He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 480

(480) Britain Concentrates Its Power Worldwide

Finally, the time had come.

“Extra! Napoleon, the monster of France, imprisoned in Moscow!”

In fact, the so-called “extra,” an emergency bulletin outside of regular publication, was formalized in the United States in the late 19th century in the original timeline.

However, in Britain during this era, it was common for newspapers to urgently run their printing presses in emergencies.

Newspaper boys ran through the streets of London, constantly shouting out the extra’s breaking news.

Castlereagh rushed up to Wellesley, who was sipping tea in a corner of a cafe, and handed him the extra.

“Finally, the time has come for Britain, Wellesley!”

“Are you serious, speaking like that after seeing such inaccurate news, Lord Castlereagh?”

“Huh? Isn’t it certain that Napoleon is trapped in Russia?”

As Castlereagh tilted his head in bewilderment, Arthur Wellesley clicked his tongue.

“First of all, Napoleon is in St. Petersburg. Also, it’s closer to him staying there voluntarily rather than being trapped. Above all, he is not the loser, but the winner.”

The news that Napoleon was supposedly trapped in Russia…

The side that obtained this news the fastest in Europe was, unexpectedly, Britain.

This is because, although Russia and Eastern Europe are currently mired in mud, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea have not yet completely frozen over.

The news transmitted to London by smugglers is being spread as an extra as of yesterday.

However, conversely, Wellesley, who had directly witnessed Napoleon’s advance across the European continent, judged differently.

Napoleon was deliberately staying in Russia, not trapped.

Of course, in reality, it was also true that he was half-trapped because the movement of the large army was almost impossible.

Castlereagh sat down in front of Wellesley, took his tea, drank it, and grumbled.

“Anyone listening would think you were a French general.”

“Tell me about your trip to Hanover. In case of emergency, is there enough space for the Hanoverian regiment to land? What is the situation in Bremen or the Free City of Hamburg?”

“Bremen is loyal to His Majesty the King. Hamburg is watching, but has decided to side with us.”

Castlereagh smiled with satisfaction and added.

“Of course, that’s natural since we have control of the sea.”

Since the House of Hanover came into British hands, the Kingdom of Hanover has been the private property of the British King.

And the Kingdom of Hanover has a good port called Bremen and is also a country adjacent to the famous Hamburg.

So, it was also a contact point that the British army could use when landing on the European continent.

However, this is not the main offensive area that Wellesley wants.

“Then, the remaining tasks in the landing operation are two: naval concentration and the rebellion inside Flanders [modern-day Belgium and parts of France and the Netherlands].”

As Wellesley nodded and spoke, Castlereagh lowered his voice and asked.

“The Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Navy will take care of the navy, so should I stir up Flanders?”

“Is Prince William Frederick of the Netherlands still alive?”

“He survived the Battle of Jena by the skin of his teeth. He’s hiding in Hanover now. As soon as our British army is ready, he will rise up with the [Orangists] [supporters of the House of Orange].”

William, or Willem in Dutch.

He is Willem Frederick, the hereditary stadtholder [chief magistrate] of the soon-to-be-extinct Dutch Republic, and the heir to the House of Orange.

Originally, he participated in the Battle of Jena and went missing, but he had infiltrated Hanover.

Britain had decided to use Willem this time from among numerous exiled royal family members.

However, there is a prerequisite.

“Are the people of the Batavian Republic [Dutch Republic under French control] really cooperating with us? It would be difficult if we were attacked by the local residents after landing,” Wellesley urged again.

This is the reason why Britain was able to confront France with a small number of troops in Spain in the past.

Securing local public sentiment.

On the other hand, the same public sentiment is why Eugene had to retreat as soon as he took decentralization measures after his coronation.

If they land in the Netherlands, but the local residents are uncooperative, it becomes very difficult.

Before even fighting France, a serious supply problem may arise.

But Castlereagh snorted and confidently declared.

“I can guarantee that. After France conquered the Netherlands, the Dutch were greatly affected. Isn’t it even the case that our British are now taking away the East Indies colonies!”

Of course, that’s because Britain invaded.

The former Netherlands, now the Batavian Republic, controlled modern-day Indonesia.

However, after France and Britain re-entered a state of war, the British fleet began to attack the Dutch East Indies, or the Dutch East Indies by this era’s name.

The British fleet is re-attacking not only the Cape of Good Hope, which they have already taken, but also Ceylon [modern-day Sri Lanka].

When you think about it, Britain is the culprit.

However, what the Dutch resent is France.

Because if France had not conquered the Netherlands, this would not have happened.

Wellesley stood up, savoring the British solution of shaking Dutch public sentiment with self-inflicted disaster.

“I understand. Then, I should go meet the [sponsor].”

“Huh? What about the tea? But a sponsor? Who? Are you entering some kind of boxing tournament these days?”

“Your joke is too much. I have repeatedly won on the battlefield, but if you ask me to do [boxing], I will probably fall on the ring in one blow,” Wellesley laughed, making a boxing joke that had just started to become popular in this era.

“I’m going to meet the [financier] sponsor who will feed and clothe our Hindu friends. Oh, and don’t forget to find out about the situation in Prussia when you go to Europe.”

Watching Wellesley walk out into London with steely steps, Castlereagh nodded.

Strategy, troop preparation, and even the big picture.

He is truly a perfect talent in terms of war.

“Whew, if that friend had come to the home country earlier, he would have already caught Napoleon! What a pity!”

Of course, Castlereagh naturally doesn’t know that Wellesley will become a synonym for incompetence when he becomes Prime Minister in the original timeline.

***

It was when the still-capable 40-year-old, Wellesley, visited the sponsor.

“Beef! I hate it! Devil! Devil! Satan!”

A temporary accommodation in front of a huge port.

Dark-skinned soldiers are protesting collectively.

It’s a unique sight that’s enough to catch the attention of citizens.

The ‘sponsor,’ who happened to face the protesting colored soldiers, can be seen asking the manager.

“What’s going on again?”

“Oh, the friends from India can’t eat beef. It’s because of some religious precepts?”

“Oh, tell them to eat what they’re given! I’m already going crazy because of the food expenses. Are they telling me to bring them lamb instead?”
Wellesley smiled wryly and spoke to the sponsor.

“It’s difficult if you begrudge those friends even high-quality pork, Chairman Baring.”

The sponsor gentleman, Francis Baring, turned around in surprise and rushed over.

“General Wellesley, the real devil who entrusted me with this headache was here.”

“Why am I the devil? You should pour out your resentment to the Prime Minister.”

“Then, with all of the East India Company’s profits for this year going to those [Hindus], would you look kindly on me?”

Now, the chairman of the East India Company, the chairman of the board, is Baring.

However, Baring did not seem happy with the chairman position at all.

It couldn’t be helped.

He is being deprived of all the money he earns by more than 30,000 Indian soldiers.

Their diet is so picky that they are angry today because they can’t eat beef.

It is a difficult task for Baring to handle.

However, Wellesley smiled and waved his hand with steely determination.

“Chairman, isn’t that the price you paid for becoming the head of the East India Company? Besides, don’t forget that those friends are originally [Sepoy] [Indian soldiers serving in the British army] troops belonging to the East India Company. The East India Company has an obligation to pay their salaries.”

Everything he said was correct, so Baring gritted his teeth and asked.

“That’s not all, is it?”

“Of course. Those friends are the advance team that came all the way around the Cape of Good Hope. The real main force is currently approaching the Suez Canal.”

“Are you really doing that insane landing operation? How are you even trying to get to Gibraltar? It’s a more dangerous route than the Cape of Good Hope crossing route!”

He said it hoping that they might quit, but Wellesley simply replied.

“That’s why Admiral Sydney Smith, Edward Berry, and even Admiral Alexander Ball are coming, aren’t they? It doesn’t seem like France has the talent to stop our navy.”

With that level of members, they might even be able to seize control of the Mediterranean.

Above all, with the French Emperor stuck in Russia, the French navy cannot actively move.

In the end, the number of Indian soldiers will increase even more.

Baring sighed, calculating how much more money would be wasted in the future.

“Surely, the number of friends coming to Suez isn’t greater, is it?”

This time, Wellesley nodded.

“It’s five times the number of friends who came here.”
Wellesley greeted him leisurely and left the accommodation.

-Clang!

Hearing something breaking, Henry Clinton, the aide who was following Wellesley, said.

“Baring might hire an assassin to kill the general soon.”

“Well, if he had the guts to do that, wouldn’t he have tried to kill the Prime Minister first, Clinton?”

“You’re not going to launch a landing operation with just those Hindu friends, are you? When are you going to withdraw the troops from Portugal?”
Wellesley stroked his chin and chuckled.

Clinton had been with Wellesley since the conquest of India.

They were also on the same side in complaining about the soldiers there during the Portuguese campaign.

But now that he sees it, is he feeling regretful?

“You said they couldn’t be used in Portugal?”

“Now that I’ve come to the home country, the friends I used to run in Portugal are better.”

“Hmm, I actually think the same way. But our Prime Minister hasn’t made a decision yet.”
Wellesley’s steps began to move again.

“We need to make a conclusion today.”

Right to the First Lord of the Treasury’s residence, 10 Downing Street.

***

Originally, the British Prime Minister also holds the position of Chancellor of the Exchequer.

“Where are all the fleets in the Atlantic?”

“They’re at Saint Helena. Should we move them further north?”

“No, we have to wait until the Indian Ocean fleet arrives first. We have to make a decision at once.”

Listening to the report from the Prime Minister’s secretary, Wyndham, Pitt said with a tired face.

“Unfortunately, the French’s Treville managed to get the main force out quite well. The French Atlantic fleet is not completely destroyed. Even though the Emperor didn’t pay any attention to it.”
The reason for Pitt’s high fatigue right now is one thing.

Money.

Gathering the entire navy in Europe is not something that Pitt should be tired of.

However, the situation of concentrating the navy, the damage to trade caused by the gap, and the re-consumption of military expenses all cause a financial deficit.

They are already in a deficit of more than 2 billion pounds due to repeated defeats.

Will Britain’s finances be able to withstand fighting again?

While Pitt was agonizing, there was a knock on the door.

“Your Excellency, you’re busy again today.”

“Oh? Ah, is that our hope, the Iron General?”

“Don’t joke around. Rather, I came to ask for a decision.”
The man who has no interest in finance, the Iron General Wellesley, asked Pitt.

“The army from India, the fleet from the Atlantic, and all the financial capital that Britain has accumulated. It’s time to bet everything on a single game. Flanders or Portugal?”

If possible, Pitt wants to avoid this game.

However, as Napoleon virtually won the Russian expedition, the situation became even more urgent.

If they fail to catch Napoleon this time, Britain will eventually lose all its power.

Pitt, who was deep in thought, turned to the secretary.

“The Spanish rebellion failed, Wyndham?”

“Yes, Your Excellency. It is certain that dissatisfaction with France is increasing inside Spain. However, because all power is divided, there is no center to start a rebellion.”

“It would be possible if we took our time, but it’s a pity. Napoleon and Eugene will return after this winter.”
Pitt gritted his teeth and slammed the table.

“Let’s go to Flanders. When will it be ready?”

Wellington saluted and smiled.

“If the Mediterranean opens, it will be spring, Your Excellency.”

Winter of 1809, when Napoleon and Eugene were trapped in Russia.

Britain began to gather its forces from all over the world to Europe.

For a single game.