He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 201

(201) Now, Shall We Build the Suez Port?

As if declaring independence, cheers erupted, piercing the sky.

-Waaaah!

This was Cairo, or more precisely, the city where the Ottoman Turkish Empire’s Egyptian province administration was located.

Furthermore, the original rulers were the Mamluk [a military caste of slave soldiers] military aristocrats, armed soldiers from Eastern Europe.

So, usually welcoming an army here with cheers would be an event celebrating the victory of the Turkish Empire or the Mamluks.

However, the object of the cheers from Cairo’s 600,000 citizens in Egypt right now is singular.

The French Egyptian Expeditionary Force, specifically, the Desaix Division.

“Long live the Franks! Long live Misr [Egypt]! Cursed be the Turks!”

“Finally, the land of Misr has been liberated!”

“Today, all bread is free! Hahaha! Coffee is also free for French soldiers!”

Leading the way, French Hussar Brigadier General Lasalle waved his hat and shouted.

“Great! Then I’ll have coffee with a beautiful woman!”

Watching the cheering citizens, Ippolito smacked his lips from the Citadel of Cairo.

“Why isn’t there any alcohol at the festival, damn it.”

Eugène, who was wearing his black general’s uniform for the first time in a while, glanced at Ippolito and retorted.

“This is a world ruled by Islam. I heard you can drink alcohol where the Copts [Egyptian Christians] live.”

“I should go there then? By the way, Eugène, you’re coming too, right? Hehehe. There are many beauties among the Copts too.”

“Ippolito, what are you talking about? We can’t play around.”

Eugène lightly gestured to Ippolito and moved his feet.

“We have to prepare for the victory parade. Especially, we have to show the [prototype steam car] together.”

Just as Ippolito grumbled and disappeared after Eugène, two women appeared from behind the shadows in the hallway.

Both were wearing blue military uniforms with the Red Cross mark, which was an unusual sight.

They were officers from the nursing unit under the Order of Saint John.

“Oh my, aren’t our generals ever resting? Brigade Commander Marceau?”

“We can’t rest either, Colonel Bonaparte. I heard that many patients may occur during today’s festival. There’s also a risk of an epidemic breaking out.”

“Indeed, I heard that the plague occasionally breaks out here? But, where did our rat-catching puppy go?”

Just as ‘Bonaparte’ was tilting her head and looking around, that is, ‘Pauline’.

-Woof! Woof woof! Woof woof woof!

A fluffy white dog jumped out and ran towards Colonel Bonaparte, ‘Pauline’.

Pauline chuckled and quickly hugged the dog.

Watching the struggling dog, ‘Angélique’ Marceau exclaimed.

“Kyaa! How cute. Where did you get it?”

“I got it from the Knights of Malta. It’s a Maltese dog, a specialty of Malta Island. They said it’s very good at catching rats? They mainly use it on ships.”

“This adorable thing catches rats? It doesn’t suit it at all. Oh my.”

At that moment, the ‘Maltese’ puppy, which had jumped out of Pauline’s arms, ran towards one side of the hallway.

-Swoosh!

In an instant, the puppy bit and snatched a rat running down the hallway.

Even in narrow places like ships, it’s skilled enough to show off its skills.

Just as Pauline was about to follow the Maltese puppy.

Eugène, who was looking at something at the end of the hallway, below the stairs, looked surprised.

It wasn’t because the dog caught a rat, but because he seemed to recognize the dog.

“What, a Maltese?”

Pauline slightly lifted the ‘Maltese’ puppy, which had caught the rat well, and smiled.

“Huh? Do you know it? Oh, your family raises a lot of dogs too, right?”

“No, it’s not me, it’s my mother who raises them. And that one is a [Pug], so it’s not very cute. It bites people a lot.”

“How about this one? Isn’t it worth raising?”

Looking at the Maltese in Pauline’s arms, Eugène wore a bitter smile.

“Well, Maltese are an impatient breed. Well, it’ll be good at catching rats. And we have to go on a ship for a long time.”

So, this fluffy dog is an ancestor of the modern famous dog breed, [Maltese].

It’s named Maltese because it originated from Malta Island.

It’s famous for not being very patient, but it seems to be good at catching rats.

-Grrr!

At that moment, Pauline, who was stroking the Maltese, glared at Eugène along with the Maltese.

“Don’t even think about going alone.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If you leave first, I’ll either stow away again, or I’ll chase after you. I know everything, you’re planning a retreat.”

At that moment, Eugène glared at the adjutant standing behind him.

“Again, is it you? Ippolito?”

Ippolito was horrified and waved his hands.

“What are you talking about? I never leak military secrets!”

At that time, Angélique, who was enjoying watching Eugène, Pauline, and the Maltese, smiled awkwardly.

“I’m sorry, it’s me.”

Eugène frowned, but he couldn’t get angry at her.

First of all, even if Marceau is below Eugène, she is still older and a ‘hyung’ [Korean term for older brother or sister, used respectfully] to him.

Above all, Angélique is a survivor who survived the horrific Vendée [a counter-revolution in France].

But still, the [retreat operation] is currently the top military secret of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

It’s an issue that only the commander and division commanders know about.

But even if she is the temporary brigade commander of the nursing unit, it’s like he told his wife.

“Madam Marceau. Did your husband tell you by any chance?”

“Well, François asked if I wanted to return to the homeland… But I said I would never leave his side.”

“Really, Marceau has no sense of secrecy.”

At that moment, Pauline snorted and poked Eugène’s nose.

“So, don’t think about leaving me out. But what is that?”

Eugène turned around to look at the huge black iron lump behind him and chuckled.

“Well, it’s something that will decorate today’s parade. You saw the blueprints, right?”

Instantly, Pauline’s eyes sparkled.

It was the [steam car] that she had only seen in blueprints.

***

Of course, there is a reason for all this cheering.

“Wow, I feel like I’m in Paris. Why is it so noisy?”

Unlike Brigadier General Lasalle, who was at the forefront enjoying the cheers, Desaix’s adjutant, Saint-Cyr, questioned first.

This is Egypt, and the victor is France, so why are the citizens of Cairo cheering?

Naturally, it’s because they are gaining something.

Desaix held his head high and answered while riding his horse.

“Didn’t you know, General Saint-Cyr? After winning this battle, we decided to return the existing Mamluk-held assets to the Egyptians. Of course, we won’t return everything.”

“Gasp, then what do we get? There’s already a lot of talk among the soldiers about the order to return the spoils of war?”

“We won’t force you to return the spoils taken from the Turkish soldiers this time. Also.”

Suddenly, Desaix smiled and said softly.

“Perhaps, the soldiers’ salaries will be paid from the [taxes] collected here starting three years from now. I don’t know how we’ll survive until then.”

A three-year tax exemption declaration.

Clearly, the French expeditionary force required enormous finances.

Desaix knows a little about the fact that the Boarneh Italian Bank paid a significant portion of it.

Of course, they created a new [currency] called aluminum silver coins, but there are still limits.

How are they going to make up for the losses of this expedition?

Furthermore, how will the French army stationed here maintain its military expenses?

However, Desaix’s thoughts did not last long.

A familiar face suddenly appeared.

“General! Congratulations on the victory! I knew you would win!”

It was Yena, the Caucasian beauty from the Fayyum harem, Desaix’s lover.

“No, Yena. How did you get here?”

“Well, the French headquarters sent someone. Freischütz? That young general ordered it.”

“Oh dear, I appreciate the consideration, but it’s a bit troublesome.”

Desaix smiled bitterly as he received the bouquet from Yena.

Even if this isn’t France, creating a harem won’t receive good reviews.

Desaix’s division soldiers around him also had dumbfounded faces.

In that moment, Saint-Cyr, who was quick-witted in this situation, shouted first.

“Puhahaha! Our harem sultan is coming! Everyone, clear the way!”

Then, the atmosphere of the soldiers from the country of love, France, was instantly reversed.

“Wow, he’s fulfilling the romance of men!”

“It’s a good time. Was the general’s age about my son’s?”

“Oops, Sergeant. Were you that old? Hahaha!”

Again, Desaix, who was smiling bitterly, sat Yena behind him on the horse and said to Saint-Cyr in French.

“It seems our chief of staff is very concerned about the sailors who died in the naval battle.”

“Yes? What do you mean by that? The harem beauty?”

“No, it’s not that. The army had almost no casualties, but the navy lost more than a third of its men, right? So it seems they paid more attention to the parade.”

This is a parade with almost all 600,000 citizens.

There are countless citizens scattering flowers.

The French soldiers are all in full dress uniform, so it’s a magnificent march with no traces of battle.

Adding the harem beauty to brighten the commander, it’s perfect for attracting attention.

Saint-Cyr nodded and then tilted his head again.

“I see. Oh, there’s the commander. But, is something strange?”

Next to the commander, Hoche, a huge, dark object popped out.

-Thump!

Eugène and Pauline were on top of the contraption that was spewing black smoke.

The person standing in the center is unexpectedly Pauline.

Pauline, who was holding a large circular handle, screamed.

“Kyaa, what is this! Why is it so strong!”

“Who told you to drive, Pauline! Step on the brake there, the brake!”

“This one?”

At that moment, Eugène also screamed.

“That’s the accelerator!”

In an instant, the cavalry scattered and even Lasalle avoided the contraption.

-Screech!

Desaix looked dumbfounded at the contraption that stopped right in front of his cavalry and asked.

“Uh, what is this? Chief of Staff?”

Large tricycle wheels can be seen.

The black smoke spewing from the back is coming out of the chimney.

It seems to be smoke from burning coal, and the shape is very large.

Eugène shrugged his shoulders, sweating.

“Phew, it’s a steam tricycle. You almost became the first commanding general to die in a traffic accident.”

“I don’t know what it is, but it’s probably not a good thing.”

“Anyway, congratulations. General.”

Suddenly, Eugène smiled at Desaix.

“You’ve become a member of the retreat.”

At those words, Desaix’s eyes sparkled.

“I’ll be looking forward to it. By the way, are you going to keep driving that steam car?”

Becoming a member of the retreat was truly what he wanted.

However, this [steam car] contraption seems dangerous.

In fact, Eugène also had the same thought and was contemplating whether to order it to be removed.

But Pauline, who seemed to be having fun with the car, grabbed the handle.

“Of course. Now, I’m going to drive again!”

“Pauline, can’t you give up the steering wheel?”

“No!”

This time, Pauline very skillfully started turning the [steering wheel] to rotate.

-Thump!

The citizens and soldiers who had been blankly looking at the [contraption] until then burst into cheers.

-Waaaah!

October 23, 1797.

The world’s second steam tricycle.

It was the day Pauline Bonaparte was recorded as the first female driver.

***

There are also generals waiting for the victorious general and chief of staff at the end of the parade.

“The young people are lucky. Even at times like this, they’re having an affair.”

Kléber grumbled, bouncing his plump cheeks.

Anyway, the fact that the relationship between Eugène and Pauline is unusual is well known in the Egyptian expeditionary force.

Of course, Hoche, who knew that Eugène’s lover was Marie, chuckled in a different sense and asked back.

“You speak as if you live purely, General Kléber?”

“No, I didn’t come alone. Commander. It’s different from those who came with their wives. Oh, I heard she’s already pregnant? Congratulations.”

“Hahaha! Thank you. I’m living very passionately at night.”

General Hoche, who spends passionate nights with his wife, asked Kléber, who made a new lover here.

“How is it, are you going to retreat?”

Kléber rolled his eyes and twisted his lips.

“We can’t stay forever. Someone has to come as a replacement.”

“That’s true.”

“But it’s also true that I want to properly establish a governing base since we’ve occupied it. I also want to properly study that pyramid.”

Of course, Hoche didn’t ask if he was staying because he made a lover.

“You created a Freemason lodge. Is that why?”

Kléber raised his eyebrows and confessed willingly.

“Well, yes. There was also an order from President Lafayette.”

“So, you’re staying in Egypt.”

“Oh, the commander is talking like he’s going back? Isn’t the commander the one who will stay here the longest?”

Hoche also nodded and answered.

“My wife is pregnant, so for the time being, yes. So, about that.”

In fact, Hoche also knows.

Someone from the French Egyptian expeditionary force must remain here.

Because as long as so much money has been poured in, a garrison must remain until the investment pays off.

Moreover, the current situation is that France’s permanent rule of Egypt may be possible.

Then the commander should stay.

However, if we stay, there is something the expeditionary force must do.

Why did the expeditionary force come here in the first place?

To cut off British trade with India and resume French trade with India.

“You’ll have to study the pyramids later.”

“Was there land I had to conquer? Maybe the desert?”

“We also have to conquer the upper Nile, but the task that the general will take on is not conquest.”

Hoche smiled as he looked in the direction of the parade, that is, to the east.

“The time has come to build our expedition’s real goal, the [Suez Port], General.”

In the distance, Eugène was arguing with Pauline, driving the steam car.

Along with the victory members, including Desaix, or the members scheduled to retreat.