He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 386

(386) The Emperor Summons His Stepfather

All of this happened within a month of Eugene’s stepfather’s return.

“Could it be that my stepfather’s return was a harbinger of disaster?”

Napoleon clicked his tongue in the Emperor’s office at the Tuileries Palace.

Until now, Napoleon had been managing the French Empire and the European situation relatively stably.

Of course, all of this was thanks to Eugene dismantling the Empire and hindering Britain in the New World.

Because of this, he was able to avoid Britain’s repeated conspiracies and Austria’s provocations that would have occurred in the original history.

But Napoleon, and Foreign Minister Talleyrand, his top advisor, didn’t know that.

“Realistically, yes, Your Majesty. At first glance, the stepfather seems to have achieved great feats, but he only caused problems. In reality.”

“Don’t just badmouth him, give me a basis.”

“He may have occupied a large territory in the New World, but it’s just a shiny lime [worthless]. In reality, didn’t he cause trouble with the United States, virtually start a war with Britain, and give North America to Russia?”

Talleyrand elegantly leaned on his cane, informing him of the ‘objective’ reality.

“Besides, even the special envoy is about to return without any results.”

Talleyrand was originally allowed a cane even in front of the Emperor because he limped on one leg.

However, Talleyrand’s strength was in embodying even such a weakness into an elegant appearance.

Although he himself does not adhere to etiquette, Napoleon, a man who admires aristocratic etiquette, watched Talleyrand’s movements greedily and clapped his hands.

“Okay, let’s sort it out. Who are our enemies, and who are our allies?”

Talleyrand recited them one by one.

“Counting allies is easy. The satellite states of Bohemia and Galicia, Helvetia [Switzerland] and Batavia [Netherlands]. The Rhine Confederation, centered on the Archbishop of Mainz and the Grand Duke of Bavaria. And, Russia.”

“What about Denmark, Sweden, or Turkey?”

“Sweden is Russia’s enemy, and Denmark is nominally neutral. The Ottoman Empire, well, although it is under Marshal Marceau’s control, it probably can’t even beat Hungary.”

In short, only the so-called vassal states are on France’s side, except for Russia.

Even the vassal states are not driven by revolutionary spirit, but have antipathy towards France, which dominates them with military force.

Perhaps even the Italian Peninsula may repeatedly revolt.

Napoleon frowned and looked around the globe.

“Then, are the rest of Europe our enemies?”

Looking at the place where the European continent was drawn, Talleyrand wore a troubled smile.

“That would be England, Austria, Hungary, Prussia, and Spain and Portugal.”

Among them, the important countries are England, Prussia, and Spain.

Originally, no one dared to stand up to France except for England.

But even though Russia has declared war on England, each country has instead begun to target France.

This is largely because France has been too dominant in Europe.

Or perhaps it is because they have not become strong enough to completely dominate other countries.

“Spain, to stab us from there. Pitt [British Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger] is no ordinary man.”

“We should have sent stepfather.”

“Well, if the Spanish ambassador’s report is correct, they were overturned by only about 1,000 regiment-level troops? Could Eugene have done anything as a consort, not even a king, in such a weak country?”

Nevertheless, the biggest weakness is still Spain.

It is a country that can stab France in the back from the south, and in terms of colony size, it is the largest in the world.

In fact, because the New World territories are divided, they are not able to fully mobilize their potential, but it is difficult for foreigners to know that completely.

Thanks to this, Napoleon is facing enemy countries, especially England and Prussia, in a rather burdensome state.

Then Talleyrand brought up a strange story.

“Wasn’t the stepfather the one who returned with achievements even from the more dangerous Egypt?”

Napoleon raised his eyebrows and snorted.

“You’re really strange, Talleyrand. Didn’t you not trust Eugene?”

“He is not fit to be Your Majesty’s successor. But as a general, he is definitely the next best talent after Your Majesty.”

“Not that much yet. There’s Massena, Lannes, and Hoche. Eugene might beat Moreau, though.”

Regardless of his achievements, Napoleon very coldly evaluated Eugene.

In fact, it’s not entirely wrong.

Before leaving for the New World, Eugene’s achievements were amazing, but in actual combat, he mainly relied on attacking commanders.

However, in the New World, Eugene experienced continental-scale warfare on a small scale.

Napoleon assessed Eugene’s skills without considering this point.

“Anyway, Eugene didn’t go to Spain, and we lost Spain. Talleyrand, do you still think Eugene should be sent to Spain?”

At Napoleon’s question, Talleyrand took a step back.

“I am not an expert in matters of war.”

“Your political maneuvering is excellent. Can Eugene take control of Spain? In this situation?”

“Of course it’s difficult. But, there is a justification.”

Suddenly, Talleyrand’s eyes gleamed with a sinister smile.

“Because he is the husband of Princess Marie, the rightful heir to King Carlos IV.”

As in the previous War of Spanish Succession, a legitimate heir is likely to take the throne.

However, the process will be like being stuck in the mud in Spain.

Of course, it is obvious that the seat of power in Paris will be out of reach.

Napoleon looked at Talleyrand as if seeing through that fact, and nodded.

“Okay, I’ll keep that in mind. Your advice.”

Even so, Napoleon could adopt the King of Spain as his son.

***

But there are no secrets in the Tuileries Palace.

“Absolutely not. Eugene!”

Hearing Empress Josephine’s cry, Napoleon frowned.

“Empress, palace matters aside, foreign affairs are not your domain.”

“Am I not even allowed in Your Majesty’s bedroom? I’m surprised you say that!”

“Josephine! Watch your words. Think of Charles and Florence!”

However, Josephine relentlessly pressed Napoleon.

“Then you know better. I am the mother of your son, Charles, and daughter, Florence. Eugene is their full sibling! Just because he doesn’t share your blood, you can’t send him to his death!”

Napoleon gaped.

But Josephine’s words are not wrong.

If Eugene were his biological son, Napoleon would have recommended and elected Eugene as the Crown Prince without hesitation.

Because he is an adopted son without blood ties, he prioritizes his biological son, Charles Napoleon.

But when you think about it, Charles, the first in line to the throne, actually shares blood with Eugene.

If something were to happen to Napoleon, who would protect Charles?

Naturally, it would have to be Eugene.

However, what Napoleon finds absurd is not that.

“That’s absurd. Why is sending Eugene to Spain sending him to his death? Sending him to the New World would have been ten times harder.”

“Unlike what you think, the Atlantic is close. I know because I’m from Martinique. But I heard that the people in Spain are fierce, and England has already taken over. Even the old royal family!”

“Wouldn’t that make it easier? Foreigners have taken over the government. Even if Eugene and Marie go, there will be less resistance.”

Just as Napoleon was about to list the advantages of going to Spain one by one, Josephine shouted.

“That’s nonsense! If it were really an easy place, you should have sent him to Spain instead of the New World!”

Of course, Napoleon sent Eugene to the New World for a completely different reason.

At that time, Josephine was pregnant with Charles.

If a son were born, Eugene could be a threat.

Also, it was to smooth things over because Eugene had caused such a big accident by allowing the Spanish royal family’s tragedy.

But since he couldn’t explain this, Napoleon was frustrated.

“Ah, Papa, no, Stepfather, Your Majesty. Is it war?”

Suddenly, Florence blinked and asked, and Napoleon gave a hearty smile and lifted his daughter up.

“Don’t worry. Florence. Your father is invincible. So is your brother.”

“You said Papa and Brother aren’t going together.”

“Huh?”

Florence sparkled her eyes and said to Napoleon.

“I heard that Papa and Brother fought together in the old days. They said no one could beat them then. Uncle Lannes told me.”

Lannes is in the position of commander of the Imperial Guard, so he often meets with the imperial family.

As Napoleon’s biological daughter, he had no choice but to come into frequent contact with Princess Florence.

Lannes, like a soldier, would often tell stories of military exploits.

Among them, the memory of fighting with Eugene was very impressive.

Napoleon, his face reddened, grumbled.

“Lannes said unnecessary things.”

“It’s only the truth. Eugene is still young. It’s hard for him to take responsibility for the battlefield alone.”

“Eugene was practically in charge of the Egyptian expedition when he was much younger, Josephine. Besides, at 25, I had already won at Toulon.”

Napoleon shook his head and suddenly smiled.

“But, it would be the duty of a father to see how much he has developed in the New World, right?”

Josephine, who sensitively noticed the change in Napoleon’s feelings, was delighted.

“Are you going to fight together?”

For a soldier, the battlefield where life and death are decided is a more impressive experience than anything else.

There is no one else in the world as special as a comrade who has fought on the battlefield together.

Napoleon also recalled the time when he fought with Eugene in the past.

Napoleon nodded greatly.

“I will. However, there is a mission I must entrust to Eugene. I can’t concede this, Josephine.”

Josephine did not know what mission Napoleon would entrust him with, so she began to worry again.

***

When stepfather Eugene stood in the Emperor’s office at the Tuileries Palace, the Emperor was looking at the globe.

“Eugene, you must have heard. In fact, except for Russia, the whole world is our enemy.”

Of course, it is an exaggeration.

First of all, it is a statement that does not take into account the United States in the New World, not to mention East Asia or Africa.

However, instead of correcting the Eurocentric perspective, Eugene simply replied.

“You don’t even consider the satellite states as allies.”

“They might be able to prevent England from setting foot on the continent. In fact, our France has to bear all the burden.”

“What is the mission you will give me? Spain?”

The Spanish throne issue is very important.

So Eugene thought that he had no choice but to avoid going to Spain this time.

But Napoleon shook his head.

“I decided to entrust that place to Massena, Eugene.”

Eugene’s eyes widened, but he was even more surprised that it wasn’t a bad choice.

In fact, in the so-called Peninsular War, Napoleon mainly sends second-tier generals, including Junot.

Massena’s entry is after Wellington has established his position, when the battlefield has worsened considerably.

So if Massena is sent this time, even if Wellington comes, France may be able to put up a good fight.

Of course, Eugene, who doesn’t know that Wellington, or rather Arthur Wellesley, has really come, asked.

“You’re taking Massena out of the Eastern Front?”

“Yes.”

“Stepfather, Your Majesty, Prussia will participate this time. Prussia has the potential to operate at least two army groups, no, corps [a large military unit]. Moreover, considering Hungary…”

Just as Eugene was about to discuss the difficulties of taking Massena away, Napoleon burst into laughter.

“Puhahat! You’re ignoring Russia too. Anyway, good. You’re going to the Eastern Front this time too.”

Eugene was surprised again and widened his eyes, but Napoleon gave him an even more surprising mission.

“As you said, the Prussian Second Corps is your responsibility. Can you do it?”

The command of an independent corps.

In the military empire of the French Empire, military command is the key to power.

Conversely, entrusting command of an independent corps shows the Emperor’s trust.

Now Napoleon is sending his greatest trust to Eugene.

Eugene reflexively saluted.

“I will defeat them in the shortest time and join you. Stepfather, Your Majesty.”

Finally, it was the moment when Eugene gained independent military command in Europe.