He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 507

(507) Fate Eventually Leads to Waterloo

In the end, Flanders fell into British hands.

“Now, Paris is in danger!”

Of course, Antwerp is still being defended by a pro-French mayor.

However, there are a hundred ways to render a fortress useless.

For example, simply stationing a border unit next to the fortress and advancing is a solution.

Massená paced around the encampment spread out in front of Potsdam, making a fuss.

“While we were tied up in Berlin, the British pulled off a truly extraordinary operation.”

“It just seems like the Imperial Army corps in the Flanders region were completely incompetent, Massena.”

“Shh, what if the Chief of Staff hears you? The eyes and ears of the General Staff are scattered everywhere in the unit.”

Massená, who was making a serious point as if it were a joke, suddenly waved his hand.

“Oh, there’s one passing by. Hey, General Gneisenau! How are you?”

Gneisenau, a staff officer of the General Staff and a former Prussian army colonel, simply nodded and passed by.

Of course, it wasn’t that he ignored him.

However, considering that the other party held the title of Grand Duke and was one of the nine Marshals of the Empire, it was rude.

Massená whistled, and the strict Augereau frowned.

He was already bothered by the fact that he was from Prussia, and his attitude was even more displeasing.

“That’s an unpleasant fellow. Why doesn’t he answer? Should I kick him with my boot to get a response?”

“Forget it, Augereau. That friend is from Prussia. He can’t be in a good mood with Prussia being crushed.”

“Then tell him to leave the French army. Now, more than ever, we need loyal soldiers.”

Augereau gritted his teeth and, pledging his loyalty to Massena, headed towards his corps.

“You should exclude generals from Russia from the operational meetings altogether. You never know when they might collude with Kutuzov.”

Watching Augereau, who seemed unusually on edge, Massena tilted his head.

Even if Paris is in danger, the Grande Armée [Grand Army] is still intact.

But why is he so anxious?

Massená turned to the commander of the Guard, who was riding alongside him on patrol.

“Being so stubborn. He’s not fit to be a Marshal of France, which is about to become an international empire.”

“Isn’t Augereau’s cautiousness nothing new? Besides, there’s Illya. Spies are going back and forth in every military camp in all sorts of ways right now.”

“Isn’t it the role of the commander of the Guard to stop that, Lannes? Have you caught any spies?”

Lannes dusted off his splendid Guard uniform from horseback and replied.

“No, but it seems they’re planning to stab the spies in the back in another way. Our Emperor and King, I mean.”

Massená’s eyes lit up as he approached.

“How? Tell me, just me.”

“No way. You have a big mouth. Don’t be surprised if I hear from Serboni or Schérer tomorrow about what I told you today.”

“You talk as if your mouth is a lock. Tsk. Oh, Reille! Let’s talk for a moment!”

Massená hurriedly ran towards General Reille, who would later become his son-in-law in the original history.

He probably just wanted to finish a conversation.

As Lannes clicked his tongue, another Grand Duke rode up and paid his respects.

“You really are a social butterfly, Grand Duke Massena, I mean.”

“Oh, who is this? Isn’t it the one who obtained the Grand Duchy of Finland?”

“Don’t tease me. Grand Duke of Silesia.”

Bernadotte, the designated Grand Duke of Finland, retorted with a haughty air.

In fact, in the original history, Lannes receives the Duchy of Silesia as his fief [land granted by a lord in return for service].

Of course, he is dragged into war without having time to enjoy his fief and dies in battle.

Lannes, who has never been to the territory from which his title originated because he is being dragged around by Napoleon, snorted.

Then, Bernadotte cautiously approached Lannes and asked.

“We’ll win this war easily, right?”

He seemed anxious because he had little experience being commanded by Napoleon.

“I don’t know. They say the British have mobilized an unprecedented army, even from all over the world.”

“Doesn’t that mean they’re not coordinated? Or, they might collapse quickly because they’re not used to the climate.”

“It would be nice if it were that simple, but King Eugène is very concerned.”

Lannes said to the ‘newbie’ Bernadotte with a strange smile.

“About the enemy commander-in-chief, Wellesley.”

In fact, Lannes thinks Eugène’s words are more important than the entire British army.

On the other hand, the newbie Bernadotte seemed to think the opposite.

Bernadotte snorted and retorted.

“Isn’t King Eugène originally an overly cautious person? That’s what I’ve heard.”

“He’s famous for avoiding risks to the extreme. I’ve seen it many times. Conversely, if King Eugène thinks it’s dangerous this time, it’s dangerous.”

“Are you trying to be a fortune teller?”

Just as Bernadotte’s face was distorting, Lannes laughed heartily and headed to his patrol area.

“Hahaha! Maybe, he originally started his career with card games, so he might even read cards!”

Bernadotte, who was left behind, grabbed the bald Davout who was passing by and asked.

“What is he talking about?”

“Oh, don’t you know? Originally, King Eugène was a servant of the old royal family. He was famous there as a genius at card games.”

“What? But how did he become the son of the Emperor, the darling of the revolution? Ah, is that how he met the princess?”

Davout recalled the old days with a reminiscent look.

“Well. I suddenly remember serving King Eugène’s father. I wonder what would have happened if he hadn’t died back then.”

In the past, Davout was originally a subordinate of Eugène’s biological father, Alexandre.

If Davout had caught Alexandre back then, he might not have run out into the street and died.

But if that had happened, would Eugène have been able to safely become Napoleon’s adopted son?

Just as Davout was lost in the sentiment that the revolution had changed so many lives.

“Hey! Bernadotte! Davout! The Chief of Staff has called a meeting! Return immediately!”

Bernadotte, seeing the marshal who had come to find the marshals from afar, asked in a low voice.

“What title did Marshal Mortier get this time?”

“He’s the Duke of Dresden. He was recognized for his contribution to firmly defending the rear during the Battle of Leipzig.”

“A political consideration. Well, am I in a position to talk about others?”

The man who received the title of Grand Duke as a political consideration within the military, Bernadotte, grabbed the reins and responded to his former superior.

“I’m going! Your Excellency Marshal!”

Whether in the original history or now, it was a moment when the marshals and senior generals representing the Grande Armée gathered, dispersed, and gathered again.

Inappropriately, very peacefully.

***

Of course, peace is not the fate of the Grande Armée.

“Rochejacquelein, are you sure? The British army is advancing on Paris?”

Napoleon pressed the head of intelligence with a serious expression.

Advancing on Paris.

Even though rebellions had broken out from within and the Empress had fled to Fontainebleau, Napoleon had not been shaken.

Of course, it wasn’t because he had many lovers.

As long as Josephine, Charles Napoleon, and Florence were safe, he thought there was no problem.

However, if the British army invades Paris, the situation is different.

Rochejacquelein nodded with a firm face and reported.

“Yes, Your Majesty. We have also received intelligence that French royalist exile corps have entered Paris.”

“Damn it, then it’s not even a siege. It seems Paris is really going to fall into the hands of the British.”

“It will be the first time since the Hundred Years’ War.”

Napoleon, frowning, looked around and shouted towards Eugène.

“Talleyrand should be here! Eugène, what do you think? If Paris is trampled by the British army, the repercussions will be enormous, right?”

Massená, Augereau, Lannes, Berthier, and even Moreau.

Anyone would agree that they are the best generals produced by the French Revolution.

But none of them are politically savvy enough to consider the political implications of Paris.

So, Eugène is the only one who can discuss the issue of the invasion of Paris in this place.

Eugène narrowed his brows and replied.

“If it were a simple rebellion, there have been several times even during the old royal family. It’s nothing special. But the occupation by foreign troops is something that hasn’t happened in hundreds of years.”

“I know that! I’m asking you to predict the political repercussions!”

“Of course, it will be enormous.”

Eugène stared intently at Napoleon.

“But, it’s not more important than Your Majesty’s safety.”

Even if the British army attempts to invade Paris, Napoleon must not move.

That’s what Eugène felt during the last Battle of Leipzig.

If he is sent to the battlefield, the enemies will unconditionally target Napoleon.

Napoleon raised his eyebrows and burst into laughter.

“Pfft! Eugène, what is it? Don’t tell me you want to become the commander-in-chief?”

“One way is to bypass the Rhine and return home, or you can wait here. I can handle it with just the 4th Corps.”

“Cut it out! Don’t think about monopolizing the glory, Eugène.”

Suddenly, Napoleon gritted his teeth and glared at Eugène.

“This is calling for me. But can I turn a blind eye and run away? Could you?”

The real reason Wellesley is invading Paris.

To draw out Napoleon.

That’s something anyone here can know.

Because it’s a military solution.

But Napoleon runs away from the enemy?

It’s an unimaginable thing.

Even for Eugène.

Napoleon waved the imperial baton and ordered Chief of Staff Berthier.

“We’re going after them. Grande Armée, prepare for the entire army to sortie [to move out of formation]. And, return all Russian troops to supply! Moreau!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’ll entrust the rear to you again this time. This isn’t just about supplies.”

Moreau quietly looked at his former rival, Napoleon, and paid his respects.

“I will keep that in mind. Far, ‘from east to west,’ where Your Majesty’s majesty reaches. I will do everything perfectly.”

With this, Napoleon’s personal command was decided again.

***

On the way out of the encampment, Ippolito, the chief aide of the King of Spain, smacked his lips.

“Eugène, what Marshal Moreau said earlier, it doesn’t sound good, does it?”

From east to west, encompassing all the places where the Emperor’s majesty reaches.

What on earth does that mean?

Instead of answering, Eugène muttered as he watched the 4th Corps preparing.

“In the end, I’m meeting Wellington.”

“Huh? Ah, he was made the Duke of Wellington this time. That friend named Wellesley.”

“He’s the conqueror of India. Something neither I nor my stepfather achieved.”

Ippolito asked back with a dumbfounded face.

“That’s because you didn’t go to India. Why are you worrying about that?”

However, Eugène knows that what Napoleon really wanted to do in the original history was to conquer India.

Furthermore, he also knows that Wellington is the ultimate victor in the original history.

Shouldn’t I have assassinated Wellington a long time ago?

I’ve been too busy, but I never thought I’d meet him like this.

To gather soldiers from all over the world’s colonies, truly a genius of ideas.

“I wish we could have fought with shrapnel shells.”

Regretting not being able to use the [new technology] he had created, Eugène snatched the reins.

“I hope Ochs doesn’t get delayed.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Let’s go, we mustn’t be too late for the march.”

Suddenly joining the ranks of the 4th Corps, Eugène looked at the sky.

“In the end, is it Waterloo?”

The Grande Armée set off again to the west.

Towards the final battlefield, Waterloo.