He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 457

(457) The Overseas Territory Marshals Also Move

The Citizen Empire is a contradictory system run by citizens who are nominally [equal] under a monarchy.

“In other words, it’s a system where nobles or lords can’t exist. My position itself is a contradiction.”

A man in a blue military uniform, strolling through Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence in Vienna, spoke.

Schönbrunn had been the home of the Habsburg family for generations.

But now that the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Kingdom have been dissolved, someone else is stationed at Schönbrunn as if he were the owner.

It is Moreau, one of only nine Marshals of the Empire in the French Empire.

Suddenly, a general who was following Moreau like an attendant chuckled.

“So, are you unhappy with being the Duke of [Hohenlohe], Marshal Moreau?”

Hohenlohe: the site of Moreau’s most glorious battlefield victory.

It is also the only battlefield where Moreau won when King Karl of Hungary was still the commander of Austria.

Therefore, following Napoleon’s method of making the place of victory a title, Moreau’s title became the Duke of Hohenlohe.

Moreau smiled bitterly and replied.

“Commander Bernadotte, if I really didn’t like it, I would have refused the title in the first place.”

“Who can refuse a title? Look at King Eugene of Spain. He was called the standard-bearer of the revolution and the sharpshooter, but when the throne was offered, he rushed to accept it.”

“Well, his wife is a princess of the old royal family, so it’s not surprising. Also, that’s not what I wanted to talk about.”

Suddenly, Moreau narrowed his eyes.

“I’m saying that the current French Empire system, with the Emperor at its apex, is very unstable.”

All citizens are equal.

That is what is stated in the French Imperial Constitution.

This is an indispensable clause in France, which has undergone a revolution, especially emphasizing the spirit of equality from the Great Revolution.

But monarchs and nobles exist.

The Emperor is resolving this contradiction in two ways.

One is that the Emperor is an elected ruler from among the citizens, who has been delegated power by the citizens, which is the theory of popular sovereignty.

The other is the logic that titles, including nobles and knights, are honorary positions that do not entail privileges.

Therefore, the current titles of nobles and knights follow the names of ‘military achievements’ rather than ‘territories’.

Furthermore, titles, like the Legion of Honor, come with pensions and honors, but there are no rights such as immunity.

In short, it’s like replacing the splendor of the nobility with [gold] instead of privileges.

However, Moreau sees this system as very unstable.

“Well, I hope I get a title, even if it’s an unstable system. Also, if I receive a foreign title like Junot, it can be inherited, right?”

“That’s the cause of instability. Inheritance is not allowed in France, but titles received by French soldiers in other countries can be inherited? It’s a contradiction.”

“Anyway, all of that will explode after we die, Your Excellency.”

Commander Bernadotte of the Duchy of Warsaw flashed his eyes.

“Furthermore, if Russia comes under the Emperor’s control this time, it may last forever. The Citizen Empire ruled by Bonaparte.”

Moreau smiled bitterly.

“Again, is it war?”

Two years ago, in 1807, the Austrian Kingdom was dissolved.

This area surrounding Vienna is the Austrian [Duchy], ruled by Duke Rudolf, the brother of former King Franz.

But the real power lies with Marshal Moreau, the commander of the occupying forces.

Furthermore, it is no exaggeration to say that Moreau’s power to control the divided former Austrian territories is greater.

In addition, Napoleon even awarded Moreau the title of Duke to appease the [Rhine Army] faction, which is a minority in the military.

Therefore, in Vienna, Moreau is called this.

Moreau, the Grand Duke of Austria.

Moreau shook his head and said.

“Anyway, you seem to be in favor of the Russian [support army] that is being discussed this time.”

“No, it’s not a support army. It’s the Russian Expeditionary Force, Your Excellency.”

“The Russian Empire is waging a civil war, right? Then why don’t we just let the Tsars fight each other? Why should our French army participate?”

Suddenly, Bernadotte laughed loudly.

“Hahaha! Your Excellency, what did you take my words for? Am I the only one who wants titles, glory, and victory? The entire French Imperial Army wants it. This is a war that the military wants!”

Originally, in the original history, Bernadotte became the King of Sweden around this time.

Of course, with Désirée being preempted by Hoche, there is no throne to return to Bernadotte.

But Bernadotte’s ambition is already as high as those who have already taken the throne.

He also knows countless soldiers who harbor the same ambition as himself.

He is talking about those who dream of the positions that Eugene, Massena, Augereau, and Junot have reached.

“Besides, the most ambitious of them all is His Imperial Majesty.”

Moreau sighed.

“If it’s the trend of the times, I can’t help but follow it. I understand. I will express my approval to the inquiry from the Paris General Staff regarding this war.”

Bernadotte saluted and smiled with satisfaction.

“If possible, I hope Your Excellency Marshal will also participate. Hehe. The winner of this great expedition will be remembered in the history of the French Empire!”

Of course, Moreau did not bother to point out that all of that was only true if they won the war.

***

Halic, in English, the Golden Horn, the coast called the Golden Horn Bay, is most beautiful when the sun sets.

“But this scenery is only good for a day or two. Now I want to see the dirty Seine River water!”

Angelique frowned at her husband’s immature words next to her.

She was enjoying the scenery after a long time away from the ‘children’.

Why does her husband only say things that don’t understand the atmosphere?

Besides, there are not only French people on this huge ‘yacht’.

Suddenly, Grand Admiral Hussein Pasha said leisurely.

“It’s difficult, Duke of Constantinople. If you return to France, who will achieve the [modernization] of our Empire?”

“Please don’t call me by that strange title, Grand Admiral! Besides, the modernization of the Empire should be done by the Turks. Why am I doing it?”

“Well, it’s an Empire that has lost territory and has frequent internal rebellions. The only way to overcome the current situation is [modernization], as you told me!”

Hussein Pasha leaned against the yacht and shone his eyes.

“To do that, external funds and investment are essential, and all of that is coming from France. Thanks to you, over the past 10 years, our Empire has developed more than when we conquered foreign countries!”

Eugene’s so-called [Orient Expedition] took place in 1798.

At that time, Eugene forcibly reorganized the Orient.

The Ottoman Empire, which had been around for over 500 years since its founding, had the Balkans become independent, Syria seceded under the pretext of a protectorate, and Egypt was transformed into French territory.

But 10 years later, Anatolia and the western Balkans, the remaining territories of the Ottoman Empire, are truly entering a path of prosperity.

The reason for this is simple.

First of all, England, which used to roam the Eastern Mediterranean like its own sea and carry out imperialistic plunder in the original history, has disappeared from the Mediterranean.

Secondly, Russia, which would carry out the next plunder after England, only paid attention to Persia as Pavel’s rule lengthened.

Finally, France, which should be plundering around Syria, is taking a completely different approach.

They are building the Suez Canal, distributing the canal’s passage rights to their ally, the Ottoman Empire, and French merchants are reinvesting huge surplus funds.

Of course, French merchants prioritize their own interests.

However, Eugene’s Beauharnais Cartel has the largest vested rights, and the Beauharnais Cartel is thoroughly following Eugene’s instructions.

But unlike the people of the 19th century, Eugene is well aware of the importance of [economic cooperation].

He also knows that it is more advantageous to make the ‘barbaric’ Orient a [lower] economic partner, rather than simply exploiting it.

So, the Ottoman Empire is becoming an unprecedented French Mediterranean [lower] partner and is developing.

No matter what, the ‘lower’ partner will eventually be subordinate to the ‘upper’ partner.

The problem is that Marceau had to lead and coordinate all of this process.

Even though his original mission was only the commander of the Istanbul garrison.

“Oh, I don’t want to. I’d rather participate in the Russian expedition!”

Angelique finally couldn’t stand it and shouted.

“Marceau! Wake up! Where are you going to the battlefield, leaving the children behind?”

“No, Angelique. I’m also a soldier. I’m sick of doing politics and coordinating interests like this. Besides, I really miss the Seine River!”

“What nonsense are you talking about when you’re not even from Paris! Enjoy the Golden Horn!”

Grand Admiral Hussein Pasha laughed as he watched the couple arguing.

“It’s good to see. Now, let’s go back to Topkapi Palace. Row the oars!”

The yacht began to cross the beautiful Golden Horn Bay again.

It was a peaceful day, before the recall order for Marceau arrived from the home country.

***

You can see a boat coming up over the gently flowing water.

-Splash, splash, splash!

It’s not like the wind is blowing hard.

Steam-powered ships are only in the testing stage in the New World and Paris.

The boat is moved by the oars pulling in front.

Therefore, only relatively small boats are moving compared to the width of the opened waterway.

Nevertheless, the spectators watching the scene are overflowing with joy.

“Your Excellency, Duke of Cairo, it’s a success. The merchant fleet sent to Gujarat has returned safely!”

Kleber, a 56-year-old chubby general with graying hair, cheered.

It sounds like he traded with England, but Gujarat, which is now northwestern India, is not yet British territory.

Hindu Rajas who are resisting England are holding out, centered on the port of Nawanagar, which will later be called Jamnagar.

Originally, in the original history, the Maratha War broke out, and they eventually knelt down to England.

But now, England has not yet seized the entire territory of India.

Taking advantage of this gap, the French Egyptian Governor-General’s Office sent a shipping fleet to India through the Suez Canal.

The [Duke of Cairo] stroked his mustache as he looked at the returning fleet again.

“Indeed, with this success, the Suez Canal has also completely established itself.”

“That’s right! ‘Our’ Egyptian Governor-General’s Office no longer needs to draw money from the home country. We have seized the opportunity to become the core of the French Empire!”

“Haha! You’ve become familiar with the word Empire. Deputy Governor.”

Deputy Governor Kleber smacked his lips at the Duke of Cairo’s joke.

“Isn’t it already 10 years? Now, we have to accept reality. Your Excellency Hoche.”

In some ways, Egypt is where more stubborn republicans gathered than Moreau or the Rhine Army.

Deputy Governor Kleber even set up a Freemason lodge in Egypt and created a training center to lecture on the spirit of republicanism.

But almost 10 years have passed since the Empire was born.

It is enough time for the French who have moved away from the home country and remained in Egypt to accept the Empire.

Suddenly, the Duke of Cairo, Hoche, folded a letter as he looked around the canal.

“Eugene said 5 years, but it’s been over 10 years. Is it time for me to return to the [Empire]?”

The number one person among the French overseas territory marshals.

The Governor of Egypt and the ruler of the Great Canal.

It was the day that Hoche, the head of the former marshals, received instructions from the home country.