He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 263

(263) Lucien Presides Over the Council of Five Hundred

Here is a younger brother who always had to follow his outstanding older brothers.

“I don’t like this time. Especially since it’s a stage for my brother Napoleone.”

Of course, Napoleon would say the same thing.

Lucien Bonaparte, Napoleon’s younger brother.

From his early boyhood, he was influenced by the Jacobins [a radical, revolutionary political organization] and once went by the name [Brutus] [referencing one of Julius Caesar’s assassins, symbolizing a commitment to republican ideals].

Considering that Napoleon modeled himself after Caesar in the original history, it’s quite an unusual alias.

Moreover, he originally caused Napoleon to explode by suddenly marrying a tavern owner’s daughter in a [revolutionary] manner.

Now, thanks to Eugene’s early arrival in Paris, he is still unmarried.

Unlike his brothers, he seemed to be quite chaste and didn’t cause any trouble with women.

Eugene looked at Lucien, whom he had called to Boarneh Bank, and offered him coffee with a smile.

“Lucien, you can back out if you want. This is Egyptian coffee, so have some before you go.”

“First, fix that arrogant tone. You are clearly my nephew, aren’t you? You’re not trying to be my brother-in-law because you played around with Pauline, are you?”

“Ah, why are you doing this? Nothing happened! In the first place, Pauline, no, Aunt Pauline, smuggled herself out on her own!”

When Eugene lost his composure and shouted, Lucien smiled triumphantly.

“Humph, of course. If you really played around with Pauline, you’d be one of two things: either dead by my hand, or dead by Napoleone’s hand.”

In an instant, Eugene felt like he had been doused with cold water.

Currently, Lucien is only 24 years old.

However, even in the original history, Lucien became the chairman of the Council of Five Hundred [a legislative body during the French Revolution] at the same time and succeeded in the coup d’état.

He is by no means behind the 18-year-old Eugene in terms of political power.

He’s saying he deliberately shook my composure.

It seemed like it would be difficult if I let my guard down.

Eugene, who had been staring at Lucien, shrugged his shoulders.

“Is there no other option?”

“Don’t you know the Corsican vendetta? If you inflict shame, it’s death. Ah, there’s one more: dying at the hands of our mother.”

“Just tell me if you’ll pass the resolution or not.”

When Eugene asked with a face that had regained its composure, Lucien clicked his tongue and replied.

“I can’t overturn it after coming this far, can I? I’d die too if I did. But I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Is Napoleone stopping here?”

Lucien’s hand pointed to the new government’s [constitution] book.

“According to this constitution, it’s a consul with a 10-year term. Is he stopping there?”

Originally, in the original history, he goes three steps further.

First, as a lifetime consul, then as an emperor, and after that, even attempts at hereditary succession.

Could Lucien, a true Jacobin, accept this?

It’s no wonder Lucien didn’t cooperate with Napoleon and ran away to America.

Eugene smiled meaningfully and replied.

“No one can guarantee that.”

“Why? You can. You created this 판 [a Korean word meaning ‘game’ or ‘situation’].”

“You don’t know your brother very well, do you? Uncle.”

Eugene said, tapping the constitution book with a sly look.

“This isn’t the 판 I created. Rather, I’m just playing on the 판 created by ‘Father.’ Father has been running since that day of Fructidor [a coup in 1797], perhaps since the victory of Toulon [a significant military victory for Napoleon]. Right to this point.”

This is by no means an exaggeration.

Although Eugene’s intervention made it a little easier for Napoleon to gain power.

However, it only means that Napoleon suffered less hardship, and it cannot be said that Eugene created this structure.

From the moment of success in Toulon, Napoleon had virtually been running towards becoming the top leader in France.

Victory just made it easier to achieve that ambition.

Furthermore, even Eugene still moves within the framework of Napoleon’s [ambition].

It’s true that the word giant is by no means wrong.

Lucien narrowed his brows.

“That’s today, Brumaire [the second month in the French Republican Calendar]?”

“Well, to be exact, it’ll be tomorrow, right? Even if the constitution is enacted, recommending candidates and moving on to voting is the job of the Council of Five Hundred.”

“The representatives have to agree for the voters to move. Tsk.”

After clicking his tongue again, Lucien tilted his head.

“Okay, then how do you see it? How far do you think 형님 [Korean for ‘older brother,’ used respectfully] will go?”

Eugene paused for a moment, tapping the constitution book, and asked back.

“How far would you accept?”

“Consul re-election. I can’t tolerate anything more than that as a Jacobin.”

“Then, let’s hope he stops there.”

Talking about monarchy at this stage is nonsense.

In fact, Eugene believes that Lucien is a necessary presence when Napoleon’s world comes.

His political power, which is superior to that of his other brothers, is a secondary issue.

Most of the mistakes Napoleon made in the original history stemmed from [recklessness].

In the end, the problem Eugene has to face is that point.

What if there was someone who could apply the brakes together at that moment?

Eugene deliberately changed the subject and reached out to Lucien.

“Right now, a new consul system is needed, and we both agree that we want to be the main players in that system, don’t we? Uncle, and I.”

Lucien frowned.

He may be feeling it with his sensitive political senses.

That Napoleon will never stop at being a 10-year consul.

Still, he is not old enough to even think about the revival of the monarchy.

Besides, Lucien doesn’t have the ability to become the main player in politics on his own.

He is like a satellite that can only shine when there is a [sun] called Napoleon.

After hesitating for a long time, Lucien finally shook hands.

“Okay, just up to there.”

With this, Lucien, the chairman of the Council of Five Hundred, completely joined in the election of Napoleon as consul.

***

However, the next day, the Tuileries Palace was filled with shouts of anger.

“I can’t accept it! Recommending a current soldier as a candidate!”

The one at the forefront was Pierre Philippeaux of the Danton faction.

In the first place, it is not possible to persuade all 500 people in a short period of time.

Passing the constitution was done by suppressing it with the [power] that stirred up 100,000 people.

But now, a month later, fear has subsided and anger is soaring.

Isn’t it the case that they were swayed by soldiers in the end?

That’s why the Council of Five Hundred, soon to be members of the House of Representatives, are trembling and angry.

Even at this point when Danton himself is keeping his mouth shut.

“President Danton! President Lafayette! Tell me. Do you think this makes sense? You are the commanders-in-chief you established, so say something!”

“Our royalists oppose General Bonaparte, who is pro-Jacobin!”

“I, Babeuf! As a republican, I cannot support General Bonaparte, who is supported by constitutional monarchists! How can the [Knight of the Princess] be an adopted son!”

Moderate Condorcet, royalist Barthelemy, and ultra-hardline radical representative Babeuf shouted.

In particular, the problem is François-Noël Babeuf, or, as he named himself, [Gracchus] Babeuf [referencing the Roman tribunes who advocated for the plebeians].

Again, Eugene would think of the name as [middle school disease]-like naming, but he is serious.

He is also called the enemy of all monarchs and capitalists, the forerunner of communism.

In the original history, he would have already started a revolt and died.

But because Napoleon remained on the mainland, Babeuf did not have the opportunity to start a revolt.

Thanks to that, paradoxically, he is now opposing Napoleon.

Danton sighed and raised his hand to speak slowly.

“So, the constitution has already been passed······.”

“Danton! Where did you go, you who used to roar like a lion? Are you even supporting a constitutional monarchy? I miss the way you brought down the king! Have you perhaps grown old and lowered your tail!”

“Babeuf, aren’t you going too far!”

While Danton was getting angry, Juno, who was watching the situation, asked Eugene.

“Should I drag that guy out?”

Currently, the Paris National Guard is virtually being commanded by Juno.

But Eugene shook his head.

If he simply mobilizes soldiers like in the original history, there is no point in proceeding with the election system.

“It’s okay, Juno. That would only provoke the representatives.”

“It seems like everyone is already rebelling. Fouché said he silenced all the opposition, but it was just a boast.”

“The opposition is all silenced. It’s just that those we thought were on our side are making noise. Except for Babeuf.”

Eugene stared at Lafayette in one side of the representatives’ seats.

Condorcet, Barthelemy, and even Philippe are all under Lafayette’s influence.

In the end, those who are making noise now are Lafayette’s people.

Lafayette is closing his eyes and saying nothing.

But he is saying this through other representatives.

He doesn’t like this constitution either, but he opposes Napoleon’s one-man rule even more.

It was the moment Eugene narrowed his eyes.

-Bang!

At that moment, everyone was surprised by the sound of a gunshot.

The moment they turned their heads, people were even more surprised.

Lucien, who was in the chairman’s seat, was aiming his gun at the air.

The 24-year-old young representative, Lucien, looked down at everyone from the platform and said.

“Since everyone won’t shut up, I will use the chairman’s authority to make you be quiet.”

“A, a gun! Chairman, what is this!”

“The right to maintain order is the most basic right of the chairman. If you don’t listen, I’ll tear your mouths open with bayonets first and then drag you out. Representative Babeuf.”

Babeuf trembled and shouted.

“Just because your brother is a soldier, are you threatening us with a gun too!”

At that moment, Lucien came down from the platform and approached Babeuf.

It was the moment Babeuf flinched back.

A dagger flashed.

-Swish!

Babeuf opened his mouth wide and shouted.

“Wh, wh, what are you doing!”

“Ugh, see. Look, representatives! Here, the blood of your representative, the chairman. I swear on this blood!”

“H, how can you do such a barbaric act. How can you.”

So, Lucien didn’t stab Babeuf.

He cut his own arm.

Eugene was also surprised and could only watch the scene.

Lucien, a passionate, or rather, blood-filled Corsican man, raised his arm high and shouted at the frozen representatives.

“I was active under the pseudonym Brutus in the early days of the revolution. As a member of the Corsican Jacobins!”

In the original history, Corsica, or Corsica in French, is famous for something unexpected.

For the notoriety of the Corsican mafia, which frightens all of Europe.

Somehow, Lucien, who reminds me of that mafia, waved his arm and glared at the frozen representatives.

“Brutus is the one who stabbed the dictator, Caesar, in the heart with a dagger. As everyone knows.”

The self-proclaimed Brutus shouted to the self-proclaimed Gracchus at that moment.

“If my brother Napoleon commits treason! This Lucien Bonaparte will stab his brother in the heart!”

In an instant, Auguste, the brother of Robespierre, who had been silent, jumped up.

“Follow the chairman! I, Auguste, believe that oath! I recommend Napoleon Bonaparte as a candidate for consul!”

At the same time, Talleyrand, Desmoulins, and Fouché stood up and joined in.

“I also recommend him. Napoleon Bonaparte!”

“He is a thorough Jacobin. He is a national hero and a soldier who saved the country!”

“He is the one who stopped the massacre of the Vendée! He is the true guardian of the republic, the dismantler of the empire!”

Somehow, Fouché’s mention of the massacre makes it sound like a more persuasive recommendation.

Here, Desmoulins, who was an early leader of the Jacobins, and Talleyrand, who had secured a large number of representatives, joined in.

With this, the trend was decided.

“If there are no objectors, we will elect Napoleon Bonaparte as the sole candidate by unanimous vote!”

Chairman Lucien waved the chairman’s gavel with his left arm, and everyone remained silent or cheered.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

November 9, 1799.

The month of Brumaire.

The last year the revolutionary calendar was marked.

Napoleon Bonaparte was elected by the parliament as the sole candidate for consul of the French Republic.

***

Now, all that remains is the vote for or against.

“Goodness, was Lucien such a person!”

Salicetti, who had not played any role in this election campaign, grabbed Eugene and asked.

“He’s always been good at speeches. Didn’t you know, Monsieur Salicetti?”

“What if he really stabs him with a knife? Frankly speaking, there’s no way General Napoleon will stop here.”

“Shh.”

Eugene raised a finger to his lips and smiled meaningfully.

“That’s something that has 10 years of leeway anyway after becoming consul. Isn’t it?”

Salicetti nodded.

The so-called republican system does not suit people like Salicetti.

The monarchical system of rule actually gives Salicetti more opportunities.

Therefore, Eugene’s hint of a monarchy was even more welcome to Salicetti.

“That’s right.”

At that moment, Lucien’s loud shout echoed from the polling station in the Mars Square in Paris.

“I hereby begin the voting!”

At the same time, people began to rush to the polling station.

-Boo!

It was the moment the unprecedented national referendum with a total of 7 million voters began.