He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 93

(93) Time to Mine the Gold of the First Expedition

Victory is a panacea that solves all accumulated problems at once.

“Excellent! News from Paris. Full authority is granted to Commander Bonaparte!”

Saliceti, who had been in Turin until recently, cheered.

Originally, Saliceti’s position was one of the five Directors representing the French Directory.

However, the Directors, Saliceti, and Napoleon all knew that Saliceti was, in fact, Napoleon’s agent.

In accordance with his duty, Saliceti rushed to the Italian front from the beginning of the expedition.

This was because the Kingdom of Sardinia had been conquered.

A breakthrough had been made on the Italian front, which had been stagnant for five years.

Moreover, with 3 million francs going to Paris, the finances were relieved.

Naturally, Saliceti also resided on the Italian front.

But now Milan has been conquered.

A city that even Louis XIV could not conquer.

So he had no choice but to rush here in one breath.

Napoleon chuckled, tapped the desk of his new ‘office,’ and asked.

“Is it okay for you to stay in Italy like this, Saliceti? It’s comfortable for me.”

“Aren’t I your agent anyway? Joseph will take care of Paris. If not, there’s Lafayette, the guardian of the boy standard-bearer, right?”

“Lafayette has integrity, but lacks courage. It won’t be easy to deal with Danton. And…”

Suddenly, Napoleon turned to his chief adjutant, Eugene, and said.

“Instead of calling him the boy standard-bearer, call him the sharpshooter. Or, you can call him my son.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Did you overwork yourself and catch a fever?”

“He captured two commanders with pistols. Isn’t that enough to be called the *Freischütz* [a legendary marksman in German folklore] of German legend?”

*Freischütz*, the legend of a shooter with magic bullets.

It became famous in the 19th century when it was made into an opera, but the legend of the magic bullet existed even before that.

It is also a rumor that is slowly spreading among the soldiers of the Italian Corps.

The rumor that Eugene only hits enemy commanders with magic bullets.

Napoleon added a word here.

“Also, he will now be my son. Definitely.”

Saliceti stared at Napoleon and narrowed his brows.

“I think I know what you’re talking about, but did you get your mother’s permission for that?”

“Why do I need my mother’s permission for my marriage?”

“Oh, why are you being so un-Corsican? It’s taboo for Corsicans to marry without their parents’ permission. There’s nothing you can’t do, but if your mother gets angry, it won’t be easy.”

Saliceti is also from Corsica and knows a lot about Napoleon’s family.

Besides, he is also close to his mother, Letizia.

He also knows that she is a very stubborn woman, that she will not like a divorcee, and above all, that she hates Josephine.

The statement that he would make Eugene his son is ultimately a statement that he would marry Josephine.

Saliceti questioned whether that would be easy.

Napoleon paused for a moment and pointed to Eugene, retorting.

“Well, I’m sure my mother will like Eugene, even if she doesn’t like Josephine.”

Saliceti didn’t know, but Eugene is also close to Letizia.

It is the connection of a boarding student.

Thanks to becoming familiar during his time in Marseille, Letizia likes Eugene.

Saliceti asked Eugene teasingly.

“Wow, it’s good to be popular. Boy standard-bearer. Or, is it the sharpshooter now? Are you perhaps shooting our commander’s heart?”

“Director, you seem very free. Wasn’t the reason you came here for post-war processing?”

“Unfortunately, that’s right, but it’s not post-war yet, is it? The Austrian army will be coming.”

The reason Saliceti came directly to Milan, soon military secret information, was handed over to Napoleon.

“The Rhine commander will be replaced soon.”

It’s more urgent than running from the Rhine front to Paris and then to Milan.

“Who is it?”

“The Emperor’s brother, Archduke Karl.”

“A noble lord. Moreau must be comfortable. Hoche also has Duke Josias as his opponent, right? Again, he must be comfortable.”

Napoleon clicked his tongue and sneered.

In later original history, Archduke Karl is considered one of the best generals of this era.

But he is still just the Emperor’s brother without any special achievements.

Compared to Duke Josias, who has been defending the Flanders front, or the current commander-in-chief of the Rhine, he is a fledgling.

Of course, Napoleon received the same evaluation before the Italian expedition.

Saliceti nodded in agreement and licked his lips.

“I guess so? The Rhine commander-in-chief, Wurmser, is likely to come here.”

“He’ll be quite a tricky opponent.”

“Do you know? Wurmser defeated Dumouriez, Moreau, and Hoche? He repelled Dumouriez in Mainz, Hoche in Weissenburg, and Moreau in Mannheim.”

Rhine Front Austrian Commander-in-Chief, Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser.

He will now be Napoleon’s opponent.

Suddenly, Napoleon twisted his lips and smiled.

“I’ve heard he’s the best in Austria.”

At that moment, Chief Adjutant Eugene put down the documents he was copying and stared at Napoleon.

“There’s nothing to worry about. Commander, you will win.”

“Why are you so sure? Sharpshooter?”

“The boy standard-bearer would be better. Anyway, the answer is simple. The concept of war is changing.”

Eugene spoke with conviction, based on what has been proven in history.

“Not a strategic point, but the annihilation of the main force. An old-fashioned general who doesn’t know that cannot defeat Commander Napoleon.”

Saliceti, who had been watching Eugene quietly, clapped his hands.

“You’ll have a great fan as your son. Anyway, that’s a later problem, did you prepare a gift to send to Paris?”

“It will be decided at today’s meeting. Just notify us.”

“Good.”

The second reason the Director came here.

It is to directly demand a gift to send to Paris.

Saliceti grinned.

“Let’s send gold that will make the Directors go wild.”

So, the issue of distributing the spoils of victory, soon the spoils of war, has begun.

***

Even if Italy is an intangible era, French and Italians speak different languages.

“The abolition of the feudal system, that is what our great revolutionary France will do.”

Serbelloni Palace, now Napoleon’s residence, the grand mansion of Milan’s foremost aristocrat.

The new conqueror stood in the center hall, speaking in a truly unique Italian accent.

Napoleon, a 26-year-old young man from Corsica.

The place is neither France nor Italy, but a border area.

So, Napoleon can speak both Italian and French, but he is not fluent in either.

Nevertheless, language is ultimately the word of the powerful.

The Milanese old aristocrats had to adapt to the extremely strong Corsican accent with a sophisticated atmosphere.

Because the fate of those in this place depends on Napoleon’s words.

“First of all, the former Duchy of Milan will be under military rule for the time being, just like the Kingdom of Sardinia. A military government committee will be established, and the participation of the Milanese leadership will be guaranteed. However, I am the chairman.”

“O-of course.”

“And the first task of the military government committee is this.”

The rough draft of the plan, written by Napoleon’s adjutants just yesterday, was placed on the table.

“Abolition of tariffs, abolition of guilds, abolition of church private property.”

Adjutants, secretaries, errand boys.

They are auxiliary personnel that all commanders, or even generals, have.

Usually, they are used for convenience in life, just as Beaulieu had a cook.

However, Napoleon used these auxiliary personnel dramatically.

From strategic operation brainstorming to planning the division of conquered territories, and even dictating private love letters.

The new government’s governing plan that the old Milanese aristocrats are seeing now is the same.

What Napoleon just said is actually summarized into one thing.

Abolition of the old era, feudal customs.

Abolish tolls between regions within the governing area, abolish the closed artisan manufacturing and licensed commerce summarized by guilds, and above all, seize the assets held by the church.

This happened in France 6 years ago, after the revolution began.

It is bound to be uncomfortable for the aristocrats, but it is also difficult to oppose.

Why?

Because there is no direct damage.

However, there were also items that Napoleon did not mention.

Duke Serbelloni caught one of them and licked his lips.

“There is also the permission for Jews to reside freely. Hmm.”

“Oh, that’s not very important. Our republic recognizes freedom of religion. Do you have any objections?”

“N-no, I don’t. Our Milanese militia supports the revolution.”

He waved his hand hastily, but Duke Serbelloni’s expression was uncomfortable.

Why is the right of Jews to reside freely a problem?

It’s not just because Jews are pagans.

Jews traditionally engage in finance.

However, in this era, most Jews are confined to discriminatory areas called ghettos [segregated districts].

In other words, instead of borrowing money from Jews, the aristocrats have controlled the creditor Jews through the ghetto.

Netherlands, Switzerland, England.

Except for these three countries.

However, even before the revolution, France had a fairly loose ghetto system.

Therefore, after the outbreak of the Great Revolution, the revolutionaries, who had many financiers, freely released their fellow workers, the Jews.

So, this is a natural story in revolutionary France.

On the other hand, it was very unfamiliar to Milan, which was still ruled by aristocrats.

Even Serbelloni is in debt to a ‘Jewish’ financier.

Napoleon suddenly said to Serbelloni, who was worried about how to control the debtors.

“The word support sounds good. Then, you will give donations well, right?”

The surprised aristocrats, including Serbelloni, looked at Napoleon.

“Donations?”

“Isn’t it natural? What in the world can move without money? Although our French Italian Corps has self-sufficiency as its supply principle, there are limits.”

“Ah, th-that’s right! The military has to eat to live!”

Just as Count Pietro Verri was about to pretend to know, a man standing in the corner of the hall spoke.

“It’s not about the military, Duke Serbelloni.”

A face that resembles a fox.

The eyes are sharp, and the clothes he is wearing have just arrived in Milan and are in travel clothes.

Nevertheless, the relaxed cynicism makes people’s hearts tremble.

One of the five French Directors, Saliceti.

He came to Milan after running to Turin to take post-expedition measures for Napoleon’s expedition after hearing the news of the complete victory.

Serbelloni trembled as he looked at Saliceti, the highest French official in form.

It was because he realized once again how serious this place was.

“Wh-what are you talking about? Director Saliceti?”

“The military is of course self-sufficient. We have already started receiving voluntary donations from the maintainers of the Lombardy region to maintain the military. The same goes for the Kingdom of Sardinia. However, there is something else that the old aristocrats of Milan must do.”

“Ah, we are no longer aristocrats.”

Ignoring Serbelloni’s excuse, Saliceti smiled with a fox-like face and said.

“For the completion of the new republic and the revolution, donations to the French government are needed. A number of 20 million francs would be good. Ah, all in silver.”

20 million francs.

Even though it is an era of soaring inflation, 20 million francs is a huge amount of money.

Above all, the fact that he said he would receive it in ‘silver’ now was decisive.

Silver means livre [an old French currency].

What I mean is that Saliceti is saying 20 million francs, but in reality, he is going to receive 20 million livres.

Since 1 livre, soon 1 silver coin, is about 5 francs, it is like receiving 100 million francs.

The aristocrats were speechless.

At that moment, Eugene, who was writing the minutes on the other side, stopped his pen and opened his mouth.

“There’s no need to be so surprised. Duke Serbelloni, Count Verri, Commissioner Giuseppe Parini.”

“That is, 20 million francs is too much.”

“No, Commissioner Giuseppe. It’s the opposite.”

Eugene smiled and told Giuseppe, a Milanese official who is also a famous writer.

“We will soon receive 15 million francs from Genoa. Although it has not yet been conquered, we plan to receive at least 5 million francs from the Duke of Parma. But, as you know, both places are smaller than Milan.”

Napoleon has not yet conquered the Republic of Genoa or the Duchy of Parma.

However, the power of the French Italian Corps, which has been shown in three battles, has already been confirmed.

If Napoleon heads to the port, there is no army in Italy that can withstand it.

So, both Genoa and Parma are forced to pay donations for independence and survival.

It’s a way to extort assets in a sophisticated form instead of direct plunder.

Eugene shrugged as Commissioner Giuseppe opened his mouth without anything to say.

“So, we cut it down. Also, there’s something we’ll receive instead.”

“Wh-what is it? Brigadier General Eugene?”

“Art.”

Just as Eugene was about to present a briefly written list, Napoleon said solemnly.

“That’s right. This commander wants the revolutionary comrades in Paris to see and admire the great works of art in Italy. I plan to take the works of art from Milan, Piacenza, and in the future, Parma, Bologna, and Rome.”

Serbelloni, Verri, and Parini looked at each other.

Since ancient times, the Italian peninsula has been famous as the land of art.

The conqueror always covets great works of art.

Above all, the era when works of art themselves began to become money is also the 18th century.

However, I didn’t know that they would openly ask for art like this.

At that moment, an additional request like a bolt from the blue fell.

“All of this must be done within 3 months.”

3 months, only 100 days.

So, the donation of 20 million francs in silver must be prepared and given by then.

Commissioner Giuseppe, who was calculating the date, opened his mouth.

“It’s too tight.”

“No, it has to be.”

“May I ask why?”

Napoleon glared at Giuseppe, who mustered the courage to ask a question.

“Because in 3 months, the enemy will be coming from Austrian Tyrol. We will defeat them again, and if all these measures are not taken by then…”

It’s a very direct story.

Soon, there will be a war.

The Holy Roman Empire, the original ruler of Milan, will bring troops again.

But Napoleon boasted that he would win this battle as well.

No one can guarantee victory, but what if Napoleon wins?

Even in a situation where Milan has not shown sincerity.

“I will be very angry. Not only me, but all the revolutionaries.”

At that moment, the aristocrats of Milan decided.

They had to fulfill all of Napoleon’s demands in the shortest possible time.

***

Of course, Napoleon’s demands are limited to official matters.

-Clang, clang, clang!

Unofficial money naturally goes back and forth separately.

“Then, use this money comfortably. Hahaha!”

“The expression of sincerity is overflowing. At first glance, it looks like at least 100,000 francs.”

“It’s a small amount. I’ll come again soon!”

Massena entered, escorting Count Pietro Verri, a Milanese aristocrat, who was leaving.

The conquering army tends to reside in the best places in the conquered territory.

The same goes for Massena, who once marched while camping in the field without even being able to pitch a military tent.

The mansion that Austrian aristocrats used to use until recently has become a temporary residence.

Massena smiled brightly as he looked at the bundles of silver coins left by the ‘guests’ just now.

“Hahaha! This is really dazzling. I’ve never seen so many silver coins even when I was smuggling!”

Behind him, a woman who looked like a noblewoman was lying on the bed, sleeping.

She must have had a very hot time last night.

However, the problem is that Massena and the noblewoman are not the only ones in this place.

Eugene, who was sitting in the reception room and rummaging through documents, clicked his tongue.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard. Commander has issued a proclamation strictly prohibiting the invasion of private property.”

“Huh? Who invaded? I only received ‘voluntary’ donations. I think other generals will do the same?”

“At least General Laharpe doesn’t seem to be doing that.”

Massena twisted his lips as he looked at Eugene, who was mentioning another very clean general.

“Hey, is Brigadier General Eugene not going to receive a penny? Don’t lie.”

At that time, another general who had visited with Eugene to discuss supply issues shook his head.

“Brigadier General Eugene has already submitted a bill to our corps anyway.”

It is Chief of Military Affairs Berthier.

The documents that Berthier had been rummaging through in the meeting just now caught Massena’s eye.

Bill for military supplies.

–

In short, Eugene was already mining gold.

With the bill for the Italian expedition.