He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 299

(299) The Legion of Honor Leads Bonaparte’s Victory

A medal is one of the time-honored military traditions passed down since the Roman era.

“However, after the abolition of the old royal family, revolutionary France doesn’t have this medal.”

This is Brussels, the capital of modern-day Belgium in an alternate history.

But now it’s 1801, an era when neither Belgium nor the name Netherlands exists.

It is a territory formerly known as Habsburg Flanders, a land under French military control.

Now, the day it officially becomes the territory of the French Republic is at hand.

Consul Napoleon arrived, listening to the report from his chief aide, Eugene.

“So, you’re saying we’re putting on this [grand spectacle] in this vast plain of Flanders?”

“The timing is more important than the event itself.”

“What timing?”

Eugene smiled, looking around the outskirts of Brussels, where preparations for the event were in full swing.

“It’s the perfect moment for the people gathered here from all over France to spread the news.”

Key figures from the French Senate and the Council of Five Hundred, soon to be the Senate and the House of Representatives, have all gathered.

Leading political figures, including Desmoulins, Auguste, and Lafayette, have also arrived.

The cabinet members, centered around Cambacérès and Lebrun, are also present.

Of course, Talleyrand is also seated in the place of honor, observing the preparations for the event.

However, it’s not the high-ranking officials but something else that captures everyone’s attention.

– Creak, creak, creak!

Napoleon, watching the noisy machine that even the nearby farmers came to see, asked,

“What’s that? A giant pulley?”

“It’s equipment originally used for tunnel construction. An engineer named Brunel, whom we scouted, made it. Actually, we imported it from England because we didn’t have enough time to build one ourselves.”

“Celebrating the French victory with British-made goods? How ironic.”

Of course, it’s not just a machine that runs on a steam engine.

It’s more like a human-powered device that people have to operate.

But it’s definitely better than just having people move things by brute force.

As Napoleon watched the event preparation stand being carried by the giant pulley, someone shouted loudly.

“Consul, the entire Guard has arrived!”

It’s Lannes, the commander of the Consular Guard, whom Eugene met with a dejected face half a year ago.

It seems he’s regained his vigor, probably because he succeeded in his divorce lawsuit.

Just as Eugene was about to ask how much alimony he had to pay, Napoleon asked.

“Good. These are all men selected based on the same standards as the grenadiers, right?”

“You’ve seen them several times already, is there really a need to confirm again?”

“It’s my first time seeing them all together, Lannes. I’ve been too busy to see them guarding the Tuileries Palace or the Malmaison Estate for more than a moment.”

Napoleon smiled contentedly, looking at the very tall Consular Guards.

Most of the guards were those who had followed Napoleon since the Italian campaign.

The elite among them were even soldiers who had been conscripted from Toulon, Marseille, and Vendée.

In other words, they were filled with loyalty to Napoleon.

Feeling very reassured, Napoleon nodded.

If a war were to break out, they would be the elite unit to go to the battlefield with Napoleon first.

At that moment, Lucien approached Napoleon with a cold face.

“Then, I will report on the medals, Consul.”

Napoleon turned to Lucien and nodded.

“Hmm, yes. This is more important to the generals! How many grades are there?”

“There are four in total. Grand Officier [Grand Officer], Commandeur [Commander], Officier [Officer], and Chevalier [Knight].”

“Hmm, Lannes, which one do you want? Do you want the Grand Officier or the Commandeur?”

Grand Officier is a great general, Commandeur is a commander, Officier is an officer, and Chevalier is a knight.

It was modeled after the Order of Saint Louis, established by Louis XIV during the old royal era.

In a way, it’s just a worthless piece of metal.

But that’s what those who have never been to war or even to the military think.

Like Lucien.

To the soldiers who fought risking their lives, the medal is proof of their life and service.

Lannes also eagerly flashed his eyes.

“Of course, the great general medal! Will you give it to me?”

“Haha, it’s only natural for my generals. But something’s missing.”

“Missing?”

After thinking for a moment, Napoleon passed the task to his brother.

“It was a four-grade system during the dynasty, so they must have followed that, but I think something more is needed. Look into it further, Minister of the Interior.”

Originally, in the original history, Napoleon eventually changed it to a five-grade system, adding the Grand Croix [Grand Cross].

However, this medal was created after his ascension to the throne for the oath of allegiance, so it is still a four-grade system now.

Of course, Lucien, who knew Napoleon’s intentions even if he didn’t know the honor of the medal, just retorted with a displeased look.

“Understood. Then, are the generals of the Italian Legion gathered here the targets [for these awards]?”

Napoleon shook his head.

“No, all French army division commanders are eligible. Of course, the highest grade is reserved for the Italian Legion, the Rhine Legion, and the Flanders Legion.”

It was as if he was telling the staff to take care of the medal grades.

Lucien frowned deeply but kept his mouth shut.

Lucien knew that the awarding of medals was not the real purpose of this event anyway.

At that moment, Lucien, who was turning his gaze, widened his eyes.

“Oh, what’s coming over there?”

Napoleon glanced over and smiled.

“It seems to be something my son prepared.”

Eugene, who was next to Napoleon, can be seen running busily.

– Rumble!

Towards the 30 giant cannons, the [Unicorn], or Licorne cannons, acquired as spoils of war from the Balkans.

***

In this era, cannons are decisive weapons and spoils of war that victors proudly display.

“Prepare to fire the salute!”

The voice of Duroc, Napoleon’s artillery commander, is heard.

Due to his excellent work, he is currently dispatched to the Consul’s office along with Eugene and Marmont.

But for now, he is returning to his role as an artillery general, commanding the unit.

The sight of artillery officers and non-commissioned officers sticking to the cannons all at once is striking.

Junot, who was standing in the medal awarding line, tilted his head and asked his colleague next to him.

“Marmont, you’re an artillery expert too.”

“I am an artilleryman, but isn’t it rare to find a general in our French army who doesn’t know how to fire a cannon? General Junot?”

“There’s Murat, Lannes, and Bessières too? Why is Duroc preparing to fire those Russian cannons? Is there something special about them?”

Marmont smiled, carefully observing the Licorne cannons.

“It’s completely different. It’s a completely different thing from when we obtained it as spoils of war.”

In fact, the artillery commanders had heard about it in advance.

A new weapon of the French army to be officially announced today.

It was tested in the Egyptian expedition and helped defeat the seemingly invincible British fleet.

Cannons with new technology are now being demonstrated in the army as well.

Eugene stood in front of the cannon line.

“Today is the glorious day of the occupation of Flanders. Especially 10 years ago, on September 20th, we fought the war to defend the revolution at Valmy!”

Eugene shouted towards the best figures in France with a megaphone.

“Ten years since then, we have fought many wars and defended the revolution and France. Now, to commemorate the long-cherished recovery of Flanders, we would like to show you the spoils of war!”

Lafayette, who had directly participated in the Battle of Valmy, nodded with emotion.

Those who remembered the days when the revolutionary war was in full swing also teared up.

For ten years, France had overthrown the monarchy, fought against all of Europe, and overcome the crisis of destruction.

The proof is here, in the land of Flanders, and in the cannons.

“It is the Licorne breech-loading cannon!”

Licorne, the French word for Unicorn.

However, if they were going to demonstrate the old Russian cannons, they wouldn’t have bothered to put them on display like this.

These cannons are all weapons modified by gun master Samuel Pauly.

Suddenly, Duroc’s order fell.

“Fire!”

At that moment, the artillerymen began to load the cannon from the rear all at once.

– Bang! Clank, bang! Clank, bang!

Masséna, Augereau, and Junot, watching the barrage that seemed to fire almost one shot per minute, exclaimed in surprise.

“Oh, they’re loading the cannon from the back?”

“Wait, was that what it was?”

“No! I fought directly against the Russian army!”

But the real surprise is something else.

Eugene covered his ears, watching the shells drawing parabolas as he listened to the shelling.

The shells flying through the air can be seen falling to the ground.

“Three, two, one.”

Instantly, the shell exploded.

– KABOOM!

In an instant, Napoleon jumped up and shouted.

“Behold, that is the bursting shell. Our new guardian to protect France, the Unicorn of France!”

Eugene had just showcased the bursting shell and the breech-loading cannon.

Of course, the explosion is still unstable, and there are many dud shells, and not many breech-loading cannons have been made.

But it is enough to give the dignitaries an amazing impression.

“Today, we bestow honorary awards to the technicians who acquired these new weapons, the generals who acquired the spoils of war, and the soldiers who achieved glory!”

With Napoleon’s shout, the technicians led by Eugene stood up.

Furthermore, generals selected from the three major factions of the French Legion also took their places.

But at the forefront are the members of the Napoleon Club and the commanders of the Italian Expeditionary Force.

– Step, step, step!

Masséna in the lead, followed by Augereau, Lannes, Junot, Laharpe, Sérurier, Marmont, and Duroc.

“This is the Legion of Honor, the Legion of Honor medal! Everyone, forward!”

In particular, Masséna, Lannes, and Junot shouted the most excitedly.

“May the protection of the Licorne be eternal! It is an honor to receive the Medal of Honor!”

“Long live France! Long live the Revolution! Long live Napoleon!”

“It’s really good to be alive!”

Eugene slipped back behind the ranks of dignitaries.

There, men in plain clothes stood with surprised eyes.

Furthermore, even the stuttering Dumoulin is now with Eugene.

Dumoulin, receiving Eugene’s gaze, opened his mouth.

“Now, journalists.”

Dumoulin said with a smile, without stuttering a word.

“Everyone, you’re ready to write the articles, right?”

The articles that will now run throughout France.

***

But the newspaper in Napoleon’s hand did not have that article written on it.

“We won! In the election, we won!”

The only important thing is the election victory.

And that too, an overwhelming victory.

Amid Napoleon’s cheers, the newspaper that fell had an article like this written on it.

– 〈With the glorious Legion of Honor, the Bonaparte Club wins a landslide victory. Occupying two-thirds of the House of Representatives!〉

Eugene glanced at the newspaper and nodded.

“It’s a number that allows for a single-handed constitutional amendment.”

Suddenly, Napoleon, standing tall in the Tuileries Palace office, turned to Eugene.

“Eugene, I didn’t give you a medal. Now that I think about it.”

“I don’t need a medal. What I need is a different glory.”

“What is it?”

Eugene stared intently at Napoleon and said.

“I want to stand next to my father, who will become the Caesar of this era.”

Napoleon widened his eyes and then burst out laughing.

“Good. Let’s start in earnest now. With a new France!”

September 30, 1801.

Napoleon won a landslide victory in the Council of Five Hundred elections.

The power to change even the constitution at any time was in his hands.

Now, the time has come for the victor Napoleon to move one step higher.