He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 205

(205) 1798, Appointing Hoche as Governor-General of Egypt

The new year of 1798 dawned.

-Ding! Ding! Ding!

The clamorous sound of bells echoed throughout the city of Cairo.

Europeans were startled by the unfamiliar sound of mosque bells, different from the church bells they were accustomed to.

Even after more than half a year since the conquest of Egypt, it was still an unfamiliar sound.

Suddenly, Lavoisier stroked his chin and asked,

“Is that a [Muezzin, a person who calls Muslims to prayer from a mosque], not a church bell?”

“Yes, I’m sure it is, seeing the Muslims prostrating.”

“What is it they say at times like this? ‘Respect and be quiet,’ was it?”

Ippolito whispered, carefully stepping in his military boots.

“It’s polite to at least not interfere, right? Hmm.”

Five times a day, the time to prostrate towards Mecca.

Every Muslim, at that time, would spread out their carpets or sit on the floor and prostrate.

This was originally a simplified procedure of the law to offer worship.

It was a reasonably rational system in the Middle Ages, but now it has become a ritual that reduces efficiency.

In particular, Lavoisier clicked his tongue, watching the Muslim assistant who had stopped doing the work he had just ordered.

However, he also knew that there was nothing worse than provoking the conquered people in the conquered land.

Suddenly, Lavoisier looked at the assistants praying around the laboratory and asked Ippolito,

“Monsieur Charles, have you heard any news from France?”

“Why are you asking me that, Lavoisier?”

“Well, I fell ill and was bedridden as soon as I arrived. So, I didn’t have a chance to become friendly with the expeditionary forces. You’re the only one I can get information from.”

Originally, Lavoisier was France’s top chemist and also a member of the Council of Five Hundred [a legislative body during the French Revolution].

Moreover, he held a symbolic position in Eugene’s Beauharnais Cartel.

Nevertheless, Lavoisier had not been very active so far.

He fell ill due to the unfamiliar climate and long journey.

By the time he barely recovered, the war was already over.

However, from then on, Lavoisier had more to do.

From cement manufacturing to the establishment of various factories and the introduction of printing presses, there was nothing that Lavoisier didn’t touch.

He was very busy even with the help of the gunsmith Polin and the balloon unit commander Conte.

So much so that he had to hire Muslims as assistants.

If more support personnel had been sent from France, the work would have been much easier.

That’s why Lavoisier asked about the French [communication line, referring to the supply and information route between France and Egypt].

Ippolito looked around and replied in a low voice.

“Well, we have ships sent from our side, but no ships have returned recently.”

“Huh? What does that mean?”

“The news has been cut off. Well, I can roughly guess. The war situation must be bad. The Corfu Line is on the verge of collapse.”

The sea route from Alexandria to the eastern Mediterranean, to the island of Corfu in western Greece.

This is the so-called [Corfu Line, a vital sea route for communication and supplies].

After arriving in Egypt, after the victory at the Pyramids, and after the assassination of Nelson, ships departed three times.

The first two times, replies came back.

However, there has been no news since the Pyramids.

In particular, there must have been a commotion because of Pauline’s stowaway, but even letters from the Bonaparte family have not arrived.

Of course, it may be fortunate that news of ‘Marie’ has not been conveyed to Eugene thanks to this.

At that time, Lavoisier broke Ippolito’s reverie.

“Does that make sense? General Bonaparte, I mean, General Napoleon is the commander-in-chief! The hero of the Italian campaign! The incarnation of victory!”

“No matter how much of an incarnation of victory he is, he can’t be present on every battlefield. Eugene spread things out too much from the beginning.”

“Still, wasn’t the real battlefield only in Egypt?”

Ippolito smacked his lips and talked about what Eugene had estimated.

“Well, Eugene said that Austria or Russia might invade.”

The Corfu Line is basically a communication route that passes through the eastern coast of Italy.

But what if Italy has become a battlefield or a rebellion has broken out?

Of course, they are too busy dealing with the war to operate the communication line.

If Austria and Russia attack, it will naturally become an emergency system.

Lavoisier’s mouth dropped open.

“Then isn’t that a big problem? The elite are here in Egypt!”

“Yes? It’s true that they are the elite, but there are hardly any troops that General Napoleon commanded anyway.”

“Still, General Eugene Bonaparte was Napoleon’s chief of staff, wasn’t he? There will be an impact!”

Ippolito rolled his eyes and chuckled.

“General Napoleon will do well without Eugene. Well, Eugene will have to return for other reasons anyway, right?”

It is undeniable that Eugene played a big role in the Italian campaign.

However, after coming to Egypt, Ippolito realized for sure.

The fact that Eugene was still young or still learning during the Italian campaign, so he couldn’t fight properly.

Compared to the skills Eugene showed in the Egyptian expedition, he was still a beginner in Italy.

Perhaps the expedition would have failed entirely without Napoleon.

Conversely, as long as Napoleon is in France, the possibility of France losing the war is zero.

However, there is a reason why Eugene must return himself.

“What’s the reason?”

“The problem is the letters.”

“Letters?”

Ippolito narrowed his brows and recited what Eugene had said.

“Even the letters have been cut off. In this situation, to complete the conquest of Egypt, we need a return route. To do that, we have to move directly.” According to Eugene.”

Of course, this is not the whole reason why Eugene decided to [return, implying a strategic withdrawal or reassignment].

***

Cairo Citadel, originally named [Saladin Citadel, a historical fortress in Cairo], gathered a hundred people.

“Then, let’s celebrate the birth of the Cairo Provisional Assembly!”

Those wearing turbans, those wearing hats, and those wearing nothing entered.

-Step, step, step!

Local Egyptian Muslims, Coptic Christians, and disabled French soldiers.

Representatives elected from each of the three divided voter groups.

This is the newly created Egyptian [Provisional Assembly, a temporary governing body].

Naturally, in this assembly, the Muslim side is dominated by imams and merchants, and the Coptic Christians are dominated by scribes.

This is because the system was designed to sufficiently respect the vested interests of Egypt from the beginning.

That’s why the local Egyptians, specifically the upper class, accepted the French system.

However, there is someone else who will control this assembly and exercise administrative power.

“Please come to the podium! The new Governor-General of the Egyptian Military Government, General Louis Lazare Hoche!”

Hoche turned to Eugene, hearing Gauhari shouting from afar.

“Are we allowed to do this, Eugene?”

“What do you mean? Establishing an assembly is what we’ve always done when creating satellite republics during the Italian campaign, right?”

“That’s Europe, and General Bonaparte did it! This is not Europe, and I’m not Bonaparte!”

In fact, what the Italian expeditionary force always did after the conquest was to establish [satellite republics, client states controlled by France].

Like revolutionary forces, they would declare many of the local occupied territories as independent republics.

However, most of the assembly members were pro-French, and they always ran a military government in parallel.

In reality, it was a system that was practically a French colony.

Of course, that was Europe, and there was a tradition of aristocratic republics, so they understood the concept of an assembly quickly.

Can this system really take root here in Egypt?

Also, is it okay for the commander of the expeditionary force to do this without instructions from the home country?

Napoleon boldly did it, but Hoche naturally had no choice but to hesitate.

At that time, Eugene smiled and said.

“I’m Bonaparte, Hoche.”

Only then did Hoche’s mouth drop open, and he eventually laughed.

He knew from the beginning that Eugene was the real power of this expeditionary force.

But now he realized something else.

Eugene had been planning this from the beginning.

Establishing a governing system for the permanent rule of Egypt.

Furthermore, he had chosen Hoche as the main player to establish this system.

Taking a deep breath, Hoche shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s killing me. If the communication line with the home government is restored, I might be summoned immediately, right?”

“By that time, I’ll be back in the home country, so you don’t have to worry.”

“If you’re not caught in the middle, tsk.”

At that time, Gauhari called Hoche once more.

“General Hoche!”

Hoche was startled, then laughed heartily and walked towards the assembly podium.

“Ah, I’m going! Hahaha!”

The hall of the Citadel, where Mamluk generals once held meetings.

Hoche, the commander of the French expeditionary force, stood there.

It was when Eugene was watching that scene from behind.

“Hey, Freischütz.”

Eugene politely greeted the de facto [Deputy Commander, referring to Kléber’s influential position] who spoke to him respectfully.

“Yes, General Kléber.”

“I have one question, how long do we have to stay in Egypt?”

“What do you mean?”

Kléber stared at Eugene and sneered.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. I know now that you, Bonaparte, and Hoche are aiming for the permanent rule of Egypt. Also, that you created the return operation for that purpose.”

It’s just like Kléber, who always looks at everything crookedly.

He asked the [secret, alluding to the hidden agenda of long-term occupation] that no one could ask Eugene very directly.

Eugene glanced at the podium and smiled awkwardly.

“Hoche has a loose mouth.”

“The real power who calls the commander’s name carelessly, so how long do we have to stay in this desert?”

Rochejacquelein, who was standing behind Eugene as if guarding him, was surprised for a moment, and Eugene said to Kléber.

“I promised Rochejacquelein 10 years. I promised to return him to the home country within that time.”

Eugene told Kléber as Rochejacquelein, who was once an exile from the Vendée, returned in less than 5 years.

“I promise the general the same. I will prepare a glorious return within 10 years.”

If things go as Eugene intends, he can return home much sooner.

Nevertheless, Kléber frowned.

Because he suddenly thought of his wife or lover in Paris.

“It’s too long.”

“Isn’t 10 years short if you are the second-in-command of the governor-general who controls not only Egypt but the entire Turkey?”

“What?”

Eugene twisted his lips and replied.

“That’s what it means that I’m returning, General Kléber.”

It was the moment when Kléber, who was thinking about what he was talking about, widened his eyes.

“Then, I declare from today. Now, the French-Egyptian Allied Government is born. A government created by Cairo citizens who have received French citizenship! This government will last for a thousand years!”

Hoche declared on the podium with a very cheerful attitude.

-Wow!

Now, the French-Egyptian Allied Government was launched in Egypt.

It was the moment when the French colony of Egypt was born.

***

Of course, the actor who stood on the podium knows that what he did was a [play, referring to the staged nature of the declaration].

“Oh, I’m dying. It’s too hard to lie?”

“Shall I get you some honey water, Lazare?”

“Oh, Désirée. Please. Cairo is too hot! Even in winter!”

Hoche returned to the commander’s office of the Giza, French expeditionary force, and lay down.

While Désirée was busy getting a drink, Eugene stood in front of Hoche.

Eugene smiled and praised Hoche as if congratulating him.

“Good job, Hoche. Everyone was satisfied.”

“Even though only 10% of the citizens received citizenship?”

“That’s about the same as combining the Coptic Christians with the French army. At least half of the voters must be each for us to control them.”

From the beginning, the voter groups were divided into three, and everyone had equal power.

It is by no means an equal election.

However, the Islamic imams and merchants were satisfied with this.

In the first place, they could not even intervene in the rule when the Ottoman Empire or the Mamluks ruled.

Rather, they realized that this system created by France was more advantageous to them.

Of course, this power ratio can change if Eugene’s ideas are implemented.

When the era of 1 million French immigrants arrives.

Of course, there is a prerequisite that must be done to do so.

Hoche wiped away his sweat and asked.

“Will the home government really approve of these measures? Can you make that happen? No, will Bonaparte approve?”

The problem is the ex post facto approval of the home government.

But Eugene has already experienced it in Italy.

The Directory [the French revolutionary government at the time] is weak and cannot refuse the demands of a general who has succeeded in a distant expedition.

Furthermore, what Eugene is thinking is even bigger.

“I will make them approve. I’ll make you the Egyptian [Pharaoh, a reference to the ancient Egyptian rulers, implying absolute power].”

At that moment, Hoche was surprised and raised his head.

“Wow, if Robespierre were alive, you’d be the number one guillotine!”

“That’s why I didn’t talk about this when Robespierre was alive.”

“You.”

Suddenly, Hoche asked with a strange smile.

“Are you thinking of reviving the [monarchy, a system of government with a single ruler] ?”

Eugene’s eyes widened.

Monarchy.

A system that the revolution denied.

Furthermore, the old system that Hoche’s friend, Robespierre, tried so hard to destroy.