He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 432

(432) First, Summon the Independence Heroes to Madrid

Reconciliation policies are inherently difficult due to a lack of trust.

“Who are you summoning, did you say? To the homeland?”

Alava, now the commander of the Madrid defense and virtually nominated as the next prime minister, exclaimed.

With Eugene effectively abandoning centralization, the Spanish central army is also being reduced.

In the past, this meant that only the Castilian army could be directly commanded by the king.

Therefore, the commander of the Madrid defense holds an even more important position than before, virtually equivalent to the prime minister.

Especially considering that Eugene has not yet appointed a prime minister separately, and Junot, the commander of the Imperial Guard, is a foreigner.

Conversely, Alava now represents the high-ranking nobles and officials of Madrid, and he is surprised.

He is surprised about those whom Eugene summoned from the distant New World.

Eugene replied succinctly.

“I will summon those who will become influential figures in the New World Cortes [representative assemblies] to Madrid, General Alava.”

“Your Majesty, why are you doing such a thing? There are countless things you should be doing now!”

“If I were trying to rebuild the collapsed royal authority, that would be the case. However, I have not found a reason to do so.”

Eugene looked around at the officials gathered in the royal office and said.

“What this country needs now is not strong royal authority, but peace.”

The ministers of the Spanish Royal Cabinet looked at each other, somewhat nervously.

Originally, the Spanish monarchy had been run by the so-called Secretariat Committee.

The powerful minister Godoy was, strictly speaking, the king’s chief secretary.

However, when Eugene became king, he strengthened the French-style cabinet again, and most of those appointed to this cabinet were nobles.

Therefore, it was difficult to resist the king’s stated intention to weaken royal authority himself.

“If so, please focus on appeasing the nobles of Castile and León, and Castile and Granada first.”

“Won’t you be busy working in the newly established Cortes now, Alava? I would like to pay more attention to the New World, which is my private domain.”

“Your Majesty!”

However, Alava, worried about the country, cried out desperately.

“The Kingdom of Spain is also Your Majesty’s country. This land is Your Majesty’s territory. The people whom Your Majesty should care for are also on this land!”

In fact, the Spanish royal territory has a long tradition of the Cortes.

The kingdom’s territory should be considered not the king’s private property but the nation’s common property.

However, the New World colonies are completely different from foreign countries, and legally they are the king’s private property.

Until now, the kings, whether Habsburg or Bourbon, have mostly valued only the mainland and regarded the New World as a source of funds.

However, the new co-king, especially Eugene, reveals that he has little interest in the homeland.

It seems to be because he built his career in the New World, and if this happens, the governance of the homeland is likely to be a mess.

Even in an era where regional Cortes are being revived, if the king does not coordinate, can it even be called the same country?

In fact, that is what Eugene is aiming for.

Since he couldn’t reveal his true intentions, Eugene laughed at Alava.

“Puhahat! Don’t take it too seriously, Alava. When did I say I wouldn’t care about the homeland?”

“Then, what about what you just said?”

“Spain’s domestic industry is underdeveloped. In the end, trade revenue from the New World still accounts for a significant portion of the government’s finances. Isn’t that so?”

Eugene turned to the Minister of Finance, Pedro Cevallos Guerra, and said.

“6 million pesetas are coming in annually from Nueva España [New Spain, i.e., Mexico] alone. Furthermore, the tariff revenue from trade is 10 times that.”

Guerra could only widen his eyes and say nothing.

In fact, he is the chief official of Madrid, Guerra, who was ousted when France intervened in the original history.

However, the numbers that Eugene had grasped were much more accurate.

Eugene affirmed again to Alava.

“Therefore, we must call the influential figures of the New World to the homeland and naturalize them. That is the first step in stabilizing Spain.”

Moreover, now that the kingdom is virtually divided, the king’s main source of income is further limited to the New World.

Furthermore, as in modern times in the original history, South America has a larger combined economic scale than Spain alone.

Therefore, Eugene has no choice but to value South America.

At that time, the king’s chief aide, Hippolyte Charles, spoke up.

“That’s all well and good, but about the friends we’re summoning from the homeland to Madrid… Is it okay to call them?”

Eugene asked with an intrigued expression at Hippolyte’s sudden objection.

“Why do you think so, Chief Aide?”

“Well, according to our, no, the French Sûreté’s [security service] information, there are many who want to start an independence movement, right? The names of those whom Your Majesty is trying to summon somehow overlap with those friends.”

“You saw it accurately.”

Eugene said as if explaining to the horrified cabinet ministers.

“I intend to call the seditious ones and make them loyal subjects. That is the true meaning of this summons.”

Of course, that’s not an easy task.

Rather, if you find seditious people, isn’t it much easier to imprison and execute them?

The former Spanish monarchy had always prevented the New World independence movement in that way.

However, Eugene did not allow any objections.

“Then, let’s conclude today’s cabinet meeting.”

The sound of the gavel announcing the end rang loudly in the royal office.

-Bang!

Contrary to the performance of weakening royal authority, it was all up to the king’s whim.

***

Of course, the fact that the new king’s authority is not yet firmly established is revealed in the actions of his relatives.

“Oh my gosh, how can this be? Brother? No, Your Majesty!”

In the back garden of the Madrid Palace, Eugene, who was enjoying coffee for the first time in a while, was visited by an excited ‘relative.’

Stephanie de Beauharnais, Eugene’s first cousin twice removed.

Originally, she had worked as Marie’s lady-in-waiting with her cousin Emilie since the days of Nouvelle-France [New France, i.e., French Canada].

However, when Emilie married Rochejacquelin and stayed in Paris, Stephanie was appointed as the chief lady-in-waiting.

That’s why Marie is surprised and tries to calm Stephanie.

“Why are you so angry, Stephanie? First, calm down a bit.”

“Your Majesty! If it were you, how would you feel if you were forcibly engaged, and then even your fiancé was suddenly forcibly sent to the New World? And on the way to pick up rebels!”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden? Eugene, is Hippolyte going to the New World?”

Not only Marie, but Hippolyte was also hearing this for the first time, but Eugene nodded.

“That’s what happened. Let’s postpone the wedding a bit.”

“Brother!”

“This is the royal palace. Even in private, you shouldn’t talk to me like that. This is the same even if it’s Hortense.”

Hippolyte, who was dumbfounded by Eugene’s firm words, hurriedly asked.

“Your Majesty, I think I should be the one protesting, but, why?”

Bolívar, San Martín, O’Higgins.

Those who know the original history later would naturally tremble.

Like Miguel Hidalgo of Mexico or José Artigas of Uruguay, they are the ones who will lead South America to independence from Spain.

But now they are just young officers or local influential figures.

Only the French Sûreté has obtained information that they are [subversive elements].

But is there a reason why Hippolyte, who is the closest aide to the king, has to go all the way to the distant New World?

Suddenly, Eugene turned to Hippolyte and replied.

“Well, you don’t want to marry Stephanie anyway, do you?”

“No, it’s rude to say that in front of me. More than that, why do I have to go all the way to the distant New World? I’m supposed to be assisting His Majesty the King from close by, right?”

“Honestly, I’m uncomfortable sending you too. But, I can’t use Rochejacquelin of the Sûreté, so I have no choice, right? I can’t send Lasalle either.”

Eugene chuckled as he watched Lasalle, who was guarding him from afar as a general of the Imperial Guard, look surprised.

“Anyway, the world sees you, Hippolyte, as my representative.”

Everyone seems to hate going to the New World.

In fact, it takes 5 to 6 weeks to communicate with the New World even if you send a fast ship.

There are also more irregularities because steamship technology has not yet been established.

However, from Eugene’s point of view, he must bring the [subversive elements] to Spain this time.

At that time, Stephanie stepped forward with clenched teeth.

“Then, I’ll go with you.”

“What?”

“Aren’t you going to force me to marry anyway? How do I know what kind of woman this person will play with in the New World! I’m going too. I can’t become a living widow like my sister Hortense!”

Hippolyte was embarrassed by Stephanie’s confident spirit.

“Well, I’m fine with it, but still, taking a princess to the New World…”

Currently, Stephanie has the title of Duchess.

She also went to Nouvelle-France with him.

However, South America is closer to the tropics, so it is a very hot and difficult travel destination.

But Eugene nodded calmly.

“I took Marie anyway, so what? Okay, take her. However, if this happens, I won’t be able to send all three places.”

“Huh? You were planning to send to three places?”

“Well, I have to summon from Nueva España, La Plata [Argentina and Uruguay region], and Nueva Granada [Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela region].”

Eugene took out a simple notepad from his pocket, looked at it, and handed it to Hippolyte.

“Yes, these friends are the key. Go to Caracas, Nueva Granada.”

In modern terms, it’s Venezuela.

“Ahem, actually, Veracruz seems easier.”

“It’s easy to suppress Nueva España even if a rebellion occurs. Besides, there’s the most dangerous friend in Caracas.”

“Who is it?”

Eugene pointed to one name in the middle of the notepad.

“Simón Bolívar. We must bring that friend. Even by force.”

He is the one who will become the most dangerous independence activist.

***

Of course, he is still in a position where he has to come to the port when the special envoy of the home country’s king calls.

“Oh, it’s hot! Anyway, so! There was a strict order from His Majesty the King to bring you here.”

Simón Bolívar, the man who would later liberate most of South America in the original history, frowned.

Hippolyte Charles, the infamous Freischütz’s [marksman, referring to Eugene] closest aide.

He is said to have always been with Eugene in his victories in Egypt, Constantinople, Nouvelle-France, and even the recent Jena.

So, the new King of Spain has really sent a proxy.

Why would the king directly choose himself, who is [on the surface] just a local army officer and a local wealthy man?

“Royal Aide, is there a reason to mobilize this much force for a mere citizen like me?”

“Huh? A mere citizen? As far as I know, you are a key figure in the Caracas Freemason branch?”

“That’s just a social club.”

Bolívar barely answered, feeling breathless.

Caracas Port, Customs Office.

He thought it was strange that the King’s Guard soldiers were lined up in full force.

But he would mention [Freemason].

Just when he was about to use the pistol in his arms, someone grabbed Bolívar’s hand.

“Please!”

It was Stephanie who was next to Hippolyte.

“S-Señorita?”

“If you don’t go to Madrid, I can’t go back to Europe either. Neither can this person, my fiancé!”

“Wait a minute, p-please let go of my hand.”

But Stephanie cried out desperately.

“I can’t let go until you say you’ll go! I need you!”

Later, in the original history, Stephanie was said to be the most beautiful woman in the Beauharnais family.

Although Bolívar was heartbroken after losing his wife, he could not take his eyes off Stephanie.

Suddenly, Bolívar stammered and lowered his head.

“W-willingly, for the sake of the Señorita, I will go.”

Thus, with Stephanie’s persuasion, Simón Bolívar headed to the [lion’s den].

To the home country, Spain, where the lion Eugene is waiting.