He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 371

(371) The Foreign Minister Dislikes His Stepbrother

Nevertheless, an empire, especially a hegemonic power, can’t simply focus on peaceful domestic affairs.

“Should we intervene in Spain after all? Your Excellency, Imperial Archchancellor Cambacérès?”

Jean-Jacques Cambacérès raised his eyebrows at the question, the words echoing in the Tuileries Palace cabinet meeting room.

The imperial officials and ministers, who had been discussing other matters, now wore similar expressions of surprise and anticipation.

If an ordinary minister or secretary had said this, it would have been easily dismissed.

However, because the speaker was Talleyrand, no one could ignore it.

Calming himself, Cambacérès replied carefully, “Suddenly? We are currently discussing the Hungarian issue, Foreign Minister Talleyrand.”

“The Hungarian issue is certainly important. Moreover, Archduke Karl, or rather King Karl, is eyeing our important ally, Turkey, which makes it all the more pressing.”

“Knowing that so well, why bring up Spain seemingly out of nowhere?”

Talleyrand replied with his characteristic elegance, “Because our true enemy is England.”

It was an abrupt statement.

Of course, the ministers of the [Imperial Cabinet] present were accustomed to Talleyrand’s figurative way of speaking.

Moreover, Emperor Napoleon often introduced seemingly irrelevant topics and pursued them relentlessly.

But still, to bring up the Hungarian issue, suggest intervention in Spain as a solution, and then declare England as the reason felt excessive.

Finally, Hugo Maret, the Secretary of State and head of the cabinet, spoke, unable to contain himself. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think this issue should be viewed that way.”

“Secretary of State Maret, diplomacy is my purview.”

“While England and France are in a competitive relationship, it’s difficult to call them outright enemies, isn’t it? Besides, even if we consider England an enemy, why should we intervene in Spain?”

Cambacérès felt the same way.

However, although the Archchancellor held a high position, it was, strictly speaking, an honorary one.

It was a position given as a courtesy to Cambacérès, who had been instrumental in creating the Napoleonic Civil Code.

Above all, as the Emperor’s direct appointee, the Archchancellor’s duty was to connect the cabinet and the Emperor.

Therefore, he couldn’t freely express his personal opinions.

The current agenda was the Hungarian situation.

Hungary was rapidly expanding its military and deploying troops to the east.

However, there were only two countries to the east of Hungary: the great power, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire.

It was clear to everyone that the deployment was aimed at the Ottoman Empire.

That was why the Imperial Cabinet had convened urgently.

In this context, bringing up Spain out of the blue seemed absurd.

It was only because of Talleyrand’s considerable influence that they were being polite.

Then, Minister of the Interior Jean-Antoine Chaptal spoke. “There are other issues as well. I don’t know if there are any diplomatic disputes or strategic considerations that I am unaware of, but France does not have the resources to intervene abroad right now.”

Chaptal was Lucien’s successor.

Originally a scientist, he was a highly regarded rising scholar, on par with Laplace in academia.

However, after Napoleon, who valued technocrats, recruited him, Chaptal’s life changed.

He became a versatile [development] official, managing domestic administration and internal affairs.

Therefore, although he was relatively new to the cabinet, his words carried weight, and Talleyrand, instead of dismissing him like Maret, elegantly countered, “Why do you think so, Minister of the Interior Chaptal?”

“Law, education, industry, roads, trade – in every aspect of domestic affairs, France is undergoing a national reconstruction. If we intervene abroad, the resources that should be used for roads and industrial construction, in particular, will be diverted.”

“Minister Chaptal, you have a very insightful perspective.”

After offering light praise, Talleyrand suddenly sharpened his gaze. “But what if the Continental System [a trade blockade designed to cripple Britain] is fully implemented and trade is completely halted? Then, the lack of resources to invest in domestic affairs wouldn’t be the only problem, would it?”

Chaptal’s eyes widened.

As Chaptal had pointed out, France was undergoing a complete transformation.

It was shifting from an agricultural-centered economy to one centered on commerce and industry, especially steam engine-based industry.

In particular, the [Croix], or Cross Line, development was underway, connecting the eastern Rhine region, rich in coal and iron ore, with central France, facilitating trade to the ports of Bordeaux and Vendée.

But if the ports were completely blockaded, wouldn’t that mean that trade with Great Britain would be immediately suspended?

If only trade with England were suspended, it would be manageable, but if even the trade networks connected to the colony of Egypt and Northern Europe were cut off, it would be fatal to the economy.

Hastily, Cambacérès interjected, unable to remain silent. “The Continental System – have you heard something?”

“No. However, I am aware of the strategy that England is employing while fighting the United States of America: a complete naval blockade, blocking, seizing, and sinking all ships departing from America.”

“Such outrageous behavior! Surely that doesn’t apply to ships of other flags!”

Come to think of it, trade with the New World had been decreasing recently.

In fact, it took England eight weeks to communicate with the New World, while it took France, being farther away, at least three months.

Also, the ministers were aware of the outbreak of the Anglo-American War.

However, they were unaware that it had resulted in a naval blockade of the New World.

Talleyrand smiled elegantly and looked around at the ministers. “England is a country capable of such actions. But here’s the problem. You said we were discussing Hungary, right? But who is truly behind Hungary?”

Instantly, Maret, a noble politician who had once served as the British ambassador, stood up. “Are you saying it’s not the Habsburg family?”

“Not entirely. It’s [Hanover]. Because Prussia has not completely conquered the Kingdom of Hanover, British spies are roaming the continent from Hanover.”

“So, King Karl of Hungary is aiming for the Ottoman Empire – all of it?”

Maret was no fool.

In fact, in the original timeline, Maret had received Napoleon’s favor and acted as a quasi-chancellor.

However, now, Talleyrand had taken over the power vacuum created by Eugene’s disappearance, pushing him out of the core.

Also, Fouché and Talleyrand, who had seized information, were more intimate than they originally were, which also played a role.

Talleyrand lightly applauded Maret, who had quickly grasped the truth. “That’s right. It’s the work of Pitt of England [William Pitt the Younger, former British Prime Minister]. Moreover, Pitt’s hand is reaching as far as Russia.”

This time, Cambacérès’s eyes widened. “Russia? What is that supposed to mean?”

“Wait, what does that have to do with Spain?”

“Oh, come to think of it, Minister of War Carnot is right. Why do we have to intervene in Spain?”

Although he was concerned about the Russia story, Cambacérès repeatedly questioned the Spain matter.

There was a problem that bothered him.

Foreign Minister Talleyrand explained in a very elegant manner. “It’s a very simple principle. Only by completely placing Spain under French control can we prevent England’s naval blockade.”

However, Cambacérès frowned and stared at Talleyrand.

Cambacérès had once been a member of the infamous Committee of Public Safety [a key body during the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution].

Even if all the other ministers were convinced, Cambacérès knew that Talleyrand had not mentioned the real, important issue.

That was the issue of power.

Currently, it was true that Spain was in a state of national chaos due to the incompetence of powerful retainers and the king’s confusion.

Taking advantage of this, France could intervene and seize the initiative.

But was there really a need to do that?

There were already two Frenchmen closest to the highest power in Spain, advising the king.

Eugene and Maria.

Talleyrand hadn’t said a word about them.

However, Cambacérès was a person who had never been deeply involved in power struggles in his life.

“First, Foreign Minister, create a detailed plan. Then, I will report it to His Majesty.”

That was especially true if it involved a power struggle between the Emperor’s most beloved adopted son and his most trusted subject.

***

Indeed, Colincourt thought that Talleyrand’s reputation as a gourmet was well-deserved.

“Monsieur Carême, today’s dish is exquisite. What is it called?”

Colincourt turned his gaze to the speaker, the [host] of the gathering.

Marie-Antoine Carême, originally a boy abandoned on the streets.

But now, after learning cooking secrets from chefs who had been expelled from the royal court, he was a young man considered the best chef in Paris.

He was hired by Talleyrand, a politician famous for his gourmet tastes, and worked as his exclusive chef.

Carême smiled at his master, Talleyrand, and replied, “Escargots, a snail dish. It is prepared using a cooking method primarily used in Burgundy.”

Hearing the word snail made Colincourt feel slightly uneasy.

However, the dish was too delicious to be repulsed by.

His master, Talleyrand, seemed to feel the same way, laughing and clapping his hands. “Oh, excellent indeed. A true delicacy.”

“You flatter me, Your Excellency.”

“Serve this dish to the Russian ambassador next time.”

Talleyrand twisted his lips and wore a strange smile. “He will like it very much.”

Colincourt suspected it was a trick to make the Russian ambassador, Danton, suffer.

“Consul Colincourt, where were we?”

“Yes, Your Excellency, Foreign Minister. Ambassador Danton is expressing many concerns.”

“Hmm. What do you think? Is an assassination likely to occur?”

Colincourt, the Russian consul in Moscow, narrowed his brow and recited Danton’s analysis. “Lord Charles Whitworth has arrived from England as a plenipotentiary envoy. He is an expert on Eastern Europe and has deep connections with the Russian high nobility. He is also receiving enormous political funds from the East India Company.”

Charles Whitworth, unlike the previous ambassador, John Spencer Smith, was a man famous for his political machinations.

He was also the one who had orchestrated the assassination of Tsar Paul in the original timeline.

Of course, Talleyrand and Colincourt didn’t know the future, but they knew England’s insidious methods of conspiracy.

In fact, hadn’t England tried to assassinate Napoleon even during his time as Consul?

Clearly, a [coup] was being prepared against Tsar Paul, who was pursuing anti-British policies.

“Who are the conspirators in the assassination plot?”

“Count Peter Ludwig von der Pahlen, Nikita Petrovich Panin, and Count Nikolai Alexandrovich Zubov.”

“Panin is a mere child, and Count Zubov is the real problem. Does the Tsar know this?”

Inwardly admiring Talleyrand, who even knew the key figures in Russia, Colincourt shrugged his shoulders. “I warned him. But since he distrusts even us, there is no way he can do anything.”

In short, the Tsar’s distrust of people was the problem.

The bigger problem was that no one trusted the Tsar either.

Perhaps if his children were to help the Tsar, it would be different, but now the Tsar was suspicious of his successors, including Alexander.

After thinking deeply and drinking coffee, Talleyrand said, “Indeed, we must hasten the intervention in Spain. For now, stop returning to Russia for a while.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Soon, won’t the Stepbrother be back?”

Talleyrand wore a kind smile and brought up a terrifying prospect. “He must be punished for returning home without permission.”

After a moment of hesitation, Colincourt averted his gaze to his coffee cup.

It seemed that the unarmed Foreign Minister was about to engage in a fight with the unarmed Prince.

***

Dark night. Paris was still far from being a city that never sleeps.

“Eugene Freiherr von Frayss is coming. Foreign Minister.”

London was a little different, full of mansions with lamps lit even at night.

In the days when nobles ruled, Paris was also a city where at least the mansions never slept.

In some ways, the imperial system might really be a political system that was more in touch with the citizens.

Wearing a strange smile, Talleyrand, who had been lost in thought, turned his head.

Behind him stood the anxious-faced man who had rushed to the bedroom, Police Minister Fouché.

“I knew before you did, Monsieur Fouché.”

“Are you going to let him be?”

“Then shall we assassinate him on the way?”

Fouché cried out urgently. “He is coming without an imperial order. We must deport him immediately!”

In fact, Fouché, who was close to the Eugene faction, had pretended to be calm in front of Salicetti.

But his true feelings were very uneasy about the news of Eugene’s return.

Who was it that had virtually exiled Eugene to the New World?

Fouché, Talleyrand, and Napoleon.

But Napoleon was not someone who took responsibility for his subordinates at all.

So Fouché and Talleyrand had to protect themselves.

Eugene Freiherr von Frayss, the sharpshooter, would return to Europe, burning with revenge, ready to fire the magic bullet.

But Talleyrand smiled and gave an absurd answer. “The easiest thing to do is to make him the King of Spain. Then, he will be far away from Paris again.”

“Yes? Wait a minute. What are you going to make him?”

“Wasn’t it a possible future since he was betrothed to Princess Marie Therese? I thought he would die of yellow fever in the New World, but his life is proving surprisingly long.”

After making a malicious joke, Talleyrand turned his gaze back out the window. “Even so, if he comes back, we must prepare a homecoming gift, even if only a small one. Heh heh.”

Spain was in chaos.

Seizing control would benefit France and help break through the blockade that England would inevitably impose.

If someone else were trying to become the King of Spain, Talleyrand would have strongly opposed it.

Just like when Joseph became king in the original timeline.

But if it was Eugene, it was different.

He could fully control a backward country like Spain.

The problem was that the same went for the French Empire.

Talleyrand twisted his lips.

“This empire can never be given to Frayss. I created the empire, and I decide the Emperor.”

This was why Talleyrand, who acknowledged Eugene but disliked him at the same time, was trying to send his Stepbrother back to Spain.