He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 273

(273) Shall We Redraw the Map of Europe?

In June 1800, the homework I had been putting off finally came crashing down.

“That’s the problem with term limits. Not much time, but so much to do. Don’t you think so, Eugene?”

Napoleon returned to the Tuileries Palace in Paris from Amiens.

Considering that he hadn’t even reached the midpoint of his 10-year term, let alone a year, it was quite a brazen statement.

In fact, in the original history, this hasty aspect drastically shortened Napoleon’s reign.

But conversely, it was this very temperament that decisively transformed France.

Summoned to the Consul’s office, Eugene shrugged, looking at the [map] on the desk.

“You’re talking about the division of Austria.”

“If only that were all! Eugene, Prussia is still intact. Furthermore, Russia and we haven’t even signed a peace treaty!”

“They won’t be able to invade on their own.”

However, Napoleon shook his head firmly.

“The very existence of an enemy state is a cause for war, Eugene.”

Even a single risk factor can lead to war.

It may seem like excessive worry, but it is not.

In the original history, Napoleon was constantly fighting against enemy states.

Of course, it would be simplest to annihilate them like ancient conquering states.

But the era is now the 19th century.

Countries in various regions are coalescing into so-called [nations] based on language, culture, and religion.

It’s a time when you can’t simply turn them into your own territory.

Napoleon has never studied this fact in detail.

However, as a foreigner, he must be keenly aware of it.

Suddenly, Napoleon’s baton pointed to the former Austrian Empire on the map.

“First of all, Austria is virtually divided into Austria and Hungary.”

“Bohemia is also a large unit. They have long desired independence. So does Galicia, which is part of the old Poland.”

“The problem is that none of them are accustomed to a republic. Even if I wanted to establish satellite republics, there are no forces to support it. It’s not even as good as Italy. Not even the [Freemasons].”

The so-called Freemason secret society flourished even in the Holy Roman Empire.

In France, they sparked the French Revolution.

In Italy, they helped create French-aligned satellite republics.

But in Austria, they couldn’t do anything.

It is true that the Emperor suppressed them, but their power was not strong enough.

This is where the problem arises.

It becomes difficult to create so-called satellite republics.

Eugene glanced at the map and shrugged.

“For the former Austrian territories, wouldn’t it be better to put forward nobles?”

“How are you going to control them?”

“By burdening them with debt through bankers, and by promoting exchanges with France, placing them under economic control. It will be possible using the former territories of the Republic of Venice.”

After hesitating for a moment, Eugene added a word.

“There are suitable bankers too.”

Napoleon narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“The Rothschild family, is it? Good. But even so, it’s a headache to appoint dukes or archdukes to represent each region.”

“There are already nobles in those regions who were used by Austria since the old Holy Roman Empire. We can use them.”

“Hmph, even though they are likely to obey the old Emperor again? Draw up a list first.”

While scoffing, Napoleon acknowledged Eugene’s persuasion and pointed to the map again.

“Then, let’s look at the next problem. Prussia!”

Later, in the original history, the country that unified Germany was undoubtedly Prussia.

But now, it is just a powerful kingdom that controls the northern part of the former Holy Roman Empire.

However, with the power of Frederick the Great, who once terrified Europe, its military strength is certainly strong.

How should we deal with this country?

Eugene answered very simply.

“Tell them to occupy Hanover.”

“What?”

“Prussia has nowhere else to expand right now. They will come over.”

Napoleon raised his eyebrows.

“Make them break up with England? Will that work?”

Hanover is the family estate of the British royal family.

It is located in northern Germany, just west of Prussia.

Originally, in the original history, Napoleon freely gave this land to Prussia.

But now, Prussia is relatively closer to England.

Even so, would they bother to occupy the Kingdom of Hanover?

Eugene smiled and replied.

“It will work. If Talleyrand steps in.”

Napoleon tapped his head with his baton.

“Okay, then there’s one last problem.”

In fact, even if Talleyrand steps in, he can’t make the impossible possible.

However, Eugene believes in something.

Currently, Prussia has been fighting continuously but has gained nothing, and domestic dissatisfaction is high.

In this situation, if they expand into Hanover, they will gain one more thing in territorial expansion.

That is, an exit to the North Sea.

So Prussia will eventually succumb to temptation.

Friendship with England is an uncertain long-term benefit, but Hanover is a definite short-term benefit.

As Eugene was thinking about this, Napoleon pointed to the right side of the map.

“Russia, the problem of how to deal with that giant bear lurking in the east.”

This was something even Eugene couldn’t come up with a good answer for.

***

Talleyrand thinks very differently.

“Austria is a big problem. Russia is not a problem. If we don’t have allies in Western Europe, they are unlikely to attack us directly.”

Looking around the Foreign Minister’s office, Eugene shrugged.

The globe on the Minister’s desk is fixed in one place.

The Atlantic Ocean.

That is, between England and the United States.

Talleyrand values these two countries, where he had experience as an exile, the most.

In terms of diplomatic jargon, he is an Atlanticist rather than a Eurasianist.

On the other hand, in Europe, he seems to only care about Austria, France’s long-time rival.

It’s not entirely wrong.

Unless Russia extends its ambitions into Europe.

“You’re taking the situation too lightly, Monsieur Talleyrand.”

“Rather, the opponents we in France should be concerned about are across the sea. England, and the United States of America.”

“I know that England and America are problems. But on this continent, Russia is our real adversary, Talleyrand. This is a military problem.”

Eugene spun the globe and said.

“Russia is currently the only country with an army that can stand against our France.”

The spinning globe stopped.

Russia.

The country that occupies the largest part of the Earth’s surface.

Of course, Talleyrand, who knows that most of that land is wasteland, can only smile strangely.

“I find that hard to accept.”

“Well, I’m not asking the Foreign Minister to go to Russia. Are you selecting representatives to govern the former Austrian territories?”

“We are searching. The selection will be completed soon.”

Sorting through countless lists of nobles, Talleyrand looked at Eugene.

“But putting Archduke Charles on the throne of Hungary is still a dangerous thing.”

Of course, Eugene also thinks that is correct.

But in order to completely separate Hungary from Austria, there was no better choice than Archduke Charles.

Even if Charles later builds an army based on Hungary.

Eugene shrugged and asked.

“Did he accept?”

“After several formal rejections, he accepted. A throne is a position that a second son cannot aim for unless it is in the old Middle Ages.”

“Did the former Austrian Emperor agree?”

Talleyrand replied leisurely.

“It will be settled soon. Even if he doesn’t accept it, it will happen by force anyway.”

With this, at least the Austrian Empire will be divided into four major powers.

The Kingdom of Austria, the Kingdom of Hungary, the Duchy of Bohemia, and Galicia.

Even within them, powerful nobles from each force will be enfeoffed in Hungary, Bohemia, and Galicia.

Surprisingly, this is also a method that suits the 19th century.

Before the World Wars in the original history, Europe was a continent of monarchs.

Eugene handed over the letter of appointment and said.

“Good. Then, please handle what the Consul wants. Here is the letter of appointment for the Prussian envoy.”

“Persuading Prussia to fight England, I don’t like it.”

“Did you perhaps receive a bribe from England?”

Talleyrand burst into laughter at Eugene’s joke this time.

“Haha! No. However, British diplomats will know that we have been plotting. Prussia has a network of information that British diplomats have been deploying for a long time.”

England has been investing in Prussia for a very long time.

Originally, it was to check Austria, and then it was a force that threatened France’s rear.

This is one of the reasons why Prussia, which has no special industry, has been able to expand its military power.

But now, if they occupy Hanover, the two countries will fall apart.

England will obviously know that France is behind it.

Of course, the Peace of Amiens will also collapse.

Knowing that, Eugene could only nod.

“Okay. For now, I’ll come up with a plan for Russia.”

“How will you do it?”

“Galicia. I have selected someone to establish as Grand Duke there.”

Galicia, the northern end of the Austrian Empire, the border of Russian Poland.

That place was originally Polish territory.

Here, we plant the seeds of a force to check the Russian Empire.

“As a Polish independence activist.”

One of Napoleon’s 26 Marshals in later original history.

***

As with most of the 26 Marshals, the still immature soldier paces anxiously around the room.

“Yusuf, relax. Commander Eugene Freischütz is a reasonable person.”

37-year-old Polish General Józef Antoni Poniatowski replied to King Constantine of Greece.

“You know he blew away that cursed Suvorov.”

“Haha! It’s like killing the head of state.”

“Doesn’t that also mean he’s no ordinary person?”

Yusuf turned his gaze and clicked his tongue.

“Here, Sukowski almost died because of General Eugene too.”

Napoleon’s aide and former spy, Sukowski, smiled bitterly.

Originally, both Sukowski and Yusuf were from Polish noble families.

However, Yusuf was the nephew of the last King of Poland, Stanisław II.

Although Poland was a so-called elective monarchy, he was the closest person to the throne.

Yusuf, who had been fighting for independence until 1796, four years ago, is now in Paris.

Originally, in the original history, he spent time traveling between France, Austria, and Poland.

But Constantine Ipsilantis, the King of Greece, who had been friends with him since he was in Vienna, called Yusuf to Paris at Eugene’s request.

Of course, at Eugene’s request.

Sukowski said apologetically.

“That’s because I was accidentally caught.”

“Doesn’t that mean you’re using people from the beginning, disregarding their lives and deaths? I don’t know what you want to use me for when you ask to meet me.”

“It won’t be bad news, cough!”

Sukowski, who still had aftereffects from the torture, coughed and said.

“Hmph, I’m sorry. Still, coughing. Anyway, he will definitely give you good news.”

It was then.

-Bang!

The three people turned their heads at the same time.

But the person standing in front of the door was not Eugene, but his adjutant, Hippolyte Charles.

Hippolyte saluted with a flustered face.

“I’m sorry. Your Majesty the King of Greece. And Your Excellency Duke Poniatowski.”

Constantine, who was already acquainted with him, asked.

“What’s wrong, Monsieur Charles?”

“Commander Eugene has an urgent matter and will have to cancel the meeting.”

“No, what on earth is going on? I’m even postponing my return home to proceed with the meeting!”

Constantine, who had become slightly displeased, shouted, but Hippolyte quickly replied, sweating profusely.

“It’s a really urgent matter. The Consul said he would indefinitely postpone the Galicia issue.”

At that moment, Yusuf was surprised and approached Hippolyte.

“The Galicia issue? Don’t tell me that’s what you wanted to meet me about today.”

“Originally, I was going to offer you the position of ruler. But it seems the Consul is thinking of giving that place to Russia.”

“Why? Russia already controls almost all of Poland’s territory!”

Just as Yusuf was about to shout in disbelief, Hippolyte, now with a pale face, announced.

“It seems he intends to use it as a wedding gift.”

It was the moment when Napoleon devised a plan for Russia with his unique, whimsical idea.

That is, through a political marriage.