackpot.

Along with the East India Company’s proposal, which still doesn’t know the value of the Florida Peninsula.