He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 280

(280) Sydney Smith Also Goes to Russia

Clearly, Eugene’s party constitutes an official delegation to Russia.

The members aboard the Horus also hold official positions.

Danton, the prospective ambassador to Russia; Eugene, the chief aide to the Consul and a general in active service; Nicolas Surcouf, captain of the French Navy.

This isn’t something the King would personally greet, but it certainly warrants the attention of the Foreign Minister.

However, three days pass without anyone arriving.

“Ahem, I don’t want to boast, but I was once a head of state, you know.”

“We know and respect that, Ambassador.”

“But for no one to come and see me like this, is that even possible?”

Danton, now recovered from his seasickness, grumbled.

“Surely, this is a detached palace, so the Crown Prince should be nearby!”

Beautiful as it is, Amalienborg is clearly a detached palace.

Especially since the building consists of four separate structures, it’s quite far from the main palace.

Then where is the main palace?

Surprisingly, the Kingdom of Denmark currently has no main palace.

“Originally, the royal palace of Denmark wasn’t here at Amalienborg, but at Christiansborg.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you see it when we entered the city center? The burned-down building by the canal.”

Eugene suddenly spoke, gazing out the window at Copenhagen at night.

“It burned down in a great fire six years ago, in 1794. They say it was an accident.”

In 1794, Christiansborg, the main palace of the Kingdom of Denmark, was destroyed by fire.

In the original timeline, it was rebuilt in modern times and functions as the center of legislation, justice, and administration.

However, as of 1800, it has not yet been rebuilt.

The cause of the accident is said to be the overheating of a massive central stove, typical in Northern Europe, but many find that hard to believe.

Danton frowned.

“Could it be that it wasn’t an accident?”

“Here, they seem to think it was a British plot. At that time, France was at war with Britain, and the harbor was attacked. French contraband was coming into Copenhagen harbor.”

“It’s surprising the British didn’t attack here. Aren’t they complete outlaws at sea?”

Eugene shrugged.

“If the war had gone on longer, it’s entirely possible. During the Second Coalition War, Copenhagen was practically our outer harbor.”

Copenhagen is the true center of Denmark, a city located on the eastern side of the island of Zealand.

At one time, this city was the heartland of the Kingdom of Denmark, which had dominated the North.

Decisions made here influenced Sweden, Norway, and even modern-day Finland.

However, after the Swedish Golden Age in the 17th century and through the Thirty Years’ War, Denmark’s national power has relatively weakened.

Thanks to this, since the 18th century, Denmark has been forced to choose the path of neutrality.

Surprisingly, the economy has developed even more than during the era of competing for hegemony.

Even now, though the night is deep, the streets are much brighter than in Paris.

But if the war had continued until 1803, this entire place would have burned down.

Because Britain would have dispatched a fleet of battleships to Copenhagen to check France’s influence.

To burn the entire city with mortar fire.

That’s what Nelson did in the original timeline.

“So, we’re intact thanks to making peace with Britain, but why are we being treated like this? Huh?”

Danton, who knows the threat of Britain even if he doesn’t know the original timeline, grumbled again before widening his eyes.

“I hope you don’t take it too personally, Ambassador Danton.”

Someone was seen entering the detached palace, the ambassador’s residence.

Judging by the strict security surrounding him, he’s definitely an important figure.

Danton asked, looking at the young man in his 30s with a rather long chin.

“Who are you? Why are you barging into the ambassador’s room like this?”

“My introduction is late. My name is Frederik. Ambassador Danton.”

“Huh? Wait, could you be the Crown Prince?”

The man with the long chin, Frederik, smiled gently.

“A position I obtained by birthright. I doubt you revolutionaries find it very appealing.”

Of course, what’s even more surprising might be that he doesn’t resemble his sister, Louise, at all.

***

Herein lies a major scandal of the Danish royal family from the late 18th century.

“Our Denmark is in a very precarious situation.”

Frederik, who probably has the same face as his father, with a long chin, explained.

“Our father, King Christian VI, is still insane. My half-uncle is constantly seeking power. Also, I still have no heir.”

Mad King Christian 6th.

He is the current monarch of Denmark.

However, he has shown signs of madness since his youth and is too unstable to handle state affairs.

So, many close associates manipulated Christian, including Johan Friedrich Struensee, a German-born doctor.

Struensee was a considerable liberal reformer and governed Denmark quite well.

The King trusted Struensee, and so did the Queen.

They became too close, and rumors were rife that the Queen and Struensee were having an affair.

Soon after, Louise was born, and a palace coup took place in the Danish royal family.

Struensee died, but people still whisper.

It’s widely believed that Princess Louise is Struensee’s daughter.

In fact, looking at her face, it seems plausible.

Eugene smiled, recalling the face of Princess Louise he had seen three days ago.

“You could take the same approach as England. Allow women to inherit. I recall Denmark had a queen in the past.”

“You’re referring to Margrethe I, who created the Kalmar Union [a union of the kingdoms of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden]. That was 500 years ago. Moreover, the King of Denmark has the issue of the Norwegian throne and the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein [territories with complex succession laws].”

“So, you can’t form an alliance with France.”

Crown Prince Frederik smiled weakly.

“Unfortunately, that’s the case. Even though, emotionally, I understand the revolution.”

In his childhood, the liberal reformer Struensee was also Frederik’s teacher.

He lost his life in a palace coup, but Frederik still respects Struensee.

Also, his half-grandmother and half-uncle, who killed Struensee, are also Frederik’s political enemies.

Although he holds all the power of the state as regent, Frederik’s position is precarious for another reason.

In this situation, if a war breaks out with England, the Danish royal family would find it difficult to cope.

Danton, who is quick to grasp the situation, scoffed.

“Haven’t you heard the rumors that we chopped off the King’s head? Crown Prince.”

“I’ve also heard that if the King had introduced a parliament and adhered to the basic laws, his head wouldn’t have been severed.”

“Huh, you have a deep understanding. Crown Prince Frederik, then why did you come? Just to apologize for the neglect of the ambassador?”

Crown Prince Frederik looked back at Eugene and cautiously spoke.

“Isn’t your nominal destination Russia? I’d like to make a secret agreement in the meantime.”

“We’re just an ambassador and a soldier.”

“I know you two represent France. One is a former head of state, and the other is the Consul’s son and a powerful figure.”

Eugene stared at Crown Prince Frederik before asking.

“What kind of agreement?”

Frederik lowered his voice and said quickly.

“Outwardly, Denmark will maintain neutrality.”

“Then it’s a useless agreement for France.”

“But, in case of emergency, Denmark will side with France. Especially if France fights with England.”

Eugene paused to think.

In fact, in the original timeline, Crown Prince Frederik, after becoming king, joins hands with Napoleon.

They were so strongly bonded that they didn’t let go until Napoleon fell.

Even when Bernadotte, a former subordinate of Napoleon who became the King of Sweden in the North, betrayed him.

He’s definitely a man of loyalty.

It’s also clear that he’s not very shrewd.

Eugene nodded.

“There must be a price. What is it?”

Frederik explained with a gleam in his eyes.

“This North is truly a harsh land. Even in Sweden, kings are frequently assassinated by traitors.”

“I heard the previous king was also assassinated. Was it eight years ago?”

“That’s right. Gustav III was attacked at the opera house.”

In fact, it’s not just France that has beheaded its king.

The late 18th century is truly a period of upheaval in Europe.

Sweden also repeatedly experienced palace coups, and the former King Gustav III was the victor of a coup.

However, dissatisfied nobles eventually assassinated Gustav III in 1792.

The current successor, Gustav IV, who is 22 years old, is greatly troubled by the interference of the nobles.

An event that took place right next door.

There’s no guarantee it won’t happen here in Denmark.

“Our royal family can be overthrown at any time. If that happens, we would like to entrust ourselves to France.”

Danton laughed heartily.

“Heh heh, our France is the place where everything can be overturned. You can tell by looking at me. Well, doesn’t sound too bad? Freischütz [German for ‘free shooter,’ a term of endearment].”

Eugene chuckled and extended his hand.

“I accept. I’ll take responsibility for getting permission from my father.”

“Thank you, Chief Aide Bonaparte!”

“But I have something to ask.”

Eugene asked, staring at Crown Prince Frederik, who was shaking his hand.

“Who told you that this would be possible if you contacted me?”

Frederik rolled his eyes for a moment, then finally confessed the truth.

“It was Mr. Smith.”

So, it wasn’t for nothing that Sydney Smith was with the princess.

***

The night in Copenhagen is bright, the pubs are ablaze, and sailors sing.

“Harvest the grain from the fields, the rye is stacked, the hay is in the barn! We carry the last sack home!”

Sydney, sitting in a rather shabby pub listening to the song, said.

“Sounds good, doesn’t it? It’s a harvest song!”

“Not exactly a song for sailors to sing.”

“It’s a song that Danish people like. When they return from sailing, it feels like they’ve made a harvest. Haha, maybe even more so because the land isn’t good for farming?”

Sydney, who brought a bottle of beer, smiled at Eugene.

“Well, now it’s just the two of us. Freischütz.”

It’s not yet the era of that famous Carlsberg beer, which Frederik VII ordered to be made.

Still, even in this era, Copenhagen’s bars are full of delicious beer.

Sydney, drinking much better beer than British beer, talked with a flushed face.

“Ah! Good! Even when Freischütz backstabbed me in Syria, I never thought this day would come?”

“Actually, I was the one who got backstabbed. I didn’t expect the British Navy to suddenly appear.”

“Hey, they weren’t proper navy! If I had brought the fleet, you would have been crushed! Hehe!”

Eugene put down his glass, watching Sydney excitedly talk about the Battle of Syria.

-Clink.

At the sound of the glass being placed on the table, Eugene spoke just as Sydney stopped talking.

“Well, let’s cut the small talk here.”

“Oh, you’re strong for someone who’s been drinking so much? Freischütz.”

“What are you trying to discuss, even bringing the Danish princess?”

Sydney, who had been quietly watching Eugene, smiled.

“Our Prime Minister, you took him down, didn’t you? Freischütz.”

Just as Eugene raised his eyebrows, Sydney chuckled and talked without worrying about his surroundings.

“Great skill. It’s easier to win a war than firing hundreds of cannons on the battlefield.”

“I didn’t say I did?”

“But you need to know this. There are many talented people in England besides Prime Minister Pitt. Also, there are many admirals besides Nelson.”

In an instant, Sydney said with a face that only smiled.

“You can’t knock them down that easily.”

This place looks like a common pub in Copenhagen.

But if Denmark, or even England or other countries, aren’t fools, they’ll be sending spies to the pubs.

Of course, Eugene has also deployed Schürté’s agents.

Eugene lightly rolled his glass and asked again.

“You know that very well. So, you came all the way to Copenhagen just to give me a warning?”

“No, I’m going to Saint Petersburg soon. As a military attaché to the ambassador.”

“You, who destroyed the Russian fleet, are going to Russia? Not Sweden?”

Sydney smiled and retorted to Eugene.

“Yeah, but I heard that our Freischütz is going to Russia? What was it? To propose to a Russian princess?”

At that moment, Eugene caught three pieces of information.

First, the news of the Russian princess’s marriage has already leaked to England because Napoleon has been talking about it so much.

Second, however, Eugene’s [Russian Plan] has not yet been revealed.

Third, the national confusion in England is so severe that they are sending Sydney, who fed Russia, to Russia.

But at the same time, Sydney is surprisingly an excellent choice.

In the original timeline, he was a person who left his name not only as a naval victor but also as a spy and diplomat.

Eugene slyly handed over a beer and asked.

“Would you like to take a ship together?”

“Surely not, besides, I have to wait for my brother.”

“Is Ambassador Spencer Smith coming to Saint Petersburg as ambassador?”

Just as he recalled Sydney’s brother, who was originally the ambassador to Constantinople, Sydney raised his glass to Eugene.

“Yeah, following Istanbul, it’s the second round of diplomatic warfare. Freischütz.”

In later original history, England succeeds in establishing diplomatic relations with Russia.

So, in the end, the alliance between England and Russia becomes the foundation for overthrowing France.

If Eugene fails this time, the beginning of that could be prepared now.

Eugene, who was quietly staring at Sydney, clashed his glass.

“I look forward to it, Mr. Smith.”

September 1800, as the 19th century approaches.

The diplomatic war between France and England is about to begin in Saint Petersburg.