He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 527

Side Story (5): The Freemasons Take Action Against the Revolution

Originally, the Freemasons were a secret society that began among British gentlemen.

“But now, the French Orient headquarters is the core of the Freemasons. It’s not even a secret anymore.”

The Grand Master of the Freemason Orient branch, Lafayette, smiled wryly as he gazed at the prominent sign.

In the heart of Paris, a large building with bold lettering declared their presence, almost like a second Arc de Triomphe.

Any citizen could easily find the Freemasons here.

It felt like only yesterday they were branded as rebels by the royal family and forced to hold clandestine meetings.

Now, celebrities were clamoring for Freemason membership.

However, the core principles of the Freemasons remained unchanged.

Only those deemed worthy could join their ranks.

Yet, the Duke of Orléans himself had been a Grand Master. What, then, truly qualified one to realize the Freemasons’ ideal of achieving freedom through truth?

They say old age is spent reminiscing, but Lafayette felt a bitter taste in his mouth as only regrets surfaced.

Suddenly, a boisterous laugh erupted from behind him.

“Hahaha! Isn’t it just a glorified social club now?”

“Madame de Staël, or should I call you Madame Necker now that you’re divorced? Even so, the Freemasons are still an ideological group. It’s more than just a simple gathering [a ‘clef’ in this context likely refers to a social key or password, implying exclusivity].”

“Just call me Madame de Staël. But an ideological group? I hear this pyramid training is all the rage. Does going inside a pyramid model really improve your health?”

Lafayette frowned at the still-plump woman’s remark.

“Well, Duke [Abu Simbel, referring to the Duke’s adopted title] swears by it. I can hardly believe it myself.”

Abu Simbel is the name of an ancient ruin located on the Nile River in Egypt.

The Duke of Abu Simbel, as the name suggests, had made significant contributions during France’s involvement in Egypt.

But his fascination with Egypt had spiraled into pyramid worship.

It wouldn’t be so bad if he kept it to himself, but he’d returned to Paris and introduced pyramid veneration to the Freemasons.

Consequently, peddlers had infested the area near the Paris Freemason headquarters.

“Buy a pyramid model! It’s a mysterious structure certified by the Freemasons!”

“Sleep in this pyramid tent for one night and you’ll enjoy a long and healthy life!”

“Try pyramid-made medicine, certified by Duke Abu Simbel!”

Madame de Staël chuckled, observing the bustling merchants.

“Aren’t those swindlers being cracked down on? Puhuhu!”

“Apparently, it’s difficult to intervene because Duke Abu Simbel is protecting them.”

“When you become the new [Imperial Chancellor, a high-ranking government position], deal with that problem first, okay? It’s degrading, especially for the dignity of the Freemasons.”

Madame de Staël, daughter of Necker, the former French Minister of Finance and a prominent banker, was famous as a best-selling author and quite knowledgeable about national affairs.

However, she seemed somewhat out of touch after her recent travels outside Europe.

Lafayette shook his head and entered the headquarters building.

“Well, the current situation is far too complex to waste time on those merchants.”

Madame de Staël tilted her head, following Lafayette inside.

“Why? Isn’t His Majesty placing the Grand Master in the position of Chancellor a move to appease the Nouvelle France faction [likely a political faction advocating for closer ties with former French colonies]?”

“When I was in the New World, I thought that was the whole story. But upon returning home, I discovered the domestic problems are far more serious.”

“How so? I’ve mostly been traveling, so I’m not up-to-date on French domestic news. I recently traveled to India. My India travelogue will soon be a bestseller.”

Lafayette stopped walking, staring at Madame de Staël, who subtly boasted about her upcoming book.

“There’s talk of an anti-imperial revolution.”

The very notion was shocking.

Back in the 18th century, that would have been considered treason, plain and simple.

Madame de Staël, who had lived through the revolution, widened her eyes.

“Who’s planning such a foolish thing? The current French Empire is a citizen’s empire. Citizens elect the emperor by voting.”

“It’s not like electing an administrator with a fixed term, as in the United States. There’s a growing sentiment among students that American-style democracy should be introduced.”

“Those youngsters! They should have witnessed the bloodshed during Robespierre’s reign to understand the dangers!”

Direct democracy is the ideal of democrats.

Madame de Staël, a former supporter of the Great Revolution, knew this all too well.

She had even led an opposition movement against the late Emperor, who had strived for absolute monarchy.

Why couldn’t these college students grasp that direct democracy, unchecked, could spiral out of control?

Stories circulated that if Robespierre had remained in power for three more years, a million people would have perished.

She still vividly remembered those who met their end on the guillotine each day.

Lafayette sighed again, attempting to comfort the trembling Madame de Staël.

“Furthermore, there are reports that worker dissatisfaction is reaching a boiling point in Alsace and Lorraine, the industrial heartlands around Tours.”

This time, Madame de Staël responded with a puzzled expression.

“Isn’t Vendée the largest concentration of factories? Followed by [Hauts-de-France, a region in northern France] near Holland.”

“Isn’t the west a stronghold of pro-Bonapartists? Hauts-de-France is uneasy, but an uprising is unlikely with Marshal Ochs of Cairo stationed in Holland.”

“If His Majesty hadn’t initiated the [Industrial Revolution], they’d still be toiling in the fields. What are they complaining about?”

The very existence of [workers] was predicated on the existence of factories.

Factories, in turn, were a product of steam engines, machines, and skilled technicians.

Workers were created when the French Empire embraced the Industrial Revolution, allowing farmers to transition into factory laborers.

Who did they think created these opportunities, and why were they now participating in an anti-imperial revolution?

Lafayette shook his head.

“Times have changed, Madame de Staël. Revolutions are no longer about voting rights or starvation. The workers are calling for the elimination of capitalists.”

At that moment, Madame de Staël, the daughter of a prominent banker, erupted in anger.

“No, how can the country function without capitalists! You crazy commies!”

Such a notion hadn’t even existed during the Great Revolution, when private property was considered an inviolable right.

***

Of course, not all Freemason members shared Madame de Staël’s views.

“How can capitalists exist without workers! We Freemasons must stand with the powerless workers!”

This sentiment was particularly prevalent among the generation born in the 19th century, who had no firsthand experience of the revolution.

The most vocal young man among them was currently addressing the Freemason headquarters hall.

Suddenly, Freemason member Augustin Thierry asked, observing the young man’s speech.

“Why is that young master so impassioned?”

“He’s 23 years old now, just like Grand Duke Charles Napoleon. He’s eager to make his political mark.”

“Then he should take his arguments to the Tuileries Palace, not our Freemasons.”

Lafayette smiled wryly, noting that even Thierry, a historian who advocated for revolution, seemed lukewarm.

“That’s Duke Abu Simbel’s doing. Isn’t he the young man’s patron?”

In an instant, Duke [Abu Simbel] shouted enthusiastically from beside the young man.

“That’s right! My research shows that the pharaohs who built the pyramids provided workers with vacations and welfare! That was 4,000 years ago!”

“Oh my gosh, such advanced systems 4,000 years ago!”

“Our French Empire is worse than the Egyptians 4,000 years ago!”

Unlike the young man, the old Duke’s speech was brimming with energy.

He was, after all, a veteran general who had survived the revolution, wars, and the Egyptian campaign.

Kleber, an expert on Egypt and Duke Abu Simbel, waved his arms as if conducting an orchestra.

“Therefore, we must grant equality to the workers. Isn’t that the spirit of the Great Revolution and the ideal of our Empire, which carries on its legacy!”

Originally a stonemason, Kleber was an indispensable figure in the Freemasons, a society rooted in the traditions of free stonemasons.

Furthermore, the Freemasons traced their origins back to ancient Egypt.

Consequently, even members who disagreed with the young man’s words couldn’t openly express their dissent to Kleber.

Kleber, the Egypt enthusiast, was considered the most knowledgeable about the secret society’s mysteries.

Then, another old man sitting in the corner spoke up.

“Then, does it matter if the Empire collapses?”

Kleber turned his gaze and frowned.

“I never said that, Monsieur Desmoulins.”

“Grand Duke Louis Philippe of [Quebec, likely referring to a title or position related to the region] often says that we need to introduce the American system to France.”

“T-this isn’t about political systems, Editor Desmoulins!”

In an instant, the young man, Grand Duke Charles Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor’s half-brother, shouted.

“This is simply a matter of welfare. Countless workers are dying in factories. If this continues, a revolution will truly erupt!”

Of course, Charles Napoleon was also a beneficiary of the Empire.

He didn’t want to see it crumble.

But the high level of dissatisfaction among workers in the factory districts was undeniable.

He believed that if this wasn’t addressed, a far greater crisis would unfold.

Desmoulins, France’s leading journalist and opposition leader, asked without hesitation.

“Then, what is Your Highness’s alternative?”

Charles Napoleon swallowed hard and explained.

“National pension.”

“Pension? Are you suggesting we simply give money to the workers unconditionally?”

“I’m not saying we should give it unconditionally. These people aren’t unemployed layabouts. They work, create value, and earn money. I’m saying we should set aside a portion of that money in advance. Of course.”

Charles Napoleon paused, glancing at the wealthy members.

“Business owners must also share the burden!”

Most members were prominent social figures.

Social figures were typically wealthy, many possessing fortunes that could be considered capitalistic.

Therefore, the idea of contributing financially made everyone uncomfortable.

Amidst the unease, Desmoulins posed a pointed question.

“Ultimately, what does the Empire gain from this?”

Charles Napoleon’s eyes lit up.

“We can prevent the revolution!”

Of course, this was predicated on capitalists contributing sufficiently.

***

As with any organization, the real secret talks took place in secluded chambers.

“He’s still young, but he’s undeniably remarkable. He reminds me of the late Emperor’s son.”

“Wasn’t it the General’s theory to reject the notion of inherent superiority based on bloodline?”

“Well, considering your advocacy for pyramid determinism, I’m starting to think bloodline determinism is more scientific.”

Lafayette said sarcastically and then asked.

“Is it true that subversive elements have infiltrated the Saint-Cyr Military Academy, Kleber?”

Kleber shrugged.

“That’s correct. Paris is teetering on the brink.”

“We can’t simply ignore it because it seems beneficial. We won’t be able to avoid bloodshed.”

“But at least we can manage it strategically.”

Kleber offered a knowing smile.

“Isolating the students and the workers. That’s where our Freemasons come in.”

This was why Kleber, the pyramid enthusiast, supported the imperial family’s claims of subversion.

The generation that had lived through the revolution understood that suppressing complaints unconditionally was not a solution.

Of course, demanding sacrifices from the privileged class was never easy.

Therefore, divide and conquer was the answer.

“Good. Next week, His Majesty will submit a proposal to the House of Representatives to appoint me as Chancellor. If Desmoulins agrees, there will be no opposition party in the House. Then I’ll make a surprise announcement immediately.”

The prospective Imperial Chancellor, Freemason Master Lafayette, affirmed.

“Social insurance measures for workers.”

Kleber nodded with satisfaction and asked.

“Excellent. While we’re at it, how about we also acknowledge the miraculous power of the pyramids, General?”

“Wake up from your delusion!”

“No, the effects of the pyramids are real!”

Of course, he didn’t abandon his pyramid advocacy until the very end.