He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 297

(297) Paris Wants an Election Victory

Like all republics, the power of revolutionary France is organized through elections.

Even now, with Napoleon as the authorized leader.

So far, Napoleon has been pursuing policies to gain popularity among the people since becoming Consul.

For example, the Treaty of Amiens.

But peace is not as popular as he thought.

“Even after achieving a peace treaty, securing a majority is uncertain. How can that be!”

The Tuileries Palace, Napoleon’s office, was filled with Napoleon’s roar.

It was, of course, because of the result sheet in Napoleon’s hand.

Uncertain majority.

These are three reports on the election for the Council of Five Hundred, which is now a month away.

One is from the Ministry of the Interior, another from the Sûreté [French internal security service], and the last from the Police Department, headed by Fouché.

The fact that everyone submitted the same report means that the [Club Bonaparte] still does not have an overwhelming majority.

What could be the reason?

The Minister of the Interior, Lucien, shrugged.

“It seems to be because of taxes after all.”

“Can a country be run without taxes? Besides, we have also implemented a tax reduction system based on income! Rather, wheat exports have resumed, so we should be making good money!”

“Because of that, prices are rising again, Consul.”

Lucien said in a very cold tone.

“Above all, traders are taking this opportunity to hoard wheat, cotton, and British imports. Of course, the excuse is high tariffs.”

In fact, the real reason peace is popular is not because life is precious.

What matters to those who do not go to the battlefield is the economy.

No matter how much peace returns, if the economic situation is not good, approval ratings will not rise.

Moreover, tariffs were raised to prevent the shockwaves from the sudden resumption of trade, and these tariffs have become a factor in rising prices.

“Humph, they should be making quite a bit of money again through trade. The Mediterranean is also peaceful now.”

“The benefits of trade are distant, and the taxes that are immediately visible are near.”

“We need to intervene in the market. Send troops to the warehouses of the big merchants.”

Napoleon came up with a simple solution to the problem of hoarding.

“Force the warehouses to open. Of course, I’m not talking about looting goods. It’s just an order to sell them on the market.”

Later, in the original history, this would be a situation where the grand bourgeois [wealthy middle class] would overthrow the regime.

But now, capitalism is still in its infancy, and the Napoleon regime had a strong military atmosphere.

Of course, Lucien, who was originally from a civilian council, was shocked and shouted.

“Then the traders will turn into enemies, Your Excellency!”

“Listen, Minister of the Interior. Do you know what the real problem is right now? It’s not the economy. It’s the election! And the right to vote is one person, one vote! So, are there more ordinary citizens and farmers? Or are there more traders?”

“Still, intervening in the market is something that even Robespierre failed at!”

Napoleon frowned and was about to press his brother and Minister of the Interior, Lucien, when.

“That’s enough, Consul!”

Napoleon turned to look at Lebrun, who had suddenly burst into the Consul’s office, and asked.

“What is it, Minister of Finance Lebrun?”

“We can save money. In the Flanders region! And the Austrian garrison!”

“What are you talking about?”

Lebrun waved a piece of paper full of modifications and his hands stained with pen and ink, and shouted.

“Chief Aide Eugene Freyschütz has concluded the Austrian partition negotiations! Now, if we calculate the reparations coming in this year, we’ll have a fiscal surplus!”

Strangely enough, the Minister of Finance, Lebrun, was the first to obtain diplomatic news.

Of course, this is because the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chief Aide, and the Deputy Chief Aide are all in Austria.

However, according to French tradition, the Minister of Finance is the most senior minister.

Just as Napoleon’s eyes widened at the very welcome news, Minister of the Interior Lucien snorted.

“It won’t be good for approval ratings, Consul.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“The revolutionary France is creating a Grand Duke. Will the people accept that?”

Clearly, Lucien’s words make sense.

He’s not just criticizing Napoleon as a former Jacobin [member of a radical, revolutionary political organization during the French Revolution].

France killed the king and created a new country.

But the Consul made his brother a Grand Duke.

How would this situation be viewed by the people?

Lucien has not yet reported that the criticism from the radical revolutionaries has begun to circulate as pamphlets.

Nevertheless, Napoleon laughed back.

“Don’t be silly, Lucien. Do you think this marriage negotiation was conducted solely for reparations? The real thing is the territory of Flanders!”

Reparations, the Grand Duke, and the destruction of Austria are all achievements of the negotiation.

But what Napoleon really wanted was something else.

Glory.

The French are enthusiastic about this word.

Napoleon shouted with confidence.

“Report as soon as Talleyrand or Brienne return. Immediately issue a national decree. Flanders has finally become French territory! The people always love glory!”

This is the real reason Napoleon took the risk and pushed for Louis’ marriage.

***

In June 1801, Eugene finally returned to Paris.

“Reporting. Russian Envoy, Eugene Bonaparte. I have returned after fulfilling the Consul’s orders.”

Napoleon ran to hug Eugene, who was giving a salute.

“Well done, Eugene.”

“However, there are separate matters to be carried out.”

“That’s okay. Either way, we can’t proceed with India or Alaska right now.”

Napoleon, who had already received the preliminary report, waved his hand and grabbed Eugene’s shoulder.

“What’s urgent now is the parliamentary election. Have you heard? The royalists are gaining momentum frighteningly. At times like this, we need a very big event.”

Eugene smiled bitterly.

It seems that the Alaska expedition will have to be postponed until preparations are complete.

He could almost hear Pavel’s disappointed voice.

But isn’t the most important thing for all powerful people to preserve the power they hold?

Besides, Napoleon’s foundation is not yet very solid.

“For example, a Flanders annexation ceremony.”

“That’s right. We could also annex Lombardy or Venice, but everyone already thinks of those places as French territory.”

“Austria has agreed to give up. The Flanders Legion is practically stationed there.”

Napoleon nodded and said.

“Good. Then, I’ll give you a special order.”

Eugene was startled.

“Consul, there are many things to take care of afterwards.”

“Anyway, everything can only be promoted after the election, right? The election is just a month away. We can’t do anything before that!”

“The election can be handled appropriately. After all, this is the era of the Consul.”

The achievements that Eugene has already brought are enough to achieve a majority.

Eugene completed the four-way division of Austria, France’s long-time enemy.

Furthermore, he confirmed Flanders, modern-day Belgium in the original history, as French territory.

The opening of the Russian trade route will benefit many bourgeois [middle class].

In particular, if Russian wheat enters France, grain prices will clearly fall.

But is that not enough?

Napoleon said no.

“Eugene, a simple majority is not enough. This parliament must be completely under my control to create the [next] thing.”

Eugene held his breath at Napoleon’s meaningful words.

Louis Bonaparte became the Grand Duke of Bohemia.

With this, an exceptional being was born in the Republic of France.

Then, is there no law that an exceptional person, a monarch, will be reborn in France?

Of course, it won’t be easy.

Public opinion must be formed, support for Napoleon must be solid, and above all, a decisive opportunity is needed.

Nevertheless, in order to promote the work when the opportunity comes, the parliament must be filled with overwhelming Napoleon supporters.

“I understand what you mean.”

“Then, I’ll give you a special order. A month later, create an event to commemorate the Flanders annexation ceremony just before the election.”

“Yes?”

Napoleon smiled brightly at Eugene, who opened his eyes wide, and patted him on the shoulder.

“Anything that can attract the public’s attention is fine! We must maximize the Flanders annexation effect. That’s how we can win the election!”

Eugene was embarrassed this time by the completely unexpected mission.

In fact, he had spent more than half a year on diplomacy due to Napoleon’s sudden push for a political marriage.

There are many cartel tasks waiting for Eugene’s approval.

But as soon as he returned home, he was told to prepare an event to attract public attention, so he couldn’t help but be embarrassed.

Nevertheless, Eugene knows how dangerous it is to say no in front of Napoleon.

“I understand. I’ll try somehow.”

Without even figuring out what to do or preparing a plan.

***

Of course, there are hundreds of ways to raise approval ratings.

“It would be easier to announce the conquest of Alaska. What is this as soon as I get back?”

That’s one of the things Ippolito is saying at the Eugene Cartel, Boarne Paris Bank office.

Although it is an extremely short-term measure, approval ratings will be maximized if we shout Nouvel France [New France].

Instead, we have to go to war with England again.

Since we are completely unprepared, France is likely to be ridiculed by England and face economic ruin.

Eugene shrugged and replied.

“I can’t help it. Power does not allow a vacuum, and politics does not allow rest.”

“It’s worse than war. So, what event are you going to announce? This time, is it Freyschütz’s engagement ceremony?”

“If I did that, I would die, or my fiancée would die. Either way.”

Besides, he went all the way to Russia to avoid a political marriage.

For the time being, Eugene didn’t want to hear the word marriage.

Then, one person who was hesitating and holding a bunch of approval documents opened his mouth.

“Patron. Then, shall we postpone what you ordered?”

“Orders?”

“Have you already forgotten? You ordered a million-franc ‘deal’ and made it happen.”

Antoine Damas, the general manager of the Eugene Cartel, reported.

“Monsieur Brunel is coming from London this week.”

Only then did Eugene recall what he had ordered Damas when he left Paris half a year ago.

Marc Isambard Brunel, the best engineer France could acquire in the early 19th century.

I remember ordering him to scout him by any means.

It seems that Damas deliberately timed the recruitment to coincide with Eugene’s return.

Ippolito also seemed to remember, and tilted his head.

“Ah, that engineer? We’re busy right now, so shouldn’t we just leave it to Dupont? We were planning to have him collaborate anyway.”

“Wait, Brunel is coming?”

“Why? Could it be that Brunel can hold an event that will overturn the election?”

Eugene pondered and then his eyes lit up.

“No, but I think I can package it and blow it up.”

The return of an exiled engineer.

The achievements of the Austrian diplomatic war that Eugene made and returned.

The peace of Amiens created by Napoleon.

There is an event that brings all of this together.

“Legion of Honor.”

It is the [Order of Merit] famous in later generations.