He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 277

(277) Napoleon’s Insane Plan Isn’t Just Egypt

Serving a genius as your superior is more surprising, amazing, and exhausting than you might think.

“Invading India with Russia?”

“Yeah.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

As if on cue, the moment the meeting ended, Ippolito clung to Eugene and shouted.

It was one of those moments when the Tuileries Palace seemed to have no secrets.

Junot, Lannes, and even Masséna surrounded Eugene.

Given that it was a military expedition, Napoleon’s closest aides, the Commander of the Consular Guard, and the top Deputy Commander were naturally present.

Eugene glanced around at the staring faces and shrugged.

“Right? It’s not exactly a sane plan, is it?”

Masséna, Lannes, and Junot gaped and exclaimed.

“Freischütz, I thought you were normal, unlike Bonaparte.”

“Beyond expectations, Eugene! Wow, the idea of attacking India from Egypt was crazy enough, but now Russia!”

“From the desert to the frozen sea? Good heavens.”

Eugene gave a wry smile and slumped into a chair in the lounge.

To be honest, Eugene felt a bit unfairly judged.

Because this insane plan wasn’t something Eugene came up with due to his genius.

In 1800, these absurd ideas were usually conceived by Napoleon in the original timeline.

In the original history, Napoleon devised a scheme to separate Paul I from Britain.

In the process, Napoleon’s secret letter reached Paul I.

It contained the joint invasion plan of India.

Some historians even suggest that Paul I was assassinated by British conspirators because of this plan.

In any case, one thing is certain: Paul I dispatched Cossack cavalry to the Aral Sea.

The cavalry’s final destination was India.

Paul I’s death halted the plan, but its later exposure made the British wary of Russia.

The beginning of the Great Game [the strategic rivalry between the British and Russian Empires for supremacy in Central Asia] in later years stemmed from this insane plan.

That’s why Eugene replied with a look of utter injustice.

“Masséna, I’m still sane. Lannes? We may not have reached India, but we did conquer Egypt. Junot, you don’t have to worry since you’re not going anyway.”

Eugene suddenly wore a strange smile.

“If the French army were to go, it would be Bernadotte.”

The three highest-ranking generals of Napoleon’s army exchanged glances.

The name was completely unexpected.

The real reason Bernadotte stood out, Désirée, was currently in Cairo as Ochs’ wife.

Therefore, the members of the Napoleon Club didn’t know much about Bernadotte.

Of course, he wasn’t entirely unknown either.

“Bernadotte? Deputy Commander of the Rhine Army? Sending him on this insane plan? Hahaha!”

“Moro might like that. But beyond that, did Bernadotte even like that? He seemed more focused on showing off his achievements domestically.”

“Napoleon approved this?”

Seeing Masséna’s, Lannes’s, and Junot’s reactions, Eugene felt a desire to tease them a little.

“Masséna, you should be grateful to me, at least. My father’s ‘one pick’ was you.”

This was not a joke.

Even apart from the original plan, Napoleon had mentioned his name in the Consular Office.

However, Eugene had no intention of pushing Masséna into this doomed plan.

The man who almost went all the way to India without knowing it, Masséna, turned pale and shouted.

“Suddenly, I want to love you more than the beauties of Paris? Freischütz, come here. I’ll give you a kiss.”

“Since when did homosexuality become your hobby?”

“Starting today!”

At that moment, another aide, watching the generals joking around, opened his mouth.

“Chief Aide, are we really going through with this plan?”

It was Second Aide Brien.

“This plan has too many obstacles, Chief Aide.”

“It’ll be easier than me marrying a Romanov princess, don’t you think?”

“We have to persuade Russia, antagonize Britain, and move the French army to Russia.”

Brien asked, looking troubled.

“How do you plan to overcome all these obstacles?”

Eugene rolled his eyes and spread a map on a table in the lounge.

-Ziiiiiip!

Chalk was drawn across the map depicting Europe and Asia.

“Our army just needs to go to the Black Sea.”

“The Ottoman Empire would allow that?”

“Of course, they wouldn’t like Russia looking so strong right now, but the pressure of the Russian army heading towards India isn’t bad news for the new Ottoman government either.”

Of course, the fundamental reason the Ottoman Empire became pro-French was because it was militarily defeated.

However, the pro-French stance is maintained due to the issue with Russia.

But what if France suddenly becomes friendly with Russia? Wouldn’t the Ottoman government be shaken?

Eugene was saying that he could solve this problem very simply.

If Russia’s military power goes to Central Asia, the military threat to the Ottomans decreases.

Furthermore, Russia would naturally put pressure on Persia, the Ottoman’s long-time rival.

However, all these issues come with one premise.

“Militarily, nothing is impossible. The problem is the diplomatic negotiations to execute it.”

The question is whether Russia will accept it.

***

Of course, from Napoleon’s perspective, it was a plan he was hearing for the first time.

“But somehow it feels familiar. Is it just my imagination?”

Just as Napoleon was tilting his head, Salicetti retorted nonchalantly.

“Well, it’s exactly Bonaparte’s way of thinking. Good heavens, allying with Russia to attack India. I’d rather just go to the opposite side of the world, the New World [the Americas].”

“Now that you mention it, that’s not a bad idea either. I think I heard that Russia advanced to the New World at the far east. Salicetti, was it Alaska?”

“If you send Freischütz to the other side of the world, you’ll probably get another scolding from Madame Letizia.”

Watching Salicetti grumble, Napoleon frowned.

“What are you so dissatisfied with, Salicetti? I treated you as the Chairman of the Senate.”

This was Salicetti’s private residence.

No matter how much the Consul has a cabinet and aides, the more advisors, the better.

Salicetti, a former Director with various negotiation experiences, is a suitable advisor on diplomatic matters.

However, after hearing Napoleon’s story, Salicetti looked dissatisfied, as if asking why he came.

But from Napoleon’s perspective, he had given Salicetti high respect.

Chairman of the Senate, a honorary position, but with a high income and a ceremonial rank next to the Consul.

It was a position not even given to bigger figures like Danton or Lafayette.

However, Salicetti replied with a completely displeased face.

“Of course, I’m just the Consul’s representative.”

“And?”

“But a representative isn’t just someone who sits around. I’m still in my prime. I don’t want to retire yet.”

Salicetti is a passionate man who went through the turmoil of Corsica when Napoleon was a lieutenant.

He’s not someone who would be satisfied just by reaching a high position.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s a fool who would jump around to become the supreme ruler.

Napoleon narrowed his eyes, unable to figure out what he wanted.

“Danton wanted the position of Russian ambassador. Do you want that position?”

Salicetti scoffed at that.

“Why would I go to that cold place? Danton is a strange guy.”

“What position do you want? I can assign you one during the cabinet reshuffle.”

“Not a minister, Consul.”

As if sensing an opportunity, Salicetti’s eyes sparkled.

“Lucien is the Minister of the Interior, but Joseph is still just the ambassador to Rome, right?”

“Well, my brother Joseph is suitable for diplomacy.”

“How long are you going to leave it like that? Besides, shouldn’t Italy be reorganized further?”

Salicetti asked, subtly watching Napoleon’s reaction.

“How about appointing Joseph as the Prime Minister of the Lombardy Republic?”

Napoleon narrowed his eyes and smiled.

The Italian peninsula is still not much different from immediately after Napoleon’s expedition.

Although the fervent rebellions have stopped, it is divided into satellite republics, the Papal States, and French direct rule.

It’s a land where reorganization is inevitable.

This period of chaos is an opportunity for adventurers.

When power, interests, and territories are fluid, the intention is to go first and seize preemptive rights.

Moreover, Italy is emotionally closer to Salicetti, who is from Corsica, than France.

So, what position does Salicetti want?

“You want to be the Deputy Prime Minister or the Minister of the Interior under him?”

“I was tired of being a Director. There was nothing to do, just a lot of discussions, and no real power.”

“And no bribes.”

Salicetti momentarily looked guilty and waved his hand vigorously.

“Hmm! Who do you take me for, a corrupt politician? I just enjoy investing. The position of Chairman of the Senate isn’t free at all!”

Looking at Salicetti with a completely disbelieving face, Napoleon nodded.

“Alright. However, Lombardy may be incorporated into France in the future.”

“Then let’s prepare for it until then. Uh, wait. Could it be?”

“You’re thinking right.”

Napoleon smiled, twisting his lips.

“I plan to integrate the entire Italian peninsula into France. To do that, it’s clear that we need to lay the groundwork.”

Salicetti’s eyes sparkled.

“I’ll prepare to leave right away. But, are you going ahead with the Freischütz thing?”

People who jumped into the revolutionary turmoil of this era have something in common.

They extremely love adventure, or gambling.

It’s no exaggeration to say they are natural gamblers.

Rather than enjoying a peaceful life, they willingly throw themselves into the turmoil.

Among those gamblers, perhaps the man whom history will record as the pinnacle, Napoleon, burst into laughter.

“Hmph! Didn’t I say? This is my way of thinking. It’s just a shame I can’t do it myself!”

If he could, he would rush to Moscow himself.

***

The person who suffered a completely unexpected bolt from the blue is someone else.

“Could you say that again?”

Napoleon summoned Talleyrand to the Consular Office and told him with a solemn attitude.

“Just as I said, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The marriage issue is completely canceled. Instead, we have decided to pursue a military alliance with Russia.”

“That’s good news, but with whom, did you say?”

“India.”

Talleyrand took a deep breath.

France joins hands with Russia, passes through Central Asia, and attacks India.

It sounds like attacking India across Egypt, or attacking the Canada region to find Nouvelle-France [New France, the area colonized by France in North America starting in the 16th century].

However, the elegant Talleyrand chose appropriate words instead of saying, “Are you crazy?”

For example, diplomatic issues.

“Consul, that means going to war with Britain again.”

“Who said we’re fighting? Russia is fighting.”

“No, I think you said we’re attacking India with Russia.”

At that moment, Napoleon’s eyes flashed.

“Talleyrand, do you think I’m going to hand India over to Russia? India is mine!”

This time, Talleyrand was so dumbfounded that he gaped.

Eugene, who was listening right next to him, barely managed to hold back his laughter.

That famous Napoleon’s absurdity had come out.

But like Napoleon’s sudden words, there is a hidden rational reason for this absurdity.

Suddenly, Eugene’s aide, Ippolito, whispered.

“Looks like he hasn’t given up on India yet?”

“Well, Russia’s invasion of India isn’t the goal of this diplomacy.”

“Then what is the goal?”

Before Eugene could even speak, Napoleon declared firmly.

“Making Russia a friend of France and making Britain a common enemy! That will be the goal of this envoy. I will appoint Eugene Bonaparte as the envoy and Georges Danton as the ambassador-designate!”

So, whether or not they actually succeed in attacking India is a secondary issue.

The important thing is to establish friendly relations with Russia and make them recognize Britain as a common enemy.

It’s good if actual military action proceeds, but it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t.

Talleyrand bowed his head with an elegant attitude.

“Understood, Your Excellency.”

However, after the meeting, Talleyrand said from behind Eugene’s back.

“You’ve been had, Freischütz.”

Looking back at Talleyrand, who was trying to make Eugene a Russian prince, Eugene smiled.

“Just as the Minister does, I am only working for the national interests of France.”

Of course, they both know very well that it’s not just that.

It was a moment when Eugene and Talleyrand’s first battle subtly passed.

Thanks to Napoleon’s insane original history plan.