He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 422

(422) Eugene Stands at the Crossroads of Crown Selection

Amper Francais, or the French Empire, is a constitutional monarchy.

“So, strictly speaking, all the nobles Your Highness appointed in the New World are illegal, and the nobles appointed by His Imperial Majesty are unapproved without the consent of the parliament. Even the Viceroy is merely an administrative position.”

Of course, Eugene knows this very well.

The concept of nobility in this era is more familiar in the 21st century than in the 19th century.

Because hereditary nobility is common in this era, it is difficult to imagine that titles might not be inheritable.

Although Napoleon has announced it, everyone who has received a title thinks the same thing.

That is, the law will be changed to allow hereditary titles.

Because Napoleon himself will want to pass on the throne to his son.

But is it really necessary to come all the way to the French Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hear this?

While watching Talleyrand elegantly drink Ethiopian coffee, Eugene suddenly asked.

“Did you call me here just to inform me of that, Minister Talleyrand?”

“In fact, the fact that my title is ‘Minister’ rather than ‘Deputy’ is, in comparison to other countries, a lower rank. But wouldn’t it be inappropriate for Your Highness, the only adult adopted son of His Imperial Majesty, to have no title at all?”

“I thought you called me about the issue of escorting the King from Spain. Are you going to give me a new title?”

At Eugene’s question, Talleyrand smiled and stared at the report on his desk.

“Marshal Massena has come up with interesting results: a military failure, a political success, and a diplomatically troublesome situation.”

The fall of the Spanish capital, the capture of the King, but then a retreat due to street fighting.

This is the urgent message Massena sent to Paris.

The Spanish front, where as many as 80,000 troops were committed, has fallen into a stalemate.

However, capturing the Spanish King is clearly a politically successful result.

The French Empire’s Senate and the Council of Five Hundred are passing resolutions celebrating the victory every day.

The problem is that this is a diplomatically troublesome issue.

The king has been captured.

That king is someone who can never be justified from the perspective of the French Empire’s government.

So, how should he be dealt with?

Eugene replied as if it were someone else’s problem.

“It seems that this issue should be handled by the General Headquarters, the Imperial Cabinet, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, respectively.”

“It seems you’ve already received a report from Surte. You don’t seem flustered.”

“Surte is not under my jurisdiction. In the New World, Director Surte only helped me because I had to deal with foreign countries.”

As Eugene subtly distanced himself, Talleyrand added a spoonful of sugar to his coffee and said.

“I heard that Rochejacquelin is marrying Émilie de Beauharnais, a daughter of the Beauharnais family. You are very thorough, Your Highness.”

Of course, that’s not something Eugene intervened in.

“That’s just a love marriage.”

“No one believes that. Surely, you wouldn’t say that the marriage of Stephanie de Beauharnais and Major General Charles is also a love marriage?”

“It’s better than the Grand Ducal House of Baden getting involved with the Imperial Family.”

When Eugene responded without backing down, Talleyrand smiled mysteriously.

“Then, how about the names of Bourbon and Bonaparte being linked together?”

It seems he was called to discuss this issue.

Since the [Cadoudal Affair, a royalist plot to assassinate Napoleon], in which all the Spanish throne successors were killed in a bombing, Eugene has always been associated with Spain.

Eugene also used that point to dramatically expand New France.

But if you hold onto a sweet candy for too long, your teeth will rot.

It seems the time has come to pay the price.

“The issue of marriage between Marie and me has often been discussed in Paris.”

“You are both of full age already. Especially Princess Marie will soon be thirty. It’s difficult to leave a woman like that for so long. It’s not gentlemanly.”

“But the Minister has always tried to use that marriage to drive me out of Paris.”

Eugene stared intently at Talleyrand.

“There’s no need to make excuses. What exactly is being proposed? I know the Minister, and the Minister knows me, so tell me the real thing, not just formalities.”

He wouldn’t have called just to beat around the bush.

If he was trying to trap Eugene in a conspiracy, Napoleon would call Eugene later.

What card is Talleyrand holding?

Talleyrand raised both hands and smiled.

“Then I should tell you about the changes that have occurred while you were on the battlefield.”

“Are there changes I don’t know about?”

“Yes, there are. Spain, Naples, Sweden. Which crown would you choose?”

It seems that Eugene was indeed outsmarted by Talleyrand.

***

An unexpected choice was given that I had never thought of.

“Marriage is an important thing in life. It’s natural to take responsibility for your betrothed. But changing your status is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, Eugene.”

Empress Josephine smiled brightly and told Eugene.

Of course, Eugene was looking at Josephine’s [noticeably artificial] teeth and realizing the importance of dental education.

In fact, Josephine’s concern for Eugene’s marriage, even to the point of the throne, was something that happened in the original history.

But at that time, Josephine’s position was too weak, so she couldn’t give him the [King of Italy] status even though she wanted it.

Now that she has given birth to the Crown Prince, Charles Napoleon, what will happen?

Eugene realized that history had definitely changed.

After all, the Empress, who has no official power and whose family is just a landowner in the New World, is discussing the crowns of Europe.

Eugene looked down at the cooling coffee cup and asked.

“Mother, so you discussed this issue with Queen Marie Antoinette?”

“When did I? Count Fersen brought the proposal. And the Queen just confided in me, an old friend, as if it were a concern. In fact, it’s a question of whether her daughter will become the Queen of Sweden or not, isn’t it?”

“Doesn’t the King of Sweden have a son? What happened?”

Then ‘Joseph’, who was drinking coffee in front of him, nodded.

“That’s right. He was deprived of Finland by Russia and was deposed, Eugene.”

Eugene widened his eyes.

I haven’t paid any attention to the North until now.

But in fact, in the original history, wars were not only caused by Napoleon and his rivals.

The countries surrounding the North Sea, namely England, Russia, Denmark, and Sweden, also fought endlessly from the beginning of the revolution to the end of Napoleon’s original history.

The so-called Russo-Swedish War is one of them, and the First War is the war in the early days of the revolution in which Sydney Smith made a contribution.

But now is not the time for Russia to fight Sweden.

Even if I haven’t collected any information about the North, when did they fight?

“No, already?”

“Already?”

“I mean, Russia has already started a war? Of course, Sweden and Russia have been fighting each other for a long time.”

Joseph Bonaparte, the ‘Consul’ of the Lombardy Republic, who had served as a diplomat, nodded.

“It seems that a border dispute broke out while we were fighting at Austerlitz. Sweden started it, but Generals Buxhoeveden and Bagration launched a fierce offensive, and Sweden was defeated.”

“Foolish. Even though Russia is a backward country, its military power is amazing.”

“In the end, Sweden lost the entire Finnish region at the beginning of this year, and as a result, the military and the aristocratic council staged a coup in March. After that, the one who became king is Gustav IV’s uncle, Karl.”

Everything happens in the original history.

However, the events that take place in 1809 seem to have occurred at least two years earlier.

Also, it happened very quickly, in less than three months, so you can see how dissatisfied the Swedes were with the existing king.

Or the great nobles, that is.

Eugene narrowed his brows, recalling the original historical records.

“Karl has no son.”

“That’s right. He adopted an heir, but that heir died a while ago.”

“Fersen, who brought this news, is okay?”

There is a reason why Eugene asks even though he knows that Fersen has entered the country.

In fact, Fersen is killed right after this coup occurs, as Karl’s [adopted son] dies.

Because there was a rumor that the death of this adopted son was Fersen’s conspiracy.

In reality, it seems to have been completely unrelated, but in any case, the Swedish people at the time believed the rumor.

However, Joseph, who had a meeting with Fersen, who came in healthy, just tilted his head.

“Isn’t it? In all of this process, Fersen is close to being a bystander. However, he seems to have maintained his position as Marshal of the Kingdom because he is close to the new King Karl XIII.”

Then Empress Josephine, who is not interested in international politics but is interested in crowns, exclaimed.

“This is an opportunity, Eugene. Sweden is a bit cold, but it’s a big country. It’s much better than the distant New World or the unstable Spain!”

“Your Imperial Majesty, you should also tell me about the Kingdom of Naples.”

“That’s uncertain, isn’t it? Joseph, I know you can become king this time.”

Eugene widened his eyes.

But that’s also something that happens in the original history.

Because Napoleon appoints Joseph as the King of the Kingdom of Naples.

But Joseph shook his hand.

“I have been living peacefully in Milan for a long time. Naples, which is a hotbed of rebellion, is not for me. Besides, Eugene’s throne comes first.”

Originally, Joseph would covet Napoleon’s successor in the original history.

Also, he rejects the Beauharnais family because of the succession issue, and his relationship with the Empress becomes very bad.

But now that there is such a solid [biological child, Charles Napoleon], it seems that he has given up on his own greed.

Looking at Joseph with great interest, Eugene replied.

“That’s all good, but you’re all forgetting one thing.”

“What?”

“Uncle Joseph. In the end, this is an issue that His Majesty will decide.”

Eugene got up lightly from his seat and said to his mother and uncle.

“It’s not time for us to get excited. His Imperial Majesty will make the choice.”

Of course, Eugene himself doesn’t believe it.

***

The core members of the so-called Eugene Viceroyalty also had conflicting opinions on the sudden story.

“Naples! Abundant resources, warm weather, and many beautiful women! Very good!”

“Spain has a huge colony in the New World, but how troublesome is that country? Besides, if you go to Spain now, you’ll get caught up in the war.”

“Isn’t Sweden better?”

Ippolito and Jomini were talking, and everyone turned their attention to Junot’s words.

“No, Sweden is a traditional northern powerhouse, even if it’s cold. If Finland is taken away, you can mobilize troops to take it back. Besides, it’s a great help in checking Russia, isn’t it?”

Junot is not very outstanding, but he shows above-average skills in all fields.

Even now, he has made an accurate judgment from a strategic point of view.

Considering that Sweden betrayed France during the original Russian expedition, preventing France from seeking a reversal, this is especially true.

Eugene nodded after listening to the opinions of his staff and turned his gaze.

“Damas, you’re silent.”

“If it’s a business, it’s definitely Naples. You can literally increase the Mediterranean business tenfold.”

“But?”

Damas, the general manager of the Beauharnais Cartel, not a soldier but a businessman, stared at Eugene.

“Your Highness, are you aiming for the French throne in the future? If so, Sweden is too far away.”

At that moment, the Viceroyalty’s office froze.

The throne, that is, the Emperor of France.

Napoleon is still young, but there are always people who think about what will happen after him.