He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 305

305. In 1802, the Debate on Roman-Style Constitutional Amendments Begins

The fact that a country’s political system is undergoing severe changes is evidence that the country is unstable.

“Change again? The constitution? What do you think the constitution is?”

Sieyès, who had created the Constitution of the Constituent Assembly, burst into anger.

This is Le Procope, the oldest cafe for celebrities in Paris.

It was a place that Danton frequented, but now he is in Russia, roaming the bars of St. Petersburg as an ambassador.

As a result, the most frequent patron has also become Sieyès.

All the cafe guests pretended not to look but were pricking up their ears.

Of course, the person who made Sieyès angry knew it and brought it up on purpose.

Because the news needed to be spread to the Parisian bourgeoisie organically.

Talleyrand, a gourmet expert who enjoyed provoking others, swallowed the meat with a slightly distasteful expression and replied.

“We can’t go back to the monarchy, can we, Sieyès?”

“I’m telling you to keep the current constitution! If 10 years isn’t enough, you can run for re-election! If you try it for 20 years and it’s still not enough, you can run again!”

“It’s not as easy as you say. Besides, didn’t you see it at the Rosetta Stone French Transportation Ceremony? The public’s enthusiasm.”

Leaving the meat on his plate, Talleyrand put down his knife.

“France wants [Bonaparte] now.”

If possible, Talleyrand would have preferred to invite Sieyès to his mansion rather than the cafe.

The food made by Antoine Carême, the newly recruited chef, would be ten times more delicious than this.

However, Sieyès wasn’t much of a gourmet, and it was difficult to spread rumors in a private mansion.

Sieyès, who couldn’t stomach the meat for a different reason than Talleyrand, exclaimed.

“Talleyrand, have you already forgotten? How much we suffered under the monarchy?”

“Why would I forget? I hated the monarchy and participated in the revolution, and I was kicked out of the church.”

“But you’re going to make an emperor, not a king? Goodness, don’t you know what Louis XIV did?”

Talleyrand, once a bishop from an aristocratic family, wore an elegant but cool smile.

“You’re talking as if you were born back then. I read it in history. He waged war with all of Europe for glory and plunged the country into a quagmire.”

“What about the next king? Louis XV was the same. He lost a perfectly good Nouvelle-France [New France, i.e., French territories in North America] in the Seven Years’ War. The land of the New World that French explorers gained after hardships and tribulations!”

“The last king did the same. He jumped into the New World War of Independence and ruined the finances.”

The Louis, starting with Louis XIV, ruined the country.

This was common knowledge for French people in this era.

Of course, even in the first half of Louis XIV’s reign, he brought down Spain, which was the dominant country at the time.

However, due to excessive greed, especially jumping into the War of the Spanish Succession, he consumed countless amounts of national power.

The next king, Louis XV, contributed to making England the dominant country due to the failure of the Seven Years’ War.

Louis XVI doesn’t need to be explained.

War, a notorious element that created France’s glory and caused its downfall.

Sieyès repeatedly slammed his coffee cup.

“Then, do you think Bonaparte will be different? He’s even a soldier!”

There was insight in this statement.

In the end, Napoleon’s downfall in the original history was also due to war.

Furthermore, no one would be able to stop Napoleon, who has become a monarch.

Even Talleyrand.

Talleyrand, who naturally did not know the future, could make reasonable inferences.

If Napoleon becomes [Emperor], who can stop him?

This time, he couldn’t persuade Sieyès with the boast that he could be brought down at any time.

For a moment, Talleyrand took a sip of coffee and organized his thoughts.

-Thump!

Someone slammed his fist on the table.

“You were here. France’s number one traitor.”

It was definitely the tone of a radical politician like Babeuf, but the voice itself was very gentle.

A polite man who has never said anything unpleasant to others.

If he gets upset, it will be published as a topic in the newspaper, the epitome of a gentleman.

Talleyrand smiled as he looked up at Camille Desmoulins.

“Desmoulins, your words have become harsh. How did this happen?”

“Shut up, Talleyrand. How can you, who is called a revolutionary, advocate the restoration of the monarchy? You should have opposed it in the cabinet!”

“Well, I’m not the only one who agreed. It seems you’ve been to Auguste, and are you going to Babeuf next?”

At that moment, Desmoulins shouted.

“I’m! Different from those guys!”

“Then listen to the story a little more. The alternative to Freischütz that just came out.”

“Freischütz was the first to bring up the Roman Empire? You’ve got the wrong person, me.”

Although he shouts in anger, there is room for compromise just by not going to Babeuf.

In 1802, in France, Jacobin is synonymous with the Babeuf faction.

The surviving Babeuf occupied the position of the ultra-hardliners that Marat originally moved to.

Even now that grain prices and the economy are rapidly improving, radical revolutionaries are still scattered throughout the political world and the public.

They prefer exile to debate as a means of eliminating political enemies, and even death.

However, Desmoulins, who is a journalist to the core, is different.

At least he hates the guillotine.

In that respect, Talleyrand opened his mouth, believing that Desmoulins had enough room for conversation.

“That Roman-style empire was, after all, led by the first citizen. Freischütz proposed a system in which the first citizen, [Emperor], is elected by vote.”

The moment Desmoulins blinked, Sieyès intervened.

“Vote? What does that mean?”

“It’s as it sounds. It means electing an emperor through voting.”

“What’s the difference between that and the Consul?”

Of course, if it is a lifetime consul system proposed by some in the cabinet, it is no different from a monarch.

But the current Consul is definitely different from the Emperor.

Even if it is an emperor elected by vote.

“The Consul can be removed by the expiration of his term and impeachment by the parliament. The emperor can only be driven out by a civil revolution. The stability for governing the country is different. How about it?”

It is also a [justification] for introducing the imperial political system.

Ten years after the outbreak of the revolution.

France has been changing its system, going left and right like a patient with a disease.

No system has lasted more than five years, and policies have changed every time the government changed.

Ideological legitimacy aside, it was an environment where stable policy promotion was almost impossible.

If European countries were changing as slowly as in the East at the same time, this would not be a big problem.

However, right next to France is England.

A stable cabinet creates a constitutional monarchy and transforms the country with consistent policies.

With a model case right next door, France needs strong leadership.

In modern terms, it would be like this.

In the early 19th century, even Desmoulins, who did not know the concept of leadership, knew the importance of political stability.

But there is something that bothers me.

It was the era of the French old royal family that was ruined by aiming for an absolute monarchy.

What will happen to the parliament, the entity that checks the monarch?

“What about the parliament? Does it remain?”

“That’s right. The key here is that the monarchy is regulated by the constitution. Not approval by God.”

“Tell me more.”

Talleyrand glanced around and put a smile of conviction on his lips.

“Constitutional Imperialism. This is Freischütz’s proposal.”

Because all the cafe guests who were confirmed bourgeois were focusing on the conversation.

***

However, the voices opposing the empire are also high in the French military.

“Isn’t this a betrayal of the revolution!”

Augereau shouted at the French [General Headquarters] on the Île de la Cité [Island in the Seine in central Paris].

This place was originally the headquarters of the former National Guard and, going back further, a political prison.

However, during Napoleon’s time as commander-in-chief, it became the highest decision-making body of the military, overseeing the French army, surpassing the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Defense.

Now, the authority has been largely transferred to the cabinet of the Tuileries Palace, but high-ranking generals still gather here.

In short, Augereau is not the only [Lieutenant General]-level general here.

“Why are you so angry, Augereau?”

“Massena, what did you fight for? We fought to protect the republic, and we ordered the soldiers to die. But the result is just General Bonaparte’s crown?”

“It’s an imperial crown. And you have to hold an election, right?”

Another lieutenant general, Massena, sat leisurely in his chair and replied.

“That means, in theory, anyone can be a candidate after Consul Bonaparte, right? Of course, the Bonaparte family will be given priority.”

Napoleon has not yet had a son.

If the child Josephine is pregnant with is born a male, her mind may change again.

But right now, she only has daughters, adopted sons, and adopted daughters.

Then, when creating a dynasty that values bloodlines, who will be the first presumed heir?

It becomes the indecisive Joseph or the monarchy hater Lucien.

So Napoleon also accepted Eugene’s compromise, the [elective monarchy].

However, an election is a system that varies greatly depending on who is given the right to be elected.

For example, what if all citizens are given the right to be elected?

Of course, neither Napoleon, Eugene, nor the Bonaparte Club politicians who leaned toward the monarchy wanted this.

It’s just that no one is saying anything right now because they have to persuade them to introduce the elective monarchy itself.

The Jacobin general Augereau, who is intuitively aware of this even though he cannot talk about this issue in detail, shouted.

“No, no matter what, he’s a monarch. He’s an emperor! Then the nobles will be revived again!”

“Then why not?”

“What?”

Massena still replied smoothly.

“We risked our lives to fight in the war. Well, if I receive the title of nobility by blood, I’m also upset. But we, the heroes who fought in the war, deserve to receive the title, right?”

Augereau glared.

If it hadn’t been for the revolution, Augereau would have been just a deserter.

Also, Massena would have lived and died as a sergeant from a smuggler for the rest of his life.

How can you say such a thing?

However, Augereau soon felt strange.

He is the only one shouting.

The moment he looked around, Augereau realized that his thoughts were correct.

“Don’t tell me, am I the only one against it now?”

All the generals above the division commander level gathered at the General Headquarters have embarrassed expressions.

Not many people are in favor of the imperial constitutional amendment.

However, there are also those who do not bother to oppose it because Napoleon wants to do it.

Of course, there is the problem of the military faction that Eugene had adjusted in advance.

In the first place, the Rhine Legion, which was not the Napoleon faction, was scattered in Switzerland, Bohemia, and Venice.

The Flanders Legion, with Hoche at the center, is in Egypt and the New World.

So, there are only the Italian Legion, a thorough pro-[Bonaparte] faction, and the Orient Expeditionary Force here.

Suddenly, Deje, the commander of the Paris Garrison, who was from the Rhine Legion, opened his mouth.

“If it’s just the king being restored, any revolutionary army will oppose it. General Augereau.”

“That’s right, Deje. You also advocate the revolution!”

“But if Consul Napoleon becomes emperor, half of the army will agree. Besides, if the method is an election, most of the other half will agree.”

The moment Augereau opened his mouth, Deje shrugged.

“General, we fought not only for the revolution but for France. There are countless subordinates who have been disabled. I almost lost my life, and the same goes for the general.”

“Deje! No matter what, this is a violation of the revolutionary spirit!”

“The revolutionary spirit is that all citizens are equal, enjoy freedom, and live in a prosperous country. What if the emperor creates such a country?”

Suddenly, Deje stared at Augereau and asserted.

“I honestly don’t know Consul Napoleon well. But I know Eugene Freischütz. He is a wise commander and will prevent the country from running wild.”

Perhaps if Napoleon had been obsessed with power alone and promoted the empire, the backlash would have been much worse.

But there is another charisma in the French army.

The sacredness of the military that succeeded in recapturing the Holy Land, reorganizing the Ottoman Empire, and conquering Egypt.

Commander Killer, Sharpshooter, Eugene Freischütz.

Suddenly, Lannes, who is now divorced, sat with a light face and glanced at Augereau.

“Augereau, do it moderately. Still, we are the Italian Legion, so should we act like the Rhine Legion?”

At that moment, Augereau kicked down the door and left.

“You’ll all regret it! Bonaparte will never stop!”

Of course, even Augereau did not even think of a [coup].

***

With this, the pamphlet scandal of the royal family’s return was completely covered up.

“Wow, the constitutional amendment debate has swallowed up everything! Great, Eugene!”

Hoorays were full in the office on the 3rd floor of the Boarne Cartel mansion in Paris.

However, unlike Hippolyte, Eugene is not so excited.

In the first place, switching to the monarchy is more important than covering up Josephine’s scandal.

In addition, there is a problem that the imperial transition must be carried out more quickly due to the pregnancy problem.

If the child who will be Eugene’s half-brother is a male, there is a high possibility that the autocratic monarchy of the original history will come in, not the elective monarchy.

“It’s what I expected. Originally, people are most interested in power.”

“You deliberately bought time?”

“Because everyone’s attention, both internally and externally, is bound to be focused here. In the meantime, we…”

Suddenly, Eugene’s gaze turned to the documents of the Boarne Cartel placed on the desk in the office.

“We need to secure new technologies, military system reforms, and finances, right?”

France is still behind England in terms of industry and technology.

Also, the army is not overwhelmingly ahead of Austria or Russia.

In particular, in terms of finance, the debt problem that was still owed in the royal era has not been completely resolved.

But Rochejacquelin, who was carrying the report, cleared his throat.

“Hmm, it seems that you should leave that to us.”

“What do you mean, Rochejacquelin?”

“There is a bomb that has been delayed as much as possible. It seems like it’s about to explode now.”

As Rochejacquelin turned his gaze, Deputy Director of Sûreté [French internal security service], Jacob Elly, who was following behind, said.

“It’s the Spanish variable. It’s to the point where a rebellion or revolution could happen there at any time.”

Eugene clicked his tongue.

Even if it’s not the 19th century, this is always a problem in the European continent.

There are many countries, and each country has complicated circumstances, so variables suddenly arise from foreign countries.

In addition, Spain is still a powerful country with most of the South American continent as colonies.

Furthermore, in the original history, Spain’s internal turmoil is severe at this time, which is also a problem.

“I want to avoid it. First of all, we should adhere to the principle of non-intervention.”

“There’s a problem.”

“What is it?”

This time, Rochejacquelin looked at Eugene with a stiff face and reported.

“The Spanish royal family has dispatched an envoy requesting a [royal marriage]. Patron, Marie’s marriage.”

This was news that Eugene could not help but be shocked by.