He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 369

(369) The 4-Year-Old French Empire on the Eve of War

Who was the most outstanding conspiratorial force in the 19th-century world?

“The Freemasons? The Rosicrucians? The Illuminati? No. Of course, none of them.”

Fouché was, for the first time in a while, passionately speaking in his office as the Minister of Police at the Tuileries Palace in Paris.

A conspiratorial force.

In fact, since the French Revolution, the group considered the best conspiratorial force has been the Jacobins.

After all, they were the force that overthrew the French monarchy, one of Europe’s greatest powers.

Looking closely, Fouché himself had been a high-ranking official through many changes, up to the current empire, so he could be called a conspirator among conspirators.

But of course, Fouché wasn’t trying to call himself a conspirator.

Besides, Fouché’s guest was also quite well-known for conspiracy.

Suddenly, former French Director and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Naples, Saliceti, asked back in a nonchalant tone.

“Weren’t the Rosicrucians and Illuminati groups that were exposed and disappeared? As for the Freemasons, seeing Lafayette as the French leader, they don’t seem like a very capable organization. The Jacobins would be better.”

“Heh heh! If the Jacobins were outstanding, they should have continued to hold French power, Prime Minister Saliceti.”

“Oh, then is it our Emperor or His Royal Highness the Viceroy of New France?”

Suddenly, Fouché hit his chest as if frustrated.

“Come on, why are you pretending not to know? It’s England, of course!”

Saliceti glanced at the globe on the Police Minister’s desk.

It was an era when various parts of the world were surrounded by British maritime bases.

However, it’s difficult to know England’s true power just by looking at its visible territory.

Even in the New World, Spain nominally had the largest territory, followed by Portugal, oddly enough.

Strictly speaking, France’s largest territory in New France, Louisiana, was not a national territory.

It was merely the private property of Eugene Bonaparte’s fiancée, the adopted son of Emperor Napoleon.

However, it couldn’t compare to the [trade volume] of England, which controlled the Indian Ocean, centered on India, a vast and wealthy Eastern nation.

Even Saliceti, who had virtually retired from French politics, knew that much.

“Did England cause another accident?”

“No, the problem broke out in Hungary.”

“I know about that. In fact, the reason His Royal Highness Viceroy Joseph sent me here is because the Hungarian problem is becoming serious.”

Currently, the newly formed French Empire is divided into five spheres of influence.

The homeland, the Governorate of Egypt, the Protectorate of Syria, New France in the New World, and the Italian Peninsula.

In addition, there are the Batavian and Helvetic satellite republics, formerly the Netherlands and Switzerland, but those two countries are independent for now.

However, the Italian Peninsula, except for the Papal States, was being organized into [fiefdoms] of the French Empire.

The southern part of it was reorganized from a satellite republic back into the Kingdom of Naples.

The place where Joseph was appointed as [Viceroy] was this country.

In the original history, Joseph Bonaparte was appointed as [King], but as Eugene went to the New World as Viceroy, the empire’s administrative system took a different path.

That’s why Saliceti, who originally went to the Lombardy Republic as Prime Minister, became the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Naples, following Joseph.

“The military buildup of the King of Hungary, Karl von Habsburg, is very unusual. He’s about to fight the Ottoman Empire.”

Suddenly, Saliceti, as the Prime Minister of Naples, who was monitoring the situation in the eastern Mediterranean, spoke to Fouché.

Karl von Habsburg, the second son of the Habsburg family that ruled the old Holy Roman Empire.

He was also the brother of the current Austrian King and former Emperor Franz I.

However, in terms of military talent, Karl had long been praised as the one who should have been the Emperor.

But Karl, who was forcibly appointed as King due to the Hungarian partition plan, was increasing his military strength.

That’s why Saliceti came to Paris urgently.

There was a situation where military action could suddenly occur in Hungary.

But Fouché shook his head.

“It’s all because of those English bastards. The ominous movements in Russia, too. Do you know that the Swedish royal family might be overthrown at any moment?”

“Are you saying England is instigating it?”

“Of course. How?”

Suddenly, Fouché threw the documents on his desk and gritted his teeth.

“It’s money. The increase in Hungarian military power, the assassination plot against the Russian Emperor! Even the Swedish coup is being funded by English financiers and traders. They’re causing trouble in Europe because things aren’t going their way in the New World!”

It seemed like something the Foreign Minister should worry about, but there’s a reason why the report is on Fouché’s desk.

Secret police, intelligence agency, and even the cooperative information from the Surêté [security organization directly under the Emperor], the security organization directly under the Emperor.

The person in charge of all domestic and foreign intelligence agencies in France is Police Minister Fouché.

In fact, Fouché was gleeful when he took this position.

He had ambitions to control French power holders by catching their corruption.

However, now, with the 4th anniversary of the French Empire’s founding just around the corner, Fouché’s hair is turning white.

Even though the war hasn’t started, the behind-the-scenes [espionage] is no joke.

The machinations of the English [Alien Office]’s spies were about to turn all of Europe against France.

“Could our satellite republics be in danger too?”

“Switzerland and the Netherlands? No, if it’s Helvetia and Batavia, then yes. Plans to overthrow the domestic regime are underway.”

“Even Spain?”

At Saliceti’s question, Fouché replied with a face that looked noticeably thinner.

“Of course. All the heirs who came to Paris died there. Would the royal family or nobles have good feelings towards France? It’s originally a country where pro-English factions were dominant!”

After looking at Fouché with sympathetic eyes for a moment, Saliceti rose from his seat.

“Well, since you already know, I’ll just trust the Police Minister.”

“Don’t trust me. If the English navy invades Naples, the Neapolitan navy must carry out the first defense.”

“I don’t know about that, but I’ll at least handle the rebellion within Naples.”

Saliceti, who was about to leave with his cane, suddenly stopped.

“By the way, did you hear? They say Viceroy Eugene Freischütz is coming back soon.”

This time, Fouché’s eyes widened because it was information he hadn’t heard.

“What? When?”

“You don’t seem to be very close to Surêté Deputy Chief Jacop Elly. He said that Brigadier General Tournay, the commander of the Viceroy’s bodyguard, sent him a letter saying he would be returning from the New World.”

“Good heavens, why wasn’t such an important report made!”

Saliceti looked at Fouché and smiled subtly.

“Why, wouldn’t your work be cut in half?”

Fouché glared at Saliceti and retorted bluntly.

“My head might be cut in half!”

Of course, Saliceti, who had retired from the center of French politics, didn’t care.

***

It’s easy to think that France must have been having an easy time since the Anglo-American War began a year ago.

“Good heavens, another military clash?”

However, at least the French military is extremely busy.

Even though four years have passed since the empire was established, it has never engaged in direct large-scale military action.

However, aggressive maneuvers close to quasi-military actions are taking place throughout the empire and its subordinate forces.

For example, like the report currently in front of Chief of the General Staff, [Chief Marshal] Berthier.

Suddenly, Marshal Augereau, who stopped by the General Headquarters and saw the scene, asked.

“Hungary is the problem, isn’t it? Chief of the General Staff Berthier.”

“That’s right. Grand Duke Friedrich of Galicia and the Duke of Bohemia are supposed to be blocking that place, but there’s always a problem. Bernadotte clashed with the Hungarian army?”

“You know that neither Louis Bonaparte nor Friedrich von Salm-Kyrburg have great capabilities, right? Bernadotte will act as he pleases, and Bernadotte is belligerent.”

At Augereau’s cold assessment, Berthier replied with an expressionless face.

“If this continues, it may be difficult to prevent King Karl von Habsburg of Hungary from establishing the Second Habsburg Empire again. He’s giving them an excuse.”

Chief of the General Staff Berthier cannot simply see it as a military clash.

He must now consider the military mobilization status of the entire French Empire.

However, from a macro perspective, local military clashes have a high risk of escalating.

It means that the war, which has been avoided for the sake of the empire’s internal affairs, is becoming inevitable.

Then someone put their arm around Augereau’s shoulder and chuckled.

“Then, shouldn’t our [Seven Marshals] go and stop it? Heh heh heh!”

Seven Marshals.

Soon, it refers to the highest military rank, [Imperial Marshal], which was revived from the old monarchy system at the time of the French Empire’s founding.

Originally, a total of 14 people were first appointed as Imperial Marshals in the original history.

However, many of them failed to accumulate achievements or left for the New World, so the number of Marshals Napoleon appointed was reduced to seven.

Berthier and Augereau, Masséna, and Lannes were in mainland France.

Hoche, the Governor of Egypt, and Marceau, the commander stationed in Constantinople, were in charge of the Eastern region.

Moreau, a prominent figure virtually exiled to Switzerland.

Currently, these Seven Marshals are truly the core of the military in France.

If there are those who have the fame to stand against them, it would be about two people in the New World.

Eugene and Desaix.

Berthier frowned as he looked at Masséna, the Marshal who currently boasts the highest military authority in France.

“It’s not that simple, Marshal Masséna.”

“Why? I’m sure Masséna, Augereau, Lannes, Marceau, Hoche, and Moreau are all confident? There are many people who want to compete with Archduke Karl, no, King Karl.”

“If France formally raises an army again now, it means the Third War of the Anti-Revolution, no, the Anti-Empire War will break out.”

Berthier said in a heavy voice.

“It means the Treaty of Amiens will become waste paper.”

In the end, it means that all of Europe and France will fight again.

It was also something that the newly formed French Empire did not particularly want.

War always has winners and losers, and it is a dangerous thing with no guarantee of always winning.

However, if a war breaks out in a situation where the foundation has not been fully established, everything achieved so far may be lost.

It actually happened after the failure of the Russian expedition in the original history.

Therefore, surprisingly, the military personnel of the French Imperial Army are not very belligerent.

This is even more true because they have risen from the status of ordinary soldiers to the position of looking forward to noble aristocratic titles.

However, there was also a belligerent person who overheard the story and snorted, interrupting.

“Why are our soldiers worried about that? It’s something for politicians to worry about.”

“If you’re one of the Seven Marshals, you should also worry about the empire’s grand strategy! Marshal Lannes!”

“Hmph, isn’t that something to worry about when you become His Royal Highness the Viceroy, Governor Hoche, or General Moreau? By the way, did you hear?”

Lannes whistled as he brought up the real reason he visited the General Headquarters.

“They say His Royal Highness the Viceroy might return home. Whew.”

Then Augereau and Masséna, who were close friends, turned to each other.

“Really? I heard that England and the United States are at war in the New World. Did His Majesty the Emperor allow him to return?”

“If it were me, I would have started a conquest war in the New World, but his ambition is small? The Sharpshooter is.”

“Even if he comes back, it’s a problem whether there’s a place for him since a legitimate child has been born.”

Berthier narrowed his brow and pondered, then nodded.

“One thing is certain. Viceroy Eugene should take charge of Hungary.”

However, unlike Berthier, who looked at it from a macro perspective but only thought about the military, Augereau and Masséna saw it differently.

“If this happens, Hoche and Moreau will also return home.”

“Hmm, is this a fight over who’s the number one in the military?”

“More than that, neither of them has ever directly sworn allegiance to the empire.”

Although they are called the Seven Marshals, they are all different.

In particular, Hoche is a faction of Viceroy Eugene, and Moreau represents the old Jacobin faction.

They are the ones who can threaten the imperial system that Napoleon created in Paris.

Suddenly, Lannes smiled with an excited face and nodded.

“It’s going to be a real mess, right? Hehe!”

Outside the window of the French Army General Headquarters building on Île de la Cité [an island in the middle of Paris], it was already darkening as if a storm was approaching.

***

The Emperor was drinking wine in his office at the Fontainebleau [a palace southeast of Paris] Palace and turned his gaze.

“Your Majesty, Russian Ambassador Danton has sent another urgent message.”

The voice of the Minister of State, Talleyrand, bowing and reporting elegantly, was heard.

Urgent message.

However, from the Emperor’s point of view, it was a predictable piece of news that was not urgent at all.

Information that spies from the English Alien Office were repeatedly being dispatched to Saint Petersburg had been collected for a long time.

Suddenly, Emperor Napoleon clicked his tongue at Talleyrand.

“Tsk, it would be nice if the English ambassador delivered information this diligently.”

“If it’s English Ambassador Barras, he seems to have already been bought off by the English bastards with bribes.”

“Then, does it seem like Russia will be overthrown after all?”

Oddly enough, the current French Ambassador to England is Paul Barras.

Originally, he was subject to expulsion to Florida for being involved in the Pichegru coup, but he was forgotten as the political situation changed rapidly.

Then, when Napoleon ascended to the throne, he was released by an amnesty.

After that, due to a shortage of high-ranking officials to be appointed as ambassadors to England, Napoleon selected and sent him.

However, after going to England, he seemed to be spending his days in pure pleasure.

In any case, Napoleon is always receiving information, even if the London Embassy does not provide it.

Minister of State Talleyrand nodded.

“It seems so, Your Majesty.”

Napoleon swirled his wine glass again and asked back.

“Eugene will be back soon, right?”

This time, Talleyrand did not answer.

Viceroy Eugene, who had been virtually exiled, is returning home.

It is an issue that will cause a stir in the Paris political scene.

However, Napoleon did not seem to have any intention of sending Eugene back.