He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 147

(147) The East India Company Watches Eugene

Late 18th century, the dawn of what we now call [capitalists].

So, where were these capitalists most prevalent?

They were those who possessed significant assets, driven primarily to increase their wealth, and who leveraged their growing fortunes to acquire even greater power and riches.

Unsurprisingly, they thrived in the wealthiest and most prosperous nations.

And the wealthiest nation in Europe was undoubtedly England.

The man currently addressing British Prime Minister Pitt with such urgency was, himself, an English capitalist.

“Prime Minister Pitt, if this continues, we will be the only nation standing against France. Are you fully aware of that?”

London was a city of countless streets.

Among them, Pitt frequented two in particular.

One was Whitehall Street, home to the British Prime Minister’s residence and the Houses of Parliament.

And the other?

Leadenhall Street, the location of the British East India Company headquarters.

East India House, the nerve center of the East India Company.

Standing in a cramped attic room on the top floor of the expansive three-story building, British Prime Minister Pitt frowned.

“I confess, I expected this questioning from Whitehall, not Leadenhall. Member of Parliament Stephen Lushington.”

“You may call me Chairman here. This is the East India Company’s board of directors.”

“Then, you needn’t call me Prime Minister either, Chairman.”

The Chairman of the East India Company’s board of directors, [Chairman] Stephen Lushington, adjusted his glasses and responded.

“I must maintain proper decorum. Our East India Company has fulfilled its obligations, but Parliament is failing to do its part.”

This was the boardroom of the British East India Company.

The decisions made within this confined space held sway over the vast Indian subcontinent.

The import of cotton fabrics from India, the decision to resell cotton produced by power looms, and the resolution to cultivate opium instead of cotton – all were determined here.

A colossal trading company with annual revenues exceeding five million pounds.

Furthermore, it was the heart of the empire, exclusively supplying Indian saltpeter to England.

The only reason this company deferred to the state was Parliament’s monopoly on Indian trade.

The imperious [King] of the East India Company, Lushington, looked down at the British Prime Minister and stated.

“Are you aware that we have now seized all of France’s remaining ports in India?”

“Congratulations on that remarkable achievement.”

“Moreover, we are steadily expanding our influence inland on the Indian subcontinent. We are reaping enormous profits from the East India region and contributing significantly to the nation’s trade surplus.”

Suddenly, Lushington’s expression hardened.

“But what is Parliament accomplishing? Losing the Netherlands, our allies deserting us. Very well, let’s concede that’s a continental matter. What about the West Indies? Are you securing repeated victories there?”

Ultimately, the Netherlands had been occupied by the French Flanders Corps.

The House of Orange, the Dutch ruling family that had once held the British throne, had fled to England.

Of course, not without a price; England was steadily seizing the colonies previously held by the Netherlands.

Moreover, [Austria], born from the ashes of the Holy Roman Empire, and even Prussia had declared their withdrawal from the war.

Only England continued to wage war against France.

Despite sending Talleyrand as a special envoy, negotiations had collapsed.

In truth, their failure was inevitable; France’s victories had been so overwhelming that negotiating on equitable terms was impossible.

So, what of the sea?

Prime Minister Pitt responded defensively.

“There are, admittedly, difficulties. France dispatched a large number of former royalists to the West Indies, which has complicated matters.”

“They are merely soldiers! We control the seas, so why can’t we secure victory!”

“The former rebels in the New World are not assisting us.”

Pitt’s lips twisted into a sneer.

“Those fellows calling themselves the American Federation.”

The directors of the East India Company visibly flinched.

Cotton fabric merchant Jacob Bosanquet, banker Joseph Cotton, slave trader William Devaynes.

These were, without exception, leading merchants of the era, all holding positions as directors of the East India Company.

However, they also bore a degree of responsibility for the American independence.

Why?

Because the [Boston Tea Party], which ignited the American Revolutionary War, stemmed from the East India Company’s financial woes.

At the time, the American colonies were swept by a craze to reject Indian tea and embrace Chinese tea.

This was fueled by rebellious sentiment against the mother country.

The East India Company, grappling with severe deficits, persuaded Parliament to pass a law allowing the company to sell tea directly to the colonies.

However, this placed the colonial merchants, who relied on brokerage, in a precarious position, threatening their livelihoods.

Eventually, merchants and smugglers led an attack on ships entering Boston Harbor.

This marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.

Pitt subtly pointed out that the East India Company’s avarice was the root of these problems.

Then, Director David Scott, a member of the House of Commons, seated on one side, spoke.

“Prime Minister, as a member of Parliament, I understand your difficulties. I have no desire to pressure you unduly.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Member of Parliament David Scott.”

“But no matter how firmly our East India Company controls the Cape of Good Hope, if we fail to control the other two key points, England will never truly dominate the seas.”

Scott calmly stated, counting on his fingers.

“Gibraltar and Dover.”

The Cape of Good Hope, the gateway to the Indian Ocean at the southern tip of Africa.

Gibraltar, a strategic stronghold in Spain, guarding the Mediterranean.

Finally, Dover, the strait separating France and England.

In later history, these three locations, combined with the Strait of Singapore, would be recognized as the keys to maritime dominance.

The British Empire currently controlled all three.

Or so they thought.

Scott looked at Pitt, whose face had grown grim, and continued.

“Now ‘Spain’ has joined forces with France.”

“Meaning it is sufficiently defensible.”

“France also possesses a formidable Mediterranean fleet. With Spain’s cooperation, that fleet could bypass Gibraltar at any time and enter the Atlantic.”

Pitt frowned.

Historically, the British Navy had consistently defeated the French Atlantic Fleet.

The war had not been confined to land.

Numerous naval engagements had taken place, primarily off the coasts of Brittany, Bordeaux, and the Netherlands.

The already weakened French Atlantic Fleet was on the verge of annihilation following a series of naval defeats.

However, approximately 30 battleships of the Mediterranean Fleet remained intact.

What if they were to enter the Atlantic?

Moreover, France now controlled the ports and fleets of the Netherlands.

“Then Dover becomes vulnerable. Please consider the gravity of this situation.”

Pitt listened in silence, then nodded.

“I will.”

As soon as the meeting concluded, Pitt departed without a word of farewell.

Though still young, he had served as Prime Minister for over a decade.

He resented being lectured by the merchants of the East India Company.

However, the East India Company was a commercial powerhouse, a precursor to modern global corporations.

Even the Prime Minister could not afford to ignore them.

Thus, he had been compelled to heed their summons amidst his demanding schedule.

Bosanquet, Cotton, and Devaynes watched Pitt’s hasty departure from below the window and murmured.

“Too young. Is he too inexperienced to wage this war?”

“Would an older man have fared better? His predecessors, Lord North, the Earl of Shelburne, and the Duke of Portland, ultimately lost the New World. Pitt has held power for ten years since then, and the kingdom has been in a period of recovery.”

“He performed admirably, until the great rebellion erupted in France.”

Chairman Lushington adjusted his glasses once more, listening to the East India Company directors’ discussion.

“Let us observe for now. If matters take a turn for the worse, we can replace him by maneuvering the Prince Regent in place of the mad king. Let’s see if he can contain a general named Bonaparte, or Danton.”

The directors of the East India Company gazed down at the British Prime Minister from the window.

Their attitude was one of arrogant superiority.

Just then.

“There is a true power behind him.”

The directors turned their heads.

The East India Company boardroom, situated at the top of the building, was designed to be narrow and secretive.

It also contained places where individuals could easily conceal themselves.

A gaunt man, who had been hiding from Pitt until now in a kind of attic space, emerged with a grin.

Lushington looked at the man and asked.

“What do you mean, Francis?”

“We are merchants. We operate under the assumption that countries, armies, even the world itself, are driven by money. And often, that is the case.”

“And?”

The man, Francis Baring, smiled, his face sharp and cunning.

“What intimidates the continent now is France. And the nominal leader of France is Danton. But those who are truly informed would undoubtedly select Bonaparte as the most influential.”

Everyone would agree with Baring’s assessment.

Russia was too distant to effectively intervene in European affairs.

The Holy Roman Empire, the heart of the continent, had dissolved, Prussia tolerated it, and the Italian peninsula had fallen under French control.

France had undeniably seized the initiative, if not outright hegemony.

In this situation, the official head of government was the five-member Directory, particularly Danton.

However, the one who wielded military power and the authority to reorganize Italy was undoubtedly Napoleon.

Even those outside the East India Company would recognize this much.

But Baring introduced an unexpected element.

“But there is someone else who truly directs Bonaparte. To be precise, the one who controls the money that Bonaparte uses.”

“Who is that?”

“Eugene Beauharnais. He is a financial prodigy in France with whom I conduct trade.”

Lushington adjusted his glasses and replied.

“I have heard of him. He was a page from the old French royal family and displayed a remarkable talent for gambling.”

Baring nodded, impressed by Lushington’s knowledge.

“You are familiar with him, Chairman.”

“I am also aware that you were trading bonds with France until recently. I had assumed you were trading with the Récamier Bank, but was that not the case?”

“That was three years ago. I ceased all such activities when the war commenced. However, until I stopped, Eugene Beauharnais was my business partner.”

Suddenly, Baring made a subtle suggestion.

“If you require it, I may be able to facilitate a connection with him.”

This was the true reason for Baring’s visit to the East India Company today.

It was also why he had concealed himself from Prime Minister Pitt.

France had won the war, Napoleon was its leader, and his closest aide was none other than Eugene.

It was clear that Eugene, a former client of Barings Bank, would be managing vast sums of money.

In this situation, Baring, a skilled merchant, could not afford to miss the opportunity.

However, France remained an enemy of England, and reckless trading could easily lead to accusations of treason.

If he could not obtain government approval, he would need to explore alternative avenues.

For example, leveraging the power of an organization with immense capital and influence like the East India Company.

However, Bosanquet, Cotton, and Devaynes exchanged glances and subtly distanced themselves.

“Perhaps we should simply continue to observe for now?”

“Indeed. Trading is only feasible once the war has concluded. We face no immediate threat as long as France does not extend its reach into India.”

“Besides, a child wielding such power is difficult to believe.”

Just as Baring was about to be disappointed, Lushington, who had been intently observing him, spoke.

“Baring, shall we strike a deal?”

Instantly, everyone’s attention focused on Lushington.

Not only Baring, but all the directors of the East India Company.

Everyone knew that Lushington was the most powerful figure within the company.

So, what did Lushington, the foremost capitalist in England, desire?

“I wish to use France to inflict a blow upon those old rebels known as the United States. Can we leverage your dealings with Bonaparte and Eugene to achieve this? If possible, without incurring any losses on our part. Is that feasible?”

“Indeed, our company has suffered significant losses in the United States.”

“The entire British Empire has suffered. What are your thoughts? Is there a way?”

Baring narrowed his eyes and twisted his lips.

“There is.”

“What is it?”

“A deal involving Spain.”

In hushed tones, Lushington, Baring, and the powerful merchants of the East India Company continued their clandestine conversation.

When the secret discussion concluded, everyone wore a satisfied expression.

Regardless of the deal’s success or failure, the East India Company would not suffer any losses.

Lushington nodded approvingly.

“You may proceed with the deal. [We] will shield you should the government raise objections.”

Baring smiled brightly and nodded.

“I will secure a favorable outcome, Chairman.”

Those who operate behind the scenes in England.

The progenitors of global corporations in later history.
The very individuals that conspiracy theorists have always portrayed as manipulating the world from the shadows.

It was at that moment that Eugene came into the East India Company’s sights.