He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 375

(375) War is a Lion’s Work

At this moment, the Emperor hesitated, unsure whether to be furious or not.

“You won’t listen to me, or rather, to what I say?”

Since the establishment of the French Empire, the Emperor had undertaken countless endeavors.

He created new legal codes, built roads, and promoted trade and industry.

The army, refined by the Revolutionary Wars, remained largely conscripted, which hindered agriculture’s recovery.

Nevertheless, thanks to wheat and oriental goods arriving from the Egyptian colony, the economy was booming.

However, such matters were not particularly challenging for the Emperor.

What was truly difficult was establishing authority.

He was neither born into royalty nor aristocracy. He rose to prominence as a relative outsider, not even originally from France.

So, establishing a new empire and acting as its monarch made it very difficult to establish authority.

Sometimes, even his old comrades, whom he had appointed as Marshals of the Empire, showed signs of insubordination.

Could his adopted son also be looking down on the Emperor?

At that moment, Eugene bowed respectfully to Emperor Napoleon and said,

“Your Majesty, Spain is not the core of the problem. As Your Majesty knows.”

“What are you talking about? Spain is an important country for the security of southwestern France. It has the third-largest navy in the world, and in terms of colonial size, it is by far the largest.”

“In terms of economic power, military strength, and population, it lags behind the five great powers: France, England, Prussia, Austria, and Russia.”

Eugene said, his eyes shining.

“Of course, the two most important of these are England and Russia.”

Only then did Emperor Napoleon let out a sigh of relief and smile.

His adopted son, Eugene, was not looking down on the Emperor.

Four years—short if you think it’s short, but a long time after the Revolution.

Napoleon himself became Emperor less than three years after becoming Consul.

Even though that time has passed, and he is now a complete young man, Eugene remains the same.

He respects Napoleon and is also level-headed.

The reason for not wanting to go to Spain is definitely purely political.

In fact, Eugene, who couldn’t possibly know all of Napoleon’s inner thoughts, confidently discussed the situation.

“The two major countries are also involved in what I did in the New World.”

“I thought Nueva España [New Spain, i.e., Mexico] was supporting it?”

“But they weren’t the leading force. Russia is poised to take over Canada in the northern part of the New World, and England is blockading the seas. You can see who is shaping the European situation right now.”

Napoleon stared at Eugene and chuckled.

“All of that was possible because you controlled Nueva España through Marie.”

As the issue of prestige was resolved, Napoleon’s heated brain cooled down.

When it comes to the European situation, Napoleon has access to countless information, staff, and time to judge.

How much would Eugene, who had just returned from the New World, truly know?

The reason for telling Eugene to go to Spain was not just because of the succession issue.

In fact, if Eugene became the King of Spain, it could create a favorable situation when competing for the succession.

Louis XIV’s second son, Felipe V, also aimed for the French throne as the King of Spain.

However, there is a reason why Napoleon needs the Spanish throne now.

“England and Russia are the problem? Hmph, no need to beat around the bush. The problem is England. England manipulated Austria, supported Prussia, and tried to undermine Russia.”

“Indeed, you know it well.”

“But, to check or suppress this England, the power of Spain is needed.”

The moment Eugene was startled, Napoleon pressed him.

“Just like you are creating a joint fleet with Spain in the New World to confront England!”

Politics, internal affairs, governance…

Except for diplomacy, Napoleon possesses all the talents necessary for a monarch.

However, his most outstanding field is still military affairs, especially strategic planning.

Eugene listened to what Napoleon had discerned and asked back.

“Why don’t you just form an alliance?”

“Mergers are easier and more effective than alliances. And I have the best means for a French merger right in front of me.”

“That’s me.”

Napoleon nodded forcefully and said,

“But why shouldn’t I compel you? You’re not just a child who doesn’t want to do it because you don’t like it. No, you’re not even a child anymore! Convince me, Eugene. Or else!”

Napoleon’s eyes suddenly flashed.

“You must marry Marie, go to Spain, and seize power! Then, form a subordinate alliance with France and attack England!”

The key here is the [subordinate] alliance.

Eugene must become the King of Spain as Napoleon’s ‘son,’ and Spain must become a junior partner of France.

If not, Napoleon would gladly choose another path.

As in the original history, the Peninsular War.

Eugene stared at Napoleon for a moment, then bowed respectfully again.

“Thank you for allowing me to marry Marie.”

“Huh? Is that how the conversation goes? Well, that’s a necessary thing.”

“Also, I think the Spanish throne is a good position. Although not as good as the French Crown Prince.”

The moment Napoleon flinched, feeling slightly stung, Eugene raised his head and smiled brightly.

“But, I must be by Your Imperial Majesty’s side right now. That’s why I can’t go to Spain.”

Napoleon blinked and narrowed his brows.

“You, don’t tell me?”

It seemed that ‘son’ Eugene had caused an incident in the New World.

***

Talleyrand, a man whom everyone considered a prime minister even though he wasn’t officially appointed, was also shocked.

“What did you just say? You’ve entered a state of war with England?”

Of course, Talleyrand also knew that France was behind the Anglo-American War.

He had also obtained information that France had incited Russia to attack Canada.

This is also the reason why the Tsar assassination plot in Russia is being carried out, centered around the British Embassy.

However, he was unaware that England and France had clashed in the seas of the New World.

Junot, who had just brought the latest information, chuckled.

“That’s right. The French throne, or rather, the imperial throne—well, His Imperial Majesty is only 37 years old, so we can think about it later, right? But the immediate war is a separate matter.”

“Crazy! No, I apologize. But, you’re saying you started a war on your way back home? By whose authority?”

“Oh, our elegant gourmet Foreign Minister. Why are you being like this? I told you about other things too. The Russian Tsar is in danger of assassination right now.”

Junot dared to discuss diplomacy with Talleyrand, the master of diplomacy, with an arrogant face.

“The moment Russia turns pro-British, the entire eastern part of the European continent will turn anti-French anyway. Then, the Spanish throne and the internal power struggles in France all become secondary issues.”

The problem is that all of this is true.

It would be naturally good if Spain went beyond being pro-French and became a subordinate state.

Also, if Eugene is pushed out of Paris and driven to Madrid, it would be convenient for the Paris elites as well.

But what if war breaks out again like in the French Revolution?

In a full-scale war situation, clumsy schemes don’t work.

Talleyrand had seen it enough for 10 years.

Junot looked at the pale Talleyrand as if it were amusing and said,

“Of course, we tried to do something. We even sent General Joubert to the Tsar through [a secret] route. I don’t know if he arrived.”

“He must have been caught on the way. No matter which sea route he took, I haven’t heard any news.”

“Oh, so you know about the Tsar assassination plot? Did Danton report it? Or British Ambassador Barras?”

The moment Talleyrand remained silent, Junot pressed him like catching a rat.

“Either way! Then you know too. Unless you stop the Tsar assassination plot, war is inevitable! Then, can we win without the Marksman [Eugene]!”

At that moment, a cheerful voice was heard outside the Foreign Minister’s office in the Tuileries Palace.

“Oh, aren’t you underestimating us too much, Junot?”

Junot turned his head, cheered, and stood up.

“Oh, Lan [Lannes] is here. How was your remarriage?”

“I’m living very happily. Are you still unmarried?”

“I’m getting married soon! Hehe! Oh, Massena and Augereau even came. Did everyone eat a lot of good stuff in France? You’ve gained quite a bit of weight?”

As Junot said, Massena and Augereau were quite plump.

Only Lan, who still enjoys equestrian racing, is slender.

Suddenly, Massena, one of the three Marshals who entered the Foreign Minister’s office, burst into laughter.

“Hehe! Still the same, Junot. Hey, Foreign Minister. I agree with this friend’s words too.”

“Marshal Massena, it’s not something to say so simply. Diplomatic policy is…”

“I don’t know about diplomacy either. But if war breaks out, and we have to fight against the whole of Europe again, His Imperial Majesty can’t handle all the fronts alone.”

At that moment, Massena leaned his face in front of Talleyrand and twisted his mouth.

“A deputy commander is essential, but His Majesty doesn’t fully trust Augereau or me, does he? This is a matter of trust, Foreign Minister.”

He said it indirectly, but in the end, it’s a question of whether the person holding military power will revolt or not.

Of course, Napoleon entrusted the Marshal position because he trusted Massena, Augereau, and Lannes.

However, it is difficult to entrust the position of Deputy Commander to just anyone because of the Marshals’ competitive spirit.

However, Eugene has the position of [Stepfather] and adopted son, and because of his achievements in conquering the Orient, anyone would be convinced of his position as Deputy Commander.

Talleyrand narrowed his brows and picked up his coffee cup.

“You will definitely have to take responsibility for recklessly starting a war.”

Junot laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s something His Stepfather and His Imperial Majesty will take care of, Foreign Minister.”

However, when war is imminent, a famous general is never punished.

***

Tuileries Palace, influential figures in Paris gathered at the Emperor’s call.

-Bbam! Bbam bbam! Bbam bbam bbam!

The Senate and the leadership of each party in the Council of Five Hundred [a legislative body during the French Revolution].

The General Headquarters of the Imperial Army and the Four Marshals.

And the ministers of the cabinet gathered.

As the trumpet sounded, the Emperor came out to the central hall and declared.

“Listen! My son, Eugene, has returned!”

The face standing to the right of the Emperor is none other than Eugene Bonaparte.

“Oh, the hero of Nouvelle France [New France] has returned!”

“Isn’t that Princess Marie Therese next to him?”

“No, when did he return?”

When Auguste, Cambacérès, and Fouché, who had not heard the news in advance, looked at each other, Napoleon declared.

“Stepfather Eugene acquired Louisiana and succeeded in the massive migration of colonial populations. Furthermore, with the cooperation of the indigenous [leaders], he has rebuilt a vast [Nouvelle France] in the New World!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than tall guards came out and lifted a map on either side.

-Flutter!

It is a map showing the New World.

The New World colonies, with Florida, Louisiana, and Saint-Domingue clearly drawn, are visible.

The influential figures who saw it shouted each.

“Oh, look at that vastness!”

“Have we finally regained the territory before the Seven Years’ War?”

“Isn’t that just the nominal area? Tsk.”

Looking around at the influential figures who were talking in various ways according to their understanding, Napoleon flashed his eyes.

“The important thing is!”

The moment everyone looked at Napoleon again, the Emperor made a bombshell declaration.

“The British have [attacked] our Nouvelle France!”

The parliament, the military, and the cabinet all blinked and widened their eyes.

England attacked France in the New World.

This means that the peace that had been maintained, albeit uneasily, since the Treaty of Amiens [a brief peace treaty between Britain and France] has been broken.

The Emperor looked at everyone and declared.

“I intend to hold England accountable for this. I will send an envoy to England to ask whether they will break the Treaty of Amiens!”

As the ruling elites of Paris looked around in anxiety, the Emperor looked at the Stepfather.

“Now, the stage is set, Eugene.”

“War is inevitable anyway.”

“Oh, wasn’t peace what you wanted?”

Eugene looked at Napoleon and smiled brightly.

“War is the work of a lion. I am also a child of a lion.”

If war is inevitable anyway, we must fight and win.

That was the first thing Eugene, the son of the lion, did when he returned to the arms of the lion.