He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 436

(436) 1807, The Spanish Federation is Born

Veracruz, the main port of New Spain [Nueva España], was now bustling with activity.

“It’s an election!”

While the true capital of New Spain, or Mexico, was undoubtedly Mexico City, the early 19th century saw the rise of Atlantic ports due to their crucial connection between the home country and its colonies.

Thus, Veracruz, the Atlantic port, was the most populous, prosperous, and rapidly changing city.

Residents throughout the city were gathering around posters, exclaiming with excitement.

“Good heavens, elections are being introduced in ‘our’ Spain!”

“But who gets the right to vote? What? Even mulattos [people of mixed European and African ancestry]?”

“No. Look closely at the proclamation.”

A resident named Jose, after examining the decree, shouted to his friend.

“Only those with assets of 1,000 escudos [Spanish currency] or more, or an annual income of 5,000 pesos [another Spanish currency], have the right to vote!”

1,000 escudos was roughly equivalent to 1,000 gold francs, and 5,000 pesos was about half that in silver.

So, only those with an annual income of at least 500 francs were granted the right to vote.

This was similar to how voter eligibility was restricted by property ownership in the early days of the French Revolution.

However, the citizens who were getting the right to vote for the first time were rather relieved.

“Ahem, does this mean people without property can’t live well?”

“No! It means that only those with a certain level of wealth or income can engage in politics responsibly. Would you trust a *cabildo* [town council] member without money?”

“Of course not, they’ll just take bribes!”

Bribes and such were just excuses.

What the residents were really worried about was people of color gaining the right to vote.

After the French Revolution, the people of New Spain were aware that slavery had been abolished in some places.

Although the abolition of slavery hadn’t yet been introduced in their region, they knew that the same wave would eventually reach Spain.

And then, wouldn’t people of color naturally be given the right to vote?

They might have to watch mixed-race people become the ruling class.

But as long as the right to vote was restricted by property ownership, that wouldn’t happen easily.

Suddenly, an officer who was observing the scene from a café spoke up.

“Isn’t it surprising? Father Hidalgo? People who were full of complaints about the home country until now are only talking about the election.”

A middle-aged priest, Hidalgo, looked silently at the young officer and lowered his eyes.

“Señor Iturbide, if you’ve come to test me, you might as well leave. Our priesthood no longer dreams of independence movements.”

“So you once dreamed of it. Well, His Majesty the King has even forgiven General Miranda of Granada, who explicitly started a rebellion in the south.”

“I’ve heard. He is truly a magnanimous person.”

In an instant, Officer Iturbide’s eyes flashed.

“How about it? Why don’t you run for councilman, Father?”

Father Hidalgo retorted with a dumbfounded expression.

“Me? I’m a rural priest, a person unrelated to politics.”

“Who would believe that? Miguel Hidalgo Costilla! You lectured on Enlightenment at the university and are much more interested in commerce and grape cultivation. Not to mention the seditious gatherings; you even have women and children!”

“Señor Iturbide, are you threatening me now?”

Hidalgo trembled.

Originally, in history, Hidalgo would start a rebellion in 1810, within the next three years.

He wasn’t just a simple priest but a person with great influence in the grassroots society of New Spain.

This was possible because Hidalgo originally had many students as a university professor and was much more interested in secular affairs, engaging in various businesses.

Of course, he also took care of his love life, practically having a wife and children.

If it were known to the home country or the Vatican, he would be excommunicated immediately, but there were not uncommon priests like Hidalgo in this era.

Then, Officer Agustín de Iturbide shook his head.

“Of course not. I have no intention of putting my distant relative, the priest, in jail. I’m just thinking about what the next viceroy will be like.”

“What did you just say?”

“An unmarried priest with no official children. Isn’t he a suitable person for the elected viceroy position?”

Iturbide smiled and took out a letter he had received from the home country.

“Coincidentally, I even have a recommendation from Madrid, or rather, Seville.”

Iturbide was no ordinary person either.

Originally, in history, he suppressed the Mexican independence movement, then changed his stance and completely liberated Mexico.

Furthermore, he established the first Mexican Empire and ascended to the throne as its first emperor.

However, he also faced the first Mexican Revolution in just 10 months, was abdicated, chased away, and died.

Hidalgo stared at Iturbide, who was still a young officer loyal to the royal family, and asked.

“Is this the current viceroy’s intention? Or Admiral Cisneros of Cuba?”

“No, perhaps it is the intention of His Majesty Eugenio. Or perhaps it is the intention of Her Majesty Maria, but I don’t think so.”

“How do you know me so well?”

Iturbide shrugged.

“He is still the viceroy of New France. Perhaps he obtained information when he was the Governor-General of New France?”

Hidalgo sighed and looked outside.

“The new king is frightening.”

Below the third-floor café, the citizens of Veracruz were shouting fiercely.

“A vote for Jose!”

“Now, a new era has come! If we just have money, our mestizos [people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry] can go to the council!”

“No, is it all about money!”

Once citizens start to get excited, they don’t stop.

They move towards the goal of more rights, more freedom, and more wealth.

Does the king of the home country even know about this situation?

Hidalgo muttered, looking at the citizens with trembling eyes.

“Indeed, how are you going to control such a world?”

Of course, the concept of financial domination was still unimaginable to the people of the New World.

***

Early December 1807, the port of Seville was still bustling despite the winter.

-Peeep!

Numerous people were disembarking from the ship that had braved the rough seas.

They were the Cortes [Spanish parliament] members from the New World.

In particular, the ship that arrived this time was so important that even the guards came out to greet it.

Because the new Viceroy of La Plata from Buenos Aires was arriving.

-Thud!

The guards saluted the new viceroy as he stepped off the ship.

“Present, arms!”

The viceroy’s aide whistled as he looked at the Boarneh-style new rifles.

“Wow, I heard this place was ruined, but it’s still thriving? The guards are very well trained too.”

Viceroy San Martin turned to look at his aide, Juan Antonio de Arenales, and replied.

“It’s true that it was ruined. The reason it’s suddenly become active is threefold. First, thanks to the Boarneh cartel, second, because England stopped the war, and third, of course, because of our New World Cortes.”

“Oh, I thought we were still at war with England?”

“Well, English ships haven’t been blocking our ships. And there were no special precautions from the Freemason headquarters.”

At that moment, another ship made a loud noise as it docked at the port.

-Boom!

A huge battleship entered.

This time, soldiers who seemed to be twice the number of guards who came out to greet the viceroy were running around.

How important must the guest be to put so much effort into the ceremony?

San Martin was about to turn around, curious for a moment.

“Wow, it’s an English ship!”

His aide, Arenales, who would fight the war of independence with San Martin in history, exclaimed in surprise.

But San Martin couldn’t scold Arenales either.

Because he was so surprised that his mouth was wide open.

Suddenly, a man in solemn attire approached the man who had disembarked from the battleship.

“Welcome, Ambassador Wellesley.”

“Prime Minister Alava, congratulations on your inauguration.”

“Well, I don’t know if this is really a good position. In reality, it’s no exaggeration to say that I’m the Prime Minister of Castile.”

British Ambassador Richard Wellesley smiled as he shook hands with Spanish Prime Minister Alava.

“If you put it that way, am I a dispatch from the Kingdom of England? Haha. You’ll get used to it in the future. To a country ruled by parliament.”

So, Richard Wellesley, who originally staged a coup in Spain, came to Seville.

This means two things.

England is brazen enough to send the mastermind of the coup to Spain.

But conversely, Spain, or Eugene, is willing to formally establish diplomatic relations with England to welcome such an ambassador.

Arenales looked at San Martin with a surprised face.

“If England and Spain establish peaceful diplomatic relations, what will happen to France? Viceroy San Martin?”

Not only Europe but also Americans know that the new King Eugene is Napoleon’s adopted son.

Also, although interference isn’t yet severe, everyone is worried that France is likely to vassalize Spain.

However, with England and France still in a state of cold war, Spain is establishing diplomatic relations with England?

This could incur the wrath of the French Empire.

San Martin muttered, sweating coldly.

“His Majesty the King has truly begun a precarious tightrope walk.”

Of course, Eugene himself wouldn’t think so.

***

Seville, the city palace where Eugene has recently been staying as virtually the capital, is where the influential figures of Spain have gathered.

“Then, I will declare it by royal decree.”

The great nobles of the home country, the collateral lines of the Bourbon royal family, and high-ranking clergy were present.

Here were the newly appointed Cortes members from Aragon, Granada, and Leon.

But the most unusual ones were separate.

They were the Nueva Cortes [New Parliament] members from the New World, sometimes including mestizos.

Elections have only been held in the New World so far.

But it’s only a matter of time before the concept of elected office comes to the mainland.

Receiving mixed gazes of expectation and concern, the Queen, Maria, declared clearly.

“We, Maria, and our consort and co-king Eugenio, inform all the people of the mainland and the New World that a new Spanish Federation has been born.”

Somehow, Maria seemed to be moving slightly uncomfortably.

However, the influential figures were rather enthusiastic about the sight.

Because everyone knew what the slightly swollen abdomen meant.

“Wow!”

The successor to the Bourbon, or Borbon, dynasty was on the way.

The royal family confirms its legitimacy through bloodline, and a throne without children is precarious.

So, the news that the new royal couple is pregnant is a sign that guarantees the perpetuity of the throne.

Looking at Maria blushing slightly and Eugene escorting her, the Marquis of Romana, Commander-in-Chief of the Army, said in a low voice.

“I don’t know if this is really a good thing, Alava.”

“Marquis of Romana, the die has already been cast.”

“Well, there hasn’t been a rebellion so far. But will that be the case in the future?”

The Marquis of Romana stared at the French behind Eugene and said.

“In the end, His Majesty the Co-King cannot escape the interests of France.”

French people could be seen, led by Fourth Corps Commander Massena and Guards Commander Junot.

Although Alava has been appointed as Prime Minister, it is widely rumored that Chief Aide Ippolito Charles is actually acting as Prime Minister.

Of course, this is happening because Eugene is actually making all the decisions.

In the end, the court led by the French and the newly born Cortes local power may clash.

Also, Eugene’s attitude of emphasizing the New World and subtly staying in Seville is also a problem.

There is a very high possibility that the people of Madrid, which is still the capital, will be dissatisfied.

Nevertheless, even with all of this in mind, Alava answered solemnly.

“But if we win, everything will change.”

Eugene has built an undefeated record on the battlefield so far.

Even if they rebel, no one can guarantee that they will be able to win.

Besides, isn’t he effectively suppressing even the dissatisfaction of the New World?

On a very precarious balance, the Spanish mainland and the New World Cortes members, a total of 200 people, shouted.

“Long live His Majesty Eugenio! May Her Majesty Maria live long and prosper! We wish you a healthy heir!”

Suddenly, Maria looked back at Eugene in front of the throne with slightly uneasy eyes.

“Will it be okay?”

Eugene firmly held Maria’s hand instead of answering.

December 2, 1807.

The Spanish Federal Kingdom was born.

A country where the New World and the European mainland have equal status.

A country created by the union of the first kings, Eugenio and Maria.