He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 306

(306) The Spanish Royal Family’s Flapping Causes a Storm

There’s a theory that a butterfly’s flapping can sometimes turn into a storm.

“Chaos theory, is it?”

“What are you talking about, Eugene?”

“No, it’s just that I can’t explain this situation otherwise.”

South of Paris, Eugene, dressed in military uniform and on horseback in the forest, retorted to Hippolyte.

“Why on earth is the stupid Spanish royal family proposing a marriage at a time like this?”

It’s not confirmed who is proposing to whom.

However, if the Spanish royal family proposed a marriage to the rightful heiress of the former French royal family, the target is predictable.

Of course, the French Consulate government should logically reject it.

But Spain would know that too.

So why bother notifying the ambassador and sending a special envoy again?

Eugene couldn’t understand it at all.

Suddenly, Talleyrand, leaning on his cane, elegantly put his hand to his mouth and said,

“Shh, this is a diplomatic matter. Senior Aide.”

Eugene looked down at Talleyrand with a dissatisfied face and asked.

“Who is the Spanish ambassador anyway? Bringing up such an issue without prior coordination.”

“François Barthélemy was stationed on our side. But he has returned home urgently because of this matter.”

“Then you should have blocked or delayed this issue in Madrid. What did you do?”

François Marie Barthélemy is a professional diplomat close to the constitutional monarchy faction.

In the original history, he signed the Treaty of Basel, which ended the First War of the Anti-Revolution, briefly served as a director of the Directory government, and was involved in the Pichegru coup.

However, due to Eugene’s intervention, the Feuillant faction and the hardline royalists were divided, so he didn’t rise to prominence, but instead, he was safely taking the course of a diplomat.

However, even Barthélemy, a professional diplomat, could not stop this situation.

Talleyrand elegantly explained the situation.

“Goyoya of Spain was in such a hurry that there was nothing we could do. Oh, here comes the Spanish envoy.”

To the south, a six-horse carriage was running along the main road.

-Clatter, clatter, clatter!

The grandiose carriage, which does not suit the urgent matter, stands out.

The carriage stopped in front of the French high-ranking welcoming party that had come out to meet the special envoy.

The special envoy got out of the six-horse carriage, stroked his mustache, and smiled.

“Whew, the Pyrenees are really rough. But I came to France with excitement. Ha ha!”

Very fluent French.

Also, he seems to know Talleyrand and is even showing off his sociability.

Talleyrand, who had negotiated Florida with Spain at Eugene’s request in the past, shook hands and introduced him to Eugene.

“This is Special Envoy Eugenio Izquierdo. He is famous as Minister Godoy’s closest aide.”

“Nice to meet you, Foreign Minister Talleyrand. The last time I saw you, you were a special envoy, but you quickly became the head of foreign affairs. Duke Godoy of Alcudia has now changed his position to commander-in-chief.”

“Oh, is that so? But isn’t he still doing the same thing? Well, this is the Consul’s son, Senior Secretary Eugene Bonaparte.”

Then Izquierdo sparkled his eyes and made a fuss over Eugene.

“Oh, the famous [Knight of the Princess]! It’s an honor to meet you. The Bourbon royal family owes the general a great debt!”

Eugenio Izquierdo de Rivera.

He is a graduate of Paris and his real job is a naturalist.

Natural history is a popular field of study in modern times, studying all things in nature.

In the original history, it disappeared as it became specialized into botany, zoology, and mineralogy in modern times, but in the early 19th century, it was a symbol of a knowledgeable and cultured person.

However, at this time when Spain’s fate was tied to France, he was mainly recognized as an expert in France and worked as a diplomat.

Of course, Izquierdo, who frequently traveled to France, also knows about Eugene.

On the other hand, Eugene, who doesn’t know Izquierdo well, replied sullenly.

“I hope you pay off such debts with real things rather than words.”

“Ha ha! You’re good at joking. After all, your eloquence in winning the heart of the Russian Tsar is famous!”

“The Tsar just looked at me kindly. Then, I’ll guide you to your accommodation first.”

Then Izquierdo made a fuss again and laughed loudly.

“Oh, that’s great. Is this the Bourbon royal family’s resting place, [Fontainebleau]!”

Beyond the forest, a huge palace can be seen.

Fontainebleau is a hunting ground for the French royal family located in a forest of 17,000 hectares [approximately 42,000 acres].

It was built by François I [Francis I], so it has a history of about 200 years.

However, the reason it became famous in later original history is unexpected.

Napoleon, who was not even the owner, abdicates here after the defeat at Waterloo.

Of course, Napoleon liked this place quite a bit, so he made many political decisions, including the Concordat [an agreement between Napoleon and the Pope defining the status of the Catholic Church in France].

However, there is another reason why Eugene chose this place as the venue for welcoming the special envoy.

In fact, there is a case where the Treaty of Fontainebleau is signed with Spain in the original history.

Not a royal marriage, though.

Suppressing the chilling tone, Eugene replied.

“It belongs to the Republic now. ‘Don’ Izquierdo.”

“Huhu, Madrid knows that there are discussions about restoring the monarchy anyway. So our request will be even better for France.”

“You’re not going to start negotiations already, are you? Take your time to rest and talk.”

But Izquierdo shook his head urgently.

“No, pre-negotiations must be quick. Because the Duke of Alcudia will come in person. Soon, secretly.”

So, the de facto leader of Spain is coming to France in person.

***

Godoy is not a highly regarded ruler in Europe, whether in original history or in 1802.

“What’s going on?”

Sitting in the inner room of the Gros Pavilion in the central palace of Fontainebleau, Napoleon frowned.

In fact, Napoleon was going to leave this negotiation entirely to Eugene and Talleyrand.

Talleyrand is naturally the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Eugene is the person involved in some ways.

It’s Napoleon’s mischievous prank.

However, when Godoy said he was coming in person, Napoleon had no choice but to rush to Fontainebleau, 55 kilometers [approximately 34 miles] southeast of Paris.

The French ambassador to Spain, Barthélemy, wiped his cold sweat and reported.

“It all started with the acquisition of Florida. Consul.”

“What are you talking about? What about Florida? We haven’t even started a full-scale colonial plan yet. Don’t tell me, there’s a conflict with [Nueva España, New Spain, referring to the Spanish colonial territory in North America]?”

“They have no interest in that in mainland Spain. The important thing is the justification for taking the land.”

Barthélemy briefly summarized the power struggle taking place in the Spanish court.

“Currently, there are many people who are trying to oust Godoy, led by Chief Secretary Pedro Cevallos.”

It sounds very simple, but it’s not.

First of all, Pedro Cevallos is like a figurehead.

He is Godoy’s cousin and was set up as a shield because Godoy was being criticized by people.

But Godoy was being criticized even more now than he was in the original history.

Why?

Because they lost land in the New World without gaining anything.

Napoleon raised his eyes as if he was dumbfounded.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Spain occupies almost all of the southern New World and half of the northern New World. Are they making a fuss because they lost just one peninsula?”

“It is the national sentiment to be furious even if a small amount of territory is taken away, Your Excellency. Moreover, Florida is famous as a fertile and rich land.”

“So you need an external outlet?”

Napoleon himself won the election by acquiring the much smaller Flanders, but other countries don’t care.

In fact, Godoy has other misfortunes in the original history.

He forms an alliance with France, but is repeatedly defeated by England in naval battles.

However, this misfortune does not exist because Eugene induced the Treaty of Amiens to be signed so quickly.

Thanks to this, Godoy is still holding on even after losing Florida.

But there is a limit to how long he can hold on.

Spain is already facing a recession, let alone low growth.

Nobles, commoners, and clergy are all dissatisfied with Godoy.

“That’s right. Duke Godoy needs results. But war victories are distant, and there are no prospects for silver mines to be discovered. So, he turned his attention to marriage.”

Lucian, the Minister of the Interior, who was listening to the story, asked back as if he was dumbfounded.

“Then why don’t you use the royal princesses and touch someone else’s Mademoiselle [Miss]?”

“Spain does not have the tradition of Salic law [which excludes females from dynastic succession]. In fact, it was introduced when the Bourbon royal family acquired the throne, but it is still weak in terms of justification. That means the princesses also have the right to succeed in an emergency.”

“But we have nothing to give to the princess of the old royal family. Not even one. Furthermore, arranged marriages are counter-revolutionary.”

Of course, Lucian is currently very upset about the issue of introducing a monarchy.

Also, he doesn’t feel good about Marie, the Bourbon princess who is involved with Eugene.

However, he was enduring without resigning from his position as minister because of Eugene’s justification for an elective monarchy.

But an old-fashioned arranged marriage using the old royal princess took place.

That’s why Lucian was furious and rushed to Fontainebleau.

Even if the Bourbons should be killed by the guillotine, an old-fashioned arranged marriage is unacceptable.

However, Barthélemy, a pro-royalist, shook his head and replied to Lucian, who married through free love in the original history.

“No, there is a justification. A justification to explain to the Spanish people. The union of the divided Bourbon royal family, the rescue of the French royal princess, here.”

Suddenly, Barthélemy glanced at Eugene and said.

“Perhaps, if the royal family is restored in France in an emergency, they may be aiming to divide the territory.”

So it’s the restoration of the Bourbon royal family.

It’s like Marie’s sensitive political position has been revealed again.

Napoleon looked back at the pale Eugene as if he was amused and nodded.

“We’ll have to refuse.”

“It’s not that simple. In fact, the highest authority in the country is coming as a special envoy in person. If we are rejected this time, Spain will break its alliance with us.”

“Talleyrand, are we going to stand still? Any general in the French army can win against the Spanish army!”

Just as Napoleon was about to reply arrogantly to Talleyrand, Eugene said with a still pale face.

“Spain’s army is weak, but the people are strong. If a battle breaks out, supplies will be cut off due to the militia and we will be defeated.”

Those in this place looked at Eugene as if they were surprised.

Eugene is by far the next best after Napoleon and Hoche in terms of performance.

With Hoche taking the position of Governor of Egypt, he is practically the next commander-level general in France after Napoleon.

But he made a timid sound.

Isn’t Spain not considered a match for France by anyone in Europe?

Of course, Eugene knows the fate of the French Spanish invasion force that will be ruined by [guerrilla] warfare in the original history.

Napoleon, who might have committed that mistake, stared at Eugene with a ridiculous face.

“What is it, Eugene? You’re not going to give up Marie, are you?”

“I don’t intend to, but I don’t think my father would allow me to marry her.”

“Then, would you give up your lover for the sake of national interest?”

Eugene frowned and told Napoleon.

“Let’s hear what he has to say. What kind of proposal Godoy will bring.”

In fact, Eugene was also curious about Godoy’s proposal.

***

Royal arranged marriages are structured as a give and take.

“We want the marriage of our Spanish Crown Prince, Duke Fernando of Asturias, and Marie Thérèse Charlotte de Bourbon, the former princess of France.”

Godoy, the number one person in Spain, who finally arrived in Fontainebleau, threw out the proposal with a firm face.

The negotiating partner sitting across from him is not Napoleon, but Talleyrand.

In some ways, it’s not up to par, but Napoleon thought his opponent was the king.

So, Foreign Minister Talleyrand stepped up.

Of course, Eugene was sitting next to him.

Talleyrand, who was subtly looking at Eugene’s expression, smiled leisurely and asked back.

“Could you say that again?”

“Of course. I came to promote the arranged marriage between Crown Prince Fernando and Princess Marie Thérèse.”

“Why on earth are you trying to marry the king’s successor to a fallen princess?”

Godoy didn’t mince his words.

“Ambassador Barthélemy must have told you everything, why are you pretending not to know? Because our King and Queen, and I, need it. Foreign Minister Talleyrand.”

On the other hand, Talleyrand smiled and subtly changed the subject.

“First of all, since the current old royal family is under the supervision of the French Republic, marriage can only be done with the permission of the state. The cabinet will review it······.”

“We want Tuscany as a dowry.”

“Senior Secretary, what are you talking about now?”

It’s a truly absurd proposal.

In fact, arranged marriages are about giving and taking territory and interests.

Also, it is common for the princess to bring a dowry.

But why should France give Tuscany when they are giving away the princess of the old royal family that the revolution destroyed?

At that moment, Godoy’s eyes flashed.

“Instead, I’ll give you back [Louisiana, a vast territory in central North America].”

Only then did Eugene recall a fact he had forgotten.

In 1802, there was territory that Spain was losing to France during this period.

That is, the vast land in the central New World.

Louisiana.