He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 184

1797, French Cannons Boom at Aboukir

Aboukir Bay, in ancient times, served as the gateway from Alexandria to the sea.

– Swash!

The waves crash against the crescent-shaped bay.

It’s said that this location was once the Mediterranean’s premier port.

But now, it’s a small, declining port.

Occasionally, Europeans from the West, referred to locally as [Franks], visit as travelers.

Girgis al-Gawhari, a young man from Alexandria, yawns again today.

Though this small city is his home, he dreams of the world beyond the sea.

But it’s a dream that seems unlikely to come true.

He arrives at the sea at dawn, ready to begin his day as a [Seri] (a minor customs official) at the small port.

“Huh? What’s that?”

Beyond the faint sea fog, numerous ships are visible.

Gawhari, startled, steps back.

Before he knows it, fishermen and officials are running around the port in surprise.

“Good heavens, what a fleet!”

“Inform the Bey [Ottoman governor]! What is going on?”

“Cairo, we need help from Cairo!”

However, before Gawhari and the officials can escape, a fierce cannonade erupts.

– Bang! Bang! Bang!

The shells don’t directly hit the port.

However, 30 huge ships, with hundreds more beyond the fog, are approaching.

The sound of cannons is overwhelming.

Suddenly, Mualim Yaqub Hanna, a fellow customs officer next to Gawhari, mutters.

“Those are Frankish ships.”

Gawhari is shocked.

In this era, Egypt is officially part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire.

However, since 1791, the Turkish Empire has lost its grip on Egypt.

After Turkey’s defeat in the war with Russia, the traditional ruling forces of Egypt resurged.

These forces are the [Beys], the Mamluk military aristocrats.

Gawhari had thought someone would eventually come from Istanbul, the capital, to conquer them.

But he’s surprised that the Franks are bringing a fleet instead.

“Franks? Why are the Franks, not the Turks, coming here?”

“They sometimes come to trade. But that doesn’t look like a trading fleet.”

“Oh, the ship, the ship, is l-l-landing!”

Gawhari screams, narrowing his brows.

“Wait, are they here to conquer us?”

This isn’t Gawhari’s first time seeing a military fleet.

More than 10 years ago, in 1786, the Ottoman Empire sent a fleet to punish the Mamluk Beys.

The defeated Beys fled at the time, but gathered their forces again five years later and seized control of all of Egypt.

He saw it as a child, but the memory is still vivid.

Now, an even more powerful fleet than that one is lined up before Alexandria.

This time, Yaqub Hanna jumps up in surprise.

“What are you talking about? The Franks are coming to occupy [Misr] (Egypt)? Isn’t that something from a thousand years ago?”

“About 500 years ago. But now, it’s like then. The Crusades!”

“Good heavens, are those guys going to fight Turkey or something?”

But Gawhari shakes his head.

“No. The [Beys] rule now.”

Before he knows it, the ship has taken control of the entire port.

Without any real resistance, soldiers begin to disembark.

Infantry in uniform, armed with muskets, march in formation.

– Step, step, step!

The number seems to be several thousand at first glance.

“C-c-coming.”

“Tall, blue-eyed, white people.”

“Hey, our skin isn’t that dark either.”

Gawhari, Yaqub Hanna, the officials, and the residents hold their breath.

The garrison inside Alexandria Castle hasn’t been dispatched yet.

Even if they were, it’s doubtful whether a small number of soldiers could cope with so many musketeers.

Besides, he’s heard that the ‘Misr’ soldiers, who use old-fashioned matchlock guns, struggle against the ‘Frankish’ guns.

Just then.

“Listen, Egyptians!”

A man who looks like an aristocrat shouts loudly from the front.

It’s Denon, a former aristocrat who frequently visited Egypt.

Ambassador Denon shouts in Arabic at the top of his voice.

“We are the Revolutionary French Army. We have come to liberate you from the oppression of the Mamluks and Turks!”

Mamluks and Turks.

Currently, Egypt is ruled by Mamluk military aristocrats.

But nominally, the rulers of Egypt are the Turks.

In reality, both are ruling classes living in Egypt, not Arabs.

The Mamluks are mainly of Circassian descent from Eastern Europe, and the Turks are, of course, Turkish.

At that moment, Gawhari narrows his brows and mutters.

“Is this an opportunity for us Copts [Egyptian Christians]?”

Copts, of the Egyptian Orthodox Church.

Gawhari is a Copt, representing another group within the Egyptian population.

***

So, Egypt has many conditions that make it easy to conquer.

“Hmm, everyone has run away. Is this the Alexandria government office?”

After a very short street fight, the French expeditionary force succeeds in entering Alexandria.

In fact, there was only a little gunfire, so it’s hardly a battle.

The Bey (leader) defending Alexandria had already fled to the capital, Cairo, before the fighting began.

Eugene, looking around inside the government office, simply shrugs as if it’s natural.

“This is just a rural outpost for the Egyptian Mamluk generals, O’Higgins. It’s not a big deal.”

“According to Plutarch’s Lives, this is the city founded by Alexander the Great? It was the heart of the Roman Empire.”

“That was 2,000 years ago. Of course, it’s more important to us than Cairo.”

Eugene puts a map on the dusty table inside the government office and says.

“We must take control of Egypt, focusing on this place. In particular, we must use the Copts, who are based here.”

Alexandria isn’t just a famous ancient city.

In this era, Rosetta, famous for the Rosetta Stone, is the main port.

However, in modern history, Alexandria is the second-largest city in Egypt after the capital, Cairo.

This is because, after the failure of the French expedition, the British made Alexandria their main base.

It’s clear from the map that Eugene spread out that if European forces are determined to develop it, Alexandria can quickly become a metropolis.

O’Higgins, Kleber, Desaix, Junot, and Marceau also look at the map with interest.

“Currently, Egypt is divided into 24 provinces. But the main areas are the coast, that is, the lower Nile River.”

“The Beys rule all these places, Eugene?”

“Yes, Marceau. The main forces are concentrated in Cairo and the city of [Giza] just beyond it. There are two main rulers.”

Eugene’s hand points to Cairo and Giza.

“Murad Bey and Ibrahim Bey.”

These two are at the core of the Mamluk forces currently ruling Egypt.

They aren’t like kings, but rather the first and second in command among the Mamluk Beys.

Nevertheless, their mobilization power is considerable.

They can mobilize 6,000 Mamluk cavalry and about 50,000 infantry.

It’s not a modern European-style army, but they do have cavalry guns imported from England.

Kleber tilts his head after hearing the names of the two.

“Are they excellent generals?”

“No. They’d be excellent by Mamluk standards, of course.”

“We shouldn’t underestimate the enemy. We must prepare thoroughly for any enemy!”

Eugene smiles and nods.

“Of course, we can’t be careless. The Mamluk cavalry are very fast and skilled in desert warfare. Since it’s their home, they’ll have smooth supplies, and it’s estimated that there will be more than 60,000 including the infantry.”

“Oh, they outnumber us?”

“But it’s difficult to break the French infantry phalanx. In particular, we also have [Beauharnais-style] percussion mercury rifles [an early type of repeating firearm].”

In fact, in the original history, Napoleon lost only about 40 men and won a complete victory.

Eugene is in a situation where he has to worry about whether he can reduce the losses even further.

That’s how big the gap between European-style armies and non-European-style armies is in this era.

In addition, the Egyptian expeditionary force prepared Beauharnais-style percussion muskets.

Although it’s a muzzle-loading type, unlike the Ferguson rifle, it has a fast firing rate because it’s percussion-fired.

Therefore, Eugene isn’t very worried about the Egyptian army.

O’Higgins asks, looking at Eugene’s confident face.

“Then, what’s the problem?”

“The problem is governance. From the perspective of Muslims, we’re pagans. Besides, the people here are very conservative. For example, even if our soldiers just come into contact with their women, there will be a big fuss.”

“What, Junot will hate that? Besides, we’re a unit with not many devout believers.”

The generals laugh.

“Huhu, if we have to believe in Islam for conquest, we’ll even convert.”

“Oh no, does that mean we can’t date? Is that so? There must be many beauties here! It’s Cleopatra’s hometown!”

“Oh no, Junot. Cleopatra is Greek, tsk.”

Desaix, who had been silent for a while, Junot, who only thinks about dating, and Marceau, who is cultured, each chime in.

But what Eugene said is a problem that the French army will face.

Furthermore, in the original history, a rebellion breaks out in Cairo due to this cultural conflict.

Eugene knows that, so he has some countermeasures.

Suddenly, O’Higgins asks.

“What’s the countermeasure?”

“I talked about the Copts earlier, right? They’re a branch of Christianity and are oppressed by Muslims. At the same time, they’re in charge of accounting and commercial affairs in Muslim society.”

“That means they handle the troublesome work. Besides, they know the practical work well?”

Eugene slightly tilts his head to the side.

“However, they’re a minority. They number around 400,000 to 600,000 out of a population of about 4 million Egyptians.”

This is similar even in modern Egyptian history.

The Copts are about 10% of the Egyptian population.

They’re devout Christians who have maintained their religion since ancient Roman times and are easy to ally with European forces.

However, because they’re a minority, they may be massacred by Muslims without French assistance.

It’s something that happens even in the original history.

If you want to use the Copts, Eugene must be prepared.

To protect the Copts, either make the rule of Egypt permanent, or turn a blind eye to the massacre.

Napoleon chose the latter in the original history.

But O’Higgins pats Eugene, who has a slightly heavy face, on the shoulder and laughs.

“Isn’t that 10%? I think we can use that enough.”

“Of course, there’s a premise here.”

“We have to beat the British fleet?”

Eugene looks out the window at the sea.

“That’s right. First, we need to fortify this Alexandria area. Of course, after destroying all the Mamluks.”

This is a kind of Plan B.

The best thing is to win the naval battle.

But if we lose like in the original history, we must at least protect Alexandria.

The problem is that if that happens, the structure can change completely.

For example, we have to use extraordinary tactics like Napoleon in the original history.

A retreat route back to Syria, Anatolia, and Greece.

Of course, Napoleon himself abandoned it halfway and ran away to France.”

Then O’Higgins nods leisurely.

“Okay. We need a lightning-like march. Is the gold ready?”

Eugene, who was very nervous thinking about failure, turns to O’Higgins and smiles.

O’Higgins has a real strength at times like this.

No matter how dangerous the situation becomes, he’s optimistic.

For a completely different reason than Napoleon.

“We have the gold we brought from Malta. Add one more thing to that.”

“What is it?”

“Land.”

Eugene looks at the map again and says.

“Everything monopolized by the Mamluks will belong to the French soldiers.”

That’s the famous Nile Delta area of Egypt.

***

In this era, most French soldiers are the children of farmers.

“Now, all soldiers, listen!”

The French Egyptian Expeditionary Force gathers outside Alexandria.

The number of expeditionary forces is greater than the small number of Alexandria residents.

As the residents tremble with fear, Commander O’Higgins stands before the triumphant French army.

O’Higgins shouts with a cheerful smile.

“Everyone, I think you’ll be disappointed. Everyone must be tired and exhausted. Besides, the city has declined!”

At those words, the generals, including Eugene, are surprised.

Even in the original history, French soldiers were very disappointed after conquering Alexandria.

Because Alexandria was famous even to uncultured French people.

It’s said to be the city founded by Alexander the Great.

But when they arrived, there was only one small, declining village.

O’Higgins reveals this honestly.

“Everyone will doubt whether this is really the city of Alexander! Besides, there’s nothing to plunder!”

“Oh, that’s really true.”

“What do we have to plunder!”

Just as the soldiers are about to burst into laughter mixed with ridicule, as befitting the French.

“But you’ll get more here. The Nile, wheat, and the gold monopolized by the Mamluks!”

At O’Higgins’ words, everyone’s eyes begin to shine.

They aren’t very interested in the Nile River.

But wheat and gold, what does that mean?

O’Higgins adds with a relaxed attitude.

“Each of you will be given 6 arpents [approximately 6 acres] of land!”

“Oh! 6 arpents, isn’t that a large landowner?”

“Hey, you don’t mean 6 arpents of desert land, do you?”

Land is like life to the son of a farmer.

The Nile River area has always been famous for its abundant harvests, whether in ancient times, the Middle Ages, or modern times.

Even at the end of the 18th century, when the Egyptian economy was declining, wheat and cotton were abundant.

O’Higgins smiles and shouts loudly.

“Of course, it’s the fertile land of the Nile. The Mamluks are occupying it now!”

At that moment, Eugene is surprised again as he looks at O’Higgins.

What O’Higgins is saying is what Eugene told him in advance.

But could Eugene have talked about it in such an interesting way that would capture the hearts of the soldiers?

If Eugene leads the army himself in the future, how should he capture the soldiers?

Suddenly, O’Higgins’ eyes meet Eugene’s.

O’Higgins winks and looks back at the soldiers.

In a sense, O’Higgins is now teaching Eugene.

How to lead an armed violent organization called an army.

“The Mamluk soldiers control that land and wealth, everything. Here, in Egypt.”

O’Higgins, talking very slowly and savoring the words, gestures.

Instantly, a bag of gold is placed in front of the soldiers.

It’s something brought from the Knights of Malta, but to the soldiers, it looks like gold stolen from the Alexandria government office.

O’Higgins shouts to the soldiers, who are greedily flashing their eyes.

“How about fighting a war to take away the land and gold!”

“Waaaa!”

“Land, gold, are there any beauties!”

O’Higgins responds cheerfully.

“Of course, there’s the Mamluks’ harem! The Citadel, their palace!”

Hippolyte, who was watching the scene, whispers.

“Commander O’Higgins is quite good at propaganda.”

“He left out a few things. We must respect the Muslims, we must not plunder, and we must be thorough in hygiene.”

“That will be spread as unit instructions, right? But is there really such wealth here?”

Eugene looks at the bag of gold and nods.

“There is. However, to protect it, we must conquer it very quickly, and then we must defeat England. Literally, we need a blitzkrieg.”

Again, Eugene has started a war against time.

Before Nelson arrives, we must conquer Egypt as quickly as possible.

If we fail to do so, we’ll lose all our navy like Napoleon in the original history.

In June 1797, France began its conquest of Egypt.