He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 440

440. 1808: Pitt Becomes the Mastermind of Conspiracy

In January 1808, the British Navy fired a rare celebratory salute to mark the end of a war.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

Pitt, hearing the cannon fire from London Harbor, turned away from the window.

It wasn’t a victory salute, just a mere end to a war; a rather lackluster bombardment.

However, a politician without office has no power to decide.

Former Prime Minister Pitt lightly turned to his old subordinate and asked,

“So, Freischütz has a child, I hear?”

Alien Office, soon to be Head of the Foreign Office, Wickham shrugged as he sipped his tea.

“Not yet. I only confirmed with my own eyes that Queen Marie is pregnant. Though, perhaps she’s just gained weight.”

“Don’t joke. Though childbirth always has its variables. It’s best to keep watching until the child is born.”

“What do you know about childbirth, being a bachelor? Though the Bourbons and Habsburgs are generally prolific.”

Of course, it wasn’t Wickham but Richard Wellesley who was invited to the Madrid Federation ceremony.

However, Wickham also hid among Richard’s entourage and saw the co-ruling couple.

Though not officially announced, it’s certain that Marie de Bourbon is pregnant.

In fact, he not only saw it with his own eyes but also inquired with the court maids to confirm.

Marie’s mother, Antoinette, and grandmother, Empress Maria Theresa, had no issues giving birth, so the possibility of Pitt’s curse coming true is extremely low.

“Cough! Haha, I should send a congratulatory port wine. Even to an enemy, congratulations are in order.”

Pitt coughed and nodded, causing Wickham to frown.

“Your illness seems to be getting worse. What does the doctor say?”

“Haha, I’ve always been sickly since I was young. Nothing will change now. I’m not marrying because I don’t want to make a woman a widow, Wickham.”

“Well. There are rumors that you might like men, since you only meet with men.”

At Wickham’s joke, Pitt burst into laughter.

“Puhaha! Don’t worry. You, of all people, shouldn’t think that!”

The suspicion that Pitt might be homosexual was quite prevalent not only in later generations of the original history but also in his own time.

Anyway, he was a perfectly healthy bachelor with the power of a Prime Minister, yet no women were seen around him.

However, the theory that Pitt was more asexual than a lover of men is more plausible.

Pitt, who had been holding his head due to dizziness from laughing too much, asked with a pale face.

“The report says, Oberon seems impatient?”

“He’s asking when you’ll return and negotiate his territorial issues. It seems he’s given up on defeating Napoleon.”

“Tell him the Duchy of Bouillon doesn’t exist until Napoleon falls. And that’s the truth.”

Oberon, the French spymaster and claimant to the Duchy of Bouillon.

He was the one who orchestrated the previous assassination attempt on Napoleon from behind.

Of course, the result was that Marie became the heir to the Spanish throne.

He is still receiving instructions and funds from the Alien Office, commanding spies from an island off the coast of France.

Pitt suddenly sat down and twisted his lips.

“But it’s about time to return. Fox is running wild, isn’t he?”

Former Prime Minister, without any title, and in fact, a widower without a wife.

However, no one in Europe considers Pitt a mere bachelor.

Even current British high officials are more concerned with Pitt’s gaze than the Prime Minister’s.

Among them, Wickham, Pitt’s hidden confidant, put down his coffee cup and replied.

“Yes, it seems to be quite a mess. He ended the Anglo-American War as he pleased, sent an ambassador back to Spain, and demanded concessions from Portugal.”

“To France?”

“He dispatched his nephew, Henry Vassall-Fox, the Baron Holland. That friend has been close to Talleyrand since before.”

In fact, Fox, who calls himself a democrat, is also a nobleman’s son.

His father was Baron Holland.

Henry Vassall-Fox is his brother’s son, and to Fox, who has no sons, he is like an heir.

Above all, like the pro-French Fox, he was a revolutionary sympathizer, making him the perfect person for peace negotiations.

However, Pitt wore a sneer.

“Peace with France? What a joke.”

They’ve been fighting in Parliament for over 20 years.

But Pitt respects Fox’s political abilities but doesn’t respect his insight at all.

Isn’t he moving with wrong predictions even now?

“Fox is misjudging.”

“He always has, so it’s not a surprising statement.”

“The way for Britain to survive is on the sea. But who is the biggest competitor on the way to the sea? France and Spain. Now the two countries are combined. Besides, the Netherlands has fallen!”

Pitt’s pale face momentarily flushed with excitement.

“If this continues, it’s only a matter of time before the French fleet invades the sea off London. Peace negotiations? Do you think Napoleon will keep such a thing!”

In fact, this is Pitt’s prejudice.

Napoleon surprisingly keeps peace treaties well.

However, he tends to keep them when the other party has the power to respect, so even in the original history, Spain was trampled on.

At the same time, the strategic insight itself shows Pitt’s foresight.

Later, in the original history, the Nazis, who seized the continent, attempted to bomb London with the Air Force.

Of course, the British Navy is still intact, so it will be a long time before Pitt’s worries materialize.

However, Pitt’s concern is different.

Wickham raised his teacup again and replied.

“The current Prime Minister, Addington, is being swayed by Fox. Soon, a new regent will be established.”

“Is George, Prince of Wales, a candidate for regent? That’s ridiculous. Queen Charlotte would be better.”

“Her Majesty the Queen doesn’t really like you either.”

Pitt chuckled and said to Wickham.

“Well, will she say that when King Eugene comes to London.”

Eugene Bonaparte, the opponent Pitt is most worried about.

In fact, Napoleon gives Pitt despair, but he is not an enemy to worry about.

Because there is no way to cross the sea.

However, Eugene, the only soldier in France who instantly killed a British Navy admiral, is definitely worth worrying about.

Besides, hasn’t he now acquired the Spanish fleet?

“Anyway, we have to work. Call Grant of the East India Company. Oh, and contact the Duke of Atholl to meet.”

“Grant is one thing, but the Duke of Atholl? That man is suspected of treason.”

“Even if he’s a Freemason Master, he’s a British nobleman.”

Pitt firmly told Wickham, who was worried.

“He won’t want a world ruled by Napoleon.”

John Murray, Duke of Atholl, an old noble family in Scotland and the current head of British Freemasonry.

He has a history of cooperating with Lafayette, the head of French Freemasonry.

But Pitt declared that he would join hands with Atholl.

Wickham nodded.

“Well, I’ll pass on the message.”

Even if it’s a futile act, Pitt is Wickham’s most important boss, so he has no choice but to follow.

***

The Duke of Atholl’s estate is Blair Castle, located in Scotland.

-Thud, thud, thud!

A review of skilled line infantry continued before Pitt, who had come up to Scotland after a long time.

It is a procession of redcoats rarely seen in mainland Britain.

A lively old man stroked his well-shaved cheeks and laughed heartily.

“Isn’t it wonderful? The 77th Regiment. They fought in the New World War [American Revolutionary War] and suppressed Ireland. Deploying suppression tactics without shedding much blood is the regiment’s specialty.”

Pitt smiled, leaning on his cane.

“It’s an excellent group of soldiers, Your Grace.”

“Oh, I can’t handle it when the Prime Minister says that. The 77th Regiment is, after all, the country’s army.”

“Who doesn’t know it’s Your Grace’s private property? Also, I’m not the Prime Minister.”

The 77th Regiment, soon the Duke of Atholl, is a unit he created by recruiting himself.

This unit remains until the modern history of the original history, protecting the security of the territory where the ducal family is located.

Most recently, it was deployed during the Irish Rebellion, and the Duke, a proponent of Catholic emancipation, preferred suppression tactics to massacres.

However, in the end, the army is no different from a group that achieves its goals by killing people.

The Duke asked with a strange smile.

“Soon, you’ll be Prime Minister again. Why did you want to see me?”

But Pitt asked an absurd question.

“Don’t you want to spread the spirit of Freemasonry to Russia?”

The Duke of Atholl narrowed his brows.

“Why Russia all of a sudden?”

“That place is filled with the Orthodox Church and the Tsar’s secret police, making it difficult for Freemason societies to take root.”

“I heard that the Prime Minister tried to start a coup in Russia and failed.”

Originally, Freemasonry originated in England.

British Freemason members aim to spread free political ideas centered on truth in Europe.

However, in France, a revolution broke out in a strange way that British members did not want.

Also, in the former Holy Roman Empire, it was suppressed and could not even take root.

In the United States, Freemason members even started an independence movement, so if you think about it, Freemasonry may have to be called a group of traitors.

Nevertheless, there is a reason why Freemasonry still remains in England.

It is because influential people in society, including the Duke of Atholl, protect it.

Pitt said, staring at the Duke of Atholl, who is still casually mentioning state secrets.

“This time it’s not like that. The Crown Prince will strike the Emperor.”

At this, the Duke of Atholl was also surprised.

“Did you use your hand directly?”

“Of course not. I just moved his heart a little with the help of Lord Castlereagh.”

“That’s what you call using your hand, Prime Minister.”

The Duke of Atholl, who had a bitter smile, asked again.

“Is there anything this old man can help with?”

If Pitt were the Prime Minister, there would be no reason to come to the Freemason Grand Master and ask for help.

But no matter how influential he is, he is still uncomfortable.

You have to borrow the power of all walks of life.

Pitt said with a subtle attitude.

“Give me the list of French Freemasons. Of course, you can negotiate.”

“Are you telling me to betray my friends on the continent?”

“Well. Are those who betray the ideals of freedom and defend the Emperor really friends?”

Pitt’s eyes flashed.

“If there are still those among them who yearn for freedom, shouldn’t we help them?”

For example, treason.

“Okay. Prime Minister.”

In the end, the Duke of Atholl accepted.

Anyway, no matter how much Freemasonry dreams of universal freedom, the Duke is British.

***

On the way back to London, Pitt had another meeting in Exeter.

“I heard you’ve been busy lately, what’s the reason for calling me?”

The man who greeted Pitt with a very sullen expression was Francis Baring.

Three years ago, when Pitt became Prime Minister, Baring was kicked out of the East India Company’s board of directors.

If Baring went bankrupt after that, that’s not the case.

Pitt said, admiring the splendid mansion, reflecting the still prosperous business.

“Mr. Baring, I heard that the Hope Bank of the Netherlands will soon go bankrupt.”

“Well. It’s been a mess since the establishment of the Batavian Republic [Dutch Republic under French influence]. I’m thinking of treating those friends well when they come to London.”

“Your son, Alexander, is investing in Boston. Siphoning off the assets of Hope Bank.”

At that moment, Baring frowned.

“What are you trying to say, Mr. Pitt?”

Originally, Barings Brothers Bank grew rapidly through a cooperative project with Hope Bank, a traditional bank in the Netherlands.

In particular, as Hope Bank faced bankruptcy with the fall of the Netherlands, Barings Bank gained even greater profits.

This is because the executives of Hope Bank moved to England, where finance is developed and is also an enemy of France.

However, Baring is reducing his British-centered business since being pushed out of the East India Company.

In particular, he is investing in the United States through his eldest son, Alexander.

Pitt, who is not even in office, has been caught.

Pitt smiled.

“I know you’re siphoning capital to the United States, Mr. Baring.”

“I haven’t committed any illegal acts, so what about it?”

“The New World is definitely a good market. But is it a bigger market than India? Furthermore, what about China in the East?”

Pitt’s mouth had a strange smile.

“I’ll let you go back to the East India Company. This time as Chairman.”

Baring widened his eyes.

In fact, thinking about modern history, the United States is naturally better than India.

However, the United States in this era is still a developing country, and India is a rich country itself.

So, if you’re a businessman, it’s right to choose India.

However, he gave up because he was kicked out of the East India Company, but the person who kicked him out is giving him a chance.

“What’s the price?”

“Betray France.”

“No, I’m British, why would I betray France?”

Pitt stared at Baring, who was subtly backing away.

“Betray Eugene Freischütz and join hands with me. Then, when Bonaparte falls, all the assets of the Beauharnais cartel will be yours.”

So, it’s about choosing a side.

Baring frowned.

Pitt, who is not even in office, found out about Baring’s asset transfer.

If the political world changes and Pitt takes power again, how much can he do?

At that time, will Pitt leave Baring, who rejected this offer?

“Or are you thinking of killing me? What should I do, Prime Minister.”

As Baring asked through gritted teeth, Pitt nodded.

“First of all, you need to raise the anti-emperor faction in France. Mr. Baring. You’re still a director of the Central Bank of France, right?”

January 1808.

Pitt, the Prime Minister without office, began a conspiracy to bring down France.

Like the mastermind of a conspiracy theory.