He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 323

(323) There’s No Empty Land in the New World

When you meet someone from your homeland in a foreign country, it’s wise to be cautious at first.

“Hmm, do you really find it necessary to surround yourself with such a large guard?”

“Have you forgotten, Duke of Chartres? The Bourbon royal family is still barred from returning to France. This is, legally speaking, French territory.”

“I see. I would prefer to be addressed by my name, but yes, France has returned to a monarchy, hasn’t it?”

Louis-Philippe de Bourbon, Duke of Chartres, offered a knowing smile.

“Your Royal Highness.”

October 23, 1802.

The ship carrying Louis-Philippe arrived in Florida.

Of course, this place is far too humble for the New World’s French leader, the Viceroy, to reside.

The city is called Pensacola, the heart of West Florida and a strategic fortress.

Spaniards settled here starting in the 16th century, and the Parliament of British Florida was once established here. Now, it’s a city ceded to France.

The residents are a mix of Spaniards, British, French, and descendants of African slaves.

Supplies are scarce, and they are constantly at war with the natives, so even the fortress commander’s office is just a simple wooden building.

The Viceroy, Eugene, had to sit on a makeshift chair in a log cabin to greet his guest.

“Your mother is doing well.”

“Are you threatening me? I’m not easily intimidated.”

“No, I simply thought she might be curious about my well-being. However, it’s true that the home country is on edge because of the royalist bomb terror. After all, you are also a Bourbon.”

He speaks as if it were yesterday, but of course, Eugene’s information is three months old.

Probably by now, under Napoleon, who has ascended to the [imperial] throne, the French political situation will be stable.

Philippe, who had already recognized this fact in New York, remained calm.

“It’s a pity that I’m not trusted by the new Emperor or Your Royal Highness. I believe the Duchess of Louisiana will show me trust. By the way, is the heir to the Duke of Condé doing well?”

Eugene blinked, not understanding what he meant.

“Who are you talking about?”

“The Duke of Enghien. When I was in Saint Petersburg, he was staying in Baden. He was tired of living abroad and wanted to return home. I was wondering if he had returned.”

“I don’t know. I don’t keep track of every move of the Bourbon royal family.”

Eugene was briefly embarrassed for another reason.

Originally, in the original timeline, the Duke of Enghien is killed during the transition to the Empire.

This is because he was accused of being behind the Cadoudal conspiracy.

Unlike Cadoudal, the Duke of Enghien, the grandson of the Duke of Condé, was actually innocent.

However, Napoleon, after receiving advice from Fouché and Talleyrand, kidnapped and murdered the young man who had just married and was enjoying his honeymoon.

It’s understandable given the assassination attempt, but after that, Napoleon’s reputation deteriorated greatly among the European upper class.

Instead, his popularity increased among the hard-line French revolutionaries, the former Jacobins.

The problem is that the Duke of Enghien has not been involved in the Cadoudal affair this time.

For that reason, Eugene knew nothing about the Duke of Enghien’s movements.

At that moment, Rochejacquelein, who was sitting next to Eugene, spoke up.

“He’s doing well. He was traveling in Strasbourg in June when Your Royal Highness left France.”

In the original timeline, he is kidnapped from Strasbourg.

Eugene realized how much history had changed.

On the other hand, Philippe was more pleased to see Rochejacquelein.

“I wondered who it was, but it’s Count Henri de Rochejacquelein. Your brother, Louis-Auguste, lived in exile with me.”

“He is now a family member whose path has diverged from mine.”

“Are you not in contact with your father, the Marquis de Rochejacquelein?”

Rochejacquelein replied coldly.

“He still only supports the Bourbon royal family. I don’t.”

It sounds like a cold rejection, but this conversation has an important implication.

That Louis-Philippe in front of him is not someone detached from the world called France.

As a great aristocrat, he has a network of aristocratic families, was once a revolutionary, and is now a man who has returned as the son-in-law of the Russian Empire as an exile.

So, he is a person who is difficult to treat carelessly.

With a very smooth demeanor, Philippe turned his gaze to Eugene.

“Well, it’s probably similar here with Your Royal Highness. You don’t have a good relationship with your uncle, do you?”

“You’re familiar with the family tree. But it’s best not to talk about my uncle, Marquis François. Because his daughter accompanied this New World voyage.”

“Oh, that must be uncomfortable. I apologize.”

Philippe, who took a step back while subtly examining Eugene’s expression, now looked at the other generals.

“The soldiers who came with you also look…distinctive. It’s a composition that suits this New World. Would you introduce them?”

He’s talking about the generals standing behind Eugene.

Thinking that he was certainly bold, Eugene turned his head.

Those who abandoned the successful path in France and rushed to be with Eugene in the New World.

Strictly speaking, they are the [Eugene’s inner circle].

“This is General Junot, commander of the Viceroy’s Guards. Next to him is Desaix, who will be the commander of the New France Expeditionary Force. In order, Deputy Commander Davout, Chief of Staff Jomini, and Infantry Commander General Dumas.”

“Oh, it’s nice to meet you all. I also know General Junot, the hero of Italy, and General Desaix, the hero of the Egyptian expedition. I also worked with General Davout on the Flanders front. General Dumas is…”

“He is of mixed race. However, please respect him as a descendant of the Marquis de la Pailleterie. He will play a big role in the New World. Next to him is the Governor-General of Saint-Domingue, Toussaint Louverture.”

Philippe, a fairly open-minded man, was momentarily speechless this time.

Dumas is the father of the famous writer [Alexandre] Dumas and is of mixed black and white heritage.

Still, Dumas is, in a way, a member of French society because he is the son of the Marquis de la Pailleterie.

But Toussaint is not even a former slave?

At that time, a cheerful young man in the lower seat suddenly stepped forward.

“Ah, why are you leaving me out? Are you ashamed of Lasalle?”

Lasalle, a 27-year-old cavalry general, nodded, followed by Champeaux and Joubert.

“That’s right. You abandoned me in Syria because I had a fever, and now you’re treating me like leftovers?”

“Oh, no. It’s not just you, Champeaux. In the first place, Your Royal Highness, while serving as chief aide, doesn’t seem to have looked back at our Orient Corps.”

“Oh, no. Even you, Joubert? Are hunting dogs abandoned after the hunt is over! How tragic!”

Listening to the nonsense that Lasalle added at the end, Eugene chuckled.

“Stop talking nonsense. In that case, were Governor-General Hoche of Egypt or Commander Marceau of the Orient Army also abandoned?”

Then, Hippolyte, Desaix, and Junot laughed and joked.

“Weren’t they abandoned?”

“I think that’s right.”

“They’re probably envying us for coming to the New World by now, right? No, maybe Commander Marceau likes looking at harems more?”

Philippe blinked and smiled.

“It’s a very active organization. There’s no sign of being exiled at all. There’s no formality between the ruler and his subjects.”

In this simple conversation, Philippe judged three things at the same time.

First, the core of the New France Expeditionary Force’s command is close to each other.

Next, they were never pushed out and exiled from France.

But the most important thing is the last one.

They are bound to the Viceroy, Eugene, by loyalty.

At that time, Eugene stared at Philippe.

Philippe hasn’t talked about himself yet.

“Now, tell me about the Duke. Why did you come? All the way to Florida.”

Why did Philippe come all the way from New York to Florida to meet Eugene?

***

Actually, it’s more accurate to say that he came from Saint Petersburg, not New York.

“Why did the princess come all the way to this remote place? Oh, I’m really curious!”

Pensacola has a settlement history of over 200 years.

Most of them are soldiers or colonists, but that means there are places for women to stay.

It’s a shack that’s like a ruin compared to the mansions of Paris, but it’s newly built and the smell of wood is fresh.

Here, the noble ladies who came with Louis-Philippe on a long-distance ship from France gathered around a woman.

That is Alexandra, the Russian princess who came with Louis-Philippe.

But the woman who just asked Alexandra a question is a girl who doesn’t fit in at all in Pensacola, a city located in the [American] far west from France’s point of view.

Because she is the woman at the top of the social gossip world, Laure Permon.

Pauline, still in her military uniform, asked with a displeased face.

“Laure, why did you come here? You’re not even engaged to Junot yet, are you? Did Mrs. Permon allow it?”

“What are you talking about? I came with my brother.”

“What? Your brother came here? Isn’t he doing business in the Orient?”

Laure laughed as she mentioned her brother, Albert Permon.

“He said business would be better in the New World? And the supply officer happened to be needed. It was hard on the way, but it’s nice to be here!”

Albert jumped into the Eastern Mediterranean business during the occupation of Cyprus.

He was still working hard even after Eugene left the Orient, but he returned home around the time the French Consulate Government was established.

In fact, he just came to trade with the Bonaparte cartel, which was a business partner, but the political situation changed rapidly.

From a republic to an empire, with a bomb terror.

Albert, who was quick-witted, judged that this would be a great opportunity and accompanied Eugene when he left for the New World.

So, Laure Permon came all the way to this New World with her brother as her protector.

Of course, the real reason is her lover, Junot.

Marie Thérèse, the oldest, shook her head lightly and apologized to Alexandra elegantly.

“I’m sorry for the commotion, Princess. Everyone is still young.”

“It’s okay. Would you introduce them? Your Grace?”

“Yes, this is Pauline Bonaparte, the sister of the new Emperor of France, and Laure Permon, her relative. This is Émilie de Beauharnais, who came with me as my maid.”

Then, Laure laughed and waved her hand.

“Our princess always pretends to be old while looking the youngest herself. Russian princess, why did you really come? We followed the exiled princess!”

Marie, who had once been stripped of all her titles and became a commoner, is now a formal [Duchess of Louisiana].

From France’s point of view, this is necessary to make Louisiana a colony through marriage with Eugene.

However, as Laure jokes, it is not necessarily wrong to send two people who would be difficult to keep in the country to the New World.

That is Napoleon.

Napoleon’s sister, Pauline, snorted.

“You said you came with your brother.”

“That’s just an excuse. Would I have come to see my brother? I came because there will be many interesting things to do if I follow the princess. Do you know how much Madame Récamier envies me?”

“It’s good that you’ll have a lot to talk about when you return to Parisian society.”

Alexandra burst into laughter as she watched Pauline and Laure bickering with each other.

“Pfft! You’re really close. I followed my husband, the Duke of Chartres.”

At that moment, Laure’s eyes lit up.

“You’re married, not engaged? Wow, does he treat you well at night too?”

“Excuse me?”

“No, the Bourbon family is famous for having big noses. So, um, at night too…”

Instead of Laure, who blushed slightly and smiled, Pauline was horrified and stepped forward.

“Laure! Please be polite! This is a princess of a foreign royal family! Now, Princess, stop changing the subject and tell us the truth. Is Russia going to make a full-scale advance into the New World?”

Marie thought that she didn’t know who was being rude.

Is it rude to ask the princess about her nightlife, or is it rude to ask about diplomatic secrets?

But Alexandra seemed to find the latter easier.

“Um, maybe that’s what my father the Emperor is thinking.”

Marie’s eyes widened.

Then, the reason why Philippe came with Alexandra is one.

The secret treaty that Marie signed with Eugene when she went to Saint Petersburg.

The Alaska-based New World British joint attack operation.

***

Now, only two people remained in the Pensacola Governor’s Office.

“Now, it’s time to keep our promise. Freischütz.”

Philippe said suddenly while drinking coffee.

The coffee beans on the table are from Jamaica.

Eugene almost choked while drinking the slightly bitter coffee with a wine scent.

It wasn’t entirely unexpected, but he didn’t expect him to say it so suddenly.

“The Alaska invasion? I remember that was just an excuse?”

“To be exact, it’s the invasion of British Canada. In addition, Russia is also eyeing the western part of the New World. Besides, the Tsar has been waiting for the moment to keep his promise.”

“Then, shouldn’t you urge the home country through Ambassador Danton? Why like this?”

Suddenly, a troubled smile appeared on Philippe’s face.

“The situation in Russia is not good. The nobles are rebelling against the Tsar every day. In the midst of all this, the conquest of the New World was also the Tsar’s wish.”

In fact, there’s nothing strange about it.

Originally, Tsar Paul dies in a coup on March 24, 1801.

But now it’s October 1802.

Unlike the original history, he has not severed diplomatic relations with England, so Paul is still alive.

However, Paul is emotional, makes decisions arbitrarily, and nobles are often dismissed.

In this situation, a political crisis is inevitable.

Eugene looked at Philippe intently and asked.

“It’s a complicated situation. So, you sent your son-in-law to overcome the situation with the results of the New World conquest?”

“Strictly speaking, my status is not low enough to marry into a monarch family, is it? But what if I allocate territory in the New World instead of the home country? The great nobles would be satisfied.”

“So, you’re saying we should invade Canada in this situation?”

Suddenly, Philippe twisted his lips.

“Otherwise, Your Royal Highness will have to fight the United States of America.”

There is no empty land anywhere in the New World.

Or it is full of forces trying to occupy the public land.

October 1802, Florida.

That was the New World political situation faced by the new French Viceroy, Eugene Freischütz Bonaparte.