He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 301

(301) The Freemasons Are Not the Culprits

The 19th century, when you get down to it, is the century of conspiracy theories.

“It’s definitely the Freemasons! Who else would do such a thing?”

Most conspiracy theories that persist to modern history have their roots in the 19th century.

The most famous organization among them is the Freemasons.

The conspiracy theory that they secretly control the world is even popular in East Asia.

Of course, it’s all exaggerated, but it’s true that the Freemasons were a socially active club and plotted revolutions.

Especially in France, it was common knowledge to the point where Hippolyte openly talked about it.

Right now, a celebrity like Lafayette is a representative of the Freemasons.

Suddenly, Eugene lightly tapped the desk and turned his gaze.

However, the question he asked Rochejacquelein, the head of the Sûreté [French internal security service] who came all the way to the Boarneh Paris Bank office, was unexpected.

“How far has the research on new cement progressed?”

“Why is that important? What’s important is uncovering the mastermind behind the conspiracy!”

“It’s important. Improving France’s domestic infrastructure—no, paving roads is important, and furthermore, opening up avenues into Eastern Europe is also important.”

Eugene pointed to the map on the desk and replied.

“France, its allies, and all the countries under its influence must pave roads. That way, we can fight in places that aren’t swamps in the future.”

Originally, in the original history, Napoleon’s performance wasn’t great in the later half of his reign.

Some argue that it’s because the enemy, who became Napoleon’s rival, studied Napoleon’s tactics, but the real reason is different.

It was because he couldn’t carry out mobile warfare.

Marching, which was relatively easy on the early Western European battlefields, became more difficult on the later Eastern European battlefields.

Napoleon’s deteriorating health and the increasing size of the army were major factors, but the poor road conditions also played a role.

So, Eugene is promoting road construction during this period of peace where France has the initiative.

Not only in the Italian region and the Batavian Republic [the Netherlands], which have virtually become colonies, but also in Galicia and Bohemia.

Of course, the problem is that it’s a project that only Eugene is interested in, so no one understands.

“We are currently extracting British cement technology.”

“Still? Just scout the engineers and solve it, Rochejacquelein.”

“We spent too much of the budget on recruiting machine tool technicians, so it’s difficult. I’ll try to solve it by next year.”

As soon as Rochejacquelein’s report ended, Hippolyte intervened again.

“Okay, then. Now, let’s talk about tracking the Freemasons.”

“We haven’t finished discussing everything yet. How are the battery and generator experiments going? I thought we recruited Professor Volta.”

“He is currently researching in Genoa. He seems more familiar with Northern Italy. Shall we bring him to Paris?”

Eugene ignored Hippolyte and listened to Rochejacquelein’s report again, then shrugged.

“No, either way, electricity will have to be used for aluminum production for the time being. The area closer to Southern France would be better.”

The electricity technology innovation that had been prepared through Volta from before is still slow.

However, there has been considerable progress in aluminum production, and they are focusing on developing generators through this.

The bauxite mine has been transferred to the newly established Central Bank of France, but the production techniques are still owned by the Boarneh Cartel.

This issue is crucial both in terms of Eugene’s cartel management and in terms of France’s future industrial development.

Nevertheless, Hippolyte eventually became agitated and shouted.

“Eugene! This isn’t something you can just ignore. Frankly speaking, you’re the only one in the current Consul government who could be pointed out as a royalist! We need to deal with it quickly!”

Roads and electricity are all problems for later.

On the other hand, the issue of restoring the monarchy is an immediate task that could shake up French politics.

Furthermore, since Eugene has become a suspect, he could fall into a political crisis if he doesn’t resolve it quickly.

Because Eugene is originally from a noble family and even has the nickname [Knight of the Princess].

However, Eugene still asked back with a calm face.

“Lafayette is there, isn’t he? Even though he’s the leader of the opposition party.”

“That’s why we need to involve the Freemasons! Besides, it’s very suspicious.”

“I know what you’re talking about. But it won’t be.”

Eugene lightly tapped the desk and shook his head.

“The Feuillants [a political club during the French Revolution] have already given up on the constitutional monarchy. Rather, it’s more advantageous for the Bonapartist Club to advocate for the monarchy now. Would Lafayette not know that?”

Hippolyte beat his chest in frustration.

The truth doesn’t matter.

However, the Freemasons are still synonymous with conspiracy in 1801.

Moreover, since the leader, Lafayette, is the godfather of the constitutional monarchists, it’s perfect to pin the blame on them.

It’s a good plan to escape the crisis, but Eugene doesn’t seem interested at all.

Rochejacquelein, who was listening from the side, also nodded.

“I will proceed with everything you have instructed. However, tracking this pamphlet is also the work of the Sûreté. Patron.”

“Try it. But a strange name will come out, won’t it?”

“Do you perhaps predict who is behind it?”

Suddenly, Eugene frowned.

“That’s right. Besides, Lucien seems to know about it too. That’s why I don’t want to move carelessly.”

Hippolyte and Rochejacquelein looked at each other in surprise.

From the beginning, Eugene knew who the culprit was.

***

Of course, the man in charge of the current French security is someone else.

“Chairman Lafayette. Do you perhaps know about this pamphlet?”

Fouché, the current head of the French police, holds the position of Minister of Police.

Originally, he even dated and was engaged to Robespierre’s sister.

Furthermore, as the vanguard of the Jacobins, he participated in the massacre during the short Reign of Terror.

Then, during the period of power change, he quickly joined Napoleon.

Naturally, he wasn’t very close to Lafayette, but strangely enough, he was also a member who joined the Freemasons before the revolution.

So, it’s not strange that Fouché would visit Lafayette, the current leader of the French Freemasons.

While drinking coffee, Lafayette sat on the living room sofa of his mansion and replied.

“I don’t know anything about that pamphlet.”

“Is that so? The restoration of the monarchy would be the exclusive property of the royalists or constitutional monarchists.”

“Don’t you know that our Feuillant Club has changed its platform to support the Consul system? I don’t know anything.”

Suddenly, Fouché said with a cold smile.

“Then, what about the Freemasons? Monsieur Lafayette.”

Lafayette quietly looked at Fouché and narrowed his eyes.

It didn’t seem like he came just to test the waters with mere suspicion.

A meticulous person like Fouché doesn’t move without a reason.

“It doesn’t seem like you just came. Do you have any evidence that the Freemasons manipulated it? Minister of Police Fouché?”

“Pamphlets are not made on their own. Ghosts don’t write them, and demons don’t distribute them. In the end, humans have to write, print, and distribute them.”

“You caught someone.”

Fouché lightly tapped the coffee cup without even lifting it and asked.

“Freemason member, goldsmith Alexandre Rottier de Montaleau. Do you know him?”

Montaleau, not a very famous name.

But everyone in the Freemasons knows him.

Even when the Duke of Orléans was the nominal head, Montaleau was the actual organizer of the Freemasons.

By the way, Montaleau was originally a goldsmith who supplied gold work to the royal family.

It was during the revolution that it was revealed that Montaleau was a Freemason.

Around the time the revolution broke out, Montaleau fell for the Jacobin platform and published pamphlets advocating the revolution.

Then, after falling out with Robespierre and almost dying, he went into seclusion.

Lafayette snorted, recalling Montaleau, who is now an old figure.

“That person distributed royalist pamphlets? I can’t believe that.”

“A former Jacobin crossing over to the royalists—it’s a common occurrence these days. The revolution was so bloody.”

“You’re not talking about yourself.”

The moment Lafayette scoffed, Fouché looked at Lafayette and smiled.

“The Freemasons did it, didn’t they?”

In an instant, Lafayette’s eyes flashed.

“Fouché.”

Fouché inhaled.

Although he stepped down from power to become the leader of the opposition party, Lafayette is a former chairman.

He was also a French military hero of the American Revolutionary War and the victor of Valmy.

If Lafayette wanted, there were still many former soldiers who would commit terrorism against Fouché.

Realizing this, Fouché hesitated, and Lafayette snapped.

“If you want to frame me as the mastermind, you can certainly do it. You are capable of that.”

“You misunderstand, Chairman. I didn’t think you would do such a thing.”

“But, you must know that Freischütz is involved here.”

Suddenly, the corners of Lafayette’s mouth twisted.

“If Freischütz finds out about this, would he stay still?”

If the former soldiers loyal to Lafayette are a potential threat, Eugene is different.

He is a realistic power figure who can immediately blow away Fouché’s position.

And Fouché knew best that Eugene and Lafayette once had a strong bond.

Fouché stared at Lafayette and got up from his seat.

“I understand. I will step back for now. But an explanation will be necessary.”

Staring at Fouché, who was leaving through the door, Lafayette’s gaze turned to the pamphlet on the table.

“Who on earth did such a thing?”

In short, Lafayette really doesn’t know the culprit.

***

Then who is the culprit?

-Step, step, step.

Eugene climbed the stairs to the 3rd floor of the Malmaison mansion after a long time.

It’s a place he doesn’t usually visit, and even if he does, he usually comes to his private room on the 2nd floor, so it feels like he’s climbing the stairs for the first time.

The 3rd floor of the mansion is also the space of the owner of the house.

Suddenly, the true owner of this mansion was surprised to see Eugene and greeted him with a warm welcome.

“Oh my, Eugene. What brings you home like this? I’m going to forget your face. Hohoho!”

Eugene quietly looked at the other person and asked.

“Why did you do that, Mother?”

The owner of the house, Josephine, blinked her alluring eyes and tilted her head as if she didn’t know.

“What are you talking about?”

“Montaleau was originally a royal goldsmith. He became a revolutionary sympathizer while being a member of the Freemasons, and he published various pamphlets just before the revolution. Then, he was targeted by Robespierre.”

“Did, did that happen? Why are you suddenly talking about that person?”

The attitude of being surprised as if she didn’t know anything is truly seductive.

However, if there is one person in this world who will not be seduced by Josephine, it is Eugene.

Eugene looked at his still immature mother with a pathetic look and snapped.

“But, you were the one who saved that person, Mother. Because he was originally a client.”

Josephine covered her mouth as if she was suffocating.

“Eugene, I…”

“I roughly know why you want the monarchy to be restored. Mother is originally used to the aristocratic days, and you must have been anxious about what would happen to Father. If he suddenly passes away, the family could collapse.”

“Wait, listen to me.”

In an instant, Eugene threw the pamphlet he was holding.

“But, if you spread things like this carelessly, Marie will be in the most danger, Mother!”

It was that pamphlet that was petitioning for the restoration of the royal family.

So, the culprit was Josephine.

She was the one who saved Montaleau, ordered him to publish the pamphlets and spread them, and even planned this matter.

Even at this point in the original history, Josephine often meets with those who want the restoration of the king.

Because she wanted Napoleon to live like Duke Monk after the restoration of the royal family, rather than enjoying a precarious throne.

Knowing that, Eugene was able to quickly figure out the culprit.

But the principle of action is incomprehensible.

In this situation where Eugene has secured a firm position, why would he try to join hands with the royalists?

“I can’t help it. If the royal family doesn’t come back and recognize Napoleone, who knows what will happen? Especially, you and Hortense, Florence, and ‘our’ baby.”

As Eugene listened to Josephine’s frantic excuses, he was about to get annoyed but his eyes widened.

“No, that’s a problem I can solve. Wait. What did you say?”

Something strange was mixed in.

Baby.

It doesn’t seem like she misspoke.

Suddenly, Josephine stroked her belly and smiled awkwardly.

“Yes, I’m pregnant again, Eugene.”

At that moment, Eugene realized how much he had really changed history.