He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 204

(204) Finally Kissed in Front of the Suez Canal

Shoveling isn’t just something you try when you’re sure of success.

-Thwack, thwack, thwack!

Suez, on the opposite side, there’s a sandy beach where nothing exists yet.

Laborers gathered there to break ground for the first time.

The construction engineer leading them is Jacques-Marie Le Père, the young technician who, in the original history, reported that the Suez Canal was impossible.

Even now, he’s skeptical about the chances of success.

But Eugene confidently declared before the technicians, scholars, and generals:

“This grand canal will be a hit whether it succeeds or fails.”

Even if it fails, the port of Suez will be expanded.

It means that the auxiliary Indian trade route, originally used by the British, will be formed under French leadership.

Also, Egyptian merchants will experience investing in French businesses and distributing profits.

The formation of middle-class capitalists in Egypt, the creation of French interests among those capitalists, and the link of French subordination can be born.

Of course, this is just to explain, and Eugene is confident that the grand canal itself will succeed.

Naturally, Hippolyte, unaware of future history, looked at the canal construction site with skeptical eyes.

“Is this really going to connect the north and south with a canal?”

“Well, we’ll probably have to apply a lot of British [cement].”

“Huh? What’s that? Is it different from lime? Did the British already make something like that?”

So-called modern cement has been made in England for a long time.

John Smeaton made hydraulic lime by mixing clay and limestone in 1756.

This lime was widely used at construction sites.

Recently, James Parker of England discovered the simple fact that limestone hardens much faster when heated to high temperatures.

It was just a year ago.

“It was announced last year, in 1796. But that must be patented, right? Partonne told me to make it, but is it okay for us to make and use it like this?”

Suddenly, a slender middle-aged scholar opened his mouth next to Eugene and Hippolyte.

Lavoisier, soon to be France’s top chemist.

He participated in the Egyptian expedition’s scholar group and came all the way here, but he had been bedridden with illness.

Now he got out of bed and found a space to be active.

Eugene listened to Lavoisier’s worries and chuckled.

“We’ll pay the patent fee later, Monsieur Lavoisier.”

“Hahaha! Well, it’s not my problem, it’s Dupont’s problem!”

“That’s right. First of all, we need to build a cement factory here.”

So-called rapid-setting cement, commonly known as [Roman cement], is poured every time shoveling takes place.

A building material that can be solidified within an hour by mixing hydraulic lime and water in a ratio of 5 to 2.

It is a product created under the leadership of Lavoisier, the representative chemist of the French expeditionary force.

Of course, this method is patented.

Furthermore, Europe already has a system in place since the 18th century to respect patents from other countries.

Even in warring enemy countries, this system was often observed.

Therefore, a huge patent fee must be paid to the British inventor.

But that’s a matter for Dupont, the manager of the Eugene-Dupont Chemical Company, to worry about.

It’s not something to worry about first in distant Egypt.

There is something else to worry about here.

“Of course, we can only make it if we appease the [Bedouins] in that desert.”

Eugene pointed to the nomadic camel herders standing far away, as if monitoring the construction site.

The number is about 300.

It is not a large number compared to the expeditionary force’s security forces, but it is enough to cause damage in an emergency.

Hippolyte looked at the turbaned nomads and licked his lips.

“Are those people the backbone of the original Arabs?”

“In Arabic, they’re called [Badawi]. Most of the Cairo people have the same ancestors. After all, they are originally descendants of conquerors from the Arabian Peninsula.”

“Nomads who haven’t settled in the city, huh? Hmm, how did you coax them?”

Eugene lightly took out a pouch from his pocket and shook it.

-Clang!

Looking inside the pouch, Hippolyte’s eyes widened.

“What is this? Aluminum?”

“I told you it’s a newly made silver coin in Europe. Desert people generally like precious metals. Besides, this is actually used in our France.”

“Hey, you should have just given them silver. Why are you giving them this? It’s worth 10 times the silver!”

Then, Gauhari, an interpreter and secretary who had been listening quietly next to him, opened his mouth wide.

“Ten times the silver? You didn’t say anything about that?”

So, Eugene melted the nomads roaming the desert with a kind of bribe.

Bedouins, desert nomads called [Badawi] in Arabic.

Originally, they can be said to be the founding people of Islam, who created the medieval Arab Empire.

However, as time passed, the Persians, Turks, and Mamluks took over Muslim leadership, and they were pushed back.

Those Bedouins who settled in the city became city dwellers, but those who remained in the desert still live a nomadic life.

Some prospered as traders during the heyday of the Silk Road trade.

But now, at the end of the 18th century, when the Atlantic and Indian Ocean trade dominates the world economy.

Naturally, the Bedouins have also been pushed to the back of history.

But the Bedouins happened to be in control of the so-called Suez Route.

Eugene poured aluminum silver coins on them.

This is because he knew that Bedouins, who lead mobile lives, are particularly obsessed with precious metals.

However, Gauhari, who was in charge of the mediation, had no choice but to be embarrassed.

He thought he had given 1,000 silver dirhams, but it turned out to be 10,000 dirhams.

Eugene replied nonchalantly.

“It’s a metal that will eventually become cheaper than silver. It’s expensive now because the technology is lacking, Gauhari.”

“When will that be?”

“Well, about a hundred years?”

In the original history, even after the electrolysis method was announced, aluminum was still slightly more expensive than silver for decades.

So, at least during Eugene’s lifetime, aluminum will never be cheaper than silver coins.

Of course, Gauhari, who heard Eugene’s words as a joke, hurriedly tried to run to the Bedouins.

“I’ll exchange it for silver right away. Those nomads won’t know anyway!”

In fact, silver may be more appealing to the Bedouin tribes near Suez than aluminum.

They received it because they said it was used in Europe and gave it for free, but they felt that it was a completely different metal from silver because of its weight.

However, Eugene stopped Gauhari.

“Stop it, Gauhari.”

“General Bonaparte! This is an excessive reward. They’re not helping us with anything, they’re just allowing passage!”

“If they find out that they received a metal more valuable than silver as a reward, they will be more motivated.”

Eugene’s gaze turned to the Bedouin tribal chief looking this way from afar.

“They will be more willing to cooperate with the Egyptian French government.”

Then Hoche asked.

“Everything’s fine, Eugene, but am I supposed to control those rough people?”

Eugene was surprised, turned around, and scratched his head.

Today is the day the Suez Canal construction begins.

That’s why the commander came here in person.

To the wilderness that will be the exit of the Suez Canal towards the Mediterranean Sea.

However, Hoche was more concerned about the Bedouin armed tribesmen than the canal.

“Right?”

“They look like they’re going to swing a knife if something goes wrong.”

“Knives, we should be wary of fanatics rather than those chivalrous nomads. Definitely increase the number of bodyguards. Especially friends who are good at Savate [a French martial art].”

After all, the Bedouins are medieval armed forces armed with spears and swords.

They are not a force to stop the European army that is about to begin modernization.

If the Mamluks were modernized, or if Muhammad Ali, a monarch who modernized Egypt like in the original history, came, things might be different.

In the current situation, a military group that will overthrow the French expeditionary force will not be formed in Egypt.

However, as in the original history, the people the French stationed in Egypt are worried about are different.

The existence of fanatical assassins.

This problem can only be solved by strengthening the bodyguards and, in particular, deploying people who are good at unarmed combat.

Hoche chuckled.

“Because we’ve defeated everyone who could defeat us in Egypt?”

Eugene smiled back.

“That’s right.”

In the end, Egypt’s fate is not determined internally.

It is determined externally.

This is the historical experience of the 19th century.

***

Of course, planting anachronistic knights may be a bit too much.

“It’s very desolate. Is this also a place we will protect now?”

Hompisch, the leader of the Order of Saint John, the Knights of Malta, sometimes called the Hospitaller Order, asked.

“That’s right. I think we’ll name it [Port Hoche].”

It is the wilderness that Hoche visited yesterday to see the construction site.

The name originally given to this place in the original history is none other than Port Said.

It is named after the name of the Egyptian monarch Said at the time of construction.

So, it is not strange to attach the name of [Hoche], who effectively controls Egypt.

Of course, Hompisch raised his eyebrows and asked.

“Is it named after Commander Hoche? Does the commander know?”

“I don’t think so. I’m going to tell him after the construction starts. Actually, he was originally a friend of a famous ‘revolutionary’. He’ll hate something going to an individual rather than the republic.”

“He doesn’t seem like that at all. He treats General Freischütz like a son and tries to give him everything.”

At that moment, Eugene smiled and replied.

“Grand Master, it’s not good to dig too deep.”

It’s not strange that Hoche, who doesn’t have a son yet, treats Eugene like a son.

Originally, Hoche was Josephine’s lover.

If Eugene had made a little effort to marry Hoche and Josephine, his stepfather would have been Hoche, not Napoleon.

But it’s not good for an outsider like Hompisch to dig into that.

Hompisch, who was rolling his eyes, nodded and sighed.

“I understand. But it’s daunting to build something on this sandy beach.”

Then Eugene looked at the construction site and said.

“Let’s do it with bonds.”

“Bonds?”

“We will invest 3 million francs. If the Knights issue bonds in their name, the French military government will buy them. Of course, you know that’s not just any bond, right?”

Hompisch, who was quick to notice, twisted his lips and clicked his tongue.

“Is it a leash? Tsk.”

Originally, the French Egyptian Expeditionary Force signed an agreement with the Order of Saint John.

According to this agreement, which Eugene led and concluded, France gives part of Egyptian territory to the Order of Saint John.

The Order of Saint John, in return for obtaining territory, will partially take on the role of naval defense.

First, it will be based in Damietta, but this ‘Port Hoche’ will also be under the jurisdiction of the Order of Saint John.

Looking at it, it’s a huge privilege.

Once the Suez Canal is built, the Order of Saint John will control its Mediterranean exit.

It is a deal that could be a loss for France.

Why did Eugene make this deal?

Of course, there is a condition that Eugene has the [veto] of the Order of Saint John.

But the real reason is different.

Suddenly, Hompisch calculated the amount and asked.

“Well, that’s good. We also have expertise in building fortresses. Can we build it as we please?”

“Please do so. Instead, the Knights of Malta can receive the port charges here once the port is built.”

“We’re not even in Malta anymore, what Malta? Just call it the [Relief] Knights, as the old name says.”

Hompisch’s gaze turned to the port that does not yet exist.

“This will be the final port in the Mediterranean where European ships will arrive via Alexandria.”

The Order of Saint John, or the Hospitaller Order, is not just a simple armed group.

It has naval capabilities by fighting Islamic pirates at sea.

Catholic nobles who have received the best education in Europe are also members.

Furthermore, it is an elite group of businessmen who have been engaged in finance throughout Europe.

This means that they can estimate the value that [Port Hoche] will have.

Eugene looked at the workers next to Hompisch and nodded.

“Conversely, it will be the gateway for Indian merchant ships to enter Europe for the first time.”

“When are you going to the Holy Land?”

“Why are you suddenly saying that?”

Suddenly, Hompisch twisted his lips and smiled.

“This whole operation is a long-term project that will take several years. But General Freischütz doesn’t seem to want to stay here for long, so I’m saying this. When are you planning to leave?”

This is the real reason why Eugene entrusted the sea border to Hompisch, or the Hospitaller Order.

Because the French Mediterranean Fleet must now depart with Eugene.

Of course, the fleet must return if there is a major invasion.

However, attacks by Algerian pirates or reconnaissance attacks by the British can be prevented by the power of the Hospitaller Order.

Eugene stared at Hompisch, who had penetrated his thoughts, and replied.

“As soon as the preparations are complete, we will leave immediately.”

Then Hompisch nodded and replied.

“Then, I’ll send a friend from our side to help.”

“Who is it?”

“Giovanni Battista Tommasi. He is one of the masters I trust most and the naval commander-in-chief of our Hospitaller Order.”

Tommasi is the person who revived the Hospitaller Order, which went bankrupt in the original history.

In short, he is the second-in-command of the Knights.

Eugene widened his eyes and eventually admired.

“Grand Master Hompisch, you really saw through my thoughts. Somehow, I feel relieved to entrust this port to you.”

The Hospitaller Order also presented Eugene with the best talent.

For Eugene, who is once again embarking on a gambling expedition with uncertain success.

Suddenly, a strong wave crashed.

-Shoaaaa!

The waves that will now crash against the cement of Port Hoche, which will be built, and disappear.

***

Unlike Suez, Port Hoche, which is under construction, is quite worth visiting from Cairo.

“A port will be built here?”

It’s not right next door like Giza, but it’s a place you can reach by following the Nile.

Bedouin raiders have also been prevented with bribes, so women can visit with escorts.

For example, the sister of the supreme French military commander.

Eugene shrugged as he escorted Pauline.

“Port Hoche, the exit of the Grand Canal. Depending on how you look at it, it’s the entrance.”

“Why didn’t you put your name on it?”

“If I put my name on it, it would be Port Bonaparte, right?”

At that moment, Pauline, who was walking, stopped and turned around.

“Are you going to see me as just an aunt until the end?”

The time when the sun is disappearing to the west, towards the Nile.

Pauline’s appearance, illuminated by the sunset, looks unique.

Eugene looks at Pauline and thinks.

Can I just see her as an aunt?

No.

But Pauline is too complicated.

“Pauline, this is not that kind of problem.”

“Didn’t you say that you would think about me after the naval battle is over?”

“There are complicated issues with you. But if I really want to, I can overcome them all. The problem is.”

Pauline is Napoleon’s sister.

In the original history, Napoleon forcibly married Eugene’s sister, Hortense, and his brother, Louis.

However, this was not because Napoleon wanted it, but a kind of political decision to obtain an heir.

Pauline is already a woman of marriageable age from a traditional point of view.

So, if Napoleon marries Pauline, he will arrange a political marriage with an outsider rather than an unreasonable marriage that would be legally incestuous.

Moreover, the Bonaparte family will not welcome the problem of becoming more involved with Josephine.

But if Eugene really wants Pauline, there is nothing he cannot overcome.

Even so, Eugene still remembers.

The girl he first saw at the Palace of Versailles.

The princess who risked danger and ran to see him off on the way to Toulon.

Above all, the promise.

“I promised Marie that I would get engaged when I returned. So.”

At that moment, Pauline stood on the wilderness of Port Hoche, grabbing Eugene’s face.

The time when the workers went to rest for dinner.

Only two people are standing in the port that has not yet been built.

“Look at me, Eugene.”

“Pauline, I am.”