He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 216

(216) France Falls into a Crisis of Quadruple Jeopardy

Originally, there was one empire that fought against all of Europe in the original timeline.

It was the German Empire.

They literally fought with enemies on both the Eastern and Western fronts, creating a two-front war.

Of course, the one who defeated the German Empire in the original timeline was America from the New World.

However, if Germany hadn’t been isolated, they would have fought in a much more advantageous situation.

The situation that the French Republic faces is no better than that of Germany in the original timeline.

In any case, England is an enemy, Prussia is an enemy, and Russia is also an enemy.

Even Napoleon, who doesn’t know about the original timeline of the future, can see it clearly.

However, the reason for the Russian Emperor’s participation in the war is truly absurd.

Napoleon slammed the desk in disbelief and shouted.

“Are they crazy? Subduing the Knights Hospitaller is a reason for war!”

However, what Berthier just reported is true.

After the death of the Russian Empress, Catherine, her eldest son Pavel ascended to the position of Tsar [the Russian Emperor].

But Tsar Pavel is a person with a distorted personality, suffering from an inferiority complex.

An ugly face, ignored by his mother, and zero achievements.

Therefore, he was a person who strived to overcome his inferiority by pursuing glory.

The Knights Hospitaller is one of the few prides that Tsar Pavel has.

Because the Knights Hospitaller, who were looking for a sponsor within Europe, gave Pavel the qualification of honorary knight.

Originally, to become a knight, one had to become a monk, but that point was deliberately ignored.

However, a situation arose where the Knights Hospitaller were defeated and subjugated by the French Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

Of course, the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller is satisfied, as they have gained territory in Egypt.

However, in mainland Europe, the Knights Hospitaller are considered prisoners of France.

That is why Pavel I was furious and participated in the European war.

Of course, there must be a more rational reason behind it.

Berthier said calmly.

“There are many rumors that the new Tsar is unstable. There is a report from the Russian ambassador who was expelled from Saint Petersburg.”

“Hey, slow goose. Do you think he’s crazy? England must have moved!”

“There is no evidence for that. It’s not the work of the military, but of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Napoleon clicked his tongue.

“This is not the time to talk as if it’s someone else’s business. According to this, the reason Russia participated is because of my son!”

“The official commander is Hoche. You can blame it on Hoche.”

“What? Hoche?”

Napoleon smiled slyly, looking at the broken desk he had punched with a hint of regret.

“That’s fine. Make a report that puts all the blame on the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.”

“Understood. Then, shall we tell the Russian army to deal with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force as well?”

“Are you kidding me? We have to deal with that, damn it.”

Whether England plotted it, or Russia participated because of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, there is an unchanging fact.

The current Commander-in-Chief of the French Army is Napoleon.

A high position does not only mean glory and power.

It also comes with the responsibility of national security.

Berthier, who became the Chief of the General Staff, reported on the next matter.

“Currently, Prussia’s offensive has begun towards the Batavian Republic. It’s not easy because the commander of the Flanders Army is vacant.”

“What about Moreau?”

“He is staying in Brittany. It’s because of supporting the Irish rebellion, so it’s difficult to withdraw troops from there.”

Batavia is a French satellite republic established in the Netherlands.

Originally, the Netherlands was a country where trade and finance were the central axis of the economy.

However, after becoming a French satellite republic, trade in the Netherlands collapsed.

Because the British fleet blockaded the sea.

In addition, the Netherlands’ most important colony, the Batavian East Indies [modern-day Indonesia], is also in crisis.

In addition, the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa and the island of Ceylon south of India were also Dutch colonies, but all have been captured by the British.

So, of course, they have no power to stop foreign enemies.

They have to rely solely on the suzerain state, France.

French Army Commander-in-Chief Napoleon clicked his tongue.

“Suddenly, I miss Pichegru. Should I tell him to come back?”

Of course, Pichegru cannot be repatriated.

Pichegru is not just a rebel, but a royalist rebel.

From the perspective of the Directory [the French Revolutionary government], they spared the life of someone who should have been executed immediately by exile.

Also, Napoleon would be extremely reluctant to bring a general he had overthrown into his home.

At that time, Napoleon’s aide, Brigadier General Marmont, said cautiously.

“How about sending General Masséna or General Augereau? Wouldn’t they be capable enough?”

“Oh, my cute Marmont. Since when have you been trying to interfere in personnel matters so presumptuously? Is it because Marceau is not here?”

“I’m sorry. I thought you were worried about the selection of personnel.”

There is the so-called Napoleon Club formed after the Fructidor Coup [a coup d’état in 1797].

Napoleon’s closest group.

Among them, Eugene, Marceau, and Junot have gone to Egypt.

Those who remained in Paris are Marmont and Duroc, and Salicetti outside the military.

Although Lannes, Masséna, and Augereau are close subordinates, they are not the kind of people to talk about such secret things with.

That’s why Marmont came to mention the selection of personnel.

However, Napoleon was not scolding Marmont for being presumptuous.

The real problem is that he can’t send either of them.

“Masséna and Augereau have to move with me. Because the real adversary is not moving.”

Napoleon stared at the map on the headquarters wall and muttered.

Marmont and Berthier followed Napoleon’s gaze and nodded.

Duroc opened his mouth as if to confirm.

“Austria, then.”

“Yes, silent Duroc.”

“Where will the battlefield be? Switzerland?”

Napoleon scratched his head and looked back at Berthier.

“No, but it would be good for us to secure this place as well. Where is Laharpe now?”

“Didn’t you send him to Naples? I heard he’s doing quite well.”

“I’ll have to replace him. Is there a suitable person? Not Sérurier. He has to protect Milan.”

Berthier recited the list of generals accurately like a machine with a blank expression.

“As commander-level generals, there are Kellermann, Jourdan, Macdonald, and Lefebvre.”

“All terrible names. Jourdan is the only one who’s somewhat better.”

“If you want a fresh face, shall we pick from the division commander level?”

Napoleon, who received a document of one general, tilted his head.

“Who is this?”

“It’s a friend named Louis Nicolas Davout. He is assigned under General Moreau, but he is currently doing nothing.”

“Why? The Irish Expeditionary Force is currently in operation.”

Berthier replied casually, as if it were natural.

“Because General Moreau canceled the Irish landing operation. Instead, he changed the operation to supporting the rebels and supplying military supplies.”

Davout, soon to be one of the 26 marshals in the original timeline.

But now he has never worked with Napoleon even once.

So, this is the first time he has been on Napoleon’s list of personnel.

However, Napoleon is more interested in Moreau than Davout, and twisted his lips.

“Hmph, Moreau is playing it safe.”

“Shall we replace Moreau too?”

“No, it’s okay. The Irish expedition just has to not fail. I don’t want Moreau to gain merit anyway.”

Napoleon’s position is not yet firmly established.

Even if he is the Commander-in-Chief, he can be overthrown at any time.

If someone is born who can replace Napoleon.

Napoleon does not want another hero other than himself.

He wants to be a unique existence.

So, Moreau’s success is not welcome to Napoleon anyway.

Then what about Hoche?

Napoleon is not very worried.

Because he knew that Eugene was the actual commander.

Napoleon, who was staring at the map for a while and calculating, made a decision.

“Okay. Davout? Send this friend to Naples and call Laharpe. Send him home. Ah, and the Flanders front.”

Napoleon counted the heroes of the Revolutionary War, whom he had ignored, and nodded.

“Send Jourdan, who was originally the Deputy Commander of the Northern Army. He’s a talent who can at least contain them.”

With this, Napoleon’s primary strategy was decided in the face of the invasion of mainland France.

So-called active defense.

Occupy the key points first, and then observe the situation of the approaching enemy.

Of course, he won’t have to wait long.

Because Napoleon is a general who always prioritizes offense over defense.

***

Of course, being surrounded by enemies on all sides is by no means advantageous.

“Is this an emergency? Boy Commander.”

Junot shook his head and clicked his tongue.

Junot, who has never attended military academy, has never studied grand strategy.

But Junot has one strength.

He does everything to an average level.

Even now, the moment he heard the strategic situation, a common-sense judgment was made in Junot’s head.

A three-front war will inevitably unfold.

England, the Netherlands, and the defense of mainland France.

No matter how great Napoleon is, he cannot handle all three fronts.

After all, he only has one body.

Eugene shrugged and replied.

“You could see it that way.”

“Three sides of the four-sided expedition have been blockaded. And there’s even a crisis of invasion of mainland France.”

“Russia will bring a large army, and Prussia still has elite infantry. It’s a crisis.”

Again, Eugene shook his head while looking at the map.

“But we can hold out until Austria moves.”

Although the Holy Roman Empire has been dissolved, Austria has not been dissolved.

With Bohemia and Hungary as its rear, Austria still has a powerful mobilization force.

Moreover, Austria has a master that Eugene cannot be sure of victory against.

Archduke Charles.

A general who even defeated Masséna at his peak in the original timeline.

What if Charles moves his army in a situation where Russia’s numbers and Prussia’s elites have joined forces?

Napoleon cannot easily win, let alone in a one-on-one fight.

Then Marceau asked.

“Then, are you going to leave it alone?”

“No. We have to do what we can.”

“What is that?”

At that moment, Eugene drew a line on the map.

-Scribble!

With everyone’s attention focused, Eugene pointed to one place.

“Do you know who Austria and Russia have fought against the longest?”

“Wasn’t it us, France?”

“Not at all. It’s the Ottoman Turkish Empire. Literally, their arch-enemy. It’s just that the Ottoman Empire has weakened now.”

That is, Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

“So, we have to subdue the Ottoman Empire to contain Austria and Russia. That will be our new strategic goal.”

Everyone swallowed hard.

“That’s, that’s grand, isn’t it?”

“But the original purpose of returning hasn’t changed, has it, Division Commander Marceau?”

“No, something has changed.”

The moment Marceau and Junot looked at each other and were about to speak, Desaix intervened.

“To achieve this goal, we must not simply win, but conquer Constantinople. Isn’t that right?”

Eugene smiled and replied.

“That’s right. Our expeditionary force’s strategic goal will be the occupation of Constantinople. Of course, the ultimate goal is this.”

Suddenly, Eugene’s eyes flashed as they caught the candlelight.

“To go home.”

Now the goal of the Syrian Expeditionary Force has been confirmed.

Occupy Constantinople, return to Europe, and save France.

It was the moment Eugene decided on an amazing gamble.

The betting to turn the pipe dream that Napoleon had originally tried to do in the original timeline into reality has begun.

***

It is certain that the situation is no exaggeration to say that it is the Second Coalition War [a major European conflict from 1798 to 1802].

“Will brother be okay?”

In the dark night, someone asked Eugene, who was writing an operation plan with a candle lit.

When he raised his head, he saw Pauline standing in her pajamas.

She seems to be very sensitive to the heat, so she’s wearing something too thin.

Eugene averted his gaze slightly and replied.

“Who are you worried about? ‘Father’ doesn’t lose on land. As long as his health is normal.”

“Even so. He’s fighting against all of Europe. Even without you.”

“He fought well even without me. There’s almost no chance of defeat, but.”

Eugene glanced at the map he had pushed to the corner of his desk and clicked his tongue.

“If Archduke Charles of Austria steps in, then I’ll be needed.”

In fact, it is something that happens even in the original timeline.

While Napoleon is in Egypt, the Directory’s relationship with European countries deteriorates again.

In particular, Pavel I of Russia, who had just ascended to the throne, was stubbornly opposed to the revolution.

So, Russia, which hates the revolution, and Austria, which dreams of revenge, raise their armies.

The only difference from the original timeline is that Prussia stepped in first?

But Prussia still has no famous generals, and Russia is far from France.

Again, Austria is the problem.

Especially Austria’s best general, Archduke Charles.

Then Pauline parted her lips.

“Eugene, this is the first time I’ve properly seen a war.”

“What?”

“In Egypt, I didn’t see you fighting directly. Before that, I only heard about it. In Alexandria and Damietta, I only saw it from afar.”

Pauline took a step closer and whispered, her eyes sparkling.

“Even seeing it from the ship, I felt like I was going crazy with fear. I was afraid you would get hurt.”

In fact, it’s not a very reliable sound.

If Marie had said this, she would have sobbed with tears in her eyes.

But the fearless Pauline is rather full of excitement.

Nevertheless, Pauline, who puts lies on her lips, is fascinating.

“Will our brother be okay? Will you not get hurt in the future?”

This is truly a temptation.

Before he knew it, Pauline had come right in front of Eugene, who was sitting down, and was leaning on him.

A pungent scent lingers around his nose, making his heart beat faster.

Eugene tried to answer with a smile, trying to be calm.

“If that happens, you can treat me, right? Mmm.”

This time it was a long kiss.

The tongue wraps around, tangles, and licks again.

Unable to come to his senses, Eugene was just blankly suffering.

In an instant, the lips are parted.

Eugene was startled by the feeling of his tongue falling off, which he regretted.

Pauline looks at Eugene, panting roughly.

Eugene realized that he was also breathing roughly.

“I, I want to sleep. Can’t I?”

Unable to bear it, Eugene hugged Pauline violently, then stopped.

[Choice, Crossroads.]

The notification of the silver-white letters flashes.

Only then did Eugene breathe roughly and swallow.

This is not right.

When Eugene burns with desire for Pauline, the aftermath is indescribably great.

With superhuman patience, enduring more than when fighting a war, Eugene whispered while holding Pauline.

“I’ll answer you after I occupy Constantinople. Because.”

At least, whatever choice you make, you need the power to get it through.

It’s not just a matter of getting into a high position.

In revolutionary France, power is only given to those who have achieved results.

Besides, Eugene hasn’t forgotten Marie yet.

Above all, there is a real reason why Eugene shouldn’t fall for Pauline.

“To meet our ‘father’ safely, I’ll have to rush to Italy in the shortest amount of time.”

The Second Coalition War, which has already materialized.

If Napoleon’s crisis occurs, Eugene must save him.

Because Eugene brought Desaix, who would have saved Napoleon in the original timeline, with him.