He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 417

(417) 1807, The Emperor Orders the Arc de Triomphe and Returns

The best thing about being a winner is having the freedom to act.

“So, are we returning home?”

Marshal Lannes asked as he entered from the outskirts of Prague towards the palace.

It was already January 1807, and the city of Prague was covered in white snow.

The war had started in the summer of the previous year, so they had been abroad for about half a year.

Of course, Lannes wasn’t asking because he missed his home or wife.

Chief of Staff Berthier, who was entering with Lannes, replied.

“Once the King of Hungary officially surrenders, the ceremony will be over.”

“Are we leaving Prussia alone? They formally expressed their intention to surrender, but they still seem to be out of their minds with so many conditions.”

“The home defense forces are still there. But it’s already been half a year since the war started.”

Suddenly, Finance Minister Nicolas François Mollien, who was following Berthier, interjected.

“If the war lasts any longer, maintaining the Grande Armée [Grand Army, Napoleon’s main army] alone could bankrupt this year’s finances.”

Originally from a financial background, Mollien was Napoleon’s trusted chief financial officer.

His main job was managing the national treasury in Paris, but he was brought to the battlefield for this expedition.

Napoleon believed that managing money was essential in an expedition where enormous funds were consumed.

However, from the perspective of a financier, war is a money-guzzling hippopotamus, and a grand expedition is an even bigger one.

Of course, Lannes, who was dismissed from the Imperial Guard in the original history for wasting money, replied with a disinterested face.

“That damn money, money, money. Hey, Monsieur Mollien. Can’t we just fill the deficit with war reparations?”

“Marshal of the Imperial Guard, it’s not as easy as you think. We used to be able to raid the treasury of the old Holy Roman Empire, but now that treasury is empty. Prussia is a poorer country than you think.”

“Can’t we just collect taxes? Or is it difficult because we destroyed Austria?”

Then Mollien looked around at the generals and replied.

“I’m not in a position to discuss international affairs, but when Your Majesty tries to control Europe in the future, too harsh a rule is dangerous.”

In a country with civilian rule, the minister is naturally superior to the marshal.

However, as everyone knows, the French Empire was created by the Imperial Army from the old Revolutionary Army.

Therefore, the marshals are the embodiment of the Revolutionary Army and have more authority than the technocrats.

However, Lannes, who was an expert in war but not in governance, raised both hands and shouted.

“We won, but it’s even more of a headache! It’s all because the Emperor destroyed Austria!”

“Isn’t destroying the enemy a good thing, Marshal?”

“Bessières, it’s not that simple. Looting requires an opponent. Why did they divide and eliminate Austria? Was it because of Talleyrand? Did he preemptively strike to prevent Talleyrand from gaining merit?”

Then Augereau adjusted his collar and said solemnly.

“I wish they had eliminated Hungary too.”

Even Lannes couldn’t answer immediately to this.

He didn’t know international politics, but he knew that eliminating Hungary would require a bloody battle.

Besides, the face of a familiar adversary can be seen on the opposite side of Prague Palace.

Lannes twisted his mouth and said to Augereau.

“He’s showing up as soon as you say it. Let’s see what King Karl has to say later.”

“Karl is more capable than Franz. Besides, we still have enemies behind us.”

“Well, won’t the higher-ups take care of it? Oh, wait, am I a higher-up?”

Lannes made a carefree sound and licked his lips.

“Well, Masséna still hasn’t finished, has he? It seems Spain is a more difficult battlefield than I thought.”

The war schedule originally planned by the French High Command was as follows:

First, Masséna subdues Spain.

Then, Eugene, who went to the front lines in the Rhine region, scatters the enemy’s ranks.

Finally, Napoleon’s main force advances and delivers the final blow.

But Masséna, who was expected to be the fastest, hasn’t even occupied Madrid yet.

Conquering the capital is not easy, but Vienna has already been conquered, and Berlin has virtually surrendered.

Masséna’s army’s miserable appearance cannot but stand out.

Nevertheless, Augereau and Lannes, who knew Masséna’s skills, did not laugh.

“There’s talk that the British expeditionary force is tricky, Lannes.”

“What are you talking about, Augereau? Does Britain have an army? Even if they do, they’d send them to the Low Countries, not to Spain.”

“Portugal has always been an old ally of Britain. They sent them through there. But they’re avoiding direct confrontation and launching surprise attacks from all over, so it seems Masséna can’t even advance easily.”

Augereau frowned, recalling the letter sent by his friend Masséna.

“There’s talk that we might have to retreat.”

Saying retreat means defeat.

Considering that there have been few defeats under Napoleon so far, this is an unusual situation.

Lannes raised his eyebrows and shook his head.

“Ugh, if it’s a battlefield where Masséna failed, I don’t want to go either.”

“If Masséna retreats, someone has to go.”

“You? Or me? Or should we call Murat, Marceau, or Governor Hoche?”

If it’s a front to conquer a country, at least a corps must be mobilized.

So, a marshal needs to move.

Then Murat, who was following behind Bessières, suddenly said.

“Ah, why? We have our excellent Emperor!”

“What?”

“Anyway, Spain is the territory claimed by the Emperor’s wife, or princess? Anyway, the Emperor should take responsibility!”

Minister Mollien closed his mouth as he listened to the generals talking.

In fact, there was such a discussion when Eugene returned.

At that time, Spain was still before the coup, but it was causing friction with France.

It wasn’t just Talleyrand’s idea.

However, now that Eugene has won a complete victory at Jena, will his assignment to Spain still be valid?

Or will the argument that he should be sent to Spain because he won at Jena gain strength?

Mollien, whose head was complicated, rolled his eyes, and Lannes licked his lips and shook his head.

“Still, sending a member of the imperial family to a place where bandits are rampant is…”

Then Emperor’s aide, Louis Charles Caffarelli, ran out of Prague Palace and shouted.

“King Karl I of Hungary has arrived! Along with King Frederick William II of Prussia!”

Finally, the guests the three marshals were waiting for arrived.

***

The king of the East stood before the throne where the three marshals of the Empire were lined up.

“Hungary unconditionally requests surrender to the Emperor of France.”

Lannes, Masséna, and Junot looked at each other and then stared at the king again.

In the end, Hungary also surrendered in the face of the reality of Austria’s dissolution.

Napoleon, who was looking down at Karl from the throne of Prague, smiled strangely and looked at the King of Prussia.

“Interesting. It seems the words you’re saying now haven’t been agreed upon with Frederick [William III of Prussia] next to you?”

“Hungary and Prussia are independent countries with freedom of diplomacy. Your Majesty.”

“Whether there will be freedom in the future is another matter. King Karl of Hungary.”

Napoleon, who made a terrible threat, smiled again and said.

“But I am generous to those who bow their heads first. Also, I will take into account that this is the first mistake you have made as a monarch.”

Karl trembled for a moment.

No one would know if it was because of fear, epilepsy, or just because the palace was not heated at all.

Nevertheless, Karl’s following words were in a calm tone.

“Thank you.”

“Approve France’s official possession of Dalmatia and return the old Serbian and Croatian territories.”

“What are you talking about, return?”

The moment Karl raised his head, Napoleon replied with a still smiling face.

“You must know that the Ottoman Empire has been virtually divided and the northwestern Balkans are on the path to independence? Serbia and Croatia will also become independent this time. You must help.”

Dalmatia is the Adriatic coast that France has occupied for some time.

Also, the Serbian and Croatian territories are the territories of those countries that have been merged into the Kingdom of Hungary.

Dalmatia, which France has already occupied, is only ratifying the fact, but giving up part of Hungarian territory is painful.

Nevertheless, Karl nodded without a word.

“I understand.”

In fact, Hungary has received generous treatment compared to Austria, which has been dissolved.

However, this is because Austria is a kingdom where the Habsburg family combined territories without inherent unity, whereas Hungary is a country that has been formed by the Magyar people from the beginning.

This ethnic issue also applies to other kingdoms.

“Now, then. Are you ready to surrender, our Frederick [William III of Prussia]?”

Frederick William bowed his head at Napoleon’s question.

Two months have passed since the Battle of Austerlitz.

In the meantime, Frederick William was trapped between Prague and Hungary and could not move at all.

Berlin was destroyed by the pressure of the 4th Corps left by Eugene, and Junot became the occupier of Berlin by accident.

In the end, Prussia had no choice but to surrender.

“If you allow the country to exist, I am prepared to accept the conditions.”

“Any conditions? Haha! Then, let’s do this. Give up all of the former Polish territory.”

“What, what, what did you say?”

The moment William was surprised and asked back, Napoleon sneered.

“Wasn’t it not originally Prussian territory anyway? Poland is an old ally of France, and that territory will become independent. Also, withdraw from Hanover.”

The Polish territory is almost half of Prussia’s territory.

Moreover, the population is also 4 million.

Above all, the connection between East Prussia and the Brandenburg mainland is also through Polish territory.

At the moment when William could not answer the demand to cut off the territory, Napoleon flashed his eyes.

“This is a really generous demand. Or should I demand that all Prussian troops be disbanded?”

William had to answer again at Napoleon’s words, as if he wanted it right away.

“I will follow.”

With this, Hungary and Prussia were guaranteed at least survival.

***

The Grande Armée crossing the Danube River and returning west can be seen for a long time.

“Why didn’t you tell me not to demand the dismantling of the Prussian army?”

Suddenly, Napoleon asked as he looked at the marching scene.

The only people who heard this question were the close aides who could stand right next to the Emperor.

The Chief of Staff, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, the Commander of the New French Imperial Guard, and the aides.

And Emperor Eugene.

Eugene was on horseback next to Napoleon, looking lightly ahead and answering.

“At best, it’s a waste of time if we can’t control it directly. Even Archduke Karl mobilized virtually national soldiers in this war.”

“Huh, can all Prussian citizens become soldiers?”

“It’s possible in an emergency. Besides, Your Majesty will have two enemies in the future.”

Eugene’s hand drew east and west.

“England, and Russia.”

As a result of not defeating both countries, Napoleon collapses in the original history.

However, there is something that can be predicted even if you do not know history.

Anyone who wants to seize the hegemony of Europe must subdue the master of the sea and the bear of the East.

Napoleon smiled and spurred the Egyptian thoroughbred [Marengo, Napoleon’s horse] that Eugene had given him.

“Good. But when we get back, we must first deal with the problem south of the Pyrenees. Ah!”

Just before running, Napoleon ordered.

“When entering Paris, tell them to install a wooden door. After returning home, we must properly create an Arc de Triomphe [Triumphal Arch] to commemorate this victory. Let’s go!”

Ordering the so-called Arc de Triomphe, Napoleon began to return.

Towards Paris, where the glory of victory and the still unresolved Spanish problem awaited.