He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 545

Extracurricular (23) Eradicating Revolutionary Agitators with a Diamond Rush

After a long while, a nation dared to challenge France militarily.

“Good heavens, how astonishing! And it’s a debtor challenging our great French Empire!”

In the Tuileries Palace, Lafayette exclaimed loudly in the French Imperial Cabinet office.

In truth, Lafayette doesn’t quite believe in the Empire’s greatness.

Moreover, this incident involves the Orange Free State, founded by Dutch immigrants, not even on French territory.

However, this is an era where France leads Europe, and Europe leads the world.

Yet, Britain clashed with a militia led by a French adventurer.

Naturally, it couldn’t help but be seen as a challenge to the French Empire’s hegemony.

Conversely, Robert Peel, the British ambassador stationed in Paris, who came to explain the situation, was sweating profusely.

“No, this is a misunderstanding, Prime Minister.”

“Monsieur Robert Peel, this isn’t an issue that can be resolved by talking with you. I demand you send a plenipotentiary [a person invested with the full power of independent action on behalf of their government].”

“Please, wait!”

British Ambassador Robert Peel cried desperately.

“The French adventurer attacked first! And he’s a nobleman! Our British colonial authorities have only defended their territory!”

The biggest problem is that the French adventurer’s name is Joubert.

A world-traveling adventurer, who achieved the unprecedented feat of pioneering the Northern Passage [a sea route connecting the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans along the Arctic coast of Eurasia].

Every European citizen knows Joubert’s name.

Especially the fact that he is one of Emperor Eugene’s closest aides.

Could it be that the French Empire orchestrated the incident as a conspiracy?

That’s what the British government suspects.

However, with their finances relying on French bonds, they can’t afford to cause a major issue.

On the other hand, French Prime Minister Lafayette was furious.

“Monsieur Peel, why is the interior of South Africa your colony?”

“But wasn’t it decided at the Amsterdam Conference? In exchange for returning most of the Indian colonies to the Indians, all colonies occupied until then would belong to the British Empire!”

“So, that means the territories occupied until then.”

Lafayette glared at Peel and shouted.

“The interior of South Africa is the territory of two peoples. One is the territory of the Zulu people, and the other is the territory of the [Orange] Free Citizens. Not your damned British land!”

This is also correct under international law.

In fact, if it weren’t for France, Britain would have already declared the interior of South Africa as their territory.

However, because of France, which held hegemony in Europe, Britain found it difficult to expand its territory arbitrarily even outside Europe.

Of course, Africa is relatively easier compared to the New World, but there were limits.

So, the declaration of territory in the interior of South Africa had not yet been made.

This is also why the problem occurred this time.

But what if France uses this situation as an opportunity to declare the entire South African region as its territory?

Peel, feeling a chill down his spine, turned pale, and Lafayette pushed on firmly.

“I don’t want war either. But if the British don’t back down this time, I swear on the honor of the Imperial Prime Minister, I will never tolerate it!”

War is inevitable.

These were the words of Lafayette, who is usually known as a pacifist.

Combined with the already bellicose Emperor, a war might really break out.

It could be an opportunity to appease the restless public sentiment in France and the German Confederation city-states.

In the end, Peel retreated, still suspecting a conspiracy.

“I will report to the home country, Your Excellency.”

As Peel left, Lafayette shouted after him.

“You better tell Prime Minister Canning clearly. Otherwise, I will lead the army and invade the Port of London, not His Majesty the Emperor!”

The door slammed shut.

Lafayette sat down with a heavy face.

Not a single day has been peaceful since he took office as Prime Minister.

He only thinks about throwing away his position.

But, unaware of his inner thoughts, Defense Minister Marceau fussed about.

“Are you really going to the Port of London? The navy is still absolutely superior to the British.”

“Am I crazy? Maybe I’ll consider it when the Aerial Corps can break through storms and advance.”

“It’s still impossible. According to the report from the Aerial Corps Commander, Count Conté, it will take more than 10 years.”

Conté, the inventor of the pencil, is still the commander of the Aerial Corps.

However, as the balloon develops into hydrogen development and airships, they are unable to overcome safety issues.

Of course, the Emperor occasionally advises them to develop it in a different way.

If France dominates the sky, then Britain’s naval superiority will end.

Then, the complete occupation of London is not just a dream.

The reason why the Emperor failed to complete the conquest of Britain in the past was because the Aerial Corps alone could not transport enough supplies.

But what if that level of absolute power is given to the Emperor or France?

Lafayette’s face became worried.

Although he is a Frenchman and has patriotism, dictatorship and monopoly are never good.

Besides, the Emperor is still a sensible monarch, but there is no guarantee that all monarchs will be like that.

Lafayette frowned for a moment and clicked his tongue.

“Then, I’ll just have to hope that the British give up. Or that His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t get angry.”

Anyway, France is an empire, and the final decision-maker is the Emperor.

If the Emperor declares war, Lafayette cannot stop it.

This is especially true because they are not yet able to completely overwhelm Britain.

Suddenly, Lafayette burst into frustration.

“Why did that crazy Joubert go all the way there!”

This would not have happened if he hadn’t discovered the diamond mine in the first place.

***

Of course, the Emperor never plotted any diamond conspiracy.

“Joubert brought me an unexpected fruit.”

The Emperor is too busy to plot a conspiracy in the first place.

The society is changing much faster than during the Great Revolution due to the Industrial Revolution.

However, monarchy and aristocratic system do not really fit well in a period of transformation.

On the other hand, it helps to prevent major wars to some extent.

Emperor Eugene is always worried about solving this contradiction.

Nationalism is also a phenomenon that occurs as the number of limited classes increases due to the Industrial Revolution.

But he can’t make the Germans poor, can he?

At that time, Lasalle, the current commander of the Imperial Guard, whistled next to Emperor Eugene.

“Whew! Did Your Majesty order it?”

“Well, I just told him that there would be a lot of diamonds and gold in South Africa. When he came to boast about his adventure last year.”

“Oh, if I had known that was true, I would have gone too. Riding through Africa on horseback for the first time in a while!”

As Lasalle’s eyes sparkled as if he would run right away, Eugene scoffed.

“Egypt and South Africa are completely opposite, Lasalle. I would rather listen to other people’s adventures.”

Lasalle once roamed Egypt on horseback.

However, South Africa has the opposite climate and even more severe epidemics.

It’s not a land that can be broken through with courage alone.

It’s not for nothing that Eugene sent Joubert, a professional adventurer, to develop South Africa.

Of course, he didn’t expect him to actually discover a diamond mine.

With a smirk, Lasalle delivered the next report.

“By the way, it seems that Second Prince is adventuring back and forth across Africa.”

“He said he would catch Metternich? A foolish fellow. If it were that easy, I would have ordered Vidocq [Eugène François Vidocq, a French criminal and criminalist whose life story inspired several writers, including Victor Hugo for his character Jean Valjean in Les Misérables] to do it a long time ago.”

“Is that old man that hard to catch?”

Eugene frowned at his troublemaking son and shook his head.

“Catching him doesn’t solve the problem. After all, German nationalism is like a volcano. It will explode if someone throws a bomb, but it will explode even if they don’t.”

Catching Metternich is simpler than other people think.

In the end, Metternich also travels back and forth in the world of the European civilization.

Unless he runs away to India or China.

He would have already been caught if the Imperial Public Security Investigators were mobilized.

The problem is that German nationalism is a real threat.

It is the culprit of the original World War and an unquenchable volcano along with Balkan nationalism.

In a situation where lava is boiling, no matter what defense measures are taken, the volcano will eventually erupt.

Lasalle intuitively understood Eugene’s words and tilted his head.

“But why is what Joubert brought a gift? Are you going to nationalize that mine?”

Eugene smiled and replied.

“Lasalle, you’ve been by my side for a long time, so your insight has increased.”

“Oh, thank you for the compliment.”

“But you’re wrong. I’m going to fully open the South African mines.”

First of all, the interior of South Africa is not French territory.

However, the Orange Free State is composed of people from Batavia [the Dutch Republic], which is a vassal state of France.

Then France can dispatch troops under the pretext of protecting Batavian citizens.

Furthermore, the handling of rights to the mine.

“Not only to French people, but to all citizens under the Amsterdam Treaty.”

Then all the citizens of the European continent will be targeted.

What Eugene is thinking about is this after all.

Gold rush.

The era of great development that led the western development of the New World.

He is causing this in South Africa with diamonds and gold mines as bait.

Who is the target?

Of course, it’s the Germans.

“Your Majesty, there will be tremendous chaos.”

Eugene smiled as he turned to look at the former chief of staff who was entering through the door.

“It seems like the Prime Minister is already making a fuss. Is the Duke of Quebec healthy?”

“He still seemed to be dreaming of treason.”

“That’s a wrong idea. Louis-Philippe is not that brave. Just.”

Eugene narrowed his eyes and coughed.

“He’s aiming for after my death. Cough.”

As the cough did not stop, Duroc hurriedly rushed over and said.

“Your Majesty, I will call the royal physician.”

“It’s okay. I don’t have a disease.”

“What do you mean, when you’re coughing?”

However, Lasalle, who protects Eugene, has seen it often, so he just has a bitter face.

Eugene is also very calm.

As if it were a familiar thing, Eugene said.

“Just, my body is at its limit. I can’t help it. So.”

After taking a breath, Eugene stood by the window.

Inside the Tuileries Palace office.

In the back garden, Marie is taking Karl and Jeanne for a walk for the first time in a while.

“Before that, I have to leave a peaceful country to my children. Even if the successor is someone else.”

In fact, Eugene doesn’t know who will be the successor.

Because the world Eugene will leave behind is an era of upheaval.

What overcomes the age of upheaval is not bloodline but only competence.

Just like the predecessor, Napoleon.

So, only those who overcome the upheaval can be the successor.

“It’s a secret from the Empress.”

Duroc and Lasalle seemed to know what was a secret, but they didn’t know.

***

Now, the Orange River area is truly a mess.

-Clang, clang, clang!

A large number of white people run to stir up the river and dig the ground.

When something comes out, cheers erupt, and when nothing comes out, shouts of anger erupt.

But one thing is clear.

They risked their lives for the ‘diamonds’ they would dig out of the ground.

“Good heavens, why are so many people coming! And they’re Germans!”

Duroc, fanning himself behind Joubert, who was tearing his hair out, said.

“Monopoly is difficult in the first place. Monsieur Joubert.”

“Chief of Staff! Don’t say it so simply. How hard I worked to get this diamond mine!”

“So, you have recognized the Orange Mine as your property, right?”

Duroc very simply conveyed the imperial order.

“Instead, the mines discovered later will be owned by the discoverer. By imperial order.”

Joubert glared at Duroc and threw the diamond ore in his hand.

“I suddenly want to start a rebellion. Damn it!”

The next moment, cheers shook the Orange River.

“Hail, Kaiser Eugene!”

The Germans, who once dreamed of overthrowing the French Empire, shout.

Hail Emperor Eugene.

The lava that might have burned Europe has poured far south.

Towards South Africa, where the diamond rush broke out.