He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 151

(151) Bonaparte Turns the Western Mediterranean into His Living Room

Tens, hundreds, thousands of ships unload tens of thousands of goods, filling the harbor.

“Wow, Genoa looks like the war ended years ago. Is this what Eugene created?”

A gentleman who had just disembarked from a ship from Toulon whistled.

He looked like a typical aristocrat from the old dynasty, accompanied by his wife, secretary, and servants.

However, in the era of the revolutionary government, there are no nobles in France.

A powerful figure in the era without nobles, the badge of a member of the Council of Five Hundred of the Republic of France gleamed on his collar.

However, this man is not just a member of the Council of Five Hundred.

Just then, Damas, the new influential figure in Genoa and general manager of the Boarneh Cartel, hurried out to greet the gentleman.

“Councilor, you’ve arrived! If you had come by land, you would have met Commander Bonaparte right away.”

“Ah, I’ll see him anyway when I go to Milan. My visit to Italy this time is to take office as the [Roman Ambassador].”

“Then you will see His Holiness the Pope in person. A truly glorious event, Councilor Joseph Bonaparte!”

Joseph Bonaparte, that is, Napoleon’s brother.

Everyone in the port of Genoa looked over at once.

Damas was already a famous figure as Eugene’s close aide who had acquired the San Giorgio Bank.

Moreover, a person with the same surname as Napoleon, the general who intimidates the entire Italian peninsula, could not be an ordinary person.

Enjoying the attention, Joseph smiled gently.

“You’re still a Catholic, Damas.”

“Aren’t you, Councilor? No one talks about the [Cult of Reason] that Robespierre founded anymore, do they?”

“That’s not accurate. Robespierre tried to worship the ‘Supreme Being’ by combining the Cult of Reason and Catholicism. Well, it failed. Anyway, I’m not very devout, but my wife goes to church every Sunday. Isn’t that right, Julie?”

Julie Bonaparte, who was smiling next to him, shook her head.

“Even so, he was so thrilled to see His Holiness the Pope in person. He’s giving up his comfortable and good Councilor position to rush here, you know? Hohoho!”

So, Joseph came to Genoa as the ambassador to the Roman Papal States.

However, the Great Revolution was an event triggered by the gathering of anti-Catholic forces.

As a result, anti-Catholic religious movements such as the Cult of Reason, which worships reason, and the Theophilanthropy, which worships nature, flourished.

Even Fouché ran around spreading the Cult of Reason.

Conversely, Joseph, who entered politics among these revolutionaries, coming to Rome is a kind of major political decision.

Of course, from Joseph’s point of view, he came to support his brother Napoleon.

With a bitter smile, Joseph subtly turned away from his apolitical wife’s words and answered Damas.

“Well, seeing the Pope in person is an amazing thing that won’t happen again in my life. But, I’m more amazed by the sight of this harbor.”

“This is just the beginning. It’s been a place where only smuggling trade has been going on because of the war. But, French food and supplies will be coming in earnest.”

“Is Italy repaying with the silver they’ve been collecting? Or any special products?”

Then Damas pointed to a ship in a low voice.

“Coffee is coming in, Councilor.”

Coffee, a popular commodity that excited the European continent in the late 18th century.

In an era without special drugs, tobacco and coffee are truly special substances that provide mental stimulation.

During the Bourbon dynasty, taxing coffee was one of the dynasty’s important sources of revenue.

However, more than half of France’s coffee actually came from the West Indies colonies.

The colony called Saint-Domingue in this era, modern-day Haiti in the original history.

It is said that Saint-Domingue coffee accounted for about 60% of Europe’s coffee consumption.

However, after the war began, trade between the West Indies and France was virtually cut off.

Because the British Royal Navy began to roam the Atlantic.

Even if North African coffee were to come in, Mediterranean trade was also blocked.

In the end, France’s new supply of [coffee] was virtually cut off.

This popular commodity was coming in through Genoa.

Joseph, a coffee enthusiast, sparkled his eyes.

“Indeed, African coffee is the best.”

“That’s right. The beans from Ethiopia are the best. The beans that the [Dutch] bring from ‘Batavia’ [modern-day Jakarta] are not very good.”

“Business will be good. You’ve picked a good item. After all, Eugene’s business acumen is truly outstanding, isn’t it?”

Just then.

“Thank you for the compliment, [Uncle].”

Joseph was surprised by two things.

One was that Eugene, Napoleon’s aide, had come all the way to Genoa to greet Joseph in person.

The other was the title of Uncle.

After awkwardly rolling the title around in his mouth, Joseph smiled.

Originally, it was a relationship that he would not try to acknowledge until the end in the original history.

But Joseph had already benefited quite a bit from Eugene.

For example, the large amount of political funds he received while becoming a councilor.

In a very generous mood, Joseph replied to Eugene.

“Hmm, Uncle. It’s quite a new feeling. It feels like just yesterday that I met you in Marseille.”

“It was three years ago. I didn’t know that you would become a diplomat representing France like this, Councilor.”

“Puhahat! I became an ambassador thanks to my brother. I know my place well, Eugene.”

A man with a lot of vanity and many flaws, but who knows himself accurately.

A politician who is not ashamed that his success is thanks to his brother.

Joseph winked.

“I’ve been dispatched as a bridge connecting Paris and ‘Milan’. My brother has become an extraordinary general in the Republic, so wouldn’t the Republic’s Directors be uneasy? Resolving that is my job.”

Eugene smiled as he looked at Joseph’s relaxed appearance.

“When you go to Rome, the branch manager of our bank will visit you. You can request funds from that friend.”

“Hehe, I didn’t praise you to talk about money, you know?”

“Investment is the same.”

This is a part that Eugene paid special attention to.

Because in the original history, Joseph becomes none other than the financial officer of the Bonaparte family.

The infamous Italian accumulation of wealth by the Bonaparte family, most of it was done by Joseph.

However, at this point when Eugene is making a lot of money, there is no need for Joseph to receive bribes.

Eugene alone is enough as the financial officer of the Bonaparte family.

Joseph seemed to think the same way, nodding and smiling contentedly.

“Good, very good. By the way, when is your mother going to ‘Corsica’?”

Eugene widened his eyes and replied.

“Probably around next week. If you’re lucky, you might be able to match the dates.”

Joseph seems to have a little more information than I thought.

Seeing that he knows that Letizia is going to Corsica.

***

The path of the most influential person in Italy, Napoleon’s mother, is greeted by a solemn ceremony.

-Clack, clack, clack!

The sound of bayonets moving is loud at the port where the ship leaving for Corsica is waiting.

Eugene’s mounted grenadier brigade soldiers lined up in uniform.

As the soldiers spread out on both sides performed the honor guard, a middle-aged woman appeared.

Letizia, wearing humble clothes that were not befitting of the clothes worn by the mother of the most influential person, turned her head.

Eugene, wearing a general’s uniform, was escorting her next to her.

“This ceremony is uncomfortable.”

“I’m just afraid that Commander Bonaparte not coming in person would be disrespectful, Madam. However, the Commander is a bit busy right now because of suppressing the Venetian rebellion.”

“I know that much, Eugene. And you should call me ‘Grandmother’.”

Just as Eugene was about to widen his eyes, Letizia stroked Eugene’s head.

“I know you’re doing well, and that you’re trying hard. So, there’s nothing to be careful about in front of me, unless it’s in front of Lucien or the other children.”

It’s a sight that somehow diminishes his dignity in front of his subordinate soldiers, but Eugene felt strangely good.

It’s not just because the efforts he’s made have paid off.

On the contrary, it’s because he felt that Letizia truly cared for Eugene.

She’s more like a grandmother than his own grandmother, whom he’s never even seen.

“Thank you, Madam—Grandmother.”

Then Joseph smiled smoothly from the opposite side and said.

“Hehe, Mother. Why are you talking so heavily about something so obvious? Eugene has been our family since he came as a lodger three years ago.”

“Seeing you say such things so shamelessly, you’ve become a politician, my eldest son.”

“Lucien is better than me. He seems to be leading his own faction in Paris already. Hehe!”

Suddenly, Joseph changed his expression to a serious one and asked.

“Since we’ve met like this, why don’t you take the ship with me to Rome? Uncle Fesch [Joseph Fesch, Letizia’s half-brother] will also be coming to the Vatican. Rome would be better for the education of my younger siblings.”

Letizia, who was staring at Joseph, shook her head.

“I’ll leave the children’s education to you.”

“Yes? No, are you going alone then?”

“Jerome will go with me. After the work in Corsica is finished, Jerome and I will go to Rome together.”

Looking at Jerome, the youngest, who was running busily from behind, Letizia’s eyes flashed.

“But before that, I have to get back our family’s property in Corsica. That’s property that your father earned by fighting. I can never just let it go!”

In short, the reason why Letizia is going to Corsica at this time is simple.

Originally, the Bonaparte family is a noble family in Corsica.

Even if they weren’t great nobles, they once possessed considerable property, land, and houses.

However, when they were expelled from Corsica, all of those assets were taken away by the Corsican independent government.

Letizia was returning to her hometown to find her property at this time when France had regained Corsica.

If Letizia were an ordinary noble old woman, it would be a natural thing to do.

The problem is that Letizia’s mother is Napoleon.

Joseph and Eugene were speechless and asked in turn.

“No, even if you add it all up, it wouldn’t be worth 20,000 francs, are you going to Corsica just to get that back?”

“Grandmother, I hate to say this myself, but my bank here in Genoa is worth 10 million francs.”

“What? Really? Hey, Eugene. Can you make me an advisor to your bank again?”

But Letizia was unmoved.

“Who knows if there will come a day when all of that will fly away and you will be eating my bread again? I must get back the property in Corsica.”

In the end, Letizia boarded the ship bound for Corsica.

The bodyguards Napoleon sent himself were on board, but it was humble for the commander’s mother’s party.

Of course, it was what Letizia had requested.

But just before leaving, Letizia looked back at Eugene with a face as if she had forgotten something.

“By the way, Eugene!”

“Yes? G-Grandmother. What’s wrong? If there’s anything you’ve forgotten, I’ll bring it right away.”

“No, it’s about your mother.”

Letizia said calmly to Eugene.

“She seems to be giving birth soon. Take care of her by meeting her at least once. She’s probably in Florence right now.”

Letizia unexpectedly told Eugene about a part that he hadn’t even thought about.

Considering that Letizia and Josephine are enemies in the original history, it was a truly strange thing.

Besides, Eugene had to go to see Josephine once anyway, even if it wasn’t for that.

Because Marie is currently attending to Josephine.

“Yes, Grandmother.”

Finally, the ship departed.

After watching the ship heading far south for a while, Joseph smiled bitterly.

Suddenly, Joseph said to Eugene as if making an excuse.

“Isn’t she a really stubborn mother? The whole of Italy is in Napoleon’s and your hands.”

Eugene shook his head.

“Not all of it. There are still islands left.”

“Huh? Islands?”

“Naples will be in our hands. But among the three major islands surrounding Italy, Corsica is the only one in our hands.”

So, Eugene did not deny that Italy was in the hands of ‘himself’ and Napoleon.

Napoleon is seizing Italy with military power, and Eugene is seizing it with financial power.

However, it is still a bit far to subdue the islands.

“Sardinia and Sicily are still far away.”

The Kingdom of Sardinia still remains in Sardinia.

Sicily is currently held by the King of Naples, but he will likely flee if Naples is occupied.

Both are difficult places to occupy unless a large-scale offensive is carried out.

It was different from Corsica, which was relatively easy to capture because it was originally French territory.

Only by seizing these two islands can it be said that the whole of Italy is in hand.

“Heo, are those islands really necessary?”

Just as Joseph was about to ask, a captain ran from the other side of the harbor.

“Patron!”

None other than Nicolas Surcouf ran up with an unusually excited expression and shouted.

“The Mediterranean Fleet is finally entering the port. A fast ship returned first to deliver the news!”

The navy that occupied Corsica.

Brueys’ Mediterranean Fleet is returning.

Right here, to Genoa.

Instead of answering Joseph, Eugene smiled and turned around.

“Well, shall we go see the hero of the sea who regained Corsica for now? He’ll be happy if Uncle congratulates him, since he’s representing Paris.”

Because it’s not yet the stage to reveal this issue to Joseph.

***

Genoa is a large port that can accommodate a large fleet.

-Shoooo!

Huge ships began to arrive, cutting through the waves.

Ships of the line, the giant ships that dominate the sea in this era.

The citizens of Genoa standing in the port shouted.

“The French Mediterranean Fleet is entering the port!”

Instantly, welcome music rang out.

-Bbam! Bbam bbam! Bbam bbam bbam!

Among those who came out to greet them were high-ranking officials of the Ligurian Republic.

Even Filippo Buonarroti, the current representative of the Republic, was there.

Eugene lightly made eye contact and greeted each other, and then Ippolito whispered.

“It’s like the Genoese fleet is returning home with a victory.”

“It will be like their own fleet now. It will be in Genoa more often than in Marseille or Toulon. The army is supposed to stay in the occupied territory anyway.”

“Do you have something to do with that fleet, Eugene?”

As expected, Ippolito is the fastest to recognize Eugene’s inner thoughts.

It may be natural since he has been watching Eugene since childhood.

For a moment, Eugene narrowed his brows as he looked at the large fleet entering from the other side of the harbor.

“It’s not certain yet. First, we have to completely pacify Italy. Currently, the occupation of the Venetian Republic and the Kingdom of Naples has not been completed.”

There is an order to everything.

The fleet in front of me seems great right now.

But the enemy that that fleet has to overcome is sure to be much greater.

The British Empire’s Royal Navy is that enemy.

Indeed, can they overcome the Royal Navy, or Nelson’s Wall?

At the moment when Eugene was lost in complicated thoughts, the ship entered the port.

“Patron, I’m finally back.”

Greeting the gray-haired Brueys who got off the flagship, Eugene smiled brightly.

“Thank you for your hard work, Admiral Brueys. As the chief aide of the Italian Legion, I thank you for your support of the expedition.”

“Well, the occupation of Corsica is everything to me. Haha! Sending Robert here was also a great help.”

“Hello! It’s been a while, Patron!”

Looking at Robert Surcouf saluting cheerfully, Eugene nodded.

“His spirit is good. He will be a great help even on dangerous battlefields.”

The commander of the Mediterranean Fleet, Brueys, asked with a surprised face.

“Do you have any naval operations in mind? Perhaps, General Bonaparte? Or, is it Paris?”

“Neither. However, Paris will be calling the Admiral often in the future. They will need advice on fighting the British.”

“Unless it’s taking the Mediterranean Fleet to the Atlantic, it’s a welcome thing. We need to rebuild the navy.”

Eugene raised his eyebrows and replied with a strange expression.

“Perhaps, crossing the Mediterranean might be more dangerous.”

For example, an operation to cross the Mediterranean diagonally to Egypt.

However, neither Brueys nor Surcouf had time to think about such issues.

Because Joseph, Napoleon’s brother and Roman ambassador, was also at this place.

“Oh, you are the heroes who recovered my hometown of Corsica! Nice to meet you. I’m Joseph Bonaparte, a member of the Council of Five Hundred!”

It’s a little far to think about the Egyptian expedition yet.

May 1796.

It was the day Eugene met the Mediterranean Fleet in Genoa.