He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 285

(285) Everyone Gets a Surprise from the President’s Son

Until just now, this party had been splendid, but also quite dull.

“Did I… did I just hear what I think I heard?”

But at that moment, Sidney, who had been sipping wine in a corner of the Peterhof Palace, opened his eyes wide.

Freeschutz, India, Russia.

Three completely mismatched words that, when combined, transform into an astonishing tale.

The general who conquered Egypt and divided the Ottoman Empire, Eugene, proposed the conquest of India.

To the Russian Empire, no less.

Sidney couldn’t tell if it was a realistic proposition or a dream.

Not until British Ambassador Spencer Smith hurriedly approached him.

“Your eyes are wide open. Sidney, this is an emergency. Prepare to return to England immediately to request instructions.”

“No, isn’t it too absurd to be an emergency, Spencer? I’d sooner believe France would dispatch a fleet to reclaim Pondicherry. Russia conquering India? How far is that from the Baltic Sea?”

“Why are you spouting nonsense, Sidney! Russia has territory in Asia too!”

Ambassador Smith scolded Sidney, his brother, who was a somewhat successful commander in Northern Europe.

“If they advance south through the Tatar regions, Russia could certainly conquer India!”

Of course, this doesn’t immediately mean Russia will wage war against Britain.

In fact, as of 1800, the Mughal Empire still exists, at least formally.

Moreover, northern India is controlled by the Maratha Confederacy, and Britain is still focused on dealing with the Kingdom of Mysore in the south.

The Tipu Sultan [the ruler of Mysore who allied with the French against the British], whom Napoleon had tried to ally with, died in battle years ago.

At the hands of the British East India Company forces led by Arthur Wellesley.

Nevertheless, with Britain virtually seizing India, a Franco-Russian alliance is a significant threat.

In the original timeline, Russia and Britain actually clashed in the [Great Game: a political and diplomatic confrontation between the British and Russian Empires for supremacy in Central Asia].

Of course, Sidney found the scenario too unrealistic and, while smacking his lips, grabbed a familiar face passing by.

“Oh, Admiral Ushakov. Long time no see. Is what my brother just said true?”

“You seem to have forgotten that I’m a [seal: slang for someone who keeps secrets] too. But it’s theoretically possible.”

“In reality?”

Admiral Ushakov of the Black Sea Fleet stroked his mustache, facing Sidney, whom he hadn’t seen in a while.

“They would have to cross Persia, wastelands, deserts, and mountain ranges, and I don’t know if that plan is realistic. Even the army generals wouldn’t be able to answer that.”

This is a practical problem that the Russian Empire faced during the original timeline’s Great Game.

So, what would the army think?

Someone tapped Kutuzov, who was looking askance at the Tsar and Eugene with one eye, on the shoulder.

“Kutuzov, I’ve been misunderstanding you all this time.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that, Commander of the Imperial Guard, Alexei Andreyevich Arakcheyev?”

“I’ve thought of you as an incompetent general who was defeated by some kid. But…”

Count Arakcheyev, Commander of the Tsar’s Imperial Guard, clicked his tongue and exclaimed.

“Seeing you today, I realize you faced a truly formidable opponent. That’s an incredible idea!”

Watching Arakcheyev hurry towards the Tsar, Rostopchin muttered beside Kutuzov.

“Marshal, our Russian Empire’s future is bleak.”

“Come now, don’t give up so easily, Count Rostopchin. Unlike me, you still have a bright future ahead of you.”

“Why is the Commander of the Imperial Guard impressed by that insane idea?”

Kutuzov chuckled, looking at Rostopchin, 37, who proudly claimed to have the blood of Genghis Khan flowing through his veins.

No matter how you look at it, he doesn’t look anything like Genghis Khan with that elegant appearance.

Tapping his head, which didn’t ache for once even without being drunk, Kutuzov replied.

“Because His Majesty the Tsar is pleased.”

Rostopchin sighed.

“Our Russia’s future is definitely bleak.”

He must find a way to persuade the Tsar as soon as possible.

Conversely, there were those who worried about very practical problems.

The generals of the Russian Empire’s military.

If the Tsar ordered it, they would really have to advance.

Bennigsen, Bagration, and Barclay looked at each other.

“India, are we going to fight in India now instead of Western Europe?”

“It might be a good thing. Instead of fighting with France over German lands, it might be better to draw a line and find a path in Asia.”

“Why, don’t you have confidence in winning?”

Bagration scoffed at Barclay’s rebuke.

“Far from it, if Freischutz leads the army, I will be the first to stand at the vanguard. But look at the Tsar’s expression.”

Bennigsen turned his gaze and shook his head.

“He really looks like he’d give away a princess.”

Tsar Paul was smiling, his face completely contorted.

***

Even the foreigners in the Imperial Palace, the French, saw that scene.

“Hey, Monsieur Charles. Wasn’t this supposed to be top military secret?”

Danton asked without turning around, still smiling, and Ipolitt replied.

“Ambassador, unrealistic fantasies aren’t usually called military secrets.”

“If that were the case, you shouldn’t have come to Russia in the first place, or you shouldn’t have appointed me as ambassador. Surely Freischutz wasn’t joking in front of the Tsar?”

“Why are you acting like amateurs? Eugene didn’t really come to persuade the Tsar to invade India. Have you forgotten our real purpose?”

Danton rolled his eyes and stared blankly at Princess Alexandra, who was standing helplessly in front of Marie.

“Acquire the princess?”

“Oh, Ambassador. Really.”

“I’m just kidding. Of course, I know that the real goal of the President and Freischutz is to make Russia a friendly nation. Good grief.”

Of course, even so, this method is too extreme.

The British Ambassador, Spencer Smith, is busily grabbing Russian nobles and talking to them.

It’s well known that Russian nobles derive enormous profits from British trade.

Will the Tsar really accept this declaration so readily?

But Ipolitt grinned and glanced around.

“Doesn’t it seem like everyone likes it?”

Of course, it was a sarcastic remark, and the first thing that caught his eye was the bewildered Count of Artois.

“India, good heavens. India.”

The self-proclaimed Louis XVII, the Count of Provence, grabbed the Count of Artois.

“Get a grip, Charles Artois.”

“Brother, this is a truly unexpected idea. We might have to prepare to leave for London immediately.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? It’s even stranger that everyone is taking that nonsense seriously.”

Charles Artois shook his head violently.

“The Tsar seems to like it? But if that grand strategy really works, France and Russia will become military allies. Conversely, we exiles will be in danger.”

If France becomes friendly with Russia, the exiled nobles cannot continue to stay.

So, they might have to go back to England.

Then, the Prince of Condé hurriedly asked in a low voice.

“Then shouldn’t we stop it?”

“How?”

“We must tell the Tsar immediately that the plan is absurd, that it will ruin the alliance with England, and that it is a cunning scheme that will drive Russia to ruin!”

Usually, that would be the right thing to say, but the Count of Artois frowned.

“Shut your mouth, Prince of Condé. Do you want to lose your head? The Tsar is really temperamental.”

When hearing about the absurd plan of an Indian expedition, a normal monarch would react simply.

By immediately kicking Eugene out.

They wouldn’t dare to do anything that would offend England, the largest economic trading partner.

Even Paul’s son, in later history, repeatedly chose that path.

But Paul doesn’t seem to have any intention of doing that at all.

That’s why the British Ambassador is panicking, the Russian nobles are horrified, and the French exiles are terrified.

But there was another man who was watching the scene with a very calm expression.

Louis Philippe Joseph d’Orléans, commonly known as the Duke of Orléans, said while holding a wine glass.

“What do you think, Duke of Chartres?”

On the table, Louis Philippe de Chartres, also holding a wine glass, smiled.

“He didn’t get to that position just because he’s the President’s adopted son.”

“The financial prodigy is no ordinary guy. Amazing, isn’t it? He’s completely shifted the atmosphere to center around himself.”

“Yes, and what’s even more surprising is the method.”

Louis Philippe stared at Eugene’s back with a gleam in his eyes.

“He publicly threw a [bomb: a shocking or disruptive statement], so that even if he’s rejected, England and Russia will never be the same again.”

Of course, Paul might reject it.

But even if he does, England will never be able to trust the Russian Empire again.

If they want to change this situation, they would have to resort to the drastic measure of regime change.

Orléans nodded and said.

“Anyway, prepare for tonight in case we have to run away.”

“There’s no need for that.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Louis Philippe turned his gaze and replied.

“Because Princess Alexandra will save us.”

Princess Alexandra, who had been standing there quietly, was staring at Louis Philippe.

With a subtle smile on her face.

***

It seems like it took a long time to get here, but in fact, the silence lasted only about 3 minutes.

“Empress, isn’t it amazing? A man like that wouldn’t be a bad match for the princess, would he?”

Paul asked, bursting into laughter, and Empress Maria regained her senses.

Maria knows very well that her husband is a very difficult man.

So, she can’t let him decide as he pleases.

“That would be difficult. Doesn’t he have a beautiful [partner: referring to Marie Therese] next to him?”

“Huh? Who? Oh, the daughter of King Louis. Is her mother still healthy?”

“Oh dear, how can you ask such a question, Your Majesty?”

Marie’s father is dead, her mother has been expelled from the position of queen, and she herself has been stripped of her princess title.

Why would you ask about that issue in a way that reminds her of it?

But Marie quickly regained her composure and curtsied.

“My mother is doing well, thanks to the grace of the French President.”

This statement contains three implications.

The surviving family of Louis XVI, including Marie Antoinette, are doing well.

Napoleon is not mistreating the former royal family.

Above all, Marie Therese is adapting to the republican system and is close enough to Eugene to come with him.

Paul twisted his lips and smiled, staring at Eugene.

“Good. India, a land full of jewels, food, cotton, and even saltpeter, right?”

“It’s even warm and has an ice-free port.”

“Heh heh! I guess it’s the first time you’ve seen the sea frozen over. The President’s adopted son.”

Suddenly, Paul raised his right hand.

“Let’s talk specifically. End the party. I need to have a private conversation with the French President’s adopted son!”

Like a bolt of lightning, the end of the party and a private meeting with Eugene were decided.