He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 143

(143) Deciding Italy’s Fate in the Palace Dressing Room

So, what will become of Italy, the centerpiece of this war?

“The Sardinian territories, excluding the islands, will all be annexed into French territory. However, a military government will be in place for ten years until things stabilize.”

“And the military governor?”

“General Bonaparte, of course.”

Marmont, the adjutant of the Napoleon Club, announced the results of the agreement.

This is the Schönbrunn Palace, in the dressing room.

The place where Napoleon was changing into his formal attire just before the banquet began.

It’s not exactly a place to report on such important matters, but conversely, the members in the dressing room are suitable for major discussions.

Eugene, Marmont, Junot, Duroc, and Hippolyte.

Except for Marceau, the commander of the Paris garrison, these are the members of the Napoleon Club formed in Paris.

For Napoleon, this is a staff group where he can discuss confidential decision-making.

Napoleon, who was briefly checking the decorations on his formal attire, frowned.

“There’s a risk of getting bogged down in Italy. It’s a troublesome position.”

The position of military governor of Sardinia.

A position that would oversee the Italian front from France.

It’s a position that officially recognizes Napoleon as the top figure in Italy, or the top figure in the Directory government.

However, Napoleon saw this position as a shackle.

Eugene narrowed his eyes as he watched him.

‘Could it be that Napoleon is already dreaming of Egypt?’

Egypt, or Misr as it’s called locally, is a country at the southwestern end of the Mediterranean.

Originally, Egypt is where Napoleon would set out for immediately after the Italian campaign.

However, it was far from France and couldn’t receive much support.

Eventually, the famous Nelson destroyed the entire Mediterranean fleet.

Along with the death of Brueys, the commander of the Mediterranean fleet stationed in Corsica.

It was truly one of Napoleon’s biggest blunders.

Of course, Eugene has no intention of recommending it to Napoleon.

It’s just that Napoleon succeeded in returning to France after the expedition, so it’s not well known, but it’s as much of a failure as the disastrous Russian campaign.

If not, why would the position of commander of the Italian expeditionary force be cumbersome?

Then Napoleon said.

“In the future, I may have to run for election, or there may be another war. If I’m tied down in Italy, it will be difficult to respond.”

Eugene breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that the Egyptian expedition has not yet taken root in Napoleon’s mind.

Still, if there is no alternative, he may consider it for the next expedition.

Judging that he should think of a countermeasure a little earlier, Eugene opened his mouth.

“Then, shall we recommend someone else?”

Napoleon tilted his head.

“But if we put someone else in place before the foundation is stabilized, there is a risk that they will betray us. We need to make someone from our circle a deputy commander. How about Marceau?”

Instantly, everyone’s eyes turned to Eugene.

From the beginning, Marceau was the deputy manager of Boarne Bank before he met Napoleon.

So, if you had to categorize within the Napoleon Club, he would be in Eugene’s lineage.

That’s why Eugene’s intentions are important in the Marceau personnel matter.

Just as Napoleon was about to turn to Eugene, Eugene shook his head.

“He is loyal. However, I think someone else would be better.”

“Who?”

“Commander Sérurier. He is loyal, virtuous, and capable of defense. I’m hesitant to say this in this place.”

This place is not originally for summarizing and reporting the results of the agreement.

In fact, it is a place where Napoleon confirms his attire before the reception, that is, the post-war celebration party.

However, there are no clothing experts, only Napoleon’s direct adjutants who are members of the Napoleon Club.

Even division commanders have not yet arrived.

As Napoleon uses time efficiently, he turned this place into a meeting for his closest Club members.

But somehow, it has become a meeting to virtually decide on post-war personnel matters.

That’s why the adjutants are standing with awkward faces.

Suddenly, Napoleon chuckled.

“Well, Marceau has to assist our son. Haha. Okay, next?”

Of course, Eugene just thought Sérurier was a suitable choice.

In fact, in the original history, Sérurier is in charge of the Italian garrison.

However, when the famous Russian general Suvorov invades, he is defeated and taken prisoner.

However, unless there is a general on the level of Masséna, it is difficult to stop the Russian army led by Suvorov anyway.

Eugene thinks that if Italy is invaded again, it is better for Napoleon to stop it.

It is entirely possible if Napoleon does not go to Egypt.

Suddenly, Marmont summarized, looking at the complex agreement, breaking Eugene’s reverie.

“The territories of Milan, Venice, and Tuscany will each give birth to three republics. The Lombardy Republic, the Veneto Republic, and the Tuscany Republic.”

“What about Bologna, Ferrara, Modena, and Romagna? Are they absorbed into Lombardy or Veneto?”

“No, they will also be annexed into French territory. There is a plan to implement military rule for 10 years, and the Sardinian military government will oversee it.”

This is a completely different aspect from the original history.

The republic that is originally born is the Cisalpine Republic, a country centered on Lombardy that merged Bologna and Ferrara.

However, Napoleon won a complete victory, but Eugene subtly intervened and changed the agreement.

Dividing is much easier than uniting when France dominates Italy in the future.

Napoleon seems to think so too, still smiling and retorting.

“Melzi d’Eril will be very sad. Isn’t this the opposite of Italian unification? Marmont?”

Melzi d’Eril, an advocate of Italian unification and an ardent supporter of France, will probably be greatly disappointed.

However, on the contrary, ordinary residents are unlikely to revolt.

The original governance structure has not changed much, and Napoleon favored the Pope for the sake of devout Catholics.

However, there were also policies that considered many unificationists in Italian intellectual society.

Eugene subtly interjected.

“Instead, each republic will participate in a joint conference organization.”

“Ah, I instructed you to do so. I remember.”

“The name of the conference is the Italian Executive Council, and the chairman is also ‘Father’.”

Father, a strange word for Napoleon, who is 27 years old and has not yet had a child.

However, Napoleon closed his eyes slightly as if he was moved.

Smiling, Napoleon buttoned up.

“Okay. Then the problem is the Kingdom of Naples.”

A kingdom that controls southern Italy and Sicily, the second largest island in the Mediterranean.

A country that must be obtained to seize control of the Mediterranean.

It’s just that trade in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans is more active than in the Mediterranean in this era, so its importance has decreased.

Besides, there is a problem with this country.

Marmont nodded.

“King Ferdinand of Naples is a famous opponent of the revolution.”

“The armistice was signed with Austria. Is there any special instruction from the home country [France]?”

“No. However, it is said that an armistice has been signed with Spain. Oh, and General Dugommier has passed away. He was unexpectedly ambushed in a battle just before the armistice.”

Instantly, Napoleon, Eugene, Junot, and Duroc all paused.

Everyone here owes a great debt to General Dugommier in Toulon.

Besides, wasn’t it Dugommier who sent Lan [Lannes]?

Napoleon said solemnly.

“That’s unfortunate. Send a letter of condolence to the bereaved family in my name. And a consolation payment.”

The consolation payment will have to come out of Eugene’s pocket.

Eugene nodded, calculating how much would be appropriate.

In the original history, Napoleon left about 100,000 gold coins to Dugommier’s son as inheritance.

About 100,000 silver livres is enough now.

Then Napoleon suddenly said.

“Naples must be suppressed. There is a problem with England. The Prime Minister is also British, and the fleet is virtually the same as the British Mediterranean fleet. Besides, it is the only land force that can threaten us within the Italian peninsula.”

This is also a different judgment from the original history.

Originally, Napoleon only suppressed Naples through negotiations.

However, King Ferdinand IV of the Kingdom of Naples launched a counterattack while Napoleon was in Egypt.

Ferdinand, who had once been on the verge of victory with Suvorov, was defeated by France and fled.

Instead of this complicated process, Napoleon decided to change the regime in Naples as well.

It’s something that the Directory government has to decide, but in fact, Napoleon decided as the commander of Italy.

As if it were natural, everyone nodded, and Eugene opened his mouth.

“Who are you going to send? However, there is one thing you should keep in mind.”

“What is it?”

“There will be a rebellion in Venice, Father.”

Eugene glanced at Junot, who was trying to primp himself until then.

“It’s a thousand-year republic. They won’t just surrender to France like this.”

“Then, isn’t it Junot’s job?”

“Father, Junot is not good at independent operations. There is a high possibility that he will not be able to suppress it. So, when attacking Naples, you must keep in mind the suppression of the Venetian rebellion.”

Listening to the cold evaluation, Junot raised his eyebrows and chuckled.

“Wow, that’s a scathing review.”

“Of course, if you train a lot under me, you’ll be fine. At least you won’t get shot in the head.”

“Ah, I’m not that reckless these days, you know?”

That’s a lie.

In the original history, Junot was hit in the head twice with a sword and once with a bullet during the Italian expedition.

Eugene didn’t take Junot to the battlefield at all, so he was safe.

In fact, the problem is not the independent operation capability, but the recklessness and extreme personality.

There is a risk of massacre in Venice when a rebellion breaks out.

Originally, he had failed to suppress the Portuguese rebellion.

Napoleon stared at Eugene.

“Are you saying to send Augereau or Masséna?”

“That’s not possible. You have to keep both of them under you, Father. It’s difficult to let them be independent.”

“Well, they are too capable. Especially Masséna.”

Napoleon nodded, putting into words an evaluation that could only be said in front of Club members.

“Okay, then I’ll send Laharpe. Will there be any problem?”

Laharpe will be able to take over Naples on his own.

Also, even if a problem occurs, there is no need to send any other reinforcements.

That way, when a rebellion breaks out in Venice, Napoleon’s main force can move directly.

The moment Eugene nodded in agreement, Napoleon buttoned up all the buttons.

“I think we’ve decided on the personnel and the Italian structure. Then, I’ll wear this outfit for the reception. That outfit suits you well, Eugene.”

Eugene took a deep breath.

Just over 10 minutes by pocket watch time.

During this time, a strategic plan was decided to oversee the entire vast Italian peninsula.

It was truly a moment when it became clear that Napoleon had emerged as the protagonist of the era.

“Yes, Father.”

As evidence, a banquet welcoming Napoleon will now be held in Vienna.

As soon as Napoleon’s family and the former princess of the Bourbon family arrive.

It was the day the fate of Italy was decided just before the French victory celebration reception.