He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 215

(215) Receiving News of Napoleon for the First Time

Of course, Eugene isn’t a philanthropist.

“Is this really okay? Liberation out of the blue! Seriously! Haven’t we violated the home country’s orders a long time ago?”

Ippolito shouted as soon as he entered the Acre Palace, the temporary headquarters of the French Syrian Expeditionary Force.

In fact, not only Eugene but also everyone in the expeditionary force’s command was far from being a philanthropist.

All the French soldiers who rushed to Syria came seeking glory.

And it’s also true that they hoped for [spoils of war] that were difficult to obtain in their home country.

In particular, most of the soldiers in Junot’s division, who came from the Italian expeditionary force, had experience accumulating wealth.

Of course, Napoleon officially prohibited looting.

However, secretly embezzling or receiving special allowances distributed from reparations was also significant.

Moreover, the Egyptian expeditionary force received the 6 arpents [approximately 7.5 acres] of land they were initially promised.

Conversely, the soldiers who followed here to Syria gave up their Egyptian land.

So, it’s natural that they were upset by the commander’s unilateral [edict of liberation].

Of course, it’s also true that the edict of liberation itself wouldn’t be approved without the permission of the French home government.

Eugene glanced at Ippolito and chuckled.

“What orders? In the first place, we’re the Egyptian expeditionary force, not the Syrian expeditionary force.”

“Y-yes, but still. You know that all our military operations cost money, right? The Boarneh Cartel is still in the red! And what about the spoils of war!”

“At least the operating expenses for the Egyptian expeditionary force will be covered by Egypt. Because we issued Suez bonds.”

Eugene shrugged, looking around the palace.

“As for the spoils of war, we’ll confiscate all of Djezzar’s assets. I’ll create a special allowance table before we leave here, so tell them not to worry.”

“That’s a relief. The soldiers were almost about to riot.”

“Ippolito, you looked like you were going to lead the riot.”

Eugene tapped on the ornate desk that was once Djezzar’s office and said,

“Besides, it’s not free for France either. Have you ever heard of [Divide and Rule]?”

Divide and Rule.

A method used by the British to govern their colonial empire in the 19th century.

Even now, Britain has many maritime bases, but not many large colonies.

Maybe Canada, Australia, or Bengal in eastern India.

Therefore, few people in the French expeditionary force headquarters immediately understood.

Marceau, a law student who had some university education, blinked and asked back.

“Uh, is that English? Divide and, govern?”

“That’s right, Marceau. The Syrian region will no longer be a land with a single ruler.”

“Wait, doesn’t that make it more complicated?”

Eugene spread out a map on the ornate rosewood desk and tapped it.

“That’s why a French regulatory body should be established here in Acre. We’ll declare all of Syria as a French [protectorate].”

The so-called [Greater Syria] is largely divided into three areas.

The Mediterranean coast, the southern part near Jerusalem, and the northern part centered around Damascus and Aleppo.

However, as we can see from the example of Bashir, there are numerous local lords, Emirs (feudal lords), in each region.

In the regions commonly referred to as Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan in modern history, dozens of petty lords and chieftains hold sway.

The Ottoman Empire ruled Syria by placing governors to control the feudal lords.

However, as seen in the cases of Djezzar and the Zaidani family, their control is weakening day by day.

But Djezzar is dead.

Now it’s time for the lords to run rampant.

Eugene is trying to make all of Greater Syria a French [protectorate] in this situation.

Marceau tilted his head.

“What’s the difference between that and a colony or a satellite republic?”

“It’s different. There’s a precedent from the days of the ancient Roman Empire.”

“Rome?”

Eugene drew an ellipse with chalk on the map, over the Mediterranean Sea.

“Rome controlled the empire by dividing it into three stages: the mainland, colonies, and protectorates. This Syrian region will be divided into small countries, becoming a protected area under our control.”

It’s a so-called [puppet state].

During the era when 19th-century colonial empires were expanding, the imperialist European powers not only conquered unexplored territories.

They also occupied and sometimes conquered countries that had not yet undergone [modernization].

However, the era was modern, and although different from the present day, international laws respecting so-called [sovereignty] also existed.

Therefore, no matter how strong the European powers were, it was often difficult to conquer pre-modern countries arbitrarily.

To solve this problem, the ancient Roman [protectorate] system was introduced.

The European powers ‘protected’ the countries declared as protectorates, effectively seizing their interests.

In simple terms, the [Eulsa Treaty] [a treaty between Japan and Korea in 1905 that established a Japanese protectorate over Korea] of original history is a typical example.

Of course, Eugene didn’t explain it this way, but the generals roughly understood.

Suddenly, Marceau tilted his head again.

“It sounds like another word for a colony, but then someone has to protect this place.”

“Here’s where it differs from territories or colonies. Only a small number of border guards will be left in Acre. Also, there must be an [ambassador] to control the protectorate.”

“Ambassador?”

At that moment, Eugene stared at a civilian who had been listening to the story with interest.

“Professor Volney, it seems you’ll have to take on the role.”

Volney, a Middle East expert in Egypt and Syria, widened his eyes.

“You’re saying I’m the best Near East expert? Commander?”

“That’s right. Actually, I’d like to entrust it to Ambassador Denon, but he’s staying in Cairo to control Egypt.”

“Well, he’s originally a diplomat, so he’s more qualified than me. But with the current members…”

Volney recalled the headquarters members, including Marceau, Desaix, Junot, and the Syrian expeditionary force generals.

Not to mention the Knights Hospitaller knights represented by Tommasi, the medical unit doctors including Larrey, and the nursing officers including Angelique.

Volney clicked his tongue.

“Certainly, there’s no alternative other than me. Sebastiani, who used to be an embassy adjutant, will be heading to Constantinople, right?”

Colonel Sebastiani, who had some embassy experience, smiled awkwardly.

“Wouldn’t that be the case? Still, I know the route to Constantinople.”

Eugene chuckled and said to Volney.

“Once we conquer it, I’ll call you.”

“Forget it. I’ll go on my own. Don’t make it take too long. And send my replacement quickly.”

“Understood. I should promise the new [Syrian Ambassador] about 3 years.”

At that moment.

-Tap tap!

A cheerful sound of footsteps was heard in the Acre Palace.

Eugene turned his gaze and widened his eyes.

It’s Pauline, conspicuous in her officer’s uniform.

“Eugene!”

Eugene glanced at Pauline and frowned slightly.

“This is an official headquarters meeting. Call me Commander. But what’s wrong? Did some kind of epidemic break out?”

“How would I know that! It’s more urgent than that! Right now, a letter has arrived from Hospitaller Commander Tommasi.”

“A letter? Why is that such a big deal?”

Pauline, forgetting that she was a nursing officer, shouted,

“A letter came from the Knights Hospitaller branch in the Roman Papal States, Eugene!”

In other words, [European news] has been obtained.

***

The Knights Hospitaller is one of the few organizations with a network throughout Europe.

“More detailed information has come in than I thought. It seems Europe is in chaos.”

Of course, there are also the Freemasons, the Catholic Church, and the Jewish ghettos.

However, there is no one in the Syrian expeditionary force connected to the three major powers.

On the other hand, the Knights Hospitaller still has branches in Europe.

In particular, Rome, where the Vatican is located, is also the center of the European Knights Hospitaller forces.

Tommasi, the second-in-command of the Knights Hospitaller, explained, handing over a thick letter.

“First of all, it seems a rebellion has broken out in British Ireland.”

“Did Moreau go?”

“How do you know? Ah, was it already planned before the expedition started? It seems General Moreau is launching a landing operation in Ireland. However.”

Tommasi announced with a strange look.

“It seems he’s not going directly, but rather landing Irish immigrants and troops in a surprise attack.”

The Four-Way Expedition Plan, the full-scale operation of France that Eugene drafted and Napoleon approved.

The main expedition is, of course, the East, Egypt.

However, operations in Northern Ireland, Southern Spain, and Western Florida have also begun.

Among them, Moreau’s expeditionary force is supporting the Irish rebellion.

It’s composed of a fairly elite group, including Davout, but Moreau seems to be hitting the outskirts, as usual.

Marceau frowned and clicked his tongue.

“A landing operation like that is unlikely to succeed.”

“It seems like a Moreau-style tactic, Marceau. Isn’t that right, General Desaix?”

“…That’s right. He’s a cautious man.”

Desaix also answered Eugene with a bitter smile.

Moreau is by no means an incompetent general.

However, he lacks boldness and tends to postpone the moment of victory.

On the other hand, in dangerous battlefields like the Irish expedition, a cautious person might be better.

The daring Hoche is the one who failed in the original history’s expedition.

It’s not always the gamblers who have an advantage in war.

In some ways, Moreau, who drags out the situation, might be better.

For example, the Irish rebellion might continue to harass Britain in a sluggish manner.

Tommasi opened the next page and said.

“Britain has chosen to fully suppress Ireland. Thanks to that, Spain is only being blockaded, even after its fleet was annihilated.”

The southern Spanish front seems to have completely failed.

Of course, that’s not the main battlefield that France focused on.

However, if Gibraltar is not blocked, the British fleet may re-enter the Eastern Mediterranean.

From Eugene’s perspective, who succeeded in the Egyptian expedition, this was not good information.

Eugene smiled bitterly and asked again.

“Do you know what happened to Florida?”

Tommasi searched every corner of the letter and nodded.

“It’s written very briefly. It seems it hasn’t fallen into British hands yet.”

The reason why Tommasi is reading the letter to Eugene without handing it over is simple.

The letter is written in code.

As an organization created in the Middle Ages, the Knights Hospitaller thoroughly used old-fashioned codes when sending letters.

Of course, if you think about modern history’s information organizations, it could be said to be the latest technique.

Suddenly, Rochejacquelin whispered softly behind Eugene.

“Colonel Thurot seems to be holding them back. The forcibly dispatched Flemish troops are also active.”

“I don’t rate Colonel Thurot or Pichegru highly, Rochejacquelin.”

“Yes?”

The current operation in Florida is strictly speaking, a defensive battle.

It’s already been two years since they negotiated with Spain and legally received the land of Florida.

However, with actual control not yet completed, the war with Britain has started again.

Therefore, the British Navy is expected to launch a wave of offensives, centered on Jamaica.

But Thurot is diligent, but not an outstanding soldier.

Pichegru is quite excellent, and [Ney], Moncey, and Winter, who were dragged along, are also decent, but they are unlikely to be motivated.

But if they are still holding on well, there must be other variables.

Eugene recalled the most famous [black general] in the Caribbean at this time.

“There’s a high possibility that Toussaint is active. Maybe we should give Toussaint a little recognition of his rights in Florida as well?”

At that moment, Tommasi looked at Eugene with an admiring face.

“Do you predict all that? It seems to be correct. There’s a phrase that the blacks are helping. But it doesn’t seem to be a real problem there, Commander.”

Eugene raised his eyebrows.

“Then, what’s the problem?”

“France and Italy.”

“Don’t tell me Austria has moved?”

To Eugene’s slightly surprised question, Tommasi replied with a heavy face.

“Not yet. Russia and Prussia have launched an offensive.”

The offensive has begun on the French mainland, the place guarded by Commander-in-Chief Napoleon.

***

At the same time, there was a general in Paris across the Mediterranean who was shocked to hear the same news.

“So, who moved?”

When Napoleon asked, Chief of Staff Berthier reported.

“It’s Emperor Paul I, Commander-in-Chief.”