He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 33

(32) The Family Becomes One Through Shared Interests

May 1793, the sun in Marseille is warm.

Enough for bees to wander after flowers.

-Buzz, buzz, buzz!

The sound startled Eugene awake.

Unfamiliar bed, unfamiliar air, unfamiliar sunlight.

Strictly speaking, these were the sensations he should have felt when moving from Paris to Toulon.

But until now, he had been caught up in battles or engrossed in the aftermath, leaving him no time to notice.

Only now does he feel that this place is not Paris, but the South of France.

If only because wolves have been replaced by bees.

Suddenly, a bee stung Eugene’s hand.

“Ouch!”

The bee sting felt intensely hot.

Perhaps it wasn’t very dangerous, as no silver notification appeared.

The notifications that were so clear in the smoke of battle.

Looking at the slightly swollen bee sting, Eugene muttered.

“Come to think of it, the bee was Napoleon’s symbol.”

Honeybee.

Ironically, a symbol Napoleon adopted after becoming Emperor.

Although the eagle is most famous, the golden honeybee was actually used more often.

The golden honeybee symbolizes abundance, diligence, and sweetness.

But before that, it was regarded as a medium connecting the old Frankish kingdom and present-day France.

This is because in the 17th century, the tomb of a Frankish king from over a thousand years ago was discovered, and this honeybee-shaped design was found inside.

In the original history, it is known that this is a misunderstanding.

It wasn’t a honeybee but a cicada.

However, in the late 18th century, people still believed that the honeybee was the symbol of the old Frankish kingdom.

That’s why Napoleon chose the honeybee when he became Emperor, as a way of embracing the traditions of old France.

Things he had seen in records in his past life.

Napoleon, Bonaparte, and the honeybee.

“The family that coveted the honey brought by that bee.”

A very sweet honey called power.

There are those who, intoxicated by that honey, fought as if the honey was theirs, leaving their mark on history.

The Bonaparte family.

The incompetent Joseph, the competitive Lucien, the melancholic Louis, the eccentric Jerome, the traitor Caroline.

These are just the ones directly related to the Beauharnais family.

Pauline the flirt and Eliza the capable are a bit different, though.

If Eugene wants to become Napoleon’s confidant, he must overcome these people.

“First of all, I think I’ve become close to Madame Letizia.”

The first impression of a person shapes the impressions that follow.

So, Eugene succeeded in stimulating Letizia’s maternal instincts.

A child still so young came to the battlefield.

And risked his life for Letizia’s son, Napoleon.

Letizia was moved by this.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Letizia likes the divorcée Josephine.

But at least a foundation has been laid to ensure she doesn’t antagonize Eugene, who will become her adopted son.

From Eugene’s perspective, once he establishes a connection with Letizia, it’s easy to become close.

“Madame Letizia values saving, like that honeybee.”

Eugene smiled faintly as he looked at the honeybee still flying outside the window.

Letizia, who had suffered since her youth, is famous in history for being a skinflint [a miserly person].

Her motto was that she had to save well because she never knew when she would lose power.

So, she always kept bankers close to her.

But isn’t Eugene a successful banker right now?

So, Letizia is as good as his.

The problem is the other family members.

Just then.

“Hey! Old-fashioned knight! Where are you!”

“Hey, hey. Why wake a kid who’s sleeping? Talk later.”

“Brother! That guy’s a soldier too! What kind of soldier sleeps in! Hey!”

Eugene knew who it was just by the voice.

Ippolito, who was still drowsy in the next bed, yawned and asked.

“What is it, Lucien? Or is it Brutus?”

Eugene shrugged and began to put on the military uniform hanging on the wall.

“Well, it seems Joseph came along too.”

That’s right.

This is the Bonaparte family’s house, on the second floor.

A [boarding house] where Eugene and Ippolito will be staying for the time being.

***

Of course, a family cannot be formed based on first impressions alone.

“Let’s make this clear. Our brother will never marry your mother. Well, it’s obvious, but I’m saying it just to confirm.”

The mutual antagonism between the Beauharnais ‘family’ and the Bonaparte ‘family’ is very famous in history.

If this was just a noble family inheritance dispute, it wouldn’t have been much of a problem.

But the problem was that it was a dispute between Napoleon’s wife and his relatives.

Because of that, the conflict between the two clans became a power struggle within the French Empire in the original history.

Of course, that’s not the case now.

Anyway, Lucien’s insistence on mentioning Napoleon’s marriage shows that even more.

In the original history, Lucien would cause problems by marrying someone Napoleon opposed.

Eugene smiled at Lucien, an 18-year-old youth who still had a childish air about him.

“I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Eugene had not yet secured accommodation in Marseille.

It wasn’t an era where military lodgings were well-maintained, and there was no suitable accommodation in the Marseille military unit.

Upon learning this, Letizia immediately had Eugene stay at her house.

Thanks to that, Eugene was summoned by Lucien before he even had breakfast.

Unlike Lucien, Joseph, the older brother who knew etiquette, clicked his tongue beside him.

“Lucien, that’s too harsh. The way you speak.”

“Brother, I’m Brutus [referring to his strong principles, like the Roman senator]. B.R.U.T.U.S! And it’s not harsh at all. You’re the one who’s crazy for going after a married woman with children. How many women would love to have a general?”

“Th, that’s true, but. Lucien.”

It’s a very realistic point.

In fact, everyone said the same thing when Napoleon married Josephine in the original history.

Why Josephine?

Historians deny the rumors of the time that Barras sold her off in exchange for the Italian expedition.

Because Barras had no other options at the time.

Among the capable generals in the military, there were very few in Barras’s faction.

So why did Napoleon choose Josephine, who had children and was older?

There’s a very simple explanation.

He was attracted to her sexual charm.

Eugene was convinced after confirming that Napoleon was telling his family about it.

Of course, there was no way he could tell the Bonaparte family that.

He was currently relying on them for food, or rather, bread.

Eugene nodded lightly and looked at Joseph instead of Lucien.

“I see. Well, it’s not like I’m getting married. By the way, Monsieur Joseph. You said you’re a lawyer?”

Joseph tilted his head.

“And?”

“I have a favor to ask. As you know, I came to Marseille as General Napoleon’s adjutant. But I have a main job that I originally did, and I want to continue doing it in Marseille.”

“A main job? No, you look like a boy to me. What main job?”

In fact, Joseph and Napoleon are only a year apart.

Which means that in 1793, Joseph was only 25 years old.

It was a little funny that Joseph, who was still young, was talking about being young, but Eugene turned his gaze slightly instead of laughing.

Then, Ippolito, who was staying with Eugene, quickly chimed in with a keen sense.

“Haha! Didn’t you know, Monsieur Bonaparte? This friend is a famous gambling prodigy and financial prodigy in Paris.”

“Gambling, what? A kid?”

“He’s never lost once when betting. It was the same with money lending. [Banque Beauharnais] was well-known in Paris.”

He was already famous in Parisian society, but Joseph, a Corsican villager, had no way of knowing.

Also, Joseph obtained a law degree from the University of Pisa in Italy, not Paris.

Therefore, he had never heard of Eugene’s rumors.

While both Joseph and Lucien were shocked, Eugene smiled and said.

“I want to open that bank branch here in Marseille. Can you help me?”

A flustered Joseph shook his head and hurriedly stated his opinion.

“No, still. A boy who is not of age has no legal personality. He can’t be a representative, can he?”

“According to the law announced by the National Convention, he can have ownership. Of course, a guardian must act as an agent. In fact, my father is also the representative of Banque Beauharnais.”

“Is that so? Then it would be in the form of opening a branch office of an existing banking corporation. I think it’s possible?”

Joseph is not just a law school graduate, but a former judge.

Although he is a judge from his hometown of Ajaccio, Corsica.

At least he has built up enough experience to work as a lawyer in Marseille.

Still, helping a child, Joseph is no ordinary person.

Now, Lucien, not Joseph, was trying to stop him as if he was dumbfounded.

“B, brother. Are you going to help this kid?”

Joseph looked at Lucien as if asking what he was talking about and replied.

“What are you talking about? I’m a lawyer. If there’s a client, I’ll naturally help.”

“What client is this kid! Does he even have money?”

“Oh, really?”

In fact, Joseph is quite a rigid man even in the original history.

He values principles, handles given tasks quite honestly, and does his best even when taking on difficult positions.

Unfortunately, the positions Napoleon gives Joseph are things that cannot be done with sincerity alone.

Even now, he was only thinking of handling legal work rigidly like a lawyer.

Then Eugene quietly took out a pouch from his pocket.

-Clang! Clang! Clang!

Seeing the sight of silver livres [French currency] piling up on the table, both Joseph and Lucien widened their eyes.

“Ah, as you know, I robbed the British treasury in Toulon. It’s spoils of war.”

This time, Eugene told the truth, not a lie.

In any case, the British troops stationed in Toulon did not even have time to recover military supplies and funds.

As a result, they even left behind the funds to be paid to military suppliers.

Eugene and his subordinates brought some of them.

Seeing the silver coins, the impoverished former judge, Joseph, bowed 90 degrees.

“I’ll serve you at a special price, client Monsieur Eugene.”

For now, Eugene has acquired an agent to operate in Marseille.

And that too, as Napoleon’s brother.

***

In fact, it has only been five months since Joseph settled in Marseille.

Therefore, Eugene had only chosen Joseph as a legal representative.

It would be even better if he could become familiar with the Bonaparte family at the same time.

Anyway, Joseph was one of the people who hated Empress Josephine in the original history.

However, Joseph had an unexpected side that Eugene didn’t know about.

That is, he was a [social butterfly].

“The Barings Bank you were looking for originally had a branch here in Marseille.”

“How is that possible, lawyer Joseph?”

“Hehe, do you know this? The Italian Peninsula, especially the Kingdom of Naples, is a stage for British bankers.”

France is a country that loves coffee, whether in modern history or in the late 18th century.

As befitting a large city, there were cafes in Marseille.

Of course, Joseph enjoyed coffee alone, while offering juice to Eugene.

Eugene felt strangely resentful, but he was still too young to handle coffee.

Joseph said with shining eyes.

“The royal family of the Kingdom of Naples is the Bourbon family. But the economy is dominated by the British. Why? Because Britain holds the naval power in the Mediterranean.”

It’s because of the Strait of Gibraltar, which Eugene had also passed through once.

During the Seven Years’ War, Britain defeated the fleets of France, Spain, and the Kingdom of Naples.

At that time, the Strait of Gibraltar, which was originally Spanish territory, fell into British hands.

Since then, it has become easier for Britain to project its fleet into the Mediterranean, and it has gradually begun to seize naval power and trade in the Mediterranean.

Moreover, Britain’s finance is more developed than other European countries.

It’s no wonder that the Neapolitan economy fell into British hands.

Naturally, Barings Bank, which is rapidly growing in the UK, also opened a branch in Naples.

Joseph, originally from the University of Pisa and an expert on Italy, explained enthusiastically.

“The British fleet is still stationed in Naples. Well, the Bourbon royal family is there too, but French bankers have hardly been able to enter.”

“Indeed, they entered Marseille through that route.”

“That’s right. But with the current situation, the Barings Bank Marseille branch has naturally gone bankrupt. But.”

Suddenly, Joseph wore a strange smile.

“As you know if you’re in the banking business, these businesses don’t all disappear when they go bankrupt. Only the name changes.”

Britain has not yet formally declared war on France.

But it has already occupied Corsica and helped the Toulon rebels.

In fact, they have entered a state of engagement.

Therefore, British financiers were not in a state where they could do anything.

Eventually, the Barings Bank Marseille branch declared bankruptcy.

It was an extremely formal bankruptcy.

With an interesting feeling, Eugene, who was a business partner of Barings Bank, asked.

“Then, who took over?”

Joseph slightly raised his head and shouted.

“The friend who took over that business is the friend you’ll meet today. Oh! Pierre! Long time no see!”

A short man wearing glasses walked over and waved his hand.

“Oh, long time no see, Joseph. What’s going on that you’re calling Pierre Colo?”

Eugene widened his eyes the moment he heard the name.

Pierre Colo, soon to be one of Napoleon’s bankers.

In the original history, Colo is none other than the financier who funded the Egyptian expedition.

Of course, in 1793, at this time, he was probably just a small-scale financier.

Eugene didn’t even know that he was working in Marseille.

Furthermore, he didn’t even know that he was already friends with Joseph.

“You’re really amazing. Lawyer Joseph.”

Lawyer, Joseph winked.

“I’m a person who does things when I do them. Monsieur Eugene.”

It seemed that Eugene had met a pretty good business partner in an unexpected place.

This man, Joseph, who remained a incompetent monarch in history.

***

In the late 18th century, financiers are the same as modern venture entrepreneurs.

In that they receive high risk, high return, and high pressure.

Pierre Colo is the same.

Born in 1774, he is literally a fledgling financier who is not yet 20 years old.

He was just an adventurous young man who started playing with money in Marseille.

If Barings Bank hadn’t suddenly had to leave Marseille.

So, he seized the opportunity, but the pressure was no joke.

Wearing glasses that didn’t suit his young age, glaring at others was a habit that developed because of it.

“What are you trying to do with this kid, Joseph?”

He didn’t seem to care that he himself was also a youngster.

However, the good-natured Joseph didn’t get angry but soothed him gently.

After all, it’s true that Colo was practically an agent of Barings Bank, and it’s also true that Eugene was quite young.

“Don’t be like that, Colo. This is Eugene de Beauharnais.”

“So, who is that? Besides this kid.”

“You know General Lafayette, right? He’s the eldest son of General Alexandre de Beauharnais, who is his closest aide. This boy, I mean.”

Only then did Colo look at Eugene with a bit of interest.

Lafayette, originally a leader in the early revolution who should have already been ousted.

However, thanks to Eugene’s intervention, he became the victor of the Battle of Valmy.

He is also a figure who is still active as the head of the [Feuillant: a moderate political faction during the French Revolution] faction, which is like the opposition party in France.

If he is the son of Lafayette’s closest aide, a financier would be interested.

At that moment, Eugene handed over a letter of introduction.

“First, please take a look at this letter of introduction.”

Sitting in the cafe, Colo adjusted his glasses and looked at the letter of introduction that Eugene handed him.

“Hmm, a letter of introduction from Monsieur Recamier? I know this person.”

“He is managing my funds in Paris on my behalf.”

“How much is it? What, about 100 livres [French currency]?”

At that moment, Eugene smiled and replied.

“20 million livres.”

Instantly, Colo’s mouth dropped open.

It’s quite a sight to see Joseph, who was watching from the side, with his mouth equally agape.

20 million livres is a huge sum that even Recamier would have difficulty managing alone.

Of course, it was also a huge sum that Colo could not even imagine.

Colo stammered in embarrassment.

“Y-y-you, a kid like you?”

“It would be good to read the letter of introduction carefully, Monsieur Colo. Of course, I know I’m young, but money doesn’t care about age.”

“No, well, that’s true. But does this make sense?”

At that moment, a person who had been watching from across the cafe table spoke up.

“I guarantee it.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m François Marceau, the former deputy director of Banque Beauharnais and now a major in the French Revolutionary Army. I also graduated from law school.”

This guy, François Marceau.

He is definitely a formal soldier.

Even without the uniform and rank insignia, Colo could clearly tell from his posture.

Originally, Colo started his business with money games around the time the revolution began in this Marseille area.

However, immediately after the revolution, the British fleet roamed the Mediterranean, and the port was blockaded.

Thanks to that, bankrupt businessmen sprang up one after another, but Colo survived through the chaos.

How did he survive?

He secured a military supply route through his father’s connections.

Colo succeeded in accumulating capital by supplying meat to the military and trading with them.

With that capital, he played money games and connected with the branch manager of Barings Bank, which was about to close.

That’s the story of how Colo took over the Barings Bank branch.

Because of these circumstances, Colo has an eye for recognizing soldiers at a glance.

Because he has traded with soldiers so much.

Marceau smiled, subtly showing off the rank insignia hanging on his shoulder.

“I also held the position of deputy director of Banque Beauharnais de Paris.”

Even if they are the same major, Marceau, who is an adult, and Eugene, who is still young, have different impressions.

Colo himself is overwhelmed.

Momentarily, Joseph, who had been surprised together, regained his senses and added.

“T-that’s right. This boy is also an aide to our brother, General Napoleon.”

The banker, Colo, who had been adjusting his glasses several times and sweating profusely, stared at Eugene.

It’s still hard to believe.

However, Recamier’s letter of introduction, Revolutionary Army Major Marceau, and even the lawyer Joseph, whom he knows, vouched for him.

It’s a situation that he can’t possibly refuse.

Besides, the letter of introduction states that this boy is the [investor], Barings Bank’s business partner.

He is an opponent that Colo cannot ignore.

In the end, Colo sighed and adopted a respectful attitude.

“Okay, no, I mean, very well. Monsieur Beauharnais. I acknowledge your credit. But, it will be quite difficult to do business here in Marseille, won’t it? Surely, you’re not going to bring funds from Paris? In this situation?”

He admitted that the other party was no ordinary kid.

However, the current Marseille is not a situation where even a kid like this can do business.

Colo alone had gone through a real bloodbath to occupy a corner of the financial world.

At that moment, Eugene’s eyes lit up.

“Then, what if I have capital?”

It seems that Colo still has more surprises to come.

***

In fact, Colo’s point is accurate.

“It’s not a situation where we can transport gold or silver coins. You’re right, Colo.”

This is why Eugene needs to open a new bank branch in Marseille.

In any case, there is no such thing as electronic transfer in this era.

To move money, you have to directly move gold or silver coins.

But Paris to Marseille is a whopping 770 kilometers [approximately 480 miles].

That’s 2.5 times the distance from Seoul to Busan.

Transporting money over this distance in a revolutionary period where public order is extremely unstable is no ordinary task.

However, there is a way even in this era.

Eugene smiled and took out another document enclosed in the letter.

-Chuck!

It is a bond that Recamier sent disguised as a letter.

“It is a government bond issued by the City of London. The amount is 100,000 pounds.”

The City of London is the central bank of England.

Moreover, British government bonds are famous for being stable instead of having low interest rates.

In any case, the interest paid by the British government continued uninterrupted even during the war later on.

In this revolutionary era, it is the most creditworthy bond in Europe.

Just as Colo was about to open his mouth, Eugene added.

“As initial capital to establish a bank, it’s quite good, isn’t it?”

Colo stared intently at the bond and then his eyes flashed.

“I will definitely need someone to exchange this.”

“Is that you?”

“Am I not the banker who took over Barings Bank’s business? Besides.”

Colo added very quietly.

“Actually, I’m secretly trading with the Genoa branch of Barings Bank.”

Genoa, a country that is an independent republic in this era.

Furthermore, it is a place where the National Convention entrusted Napoleon with surveillance.

In short, it is a perfect business partner for Napoleon’s aide, Eugene.

Eugene smiled and snapped his fingers.

“Okay. Then let’s establish a bank. I’ll give you a 10% stake.”

“10%? No, that’s a little too small.”

“It’s a lot. I have never allowed a stake to anyone other than Mr. Recamier and Mr. Francis Baring. I am allowing you a stake because of the special circumstances of this place, Marseille.”

Jacques Recamier and Francis Baring.

These are figures that Jean-Pierre Colo, a newcomer financier, cannot even imagine.

A boy who traded with such figures.

It is certain that he is no ordinary boy.

Whether it’s his family or his skills, he has power that Colo can’t handle.

Moreover, in this chaotic era, he is an opponent with a military position as an aide to a Revolutionary Army general.

Colo stared intently at Eugene and then raised both hands.

“Ah, I understand.”

“I hope you can establish it quickly. Because I have to start my first business soon.”

“First business? What is it?”

At that time, a man walked from the corner of the cafe.

-Step, step, step.

It was Bruix, a former officer with prominent silver-gray hair.

“François de Bruix, former lieutenant of the Mediterranean Fleet.”

“Ah, y-yes, I see. But?”

“Here, I’m going to start a trading business at the request of Mr. Beauharnais.”

Colo was once again shocked and opened his mouth wide.

“Trade? No, the British Navy is blockading it now?”

Eugene nodded nonchalantly and replied.

“So, we have to smuggle. Fortunately, our Banque Beauharnais also has a smuggling expert. You must have heard of him. Nicolas Surcouf.”

Colo now closed his mouth.

It is a business that is developing on an unimaginable scale.

It is too much for a small financier who only took over the bank branch building and customers when Barings Bank withdrew.

However, Colo is also a financier in the chaotic revolutionary era.

Colo, who will become a businessman who raises funds for the Egyptian expedition in the original history, glared and shouted.

“Really, this is either a jackpot or a disaster! Okay! Let’s get started!”

In this way, Eugene acquired the branch manager of Banque Beauharnais Marseille.

Also, as a bonus, the heart of Joseph, who was watching with admiring eyes from the side.

***

Of course, there are bound to be boys who are jealous of others’ success.

“Damn it, whether it’s the older brother or the younger brother, they’re falling for that kid!”

“Why? Don’t you like the kid?”

“Of course not! A silver-spoon-fed kid from the old nobility, huh?”

Lucien, who was making revolutionary pamphlets in one side of the Bonaparte mansion today, raised his head.

A boy he didn’t like was leaning against the door with a smirk.

An uninvited guest, Eugene de Beauharnais.

“Actually, Lucien, I don’t think you’re that old either. Were you 18?”

Lucien frowned.

The other person is a boy who will soon be 13 years old.

However, unlike Lucien, he already has a social status as a military officer and a huge fortune.

Somehow, a sense of inferiority rises.

Lucien shook his head vigorously and issued an eviction order.

“Don’t talk nonsense and get out! And I am Brutus!”

“Brutus failed, Lucien.”

“What?”

Eugene still smiled and said to Lucien.

“If you really want to change your name, call yourself Pericles. Lucien.”

Brutus succeeded in killing Caesar.

However, he failed to restore the republic and met his death.

In fact, in that sense, Lucien renaming himself Brutus is, so to speak, an act of self-intoxication like [middle school syndrome: a phase of adolescent grandiosity and idealism].

Wouldn’t Pericles, who succeeded in Athenian democracy, be better?

Of course, it is also Lucien’s limitation that he could not even dream of Pericles.

The 18-year-old boy, Lucien, whose face was flushed red, shouted.

“Y-you, impudent kid!”

“Don’t you want to be friends with Robespierre?”

“Get out right now, what?”

Lucien stopped talking and widened his eyes at Eugene’s words.

“Robespierre sent me here.”

Robespierre.

The standard-bearer of the revolution, the executioner of the guillotine, the leading leader leading the revolution in this era.

He is the leader of the Montagnard faction of the National Convention, whom all Republican supporters admire.

Of course, he was also a [hero] whom Lucien, a member of the Jacobin Club, admired.

In fact, it’s funny that Napoleon’s brother admires Robespierre.

However, when you think about it, isn’t Napoleon also writing pamphlets praising the Republicans these days?

Anyway, Lucien, who was excited at the thought of being able to become friends with Robespierre, shook his head vigorously.

“Isn’t that trying to kill you for saving the queen?”

“The opposite. He’s trying to save me.”

“Why is that? Sending you to the battlefield?”

Eugene shrugged.

“I would have been killed by Jacobin terrorists if I had been in Paris. Also, I wasn’t originally scheduled to participate in the battle in Toulon.”

“Then why did you participate in the battle?”

“Well, because of your brother.”

Suddenly, Eugene smiled coldly and snapped at Lucien.

“Your brother is a much greater person than you think.”

Lucien blinked, feeling suddenly stabbed.

However, Eugene did not bother to add any further explanation.

Anyway, Lucien is still young.

He is intoxicated with the ideals of the revolution and is also full of rebellion against his outstanding brother Napoleon.

If he is forcibly persuaded, there is a high possibility that he will go further astray.

Even in the original history, as a result of Napoleon’s coercion, Lucien actively opposes Napoleon.

Eugene said lightly to Lucien.

“Well, anyway, think about it. When else would you ever talk to Robespierre?”

“T-that’s. He will meet with anyone who is a true revolutionary!”

“No way. Right now, Robespierre is busy cutting off the heads of people who were talking about revolution.”

Eugene winked, putting the truth into his mouth like a joke.

“Still, I’ll introduce you if you go to Paris. How about it?”

Being able to meet the idol of the revolution in person.

This is like an idol fanatic being able to meet an idol in modern times.

Lucien Bonaparte eventually succumbed.

Lucien nodded with a seemingly sullen attitude.

“Okay. For the time being, I’ll watch what you do in Marseille.”

Again, just as he was about to come out of Lucien’s room, Hippolyte, who was following Eugene as if he were serving him, whistled.

“Wow, he’s got a lot of pride.”

“Even if he’s like that, he’s the kind of person who does things when he has to. It’s a problem that he only does it when he has to.”

“When did you figure that out again? Is it a gambler’s sense?”

Eugene smiled and shook his head.

“The real problem isn’t that.”

“What’s the problem, then?”

“Hippolyte, did you forget that General Napoleon sang about our mother?”

Feeling that what he had decided in Toulon was slightly shaken, Eugene said lowly.

“The problem is whether we will really reunite our mother with General Napoleon.”

In the end, the key to the problem is one.

Whether to marry Josephine to Napoleon.

Even after overcoming all these difficulties.

Anyway, it was the day that Eugene gained a little of the hearts of Joseph and Lucien, the two Bonapartes.

That is, through the sharing of [interests] that each wants.