He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 170

170. Napoleon’s Triumphant Return to Paris

In times of national turmoil, a triumphal return is often the most reassuring measure a regime can take.

-Boom! Boom boom! Boom boom boom!

This was before the Arc de Triomphe existed in Paris.

However, remnants of the old Parisian city walls still stood.

The city gates swung open, and Parisians, dressed in their finest clothes, emerged.

Despite the economic recession and the unsettling coup, this was the return of a true national hero.

No one could remain indifferent.

“There! The Italian Legion is coming!”

A citizen’s cry from outside Paris announced the approach of a mounted procession.

-Clack! Clack! Clack!

Three thousand cavalrymen of the Italian Headquarters Guard, led by General Dalmagne, approached. Dressed in the simple blue uniforms of the French Revolutionary Army, their presence was striking. Moreover, these were custom-made uniforms of excellent quality, specially procured by Eugene from Marseille to Milan.

The citizens cheered.

“How magnificent!”

“The victor of Rivoli! The conqueror of Milan! The liberator of Italy!”

“The heroes of the Revolution are coming!”

Six hundred thousand Parisians roared in unison.

Yet, among them, a vanguard calmly prepared to greet their commander.

Such as Eugene, leading the Mounted Grenadier Regiment.

Beside Eugene, who was wearing his general’s uniform for the first time in a while, Colonel Hippolyte, his aide, inquired.

“Strictly speaking, isn’t it just Commander Napoleon’s guard, not the entire Italian Legion?”

“The main generals are accompanying us. Sérurier, Laharpe, and Admiral Brueys remained to defend Italy.”

“Masséna and Augereau are coming? Heavens, we’ll have to send them back as soon as the ceremony ends, won’t we?”

The arrival of Masséna and Augereau was practically the arrival of the Italian Legion’s main force.

However, most of Italy, including Milan, was still nominally independent.

Could this incite unrest against the French army once more? The Venetian revolt had only ended in late 1796, just last year.

Yet, Eugene calmly shook his head.

“Italy will be quiet for a while. They have witnessed France’s overwhelming power.”

The victory in the Italian campaign was not the only factor.

Rebellions are more easily incited with external assistance rather than internal discontent.

However, the external force, Britain, had failed in their coup attempt in France.

For the time being, internal disputes and blame would run rampant within Britain.

Britain was a monarchy, but the parliament held the reins of power.

Prime Minister Pitt held power under the balance of Parliament, not as an absolute ruler.

Naturally, opposition parties, including Fox, would rise up.

This meant that disgruntled elements in Italy would find it difficult to receive British aid.

There was also a logistical problem.

“The Neapolitan royal family, who fled to Sicily, are not receiving much support either. In fact, the British fleet cannot even enter the Mediterranean.”

“Oh, you’re right? Gibraltar is still British territory, though.”

“It’s a strong fortress, so it’s likely to remain British for the time being. However, directly attacking the Italian Peninsula from Gibraltar is impossible.”

The end of the 18th century was fast approaching the 19th century.

Ships were still powered by manpower or wind power.

Thus, even the most outstanding ship-of-the-line required intermediate bases for resupply and rest.

This was especially true in the Mediterranean, where the wind constantly changed, unlike the Atlantic where trade winds blew.

So, how did the British fleet travel to Italy before?

Corsica, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands, which were Spanish territories, existed.

The British fleet was able to navigate the Mediterranean using these islands as bases.

But now, Spain had become an ally of France.

Sardinia was still resisting, but it was isolated in the western Mediterranean.

In addition, Sicily, where the remaining forces of the Neapolitan royal family were located, was too far away.

Therefore, the British fleet could come to Gibraltar via Portugal, but it could not easily pass beyond that point.

Furthermore, the Mediterranean Fleet under Brueys was intact, unlike in the original timeline, which also played a role.

However, Eugene frowned, slightly concerned about one thing.

“Well, if Britain is really determined, they might occupy the Balearic Islands, even if they are not their territory, to enter the Mediterranean.”

“Huh? Are you suggesting they’ll fight Spain, then?”

“They’re capable of anything. They believe they are supreme on the seas.”

The Balearic Islands.

An archipelago scattered off the eastern coast of Spain.

Even in the original timeline, Britain eventually occupied this area and threatened the western Mediterranean.

That was why Nelson was able to get so close to capturing Napoleon in the original timeline.

“But they won’t be able to do that this time.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing. ‘Father’ is coming.”

In the distance, Napoleon’s guard was entering Paris.

***

In the late 18th century, Paris was still dirty and chaotic.

“Nevertheless, that legion and its commander are truly overwhelming. Just three thousand cavalrymen, yet it feels like three hundred thousand are arriving,” Talleyrand exclaimed in admiration.

The triumphal return of Napoleon, commander of the Italian Legion, was a national event.

Naturally, members of the Council of Five Hundred were present, preparing to welcome the victorious procession.

Although the Parisian city center itself was complex, making the welcoming of the triumphal procession seem somewhat disorganized, the approaching procession of cavalrymen was truly magnificent, especially with the addition of the Mounted Grenadiers who had come out to greet them.

Suddenly, a sharp-looking member of the council answered from beside Talleyrand.

“It’s a similar size to the Paris National Guard. But Bonaparte’s close aides control the National Guard anyway.”

“That’s not all. This time, a security organization called ‘Surété’ [French for “security”] or something like that was newly passed. Do you know anything about it, Representative Fouché?”

“I don’t know. They didn’t tell me either. It seems Eugene Bonaparte is moving directly.”

Fouché, the man Eugene once entrusted with behind-the-scenes work.

Despite the political changes, Fouché had been repeatedly re-elected and held a seat in the Council of Five Hundred this time as well.

However, he was quite distant from Eugene and Napoleon.

They had once conspired together, but the political situation had changed rapidly, creating distance.

The failure of the Marais coup was decisive.

At that time, Eugene had completely become a Napoleonist, and Saliceti, a member of Napoleon’s faction, became a Director.

Even Lafayette, whom Fouché had helped during the Champ de Mars massacre, had become a Director.

However, when the Directory was formed and the political landscape was reorganized, Fouché received no position.

This was actually because Eugene was wary.

In the original timeline, Fouché eventually betrayed Napoleon.

But from Fouché’s perspective, he had been treated coldly without knowing why.

Talleyrand approached Fouché, who was full of dissatisfaction because of this.

Talleyrand listened to Fouché’s complaints and turned to Eugene, asking.

“Do you know that gambling prodigy well?”

“Yes, I’ve worked with him since the early days of the Revolution. He’s not just good at gambling. He’s given me political advice that’s very sharp. He’s ruthless enough to abandon me.”

“Hmm, tell me more later. I’ve only been paying attention to Bonaparte.”

Talleyrand’s eyes narrowed.

“Perhaps that boy is the key.”

He had met him once.

He had brought up a rather surprising matter called the Florida sale.

Thanks to that, Talleyrand had to negotiate with the Spanish high command, something he never expected to do.

At that time, he thought of him as just Napoleon’s representative.

But according to Fouché, Eugene was more of a brain.

When assessing the future power and direction of France, Eugene might be an important key.

“Yes, everything is for the sake of France.”

Talleyrand muttered very softly.

That’s right.

No matter what conspiracy he hatched, Talleyrand only worked for France.

Everything else was just a card.

The revolutionary government, Napoleon, and Eugene.

***

While Talleyrand was drawing a so-called big picture, there were generals marching forward regardless.

“Wow, look over there! After all, the beauties of Paris are the best!”

“Murat, don’t act like a country bumpkin and watch where you’re going. If Eugene catches you, you’ll be sent back under Brueys again. Hmm, but there are many beauties.”

“Hey, I’m a brigadier general now! In terms of rank, I’m the same as Bonaparte! Oh, miss. What’s your name? Are you free later?”

Murat and Junot excitedly looked at the beauties and chatted.

After suppressing the Venetian revolt, Murat and Junot were finally promoted to brigadier general.

Of course, Murat’s promotion speed was slower than in the original timeline.

Still, victory and glory are exciting, whether promotion is fast or slow.

Augereau, who was also enjoying the victory and waving to the cheering citizens, said with a solemn face.

“I never thought I would enter Paris like this. I thought I would just grow old and die in Nice.”

“Huh, for someone who was so pessimistic about life, you’ve saved up quite a lot, haven’t you?”

“What are you talking about? If you’re prepared to retire, the more assets you have, the better. You and Lannes are the problem, not saving anything. Especially André, you’ve received a lot, haven’t you?”

In other words, bribery.

Not only André Masséna, who originally liked bribes, but also Pierre Augereau had pocketed quite a bit.

On the other hand, Masséna currently has zero money, and Augereau has about 20 times more than before the war.

This shows how much Masséna had squandered.

However, Masséna laughed as if he had no worries.

“Hahaha! Life is about enjoying it, Pierre. Since we only live once, we should enjoy it to the fullest when we’re victors!”

Of course, the true victor leading this army’s procession is someone else.

A young general on horseback in the center, wearing a solemn face.

Napoleon.

Even as the citizens cheered for Napoleon, Napoleon simply stared ahead with a heavy posture.

Suddenly, Marmont, the aide accompanying Napoleon, reported to Napoleon.

“Commander, the representatives of the Council of Five Hundred and former Directors are over there.”

Only then did Napoleon turn his gaze slightly for the first time.

“Still former Directors? What about the current ones?”

“Yes. Due to the aftermath of the coup, but also because there was no approval from you, Commander, they have not been able to elect Directors.”

“Saliceti, he should take care of things like that on his own. Huh?”

Just as Napoleon was about to grumble in a low voice as if he was annoyed, his eyes lit up as he looked at the central ranks.

“Lucien has become quite dignified.”

Soon, representatives of the Council of Five Hundred greeted the Italian Legion Guard.

Danton, Lafayette, Saliceti, Augus, Desmoulins.

Along with the former Directors, a symbolic figure representing the current Council of Five Hundred approached.

That was the new Chairman of the Council of Five Hundred, Lucien.

“The Council of Five Hundred welcomes the hero of France, General Napoleon Bonaparte. I am Lucien Bonaparte, Chairman of the Council of Five Hundred.”

Lucien treated his ‘brother’ with an unprecedentedly serious face.

Napoleon’s face softened into a smile as he quietly looked at Lucien.

They were always brothers who were on bad terms with each other, but they were now meeting in Paris as the center of power.

How could he not feel a sense of novelty?

“I, Napoleon Bonaparte, commander of the Italian garrison, report that I have now returned to Paris.”

March 3, 1797.

Napoleon finally returned to Paris.