He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 148

148. The Rulers of Conspiracy Theories Appear

The world always has a surface and an underside.

“Mr. Talleyrand, it seems this negotiation will ultimately fail.”

The surface is the world governed by state power.

War and diplomacy establish relations between nations.

Here is a man who has not yet departed from London, one of the French envoys to India, taking his time.

Talleyrand, appointed as an envoy, wore a peculiar smile.

“It’s disappointing to hear you say that before we’ve even begun, Mr. Baring.”

“Isn’t it obvious? When the dispatch of an envoy was discussed, only Italy was in French hands. But now, the Holy Roman Empire has disappeared from the face of the earth.”

“Austria and Prussia are still standing strong. It’s a condition that allows for sufficient negotiation.”

In fact, it wasn’t that Talleyrand was particularly late.

It was because the situation in France and continental Europe changed too quickly.

Moreover, Talleyrand did not expect Napoleon to dismantle the Holy Roman Empire altogether.

Furthermore, he didn’t anticipate that Baring, a major banker from London, would come to discuss diplomatic matters.

They were acquaintances who had been exchanging visits due to their shared hobby of enjoying fine cuisine.

But wasn’t he a financier with little interest in international diplomacy?

Suddenly, the banker Baring chuckled and replied.

“Haha! Do you really believe that, or are you feigning such intentions, Talleyrand?”

Talleyrand narrowed his eyes.

He felt that Baring knew something that Talleyrand didn’t.

However, with insufficient information, it was difficult for Talleyrand to guess.

In such cases, skillfully glossing over the situation is one of a diplomat’s techniques.

With a smile again, Talleyrand smoothly replied.

“Either way, I will be returning to France, Mr. Baring.”

“Indeed, is that your purpose?”

“Unlike when Robespierre was alive, moderate gentlemen will once again dominate the political scene, just like in England.”

Talleyrand said, taking a light sip of coffee.

“That means I can return to my position as well.”

Although he had been in England for several years, he still hadn’t grown accustomed to tea.

Therefore, when conversing, Talleyrand prepared two types of cups.

One was a teacup for his English guests, and the other was a coffee cup for French exiles.

Today, he used the coffee cup for himself and brought out the teacup for his guest.

However, Baring, as if accustomed to it, chose coffee and quickly drank it, replying.

“Good. Although I am not a politician, I will propose a deal.”

“A deal?”

“I will be going to France soon as well. I want to meet two people there. I think you can arrange for me to meet one of them.”

Instantly, Talleyrand heard unexpected words.

“The head of the French Freemasons, Lafayette.”

Freemasons.

A secret society that started in England and spread throughout Europe.

Many of those who led the American Revolution and the French Revolution were members of this club.

Of course, it is not a unified group, so the American Freemasons, British Freemasons, and French Freemasons all operate separately.

Nevertheless, they shared the same principles and a friendly personal network.

Currently, in France, one of the presidents, Lafayette, is the head of the Freemasons.

Talleyrand, having considered this, wore a peculiar smile.

“So, you were a Freemason, Mr. Baring.”

“Originally, the stonemasons of England were deeply connected with merchants. Well, I joined because it seemed profitable.”

“I understand. But what will I gain in return, Mr. Baring?”

Baring, a merchant who is neither a politician nor a conspirator but profits by using all of them, grinned.

“I will let you see the other person I am going to meet. He is General Bonaparte’s closest aide.”

It was Eugene Bonaparte.

It was the moment when the surface banker and diplomat, who used the power of the underside, began their first deal.

***

Even those who are still far from becoming the main characters of conspiracy theories are running busily.

“See, brother! I told you. Joining hands with Bonaparte will be a jackpot. Definitely!”

Frankfurt, a free city of the Holy Roman Empire.

But now the empire has been dissolved, and the city has become virtually an independent state.

Rather, the citizens walk the streets with faces that do not welcome the situation.

This is because the emperor’s authority has prevented other dukes or monarchs from invading the city.

However, there are also those who accept this situation as a new opportunity.

Watching his younger brother, dressed in distinctive Jewish attire, rush in, the 23-year-old young banker, Meyer, clicked his tongue.

“Aren’t you supposed to be working on the London business? Nathan?”

“Is that the problem? The ruler of Italy has changed in the continent right now!”

“That’s why we need to focus on our main business.”

Meyer handed Nathan, his third brother, a document, saying.

“Besides, we can’t focus too much on the Italian interests for the time being.”

Hastily receiving the document, Nathan’s eyes widened.

“Why? General Bonaparte’s aide, Eugene Beauharnais, was favorable to us. I should talk to Father and go myself, even if it’s just me!”

“It’s Eugene Bonaparte now. It seems they will keep the company name as Beauharnais, though.”

“Huh? Then did Josephine Tascher de la Pagerie and General Bonaparte really get married?”

This is the Rothschild family’s mansion.

A Jewish financial family that would later be called Rothschild in English.

But for now, it is just a growing family financial group in Frankfurt.

Of course, it is clear that they are one of the leading ‘Jewish’ financiers in the former Holy Roman Empire.

However, they are still far from dominating a country, barely looking at becoming one of the top wealthy families in a country.

Still, Meyer, the second-generation of the leading financier in Frankfurt, pointed to the document he handed to Nathan.

“Yes. First of all, our accountants predict that this Bonaparte family will need a huge amount of funds. That’s what the report is about.”

Nathan, who was skimming through the report, tilted his head.

“This much? It’s over 2 million francs? Wait. There’s Eugene Beauharnais, no, Bonaparte. Wasn’t his nickname Freischütz [German for ‘free shooter,’ referring to a marksman]? His business acumen is as great as his skill in shooting commanders with magic bullets.”

“Will that friend give enough funds to General Bonaparte’s brothers and sisters as well?”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Meyer wore a peculiar smile.

“General Bonaparte’s brother Joseph and his brother Lucien are currently members of the French National Assembly. In the old empire, wouldn’t that be about the influence of a baron? But politics requires a lot of money.”

Of course, Eugene also sponsors Joseph and Lucien with political funds.

But in the political world, the more funds, the better, the more sponsorship routes, the better, and the easier the opponent, the best.

Eugene Bonaparte is a difficult opponent for Joseph and Lucien.

Especially in that they are competing for Napoleon’s favor.

Nathan, who was savoring Meyer’s words, eyes lit up.

“We need to advance into Paris as well.”

“Yes. You’ll have to travel between London and Paris for the time being, Nathan. Your younger brothers are still young. Solomon is busy because he has to take charge of Vienna.”

“Just leave it to me, then I’ll have to go to Paris this time! I’ll secure the initial funds first!”

Nathan, who was shouting excitedly, tilted his head again.

“Oh, but why can’t we focus on Italy?”

At that time, Solomon, the second brother, entered from outside with the workers.

-Thump!

Glancing at the sacks of silver coins that the workers were placing, Solomon said coldly.

“Our lord, Duke Wilhelm of Hesse-Kassel [a German state], has entrusted us with the entire military fund, Nathan.”

Commonly known as the Duke of Hesse.

The largest customer of the Rothschild family.

The Hesse family, which had amassed a large fortune through mercenary activities, chose Amschel of Rothschild to manage this money.

Amschel, the brothers’ father, steadily grew the assets, giving the Hesse family even greater profits.

Recognized for his contributions, he was entrusted with the remaining military funds as soon as the war ended.

Looking at the millions of silver coins at first glance, Nathan stuck out his tongue.

“Wow, our family is managing all of this? Brother Solomon?”

“That’s right. Actually, I want you to find investment destinations for these funds too. Strictly speaking, figures like Napoleon and Eugene are our enemies.”

“Hey, we’re Jewish, what does that matter?”

Suddenly, Nathan, or the young man who would be called Nathan Rothschild in English, smiled, holding a sack of silver coins.

“We’ll join hands wherever there’s money to be made. Anyway, I’ll put it to good use!”

A family that would later be called the fifth power dominating Europe in the original history.

The Rothschilds are now entering a period of rapid growth.

***

The protagonist of conspiracy theories, who has already defeated the British Empire, overthrown the French dynasty, and operates behind the scenes of the world, also exists in Europe.

-Step, step, step.

A shadow was cast in the hall filled with candles.

“The truth shall set you free.”

Suddenly, a man wearing a hood proclaimed in a sonorous voice.

Those who had been talking to each other turned their gaze at once.

A round dome and a rectangular room, and a light’s delta design drawn on the wall can be seen.

The symbol receiving the candlelight, as if burning in the center, is one.

The All-Seeing Eye.

A design called the Eye of Wisdom.

Below the design, the man proclaimed.

“The Grand Master has arrived.”

Those wearing hoods rushed in and bowed their heads.

Toward a man walking in from the hallway.

Only the man was not wearing a hood.

“Have you come, Master?”

“It’s really hard to see you these days. It seems like it’s been ten years since I opened the Lodge [Freemason meeting place].”

“You’re exaggerating, it’s not that long, but it’s been a while, Master.”

The man in his thirties, called Master, or Lafayette, nodded and looked at the hooded man.

“It’s been a while, Necker. Who’s that?”

“It’s my daughter. She married Baron Staël von Holstein, but recently separated and returned.”

“Ah, I’ve heard the fame. Madame de Staël.”

A mysterious woman wearing a hood smiled brightly and bent her knees slightly.

“It is an honor to meet the Grand Master, one of the giants leading the era and the successor of great wisdom.”

The Grand Master, the leader of the Freemasons.

A secret society that started in England in the 18th century and spread throughout Europe.

But in fact, it spread like a fad among intellectuals, and it is an organization that is not particularly secret.

The organization’s principles are to explore the truth, to fraternize humanity, and to defend freedom.

It sounds very good, but at the same time, these principles have the potential to overturn the monarchical system.

In fact, many Freemason members participated in both the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolution.

As evidence, Necker, who was once the Minister of Finance of Louis XVI [the last King of France before the revolution], is standing as a member.

Lafayette, the Grand Master of the French Orient Freemason branch of the time, turned his gaze.

“Kleber, isn’t it time for you to return to the front lines?”

A general who once fought with Eugene in the Vendée [a region in France], Kleber, was also one of the hooded men.

In short, Kleber is also an important member of the Freemasons.

Kleber chuckled and replied to Lafayette.

“Hasn’t the war ended? Now I need to rest.”

“That’s not true. There will continue to be rebellions in Italy.”

“Won’t General Bonaparte’s subordinates be moving there? Will there be a post for me to be assigned to?”

Lafayette nodded firmly.

“There’s a line. The commander’s ‘adopted son’ Eugene. If it’s my recommendation, he’ll accept it.”

At those words, the Freemason members, who were also the leaders of the revolution, whispered.

“Come to think of it, didn’t that gambling prodigy kick out the former Master?”

“What happened to the former Master? I think he was in Austria.”

“Ah, Tuscany [a region in Italy]. But it seems he ran away to England a long time ago. Louis XVII [the uncrowned King of France] ran away to Russia instead.”

It’s about the former Master, the Duke of Orléans.

The Duke of Orléans was living in exile in Vienna and headed to Tuscany.

However, under the storm of the Italian Legion led by Napoleon, there was no place for French exiled aristocrats.

It is said that he hurriedly ran away and took refuge in England.

This news is not yet known to the French Revolutionary Government.

The Freemasons’ pan-European network is functioning, and it is information obtained in advance.

Lafayette nodded and said to the members.

“Everyone, you’ve done well so far.”

Freemason members, including Necker, Staël, and Kleber, watched Lafayette.

“We have succeeded in the revolution in the name of truth, we have once again defeated the oppression of the monarchy, and we are on the verge of success. If we take just one more step, we will be able to create a world ruled by truth.”

In response to Lafayette’s declaration, the Freemason members responded in unison.

“The truth shall set you free!”

A secret society that moves the world behind the scenes.

The masterminds behind the American Revolutionary War.

Furthermore, the hidden protagonists of history who devoted themselves to the French Revolution and finally overthrew the monarchy.

The French branch of the Freemasons has begun to move again.