He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 197

Napoleon’s Genius Son – Episode 197

(197) The Egyptian Expedition Stands at a Crossroads

Damietta, a port city steeped in history since the Crusades.

-Thump!

A land of deltas created by the numerous branches of the Nile.

It is located on the easternmost edge of that land.

Long ago, centuries past, it was even temporarily occupied by the French Crusaders.

New buildings were being erected there.

“So, this is to be the new headquarters of our Knights of St. John!”

Grand Master Hompesch of the Knights of Malta, also known as the Knights of St. John, exclaimed with emotion.

The buildings were being constructed on the site of Damietta’s old government house.

Although still under construction, the flags fluttering over the temporary barracks were clearly visible.

A design featuring a white cross on a red background.

The emblem the Knights had used since 1099 AD.

Suddenly, a 16-year-old boy in a blue uniform stood next to Hompesch.

“I have kept my promise, Grand Master.”

The two shining stars on his epaulettes were dazzling.

Eugène Freiherr von Beauharnais, Chief of Staff of the French Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

Hompesch looked at Eugène and spoke, his face still filled with emotion.

“I acknowledge it, General Bonaparte. To give us a corner of the delta, centered on Damietta… This is territory we never held even in the days of defending the Holy Land.”

The Holy Land, referring to the Palestine region.

About eight hundred years ago, the Crusaders conquered the Palestine region and established the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

At that time, the Knights of St. John, then known as the Hospitallers, served as the vanguard defending the kingdom.

They received numerous fortresses, including their headquarters in Jerusalem.

However, they never occupied such a vast territory.

Yet, the French Egyptian Expeditionary Force had handed over the entire Damietta area to the Knights.

Eugène had kept the promise he made when he brought the Knights from Malta.

Of course, from the perspective of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, it was essentially showing off with someone else’s land.

Stepping onto the land of Damietta, which was still legally Turkish territory, Eugène smiled.

“Now you are the Knights of Damietta, not Malta. So, you’ll have to change your business, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“You can’t fight the Barbary pirates like before. Also, you’ll have to sign contracts not only with the Vatican but also with the French Military Administration.”

Eugène handed over a document, and Hompesch, after receiving it, widened his eyes.

“A [Concordat] (an agreement or treaty) between the French Egyptian Military Administration and the Knights of St. John?”

Concordat.

In the original history, it was the name of the treaty Napoleon signed with the Vatican.

Eugène had borrowed the name of that treaty.

As the first agreement between the Knights of St. John and the French Military Administration of Egypt.

“That’s the official name.”

“It sounds like a grand name. But, this is a bit strange, isn’t it?”

“What’s strange?”

Of course, it wasn’t that Hompesch thought only the Vatican deserved to use the name Concordat.

He was simply surprised by the content.

Blinking, Hompesch looked at Eugène with a surprised expression and asked.

“It’s written in a complicated way, but isn’t this it? The Knights of St. John, under the French Egyptian Military Administration, are responsible for the defense and medical care of the eastern coast?”

Eugène looked back at the Knights’ members busily moving in the distance.

The nursing units composed of women from the French Expeditionary Force and doctors from Malta were tending to the patients together.

In addition, the fleet under the Knights, which had come with them from Malta, was in motion.

In short, the purpose of this Concordat was to maximize the use of the Knights’ forces.

“Isn’t that right?”

“This looks simple, but it’s not. This Egyptian Expeditionary Force is far from the mainland. Moreover, Egypt has its own endemic diseases.”

“I know, the plague.”

A disease that had shaken the Egyptian economy since the 14th century.

Unlike Europe, the plague was never completely eradicated in Egypt.

In the original history, it eventually became a cause that stopped Napoleon’s army.

Even if they didn’t know about viruses yet, the European medical community knew the importance of hygiene and rat extermination.

The Knights of Malta, who had traveled to and from Egypt for a long time, knew that fact accurately.

Also, entrusting the navy was a very important matter for France, the expeditionary force.

Suddenly, Hompesch narrowed his brows.

“Are you offering us this agreement knowing that? This is like handing us the [leash] (control or restraint) of the French Egyptian Expeditionary Force!”

Of course, neither Eugène nor the commander, Hoche, intended to entrust the entire navy to the Knights.

However, France had one problem.

The remaining naval power was only one-third of the original Mediterranean Fleet.

Furthermore, there was no possibility of a support fleet coming from mainland France to this place.

Eugène remembered that it would be impossible for at least ten years, even in the original history.

So, they were just trying to pass on the problem of the insufficient navy to the Knights.

In fact, the same was true for medical care.

The medical reality was that the French Expeditionary Force’s medical unit alone was woefully inadequate.

However, instead of telling the truth, Eugène decided to be brazen.

Eugène smiled lightly and pointed to the agreement.

“Then, you can give us the Knights’ leash.”

“Wh, what do you mean? That?”

“The agreement has two parts. There’s a side agreement.”

Only then did Hompesch realize that there were two agreements stacked together.

The official agreement between the Expeditionary Force and the Knights was one.

And another unofficial agreement behind it.

Eugène looked at the unofficial agreement and said.

“Look closely at the corner. In the future, the Knights of St. John will have a layperson, not a member, attend the Knights’ Council. And that person will not have the right to vote, but…”

Suddenly, Eugène narrowed his eyes and said.

“…will have the right to veto.”

The Knights’ Council, the highest decision-making body of the Knights of St. John, composed of commanders (masters) from each country.

A person who is neither a monk, a knight, nor a doctor will enter that council.

In fact, having the right to veto is the same as having the right to decide.

Looking intently at the other side agreement of the agreement, Hompesch smiled strangely.

This condition reminded him of a document more familiar to Hompesch than the agreement of the revolutionary government.

That is, a secret negotiation document concluded after the end of a war between dynasties.

“That person is Eugène ‘Freiherr’ von Beauharnais and his descendants.”

“That’s right.”

“A general of the revolutionary government claiming a right that can be inherited by blood… Isn’t this contrary to the revolution?”

Eugène shrugged and replied.

“Master, I’m from the Beauharnais family. The concept of birthright is very familiar to me.”

Of course, considering that the Egyptian expedition is an official national expedition, this agreement is dangerous.

It’s like the country’s official army is moving for the benefit of an individual.

However, Hompesch, being a nobleman, was more accustomed to such deals.

Hompesch nodded without ceasing to smile.

“Alright. Give us one more place in return.”

“Where are you talking about?”

“Jerusalem.”

Instantly, Hompesch’s eyes gleamed.

“Eventually, you’ll occupy that place, won’t you? You’ve crippled the British fleet, so it’s possible.”

Eugène widened his eyes and turned his gaze away.

“That’s something to think about.”

In the distance, the Mediterranean Sea beyond Damietta was visible.

To the north of it was the land Hompesch spoke of.

The old Holy Land, the land of Jerusalem.

It was by no means a simple matter.

Going there ultimately meant that the Egyptian expedition would be expanded.

***

Cairo, celebrating the naval victory, was very noisy.

Of course, it wasn’t because the Egyptians were happy about the French victory.

It was because of what Hoche had declared that France would give if they defeated the British.

A declaration to distribute everything the Mamluk military aristocrats had.

That declaration was being carried out today, making it noisy.

“Alright, one person at a time! Those who wish to receive a share of the Mamluk land, line up in order! You must receive one arpent (approximately 0.84 acres) per adult!”

“Wait, those people are from the same family! If you distribute it like that, 10 arpents? Anyway, I don’t know how much that is, but the Hamad family alone will receive 10 times as much!”

“Hey! Receiving fair land per adult is the priority!”

In short, land distribution was underway.

This land was all land owned by the Mamluk aristocrats.

Hoche also had to leave a share promised to the French soldiers in advance.

Therefore, the land to be distributed to the people of Cairo was relatively limited.

However, the people of Cairo were happy just to receive land, and each was claiming their rights.

Suddenly, Colonel Tournet, who was doing the distribution administrative work, took a breather and turned his head.

Eugène was there, smiling and watching the work.

“Oh, Chief of Staff. I’m dying!”

Eugène, who had briefly come out to greet Tournet, asked with a smile.

“Why, Colonel Tournet? It’s better than when you had trouble compensating for the requisition slips in the old days, right? This is because we’re giving something.”

“The people here are very different from us! Large families are still maintained. Moreover, the richer they are, the more wives they have! I’m a little envious of that.”

“Still, four is the limit, right? Well, but Colonel Tournet, isn’t even one wife too much for you?”

Tournet smiled bitterly at those words.

“The nagging of a wife multiplied by four… suddenly gives me the creeps.”

“Did you send the letter?”

“I wrote it for now. But, will our letter even go to France? Malta has been taken away.”

Originally, the Egyptian Expeditionary Force came to Abu Qir via Malta from the Italian Peninsula.

However, the intermediate stop, Malta, was occupied by the British Navy.

Although it was partially destroyed, there was still a fleet with 13 ships of the line.

Perhaps at least a frigate would be left in Malta, and there was a high possibility that the French communication lines would be intercepted.

In fact, in the original history, Nelson did the same thing.

Thanks to that, Josephine’s affair was published in British newspapers.

Eugène shook his head, recalling that fact.

“If it’s just sending communications, there’s another route. The Corfu Island line, which is the old Venetian territory.”

“Corfu? Ah, the island in the old Greek region?”

“Yes. By occupying the Republic of Venice, that side became a French direct territory.”

Suddenly, Eugène narrowed his brows.

“But it’s too dangerous to bring a large army back. You never know when the British fleet will rush in again.”

The route for sending communication lines can also be a route for returning the army.

However, unlike the Malta line, the Corfu line is too close to the Ottoman Empire.

Therefore, there is a high risk of encountering the Ottoman Navy while operating the ship.

Of course, the Ottoman Navy would fight and win, but the problem is that there is a high possibility of encountering Boal’s Caribbean fleet in the meantime.

One way or another, the fleet’s return has become quite difficult.

Tournet widened his eyes and asked.

“Then will you continue to stay here?”

“We have to achieve our strategic goals.”

“If it’s about blocking Britain’s Indian trade route, it’s practically achieved. British merchants, trading companies, and consulates are already being expelled.”

Eugène nodded and then tilted his head again.

“Yes. But it’s difficult to return in this state. There’s one more force that’s hindering the conquest of Egypt.”

At that time, someone came running from the branch direction and shouted to Eugène.

“Huff, huff, huff! Eugène! No, Chief of Staff! What are you doing here? The Commander has been looking for you for a long time!”

“What’s going on, Hippolyte? Hoche and Marceau were supposed to take care of the post-war processing.”

“What else would the Chief of Staff be called for? War!”

Chief of Staff’s aide, Hippolyte, shouted, panting.

“Intelligence has been received that the Turkish main army is coming!”

Another force hindering the conquest of Egypt.

The legal owner of this land, the Ottoman Turkish Empire.

***

Eugène hurriedly entered the French Expeditionary Force headquarters in Gaza.

“Is it different from what Major Sebastiani had already reported?”

Four people were gathered at the headquarters.

Commander Hoche, de facto Deputy Commander Marceau, Constantinople Embassy Aide Sebastiani.

And, unexpectedly, the [Grand Imam] (a high-ranking Muslim scholar and leader) al-Sharqawi.

At Eugène’s question, Hoche glanced and licked his lips.

“It’s the same. But it’s different.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“There’s something Sebastiani didn’t know. And the Grand Imam came to tell us that.”

Grand Imam al-Sharqawi looked at Eugène and said in Arabic.

“Oh, [Sword] (a title of respect and admiration) of France.”

Eugène raised his eyebrows, smiled, and asked in slightly clumsy Arabic.

“That’s a strange nickname.”

“Think of it as an honorific. Do you know that the current vizier (a high-ranking political advisor or minister) of the empire, Yusuf Ziyauddin, is coming with the Janissaries (elite Ottoman soldiers)?”

“I heard. That’s the news Sebastiani brought. But there will be time, right?”

However, al-Sharqawi shook his head.

“That’s not true. The enemies will come soon. By sea.”

Al-Sharqawi was a high-ranking jurist with many disciples.

Furthermore, Muslim pilgrims and merchants came.

So, it was not strange that he knew information that even France did not know.

However, coming [by sea]… Eugène could not help but be surprised by these words.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Enemies on new ships have departed from the port of Beirut. The target is probably our Misr (Egypt in Arabic).”

“They’re trying a naval transport? Are you saying they’re pushing in with a galley fleet?”

There is a reason why Eugène is surprised.

It is now 1797, soon the 19th century will arrive.

In this era, Europe has long surpassed the Muslim world, but there is one area in particular where it is absolutely ahead.

The navy.

Although the French Navy has a hard time competing with the British Navy, it objectively has the second-highest power in the world.

The Ottoman Empire’s fleet is no match for the French fleet.

So, what are they trusting in to carry out a landing operation?

At that time.

“Oh, there’s something I didn’t think of, Chief of Staff.”

Embassy Aide Sebastiani, who knew the situation in Constantinople best, said urgently.

“In fact, we are not the only ones reforming the Ottoman Turkish military system.”

“What do you mean, Major Sebastiani?”

“Britain also exists.”

Sebastiani rolled his eyes and reported what he had missed.

“Before I left, a British plenipotentiary (a diplomatic agent with full authority) for the Ottoman Empire’s naval reform had already arrived in Constantinople.”

Instantly, there was a name that Eugène remembered.

“Wait, is that guy’s name Sidney Smith?”

Sebastiani, surprised, asked back.

“How do you know? He’s the brother of Spencer Smith, the British ambassador to Constantinople, but he’s not a famous person?”

“He’s a famous person. To me.”

“Yes?”

Eugène smiled bitterly.

Even in the original history, Sidney Smith was assigned to Constantinople during this period.

Furthermore, he decisively interfered with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

Of course, the French Mediterranean Fleet still exists now, so that can’t happen.

At that time, Hippolyte, who heard Sidney’s name, shouted.

“Ah, isn’t he the Swedish knight who fought us in Toulon!”

Strangely, he doesn’t have a British knighthood, but only a Swedish knighthood.

In Toulon, Eugène also prevented Sidney from destroying the fleet.

From France’s point of view, he is a person with a strong bad relationship.

But no matter how bold a soldier Sidney is, there are limits.

The British Mediterranean Fleet is not under Sidney’s control right now.

Suddenly, Hoche asked.

“So, then. Another naval battle?”

“No.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

Eugène smiled coldly.

“This time, let’s land them. We have to smash them on land. The Turkish army.”

This is also a method that can only be used when there is overwhelming naval power.

Just like the French Egyptian Expeditionary Force is doing now.