He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 229

(229) Let’s Create a Model of the European Kingdom Federation

Late 18th century, even in modern times, there is etiquette to be observed towards the defeated.

“Then, let’s begin the negotiations, Grand Vizier.”

‘Porte,’ meaning [Gate], but in reality, it refers to the [Cabinet] of the Ottoman Empire.

A council consisting of the Grand Vizier, the Commander-in-Chief, the Grand Admiral, and ministerial-level officials.

Of course, ‘Porte’ is actually French, so the Ottomans call it [Bab-i-Ali].

However, French is so widespread among the Ottoman upper class that they also use the word [Porte].

In modern history, it’s like calling the Blue House the Blue House [the executive office and residence of the South Korean president].

Of course, the official name is different again, referred to as [Divan].

Looking at the members of the Ottoman Empire’s cabinet, Divan, French Ambassador Dubayet smiled.

Then, Hussein Pasha, the real power who became the Grand Admiral and Grand Vizier, cleared his throat.

“Ahem. First, we will acknowledge France’s priority in Misr [Egypt] and Syria.”

“Oh, Grand Vizier. That was already decided before our army came to Rhodes Island, not Constantinople [modern-day Istanbul].”

“We haven’t officially acknowledged it. Here, we will cede Cyprus, Rhodes, and some of the islands in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. The list is here.”

Dubayet quietly examined the list and whistled.

“It’s a surprisingly reasonable proposal.”

“Well, it’s originally the list of islands that the Republic of Venice had. Do you even know that we are giving up Crete? You haven’t even occupied it.”

“Excellent. But we have one more proposal here.”

Hussein looked at the document Dubayet presented and slammed the desk.

-Thump!

Just as the surprised ministers turned around, Hussein trembled and asked.

“Ambassador, what is this?”

“As you can see, it’s the Greek independence plan. Here, there is also a plan to ‘slightly’ adjust the Balkan Peninsula.”

“How can you take the land of Rumelia [the historical name for the Balkan Peninsula when it was under Ottoman rule]!”

At that moment, Dubayet slammed the desk back.

-Bang!

Just as Hussein flinched and stepped back, Dubayet glared at Hussein.

“Grand Vizier, we have shed a lot of blood too. Including Egypt, we have defeated a total of 200,000 troops. We have entered Constantinople here.”

“No, so we are giving Misr and Syria, even Crete······.”

“If you don’t think about the aftermath, we can get rid of Porte and even depose the Sultan, and even establish a republic!”

Of course, no matter how much France has won, it cannot conquer the Ottoman Empire like Egypt.

First of all, the population unit is different.

Unlike Egypt, which has only about 8 million people, the Ottoman Empire is a large country with nearly 30 million people, including Arabs.

However, France is clearly a country ruled by a revolutionary government.

It is possible to demand the abolition of the monarchy and the introduction of a republic in the Ottoman Empire.

Nevertheless, the reason why they did not make such a request is actually different.

It is easier for a monarchy to be manipulated by foreign powers than a republic.

Conversely, from the perspective of the Ottoman elite ruling group, it is easier to maintain the current ruling system by cooperating with France.

Reminding them of this weakness, Dubayet smiled again.

“Nevertheless, we are preserving the imperial family and respecting the Ottoman Empire. Why? Well, because we are a very precious 300-year-old alliance.”

Hussein and all the other ministers were silent.

Of course, they all know.

The reason why they can’t do anything to Dubayet here is one.

Because he deposed Selim.

If everyone here does not have the help of France, they may have their heads cut off by the Janissaries [elite Ottoman infantry] or traditional nobles.

On the other hand, Dubayet’s words are correct.

In any case, France is a precious ally that protects the current Ottoman [Porte] [government].

Eventually, Hussein sighed deeply.

“Give me time to think.”

French Ambassador Dubayet smiled and stood up with his adjutant, Sebastiani.

“Discuss it well with the [Sultan].”

The Sultan mentioned here is, of course, not Mustafa.

***

Originally, huge deals are decided under the surface.

“What are you making? A Balkan Empire Federation?”

The Hippodrome [ancient stadium for horse racing and chariot racing], the chariot racecourse of the old Eastern Roman Empire, is already in ruins in this era.

Because it was such a large space, it was also used as a kind of ceremonial square.

It was here that Eugene set up the temporary headquarters of the French [Ottoman Expeditionary Force].

A hundred magnificent Russian-made Unicorn cannons were lined up, creating a situation where anti-French forces within the Ottoman Empire could not dare to move.

Marceau, who was inspecting the status of the cannons in the encampment, asked Eugene with wide eyes.

“Is that even possible?”

“Of course, it requires two-stage approval. One is the Ottoman Porte, the other is Paris, France.”

“Good heavens, will the new Sultan accept this, let alone Paris?”

Of course, the biggest problem is whether Paris will ultimately approve it.

Eugene is Napoleon’s adopted son.

It is also true that he has conquered Egypt, liberated Syria, and even received the surrender of the Ottomans.

However, his official position is strictly only the Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

A mere soldier cannot arbitrarily decide foreign policy.

Besides, when you know it, isn’t Napoleon still just the Commander-in-Chief of France?

However, Marceau saw it from a different perspective.

It is a question of whether it will be accepted within the Ottoman Empire.

They might have to fight the Ottoman Empire again here.

“The Janissaries are in a very bad mood right now. Even the liberation of Syria and the cession of Egypt are causing the Janissaries to revolt!”

“They can’t right now. Unless they want to be torn to death by a hundred Unicorns. But to settle this, we need someone to stay, right?”

“Who’s going to stay?”

Marceau, who was hurriedly asking questions, frowned.

“Don’t tell me, me?”

Eugene shrugged.

“I can’t help it. Desaix is not a member of our [Cleves] [referring to their inner circle or group of associates]. It would be fortunate if Junot didn’t end up dueling with the Janissaries if he stayed.”

“Good heavens. Eugene, I never complained when I crossed the Atlantic with you. Nor when I was left in Paris. And even when I was dragged to Egypt, I didn’t say a word! But, this is different!”

“Three years.”

Again, while inspecting the Unicorn cannon, Eugene replied.

“I’ll get you back within that time. And you have to come back. Because the inside of France will be turbulent.”

Eugene doesn’t feel comfortable with the decision either.

Unlike Hoche, Marceau is one of Napoleon’s comfortable subordinates.

He even appointed him as the commander of the Paris police force.

In other words, Eugene means that he is one of the few confidants who can take care of the rear.

But to put him in this Eastern Orient is a waste for Eugene.

But there is really no one else to entrust it to.

Unless Massena is brought in from mainland France.

Then Marceau looked around and lowered his voice so that the guards could not hear.

“What is it? Did you talk to Hoche about it?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“That’s right. Hoche readily accepted the [unauthorized] position of Governor of Egypt. Here, he separated half of the expeditionary force and dispatched it to Syria. It’s a crazy plan to turn around and return through Ottoman Turkey.”

This time, Eugene frowned.

“You thought so and came along? I don’t know whether to be disappointed or grateful.”

“No, I came with the ship. I thought I could retreat if something happened.”

“Anyway, it was successful.”

As Eugene subtly changed the subject, Marceau couldn’t help but shout.

“Explain it to me properly, Eugene! There must be a reason why Hoche accepted it! What is it, really? The reason why it doesn’t matter even if it fails!”

The guards, including Tournay, watched and stepped back one by one.

Eugene smiled bitterly and stared at Marceau.

In fact, Marceau is a more radical supporter of the Republican faction than Hoche.

However, that is only ideologically, and Marceau is more bound by human relationships.

Therefore, he was going to tell him as late as possible.

Once it becomes a fait accompli, Marceau will eventually have no choice but to accept it.

But it seems that he has to tell him a little bit instead of leaving him in Constantinople.

“Within three years, my father will rise to the highest position in France.”

At Eugene’s very simple words, Marceau rolled his eyes.

“Oh, I guess that’s what I expected?”

“It’s different. Being highly meritorious, being a real power, and being a de facto ruler are all different.”

“So, even if it fails, General Bonaparte will save us?”

Eugene nodded and explained simply.

“That’s right. Furthermore, the generals who have suffered in the [Orient] will be honored as the first power of France. Because in the end, it’s an operation planned by my father.”

Of course, what Eugene is saying and what Marceau understands are different.

Eugene told Hoche the truth.

That he will proceed with the restoration of the monarchy.

However, Marceau is mistaken that he will become the top leader within the republic.

In fact, after stopping the Paris Uprising, succeeding in the Italian Expedition, and even preventing the Royalist rebellion.

Anyone in France can easily see that Napoleon will be the next leader.

But the restoration of the monarchy is a completely different story.

Marceau, who was scratching his head, finally understood while being mistaken.

“It’s meaningless to say that our gambling prodigy didn’t plan it. Okay, let’s say we have Paris’s permission and reinforcements for us. What about the Sultan?”

As for that problem, Eugene has never been worried.

“The Sultan will be forced to accept it. No, Princess Esma and Grand Admiral Hussein will accept it.”

“Why?”

“Well, we’re going to create a [Parliament], a specialty of our revolutionary army. However, it will be a parliament of nobles.”

Originally, Eugene smacked his lips, thinking of the parliament that was created in the mid-19th century in the original history.

“The problem is persuading the Greeks. His father died, I don’t know if they will be persuaded.”

At that moment, Marceau screamed from behind Eugene.

“Wait! That noble council, in the end, means I have to take responsibility!”

Of course, Eugene tried to leave without looking back.

Until someone suddenly stood in front of Eugene.

Just as Eugene raised his eyebrows at the sudden intruder, a woman wearing a veil bowed her head.

“Commander Eugene Bonaparte.”

The woman spoke in very fluent French.

“Princess Esma is looking for you.”

The reaction came first from a completely unexpected direction.

***

Unexpected obstacles always arise.

“Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, and even Greece and the Kurds are to be independent? Are you telling us to accept this? My God!”

Eugene didn’t think that the Ottoman elites would accept the [Great Division Plan] without a word.

This division is similar to the independence of the Balkans in the mid-19th century.

The vassal states in Europe are made independent, Egypt is divided, and the Ottoman Empire has the Turkish mainland, part of the Greek peninsula, and Syria and the Arabian Peninsula.

As Eugene intervened here, it became an even more favorable structure for the Ottomans.

Because [Kurdistan] became independent, but Romania and Bulgaria did not.

But to the Ottomans, it may seem like the destruction of the empire.

Eugene was confident that he could convince everyone of this.

It’s just that he didn’t know the other party would be Princess Esma.

“Beautiful Princess Esma, it is an honor to meet you for the first time. However, I thought I would talk to your husband first.”

“There is a line that can be accepted! How can I accept this! Even if I am threatened to accept it right now, the viziers, nobles, and Janissaries will all rise up!”

“If everyone is given power, territory, and money, that won’t happen.”

At Princess Esma’s mansion, Eugene smiled laboriously, sweating in the harem.

What Eugene fears most right now is Hussein suddenly returning.

If Hussein comes, it would be strange if he didn’t cut off Eugene’s head right away.

In fact, even now, he thought that Hussein had asked him to see him, but he came.

It’s a scene that shows who the real power is.

Conversely, it also means that Eugene is the real power on the French side, instead of the ambassador, who is the official channel.

Eugene quietly chose his words and brought up the proposal he was originally going to throw at Hussein.

“We will distribute Suez Canal shares.”

Above the veil, Esma’s eyes changed strangely.

So Eugene took out the best card in Egypt from the original history.

The route to collapse the Cape of Good Hope route, the Suez Canal route.