He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 316

(316) Marie Obtains New France as Dowry

Even outside of revolutionary periods, France is a country where public opinion changes as quickly as boiling water.

“New France? Really? That’s tied to Mademoiselle Bourbon?”

This is Madame Récamier’s salon.

It could be called one of the two major salons in France in 1802.

Her competitor is Madame de Staël, who sleeps with any man she likes, but this salon is famous for its hostess not sleeping with anyone.

However, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have romances, so there are countless men vying for Madame Récamier’s attention.

Of course, there are also many women who come to see those men.

One of them, France’s top gossip girl, Laure Permont, widened her eyes.

Hostess Julie Récamier shrugged.

“Princess Marie is really amazing, isn’t she?”

“Is she? When you think about it, it just rolled into her lap while she was doing nothing.”

“Think about it the other way around. If she had acted to ruin things, this luck wouldn’t have come her way, right? Conversely, if she had actively tried to accept it, she would have been a widow already.”

Récamier whispered to Laure.

“As a result of enduring all kinds of pressure, she has become the heir to the Spanish throne.”

Of course, even if it’s a whisper, it’s inevitable that the eyes of the men and women around them are focused on her.

In fact, Récamier was talking for them to hear.

It was about Eugene, whom she liked in her childhood, and Marie, who was the object of her admiration.

She was willing to step forward if she could sway public opinion even a little.

On the other hand, Laure Permont, who only likes rumors, made a fuss.

“Really, thanks to that, Mademoiselle Marie’s value has increased even more, hasn’t it? Now Eugene can’t let Marie go, can he? What do you think, Pauline?”

Pauline, who was sipping wine in front of her, snorted.

“So? Are you telling me I should have stayed still?”

“Oh, our fashionable Pauline. Looks like you’re about to lose your lover thanks to that?”

“That’s a problem for me to compete with Marie, not a problem to be solved by my brother’s external pressure, right? Besides.”

Suddenly, Pauline frowned.

“Making Marie marry that pig was too unpleasant.”

Of course, the Spanish would be shocked to hear that, but fortunately, there is no transmission system to convey Pauline’s harsh words in this era.

On the other side, Madame de Staël is chatting with men in one corner of the salon.

Although Récamier’s salon is a kind of competitor, Madame de Staël tends to be friendly with everyone.

Above all, there are many men here, so it’s good for Madame de Staël to find [prey].

Right away, Junot, who followed Laure, and unmarried French generals were lined up.

“Oh, my. Hippolyte, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you at the salon. How are you? Is your injury okay?”

Hippolyte, who was drinking next to Junot, sneezed for a moment and then forced a smile.

“Cough! I’m fine. Haha. I’m still busy because I haven’t rooted out all the remnants yet.”

“There was talk that Babeuf was behind it, is that true?”

“It is uncertain whether he was involved in the terror. However, surveillance of the Panthéon Club has increased.”

Then Madame de Staël leaned close to Hippolyte and smiled.

“So, is the person you served now going to become the King of Spain?”

It seems that Madame de Staël’s prey today is Hippolyte.

“We’re leaving first. Hmm!”

“Then I’ll leave you two alone and see you next time.”

“Where is the salon owner?”

Junot, Desaix, and Lannes, who have been chasing Madame Récamier these days, whistled and slipped away.

All three of them have been in Madame de Staël’s bedroom once, so they may have escaped even faster.

Hippolyte smiled bitterly and handed a glass to Madame de Staël.

In any case, it is Hippolyte’s philosophy to do his best, even if she is a carnivorous woman.

“That’s not true. General Eugene has no interest in Spain.”

“Oh, aren’t you being too assertive? People’s greed is endless. Think of General Hoche, who went to Egypt to play king and didn’t return.”

“I don’t know much about Spain either, but I know that there were countless rebellions when the old Bourbon dynasty entered.”

Hippolyte replied simply, conscious of the handsome men and beautiful women listening around him.

“Even if Bonaparte becomes a royal family, it will be the same, the general said.”

This is not just about Spain being a difficult country to deal with.

It can only be said if there is a premise that the rumored [Constitutional Empire] is in the final stages.

Of course, Eugene, who said this, was only thinking about the failure of the Spanish expedition in the original history.

Madam de Staël, who was staring at Hippolyte, smiled strangely.

“That’s interesting. So, is Marie Thérèse going to get engaged after all?”

At that moment, everyone looked at Hippolyte.

Even the musicians who were playing background music.

Hippolyte rolled his eyes and winked.

“That’s a matter for Spain to decide.”

Because Napoleon has already decided.

***

At this time, Eugene, who has no interest in salon tours, is visiting a man.

“I heard you regained consciousness.”

Lafayette, who was lying in bed wrapped in bandages, replied.

“I feel like I’m going to die.”

“It’s okay since you’re not dead yet. Your face is fine too, isn’t it?”

“I’m not unmarried like you, what’s the use of having a fine face? My body has to be fine. Ugh!”

As Lafayette tried to get up, he staggered, and his wife hurriedly grabbed him.

“Don’t get up recklessly, Gilbert! You’ll make the wound worse again!”

Madame Lafayette, who was once called the Marchioness, was originally the daughter of the Duke of Noailles.

So, the revolutionary general might hate Eugene, but he didn’t show any signs of it.

Of course, when you think about it, her husband was the leader of the revolution.

Eugene nodded to Madame Lafayette and then told Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette, the president, again.

“You need to get healthy quickly. You have to go to the US ambassador.”

“What does that mean? Are you exiling me from France?”

“As you heard, all the heirs to the Spanish royal family died, so there’s a mess. Spain is looking for someone to take responsibility. You said you met Cadoudal, right?”

At that moment, Madame Lafayette was surprised and clung to Eugene.

“This man doesn’t know anything. Rather, he was trying to kick him out! Eugene, please help me!”

In fact, they can’t be said to be close friends, but Madame Lafayette also has some acquaintance with him.

In the first place, Eugene’s father was Lafayette’s subordinate, so he got his current name.

That’s why Madame also had to know the family situation.

It was Lafayette who unexpectedly saved Eugene, who was looking at Madame Lafayette with a slightly troubled face.

“That’s not it. Adrienne. This is about needing a scapegoat.”

Just as his wife Adrienne was about to sob, Eugene comforted her.

“You don’t have to feel too wronged. I’m going to be kicked out so that the general won’t be lonely.”

“You? Why?”

“If I want to marry the princess, I think I’ll have to pay the price too.”

Suddenly, Eugene stared at Lafayette.

“I’m going to the New World, New France. Maybe I’ll be the governor-general.”

He didn’t bother to tell the truth that he was the future viceroy.

Lafayette was a supporter of the constitutional monarchy and a nobleman.

So it’s obvious that it would be difficult to accept the Bonaparte family, who have no roots, becoming the imperial family.

Of course, Lafayette wasn’t stupid, so he noticed the implications of Eugene’s words.

Especially what Eugene didn’t say.

“You’re thinking of sending Princess Marie to the New World.”

“That’s what will happen in the end. I’m going to be her attendant.”

“How are you going to make that happen? Spain has designated Princess Marie as the presumptive heir. Of course, the king may have another child with the queen, but that’s difficult.”

Of course, the Queen of Spain is actually only 37 years old.

In fact, the dead Crown Prince Fernando was such a jerk and looked so old that people didn’t realize he was 18 years old.

When you think about it, Marie Thérèse, who is 24 years old, is in a situation where she should be called a thief for her engagement.

However, King Carlos IV is 54 years old and so senile that he has not had a child for 8 years.

That’s why King Carlos is trying to designate Marie as the presumptive heir and call her to Madrid.

But Eugene must not send Marie to Madrid.

The sentimental story that he can’t be separated from his loved one is a secondary problem.

There is a political problem that France cannot use Marie if she goes to Madrid.

Therefore, leaving for the New World is a solution that solves everything.

It will distance her from the responsibility for the crown prince’s death terror, secure the territory of New France, and have the opportunity to unite with Marie.

So how can Spain be persuaded?

“There is a way. I’m going to use Godoy.”

Lafayette thought for a moment and asked again.

“Well, you’ve done more difficult things than this. So, what do you want from me?”

“When I sort out the New France issue, the biggest enemy is the United States. I need someone important to deal with the United States.”

“Hmm, Talleyrand can’t go, so you need me?”

Just as Lafayette was about to look interested, Eugene smiled strangely.

“Maybe you’ll have to be my general. Depending on the situation.”

In fact, there is a truth that only Eugene knows, which people in this era do not know.

In the original history, the ultimate winner is the hegemon of the New World.

In terms of historical path, the New World issue may be far more important than any war Napoleon will wage in Europe.

But in 1802, the best expert on the United States in France is none other than the man in front of him.

Because Lafayette is the de facto founding hero who intervened in the creation of the United States.

When you know it, Lafayette, one of the true founding fathers of the United States, looked at Eugene and smiled.

He remembered when he first saw him with Eugene’s father, Alexandre.

He was just a cheeky little boy back then, but now he’s a clear giant.

“I will serve you faithfully. Governor-General.”

With this, the new French ambassador to the United States has been confirmed.

***

The easiest way to solve the most difficult thing in the world is to persuade the [powerful].

“Why did you come to me, Chief of Staff?”

At first glance, persuading the powerful seems very difficult.

It’s hard to even meet the powerful.

Usually, the powerful are arrogant and don’t listen to others.

Also, the interests of the powerful are not easy to move because so many people are attached to them.

But no matter how difficult it is, persuading the powerful only requires moving one person.

It’s nothing compared to moving public opinion, winning a war, or imposing a trade blockade.

In the original history, Napoleon failed to persuade the powerful and eventually lost by clinging to the other three.

But Eugene is confident that he is ahead of Napoleon in only one thing, even though he lacks war execution, insight, and charisma.

Only the power of persuasion to seize the weaknesses of the powerful and twist them to his advantage.

Sitting in front of him, Eugene said leisurely.

“I have been dismissed from the position of Chief of Staff.”

“What? Well, I’m about to be dismissed soon. Are you in charge in France?”

“But there is a way for me and you to survive.”

Tapping on the splendid table of the Fontainebleau Palace, Eugene’s eyes lit up.

“Duke Godoy de Alcudia, petition to appoint Marie Thérèse Charlotte as the ‘Duchess’ of Louisiana. Also, promote her as the official successor, not just the presumptive heir.”

Godoy, the de facto powerful man in Spain, blinked.

Because he received a proposal that he did not understand at first glance.

I know what you mean.

Make Princess Marie the [lord] of the Louisiana territory in the New World, and then proceed with the territorial exchange negotiations that were originally in progress.

But what does that mean now?

“Isn’t that a negotiation that has already been virtually broken? After all, the heir who was supposed to receive Tuscany is dead.”

“No, it has never been broken. France needs Louisiana. Spain needs Tuscany. This is an inter-state negotiation, and it is important who leads this process.”

“What does that mean······, ah!”

Godoy shouted with wide eyes.

“I, this Godoy, will become the savior of the collapsed royal family?”

Although he is a traitor who ruins the country, Godoy is the number one in Spain in terms of court politics.

Currently, Godoy has suffered a disaster in which he promoted the Spanish royal marriage and killed all the heirs, including the crown prince.

No matter how much the queen cherishes him, it is difficult to forgive Godoy, who killed all of his children, in terms of justification.

All the political enemies who want Godoy’s downfall will rise up.

But what if he is in a position to resolve the crisis facing the Spanish royal family?

“That’s right. If others lead the situation, you are just responsible for the death of the prince. But if you directly resolve the situation, you will become a [meritorious subject] who established the succession.”

“The ministers and nobles of the home country will laugh at me.”

“That’s not important, is it? All you need is a justification for the King and Queen of Spain to protect you.”

Eugene stared at Godoy and asserted.

“Immediately after that, Marie Thérèse Charlotte will [engage] and leave for the New World. Until you regain full power in Madrid, so that you don’t feel burdened. Furthermore······.”

Suddenly, Eugene wore a meaningful smile.

“Until the Queen gives birth to a new ‘child’.”

Queen Maria Luisa di Parma of Spain is 37 years old and can still get pregnant and give birth.

King Carlos IV is 54 years old, but Godoy is 35 years old and active enough.

In fact, there are even rumors that the youngest Prince Francisco and Princess Maria Isabel, who died right away, are Godoy’s children.

Suddenly, Godoy’s eyes, which seemed even more depressed because of that, lit up.

I can have children.

If only I could meet the Queen.

Suddenly, Godoy raised his head and looked at Eugene.

“Let me ask you one thing. With what qualifications are you going to be our princess’s fiancé?”

No matter how much she is a provisional presumptive heir, she is Marie, who will become the heir to the throne.

Until the new [heir] is conceived, it means that she is in a supreme position in Spain.