He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 385

(385) Eugene Needs War Too

The reason all of this wasn’t being reported in real-time was that it was the early 19th century, before the invention of telegraphs.

“A 30 million franc deficit? The Beauharnais Cartel? Why?”

In mid-August 1806, Eugene had received only three pieces of news.

First, the failed coup in Russia.

Next, the envoy sent from France to England had not yet returned.

However, it was the last piece of news that brought Eugene to the Beauharnais Cartel office for the first time in a while.

The general manager of the Beauharnais Cartel, Antoine de Damas, shrugged.

“Didn’t I report it when I came back? Naturally, money is being spent lavishly, but the returns aren’t immediate, so it’s only natural.”

“If it’s a business in the New World, the profitability is high. We’ve been conducting intermediary trade between America, where trade with England is cut off, and the Spanish New World territories, so most of the investment should have been recovered, right?”

“That’s the report from the DuPont representative, isn’t it? Not something His Royal Highness, the Viceroy, saw directly.”

Just as Eugene was about to look stung, Damas informed him with a gentle but firm attitude.

“However, the war started after that. The costs for weapons, uniforms, and gunpowder supplied since the war began aren’t included in the calculations. In fact, the accounting for the New World [branch] is practically non-existent.”

In 1806, the early 19th century, European, especially Western European, capitalists were in an era where global management was becoming possible.

Even if they weren’t like England, which had the Qing Empire of East Asia as a business stage, or the Netherlands, which traded with Japan, France also had a vast market.

In particular, thanks to Eugene’s success in the Mediterranean expedition and New World expansion, French merchants, entrepreneurs, and capitalists had advanced into the New World and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Of course, it goes without saying that the Beauharnais Cartel was at the forefront of this.

The problem was accounting.

In an era where real-time reporting and reflection of profit and loss were impossible, each continent’s branch had no choice but to operate separately.

Naturally, the businesses and achievements Eugene had made in the New World were not yet reflected in Europe.

Eugene clicked his tongue and asked again.

“So, you’re only considering the domestic accounting, but why is it in the red? There hasn’t been a war in the homeland.”

“Instead, the Suez Canal costs have overflowed.”

“What are you talking about? Isn’t that something the Egyptian Governor-General’s office should handle? Besides, it’ll be a while before it’s built, right?”

Damas, now a shareholder in the Suez Canal Company due to his past promise with Eugene, clicked his tongue.

“Do you know it’s already been 10 years? Since the Egyptian expedition, I mean. The canal you ordered to be built back then is now in its final stages. Naturally, the maintenance costs until completion are enormous. But, Your Highness is the major shareholder.”

In principle, there is no reason why a major shareholder should solve a company’s funding problems.

Even in France, where joint-stock companies were just beginning to develop, the general principle was that shareholders were only responsible for their shares.

However, the nominal and the real are different, and the Suez Canal was a risky venture that would bring enormous profits if it went through.

Naturally, Damas, as both a manager and a stakeholder, had no choice but to invest funds.

There were also political considerations.

“So, you bought the local bonds issued by the Egyptian Governor-General’s office?”

“Governor Hoche was making such a fuss. What else could I do? He even threatened to return home.”

“That’s a problem. In a situation where I haven’t secured my position yet, it’ll be difficult to mediate the conflict with His Imperial Majesty if Governor Hoche returns.”

It was the issue of Hoche’s return.

In fact, Eugene had promised Hoche to return within 5 years.

But the period had long passed, and Hoche in Egypt and Marceau in Constantinople were staying in the East indefinitely.

Of course, even so, the two republican generals who didn’t like the French Empire found the position of Oriental Governor-General or special envoy to be better.

However, if Hoche suddenly returned from Egypt, there was a risk of conflict with Napoleon.

Eugene had no choice but to accept Damas’s excuse.

But no matter what, the deficit was too large.

Damas handed over another report and added.

“Moreover, military supplies, which are the biggest source of income, have decreased significantly, and Prime Minister Joseph is constantly checking us in the Italian region.”

“What are you talking about? Why are military supplies decreasing, and why is our advisor, Prime Minister Joseph, or rather, Uncle, doing that?”

“In the military supply sector, competitors have increased. Perregaux and Hottinguer have jumped into this field. It’s similar in Italy.”

Jean-Frédéric Perregaux and Jean-Conrad Hottinguer were both prominent financiers in France.

In particular, Perregaux was a Swiss banker who had amassed enormous wealth by colluding with revolutionaries from the beginning of the revolution.

Also, both were recognized for their wealth and participated as shareholders in the Bank of France.

But these two bankers had jumped into the military supply business.

Eugene smiled bitterly.

“Those people should concentrate on banking, why did they have to jump into military supplies?”

“It’s not wartime, so the pie is shrinking, and there are more people to share it with.”

“Then who is the competitor in the Italian region, or rather, who approached Uncle Joseph?”

Eugene’s face, which had been relaxed even while bitter, suddenly hardened at Damas’s report.

“Mayer Amschel Rothschild.”

Eugene turned his head sharply.

“Not the sons, but the head of the family himself?”

“That’s right. Well, the eldest son is also named Amschel Mayer, I think.”

“I remember investing 100,000 francs in the Rothschild family’s bank. Besides, didn’t we allow them to invest in the Bank of France?”

Mayer Amschel Rothschild, the head and founder of the Rothschild family.

Later, Nathan, who dominated England in the original history, Jacques, who dominated Paris, and Salomon, who was active in Austria, were all sons of Mayer Amschel.

He was now an old man and nearing death, but the final decision-making power of the family still rested with Mayer.

But hadn’t Eugene approached the Rothschild family and formed a friendship?

Damas shrugged.

“That’s how they were able to approach Italian territories under French control, Your Highness.”

Of course, the bank Eugene invested in was only the [London Rothschild Bank].

Moreover, even this bank had secretly acted as a background in the assassination plot in Russia.

Eugene didn’t know that far yet, but it was clear that Mayer Amschel was advancing into Italy.

Eugene, who had been drumming on his desk in thought, shook his head.

“There are no eternal friends in business. Has the stock exchange been established?”

“Yes? Ah, that’s right. It’s been established in Genoa for now. Since the Italian Beauharnais Bank headquarters is in Genoa. The stock exchange shares are 100% owned by the Beauharnais Cartel.”

“Something has changed in that regard. Good.”

Originally, the Italian stock exchange was established in Milan.

But because Eugene’s business center was in Genoa, it started in Genoa.

Now that the stock market was open, there was a way to solve the deficit.

-Chuck!

Eugene presented a hastily written proposal he had written last night, and Damas tilted his head.

“What is this, Your Highness?”

“Didn’t I say I would make the Beauharnais Cartel a financial center? To do that, we need to fully convert to a joint-stock company. Furthermore, we need to disclose some shares to the stock exchange.”

“Then, wouldn’t that threaten management control?”

Eugene smiled and replied.

“That’s why we only disclose some. The Pauli Armory would be good. There will be a war soon.”

In modern terms, it was the listing of an unlisted company on the stock market.

In a situation where repeated deficits were threatening capital erosion, Eugene had decided to sell shares to raise funds.

Naturally, there were concerns about infringement of management rights in this case, but if only a portion was sold, there would be no problem.

Besides, who would attempt a hostile takeover of Eugene, the powerful man of France anyway?

Damas widened his eyes and nodded.

“We need to time it well. Otherwise, the stock price will plummet. When will the war break out?”

Before Eugene could answer, a sound of someone running into the office was heard.

-Tap tap tap!

It was Rochejaquelein, who had returned as the chief of staff.

“Your Highness, urgent report!”

“What is it, Rochejaquelein?”

“Russia has declared war. On England!”

The information Eugene had just received was the failure of the coup.

The envoy Joubert had urgently sent after the coup failure had arrived in Paris a week ago.

However, the subsequent Russian declaration of war had not arrived early due to the waves of the Baltic and North Seas.

As Damas listened to the urgent information he had just obtained, he clapped his hands.

“Amazing. Since the coup failed, I thought Russia would take some action. But a declaration of war!”

But Eugene shook his head.

“No, not yet.”

“Yes? What do you mean? They clearly declared war?”

“What means does Russia have to attack England? Fighting in the New World is practically us fighting for them.”

Looking very calmly at the map hanging on the wall, Eugene nodded.

“However, there will be no need to fight the Russian army in this war.”

Originally, in the original history, Russia would still have been the main enemy on the battlefield.

***

Eugene’s newly prepared Paris residence was the palace formerly used by the Duke of Orléans.

“Have you heard the news, Your Royal Highness, the Viceroy?”

Eugene, who was looking around the palace that was not yet fully renovated, turned his head.

Even the living room to greet the suddenly arrived guest had obvious traces of looting, which was a bit rude.

Nevertheless, it was fortunate that the guest in front of him didn’t care about appearances.

Looking at the [Marshal of the Empire], who was so unconcerned that his own clothes were shabby, Eugene chuckled.

“What brings the glorious Marshal of the French Empire to my residence? I should be the one going to greet you in person.”

“Haha! Your Royal Highness, Viceroy, we’ve been through life and death together, don’t be so distant. Between us, I can come and visit in person!”

“It’s even more awkward when you use honorifics. Lannes.”

Jean Lannes laughed heartily and suddenly asked Eugene.

“Then, should we drop the formalities? Hey, which battlefield are you going to?”

In the original history, Lannes spoke informally to Napoleon.

Not to mention Eugene, whom he had seen since he was a young boy.

However, talking about the battlefield was a bit more dangerous than speaking informally.

In any case, the current French Empire was a country built on military power, and problems with military power should not be discussed carelessly except by Napoleon.

Eugene shrugged.

“Lannes, you’re not here to tell me to go to the battlefield in person, are you?”

“Don’t want to go? I guess you’ve gotten used to just giving orders in the New World? But, now that you’re in the homeland, our Viceroy is not the King of the New World, but just a soldier on the battlefield!”

“In terms of military rank, I’d be below the Marshal.”

Lannes snorted at Eugene, who was lightly probing the military atmosphere.

“That can’t be. Our Marshals will be under the command of the Viceroy! Let’s go together. If possible, to Prussia or Austria!”

Eugene raised his eyebrows.

“Prussia and Austria are coming to the battlefield together? This time?”

Of course, it was something that would have already happened in history.

In fact, Prussia, unlike common perception, takes a very pacifistic policy at this time.

Thus, even when Austria repeatedly fought and was defeated by France, Prussia chose neutrality.

Eventually, Prussia, which was being pushed, directly stepped forward when the Fourth Coalition was formed.

That was around 1805 in the original history, so in terms of timing, it would be rather late.

But the structure Eugene created before leaving for the New World was one in which neither Prussia nor Austria could move carelessly.

What are they believing in to come forward?

Lannes, who was good at war but didn’t know much about politics, tilted his head.

“Didn’t you know? Rochejaquelein must be too busy these days. Prussia and Austria have issued a joint statement. If the Confederation of the Rhine is not dissolved, they cannot guarantee the independence of Galicia and Bohemia!”

Only then did Eugene realize.

During the previous War of the Second Coalition, France had achieved far more overwhelming results than in the original history.

The victory itself was slightly better than in the original history, but in terms of politics, it had dissolved the Empire.

But because he pressed too hard, it became easier for Prussia and Austria to unite.

Looking quietly at the decorations of the broken Orléans Palace, Eugene sighed.

“Indeed, so much has changed, and so much hasn’t.”

Even the things that cannot be avoided even if you try to avoid war.

***

Still, the bedroom of the palace was the first to be repaired and is beautiful.

“Eugene, do you have to go to the battlefield again?”

Thinking that Marie was more beautiful than the painting drawn like the decoration of the bedroom, Eugene chuckled.

“We haven’t had a formal marriage yet, have we?”

“What does that matter? Everyone thinks we’re a couple anyway.”

“I don’t care, but our noble princess cares. Also, I can’t let our child be born out of wedlock, can I?”

Marie blushed and pinched Eugene.

“You can’t say anything. Who said I’d give birth to your child?”

“Ouch! To dare harm the Viceroy’s body, I must punish you!”

“Kyahaha! What, it tickles!”

It was the moment when Eugene and Marie were about to jump into bed, pinching each other.

-Bang, bang, bang!

The sound of someone suddenly banging on the bedroom door was so loud that Eugene had no choice but to stop what he was doing and go out.

The rude person knocking on the door from outside was none other than Chief Adjutant Hippolyte.

Hippolyte, who saw Eugene, shouted urgently.

“Hey, Eugene! It’s a big deal!”

“What I see as a really big deal is dealing with an adjutant who rushes into the Viceroy’s bedroom. Should I execute him?”

“Stop joking around! Good. Princess Marie, listen too!”

Hippolyte, who had confirmed Marie, reported as if shouting.

“A coup has occurred in Spain. Godoy has been exiled, and King Carlos IV has been overthrown! His brother, King Ferdinand of Sicily, has ascended the throne with the support of French émigré nobles and England!”

This was a coup that did not exist in history.

The collapse of the Carlos regime, which should have remained intact until Napoleon intervened, had occurred.

Eugene, who was standing still, turned to Marie.

“Now, we can’t avoid war, Marie.”

Of course, it was a secret only between Eugene and Damas that they wanted this war.