He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 372

(372) The King Returns to the Shores of Bordeaux

Bordeaux, the largest, most historic, and symbolic port city in France leading to the Atlantic.

“But it’s already been half a year since the Atlantic connection was cut off again here. Tsk!”

Suddenly, Vidocq, a veteran agent of the Sûreté [French internal security force], grumbled as he looked at the vast sea.

Of course, Vidocq’s words are a bit of an exaggeration.

At least until three months ago, contact ships were coming and going.

However, since then, due to the Anglo-American War and the Franco-British conflict in the Caribbean, ships have had difficulty traveling back and forth.

Vidocq turned to a Sûreté subordinate agent fidgeting beside him and said,

“Do you even know that the head of our agency has lost contact? Could he be dead in the New World?”

“Vidocq, watch your mouth. If Director Rochejacquelein returns, you’ll lose your head.”

“Ah, our real boss is actually Deputy Director, Mr. Elly. Anyway, is there really no news?”

Of course, the real reason the Sûreté subordinate agent is fidgeting is also because of Deputy Director Jacquot Elly.

“Are you that worried, Vidocq?”

When Elly asked, looking at Vidocq, Vidocq scoffed.

“Ah, worried about what! Do you know how much unpaid compensation the Director owes me! A whopping 3,000 livres [an old unit of French currency]! That’s over 10,000 francs!”

So, the problem was money.

Of course, Vidocq is also somewhat worried about Rochejacquelein.

First of all, the New World has many new infectious diseases, including yellow fever.

Also, Rochejacquelein had to travel not only with Eugene but also around the unexplored territories of California in the United States and Spain.

Most of them traveled along routes pioneered by previous explorers, but that doesn’t mean it was an easy path.

It was a path where they could be attacked by natives or have accidents along the way.

So, it’s natural for an employee to worry that the Director might die.

Of course, the money issue was the biggest, though.

3,000 livres may be a small amount for a wealthy man like Eugene, but it’s the price of a house for a commoner like Vidocq.

Then Elly said in passing.

“Well, there is information coming from the Spanish side.”

“Huh? Why are you saying that now? Do you know how much Princess Hortense has been pushing me lately?”

“Hmm, you might be in for more trouble. Because Dejean has decided to stay in the New World.”

Vidocq raised his eyebrows.

The marriage of Hortense, the Emperor’s adopted daughter and the Empress’s biological daughter, is a major concern in Parisian society.

Especially since Hortense is already past her prime according to the standards of the old regime.

However, Sûreté agents know that Hortense is deeply in love with Dejean and sends him letters every month in the New World.

But Dejean is staying in the New World?

It’s definitely news that would make Hortense go crazy.

However, high-ranking agents like Vidocq think about international affairs first.

“So, General Dejean is in charge of all wars in the New World?”

“Admiral Robert Surcouf will be in charge of naval battles. Of course, if a formal declaration of war is made.”

“Won’t it be declared soon? London already knows that France is behind the Anglo-American War.”

Of course, Eugene had used tricks by taking advantage of the time difference in communication between the New World and Europe.

Nevertheless, it’s only a matter of time before Britain suspects that France is behind it.

But Elly shook his head.

“Well, during the American Revolutionary War, it wasn’t just us who sided with America.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If you look closely, Spain and even Prussia supported America. Of course, they pretended to be neutral and sent mercenaries.”

At that time, Elly was just a young non-commissioned officer, but he could see how the big picture was unfolding.

For example, during the American Revolutionary War, Spain and Prussia joined forces to pursue anti-British policies.

But the only opponent Britain fought against was France, which openly sent its national fleet.

If Britain had openly fought against all of Europe, it might not have ended with simply losing the New World.

“That’s how a formal declaration of war is not an easy choice. Britain would naturally want to turn us into an enemy as well.”

Then Vidocq boasted and revealed other information.

“Then, have you heard this story? The Queen of Spain had another miscarriage.”

“Again? That’s the second time, isn’t it? When did you hear that?”

“Ah, I don’t know the direct news from Spain, but I have a spy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Talleyrand’s maid is my lover. Hehehe.”

After briefly boasting about his affairs with women, Vidocq lowered his voice.

“But there’s a strange story circulating in Madrid. Both miscarried babies are said to be children of Godoy, not the King.”

The Queen of Spain, Maria Luisa, did her best to produce an heir.

However, she became pregnant twice but both ended in early miscarriages.

But in Madrid political circles, these children are attributed to the powerful Godoy.

Elly narrowed his brow.

“Is that true?”

“How would I know? Only the King, Queen, and Godoy would know.”

“But the Spanish nobles really believe it?”

Vidocq shrugged.

“Right now, Don Pedro Caro y Sureda, the Marquis of La Romana, the head of the army, is the one spreading the rumors the most.”

Of course, the Marquis of La Romana wouldn’t be the only one.

This would make the position of Maria Theresa, the current presumptive heir, even more important.

Above all, the powerful Godoy might start trying to secure Maria Theresa.

Elly, who had been thinking, clicked his tongue.

“When His Majesty and the Princess return, they will face very troublesome matters.”

“Is that rumor true? That when Their Majesties arrive, they will be sent to Spain right away?”

“His Imperial Majesty and the Minister of Foreign Affairs would want that. But would Her Majesty the Empress allow it?”

Paris is also complicated.

In fact, Elly doesn’t know that far, but even Napoleon needs Eugene.

Of course, Napoleon has war in mind.

At that time, even though he didn’t know the inner workings of the Imperial Family, Elly’s subordinate, César Habot, who had a good eye, shouted.

“Well, one thing is certain. I think we’ll know when that ship arrives?”

Then Vidocq turned his gaze and burst into cheers.

“Oh, I can get my debt back! Welcome, debtor Rochejacquelein!”

In the distance, three ships with the old French tricolor flag were approaching.

With the Nautilus, emitting hazy steam, at the lead.

***

Of course, Rochejacquelein tilted his head very naturally.

“I don’t know about that money?”

He has no idea about the 3,000 livres, or 10,000 francs.

In fact, it’s been four years since he left France, and since they didn’t write any IOUs, it’s easy to deny.

Of course, it was a sound that would make Vidocq jump.

“How can this be! Isn’t that the money promised to me as a success bonus! How can you pretend not to know!”

“Aren’t you a formal agent of the Sûreté? Then, you should be satisfied with your salary.”

“No, I was hired to receive a success bonus from the start! 3,000 livres, give it to me!”

Then a bundle of silver coins fell in front of Vidocq.

-Clang!

When Vidocq turned his head, he saw Eugene getting off the ship.

“Your Highness, if you give out bonuses like this, the agents will develop bad habits.”

“It’s okay, Rochejacquelein. More than that, Vidocq, is this enough?”

“Oh, as expected, Your Majesty is generous! Thank you. Wait, what is this?”

Eugene simply replied to Vidocq, who was tilting his head.

“Dollar silver coins. I came from the New World, so I don’t have enough money in francs.”

It’s already been four years since Eugene lived in the New World.

In the meantime, he has used up almost all of the aluminum silver coins he brought and the silver coins transported from his home country.

Since then, he has often used silver coins secured through trade with the United States and silver coins from Nueva España [New Spain, a former Spanish colony in North America].

He brought American dollar silver coins when he returned home this time.

Of course, from Eugene’s point of view, he also had the purpose of collecting souvenirs that would remain in later generations.

“This isn’t counterfeit silver, is it?”

“Go to a money changer later and check. More than that, I didn’t expect the Sûreté to come out to greet me first.”

“Ah, well, I came to get money, and the Deputy Director has something to report, so he’s been waiting.”

At Vidocq’s words, Elly smiled bitterly and bowed gracefully.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. I have accompanied you to Bordeaux many times, but this is the first time I have welcomed you like this. How is the Princess?”

Elly once went to Martinique with Eugene.

However, while Tournay became Eugene’s bodyguard and Gomi settled in the Milan Bank, Elly became the de facto head of the Sûreté.

Eugene was reminiscing about the trip O’Higgins and Marceau had taken together.

Marie smiled brightly, hugged Eugene, and replied.

“I’m fine. However, Princess Pauline is very seasick, so I think she’ll rest for a while before coming out.”

“I see. Her Majesty the Empress is very eager.”

“Which one? My mother? Or Madame Letizia [Napoleon’s mother]?”

Then Elly rolled his eyes, smiled, and gave a subtle answer.

“I think both of them might be. Princess Pauline has an impending marriage problem, and the Princess has a problem with returning to Spain.”

In fact, Pauline is even older than Hortense.

Even more so because her other sisters have already had their weddings.

However, Eugene frowned at the mention of the return to Spain.