Napoleon in 1812

Chapter 118

"It seems to be a fait accompli that an assassination attempt against the French Emperor is underway. No, maybe the work has already been done."

When Charles Grey, the leader of the Tory Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, heard the news from St. Petersburg like a bolt from the blue, he immediately ran to St. James' Palace to meet Prince Regent George IV of England.

The current time was 2:30 a.m., long after midnight. The courtiers committed the rude act of waking the Prince Regent at a time when he was in deep sleep, but the 'conspiracy to assassinate Napoleon' was an urgent enough matter to wake up the real ruler of Britain.

"The most important thing before the grand judgment is whether Napoleon Bonaparte survives or not. Does the Prime Minister think this will end with success?"

"If I had thought so, I wouldn't have come running to see you in such a hurry."

Even if he did not consider the short-term nature and sloppiness of the plan, the assassination of the head of the state was originally a gamble with no guarantee of success.

In addition, in the end, how vulnerable the target was and how much they were supported by the people around them played an important role in an assassination.

Napoleon was not a scarecrow without a support base, and a large number of politicians and loyal soldiers followed him and protected him.

In other words, if they proceeded with the assassination of Napoleon, it would be very difficult to find an accomplice to embrace in the process, and they could hardly establish a bolder 'operation'.

Therefore, Prime Minister Charles Grey's judgment was that even with small variables, the situation would easily be distorted or it would be difficult to achieve any practical effect.

In the past, there was a time when resentment against the Emperor was rising inside France due to excessive military expeditions, but it was highly unlikely for such a plan to succeed with the current Napoleon, who had absolute loyalty and support.

"Napoleon Bonaparte is a man born with natural luck. To get rid of him, it must be accompanied by plans that are as elaborate as the watchwork of a Swiss craftsman and as tough as a whale hunting net from which he would not escape, but unfortunately, such precision is hard to expect from Russia."

George IV nodded as he agreed to the harsh criticism of the wide and inferior empire of the East.

The British government, which currently ranked Russia's danger second after France, could not see Russia's behavior as European cultured and advanced. It was not helpful at times like this. Annoyed, George IV opened his mouth.

"As the Prime Minister knows, the position of the Kingdom is quite embarrassing. It is not enough to receive the criticism of all European citizens and media, now even some educated classes in the Kingdom are secretly glaring at us."

They had a justification for punishing France for refusing to compensate with interests for the patents infringement. Naturally, it was well recognized by the international community.

Based on this, Britain would be able to gain European economic supremacy again if it could hurt France's industry and market economy by waging a war and prolonging it.

Numerous strategies and policies had already been established to subdue France and Napoleon. They, who succeeded in overcoming the financial and economic crises to some extent and clearing up the front of the new continent, deserved enough confidence. But the Strasbourg talks broke out under such circumstances. Exquisitely.

"Permanent peace and the common development of Europe! If that was possible, European countries would not have fought fiercely for more than a thousand years after the collapse of the Roman Empire. In the end, isn't it a remark that deceives and agitates European citizens who were simply distracted by a few words while ignoring the basis of human history?"

Prime Minister Charles Grey agreed with George IV. It would not be a bad thing to say 'Let's stop fighting and let's enjoy peace in Europe now', as the world was large enough and there were many lands for Europeans to conquer.

However, at least Napoleon and France were not qualified to say this. Under their own justification of spreading the revolutionary spirit during the revolutionary war, they looted, invaded, and slaughtered neighboring countries.

In such a situation, Napoleon Bonaparte was wrapping himself up as a saint challenging a utopia that no one had been able to reach.

Like a vicious villain repented by confessing to the priest of the cathedral, he declared that he would step down from the throne, as if saying he would pay for what he had done.

With these few ceremonial acts alone, the entire European class of citizens was on his side. Rather, Britain, which was preparing for a war to regain its lost interests, was thoroughly classified as a villain and a sinner, and received all kinds of condemnation and criticism. From the British point of view, it was truly a blast.

'He is a shrewd, cunning politician, good at political instigation and manipulating people. Such a trick can only be achieved by a person born with a reading mind and natural luck, and who can crush others without hesitation. That's fascinating. Someone born and raised in an environment where there is no need to beg for votes has the talent to exert fatal power in a parliamentary democracy.'

If Napoleon had been born in England, it would have been worth seeing. Charles Grey even thought that the Count of Liverpool (the former British Prime Minister) or himself might not have been able to reach the prime minister position because they would have been pushed back in a political fight against him.

Charles Grey did not think that Napoleon really brought up such remarks with the intention of resigning from the position of Emperor.

Currently, Europe was perfectly split into two sides. The game had never been so extremely divided in history. The two groups would never bend until they overthrew each other.

Soon, a war fiercer than any other war in Europe would begin. If France were to lose this war, Napoleon would lose everything. All the wealth and honor he had received so far, his future, and even his position of emperor.

But what if France won? Napoleon would become a savior in the true sense of the word. The Emperor who conquered Europe would be reborn as the most noble human being itself.

And France and its people would never allow such a great human being to step down from the imperial throne. In the end, Napoleon was betting on a gamble that he would never lose.

The result of calculating and acting on all of these things at the end was the current Strasbourg talks, with the formation of the 'Union'.

Napoleon revealed his true self, which he had long hidden from many European rulers, including Charles Grey, who were watching him closely. The genius of war was also a genius of politics.

"European intellectuals and citizens tend to dazzle and encourage transformation with false sounds, but they have always bowed their heads to the last winner."

That was right. In the end, victory was the on ly way to reverse all this. If only Britain could beat France and raise a Union Jack at the center of the Tuileries Palace.

The system and alliance that Napoleon had built for a long time, the political stand he struggled with, and the explosive growth of France in recent years. All of this could be turned into nothing. And Britain would be able to regain its economic and marine hegemony.

"The Kingdom is the most powerful country in Europe. Due to differences in disposition, environment, and position, its forces are often divided into several places, but when brought together, they can always defeat France. Your Highness and the royal family will stand in their command and strive for the Kingdom to exert all its might."

Feeling George IV's gaze, Charles Grey lowered his eyes and bowed his head. The reason why George IV was woken up in the middle of the night was not just to notify him of the incident, but because there was a more ultimate purpose.

"The issuance of bonds in the name of the royal family is necessary for our victory."

"Huh, the war hasn't even started yet, are you already talking about this?"

George IV was still showing signs of discomfort. Charles Grey decided to touch his weak point.

"Napoleon's trick was mean but definitely effective. On the other hand, we can hope that the decisions taken by Your Highness are noble both in the process and in the result."

War was done with money, not guns. In order to crush France by pouring overwhelming financial power from the beginning of the war, there was nothing like issuing bonds guaranteed by the royal family. Charles Grey mentioned Napoleon in the process.

The sense of competition and inferiority that George IV had deeply in his heart against Napoleon... Knowing it, Charles Grey carefully chose his words.

It was only for the victory of his country. George IV's mouth finally opened, after thinking that he resembled Napoleon in the way that he would do anything for his country regardless of the means.

The explosion in Nancy was reported through several newspapers and editorials the next day as an 'accident' that occurred due to inexperienced handling of war materials such as gunpowder and oil and a problem of management responsibility.

Citizens who heard this explanation, both from the city hall and the media, moved on, easily accepting it. For those who did not know the truth and seriousness of the incident, yesterday's explosion was a simple event.

However, this was an assassination attempt aimed at Napoleon, the Emperor of France, and it was completely different for those who knew that the explosives actually exploded in front of the Emperor's eyes.

They could not help but shudder to realize that last night's explosion would lead to a true 'explosion' that would cover not only the Empire but also the entire Europe.

The treatment of some citizens, bodyguards, and guards who were caught up in the explosion was the first thing to be done at the scene.

And immediately after that, the mayor of Nancy, the head of the local police office, and the general inspector were summoned first.

Perhaps because they heard about the situation, they were shaking their whole bodies with white faces, but Napoleon only said one sentence to them.

"I believe that there will be no 'rat' among you."

However, the interrogations conducted on them were harsher than any other criminal or civil war suspect who had been in the Empire so far. They were not ordered by Napoleon, but by his angry subordinates, who tended to be overly loyal.

"This is a serious threat to the integrity of the Empire and its unity. The entire cabinet will have to fight this threat with all its heart and make every effort to ensure the safety of His Majesty the Emperor and the management of state affairs in the emergency."

These words were said by Police Minister Jean Marie Savary, who was staying in Strasbourg dealing with the arrangement and security of the conference hall, and who immediately ran to Nancy as soon as he heard the news of the 'attempted assassination of Napoleon'.

This was like a declaration to dig into the bottom of this shameless act through a thorough and merciless investigation.

Officials, police, and attendants, who had nothing to do with the plot of the murder, shrank their necks at the bitter atmosphere of Nancy. The precursor before the terrible blood wind blew was cold.

"January 27, 1818, 6:22 p.m. This is the time when His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress were exposed to explosives on the street where their carriage passed."

Baron Fain, as Napoleon's chief secretary, attended as a serious witness of the case, testified about the situation, and actively cooperated with the investigation.

"The Emperor and his wife were going to watch a performance at the Opera Theater at 6 p.m. However, I didn't know where the news came from, but I had to change the schedule urgently because of the citizens flocking to the city center and the streets to see His Majesty. The imperial couple decided to wait for the next performance by relieving their fatigue at the city hall. Explosives blew up on the way, but most of the attendants were able to escape thanks to His Majesty's dazzling senses."

Testimonies from him and other attendants continued. The testimony that Napoleon was able to avoid the disaster thanks to his cry to stop was very surprising and phenomenal.

Thanks to this, they were able to feel relieved by thinking of God's protection. Police Minister Jean Marie Savary and investigators uncovered some facts through this.

"The Emperor and the Empress urgently changed the planned schedule and headed to their residence because of the unexpected situation. Only the internal personnel of the attendants knew about this. However, as you know, explosives were installed on the street as if they knew that their carriage would pass there."

The attempted assassination by installing and blowing up explosives could never be done without knowing the subject's actions in advance.

"In other words, it's impossible unless there is an accomplice in His Majesty's entourage, who deliberately exposed his schedule to attract people to the theater so that His Majesty would head to his official residence early."

"The interrogation of the theater owner and other officials has already begun. We'll have to interrogate His Majesty's attendants as well."

"Make sure to keep track of their behavior, motivation, and status thoroughly while comparing them. However, some of them have been serving His Majesty for a long time. If we try to suppress them recklessly, we could face His Majesty's disappointment and anger. Until the charges are revealed..."

"You don't have to do that."

It was Napoleon with a firm expression that cut off the words of the investigators. He continued as he was greeted by them, who hurriedly bowed their heads and showed courtesy.

"I can roughly guess who did this. To conduct an investigation into 'them' is a top priority."

The expressions of the investigators listening to Napoleon's words changed in an instant. Some expressed doubts, but they had no choice but to comply with the Emperor's absolute order.

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