He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 446

1809, Pitt Seizes Power Again (1)

December 1808, London is still bustling.

“Get your papers! Read all about it! The scandalous princess from France has married a prince from the old royal family!”

The newsboys shout as they run through the streets.

It’s someone else’s business, but news from France is of interest to Londoners in many ways.

Especially, though less so than in the original history, the scandal of Napoleon’s free-spirited daughter, Pauline, always stirred up the London citizens.

Originally, in the original history, news that Pauline was having incestuous relations with Napoleon frequently appeared in daily newspapers.

Of course, the British love for gossip did not end there, and the scandals of Hortense and Napoleon, and Stephanie and Napoleon were also mentioned.

If Napoleon had visited Marie Antoinette often, it would certainly have appeared in the newspapers as well.

A lewd picture of Pauline was drawn on one side of the newspaper, causing even more Londoners to eagerly buy the newspaper.

Watching the scene, a man who had just arrived from France smiled wryly as he drank his coffee.

“Isn’t it amazing? The darling of the Great Revolution has welcomed a prince of the old royal family as her brother’s husband.”

“Do you even call it the Great Revolution? You must be bitter about losing your territory. Spy Master Aubergine.”

“Don’t joke around. You are the master, Mr. Wickham.”

The top British official in charge of anti-French operations, Aubergine, glared.

“Besides, I’m not French anyway, I’m British. I long to receive territory, but I don’t need to act like a French aristocrat.”

In fact, although he claims the title of Duke of Bouillon, Aubergine is British through and through.

It’s just that a distant ancestor branched out from the Bouillon family, and the Bouillon family happened to die out.

He came this far trying to seize the huge assets that had arisen.

Wickham tapped his coffee cup, staring at his snobbish but capable subordinate.

“What did Babeuf say? He’s not a man to give up.”

“As things stand, I barely managed to stop him from preparing another terrorist attack. Of course, if Bonaparte, Bourbon, and even the Beauharnais family could all be blown away, I’d be in favor.”

“That’s difficult. Besides, Eugene Freischütz is really quick to sense dangerous situations. It’s like he’s a wizard.”

In fact, it’s not that there haven’t been attempts to assassinate Eugene.

However, even after becoming King of Spain, Eugene miraculously sensed danger and avoided it.

Of course, it’s thanks to the Silver Letter, but Wickham has no way of knowing that.

Then Aubergine said with a serious expression.

“We have no choice but to follow Sieyès’s words, Mr. Wickham.”

Wickham frowned.

“Actually, Prime Minister Pitt said something similar.”

“Then we should proceed immediately.”

“But that’s a level of conspiracy that only an incumbent can carry out. It’s impossible with the status of a former official.”

Then Aubergine asked with an impatient face.

“When will His Excellency the Prime Minister return? We need to bring down the traitor right away.”

In fact, no matter how influential he is, there are limits to what a former official can do.

First of all, Wickham cannot move arbitrarily without the Prime Minister’s permission.

Therefore, only when Pitt becomes the current Prime Minister can he launch a full-scale anti-French operation.

Wickham nodded.

“That’s why I called you to London, Mr. Aubergine.”

“I don’t know about Paris, but what can I do in London?”

“We can’t do anything about the straw man Addington or the powerful Fox. But the Regent is different, right?”

Wickham said in a low voice to the surprised Aubergine.

“Expose the Regent Prince George’s mistress, Maria Fitzherbert, as a spy. In that newspaper, the Morning Post.”

Aubergine swallowed hard, looking back at the newspaper full of sensational illustrations.

“That’s not true.”

“But the Prince’s other lover, Grace Elliott, is a spy, right?”

“No, that woman is our spy. Hmm.”

Prince George had more than ten lovers, just those recorded in history.

Of course, as was the case with the love affairs of the British upper class at this time, these lovers did not keep any fidelity.

They did not remain only as Prince George’s lovers, but enjoyed other romances with countless other members of the upper class.

One of them, Grace Elliott, went to France during the revolutionary period, became the lover of the Duke of Orléans, and then worked as a British spy.

On the other hand, Maria Fitzherbert is a completely different kind of woman.

“Besides, Mrs. Fitzherbert is not just a lover. Although not recognized, aren’t they practically married?”

If the King and Parliament had recognized it, Maria Fitzherbert should be the current Princess of Wales.

However, Maria Fitzherbert is not a member of the royal family, and she is also a Catholic.

Since the Glorious Revolution, the British royal family has been controlled by the Act of Settlement, which excludes Catholics.

Therefore, the secret marriage between George and Fitzherbert, who was his lover, was invalidated.

However, it is also true that they were affectionate enough to hold a secret wedding.

Wickham replied with a cold attitude despite this.

“That has already been ruled invalid. Mrs. Fitzherbert is a Catholic. According to the Act of Settlement [a series of acts of Parliament that settled the succession to the British throne], a Catholic cannot become Queen.”

“Are you going to frame her as a spy because of that?”

“Did anyone say we should banish her as a traitor? We only need to shake one person.”

Wickham suddenly stood up from his seat and said coldly.

“The Regent.”

In fact, Wickham doesn’t care what happens to the prodigal prince.

***

The British monarch’s residence, Buckingham Palace, was filled with shouts.

“This is not true!”

The King’s proxy, Regent Prince George, jumped up and down with bloodshot eyes.

However, Prime Minister Addington and Foreign Secretary Fox, who were watching the scene, could only look at each other.

Because it was an answer that no one would believe.

Addington sighed and said.

“Your Highness, the circumstances are too clear.”

“Nonsense! Why would Maria collude with France?”

“Isn’t she a Catholic? Besides, she was abandoned by Your Highness.”

At that moment, Prince George glared.

“We broke up because the royal family didn’t recognize us! Maria would never betray me! She is the mother of my children!”

But there are too many newspapers scattered at Prince George’s feet.

-〈The Regent’s mistress Fitzherbert! Suspected of providing funds to the French monster Napoleon!〉

-〈How far will the British royal family’s scandal spread? Fitzherbert, news that her new lover is French〉

-〈This spy situation is the Regent’s responsibility!〉

Fox, who was quietly looking down at the newspaper, licked his lips and said.

“Your Highness, I’m afraid you have no choice but to punish her severely. Only then can you escape this danger.”

Prince George trembled and shouted.

“Everyone, get out of here! Now!”

In the end, both Addington and Fox had to leave without persuading the Prince.

However, the problem is not solved by chasing out the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.

First of all, the whole of London is now seething with this scandal.

The Prince trembled and circled the hall of Buckingham Palace.

“How can they believe such nonsense! Don’t Addington and Fox have any compassion? No, that Fox, from the beginning!”

Then a very calm reply came back.

“He was also Maria Fitzherbert’s lover, Regent Your Highness.”

Prince George turned his head sharply.

Pitt was standing there with a pale face.

Recalling the unpleasant memory of Pitt opposing his regency in the past, the Prince frowned.

“I don’t remember calling you, Mr. Pitt.”

“I thought you might need me. By the way, Her Majesty the Queen also called me.”

“Ha! I don’t know what my mother believes in such a ruthless person. A man who can sacrifice even the King if necessary!”

Then Pitt said in a calm tone.

“All my actions are for the benefit of the country and the royal family. Also, I can save Maria Fitzherbert.”

The Prince does not believe the talk about national interest.

He considers loyalty to the royal family to be nonsense.

However, the Prince’s eyes lit up at the words that he could save Fitzherbert.

“How?”

“Well, it’s not that difficult. Cover up the incident with an incident. Just create a person to take responsibility.”

“Look at this newspaper. They’re putting me forward as the person in charge!”

Pitt calmly replied to the Prince, who picked up the newspaper that had fallen to the floor and shook it.

“No. The Prime Minister is in charge of handling state affairs. His Majesty the King only makes the final decisions.”

The Prince blinked and stopped.

Pitt’s implication is clear.

All responsibility ultimately lies not with the King or the Regent.

It lies with the current Prime Minister Addington.

“Indeed, that’s right. Then who is the new Prime Minister?”

“If the Regent Your Highness allows it, I am prepared to walk the path of hardship.”

“You speak well. Tsk!”

Prince George, who clicked his tongue, stared at Pitt and said.

“Take charge of Whitehall [the area in London where the UK government buildings are located] again, Pitt.”

Pitt bowed politely.

***

Westminster Palace, the House of Commons, is in turmoil.

“By order of His Majesty the King, I declare that the current Prime Minister Addington is dismissed, and William Pitt is appointed as the new Prime Minister!”

Granville struck the gavel hard in his capacity as temporary chairman.

In fact, until the early 20th century in the original history, it was not the House of Commons election that determined the Prime Minister.

It is the King’s confidence that determines the Prime Minister.

However, since laws cannot be passed without a majority of seats anyway, the leader of the majority party inevitably became the Prime Minister.

However, now that the Regent has stepped in to make this decision, the majority faction in Parliament is bound to be divided.

“How! This is betrayal! George has betrayed us!”

“Let me meet His Majesty the King! This is impossible!”

“Ahem! It’s a royal command!”

Amid the members of parliament shouting and entangled with each other, Granville solemnly announced.

“The right to determine the Prime Minister lies solely with His Majesty the King, and currently with the Regent who is acting on His Majesty’s behalf! Or are you going to commit treason!”

Addington could only hang his head and say nothing.

Addington, who was a traitor to the Pitt faction from the beginning, has few members of parliament who follow him.

Then what about Fox?

Fox, who had already lost his will to fight, was leaving Westminster when he ran into someone.

“Pitt.”

Pitt, who was leaning on a cane and staggering, nodded politely.

“Mr. Fox. It’s been a while.”

“You’re going to start a war with France again, aren’t you?”

“Of course. The interests of England can only be achieved by defeating France.”

Fox glared at Pitt and shouted.

“War! Will only bring about the destruction of England! Don’t you know that even after fighting like that!”

In fact, if Fox wanted to, he could gather a majority in Parliament and create a mess.