He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 228

(228) Seizing the Opportunity to Reorganize the Ottoman Empire

In front of the famous Topkapi Palace, unarmed ministers and young members of the imperial family stood in rows.

“We beg for the victor’s mercy.”

The gates of Constantinople had been opened long ago.

However, the French army had not yet entered the Topkapi Palace.

This was because the city was so large that the march alone took a considerable amount of time.

Mounted on an Arabian thoroughbred brought from Egypt, Eugene tilted his head.

The boy at the head of the line and the man beside him were striking.

Perhaps the boy was Mahmud, who would become Sultan in the original history?

If so, it was easy to guess who the man was.

“Where is the Sultan?”

A middle-aged man wearing a turban raised his head.

“The foolish Sultan has been placed under house arrest.”

“Then, who is in charge of this palace instead?”

“Prince Mustafa.”

Originally, in the original history, Prince Mustafa deposes Selim III and ascends to the throne.

But seeing as he wasn’t here, everyone knew that Mustafa was just a figurehead.

Suddenly, Eugene smiled and spoke from his horse.

“In reality, it’s you, isn’t it? Grand Admiral, Husein.”

Husein Pasha, the de facto Minister of Defense of the Ottoman Empire, replied with a stiff face.

“I heard the story from my wife. That you were going to divide the empire entirely.”

“I must have also told you this: that the current ruling powers of the Ottoman Empire will be treated as nobles, and we will support the fight against Russia in the future.”

“If that happens, what will happen to Moldavia?”

A very low French question made Eugene’s eyes light up.

“You know quite a lot.”

“Well, we took over Ypsilantis’s governor-general’s office. Of course, with the help of Russia.”

“The promise made with the Ypsilantis family will have to be changed in another form, right? Moldavia will remain in the Ottoman Empire as it is.”

Eugene’s original promise with the Ypsilantis family was this:

Support Greek independence.

But the Ypsilantis family should remain the royal family of Moldavia, not Greece.

In this case, the anti-Russian front would be managed by the pro-French Ypsilantis family of Moldavia, or Romania.

However, before the Ypsilantis family could properly perform, Russia intervened.

As a result, the head of the family, Alexandros, died, and the power of the Ypsilantis family was virtually destroyed.

Of course, since this family has the support of Greek nobles behind it, it cannot be ignored altogether.

Nevertheless, the originally promised Moldavian royal family was in a difficult situation.

Furthermore, if he promised the Ottoman Empire to attack Russia, it would be even more so.

Grand Admiral Husein nodded.

“Good. Open the way! To the victor of France!”

Instantly, the Janissary military band, Mehter [Ottoman military band], gritted their teeth and beat the drums.

-Boom! Boom! Boom!

As if in response, the French army also began to blow trumpets.

-Poo-ooo!

As he rode his horse while listening to the sound, Marceau smiled bitterly.

“To think there would be a use for that military band; that’s even more surprising. It’s been just a decoration until now.”

“Originally, a military band is usually essential when advancing infantry in line, Marceau.”

“I’ve never seen such a battlefield. Don’t tell me we have to fight like that when we go back to Europe?”

In fact, in this era, the military band is not simply for raising the morale of soldiers.

Line infantry in the late 18th century had to hold guns, form ranks, and take standing shots.

Although the accuracy was low, they had to endure the situation where gunfire was clearly being inflicted.

It is the role of the military band to protect the psychology of these soldiers.

Of course, Eugene had never recklessly deployed line infantry.

Also, Marceau had never experienced a battlefield where he could leisurely move the military band.

Then what would happen when they returned to Europe?

Eugene chuckled and grabbed the reins.

“Of course not. Strictly speaking, this is the end of Europe, too.”

Eugene knew the enemies waiting for him when he returned.

Blücher of Prussia, Karl of Austria, and Suvorov of Russia.

None of them were easy enemies, and they knew or had learned French infantry warfare.

There would be no simple enemy to operate a military band for.

But not now.

-Clack, clack, clack!

As the French soldiers in blue uniforms marched, men wearing turbans glared from left and right.

The atmosphere in the city was truly full of hostility.

It was a slightly unusual sight for the French army, which had been liberators until now.

Junot whistled and said.

“Oh, I can clearly see the gazes full of anger rather than fear.”

“Don’t worry. In case of emergency, the battle fleet will enter the port of the [Golden Horn] [a major waterway in Istanbul] so we can run away.”

“Come to think of it, what happened to the Russian fleet? Did Shaylana and Shirkov win as they boasted?”

Again, Eugene lightly shook his head.

“They will withdraw soon. They have decided to return to Sevastopol for now, on the condition that they hand over the Russian prisoners. Of course, they will continue to look for opportunities for the time being.”

At that moment, huge cannons were pushed in from the rear of the line, and the turbaned men who had been glaring stepped back.

-Rumble!

It was one hundred [Unicorn] cannons [Russian cannon type] captured from the Russian army.

***

In fact, the French army headquarters was set up on the opposite side of the Topkapi Palace, in the old Roman chariot stadium.

“Ugh! I’m going to die. I thought I was going to die from marching rather than from war!”

Adjutant Hippolyte, who was sitting in the commander’s tent, screamed.

In any case, this was still a hostile city.

From the French army’s point of view, it would not be strange if the Ottoman army suddenly attacked at any time.

But Eugene was calm.

This was because he knew how weak the internal power structure of the Ottoman imperial family was in the late 18th century.

If the French army was recklessly driven out, the imperial family could be overthrown as well.

By the Janissaries, who were originally supposed to protect the Sultan.

Conversely, the fact that the city itself was under the Sultan’s strong authority was also a strange point.

“This is a city completely controlled by the Sultan. There is no such thing as a riot.”

“What makes you so confident and bold? You can’t make a decision on women’s issues.”

“Rather, I don’t make a conclusion because that’s more dangerous, you know?”

Eugene frowned as he looked at the [Silver Letters] that constantly appeared in front of him.

“A danger signal is coming. No matter which one I choose.”

In fact, the Silver Letters’ danger alert was also the reason why Eugene took a bold gamble.

Generally, entering the capital of an enemy country is a dangerous decision.

But the Silver Letters did not warn Eugene of any danger.

This, conversely, meant that even if he entered the capital, the current Ottoman power holders would not dare to make a decision to attack.

For example, Grand Admiral Husein and Princess Esma behind him are not legitimate rulers.

So, they have to control the Sultan by putting him forward.

But what would happen if they decided to fight against the French army here?

Some of the Janissaries may enthrone Selim III, who was the former Sultan.

However, if they leave Selim III alone, he has made too many incompetent decisions.

Even if they drive out France, they will be ruined by Russia.

In the end, Husein and Esma have no choice but to entrust everything to France.

Then what about Pauline or Marie?

If he chooses Pauline, he is in danger of being killed by Napoleon, and if he chooses Marie, he is in danger of being killed by the anti-royalists.

Either way, it is dangerous for Eugene.

Then Hippolyte smiled and asked.

“Ah, right. Explain it a little, you virgin playboy.”

“What?”

“How did you know you would win like this? I honestly thought the Syrian expedition would fail. In case of emergency, I was preparing to run away with you and Colonel Tournay.”

Eugene also took off his uniform and raised his eyebrows.

“You’re a terrible adjutant who is loyal but doesn’t trust his superior. Of course, I didn’t know Russia would come either.”

Eugene had been running with a calm face until now, but he was definitely surprised once.

When he learned that the Russian army was involved and that its commander was Kutuzov.

However, Kutuzov still had many shortcomings and, decisively, had never fought against France.

Thanks to this, he used the illusion of speed to launch a kind of surprise attack.

However, the fight with the Ottoman Empire was as Eugene had planned.

Eugene shrugged and explained.

“To put it simply, it’s a matter of mobilization.”

“Mobilization?”

“The Ottoman Turk is a vast empire spanning three continents. Even now that Syria and Egypt have flown away, the Maghreb region of North Africa is nominally territory. But did pirates from there come to save the country?”

Hippolyte blinked and shook his head, then suddenly widened his eyes.

“That’s because it’s too far, ah!”

They didn’t come because it was too far.

Does that only apply to western North Africa, modern-day Algeria in the original history?

No.

The same applies to the Ottoman Empire’s mainland, Anatolia and Rumelia.

Hippolyte jumped up and shouted.

“No matter how large the population and how many defense forces are left, they can’t be gathered in a short time!”

“It’s a relief if the only problem is gathering. They can’t even conscript. We take it for granted because of the total mobilization order, but it’s different.”

“Goodness, was Carnot that great a person?”

The person who created the French-style total mobilization system was former Minister of War Carnot.

Until now, Hippolyte had just thought of him as a supply officer, and in fact, other politicians and soldiers were similar.

But Eugene knew by reading the records of the original history.

“He’s great. My father, me, and all the other French generals wouldn’t have had any troops to command in the first place if Carnot hadn’t laid the groundwork.”

Military mobilization, logistics system, supply of materials.

The person who created all these war systems was Carnot.

Of course, even in the original history, only Napoleon recognized this point and re-employed Carnot.

Eugene took off his military boots and nodded.

“Then our strategy is simple. Disrupt the enemy’s defense posture, hinder gathering, and destroy the main forces as they gather.”

“Didn’t you actually lure them in and destroy them?”

“That’s the trap. We induce the enemy to gather, but they can’t fully exert their power. We have to hit them at that exact moment.”

All the battles in Alexandria, Konya, and Adrianople were like that.

“It’s almost impossible in Europe. But it’s possible here. It’s the only tactic that can be used to attack the Turks in the Egyptian direction.”

It was then.

-Clap, clap, clap!

When Eugene and Hippolyte turned their heads, they saw Tournay awkwardly licking his lips.

There are only a limited number of people that the commander’s bodyguard, Tournay, cannot stop.

Marceau, Junot, Desaix, and Dubayet, the former deputy speaker of the parliament who is now the French ambassador.

“That’s a great tactic, Commander Freischütz.”

Eugene lightly put on his slippers and got up and asked.

“Ambassador Dubayet, are you already starting your activities?”

“Soldiers can rest for a while, but I’m starting my work now. Of course, you know that the commander can’t rest either, right?”

“Don’t you have any pain? It’s important to take care of your health first.”

Dubayet raised his eyebrows and laughed loudly.

“Hey! Teasing an old man for being young! I’m very healthy. The commander must be even more so, right? Hahaha!”

But in fact, in the original history, Dubayet dies of fever at this point.

Perhaps because Eugene ran, he didn’t have to come into contact with the fever.

Eugene looked at Dubayet quietly and nodded.

“Good. Then, let’s draw up the [Grand Turk Plan].”

For example, it will be Eugene’s version of the Catherine Plan.

***

First of all, the start is to set up a [Scarecrow] Sultan [puppet ruler].

“The position of Padishah [Ottoman sovereign title] cannot be vacant for even a day. I will take on the difficult position!”

If it were the original history, a man who would have been supported by the Janissaries at the young age of 29.

But now he is only 19 years old and has not received any education due to the former Sultan’s checks, so he is just a young boy.

Although he is two years older than Eugene, he looks pathetic as he trembles all over.

Mustafa, standing on the throne of the Porte [Ottoman government] in the Topkapi Palace, spoke, and the ministers knelt down.

“Receive the loyalty of the Porte, Padishah Your Majesty!”

“The Janissaries will obey their master!”

“As the head of the Sipahi [Ottoman cavalry], I will protect Your Majesty!”

Husein, who became Grand Admiral and Grand Vizier [chief minister], Ibrahim, the head of the capital’s Janissaries, and Aga-Husein, the head of the Tamarulu Sipahi, bowed their heads.

But the real power of the army is not in their hands.

It was the moment when the Sultan turned his trembling eyes.

-Chuck!

Colonel Sebastiani, a handsome Frenchman wearing a turban, was smiling.

“Sebastiani, the head of the new [Nizam-i Cedid] [New Order, Ottoman military reform], greets you. Padishah Your Majesty.”

The Nizam-i Cedid, the New Army, which has already disappeared.

But now Sebastiani will directly conscript and create it anew.

Of course, most of the soldiers will be composed of Europeans, not Turks.

But Mustafa was still trembling and turned his head and asked Husein.

“Where is the French army commander, [Bonaparte]?”

“He will be here soon. Ah, there he is.”

The new Sultan, who had rushed out, grabbed Eugene’s hand as he entered the Porte.