He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 493

Napoleon’s Return Is Not Over (493)

In this era, mail carriers truly risk their lives to deliver news.

“Urgent news! Emperor’s victory at Bautzen! Has reached Dresden!”

A postman from the Boarneh Milan Bank Postal Service rushed in, shouting.

It was news that should have been delivered by letter, but the matter was so urgent that the postman delivered it verbally.

It was sent by Jean-Marie Silvain Gomi, the head of the Milan Bank.

Of course, just because the sender is urgent doesn’t mean the receiver is.

Talleyrand, leaning elegantly on his cane as he examined the letter, was interrupted by Fouché, who exclaimed,

“This is tremendous news! He will be coming to Paris soon!”

“Not yet, Fouché.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Talleyrand glanced at Fouché.

He was literally a mess.

In fact, it was inevitable, as he had been isolated on the Île de la Cité [an island in the middle of Paris and one of its oldest parts] and barely managed to escape.

He had fled to the Palace of Fontainebleau just yesterday.

Would this situation have occurred if Fouché had properly monitored the traitor Sieyès?

“Currently, the anti-French coalition forces number over 400,000. They are mobilizing almost all their forces. The Emperor’s army is only about 200,000. The forces are not sufficient.”

In fact, this is an incredibly advantageous situation compared to the original history.

In the original history, the anti-French coalition forces gathered all their strength, targeting Napoleon as he retreated from the Russian campaign.

The number totaled 1 million.

Napoleon gathered all the reserves and barely confronted them with about 400,000.

Of course, that’s the mobilization strength, and the actual numbers that clashed on the battlefield are not much different from the present.

But why did this happen when Napoleon didn’t suffer a defeat in Russia?

It’s naturally because France itself was engulfed in civil war.

Ultimately blaming Fouché, Talleyrand pointed to the newspaper on the desk.

“However, at least the content of this newspaper will change rapidly.”

Fouché raised his eyebrows as he looked at the newspaper’s headline.

-〈Cannibalistic Monster Escapes Moscow!〉

The content clearly referred to Napoleon as a cannibalistic monster.

“What is this newspaper? Le Moniteur [The Monitor]?”

“It’s a newspaper founded during the revolution, originally pro-Emperor. The Emperor sponsored it to keep Le Cordelier [The Cordelier was a French newspaper during the revolution] in check.”

“It’s quite a sight. Did they think Sieyès and Dumouriez would win?”

However, considering the current internal structure of France, it’s not strange to think so.

The Jacobins [radical revolutionaries], originally the leading force of the revolution, have risen up entirely.

Moreover, the National Guard is the same.

It turns out that many of those who seemed satisfied with the Emperor’s reign were anti-imperial forces.

Furthermore, this force is receiving support from England.

As a result, the entire northwest of France is engulfed in rebellion.

On the other hand, it’s quite unusual that the south, which was the stronghold of the old royalist faction, is very quiet.

Talleyrand twisted his lips.

“They can’t win. But will the Emperor necessarily win?”

Fouché quickly looked around to see if anyone was listening and asked.

“What are you suddenly saying? Are you going to betray him now?”

“I never said that. Are we going to kidnap the Empress during the civil war? That’s a vulgar method. Even if we turn away, that kind of method always causes problems.”

“What are you thinking, Minister Talleyrand?”

Talleyrand, always an elegant man, narrowed his eyes.

“War.”

War kills people.

Not only the losers die.

The fair thing about war is that the winners sometimes die on the battlefield too.

Fouché lowered his voice even further.

“Are you going to assassinate him?”

“What nonsense. If that were possible, England would have done it. The Imperial Guard protecting the Emperor is very loyal. It would be easier to kill Lannes, the commander of the Imperial Guard.”

“Good heavens, are you hoping for a fluke?”

However, Talleyrand said very seriously.

“No, this is highly likely. Hungary, England, everyone else knows. Napoleon’s army is gathered by the Emperor’s personal dignity.”

In short, the enemy is going to carry out a decapitation strike [an attack aimed at removing the leadership].

Considering this, it is entirely possible for the enemy who has been studying Napoleon’s wars.

Because, unlike the original history, there have been many deaths of commanders in the battles Napoleon has fought.

Although Eugene was the one who actually committed the act, the enemy focused more on the effect of the decapitation strike.

So, would the enemy, knowing the dramatic effect, leave Napoleon alone?

“Therefore, there is a very high possibility that they will concentrate their attacks on the Emperor.”

“Isn’t that what everyone has failed to do so far?”

“But there’s no guarantee that will continue to be the case. Karl has been studying the Emperor for a long time. So will Wellesley, the new commander of England.”

Talleyrand smiled again as he looked at the letter.

“The problem is after the Emperor dies. Who will succeed him?”

Who sent this letter?

Gomi, one of Eugene’s closest aides.

So, Talleyrand’s actions were obviously intentional, but Fouché brought up something unexpected.

“Charles Napoleon?”

“Nonsense, we have to hold an election again if the Emperor dies. Are we going to elect a child? Besides, who is the interim regent?”

“The Empress. Ah.”

Talleyrand clicked his tongue at Fouché, who was finally exclaiming.

“Yes, the mother of the King of Spain.”

To Napoleon, Eugene is an adopted son, and Charles Napoleon is a biological son.

On the other hand, to Josephine, they are both biological sons.

So, it doesn’t matter who becomes Emperor.

Moreover, Napoleon has not yet created an automatic hereditary system and is leaving the electoral monarchy created by Eugene alone.

It was due to national development, war, and arrogance, but it is a fatal flaw in the succession of a biological child.

If French citizens were to choose between a child under the age of 10 and the King of Spain, who would they choose?

It’s a very obvious result.

But were Talleyrand and Eugene on good terms?

“You should retire from politics first. Or do you want the King of Spain to die too?”

“What nonsense, Fouché. I predicted what would happen in the future, but I’m not preparing for it.”

“What are you going to do?”

Fouché opened his mouth in disbelief.

Why did Eugene go to the New World in the first place?

It was because of Talleyrand, who was keeping Eugene in check.

Besides, wasn’t it Talleyrand’s plan to kick him out of Paris that made him the King of Spain?

Nevertheless, Talleyrand replied very shamelessly and still elegantly.

“I have to approach the new Emperor in advance. Coincidentally, the Queen of Spain is the closest. No one knows where the next Emperor is.”

So, he’s trying to use Marie Therese.

Fouché pondered and tilted his head.

Clearly, Marie Therese is less likely to have animosity towards Talleyrand than Eugene does.

Rather, Talleyrand, who diligently promoted the engagement, is better than Napoleon, who did not allow the marriage.

Although it was a work to kick her out to Spain.

“Do you have a gift?”

“I do.”

“What is it? Let’s eat something delicious together. How long have we been together?”

Of course, if he was just going to handle it alone, Talleyrand wouldn’t have spoken to Fouché at length.

“You have to step up anyway. It’s time to suppress the rebels and save the Empress. Only we can deliver that to the Queen of Spain.”

The Palace of Fontainebleau, where Napoleon’s victory report arrived.

A conspiracy to usher in a new era was beginning.

***

Sometimes, not being able to rush quickly can be a blessing in disguise.

“Now, only Hungary remains. The hope of all of Europe rests on His Majesty the King.”

Braunschweig, an independent principality and a pro-Prussian city.

Currently, 250,000 Hungarian troops are stationed there, and 70,000 of the 140,000 Prussian troops who fled have taken refuge.

With as many as 330,000 troops swarming around, the city is very quiet.

It’s because the urgent news of Prussia’s defeat has just arrived.

Karl, staring at Blücher, a white-haired general with a bandage on his head, asked.

“Where is the self-proclaimed Kaiser [Emperor]?”

“What! Didn’t you tolerate the Kaiser?”

“That was Metternich’s suggestion. Not all suggestions from diplomats are my intentions. Cough.”

Karl coughed, then touched his head as if he was dizzy, and replied.

“All of Prussia’s forces must once again come under the authority of Habsburg. I will accept them if they agree to this.”

All the forces are only 70,000.

But it was also Prussia’s last hope.

In reality, it means entrusting the fate of the country to Hungary, or rather, to the Habsburg family.

Blücher shouted, grinding his teeth.

“Ha! I’d rather surrender to France!”

“Marshal, please be patient. Now is the time to endure humiliation.”

“Even if we win, we have no future! Scharnhorst!”

Just as Blücher was about to scold Scharnhorst, who was stopping him with one arm, Karl stood up, leaning on his cane.

“No, there is a future. Under the new Empire, you will all have your positions recognized. Cough.”

At that moment, the Hungarian generals were also embarrassed.

A new empire means that they cannot recognize the Kaiser’s position.

However, the fact that all Prussian generals are recognized for their positions has a completely different meaning.

Karl suddenly threw out an even more surprising story.

“Besides, I won’t live long. Marshal Blücher.”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

“I will only achieve the revival of Habsburg, that’s all I will do before I die. Look at my state.”

Karl smiled bitterly with a pale face.

“Who will be in power then? The hero of the battlefield, Blücher?”

Blücher’s mouth dropped open.

In fact, there is no general in the Hungarian army who can stand up to Blücher.

But what if Napoleon is defeated and the Holy Roman Empire is revived?

The one with the most powerful army and general will hold power.

In short, the one who receives Blücher’s loyalty will be the real Emperor.

“I’ve never seen a monarch threaten with a limited life.”

“That’s only if you win.”

“Do you have a secret to victory? The British haven’t landed yet. Are you going to wait until then?”

Karl nodded at Blücher’s question, which had become much softer.

“Napoleon concentrated his cannons, right? But, when it comes to cannons, we can gather more.”

At that time, the newspaper that Karl had been looking at fell to the ground.

-〈The Villain of Corsica Advances to Dresden!〉

Le Moniteur, a French newspaper with a changing tone.

***

Dresden, a place that will be ruined by the aftermath of the world war in the original history’s future.

“Karl really doesn’t know how to give up. Gulp.”

But now, only the French army, which is very gentlemanly compared to the Allied forces, has entered, and it is just a city trembling.

Napoleon, who had banned looting for the time being, smacked his lips while eating food that had been ‘voluntarily’ requisitioned.

In fact, it was because he expected Karl to come to negotiate a truce after the last Battle of Bautzen.

Commander Lannes scratched his head.

“Your Majesty, you can take your time eating.”

“It’s okay. Is this called a sandwich? The British make a lot of strange things. Still, it’s convenient.”

“Then, shall I issue the order as you eat?”

In 1792, there is a food made by the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who died while the revolution was in progress.

As the title suggests, it’s a sandwich.

Coincidentally, the custom of sandwiches has entered the vicinity of the Kingdom of Hanover.

Napoleon, who was eating a British sandwich with German sausage, swallowed the bread and shouted.

“Write this down now. All legions, advance to Leipzig, the meeting date is April 5th!”

Of course, the commander of the Imperial Guard is not in a position to write down the Emperor’s orders.

Louis Charles, the chief adjutant and the Emperor’s brother-in-law, hurriedly wrote down the order.

Napoleon, who was looking up to see if the order was written properly, smiled slyly.

“By that time, that damn newspaper will have a new title.”

The offensive newspaper he had just received.

Le Moniteur.

The headline is written in very clear ink.

-〈Tyrant Marches to the Rhine, Entry into Paris Absolutely Impossible!〉

Finally, Napoleon reached Western Europe.

Along with Le Moniteur’s legendary headline change.

Late March 1810.

It was when the Emperor’s return was not yet over.