He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 288

1801: Eastern Europe Remains Unsettled (1)

In February 1801, the decision was made for Eugene’s delegation to return by land.

“Hooray! The tiresome ship is finally over!”

“Do you have to say that in front of Nicolas?”

“Nicolas, bring the Horus back in the spring! Haha!”

Ten four-horse carriages lined up.

Most of the soldiers were from the Eugene Postal Regiment, who had come as escorts.

Of course, they could ride on horseback, but this was to make the journey more comfortable.

However, Nicolas Surcouf, the de facto commander of the convoy, remained in Saint Petersburg with the ship.

Nicolas smiled broadly and replied in a weighty tone.

“Don’t worry, I will join you safely, Patron.”

Eugene gripped Nicolas’s shoulder firmly before climbing into the carriage.

-Clatter, clatter, clatter!

Saint Petersburg receded like an arrow.

Eugene looked back at the city, lost in thought.

A city that Napoleon and Eugene had never reached in the original history.

What would it be like if he came here again?

Another negotiation, or ultimately war?

Then, his aide-de-camp, Ippolito, who was riding in the carriage with him, asked.

“So, what’s the route back home?”

“We’ll pass through Russian-controlled Poland first. From there, we’ll visit Prussia, then Austria, and through Bavaria before returning to France.”

“Huh? Why? Why not go to Constantinople [modern-day Istanbul] via the Black Sea?”

Eugene glanced at Ippolito and snorted.

“Are you sure you want Admiral Hussein to find out about you fooling around with Princess Esma?”

Ippolito, a playboy who once shared a bed with Princess Esma, a powerful figure in the Ottoman Empire, was startled.

“H-has it been discovered?”

“Not yet. Rather, Sebastiani, who Princess Esma has taken as her lover these days, is the problem. But when you return, won’t Princess Esma look for you again?”

“Hahaha! This popularity of mine! Well, the Tsar’s lover was crying and making a fuss last night too! Oops, no Russians around, right?”

Marie, who was sitting next to Eugene, shook her head at Ippolito, who was cautiously looking around the carriage.

“It’s amazing that Ippolito is still alive. But why Prussia and Austria, and Bavaria of all places?”

It seemed that Austria was the concern.

If there were Bourbon relatives in Russia, the Habsburgs awaited in Austria.

In particular, his maternal uncle, Franz II, who had lost his empire, would be the most feared.

Could he avoid greeting them this time when he visited Austria?

However, Eugene shook his head firmly.

“We have no choice. Austria’s reorganization is not yet complete. We also need to check whether the peace negotiations with Prussia are progressing properly.”

“Didn’t Talleyrand go?”

“The Foreign Minister will only do what he’s assigned to do. Besides, there are people we need to keep an eye on.”

Of course, Eugene trusted Talleyrand’s abilities.

However, there was a reason why he had to visit Prussia.

The generals who would later bring Napoleon to his knees, along with Wellington in the original history, were in Prussia.

Of course, they were not enemies yet, and he couldn’t assassinate generals in the enlightened 19th century.

Eugene’s real intention was to find out what kind of people they were.

However, Ippolito, who was sitting in front of Eugene, had a lecherous expression on his face.

“Hehehe, you’re not telling the truth. The beautiful Bavarian princess, now 11, no, 12 years old!”

Eugene, suddenly caught off guard, gaped.

“What is this crazy guy talking about?”

“A strong reaction! Princess, please take note. Why would Eugene go to Bavaria? Of course, to see another archduchess who is growing up!”

“Stop talking nonsense. I don’t have a thing for kids! Besides, Bavaria is the third-largest power within the former Holy Roman Empire. It’s diplomatically important!”

At that moment, Marie’s eyes widened.

“Really? As I recall, didn’t we meet for the first time when I was ten years old?”

“Huh? Well, yes, but.”

“Didn’t you like me since then? Or was I the only one who liked you?”

Of course, he had been strongly impressed since then.

But no matter what, he had never felt any sexual desire for a ten-year-old child.

On the other hand, if he denied it here, it would sound like he didn’t like Marie.

Eugene, in a dilemma, shouted like a thunderbolt.

“I suddenly miss Danton. Let me make it clear, we are not on a sightseeing trip! We are on official business. Let’s go, now!”

Tournay, who was acting as the coachman, laughed and cracked his whip.

A very peaceful last day in Saint Petersburg.

And the mission of the special envoy was finally accomplished.

Because diplomatic relations between Russia and France were established from the beginning of the 19th century.

***

There are bound to be people in the world who cannot rejoice at this good news.

“This is a big deal. Eugene de Beauharnais Bonaparte has succeeded in negotiations with Russia.”

In the bedroom of the French Provisional Embassy residence in Berlin, a half-naked beauty was speaking with a smile.

Talleyrand, looking at the letter on the bedroom table in his pajamas, turned his gaze.

A cold gaze stood out, not like someone who had spent a hot night.

The 47-year-old bachelor and former bishop, Talleyrand, asked the beauty.

“Why do you say that, Catherine?”

“Isn’t it? You haven’t even resolved Prussia yet. When you think about it, the division of Austria is also under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

“Oh dear, a courtesan is discussing national affairs. The confidentiality of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not good.”

Then the courtesan, Catherine Noel Grand, laughed and retorted.

“Madame de Staël told me everything. She was wondering when you would come.”

Courtesan is a slang term for a high-class prostitute.

She receives money and serves men, but the target is the upper class.

Originally, Catherine’s hometown was India, and she was the daughter of a colonial garrison officer, and her first marriage partner was also a colonial official.

However, immediately after the marriage, she fell for the seduction of a famous British politician, Philip Francis, and committed adultery, resulting in a divorce.

A terrible scandal that shook the British political world.

After that, Grand’s life became twisted, and she came to Paris and became a so-called prostitute.

However, with her innate beauty and excellent intelligence, she won the hearts of the upper class and eventually became the mistress of Foreign Minister Talleyrand.

Even following him to Berlin, where he was on a business trip.

Of course, Talleyrand is not a man who keeps his chastity only to Grand.

He smiled bitterly at the story of Madame de Staël, whom he had briefly been in love with years ago, and picked up another letter.

“It seems like she’s fallen for Ippolito Charles these days. Hehe.”

“Is he that good? I heard that all the noble ladies in Paris have fallen for him.”

“Well, I don’t know because I’ve never slept with him. I’ll be meeting him soon, so would you like to tell me about your experience?”

At that moment, Grand approached Talleyrand and whispered.

“Limping Bishop, I may be a prostitute who sells my body, but I don’t sell it to just anyone.”

A very subtle sarcasm.

Talleyrand has had a problem with his feet since birth, and he limps.

He was from a noble family, but he could not become a soldier, so he first chose the path of a clergyman.

Furthermore, one of the reasons he became involved in the revolution was that he became dissatisfied with being ridiculed as a cripple.

But at the same time, Grand called herself a ‘prostitute,’ making it impossible for Talleyrand to get angry.

Talleyrand smiled bitterly and kissed Grand’s hand.

“General Charles is not just anyone. He’s de Beauharnais’s closest aide.”

“De Beauharnais is great, but his aide is not great. What are you going to do?”

“About what?”

Grand gestured and looked at the letter on the table.

“The letter you’ve been reading since earlier. Is that Prussia’s ultimatum?”

Talleyrand glanced at the [ultimatum] document and twisted his lips.

Of course, Talleyrand does have a way to resolve this ultimatum.

However, he would have to make many concessions.

Concessions would inevitably lead to Napoleon’s dissatisfaction, scolding, and distrust.

Suddenly, Talleyrand’s gaze turned to the letter in his hand.

“Strictly speaking, it’s Metternich’s trick. Should I throw this ball to de Beauharnais for once?”

The letter was a report from the diligent Caulaincourt to Paris on the success of the Russian special mission.

***

This is why Eugene met an unexpected guest when he arrived in Russian Poland.

“It seems like it’s been three months since I last saw you. Chief Aide Eugene, and Mademoiselle Marie.”

This is Vilna, near the entrance to Vilnius, the capital of modern Lithuania in the original history.

But the man who had clearly seen in Paris and should be in Berlin by now was greeting Eugene and his party.

Eugene got out of the carriage and tilted his head.

“It seems like this is still Russian territory, but why is the Foreign Minister here?”

“Vilna was the secondary capital of the old Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It’s very close to Warsaw, where I’m staying.”

“Wasn’t Warsaw also Russian territory?”

French Foreign Minister Talleyrand answered, guiding Eugene with an elegant attitude.

“No. Warsaw was held by Prussia, and Lublin was held by the old Austrian Empire. That’s why I came all the way here to wait for the Chief Aide.”

Even in the city of Vilna, the preparations were perfect.

This land is currently ruled by the Russian Governor-General.

While the Russian Governor-General’s soldiers were heavily guarding, the French delegation, as honored guests, was safely guided to their lodgings.

The disappointed eyes of the Polish citizens were everywhere on the streets.

Still, in this era, Poles live mixed in the land of Lithuania.

And Lithuanians dream of independence as well.

Originally, in the original history, Napoleon gave them hope of semi-independence.

Will it be possible for Eugene?

Eugene did not find an answer until he entered the lodgings.

After being lost in thought for a while, Eugene asked Talleyrand.

“What’s the problem? Is Prussia asking for Polish land?”

“The problem is not Polish land. The issue that Prussia has raised is the division of Galicia [a region in Eastern Europe].”

“The Russian Tsar, in fact, passed it over without raising any issues.”

Talleyrand shook his head, offering Eugene coffee.

“Frederick William III is not a mood-driven monarch like Pavel. And Baron Stein, who is in charge of the State Affairs, is not an easy person either.”

Eugene’s eyes widened as he sat down.

“The division of Austria is our France’s natural right. If you want to raise an objection, you should raise it to the former Austrian Emperor.”

“It’s not that simple. Prussia is afraid that the new Duchy of Galicia will become the center of the Poles.”

“The problem is that it’s not necessarily wrong. What are their demands?”

Only then did Talleyrand get to the point.

“They want a Prussian royal to be seated as the Duke of the new Duchy of Galicia.”

At that moment, Eugene was tempted to shoot Talleyrand with a Beauharnais pistol.

He had thrown a very difficult ball to Eugene.