Napoleon in 1812
Chapter 107:

19. EuropeanSummit – 4

Goodwillcouldhide themost treacherous minds. This wasbecause peoplehad the instinct to take advantage forthemselves at critical moments.

Therefore, the people whomade up society admiredothers who didthings out of goodwill andsupported their work. Theyrespected thembecause they knewhow muchcourage andsacrifice these people hadmade.

However, it wasrare fora ‘good man’ to be respected until theend. This was because whenthe lastmoment came, people betrayed himbydrawing outtheirugly inner selfishness. That wasright. In other words, theact of respectinggoodwillwas ultimatelyhumanhypocrisy.

However, if one thought about thisthe other way around, it could be anew key to leading the game. AndNapoleonneverintendedtomake a noble sacrifice fora great cause.

Theringing of theclockannouncing 6 p.m. brokehis thoughts. Napoleon talkedtoBaronFain while thetailor and hisservantswere meticulouslycheckinghis clothes, decorations, hair, andmakeup.

“I guess it’salmost time. Did yousay thatall the peopletowhom we sent an invitationarrived at thepalace?”

“Yes, Your Majesty! There werea fewcountry leaders fromthe Confederationofthe Rhine thatnotifiedoftheirabsence duetophysicalillness or unavoidable circumstances, butmost didnot reject theEmpire’srequest.”

“Not everyone would have welcomed thisevent.”

“That’sright, YourMajesty. However, the listwas hardly differentfrom theexpectations of the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Napoleon and theImperialMinistryofForeign Affairs had asked allEuropeancountries to attend.

Among them, there were cases where monarchs or leaderswere tooold or seriously illtomove, and theyexplained their circumstancesinadvance andsought understandingfrom theEmpire.

Napoleon was notthat inflexible, so they could resolvethe situation by sending representatives in their stead.

‘However, therewere some thatdid not fall under thiscase anddid not want to recognize thehegemonyofthe Empire.’

Britain, ofcourse, hadnointention of participatinginthis French-led order, andFrance had noteven sent it an invitationatall as it had no expectationstoreceive a positive answer. The two countrieswere in full swing, reminiscent of thecurrent quasi-warsituation. Napoleon ordered strict surveillanceofthe Britishembassy.

An invitation was sent to the Ottoman Empire, but theymade it clear that theywouldnot attend. However, itwas not because of the badrelationship withFrance, butbecause of theOttoman internal situation.

SinceFrance invadedEgypt, Ottomanhad lostcontrol of it. Inthe meantime, theGovernorofEgypt, Muhammad Ali[1], was taking hisown independent route after seizingthe military power, intensifyingthe confrontationwith theOttoman central government.

The windofnationalismand independence blowing in the Balkans was also afactor thatbotheredthem. Threatened by national changes and internal stability, theycouldnot afford to interveneinEurope’saffairs.

Forsimilar reasons, Spain andPortugalalso declared their absence fromthe banquet. Instead, theysent high-rankingrepresentatives to saveface. The realproblemswere Russiaand Sweden.

“Let’sgo.”

“Yes, YourMajesty!”

They seemeddetermined nottowithdrawthe gunsaimedatFrance in the end. Napoleon had no intentionofshowing mercy to those whorefused even his last hand.

===

The central hallofthe Rohan Palace boasted aquarter of theentire building, excludingannexpalaces andgardens.

On topofthat, anopen double-storystructure was formedaround the insideofthe hall, and indoorterraceswere connectedtoeach floor in theeast, west, north, and south directions, allowing a significantlylarger number of peopletoenterthe hallthan what could be expected fromthe outside.

Nevertheless, thecentral hall of the Rohan Palacewas crowdedwith so many people that it looked like amarket. Even though thedoor of thehall wasopened, a considerable numberofpeople werecurrently outsidethe palace.

“Well, wehave certainlydelivered our requirementstoeach country, recommendingthat leaders should only be accompanied by attendantsand aminimum numberofcabinet members. Butone by one, wehave been asked to makeanexception for a few people, and now… I apologize, YourMajesty.”

Officials fromthe Ministry of ForeignAffairs andthe Ministry of the Administration, who had suffered a lot while preparingfor the grand banquet, bowed their heads to Napoleon with sorry faces. Napoleon decided not to think much of it.

A partywas justa party. Ifthe number of peopleincreased morethan expected, itwouldbemore crowded. Of course, there was a separate place for serious national discussions.

“I’mready.”

Baron Fainbowedhis headatNapoleon’s words. The baron senta signaltothe servants of the court.

“His Majestythe EmperorofFrance is entering! Distinguished guests, please stopwhat youare doing and show courtesy!”

It wastime forthe hostofthe party to appear.

===

The eyesofcountless people from all over Europe, who wereenjoyingthe party, changed in amoment whenthe French imperial court servant shoutedina loud voice.

Finally, was theperson who ledthis huge gamegoingtoappear? Along with the horn’sunique musicalinstrument sound, the sound of flute and drum ranginthe centralhall of theRohanPalace.

The court music playedwhen an emperor or kingentered wasa littlelighter andmore colorful forthe French Emperor thanfor other European rulers.

When the court music ended with aflute’s solo, a historicalgiantdressed in white andblue clothes appeared.

The Emperor of the FrenchEmpire was standing on a three-story podium made of marble. His eyes, lookingdown from ahigh place while wearing alaurel crown, were those of the absolute monarch ruling Europe.

“Whatwill theFrench Emperorsay?”

“Well… Probably theusualspeech? Thank youfor attending thebanquet andbrighteningupthe place, we allhave to work hardtoprotect this era of fragile peace, etc.”

“Criticismagainst Britain cannot be left out.”

Nomatter how much the justification to workfor peace and Europe’s futurewas used, the fact thatthis wasa place to glorify the prestige of theFrench Empire hadnot changed. Diplomaticdelegationsfrom countriesotherthan Francewere only gooddecorationsinthe end. Theircynical tone was unavoidable.

On theotherhand, the invitedcelebritieswere looking at Napoleon withsparkling star-like eyes. What kindofwordswouldthis huge person sayand whattopicwouldheraiseatthis banquet?

“Europeisa continentthat leads theworld, and allmankind.”

The Emperor’s first words were unexpected. There weremany stories to talkaboutwith European talents, butnow he hurriedly brought up something completely unexpected.

“Manystudies, ideas, technologies, institutions, andrights borninEurope havegreatly changed the world andhave nowcreated a lifestyle formankind. Inthe future, countries on other continentswill also learn and imitate the advancement of Europe, and theEuropeanlifestyle willremain universal formankind. Europe can be seen as ateacher wholeadsthe world and teaches mankindasa whole.”

Itwas aterriblyEuropean-centeredway of thinking. Therefore, it was possible to stimulateand inspirethosewho gathered hereinthe Rohan Palace. Because they wereall fromEuropeancountries.

“We will declarea step thathas never beentakeninthe historyofmankind, the pursuitoffuture harmonydetermined by peace andcommon values through reconciliation and concession. No oneknowswhether this willbethe HolyGrailora poisoned grail. Nevertheless, theguests who hadthe couragetogather heredeserve to be calledtrue Europeans.”

Europe wasleading humanity andthe world. Thepeople gathered herehad beenchosen. That was whythey deserved a great challenge. They shouldunitetochallenge the utopiathat mankind had dreamed of.

The Emperor of the FrenchEmpire Napoleon Bonaparte wassaying this. Applause was heard from European celebrities. However, Napoleon raisedhis handtostop it.

“Please continue to enjoy the banquet. We haven’t achieved anything yet. Praise willhave to go back to everyone hereafterthe meetingisover andthe Councilisformed.”

He must haveleft a strong impression in the minds of those whosaw him forthe first time. Thiswas the name of the era, Napoleon.

===

Theschedulefor the Strasbourg banquetwas as follows. It would begin witha party running day andnightfrom today to December 31, and withNew Year’s eventsonJanuary 1.

Of course, the party would continue evenduring the talks, and all guestswouldbeable to hear the progress andresults of thetalksinreal time.

Outsidethe palace, therewere media outlets fromEuropeancountries for coverage. Reporters had even broughtmilitarytentstosettle close to the palace.

Like this, they would be abletoimmediatelywritethe breaking newsaboutthe banquetorthe talks as amanuscript andhand it over to their newspaper companies. As such, the Strasbourg banquetwas receiving unprecedented attention.

“Itwas atouchingand heart-warmingspeech! Your Majesty’s remarks willremain as an eternalmyth in Europeand be recorded as the hope of human history!”

These werethe words of the King of Saxony, Friedrich August I.[2]Among themembers of theConfederation of theRhine, he was themost enthusiasticperson to Napoleon. It wasvery burdensome to see tears in hiseyes.

“Thankyou. Therole of theKingdom of Saxonywill be very important in thetalks.”

“TheEmpire is the parentcountry of ourKingdom. His Majestyisundoubtfully ahero in Franceand eveninthe entire Europe. We willdoour besttomeet your expectations!”

Saxony was oneofthe fourkingdomsthat existed in the Confederation of the Rhine, and it was thesecond largestafterthe KingdomofBavaria.

Napoleon, well aware of itsimportance, promisedhim and hiskingdom enoughcompensation. He lookedblind, but he wasa cleverman who knew whathewas going to get.

After FriedrichAugust I, Napoleon met a comradewhom he hadnot seenina long time.

“I salute YourMajesty, the Great Emperorofthe Empire! Your Majesty may notknow howhappyI wastohear thesuccess of theEmpire fromafar.”

Karl vonWürttemberg, theyounger brother and representative of theKing of Württemberg, who wassick, attendedthe Strasbourgbanquet.[3]

He wasalso thegeneral whohad commanded theFrench troops disguisedasthe armyofthe Confederationofthe Rhine at the BattleofHrodna.

“It hasbeen a while. Is it thefirsttime we meet since then?”

“That’sright, YourMajesty! I still remember it vividly. Theoverwhelming moment when we cut offthe Slavs’ beardswith brave Frenchwarriors.”

Napoleon grinned.

The Battle of Hrodnawas abattle thatwouldbedeeply rememberedeven in thehistory of war. It musthave been abig event for Karl von Württembergthat he would never experience again.

The Kingdom of Württemberg wasable to obtainthe fruit of asweetvictory thankstoits goodline-up without betraying Franceeven at thedecisivemoment.

Of course, itwouldactivelysupport Francethis time after having such an experience. In addition, Napoleon, accompaniedbyhis attendants, met with the monarchs anddecisionmakers of states that could become faithful allies. The banquet itself waslike a preliminary tourfor the upcoming talks.

Beforecoming to Strasbourg, mostofthem hadworked witha group of experts fromtheirhome country to set up a diplomaticroute, but dependingonthe atmospherehere, modifications andcorrectionscouldbemade.

Therefore, Napoleon exchanged greetingswith friendly peopleonce andshookhandstoconfirm their support. Of course, he alsohad to meetwith a smile on his face those who didnot wanttocome.

“I never thought you would come hereyourself. Didn’t youhave a lot of regretfor yourcountry?”

“I’m sure you’ve heard this before? Itdoesn’t matterhow veterans feel. For my country and HisMajesty, it’s my mission as the PrinceofWahlstatt to be aloyaldog thatcan bow on theground at any time.”

Theman, so belligerent that he was calledPrussia’s ‘Marshal Forwards’, was staringatNapoleonwith hisbewildered eyes. Therelationship betweenGebhard Leberechtvon Blücher and Napoleon wasnot goodinthe other world, anditseemed to be the same here.

Napoleon’s attendants and escortofficersgave fierceglances at Blücher’s disrespectfulappearance. Tensionsarosebetween Franceand Prussia. Napoleon was tempted to tease thisfieryand simple man, but when he saw FriedrichWilhelm III fidgeting beside him, he decidedtogive up on theidea.

“Prussia is theshield thatprotectsEurope’speriphery fromthe Slavs. TheKing must havea loyal servant.”

“…Thankyou verymuch.”

“However, I thinkthat hisleashisa littleloose.”

Friedrich Wilhelm III’s facebecame paler, andBlücher’s lips twitched. Europe’s periphery… This meant that Russia andSweden in the east and north would no longerberegardedasEurope.

Prussian Prime Minister Hardenberglooked as if he had realized thetruthhidden in the Emperor’swords. However, Napoleon’sinterest, which caused a small stirinPrussia’s delegation, was already directed to anotherside. The eyesofthe people gathered in thecentral hall turned to a single place.

As if drawing concentriccircles, the people aroundthem stepped down, leavingsome space centered on thetwo factions. As if they wereinaccessible. Therulerofa country thatwas alsocalled an empire along with the FrenchEmpire was waiting for Napoleon. Itwas Franz I, the Emperor of the Austrian Empire.[4]

Hewas followed by the Austrian Foreign Minister Klemensvon Metternich, headofthe court Josef von Mercier, andKarl Ludwig.[5]Facing them, Napoleon walkedtoward them.

“It’sbeen a while since I last sawyou, Emperor of the Austrian Empire. How have you been?”

“…Long time no see, Emperor of theFrench Empire.”

The two emperors faced each other.

TL notes

[1]Muhammad Ali of Egypt

[2]FrederickAugustusI of Saxony

[3]The King of WürttembergWilliam I, his youngerbrotherPrincePaul Heinrich Karl

[4]Franz I

[5]Klemensvon Metternich,Archduke Charles