He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 380

Napoleon’s Genius Son – Episode 380 (381/547)

(380) Foxes Run to Kill the Double-Headed Eagle

The bells ring in the Cathedral of Saint Petersburg.

-Dong! Dong! Dong!

The 19th century is an era of revolution, ideology, and upheaval.

In the face of rapid changes represented by the French Revolution and the British Industrial Revolution, religion is losing its power entirely.

However, in the East, which has not yet faced any transformative currents, religion remains important.

Today, nobles, commoners, and serfs, in their different stations, believe in the same God and pray.

They pray to survive the day unharmed from the mad Tsar.

“Your Majesty did not attend the service, Count.”

As Count Zubov exited after the Mass, he saw the British gentleman speaking to him.

It is not yet the era of frock coats or fedoras, but somehow, the man embodies the London style with his drab attire.

Even in the northern country, the Russian Empire’s nobles seem to dress more flamboyantly in comparison.

Nevertheless, the gentleman in seemingly rustic clothes cannot be ignored.

Because he is backed by the world’s wealthiest nation, Great Britain.

Furthermore, Count Zubov’s continued solvency is thanks to this gentleman.

Slightly shrugging his shoulders, Count Zubov, named after the Greek philosopher Plato, replied.

“Did you know, Ambassador Whitworth? Our mad Tsar is, surprisingly, a devout believer.”

“Firstly, I suspect there are many ears listening around us. Besides, he doesn’t attend Mass and throws parties almost every day. How can you call him a devout believer?”

“He even created a knightly order to protect the Holy Land, and when Malta was conquered by you, he demanded its return. He even issued a [Prohibition of the Death Penalty] because he wouldn’t kill anyone before God.”

The British gentleman, Charles Whitworth, widened his eyes.

“Is that true? My Russian isn’t that great, but everyone seems to be praying for their lives.”

“Funnily enough, it’s true. Pavel has never directly killed anyone. He only exiles them to Siberia.”

“Oh, dreadful. I hear it’s still teeming with barbarians there.”

Zubov smirked.

“Our mad Tsar’s ‘reforms’ are all like that. The conflict with Britain is just one of them.”

Tsar Pavel Petrovich Romanov.

The owner of the Russian Empire, which boasts the largest territory in the world at the time.

It would be unfair to dismiss him as merely someone who plays around and does nothing.

From the moment he ascended the throne, Pavel relentlessly pushed forward countless [reforms].

First, to prevent the court coups that had shaken Russia throughout the 18th century, he established the succession to the throne by [law].

This was to prevent the ills of the past, where the previous Tsar could choose anyone he liked as his successor, or anyone with military power could become Tsar without any principles.

Of course, the biggest goal was his antipathy towards the Empress, who had threatened his position throughout his time as heir.

Next, he prohibited the [sale] of serfs, forbade the abuse of serfs, and banned the labor forced by landowners on ‘Sundays’.

To suppress the nobles who opposed these partial liberation measures, he prohibited corporal punishment of nobles, introduced taxes on nobles, and took sanctions against nobles who evaded military service.

He also strived to strengthen local control through administrative reforms.

In particular, the military reforms he had been interested in since his days as Crown Prince were remarkable.

He paid attention to various aspects, including the military staff system, the division system, the centralization of the military command system, and even the introduction of Prussian-style uniforms.

Some of these even remained in the Russian Imperial Army in the original history.

But all these policies are short-lived.

“Although I was pushed out of power, I had some expectations at first. He announced so many grand policies. But none of them were properly implemented. Not even the succession issue.”

Whitworth shrugged at Count Plato Zubov’s very cold words.

“Isn’t the Crown Prince Alexander the heir apparent?”

“Everyone knows that the Tsar and the Crown Prince have a bad relationship. There are rumors that he will be deposed soon. Even the Crown Prince knows this.”

“Indeed, that’s why the Crown Prince was persuaded by Governor ‘Pahlen,’ I suppose. Heh heh.”

This time, Count Zubov looked around, seemingly a little wary.

However, neither nobles, merchants, nor serfs were looking this way.

Once the powerful favorite of the Empress who commanded the entire empire, he is now merely the Empress’s lover whom the Emperor dislikes in Pavel’s era.

Rather, thanks to that, it was much easier to gather ‘dissidents’ out of the public eye.

Confirming that no one was watching, Count Zubov smacked his lips and said quietly.

“Anyway, the preparations are perfect. If only England provides the funds to win over the [Leib Guard] (the Tsar’s personal guard) of Saint Petersburg.”

“You mean the Imperial Guard. But are they really persuadable? The current Imperial Guard was fostered by Tsar Pavel since he was the Crown Prince, wasn’t it?”

“That Gatchina unit is small. Besides, morale is a mess because the Tsar cuts officers inconsistently.”

The Gatchina unit is the guard of Gatchina Palace, the residence where Tsar Pavel lived as Crown Prince.

Due to the Empress’s neglect at the time, Pavel, who had no real power, was immersed in so-called ‘military play’.

The unit formed at that time was Pavel’s Crown Prince Guard, the Gatchina Guard.

It is also the core of the current Imperial Guard, the unit corresponding to the English [Life Guard] (elite soldiers tasked with protecting the monarch).

However, the entire Imperial Guard could not be composed of Gatchina natives.

Furthermore, Pavel’s inconsistency applied to the expansion of the Guard, and he often cut officers without replenishing them.

Therefore, the Imperial Guard is also full of dissatisfaction and lax discipline.

It is no coincidence that Zubov, a former favorite, has become the center of the rebel forces.

Of course, all thanks to the financial support from England.

Very pleased, Whitworth, the financier of the British side and the planner of the assassination plot, twisted his lips.

“Then, I will provide it through a new bank.”

“Huh? The British government usually uses Barings Bank, doesn’t it, at times like this?”

“They have too many vested interests with France.”

Whitworth frowned slightly and said.

“It’s called Rothschild Bank. They recently opened a branch in Saint Petersburg.”

If Eugene had heard this, he would have been surprised.

In fact, Rothschild Bank is a bank founded by a foreigner from the British perspective, and it is a newcomer that has just entered England.

Also, Barings Bank acts like a key bank in England until the mid-19th century in the original history.

But because Eugene intervened, Barings Bank was branded as [pro-French].

As a result, the newcomer Nathaniel Rothschild was unexpectedly chosen by the British government.

“I don’t care where it is. Please provide 3 million rubles by tomorrow. It must all be real silver.”

Whitworth grinned and replied to Zubov, who reaffirmed.

“Certainly, I will send it. Heh heh.”

The two men, who were plotting to overturn the Russian Empire, no, Europe, parted ways.

In front of the Cathedral of Saint Petersburg, where each class of the empire was pouring out after Mass.

***

So, why didn’t the Tsar recognize this conspiracy?

“By now, Plato is meeting Whitworth, right? The money must come in time for the guards to move.”

The Russian Empire of later original history is famous for the Public Security Protection Department, the [Okhrana] (secret police), a secret police.

However, this Okhrana was born at the end of the 19th century.

So, was there no secret police in the empire before that?

There is.

Nikita Petrovich Panin, a nobleman with the same name as the Foreign Minister during the Empress’s reign and the minister’s nephew.

He is also the head of the [Prikaz] (secret police), a secret police group in the early 19th century Russian Empire.

However, the head of the Prikaz, who should be protecting the Emperor, the Imperial Family, and the Empire, mentions assassination conspirators.

Even though they should be arrested immediately, it’s as if the conspiracy must proceed without a hitch.

In short, the head of the secret police is involved in the assassination plot of the Emperor.

At that time, a gaunt man in military uniform suddenly asked Panin, who was reviewing reports from informants.

“Count Panin, I want to ask you one thing.”

“What is it, General Bennigsen?”

“I stepped up because I was humiliated by the Emperor, but why did you, who have a promising future, participate in this?”

Bennigsen is a general who remained as Kutuzov’s rival and successor in later original history.

He also lost to Eugene in the battle with the Ottoman Empire along with Kutuzov, defeated Moreau with Suvorov, and is one of the current core generals of the Russian Imperial Army.

However, Bennigsen is as upright as his gaunt appearance, and he is not good at flattering.

So, he was hated by the fickle Tsar Pavel and was about to be exiled to Siberia.

Rather than going to Siberia and freezing to death, he would rather start a rebellion.

That is why Bennigsen became involved in the assassination plot.

But why did Panin, who was the nephew of the former Foreign Minister, a great nobleman, and still on the fast track to success as the head of the secret police, participate?

Panin glanced at the middle-aged general leaning against one side of the office and replied.

“If I say it’s a decision to save the country, you’ll laugh, right? But I sincerely believe that the Russian-French alliance is dangerous. For the entire future of the empire, Europe, and our nobles.”

Bennigsen raised his eyebrows and asked again.

“Because of the revolution? Didn’t France already change to a monarchy?”

“Humph! Can an emperor elected by election be called a true monarch? A monarch is one who rules this land according to the will of God. Also, nobles are valuable when they assist the monarch who represents the will of God!”

“It sounds like a dangerous idea, different from the revolution. Then shouldn’t you plot treason against the Tsar?”

However, Panin shook his head violently and passionately argued.

“You’re wrong! Tsar Pavel has violated the will of God. He has joined hands with the atheists of France and is plunging the empire into a pit! If someone doesn’t step up and bring down the Tsar, this empire and the nobles will all perish! In particular, we must kill the traitor Danton who came from France together!”

Originally, most of the assassination participants in the original history have a clear reason.

Pavel neglected them, they were pushed out of power, or they were exiled and in danger of death.

However, only Panin decided to assassinate the Tsar even though he was in a successful situation.

The reason is one, he judged that Pavel was dangerous to the future of the empire.

Here, Danton, a person who did not exist in history, was added.

“Danton? Ah, that fat man. Well, I’ve heard he’s after all sorts of interests.”

“That man is truly Count Orlov of this era! Based on the Emperor’s favor, he is plunging the country into misery. Surely, Bonaparte, no, Napoleon sent Danton to this land as part of his strategy!”

“Well, it seems that the British are no different when it comes to seeking interests. Don’t British merchants still handle more than half of Russia’s trade, not French merchants? Count Panin, your territory will be similar.”
Count Orlov is a favorite and traitor of Empress Catherine’s era.

However, if Eugene were here, he would have added a word to the term Count Orlov.

The Rasputin of the 19th century.

For Danton, who never seduced the Empress, it is a very unfair title.

Nevertheless, Panin hates Danton, who seeks interests for France.

“Are England and France the same? England is a country far across the sea! On the other hand, France has its vassal states, the Duchy of Bohemia and the Grand Duchy of Galicia, right in front of our Polish occupied territories!”

That judgment is not entirely wrong.

In the early 19th century, Russia was surprisingly close to France, unlike the original history of the 21st century.

This is because eastern Poland has become Russian territory.

Moreover, it is bordering the [satellite state] (a state that is nominally independent but is heavily influenced or controlled by another country) that Eugene and Napoleon created by dissolving the Holy Roman Empire.

If France wants, at least the western border of Russia can be invaded in an instant.

Of course, it is too much of a concern for military expert Bennigsen.

In fact, Napoleon failed miserably in the Russian Grand Expedition under more favorable conditions in the original history.

Slightly shrugging his shoulders, Bennigsen turned his head.

“The military risk is real. Well, I, and we, just need to overthrow the Tsar and purify the military. Isn’t that right, Depreradovich?”

Then, Nikolai Ivanovich Depreradovich, the commander of the Imperial Guard Infantry Regiment, saluted.

“That’s right. Field Marshal Bennigsen!”

Depreradovich is not the only one here.

Fyodor Petrovich Uvarov, Pyotr Alexandrovich Talyzin, and Pavel Alekseyevich Tuchkov, who was one of the heroes of the Russian Grand Expedition in later original history.

Currently, they are new members of the Guard, but they are elite officers who will be responsible for the future of the Russian Empire.

In fact, the Imperial Guard has betrayed the Tsar.

Bennigsen, the second-in-command of the Russian Imperial Army and Kutuzov’s rival, smiled, revealing his teeth.

“Yes. Only by killing the fickle Tsar can there be a future for the Imperial Army and the Empire!”

Of course, Bennigsen’s future too.

***

In the depths of the Peterhof Summer Palace, the Russian Imperial Family, there is someone who will make a fateful decision.

“Naslednik Tsesarevich, have you made up your mind?”

Naslednik means heir in Russian, and Tsesarevich means the Tsar’s son.

So, this word means [Crown Prince] in Russian.

In the Russian Empire of that time, there is only one person who can be called by this title.

Crown Prince Alexander looked at the window and opened his mouth.

“Governor Pahlen, why are you asking this Crown Prince to commit such an outrageous act?”

“His Majesty is trying to deprive the children of Her Majesty the Empress of their inheritance rights.”

“Is there any evidence?”

Pyotr Alekseyevich Pahlen, the Governor of Saint Petersburg, the capital, handed over a letter with a firm face.

-Swish.

The moment Alexander, who received the letter, widened his eyes, Pahlen explained nervously.

“This is His Majesty’s order to immediately arrest and detain the Crown Prince if he shows any suspicious movements. Also, preparations for a divorce from Her Majesty the Empress are underway.”

Usually, if you see such a letter, you will suspect [forgery].

But Alexander did not doubt Pahlen.

Pahlen, a 61-year-old man who has been recognized for his integrity in the court from the time of the previous Tsar until now, is not someone who would lie.

If he was not close to Zubov and the Tsar might cut off his head at any moment, he would have no reason to participate in the conspiracy.

Besides, Crown Prince Alexander also had a hunch.

“Is the new Empress Anna Lopukhina?”

“That woman is the most likely, but there is also talk of Mavra Yurieva, a maid of honor to Her Majesty the Empress, and ‘Madame Chevalier,’ a French actress. All will be morganatic marriages, not royalty.”

“That’s a ridiculous rumor. But, my father must be suspicious of me.”

The Crown Prince sighed.

“Because I don’t want to wage war with England, nor do I want to help France indefinitely in the New World.”

The biggest problem is ultimately the conflict of opinion on [foreign policy] (a government’s strategy in dealing with other nations).

The Tsar wants to fight England.

The Crown Prince naturally does not want to.

But what happens if the successor opposes when the supreme ruler wants war?

One of them must be removed from power.

That is the inevitable law in the Russian Empire, no, in the monarchy.

Alexander, who was quietly looking out the window, moved only his mouth without turning his head.

“Spare His Majesty’s life. Count Pahlen.”

Governor Pahlen bowed his head.