He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 366

(366) The Viceroy of New France Returns with a Feint

Once a barren land, the place had completely transformed in three years.

-Splash! Splash! Splash!

It has an official name, but people call it this:

Nouvelle Eugène, or Eugene’s new city.

Strictly speaking, the original French pronunciation should be ‘Eugène,’ but thanks to the city’s founder, even the French prefer the pronunciation ‘Eugene’.

Miami Harbor, the seat of the Florida Governorate established by Eugene Bonaparte, is filled with fleets.

“Adjust the helm! Prepare to set sail!”

Centered around the 3-deck ship-of-the-line Horus, 11 ships of the French Caribbean fleet and 20 transport ships are preparing to depart.

The stated purpose is to prevent a plot to assassinate the Tsar of the Russian Empire and to report the situation in the New World to the home country.

However, everyone on board knows that:

Viceroy Eugene, who had been virtually exiled, is making a political decision.

There were no specific orders from the home country to return.

Furthermore, the situation in the New World is still precarious with Russia involved in the Anglo-American War, making it difficult to be complacent.

Yet, Eugene has decided to return.

He is clearly planning to play some kind of gambit in the home country.

“Finally, we are departing, Your Highness.”

Deje approached Eugene, who was standing at Miami Harbor, and informed him.

Standing beside Eugene were his key aides, including Marie, Pauline, Junot, Laure, and Hippolyte.

Marie and Pauline, in particular, had a strange blush on their faces, suggesting they had spent a splendid night.

However, Eugene, who had also spent a hot night, simply looked at Deje with a cold expression.

If this return is not to become an abandonment of the New World, Deje’s role is the most important.

“Deje, do you remember what you have to do?”

“I know. Protect Miami, secure the route to Europe, defend Pensacola to connect Florida and Louisiana, and safeguard New Orleans to maintain dominance over the Mississippi River area.”

“Yes, there’s no need to overextend into the Louisiana Great Plains. Eventually, the natives will be pushed out by population pressure.”

Of course, there are other variables.

The advance of Spain, occupying Southern California.

The pressure from Russia, which has begun to occupy Northwestern Canada.

The ambition of the United States, which became the owner of Louisiana in the original history.

However, Eugene decided that he must now return to Europe despite all these threats.

The situation in Europe, centered around the Russian variable, had begun to turn ominous.

Moreover, 1806 was a turning point in history even in the original timeline.

Again, Eugene’s gaze turned to the elegant brown-faced aristocrat standing next to Deje.

“Lescure, as you know, your job is to assist Deje.”

The Acting Viceroy, Minister of Internal Affairs, Marquis de Lescure, smiled.

“Yo-! Of course. I’m responsible for this vast New France, and I thought I was going to die from the pressure. Haha!”

“Correct that way of speaking.”

“Ah, I understand-yo!”

Eugene smiled wryly as he watched Lescure, now speaking in a reggae style, as if the tension had been relieved.

It seemed that Lescure’s way of speaking would not be easily corrected even if they met again.

However, there was still someone Eugene had to entrust with the remaining tasks.

“Uncle Lucien.”

Lucien, who was leaning with his legs crossed, glanced at Eugene and replied.

“You called me all the way here to the New World, so you must have something special to say?”

“Since you’re staying in the New World anyway, please work with Ambassador Lafayette. Ensure that the United States fights Britain for a long time.”

“You’re entrusting me with a very difficult request. I won’t necessarily make an effort. However.”

Lucien clicked his tongue and stared at Eugene.

“I just won’t make a special effort for peace, right?”

Lucien once served as the Minister of the Interior and Speaker of the House under the French Consulate.

He doesn’t have the talent to create international political structures himself, but he knows how to read them.

The United States and Britain do not have the power to deliver a decisive blow to each other.

Therefore, unless France provides significant support, the United States cannot completely defeat Britain.

Conversely, unless Britain achieves complete peace with France, it is difficult to project power into the New World.

So, if left alone, this war will last a long time.

This is different from the Anglo-American War in the original history, which ended with Britain’s surrender due to exhaustion from the French wars.

Eugene nodded and turned to leave, then stopped.

“Then, let’s depart. Ah, right.”

Suddenly, Eugene drew his saber from his waist.

-Clang!

Everyone was startled by the sudden drawing of the saber, but Eugene looked at Deje.

“I’m not familiar with swords, but it’s necessary for conferring titles, right?”

“Your Highness?”

“Kneel, Deje.”

Eugene instructed Deje, who was flustered because he hadn’t heard anything about this beforehand.

“I hereby appoint you Duke of Pensacola.”

Deje trembled.

He had never actually seen the newly launched [Empire] after leaving the home country.

Furthermore, the titles of the new empire were said to be for the current generation only, with no inheritance.

Moreover, if Eugene returns to the home country and Napoleon rejects his recommendation, it will all be invalid.

Nevertheless, the title of Duke is a meaningful one for those who have lived through the era of monarchy.

Also, the fact that he was ennobled as the Duke of Pensacola, the de facto capital of New France, is significant.

It means that Eugene has confirmed Deje as his representative.

Deje bowed his head to the [liege] who trusted him and entrusted him with everything he had achieved.

“I will protect that title until you return!”

Eugene smiled and boarded the ship.

-Poo-ooo!

The steamship Nautilus, part of the fleet, sounded its horn loudly over the sea.

***

In Havana, off the coast of Cuba’s capital, Cisneros welcomed Eugene with open arms.

“21 ships-of-the-line, a scale that can only be seen when forming a large expeditionary force to the Spanish mainland! Hahaha!”

The number Cisneros mentioned now includes the Spanish Caribbean fleet-of-the-line.

-Screech, screech, screech!

The flagship of the Spanish fleet-of-the-line, Neptune, busily moved its sails and circled over the sea.

Eugene sat on the deck of the Neptune, looking around the port of Cuba.

Before returning home, instead of heading straight to Martinique or the Atlantic, he deliberately stopped here.

In any case, under the pretext of the Anglo-American War, Britain is currently enforcing a blockade of the Atlantic.

Naturally, they will try to prevent the return of Eugene, the top leader of New France, by any means possible.

So, Eugene decided to use the Spanish fleet’s power to break through head-on.

Eugene, who had been quietly observing the Spanish fleet’s state of readiness, turned to Admiral Baltasar de Cisneros.

“Our side’s overall commander of the fleet is Nicolas Surcouf. You’ve heard the name, Admiral Cisneros?”

“Of course. Isn’t he the captain who played a key role in the Battle of Alexandria off the coast of Egypt? I don’t know how he is as an admiral, though.”

“That’s why I need you.”

Eugene smiled and dropped a bombshell.

“To break through the British fleet’s blockade and attack Jamaica.”

Cisneros blinked for a moment and asked.

“What did you just say?”

“I said attack Jamaica. It’s right below Cuba, isn’t it? It’s not an unknown island.”

“Attacking that place means more than just breaking through the naval blockade and going to Europe!”

Cisneros shouted in alarm.

“It means going to war with Britain!”

When Eugene sent a message to meet in Cuba, Cisneros was prepared to some extent.

It was a matter of breaking through the British fleet currently enforcing the blockade.

However, even if it was a naval battle, he thought there was nothing that 21 ships-of-the-line couldn’t do if it was just a simple breakthrough.

But unexpectedly, the Viceroy, who should be returning home, brought up another war.

Eugene shrugged lightly and said.

“Well, I’ve fought the British fleet before, and they’re not easy opponents.”

“And you, who know that well, are going to wage a naval battle with Britain at sea? Moreover, even if you enter the island and win the battle, epidemics will break out!”

“Of course I know that, too.”

Even putting aside diplomatic issues, there is no chance of winning if they actually fight.

So why are they fighting?

Suddenly, Eugene twisted his lips and said.

“So, if we head to Jamaica, the British fleet will definitely rush in, right?”

Jamaica, a British island in the heart of the Caribbean.

In the days when Spain was still a European superpower, it was a base called a dagger aimed at the Spanish colonial empire by Britain.

Also, like Saint-Domingue [modern-day Haiti], it makes huge profits from sugar and cotton, but all of that was generated through black slaves.

With the recent ban on the slave trade, Jamaica is also in chaos.

If the French and Spanish fleets-of-the-line advance to this Jamaica, how will Britain react?

They will summon all the fleet power that was blockading the sea to Jamaica.

Naturally, the naval blockade will be lifted.

Cisneros blinked and said.

“You’re saying you’re going to call the entire British fleet to Jamaica.”

“That’s right, Admiral Cisneros.”

“Then, our Spain doesn’t really have to fight?”

Eugene looked at Cisneros and smiled.

“That’s why I need an experienced admiral. To pressure and check the opponent, but also to avoid actual combat situations.”

In fact, it’s irresponsible.

Eugene also knows from fighting many wars that skirmishes easily occur when armies are close to each other.

It’s not much different even in naval battles at sea.

But a large armed fleet is rushing into the most important colony?

Britain could regard that as a declaration of war in itself.

Also, there’s no guarantee that Sydney won’t do what Eugene did using the time difference between the New World and the Old World.

For example, starting a skirmish first and then blaming the other side.

Hiding these intentions, Eugene smiled at Cisneros, who pointed out the problem he had thought of as a realistic naval officer.

“Even so, there is no guarantee that you can break through the encirclement and escape.”

“The French fleet will take care of that.”

“If Your Highness is captured, it’s not my responsibility. But, if the Duchess is captured, my head will really fly off.”

Then, Marie Therese, who was still blushing and smiling behind Eugene, said firmly.

“Admiral, then I, in my position as the presumptive heir to the Spanish throne, order you to comply with the demands of my husband, Viceroy Eugene Bonaparte.”

Husband.

She didn’t say fiancé.

Cisneros was about to roll his eyes at the ominous atmosphere.

Suddenly, Chief Adjutant Hippolyte laughed and patted the admiral on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Admiral Cisneros. Our Viceroy has never lost a gamble. Hahaha!”

Cisneros frowned.

He didn’t like the way the young man was acting presumptuously.

However, Cisneros also saw Eugene, a much younger 24-year-old, achieve amazing results in the New World.

But, if Marie Therese really wears the Spanish crown, what will happen to Eugene?

All of this New World Spanish territory may be placed under Eugene’s feet.

“I can’t help it. I can’t refuse here. But, don’t forget me after you return.”

Eugene smiled as he looked at Cisneros, who was making a new resolution.

“Of course, Admiral.”

With this, Eugene’s [feint] return operation was launched.

No, if you look at the location, it would be a feint to the west.

***

To the east, at the Bermuda base, an admiral heard the noise from the west, in the Caribbean, and jumped up.

“What? Where is the New France fleet going?”

Commodore Hardy, Deputy Commander of the Bermuda Support Fleet, reported with the report he had just received.

“They’re heading towards Jamaica.”

“What nonsense is that? In terms of the route, they should either go straight to Martinique or come up to the east coast of the United States?”

“Well, according to reports from spies, it seems they’re really launching an attack on Jamaica.”

Hardy frowned and tilted his head.

“Could it be that Eugene Freischütz has no intention of returning?”

In the early 19th century, spies were ultimately beings who saw with their eyes and conveyed information by writing letters.

It is impossible to report the situation in real time.

So, no matter how many spies you operate, the commander should not accept that information as it is.

Sydney, who had once served as a military attaché at the Russian embassy, shook his head.

“That can’t be. Europe is on the verge of exploding right now. In the prelude to war, from London to St. Petersburg, it’s a time of upheaval everywhere. There’s no way that sharpshooter would miss this opportunity.”

“You even deliberately let the secret letter be captured, Admiral. I think it’s too convoluted a scheme.”

“Hmph, it’s a strategy that only works when the opponent is a grand strategist who even puts Russia in his sights. Anyway.”

So, Sydney deliberately leaked the Russian assassination plot.

Even though it was something the home country would take care of anyway, he proposed the Tsar’s assassination for two reasons.

One is that Russia must be driven out of the war to lead the Anglo-American War into a more favorable structure.

But the other was to draw out Eugene.

Sydney, who was reminiscing about the conspiracy he had been plotting, stopped.

“Wait. Could it be that he’s trying to use the Orient expedition method?”

Sydney, who had partially participated in the Egyptian expedition in the past, remembers.

What choice did Eugene make when the sea route was blocked?

He occupied the Levant region, and then overthrew the Ottoman Empire’s regime, detouring and returning.

What if Eugene, whose return route is blocked, chooses to conquer all the British colonies?