I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 234

< Napoleon's Thoughts >

A private room tucked away in a corner of the Tuileries Palace.

There was a time when you could easily watch the processions of citizens strolling along the main street outside the palace from here.

Sipping a glass of wine and looking down at the streets of Paris as the sun set serenely was one of my small pleasures.

But perhaps it’s a testament to the passage of time.

After several road improvements and the creation of a massive garden, the sight of passersby beyond the palace became impossible to see.

Instead, being able to see the happy families who came out to relax, even from a distance, was a heartwarming sight that I enjoyed.

“What brings you here to rest today?”

“It’s not that I’ve had a change of heart, but I finally have some time to take a breather. By the way, seeing it like this, I can really feel how much Paris has changed, even from within the palace.”

“Indeed. It’s changed so much compared to when I first came to Paris. I was so fresh and pretty back then.”

“Nonsense! My dear, you are still the most beautiful woman in all of France. How can you say such a thing…?”

Even if she’s aged and her youthful beauty has faded somewhat, there’s no one in France like my wife. That’s not just flattery; it’s the truth.

She now carries the air of a gracefully aging noblewoman, but Marie’s inner radiance feels like it’s shining brighter than ever.

“If you say things like that elsewhere, people will call you a fool for love.”

“Let them. It’s not like I’m saying anything untrue.”

“Goodness… it seems like you’re becoming more like a child as you get older.”

Oh well.

Men are always kids at heart, anyway.

What’s so embarrassing about acting a little childish with your beloved wife in private?

Marie looked at me with an indulgent smile, then took her empty glass and sat next to me.

“By the way, it’s not as if you have absolutely nothing to take care of, is it? Just this afternoon, you invited the Marshals of the Army to the palace and seemed to be discussing something.”

“Ah, that’s all been resolved, so you don’t have to worry about it. It wasn’t a major issue; I really just called them to hear what they had to say.”

“It’s about Marshal Napoleon, isn’t it?”

As expected, my dear wife is always quick on the uptake.

“I was a little concerned, so I tried to get some insight from the marshals who are close to Napoleon. Well, it seems alright.”

“In what way?”

“If he really had something up his sleeve, he wouldn’t have told the other marshals, even if they were his friends. But everyone else knew about it? It seems he mentioned it casually during drinking sessions.”

“What exactly did he say?”

“‘France should be more proactive, shouldn’t it? We should work hard to ease the Prime Minister’s worries,’ things like that.”

I chuckled and put down my glass.

“Then isn’t that even more troublesome?”

“It’ll be fine. I’ve already given Robespierre a heads-up, so I won’t let him run wild to the point where no one can handle him.”

“But Robespierre has seemed a bit unmotivated lately. Are you sure it’ll be alright?”

“That’s just because the endpoint he’s pursuing is too ambitious. You don’t need to worry about it.”

Robespierre is by no means incompetent.

It’s just that his strengths and weaknesses are so distinct that he starts to decline rapidly when placed in an environment where his weaknesses are highlighted.

If you create the conditions to leverage his strengths, he’s a talent with plenty of potential to make a big impact.

“You’re saying he feels his own shortcomings more acutely because he’s always watching you from the sidelines. That certainly happens sometimes.”

That’s an accurate analysis.

Robespierre has been watching France’s development from my side since he was young.

So his standards are bound to be different from others.

It’s different from Lavoisier, who limited his own area to just being my secretary from the start.

Lavoisier’s main job was as a scientist anyway.

“If your faith is unwavering, then I don’t need to interfere. But what if something goes wrong?”

“Then, well… I’ll have to go on a business trip to Asia sometime.”

I was already thinking that I would have to go there sometime anyway.

But I’d prefer it not to be too soon… no.

Just thinking like this is planting a flag [inviting trouble] myself.

I wanted to see Asia anyway, so he can cause trouble if he wants to.

Yeah, I’d rather like it.

※※※

Robespierre’s first official event as Governor-General.

Robespierre was surprised that he wasn’t as nervous as he had expected.

“These are gifts from His Majesty to congratulate the Governor-General on his inauguration.”

“Thank you. I will make good use of them.”

Silk that the Emperor wears himself and coffee that he enjoys.

These were useless gifts to Robespierre, who hated extravagance, but he accepted them with a bright smile on the outside.

“I didn’t expect you to come so quickly, considering I haven’t been in Hong Kong for very long.”

“We would appreciate it if you would take it as a sign of our desire to continue our friendly relations with your country.”

“Of course. The physical distance isn’t that far, so let’s maintain a close cooperative relationship in the future.”

“Yes. But in order to do that, a trade treaty must be concluded first… right?”

Robespierre barely suppressed the corners of his mouth from rising as he saw the subtle hardening of the envoy’s expression.

He already knew what they wanted from the start.

There was no need to say it out loud here, but he had already agreed to coordinate with the Qing imperial court [the ruling dynasty of China at the time].

For now, he just had to pretend he didn’t know anything and soak up all the benefits.

As Robespierre was finishing his calculations, the Vietnamese diplomat looked around and asked.

“Has the Commander-in-Chief who was appointed with the Governor-General not arrived yet?”

“Commander Napoleon is currently working elsewhere. Is there something you need from him?”

“No. I just brought a gift for him as well. We would be satisfied if you could deliver it for us instead.”

Their intentions were clear as day.

It’s not like we’re fools who will move according to your wishes.

Robespierre just nodded slightly, a sneer in his heart.

※※※

At the very same time that Robespierre was receiving the envoys from Vietnam.

Napoleon was chatting with guests from England.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve met like this, since the last war. How have you been, Admiral Nelson?”

“I never expected to see you in this land of the Far East, Marshal! Hahaha!”

“But what brings you here all the way here, Admiral?”

If fleet resupply was the only reason, there was no reason for Nelson to come all the way here himself.

Nelson, sensing Napoleon’s knowing expression, smiled contentedly and took out a few documents.

“You may or may not know, but the Duke of Wellington and I have been granted the authority by Prime Minister Pitt to carry out independent military operations in Asia.”

“You’ve received tremendous authority. You truly are the rising power in England.”

“Thank you. But what’s important now is not that. We’ve reviewed it with our staff several times, but there’s a limit to what we can do on our own. And in the end, we came to the conclusion that France’s cooperation is essential.”

“Ah~ is that so.”

In fact, I had heard about the situation in England from Prime Minister Christian.

England was the one in a hurry. England was the one who needed to start things right away.

France was the one who could just pretend to help and enjoy watching the fire from across the river [benefit from others’ misfortune].

This was the international situation that was firmly in Napoleon’s mind.

“But even though I’m the Commander of the Asian front, I’m not in a position to start things on my own. Above all, I’m afraid of giving the Prime Minister a bad impression.”

The one thing that Napoleon, who has nothing to fear in the world, is afraid of.

That is the loss of Christian’s trust in him.

Becoming the Prime Minister’s closest confidant was the goal he had been pursuing since he was a child.

Of course, his loyalty wasn’t just about waiting for orders like a well-behaved puppy.

A true confidant must make their lord shine brighter than anyone else.

Napoleon had plans to do just that.

“Marshal Napoleon, please listen to our plan first…”

“Before that, let me tell you something. I cannot take preemptive measures. This is an absolute condition that will not change under any circumstances.”

“Then…”

“Ah, listen to me until the end. Didn’t I say? I can’t take preemptive measures. But, for example… if the French army base built in Guangzhou were to be attacked, the story would be different, right?”

If there was a justification for self-defense, then there would be no problem for Napoleon to command the army independently.

Moreover, there would be no possibility of him being held responsible.

Nelson, who was quick to catch on, immediately understood Napoleon’s true intentions and smiled faintly.

“I understand what you mean. Then I think we can make a very good offer.”

Nelson combined the documents he had brought into one and rotated them so that Napoleon could easily see them.

At first, I thought it was a painting, but it was a map.

A detailed map dividing China’s administrative districts into several parts.

Nelson pointed to various parts of the map with his finger and continued.

“We have been contacting rebel forces in various regions and selling them weapons. Of course, they are outdated weapons that our army no longer uses, but they are comparable to the equipment of the Qing dynasty.”

“…You’ve already contacted eight ethnic groups? You’ve been working very diligently.”

“That’s not all. If things go according to plan, there will be simultaneous uprisings in at least ten places. And fortunately, there are those who are cooperating with us near Guangdong Province. But these are people who are difficult to control, so there may be an unfortunate incident in which they attack the French base.”

“Oh dear. Then we should prepare for any possible situation. Thank you for the valuable information.”

The two masters of tactics did not discuss anything else.

“I’m just passing on information to your country out of the friendship of an ally, so don’t worry too much about it. Then I’ll be on my way. Too many stories could come out if I stay in French territory for too long.”

“I understand. Then I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to see you off outside.”

Napoleon smiled brightly and saw Nelson off as he left the barracks.

And as soon as Nelson’s figure completely disappeared from view, he muttered in a voice that had lost all its laughter, as if nothing had happened.

“Good. This is how it has to go for everyone watching to be excited.”

France, as he envisions it, needs to be even bolder than it is now.

The Prime Minister has to be mindful of external perceptions, so he can’t pursue more radical policies than this, but he is different.

This is the time to understand the lord’s intentions and scratch where it itches [do exactly what is needed], which is the attitude of a true right-hand man.

The Christian he remembers was a much bolder person in both Nouvelle France [New France, a former French colony in North America] and when he was beheading the old nobles.

If he finishes the job well, he will surely praise him greatly.

Napoleon looked down at the fragmented map of Qing and spoke of the dazzling future he was drawing.

“Please wait a little longer. This Napoleon Bonaparte will make the Prime Minister the Emperor of the Middle Kingdom [China].”

< Napoleon's Thoughts > End