He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 65

(64) Seizing the Greatest Chemical Tycoon of the 19th Century

Chemistry is the cutting-edge science of the late 18th century.

In modern terms, it’s equivalent to research in artificial intelligence, quantum semiconductors, and genetic cloning.

Truly a state-of-the-art industry.

The fate of a nation, or even a civilization, depends on how this chemistry is handled.

Why?

There are three immediate problems:

Gunpowder, fertilizer, and power.

The synthesis of gunpowder for war, the development of fertilizers for agriculture, and research into coal for the industrial revolution that is about to begin in earnest.

All of this goes hand in hand with the development of chemistry, the study of matter itself.

Those once called alchemists have become the leaders of the era.

That’s why Eugene came to choose Lavoisier.

To take control of France’s chemical sector from a business perspective.

Especially by capturing a genius chemist who is completely cornered.

Lavoisier looked at Eugene and sighed.

“Which card should I choose?”

Good.

Eugene clenched his fist secretly.

Lavoisier was halfway there.

In fact, he was known as a stubborn man, so I thought it wouldn’t be easy.

But being surrounded by a mob and almost killed seems to have been quite a shock.

Eugene explained calmly.

“One is the executioner, the road to the guillotine. You wouldn’t think those rioters were a joke, would you? The problem is that those rioters are now leading public opinion in Paris.”

“I know. That’s why I’m in this state even though I was a member of the National Assembly.”

“That was when the moderate faction was in power, Assemblyman.”

Now is the era of the National Convention.

It is different from the early National Assembly led by Lafayette, Brissot, and the dead Mirabeau.

The radical hardliners, the Jacobin Montagnards, are leading the political situation.

So there is no [power] to protect Lavoisier.

Eugene raised his finger again.

“The next card is exile.”

“Are you telling me to go to England?”

“If you go there, you’re a traitor. But there’s another way. The New World, America.”

Everyone was surprised at Eugene’s words, but Eugene said calmly.

“Going to America is rather a way to uphold the revolutionary spirit. It’s hard to punish him as an exile.”

America is virtually a country created by France.

They literally pulled up the pillars to fund American independence.

Moreover, the American republican government is implementing a more ‘advanced’ system than revolutionary France.

In addition, key revolutionary figures had the commonality of being Freemasons.

In many ways, the French revolutionaries, especially the moderates, are generally friendly to the United States.

English is a bit of a problem, but a genius like Lavoisier can speak English quite well.

Especially his wife, Marianne, who is sparkling her eyes next to him, is also fluent in English.

But Lavoisier sighed and shook his head.

“There’s usually a third option in these cases. What’s that card?”

“You don’t want to be exiled either?”

“I’m a patriot in my own way. Besides, my country is at war, and I don’t want to leave without being able to do anything.”

Suddenly, Lavoisier opened his eyes wide and shouted.

“We have to make gunpowder. A lot of high-purity gunpowder! We can’t import saltpeter [potassium nitrate, a key ingredient in gunpowder], so we have to make it synthetically!”

This is why Lavoisier is still alive.

Originally, Lavoisier was the chief of the Gunpowder Administration before the revolution.

However, after the revolution, he was pushed out of that position.

This was also the first thing Eugene wanted to do through Lavoisier.

Nodding lightly, Eugene said.

“That’s right. Saltpeter synthesis, smokeless gunpowder. We need all of that. But the military needs something more urgent than that, Monsieur Lavoisier.”

“Hmm? I think there was some talk about ‘smokeless’ gunpowder? Anyway, what’s more urgent?”

“Mercury fulminate.”

Nitrogen synthesis, the basis of saltpeter, and smokeless gunpowder that leaves no impurities.

These are inventions that will change the battlefields of the 19th century.

But what Eugene needs right now is something else.

Mercury fulminate, or fulminating mercury.

A detonator that detonates gunpowder instead of flint.

It is an item that will be synthesized in England in 1799.

In short, five years earlier, Lavoisier could do it if he only knew the principle.

Eugene, like Napoleon, mixed [Eastern Mystery] and explained it to Lavoisier.

“It’s a detonator made by the gunpowder artisans of the Eastern Empire, Qing China, or [Ch’ing Dynasty].”

“Ch’ing? The empire that dominates the continent at the far east? Is that place so developed?”

“Rather, it’s behind us. But they have special gunpowder.”

Still, an era when little is known about the Qing Empire.

Europeans have fantasies about the East.

So Lavoisier has no way of knowing that Eugene is ‘bluffing’.

The important thing is the principle of creating a detonator, fulminating mercury.

“It’s about chemically transforming mercury into an extremely explosive state.”

“Is that possible?”

“It’s possible. Dissolve mercury in nitric acid and then add ethanol. That’s not the problem.”

This fulminating mercury is a hidden contributor that changed the history of war.

So Eugene, who majored in it, knew how to make it roughly, even if he didn’t know the ratio.

The problem is that fulminating mercury is not a stable substance.

“This substance explodes with even the slightest impact. If it has that explosive power, it can replace flint, but stabilizing it is the key.”

That’s when it happened.

“I want to make it! Tell me the principle!”

Eugene blinked when someone he didn’t expect shouted.

It’s a young man who wasn’t very noticeable.

But he certainly saw him trying to protect Lavoisier.

Who is it?

But Lavoisier clapped his hands and laughed.

“Ah, this friend will be able to do it. He’s younger than me, and just as smart as me!”

“Who is it?”

“Hehe, no one knows this friend now, but everyone will know him in the future.”

Suddenly, Lavoisier said with a satisfied smile.

“It’s Éleuthère Irénée du Pont!”

At this moment, Eugene would be the only one surprised.

***

Even if you don’t know Éleuthère du Pont, everyone in the original history knows [DuPont].

It is the largest chemical company in the United States that invented ‘nylon’.

Of course, this invention was made in the early 20th century, and it was done by a DuPont researcher.

But every company has a founder.

The young man in front of him, DuPont, is the founder of [DuPont].

“My name is DuPont. I am learning chemistry from Assemblyman Lavoisier.”

Eugene didn’t know he would meet the largest chemical tycoon in the 19th century in this way.

He was the largest gunpowder supplier in the United States at the time, and his grandson supplied more than half of the Union Army’s gunpowder during the Civil War.

It may have been thanks to the good timing, but that’s how skilled and resourceful the founder was.

On the way home, Eugene scratched his head on horseback and asked.

“Do you have any thoughts of going to America?”

“Yes? Are you talking about the United States of America in the New World? Oh, of course, it’s a wonderful country. Our revolutionary government’s ideology is based on many things from American independence. Of course, it’s thanks to the spread of our French Enlightenment there!”

“Stop talking nonsense. I’m asking if you have any thoughts of doing chemical research or business in the United States.”

Then DuPont frowned and smiled bitterly.

“I heard you’re a prodigy, and you have a good sense. To be honest, I think about it sometimes. Because the situation is like this.”

When Lavoisier was executed in the original history, DuPont left for the United States with his father.

In the process, he was briefly involved in the sale of Louisiana and a little involved in Napoleon’s failed attempt to advance into the West Indies.

It was an attempt to help France in any way possible.

But during the West Indies expedition, he supplied uniforms to Napoleon and was ripped off.

Eventually, DuPont became disillusioned and formally naturalized as an American citizen.

It was one of the cases where Napoleon lost talent due to his petty stinginess.

But Lavoisier is not dead yet.

He hasn’t been ripped off yet.

Then, a shout came from afar.

-Waaaaa!

DuPont frowned as he looked at the other side of the street.

“Do you hear that sound? It’s the sound of the guillotine falling. It looks like someone is dying today.”

“It’s probably Carrier. He’s paying the price for the massacre in the Vendée [a region in France that rebelled against the revolutionary government].”

“That man deserves to die. But other people who don’t deserve it are also dying on the guillotine.”

In the Middle Ages, execution was a festival.

The dissatisfied people cheered as they watched the prisoner being executed.

The revolutionary government is doing the same thing now.

Today, Carrier, the perpetrator of the Vendée massacre, died.

Who’s next?

“Maybe Assemblyman Lavoisier is dead too. Isn’t that right?”

DuPont shook his head.

“In that case, I’d rather go to America and start a new business. Not only me, but my father is also talking about it.”

Maybe DuPont would have gone to America even if Lavoisier hadn’t died.

It is clear that the United States has more opportunities, more empty land, and more resources than France.

But France is still a more powerful country.

Eugene pondered that point and stared at DuPont.

“Okay. You can’t go to America right now anyway. You have assets, and you have to protect Lavoisier.”

“Ah, I’m just thinking about it, I haven’t made any concrete plans, Colonel.”

“Then help me. Even to save Lavoisier.”

DuPont nodded, his eyes shining.

“That mercury fulminate, if you cause a chemical change in mercury as you said, it seems possible. I’ll research it once I have the funds and a laboratory.”

“No, that’s the beginning.”

“Yes?”

Eugene looked at the Tuileries Palace in the distance and twisted his lips.

“Even if you make mercury fulminate, you can’t negotiate if you just give it to the government. Lavoisier, who has lost his value, will die.”

“Th, that might be the case.”

“We need an organization that can continue to create excellent items even after mercury fulminate is made. For example, a [Société, a business partnership or company].”

DuPont’s eyes widened at Eugene’s unexpected words.

“Société? Are you talking about a trading company?”

“That’s right. Do you know about the state-run gunpowder factory?”

“Yes? Ah, I know. Isn’t there a gunpowder factory in Grignon?”

Currently, the French revolutionary government has a gunpowder factory in Grignon, southwest of Paris.

The best chemists of the time are being put into this place to direct the increase in gunpowder production.

But all the achievements made here belong to the state.

Eugene brought up another story.

“How much profit would be made if this was owned by civilians in the form of a trading company, a company?”

Originally, this is what DuPont would do in the United States 10 years later.

As a businessman who monopolizes the supply of gunpowder throughout the United States.

Although he is from a noble family, DuPont, who is still just a chemical researcher, would not have thought of this idea.

Eugene smiled and suggested to the surprised DuPont.

“Once mercury fulminate is made, it will become an essential military supply along with gunpowder. Starting with that, let’s create a chemical trading company, or a huge chemical company. A company of Beauharnais and DuPont.”

DuPont, overwhelmed by the huge ‘vision’, asked.

“M, me? How is that possible?”

“Of course, I’m not going to do it for free. I’ll provide the capital. And in exchange for giving you shares in the joint venture, there’s something you have to give me.”

“What is it?”

In fact, Eugene squinted at the man who would become a chemical tycoon even without Eugene.

“Patents. For the next 10 years.”

This is the shackle that Eugene will use to tie down DuPont.

***

A week later, DuPont visited Café Beauharnais in high spirits.

Today is the day to finally sign the [investment contract].

In the meantime, his teacher was in danger of dying, and DuPont himself was in a precarious situation.

But he was guaranteed safety and received investment funds to do chemical research to his heart’s content.

In the form of a Société, a company.

DuPont, excited by the thought of becoming president, was startled when he entered.

Because an unexpected ‘hostess’ was with Eugene at the café.

“Oh, a new guest? I thought you’d bring Lavoisier?”

There are people in France whose faces everyone knows.

They are beings whose portraits had to be spread throughout the country and become objects of ‘worship’.

Royalty.

Among them, the jewel of the old royal family, Princess Marie Thérèse, was smiling in front of Eugene.

DuPont, who was originally from a noble family, quickly knelt down.

“Oh my god, Princess? I, I’m sorry! I couldn’t protect you as a noble!”

“It’s okay. What princess in this world? Call me Mademoiselle Marie Thérèse. Or Mademoiselle Café.”

“I can’t do that! No, if you get caught, the princess will be in danger. I understand!”

DuPont turned to Eugene and opened his mouth wide.

“So it was true that you were a constitutional monarchist, Monsieur Beauharnais!”

Eugene sipped his coffee and smiled.

DuPont seems to be a moderate who is only a republican in name, but in reality is closer to a constitutional monarchist.

If you have reverence for the royal family, things will be easier.

Suddenly, Eugene handed over the contract he had prepared.

“Now, let’s write a contract with our princess. Monsieur DuPont.”

“Wh, what kind of contract is it?”

“I will invest 1 million livres [French currency] in you.”

Eugene pointed to one place in the contract to DuPont, who was shocked again by the amount.

“Instead, all the patents you develop in the next 10 years will be in my name. And you will be the president of the newly created company. However, the princess will direct and supervise the company’s operations in the future.”

It’s a really good condition.

Of course, if you don’t know how valuable the ‘patents’ you will develop in the future are.

DuPont, who still doesn’t know his potential, just nodded and opened his eyes wide.

“Monsieur Beauharnais, why aren’t you directing and supervising?”

“Because I’m too busy right now. You can do the actual work anyway. The only thing you need to report to the princess is the final decision.”

“Hmm, so the princess will be my [patron, a person who gives financial or other support to a person] ?”

For example, a ‘puppet president’.

Marie Thérèse might have to be called a ‘skirt president’.

However, if the superior you are serving is a revered royal family, it becomes easier to bow your head.

He had already decided to sign the investment contract.

-Swish!

DuPont excitedly dipped the ink into the quill and signed.