He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 438

(438) Russia Dreams of Conquering India

It had always been Russia’s ambition to secure access to an ice-free sea from its perpetually frozen territories.

“With the conquest of Finland, I have finally achieved dominance over the Baltic Sea!” declared Pavel I, who had rarely visited the Winter Palace recently.

In fact, it had been years since the Tsar had seriously engaged in matters of state.

Aside from the failed coup attempts, the Tsar had grown weary of governing and only attended to his duties sporadically.

Therefore, Chancellor Rostopchin and Royal Advisor Kurakin seized the opportunity to advise Pavel.

Their advice centered on honoring those who had contributed to the conquest of Finland.

“Your Majesty, winning the battle against Sweden and seizing Finland is a great achievement.”

“Indeed! Even the late Emperor, who long desired Finland, could not accomplish this!”

“We believe it is right to bestow honors and titles upon Generals Buxhoeveden and Bagration.”

Pavel listened to the Chancellor and Advisor, nodding in agreement.

“Very well. I shall grant Friedrich Wilhelm von Buxhoeveden lands in Estonia. Let it be fitting! The honor shall be the Order of St. Andrew!”

“Oh, that is an honor Your Majesty has newly created!”

“It is a great honor, Your Majesty!”

Buxhoeveden, kneeling some distance away, bowed his head with a joyful expression.

However, his joy could not compare to that of the Chancellor and Advisor.

Gaining new territory through victory is not the only achievement.

The real achievement is that the Tsar, who had been avoiding his responsibilities in the corner of his palace, has finally emerged.

Then, Pavel suddenly stared at Bagration, who stood behind Buxhoeveden.

“To Bagration, I shall bestow the same honor, along with the title of Knyaz [Prince]!”

Knyaz, a Russian title equivalent to Grand Duke.

Of course, it does not come with any specific territory, so there is no real power attached.

However, bestowing the title alone is a significant event.

On their way out after the ceremony, Royal Advisor Kurakin and Chancellor Rostopchin exchanged glances.

“Hmph, to give a Georgian royal a greater honor than our Russian nobles.”

“Well, judging by merit alone, it is not a wrong decision. Bagration has achieved greater feats than Buxhoeveden, who was the commander-in-chief.”

“I have heard he is a master of mobile warfare, but hmm.”

Clearly, Bagration is one of the top five generals in Russia during this era.

He inherited Suvorov’s tactics and established a doctrine of mobile offensive warfare.

He created a tactical manual that emphasized bayonet charges over trench warfare, small-unit mobile advances over reliance on shooting battles, and even controlling each infantry battalion with only the music of the military band.

Above all, he showed remarkable skill in commanding the complex Russian army, which was a mix of diverse personnel, with strong discipline and simplicity.

However, Kurakin, who had known Pavel since he was the Crown Prince, clicked his tongue.

“This, no matter how I look at it, seems like a check on our nobles and high-ranking military generals.”

It is not that Pavel highly valued Bagration’s skills.

The Tsar values his mood more than competence.

The reason Kutuzov holds the highest position in the Russian army is that he caters well to Pavel’s whims.

At that moment, Rostopchin, who had been listening with a worried expression, turned his head.

“General Bennigsen, do you have anything to say?”

Bennigsen, who had been following from a distance, shrugged his ornate military uniform epaulets.

“How could I know what Royal Advisor Kurakin and Chancellor Rostopchin do not know?”

“Are you not the one who survived the last abdication turmoil? You would not close your eyes and ears.”

“Ahem, I merely set a trap to catch the wicked traitors.”

Rostopchin pressed Bennigsen, who was feigning composure.

“What does the Tsar want? Surely, he is not really going to fight England. Is he perhaps thinking of Turkey or Persia?”

Of course, Bennigsen is not in a position to be disliked by Rostopchin.

After all, it is true that Bennigsen was involved in Panin’s coup attempt last time.

Bennigsen looked around to make sure no one was there and spoke softly.

“It is true that Bagration’s homeland provides access to both Turkey and Persia.”

“Could it be, really?”

“But there is another area that His Majesty has been watching closely lately.”

Suddenly, Bennigsen mentioned an unexpected name.

“India.”

This is a place that neither Kurakin nor Rostopchin, who have considerable experience with Pavel and the Russian court, had anticipated.

No, no Russian aristocrat would have predicted it.

It is a very long distance from St. Petersburg to Kabul in northern India, roughly 5,000 kilometers [approximately 3,100 miles].

Rostopchin asked with a dumbfounded expression.

“But didn’t you give up on that when you started attacking the British colonies in the New World?”

“Unfortunately, that is not the case. How long has it been since we heard news from the New World? There are widespread rumors that it has practically become French territory. Also, even if we won, Siberia would be enough for fur.”

“The New World’s fur is comparable to Siberia, really. How on earth are you going to conquer India?”

It is easy to underestimate Canada as a worthless land in an era when mining is not developed.

However, even in this era, Canada has significant economic value.

This is because of beaver fur.

The fur trade was Russia’s traditional source of foreign currency and a pillar supporting the Russian economy in an era when specialized industries were not developed.

So, there is definitely significance in conquering Canada.

However, it is too far to sustain Pavel’s interest for long, and news has been cut off while fighting England.

Therefore, Pavel has now begun to pay attention to other places.

Bennigsen licked his lips and said.

“Conquer Persia and then attack northern India. His Majesty has already decided.”

Kurakin sighed to Rostopchin.

“I’m going crazy. It would be much easier to fight France.”

Rostopchin frowned and grumbled.

“Surely that won’t happen? You know how deeply His Majesty is infatuated with the French. Tsk!”

Of course, no one present knows if this statement will become a prophecy.

***

In a corner of the Winter Palace, a bold cry was heard from the Crown Prince’s residence.

“The opportunity that Viscount Castlereagh spoke of has come!”

The Crown Prince, Alexander, who had been waiting for the Emperor to return after his rare visit, blinked in surprise.

“What do you mean, Stroganov? Opportunity? Perhaps, India?”

“That’s right.”

“His Majesty is constantly talking about the sea. He is focusing all his efforts on building a fleet to advance into the Baltic Sea. So, what’s with this talk about India?”

Having a port on an ice-free sea is the long-held dream of successive Russian Tsars.

However, the path to the Black Sea, Constantinople, has been blocked by French troops.

Therefore, advancing into the Baltic Sea, and further into the North Sea, is one of Pavel’s key policies.

However, the Crown Prince’s friend, Stroganov, shook his head and exclaimed.

“That is a misreading of His Majesty’s true intentions! His Majesty wants the continent, not the sea. India, a place overflowing with gold and food, where even saltpeter [potassium nitrate, a key ingredient in gunpowder] comes from the land!”

Clearly, India is a prosperous land.

The fundamental driving force behind Britain’s dominance in the 19th century in the original history also originates from the rule of India.

Even now, in 1807, when France has firmly established its superiority in Europe over Britain, Britain is still holding out, centered on its interests in India.

However, prosperous India is too far from Russia.

Alexander asked with a bewildered expression.

“If we could occupy it, who wouldn’t want it? But, can it be done at will?”

“That’s why it’s an opportunity. Because it can’t be done!”

“No, that Castlereagh fellow, and even you, why are you like this?”

Alexander frowned and looked around the globe.

“No matter how impatient my father is, he wouldn’t push for something impossible.”

On one side of the globe, Russia and India are visible.

Of course, from the Russian border, it seems like a land that can be reached at a glance.

However, it is too far from St. Petersburg, the capital region of Russia.

Then, Alexander’s other aide, the cold Novosiltsev, opened his mouth.

“If we use France, it might be possible. Your Majesty.”

“What do you mean, France?”

“Originally, the Emperor of the French Empire, and even Eugene, the Emperor’s adopted son who is now the King of Spain, both advocated for the conquest of India.”

Novosiltsev pointed to the Mediterranean region and said.

“Moreover, the Ottoman Turks are currently virtually controlled by France. Egypt is entirely under French rule, and Syria is a protectorate. If France cooperates, the conquest of India is not just a dream.”

Looking at it this way, the entire Eastern Mediterranean is within France’s sphere of influence.

The only country separating Russia and India is Persia.

If Persia is occupied, and if France helps in this process, wouldn’t the conquest of India really be possible?

In fact, Alexander was speechless after hearing the grand strategy that Napoleon had envisioned in the original history.

“Novosiltsev, listening to you, I’m almost convinced myself.”

“That’s just the way it sounds. It’s actually difficult. Even if France helps with all its might.”

“But it will sound different to His Majesty, right?”

Novosiltsev sneered coldly.

“He will be so engrossed that he will allow the Crown Prince to have military power.”

The core of the plot that Castlereagh put forward is Alexander’s seizure of military power.

Although it is a time when the government has changed in England, it will be a long time before that news reaches Russia.

Unaware that those who promised support have already been deposed, Alexander rose from his seat.

“Alright. I will petition. Even if I can’t command directly, there will definitely be dissatisfaction in the military. If things continue like this, I’ll be deposed anyway.”

The India invasion plot has begun.

***

Of course, it is a ridiculous story to a sensible chancellor.

“Good heavens, Your Highness! What kind of nonsense, I mean, words are those!”

Rostopchin shouted at the top of his lungs, but Alexander ignored the chancellor and spoke to the Tsar.

“Father, right now, those treacherous islanders of England are mocking our Russia. However, our naval admirals are weak and cannot even cross the North Sea.”

“Y-Your Highness!”

“Nevertheless, there is a way for our Russian Empire to punish England.”

Alexander pointed forcefully at the globe and exclaimed.

“With the help of our ally! The power of the French Empire, we can conquer India together!”

It is only natural that the Frenchmen present, Danton and Joubert, had bewildered expressions.

In fact, Napoleon’s idea of invading India was never realized.

But for Russia to cross Persia and conquer India is an excessive delusion.

Danton exchanged glances with Joubert, cleared his throat, and stepped forward.

“Well, that is a matter that requires discussion.”

“That’s right!”

“Your Majesty?”

Danton, flustered, widened his eyes, but Pavel did not hide his excited attitude.