He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 141

(141) The Treaty of Schönbrunn is Signed in Napoleon’s Name

February 1796. The Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna resonated with the majestic sound of a piano.

-Thump, ta-da-thump, thump-thump.

The performer was a man with a mane-like head of hair.

The man’s performance was like a storm—passionate, sometimes shaking the heart, and deeply moving.

Usually, performers in a place dominated by occupying forces are forcibly brought in.

However, this man was the first to eagerly volunteer when he heard that the French army needed a performer.

Suddenly, Hippolyte glanced at the performance and whispered to Eugene.

“Heh, I thought I’d see the famous Mozart when I came to Vienna, but I guess not.”

“Mozart is already dead.”

“Too bad. Weren’t you compared to Mozart when you were younger? You’re too old to be a prodigy now, though.”

Remembering Mozart, who died in 1791, Eugene chuckled.

“That man will be remembered longer in music history.”

In that era, Mozart was the most famous performer.

But the person who changed music history for later generations is the man playing the piano over there, Beethoven.

Conversely, Beethoven was also the artist who dedicated an orchestral piece to Wellington, who defeated Napoleon in the original timeline.

Perhaps, from Napoleon’s perspective, the uninhibited genius Mozart, who never rebelled against his monarch, would have been preferable.

Of course, Eugene intends to get Beethoven’s ‘signature’ [meaning, to secure his support or favor].

Just then.

“Well, let’s stop the performance here. Let’s resume the discussion.”

Eugene turned his gaze.

Although he entered as an observer, Eugene was not entitled to sit at the table.

It’s not just because he’s young or of low status.

This place is a conference for the final conclusion of the treaty.

In short, it is a stage for diplomats.

The person who spoke was Saliceti, one of the five Directors of France [referring to the French Directory, the government in power at the time].

He came all the way from Milan, over the Brenner Pass, through Munich, to Vienna.

Conversely, the route Saliceti took shows that the war is over.

Because in wartime, no high-ranking French official could ever cross that border.

On the opposite side, an elegant aristocrat with a snow-white wig wore a bitter smile.

“Messer [Italian title of respect, similar to ‘Sir’] Beethoven is the best performer in Vienna. You might as well listen a little longer.”

“Once this agreement is finalized, I will gladly listen. Marquis Gallo. Or, I’ll invite you to Milan later. There’s a soprano named Giuseppina who is really beautiful.”

“Hahaha! I see. I also really like La Scala Theater. Then, may I invite you to La Fenice Theater in Venice?”

A place where they seem to be having a casual conversation.

But the two are engaging in a kind of power struggle.

Milan is already virtually French territory.

Setting up a satellite republic is the initial plan, but it wouldn’t be strange to annex it at any time.

The Kingdom of Sardinia, except for the island of Sardinia, is already undergoing annexation by France.

The same goes for the northern Papal States and Romagna.

However, there are places in Italy where agreement has not been reached.

Venice, for example.

The Austrian treaty negotiation representative, Marquis Gallo, has said this:

Hand Venice over to Austria, or leave it as an independent state.

Instead, France, or Napoleon, can do whatever they want with Milan.

Saliceti stared at Gallo, tapped the table, and smiled.

“That can’t be done. I can’t invite you to La Fenice Theater.”

“That’s a pity. I suppose the top French officials are busy?”

“General Junot, who will be the future Governor of Venice, will probably close it down for the time being.”

The faces of the Austrian diplomats changed at once.

Marzio Mastrilli di Gallo, Johann Ludwig von Cobenzl, Maximilian von Merveldt.

All diplomats known for their influence in the Austrian court.

In the original timeline, Cobenzl even rose to become Foreign Minister and State Chancellor.

However, no matter how excellent the diplomats are, it is difficult to win negotiations with mere diplomatic means.

The Holy Roman Empire has already been dissolved.

The capital, Vienna, is under the control of the French Italian Legion.

It wouldn’t be strange if they deposed the Emperor at any time and took the entire Habsburg family hostage to France.

Rather, they should be grateful that France has come forward for negotiations like this.

Nevertheless, losing Venice is too much of a blow for Austria.

Because they will lose all access to the sea.

Venice not only occupied northern Italy but also dominated the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea as a colony for hundreds of years.

The Sardinia and Grand Duchy of Tuscany, which the Empire had previously used as outports [ports located outside the main country, used for trade and access to the sea], are now all in danger of being taken away.

Instead, they are trying to utilize Venice, but they have no choice but to resist France taking it.

“You’re being very blatant.”

“Instead, we will guide you to even better places. The Amsterdam Theater isn’t bad either. Especially the Shakespeare plays performed there are sometimes even better than in London.”

“Director, we are being polite.”

Instead of Marquis Gallo, Count Merveldt, who was watching from the side, frowned and said.

“France should also be polite, shouldn’t it? We need results that our Empire’s people and nobles, and former allies, can accept.”

At that moment, Saliceti laughed heartily.

“Empire? Where is that? Didn’t your Emperor dissolve it?”

“The Emperor is still healthy and well.”

“Yes. Thanks to the generosity of our France and Commander Bonaparte.”

Suddenly, Saliceti’s laughter stopped.

“Let’s finish the negotiations. All Habsburg territories in northern Italy are independent. The citizens there and France will decide the rest. We’ll take care of Venice. Also, Flanders and the Netherlands.”

Sardinia, Milan, Tuscany, Modena and Ferrara, and Venice.

In short, all of Italy, except for Napoleon and part of the Papal States, will be handed over to France.

Austria acknowledges the annexation of Flanders, which it had occupied as a territory, by France.

The Netherlands approves the establishment of a newly independent republic, or a satellite republic controlled by France.

Suddenly, Cobenzl asked sarcastically.

“You’re quite the patriot, Director Saliceti.”

“I hear that a lot.”

“I thought you were General Bonaparte’s representative. What does General Bonaparte get as a result of this agreement? Honor?”

Instantly, the conference hall fell silent.

The fact that Saliceti is Napoleon’s representative is something even the citizens of Paris know.

But it’s not something a diplomat from an enemy country would say so openly.

Of course, it’s partly because Saliceti didn’t make the request very diplomatically.

Then, Junot, curious, asked Eugene quietly.

“Come to think of it, what does General Bonaparte get? Is he just taking the victor’s fame?”

Eugene replied very quietly.

“Who do you think will be the commander of the Italian garrison for the time being?”

“Oh, is it General Bonaparte?”

“If we create satellite republics here like in the Netherlands, who will effectively appoint the heads and members of the republics?”

Only then did Junot understand Eugene’s words and gape.

“The General.”

After the revolution, France became a country without kings and nobles.

Even if everyone calls Napoleon the conqueror of Italy, he cannot gain territory or titles.

But in a republic, there is always a way to seize power in a different way than in a monarchy.

That is, a government formed by elections.

Eugene, Napoleon, and Saliceti are planning to take control of the governing governments that will be created in Sardinia, Milan, and Venice.

There is no need for Saliceti to tell such intentions to the Austrian aristocrats.

Saliceti smiled smoothly and broke the silence.

“You know it well. It’s the fame of being a hero of the republic. And in a country where citizens have power, there is nothing more important than fame, glory, and popularity.”

Eugene smiled slightly bitterly.

It was just a remark to gloss over, but Saliceti’s words are surprisingly accurate.

Those words can be summarized in one word.

Approval rating.

A figure that later generations of republican government officials are obsessed with.

Naturally, Cobenzl, who thought Saliceti was just teasing him, trembled.

Suddenly, Saliceti looked back at the plenipotentiary envoy [a diplomatic agent invested with full power for any valid transactions] from Paris next to him.

“Barthelemy, give me the final treaty. It will be signed as is.”

François Barthelemy, former ambassador to London and currently Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Directory.

He was also the man who had concluded three treaties before coming here.

An armistice with Prussia, an armistice with Spain, and an armistice with Hesse-Kassel, a smaller country but also fighting with France.

This agreement is also of great importance to France, to the extent that the minister himself came.

Barthelemy smiled and handed over the paper.

“Here it is, Marquis Gallo. And Count Cobenzl. Your signatures.”

At that moment, Cobenzl stared intently at the paper and suddenly threw it away.

“No, this isn’t parchment to be used for a treaty! I can never sign such paper!”

Saliceti was dumbfounded and widened his eyes.

The French generals surrounding him were also speechless and opened their mouths in disbelief.

Such a quibble in front of Saliceti, the highest-ranking French representative who had rushed in from Milan.

Hippolyte clicked his tongue.

“Wow, that guy’s quibbles are amazing.”

“It’s a stall. Maybe Prussia will change its mind, or Russia might suddenly declare war.”

“Really? Is that possible?”

Eugene sneered coldly and replied.

“No, there’s no country to fight us right now except for England anyway.”

Somehow, I vaguely remember seeing it in the records.

Originally, in the original timeline, Austrian aristocratic diplomats made all sorts of quibbles and dragged out the negotiations.

That time was said to be as long as seven months.

But now it’s completely different from the original timeline.

Why?

Because Napoleon is now the complete victor.

Just then.

-Clang!

The music stopped.

The porcelain in the high part of Schönbrunn Palace shattered.

The moment everyone was shocked and turned around, Napoleon was there.

This place is a diplomatic conference hall.

So Napoleon, the highest military officer, deliberately stayed out of the seat.

But he was watching from the outside.

Napoleon glared at Cobenzl with sparkling eyes and pressed him.

“If a final peace is not reached tonight, the negotiations are off.”

“C, Commander. Y, you have no legal right.”

“Really? Then do you want war? Do you know that our soldiers are getting angry because they’re only eating ‘tin can’ food these days?”

Instantly, Napoleon went right in front of Cobenzl and shouted.

“Sign it. Or Austria will be destroyed within three months, before it was even born!”

Eugene smiled bitterly as he watched the scene.

That porcelain is said to be the highest quality porcelain ordered by Empress Maria Theresa.

But even in the original timeline, Napoleon, who couldn’t stand it for seven months, breaks the bowl.

There’s no way Napoleon, who is the complete victor, would put up with it.

Suddenly, Marquis Gallo, the chief negotiator, sighed.

“Ambassador Cobenzl, stop here. You’ve done well enough.”

“M, Marquis. But the Imperial Family ordered.”

“There’s nothing that will change even if we drag it out anyway. It will only get more disadvantageous.”

Marquis Gallo picked up the treaty that had fallen on the ground, looked down at it, and signed it.

-Swish, swish, swish.

Suddenly, Gallo’s gaze turned to Napoleon.

“I, Marquis Marzio Mastillini de Gallo, sign on behalf of the Emperor. The anti-French alliance is over, Commander. Congratulations on becoming the victor of the war.”

An alliance centered on Austria, uniting England, the Netherlands, the Vatican, Venice, Prussia, and Spain.

The anti-French alliance.

A vast force that could be said to be the entirety of Western Europe.

Revolutionary France fought and won against these forces.

Saliceti smiled and wrote his name, then handed the pen to Napoleon.

“The French Republic also recognizes this treaty. Commander Bonaparte, please sign as well.”

Napoleon signed the treaty without a moment’s hesitation.

-〈Napoleon Bonaparte〉.

In 1796, the First Revolutionary War ended with the Treaty of Schönbrunn.

Under the name of Napoleon.