He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 434

(434) Preventing Independence with the Vice-Royal Election System

Divide and rule; it’s actually the motto of the British Empire.

“Divide and rule, you say?”

“Yes. Further divide and split, so they can’t unite. You could call it regional competition.”

“But doesn’t that make governing even harder?”

It’s a bright midday, and people are walking in Seville.

If it were known that Eugenio, the co-king, was at the center of it all, there would be chaos.

In any case, not everyone in Spain has recognized Marie and Eugene as their king yet.

If someone attempts an assassination, it could be very dangerous.

Eugene doesn’t feel threatened because of the [Silver Letter, a magical artifact], but Junot and Lasalle, who are guarding him, are in a state of high alert.

On the other hand, Hippolyte, who is always with Eugene, isn’t particularly afraid and is asking questions.

Why create a New World Cortes [Spanish parliament], call them back, and even concede to an elected vice-royalty?

It’s astonishing that the vice-royalty isn’t just appointed to someone from the New World, but is elected.

Of course, Eugene has a trick up his sleeve.

Elected positions are generally not lifetime appointments but have fixed terms.

If this term is reduced to, say, two years, it becomes easy to control.

Furthermore, if vice-roys compete against each other by region, the home country can dominate by coordinating them.

However, in this case, there’s the problem that Hippolyte mentioned: difficulty in concentrating national power.

Eugene shrugged.

“Spain doesn’t necessarily need to become strong, does it?”

Hippolyte, Junot, and Lasalle looked at each other.

Certainly, Eugene is governing in a way that only the top echelons of the French Empire can understand.

Whatever happens to Spain, just keep it quiet.

Then, aim for the heart of the French Empire.

But this process isn’t as simple as it seems, which is the problem Eugene faces.

“We’ve brought a total of 100 Cortes representatives from South America.”

“That’s quite a lot.”

“Actually, compared to the entire population of South America, it’s not necessarily that many. Nueva España [New Spain, modern-day Mexico] has 8 million, Nueva Granada [New Granada, roughly Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela] has 2 million, and Peru and La Plata [Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Bolivia] combined have about 2 million.”

Eugene looked around.

His chief aide, Hippolyte, the commander of the guard, Junot, and Eugene’s best sword, Lasalle.

These are people he can reveal his true intentions to.

“Furthermore, the territory is dozens of times larger than the home country. This vast territory and a population equivalent to the 12 million in the home country are scattered throughout the New World. We must integrate them, unite them, and prevent them from concentrating.”

In other words:

The South American colonies are vast, and the population is quite large.

In fact, although he didn’t explicitly say it, the underground resources are enormous, to the point where they even produce oil in modern times.

If such a land full of potential is left alone, it will obviously become independent.

But that wouldn’t be good for Spain or France.

In the original history, the Spanish territories in South America attempted and succeeded in gaining independence as soon as the authority of the monarchy faltered.

That’s how strong the desire for potential independence already is.

Therefore, to keep South America as Spanish territory, complex political maneuvering is necessary.

“To do that, we need politics, not military force. We need to increase our allies rather than defeat our enemies. At the same time, we must control them.”

“Uh, uh, that sounds difficult. From what I’ve seen, the Spanish are even more impatient than the French. Is it possible?”

“They don’t seem that way when they’re taking a siesta [afternoon nap].”

Eugene chuckled, looking around.

“Right now, the only people awake are from France.”

Siesta refers to the midday nap prevalent in Southern Europe.

The reason Eugene can walk around so casually is because of this custom.

Seville is as quiet as a dead city right now.

Then, Hippolyte raised his eyebrows.

“It doesn’t seem that way entirely, though?”

In the distance, two people could be seen arguing behind a building, in the shade.

Somehow, Eugene, Hippolyte, and even Junot and Lasalle knew their faces.

Like the pros of war they were, Eugene and the guards silenced their footsteps and approached.

“What are you so dissatisfied with, Monsieur Bolivar?”

As one of the two, a woman, spoke, the man, Bolivar, turned his head.

“Call me Simon. It’s too awkward. Stephanie.”

“Hmph, even if I’m from a collateral line, I’m related to the Empress of the French Empire and the King of Spain. You’re not in a position to call me by my name.”

“Well, it sounded like you were calling my name sweetly in bed.”

Instantly, the woman, Stephanie, looked around frantically and lowered her voice, scolding him.

“Are you crazy? Where do you think you are, saying such things!”

“What does it matter if no one is listening? Besides, I don’t like this place at all. Except for you.”

“Then why did you come here? You could have refused and just sent someone else.”

Bolivar turned to Stephanie and scoffed.

“Didn’t you ask me to come with you? Also, your cousin’s proposal isn’t entirely uninteresting.”

The soldiers here are not artillerymen.

Furthermore, they are people who always cover their ears on the battlefield and take great care to protect their hearing.

So, even from a distance, they can hear the voices of the two men and women arguing loudly.

Suddenly, Junot turned to Hippolyte.

“Did you hear that, Hippolyte?”

“Hey, Mr. Junot. What are you so surprised about? Are there only one or two women having affairs in France? Besides, I didn’t marry her anyway.”

“No, still, you went with her, didn’t you? Then on that ship, you, you, did such things.”

As Junot made a fuss as if he were a pure innocent, Hippolyte cleared his throat.

“Well, I also slept with that friend’s older sister, Maria Antonia. Ahem.”

In other words, he slept with Bolivar’s sister.

In terms of womanizing, it’s truly a scale that crosses continents.

Just as Eugene was speechless and about to open his mouth, Stephanie, who had been angry, widened her eyes.

“Then, what are you doing instead of accepting the proposal? Huh?”

Because Eugene hadn’t hidden himself in time, Stephanie’s eyes met his.

“O-o-brother?”

Since it’s come to this, there’s no need to hide and listen.

Eugene smiled bitterly and approached the building.

Facing the flustered Bolivar, Eugene hid his bewildered feelings with a cold expression and said:

“That was a very interesting conversation, Bolivar.”

“…How much did you hear, Your Majesty?”

“Well, I heard you don’t want to recognize me as king. Do you have any thoughts? If so, I’ll listen.”

Instantly, Eugene’s eyes narrowed.

“If it doesn’t capture my interest, you’ll have to pay the price for touching my sixth cousin at the port of Seville.”

Anyone who touches an unmarried woman of the royal family deserves death.

Of course, that’s not necessarily the case in France, but this is much more conservative Spain.

Furthermore, immigrant societies are usually more conservative than native societies.

Bolivar, a man from a relatively conservative New World upper-class family, turned pale and nodded.

“I have no choice then. I’ll tell you my grand plan.”

This is definitely a proposal that interests Eugene.

***

In Seville, there is a separate palace that once belonged to the Spanish royal family.

-Swish!

Deep within the palace, Bolivar unfolded a map he always carried with him.

“You’ll see from the map how large the New World is, how vast Sudamérica [South America] is.”

“Sud means south, right? I’ve roamed Norte América [North America]. That place is also quite large. Although there aren’t many jungles.”

“But you can also see how far it is from the home country.”

Bolivar’s eyes flashed as he pointed to Sudamérica, or South America.

“The Criollos [Spanish-born Americans] of Sudamérica consider the rule of the home country unfair. We manage farms, mines, and trade in the New World. However, the home country only sees us as subjects to be ruled!”

The reason why Seville declined in the past 18th century was also due to the growth of the Criollos.

Of course, these days, Mediterranean trade and Seville’s own Cuban tobacco manufacturing business are developing, so it is reviving again.

However, the era when the home country unilaterally exported goods to the Criollos ended a hundred years ago.

The Criollos, who are experiencing high growth, are dissatisfied with the rule of the home country, thanks to this possibility of economic independence.

“So, isn’t that why you’re creating the Cortes?”

“It’s not enough! A class-based parliament is just another rule by the nobles! The Peninsulares [Spanish-born Spaniards residing in the New World] will be the majority. Create a constitution! Like France!”

“You want to be like France?”

Suddenly, Bolivar clenched his fist and shouted.

“Yes. Just like in France, we need representatives elected by votes and elections. Furthermore, the government they form must create a Federation [a union of partially self-governing states or regions under a central government]. Only that can quell the dissatisfaction of the New World!”

Bolivar left for a Grand Tour [traditional trip of Europe undertaken by upper-class European young men] of Europe shortly after the French Revolution broke out.

The Grand Tour was a trip where upper-class children, especially Englishmen, traveled to and from foreign countries to broaden their knowledge.

New World tycoons also imitated this culture, sending their children to Europe.

Bolivar, who became an orphan when he was young, had a lot of assets, so he was able to travel to Europe.

At that time, Bolivar saw France, where the revolution had taken place, and clearly witnessed the changing times.

From this time on, a French-style transformation took root in Bolivar’s mind.

Even though France had returned to a monarchy.

Eugene tapped the map with an interesting expression.

“A federal system. You’re thinking of the American Federation.”

“They should actually be called the North American Federation. The American Federation is an arrogant term. But they’re right about something! The New World belongs to the people of the New World!”

“You’re forgetting one thing, Bolivar.”

Suddenly, Eugene pointed out one problem.

“Mestizos [people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry], Mulattoes [people of mixed European and African ancestry], and black slaves live in the New World. Not just Criollos.”

In the original history, Bolivar advocated a republican federal system.

However, Bolivar’s idea was that people of color should naturally not have the right to vote.

It’s not that Bolivar was particularly bad, but it was probably the general perception of white people in the New World.

So, Bolivar was angry at Eugene’s point.

“How can you recognize the rights of people of color? Your Majesty, no one will accept that!”

“Tell the mainland nobles. Recognizing the rights of the Criollos is absurd.”

“How is that the same! Even just our Bolivar family!”

To Bolivar, who was trying to discuss the tradition of being from a noble family in the home country, Eugene said coldly.

“That is the spirit of the French Revolution that you admire.”

Instantly, Bolivar closed his mouth, feeling as if he had been doused with cold water.

The young man in front of him was not only a king but also called the standard-bearer of the revolution.

If it’s a revolution, wouldn’t Eugene know it much more accurately?

But Eugene was already looking at the map with a relaxed expression.

“But your proposal is certainly interesting.”

“The election?”

“No, that’s not a very surprising idea to the French. It’s a little interesting that a New World Criollo is talking about it himself.”

Eugene smiled, mentioning another point.

“The introduction of a federal system is certainly surprising.”

In particular, the fact that the New World residents initiated it themselves is interesting.

If this is used properly, it might be possible to achieve the goal.

To unite the home country of Spain and the New World colonies while simultaneously scattering them.

Eugene raised his head and looked at Bolivar.

“I’ll give you a gift, Bolivar.”

Of course, Bolivar had no idea what kind of gift he was going to give.

***

The next day, the 100 Cortes representatives heard shocking news.

“We announce the engagement of Simon Bolivar, a member of the Nueva Granada Cortes, and my cousin, Stephanie de Beauharnais.”

Of course, the most shocked person was Bolivar.

But shouldn’t the next most shocked person be someone else?

After briefly looking around, the commander of the guard, Junot, quickly asked King Eugene.

“Yes? No, what about Hippolyte? Was this discussed in advance?”

“It’s already been discussed with me, Marshal.”

“But!”

Hippolyte just responded nonchalantly.

“I hate women who hate me. I don’t know about Monsieur Bolivar?”

Stephanie, who had been dragged away, trembled her eyebrows.

But the look in her eyes as she looked at Bolivar didn’t seem unpleasant.

Bolivar looked around with a dazed face and said to Eugene.

“Your Majesty, it’s hard to handle.”

“This goes with the duty I’m giving you, Bolivar.”

“What duty are you talking about?”

Eugene replied to Bolivar with a cold attitude.

“Together with the Cortes representatives gathered here, create the system you mentioned within a month. Furthermore, after my approval, implement that system in your respective vice-royalties after returning home.”

The moment Bolivar’s eyes widened, Eugene wore a subtle smile.

“Within this year, a new Cortes system connecting the home country of Spain and the vice-royalties will be established. You, who are married to my relative, will be at the forefront of that. This is the duty I give you.”

That system is the introduction of a federal system.

But there’s a problem.

Bolivar advocated the introduction of an election system, and Eugene said that he would also make the vice-royalty an elected position.

Of course, the election of the vice-royalty will be held in the Cortes, and the election system can limit voters as France did.

But the election itself is unprecedented in the New World.

Also, will elections be introduced in the home country of Spain?

In the end, it’s a situation that will shake even the home country of Spain, so Hippolyte subtly asked Eugene in a low voice.

“That’s a bombshell. Is this possible with the weakened royal authority of Spain?”

“I’ll find you another marriage partner, Hippolyte.”

“I don’t want to be tied down by marriage. More than that, how are you going to implement this, Your Majesty?”

Alava will immediately protest.

Perhaps a Spanish civil war will break out.