He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 327

The Celebration Ball for the Union of Florida and Louisiana Opens

The viceroy of [Nueva España] (New Spain), Marquina, knelt down.

“The Viceroy of Nueva España, Félix Berenguer de Marquina, greets the heir to the throne.”

The Spanish territories in the New World were vast.

By modern standards, the areas of Mexico and Central and South America were divided into Nueva España, northwestern South America into Nueva Granada, the south into the Viceroyalty of Peru, and Argentina into Rio de la Plata.

Chile, rich in saltpeter, was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru.

So, the man kneeling in the Pensacola Governor-General’s building was, in a word, the king of Mexico.

Nevertheless, he was showing a very respectful attitude in front of Eugene and Marie.

Marie was blushing because she had summoned the viceroy, angry at Governor Salcedo’s attitude.

Trying to maintain a calm expression, Marie held her chin high, remembering the image of Marie Antoinette in Versailles in the old days.

“I’m glad you came all the way here, Viceroy Félix.”

“In this New World, Your Highness’s position is second only to His Majesty the King. If you call, I must come.”

“You know why I called, don’t you?”

Facing Marie, who urged in a stern tone, the Mexican viceroy Félix smiled.

“I know. That Louisiana will virtually pass to France as a [dowry].”

“Then why doesn’t the governor listen to Eugene?”

“Your Highness, there are three practical problems. It seems that the governor or admiral did not explain it properly.”

Félix glanced at Cisneros and Salcedo, who were present.

However, Salcedo and Cisneros avoided eye contact and did not open their mouths.

Although it was easy to forget due to his moderate attitude, Félix was the most senior of the viceroys of the New World colonies.

The Mexican region was the first Spanish [continental] territory and the most important colony.

In particular, until the early 19th century, there were silver mines in Mexico that surpassed the Peruvian region.

In short, Félix’s words represented the common will of the Spanish ruling group in the colony.

Félix said to Marie.

“First of all, Your Highness is not yet formally married. Perhaps because of the issue of succession to the throne?”

Marie was startled and closed her lips.

In Notre Dame, Eugene and Marie had only held an engagement ceremony and not a wedding.

It was also the reason why they still could not share a bedroom.

Why?

Because of the succession issue.

Even if it was a temporary position before a child was born in the royal family, Marie was clearly the heir to the Spanish throne.

But what if she married Eugene and became the official heir?

Complicated problems would arise not only for Spain but also for the French Empire.

It meant that the Louisiana territory, which was acquired with great effort, might be returned to Spain.

Of course, Napoleon had no intention of giving up the land.

In addition, Eugene’s position within the French Empire had not yet been confirmed.

The French Empire was decided as a constitutional monarchy, and Eugene was an adopted son.

There had been no submission of legislation restricting inheritance to direct blood relatives.

In many ways, both Eugene and Marie were in a complicated situation.

This was the real reason why only an engagement ceremony was held in Notre Dame instead of a wedding.

Félix, a gentleman aristocrat who grasped this situation in the distant New World, smiled and continued.

“Next, Louisiana is said to be a huge colony, but the actual governing area is only the fortresses in the Mississippi River basin and [New Orleans]. It is rebellious and a big headache.”

The territory called Louisiana in Spanish and Louisiane in French was large.

It was even larger than the United States territory at this point.

However, only some of the southern part of the land had actually been developed, and the rest was wilderness where almost no natives lived.

Even in the original history, the west, including California, was developed first and greatly developed.

So, there was a high possibility that actual governance would be difficult.

“Finally, the [United States of America] is constantly aiming for it. Recently, explorers dispatched by the United States Federal Government crossed the border and were deported.”

In later years, there would be the Lewis and Clark expedition, which remained the best explorers in American history.

The area they explored was the Mississippi River area, soon the Louisiana area.

Although President Jefferson had not yet sent an expedition, explorers who dreamed of territory were already exploring the Louisiana area.

“All of these problems can be dealt with by our Nueva España Viceroy Government, which has a long history of governing the New World. But, can the new viceroy really do well?”

This was the real problem beyond Salcedo’s pride and Cisneros’s surrender.

Félix, the representative of the Peninsulares [Spaniards born in Spain], who had actually governed the New World, asks.

Even if Louisiana was given, could France, or Eugene, really protect it?

Originally, in the original history, Napoleon ultimately failed to do so, which is why he sold it to the United States.

Félix’s gaze was now directed at Eugene.

***

Eugene felt a strange feeling.

-Sararak.

The floor Eugene was stepping on now was the floor of a shabby governor-general’s building made of logs.

However, the conversations and decisions that took place in this shabby place determined the future of the New World.

A new history that could not be achieved even in the magnificent Palace of Versailles.

Shaking off his emotions, Eugene smiled.

In any case, Félix acknowledged that France had the initiative.

Then, all you had to do was make an offer you couldn’t refuse.

After clearing his throat for a moment, Eugene opened his mouth.

“Viceroy Félix, thank you for telling me the situation honestly. But that’s our problem to handle.”

“Before you are officially married, you are not even the Duke’s husband, Your Majesty the Viceroy. But if the Duchess’s territory is damaged or robbed by the United States of America, how can you face His Majesty the former King?”

“I’ll present a practical benefit.”

When Eugene gestured, Ipolite brought a box with the guards.

-Clang!

Looking at Félix, whose eyes widened as the box opened, Eugene said.

“I know that Nueva España’s finances are a mess because of the fight against England until last year.”

“No, that’s true.”

“This is [Alumina] (Aluminum) silver coin officially certified by the Vatican. It is recognized as 10 times the value of silver. You must have seen it in your home country, right?”

A light metal currency that resembled silver but shone more brilliantly glitters.

The face engraved on the surface of the currency contains the first person in France.

It is Napoleon’s face.

Félix was mesmerized by the aluminum currency that was completed just before departure and came with the immigrant fleet.

As expected, it was an aluminum silver coin that was introduced to the Spanish royal family when Florida was purchased, and only the great nobles were given it.

“We will pay 100,000 francs of alumina silver coins issued by the Central Bank of France in a lump sum. This is the price for transferring the Nouvelle France administration of Louisiana.”

Félix swallowed his dry saliva without realizing it, and barely opened his mouth.

“No, this is, well.”

“Of course, it doesn’t mean that Louisiana will be handed over to France.”

“What do you mean?”

Eugene smiled, holding up one of the aluminum currencies.

“All orders in Louisiana will be issued in the name of Duchess Marie-Thérèse. Let’s be honest. Aren’t you afraid of when Marie and I will separate or [die]?”

He gave three reasons, but Félix did not bring up the real problem.

The reason why Marie-Thérèse became the heir to the throne in the first place is because the other heirs died.

This New World is a land full of many dangers, and you never know when someone will die.

In that situation, if only the land is transferred to France without an heir, who will take responsibility?

The gentleman, Félix, smiled bitterly and bowed his head.

“I can’t deceive you. That’s right. Also, there’s too much money to refuse.”

At that moment, Marie-Thérèse, who had been watching the situation with tension, clapped her hands.

“Is it all done? Then, attend the banquet celebrating the agreement. Mr. Viceroy of Nueva España, too.”

“A banquet?”

“It’s customary to hold a ball when an agreement is signed, right? That’s how it was in the old royal family.”

Eugene remembered if it’s what he saw in Versailles in the old days.

However, this place is Pensacola, not Versailles.

Eugene asked back as if he was dumbfounded.

“A ball, here?”

Isn’t this Pensacola a log fortress without even a [hall], let alone a palace?

***

But in fact, balls are held more often and more widely in the New World than in Europe.

“It’s already been a hundred days since I came to the New World. We held a [La Val] (Ball) to encourage the officers and representatives of the immigrants. By the way, His Majesty the Spanish Viceroy also came!”

La Val, which means ball in French.

Originally, in Europe, balls are events for nobles.

Even after the revolution, France has changed a little, but it is still an event held by the upper-class bourgeois.

But it’s a little different in the New World.

There is also the problem that there are no nobles from the New World, but European culture, including balls, has been transplanted to a wider range of classes.

The same goes for the residents of Pensacola, which was a Spanish colony.

Also, immigrants from the Vendée, where there were many rural nobles, are familiar with [La Val] (Balls).

“No, even if we airlift supplies from Cuba, everything is lacking in the New World. A ball.”

While Eugene was grumbling, Juno, Ipolite, and Lore shouted excitedly.

“Wow, everyone is so bright! Were there so many beautiful girls? How is it, everyone, isn’t it good!”

“Oh oh oh! It’s good!”

“Kyaa, it’s a ball!”

Suddenly, Ipolite hit Eugene on the shoulder and smiled.

“Ah, you have to rest sometimes! Your Majesty the Viceroy!”

This place is in front of the Pensacola Governor-General’s Square.

It’s not a palace or a splendid mansion, but people are dressed up to the nines and coming out.

The military band replaced the orchestra for the music.

-Ppaam, ppappaappaam, ppaampam!

Suddenly, Marie, wearing a dress, approached Eugene, who was standing there blankly.

“Oh, come to think of it, our aide is unfamiliar with balls? Hehe!”

“No, I’ve participated in victory balls. Have you forgotten that you and I danced in Vienna before?”

“You haven’t danced once since then, have you? Do you remember how to dance?”

Eugene stared at Marie and smiled bitterly.

“Well, theoretically?”

In the meantime, he has really only been working in the New World.

So, the truth is that he didn’t have time to take care of Marie.

A lover who followed him to this distant New World, even though she is not an official wife, but only an fiancée.

Nevertheless, the lover, Marie, who doesn’t complain, smiles back, handing over her hand.

“Your Majesty the Viceroy, may I have this dance?”

Eugene kissed Marie’s hand and replied.

“I will, Duchess of Louisiana.”

Soldiers and women preparing to dance in the square look at Eugene and Marie.

In any ball, the event begins when the [host] dances first.

The same goes for the ball in Pensacola Square.

At that time.

-Tadadak!

Suddenly, a young man on horseback ran into Pensacola Square.

“Your Highness, it’s an urgent report. Huh?”

The young man, Rochejacquelin, the head of the Surêté [French Secret Police] and head of New World intelligence, scratched his head on the horse, surprised by the unexpected celebration party.

“I’m insensitive, I think I came too early.”

“No, you seem to be sensitive. What’s going on? Rochejacquelin?”

“Just now, Ambassador Lafayette sent an urgent report from Philadelphia.”

Brigadier General Rochejacquelin hurriedly said.

“The United States government is sending an envoy to our Nouvelle France Governor-General’s Office. The reason is the request to purchase [New Orleans]!”

The power struggle of the New World powers surrounding Louisiana has not yet ended.

Even at this moment when the negotiations with Spain were concluded with money.