He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 230

(230) The Last Year of the 18th Century: The Empire is Finally Divided

So, why would the Suez Canal be an effective card for the Ottoman Empire as well?

There’s a bit of history to this.

It was during the time when the Ottoman Empire and the Egyptian Mamluks were fiercely battling.

Originally, Egypt was a crucial point for East-West trade and possessed enormous economic power.

However, in the 16th century, Portugal ushered in the Age of Discovery and opened a sea route around the southern tip of Africa.

After that, as Europeans began direct trade, Egyptian trade rapidly declined.

As a result, its economic power weakened, and Egypt succumbed to the Ottomans.

But the Ottoman Empire also made efforts to revitalize the Egyptian economy afterward.

Among these efforts was a canal project.

The reason Princess Esma’s eyes widened was precisely because of this history from 200 years ago.

“What did you just say?”

“Currently, in Egypt, the land you call Misr [Arabic name for Egypt], a new grand project is underway. It’s the construction of a canal that will cut through Africa, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean.”

“Wait, isn’t that something our imperial family already tried and failed at 200 years ago?”

Esma certainly has extensive knowledge for her young age.

If she were just a lady confined to her quarters, she wouldn’t have understood what was being said.

With a confident smile, Eugene nodded.

“You are wise, Princess. But it is possible now. Our France, or rather, Europe, has special technology. You have already seen it in the war.”

Of course, that’s a lie.

Although it’s superior to the Ottoman Empire, even French technology would find the canal challenging.

However, once it’s built, it’s certain to be a means of achieving remarkable results.

But Princess Esma looked at Eugene and scoffed.

“Hmph, our empire has experience with Austria and Russia. If my judgment is correct, either France is special, or you are, Pasha [high-ranking Ottoman official] boy.”

“You flatter me. In any case, construction technology is definitely more advanced in the West now. But if the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean can be directly connected, what benefits would there be?”

“Well, the trade benefits of the Indian Ocean route would increase beyond those of the Atlantic route. There would be no need to go around Africa.”

Esma, who had been lost in thought, suddenly asked back.

“What percentage will be allocated to our empire? We are currently suffering enormous losses, you know.”

It’s already becoming a foregone conclusion that Egyptian territory will be taken by France.

No, it had been under the control of the Mamluks even before that.

Although Syria is liberated, the position of Guardian of Mecca [Islam’s holiest city] still remains with the Turks.

It will be a kind of uncomfortable cohabitation, but in the current situation of the Ottoman Empire, it’s something they have to accept.

More precisely, it’s the position of Esma and Hussein.

But what if they were to receive the rights to the Suez Canal?

It would be easier to gain the understanding of the Ottoman Empire’s aristocratic class.

Eugene threw out an offer.

“30 percent.”

“That’s too little. Even if it’s not half, you should give us 49 percent!”

“You believe in it, don’t you? That the Grand Canal will succeed.”

Then, Esma opened her eyes wide and said.

“Aren’t you proposing it because you believe it will succeed too? Besides, you’ve already accomplished things more amazing than the Grand Canal. We have no choice but to believe.”

It’s at times like these that Esma’s youth is revealed.

Usually, European soldiers or diplomats would have really taken advantage of the Ottoman Empire.

It’s what Europeans did during the age of imperialism in Hussein’s original history.

However, Eugene, as a reincarnator and a gambler, doesn’t cheat on the board.

“I’ll allocate 40 percent. However, it cannot be held solely by the Ottoman imperial family. It must be distributed evenly among the newly created Council of Nobles [a proposed governing body].”

“Okay. But you have to assure me as well.”

“What do you want? I will certainly leave Sebastiani in this capital.”

But Esma shook her head at Eugene’s joking reply.

“No, I heard that you are the son of the French army’s commander-in-chief and will become the future supreme ruler of France. Promise on your honor. Promise that you will definitely help our great Immortal Empire [a term for the Ottoman Empire] obtain Ruthenia.”

Ruthenia, which is the modern-day territory of Ukraine in the original history.

In this era, Ukrainians do not exist, and it is a land where nomads called Cossacks roam.

It is also territory that the Russian Empire seized from the Ottoman Empire and Poland.

Eugene had previously urged surrender on the condition that he would help the Ottoman Empire occupy this land.

Now, she’s saying to swear on his honor to that promise.

“In this era, promises made on honor can be empty, Princess.”

“Didn’t I hear that you risked your life for a deposed princess to protect your honor?”

“Who on earth told you that?”

At that moment, Eugene received a surprising response.

“Ahem! Uh, well, I said it?”

From Esma’s harem, a completely unexpected man appeared from behind.

Eugene briefly opened his mouth and couldn’t say anything.

Even if Hussein had appeared, he wouldn’t have been this surprised.

Gazing at a very familiar face, Eugene jumped up.

“Hippolyte? What are you doing here?”

“Well, the princess said she likes French culture. So, I’ve been helping her understand it in depth.”

“Are you even hearing yourself right now!”

Just then, Princess Esma stood up, placing her hand on Hippolyte’s waist.

“There’s nothing to worry about, Pasha boy. I’ll send your precious adjutant back.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about, Princess.”

“So, swear. Don’t avoid it.”

Esma’s seductive gaze turned to Eugene.

“Promise that you will take back what was taken from us by the Russians and return it.”

Eugene narrowed his brow.

What would happen if he broke the deal here?

Perhaps Esma would spread rumors that Hippolyte had raped him.

Of course, Hussein wouldn’t dare kill Eugene or incite an anti-French revolt, but there’s a high possibility that Hippolyte’s life would be in danger.

So, is it a loss for Eugene to make a promise to Esma?

No.

Because destroying the Russian Empire is Eugene’s lifelong mission.

In the end, Eugene shrugged and replied.

“I promise. But, Princess, there’s something you must do as well.”

Since it’s come to this, there’s something he must get from the princess.

***

The most crucial person in this division plan is actually someone else.

“I absolutely cannot accept this!”

Eugene smiled wryly as he looked at the man in his early 40s, who was jumping up and down.

Constantinos Ypsilantis.

Originally, he was the father of Alexandros Ypsilantis, the key figure in the Greek War of Independence in the original history.

If you think it’s strange that he has the same name as the deceased Alexandros, you’re right.

It’s because he was named after his grandfather.

That’s how much Constantinos, even though his thoughts differed from his father’s, had deep affection for him.

But he never knew he would be so enraged as to throw away his own success.

“Constantinos, do you still want to be the King of Moldavia?”

“No! I don’t care if it becomes a republic. But, I want to avenge my father!”

“The Muruzis family, I said that they would be exterminated in the Ottoman Empire. Princess Esma promised.”

Constantinos shook off Eugene, who was trying to appease him in the headquarters barracks, and shouted.

“The real enemy is someone else! It’s Selim III. I will offer his head at my father’s grave!”

Just as Eugene was about to frown, Constantinos asked as if pleading.

“Isn’t it good for you guys too? Selim III was deprived of his throne because of you. So, if he’s alive, he’ll try to drive you out at every turn!”

“Certainly, that’s possible. But even though anti-French sentiment is already high, we can’t kill the Sultan, can we?”

“Then, you don’t need my cooperation?”

Eugene, who was lightly scratching his head, turned his gaze.

“I do need it. Constantinos, King of Greece.”

“What?”

“Monsieur Phileas, would you explain?”

It seems that persuasion from a close aide is necessary.

In the division of the Balkan Peninsula that Eugene is thinking of, the de facto independence of Greece is key.

To become completely independent, Greece’s power is weaker than in the original history, and the Ottoman’s power is slightly stronger.

However, if Greece is under the Ottoman Empire, there will be no force to check the Ottoman Empire.

Therefore, a monarch is needed who can protect Greece’s independence while flexibly compromising with the Ottomans.

Constantinos, or rather, the Ypsilantis family, is the perfect force.

Phileas, who in the original history would have been dragged to the Ottoman Empire and died for advocating for the independence of the Greek Republic, smiled and bowed his head.

“Your Majesty.”

The two are old comrades.

They created a secret society together for the independence of Greece.

They wandered around Western Europe, living in exile together, and dreamed of the ideals of a republic.

Now, the teacher who teaches the ideals of the republic speaks to his disciple.

“The ideals of the republic can also be achieved with a constitutional monarchy. England is a good example.”

“Then, what about my enemy? No, what about your ideals?”

“My ideal is for Greece to become an independent nation. A republic is a means for that country to prosper.”

Very calmly, Phileas took Constantinos’s hand.

“We cannot yet fight the Ottoman Empire head-on. If this is the way to receive France’s cooperation, you must accept it.”

Constantinos trembled.

Eugene stared intently at that figure.

If Constantinos refuses here, he will have to redraw the board from the beginning.

“I…”

Finally, Constantinos made a decision.

***

In March of 1799, the puppet Sultan stood inside a vast hall.

“Hear ye, I hereby declare the opening of the Council of Nobles [a newly formed governing body]!”

Influential figures were lined up in the hall of the vast Topkapi Palace.

Of course, there were no elections, and they were a kind of local magnates who were seceding from various regions.

However, as can be seen from the example of Syria, they are virtually lords in an empire where central rule is precarious.

These people became members of the inaugural Ottoman Empire Council of Nobles.

The Sultan, Mustafa, shouted in a trembling voice.

“Furthermore, I hereby grant the Council of Nobles to the nobles of Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, and Greece, and proclaim that this Padishah will once again stand as the representative of those nobles!”

In other words, four countries among the various ethnic groups of the Balkans have become independent.

In short, the remaining tribes will remain under the Ottoman Empire.

The form is that each country has autonomy in the form of a Council of Nobles, and the Sultan will once again be the head of them.

Suddenly, Hippolyte, who was watching the scene from behind the Sultan, asked Eugene.

“That’s some amazing measure? How did you think of it?”

“Austria.”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

Eugene pretended not to know and replied.

“Doesn’t the Austrian Emperor maintain the country with numerous territorial rights? I modeled it after that.”

In other words, this is modeled after the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy of the modern era in the original history.

In the original history, the Austrian Empire eventually effectively made Hungary independent.

However, in order to preserve the purpose of the personal union, the Emperor of Austria also took office as the King of Hungary.

The parliament is different, and the prime minister is different, so it is operated as if it were an independent country.

Nevertheless, since the emperor handled diplomacy and national defense, it was not a completely independent country.

Eugene brought the dual monarchy model as an intermediate measure instead of dissolving the Ottomans or completely making the Balkans independent.

However, the situation is different for only one country.

“Furthermore, as the first resolution, I declare that an independent king will be established in the Greek region! However, it must be acknowledged that this Padishah is the superior monarch!”

There has already been one war of independence, and Greece has a large population.

Also, there is a partner in Greece who had previously negotiated with Eugene.

That is the person standing in front of the Sultan right now.

Constantine Ypsilantis.

Phileas nodded next to Constantine, who was trembling.

Watching that scene, Hippolyte swallowed hard.

“Will he acknowledge it?”

Eugene also watched Constantine.

“…I obey your command, Padishah.”

Sighs of relief erupted from all over the parliament.

Pro-French Ottoman nobles and French soldiers shouted.

Because they had virtually overcome the most difficult hurdle.

“Let’s have a toast!”

“Long live the birth of Greece!”

“Glory to the Ottoman Federal Empire!”

Marceau ran up and shouted.

“It’s working! You really reorganized the empire, Eugene!”

Watching that scene, Eugene took a deep breath.

This situation is also a delusion that Napoleon originally thought of in the original history.

Of course, Napoleon himself claimed that he would have stood in the Sultan’s place.

It didn’t completely turn out the way Napoleon thought, but he barely made it this far.

Suddenly, Eugene muttered as he looked at the setting sun outside the palace to the west.

“Now, it’s time to return home.”

March 14, 1799.

After four months of negotiations, the Ottoman Federal Empire was born.

Once, in the original history, Napoleon dreamed in Saint Helena.

「I could have been the conqueror of Constantinople.」

It was the moment when Napoleon’s delusion became reality.