Chapter 101
18. Reversal of alliance – 3
It was in June 1814, about three years ago. Napoleon, who corrected the evils, corruption, and deviant systems accumulated within the French Empire to some extent and stabilized the national economy, which had entered the war system, found a little special person.
It was Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, the former foreign minister of the French Empire, who was scheduled to be tried at the Paris High Court for acts of treason such as civil war and leaking of confidential information.
Napoleon had been searching outstanding talents and had actively hired them without looking at their origin, past, or disposition.
It could be seen from the fact that Carnot, who did not like him very much, was quickly given a heavy responsibility, and the fact that Napoleon invested a huge amount of money in Colin, who had been doing illegal tax collection.
However, he never looked again at some people. Those who betrayed their country. Even if there was the excuse that the previous Nabot was doing such a mess that it could not be helped, Talleyrand-Périgord’s secret communication with France’s enemy countries was not something that could be forgiven.
Naturally, according to Napoleon’s usual theory and inclination, it was normal to inflict a heavy punishment on him by taking away all his social fame and wealth. Of course, some people may say this:
‘Isn’t Lieutenant General Pierre de Vaugiraud de Rosnay, the current principal of the Nantes Naval Academy, also someone who betrayed his country? He was taken in again, so why can’t it be the same for Talleyrand-Périgord?’
However, there were two decisive differences between Lieutenant General de Rosnay and Talleyrand: the timing of their betrayal, and their justification for doing such a thing.
Shortly after the execution of Louis XVI’s family and the establishment of the Revolutionary Republic and the National Assembly, Lieutenant General de Rosnay sided with the royalists, rejecting the wave of revolution.
Although he had fought the Revolutionary Army in association with enemy countries, he was antagonizing the French revolutionary forces, not France. After that time, the Revolutionary Republic was taken down and France was transformed into a monarchy.
Since Napoleon was the mastermind behind it, he could hardly frame Lieutenant General de Rosnay as a traitor. However, Talleyrand-Périgord was completely different.
After the imperial system was already in place, he sold secrets of his country to the enemy by using his old position and influence in the salon.
It was also revealed that he wrote a letter to enemy leaders, saying, ‘If you bring your troops to Paris, I will open the door wide and treat you as a liberator.’
Among the possible betrayals, it was a coward’s betrayal that people despised the most. That was why Napoleon did not even think of taking him back.
‘That’s too bad, too bad. Originally, this man should be rolled and eaten as much as possible.’
Napoleon Bonaparte, who had watched Talleyrand-Périgord as the president of the French Republic for many years, highly appreciated his skillful negotiating skills and close-knit diplomatic strategies.
In this vast Europe, there was only one diplomat who could compete with Talleyrand-Périgord: Klemens von Metternich, who was currently the foreign minister of Austria.
The fact that such a competent person could not be used was a great loss for the country. Anyway, since he could not appoint him again, Napoleon visited the Denon villa, where Talleyrand-Périgord was imprisoned, to see him one last time.
Napoleon’s lips twitched when he saw Talleyrand, who seemed to have been hit by the flow of time. Then, he heard words that made him doubt his ears.
‘Your Majesty, the great Emperor of the French Empire. I will abandon my French nationality. I am determined to live as a shadow for the rest of my life.’
‘!?’
‘As a mercenary without nationality, I will serve the Empire for the future. This will be my punishment.’
In Napoleon’s previous world, Talleyrand-Périgord was a person who was difficult to believe because of his unpredictable thoughts, conservatism, and his excessive greed for wealth.
Now that he was caught, he was in a tight spot. Naturally, Napoleon tried to ignore the words of this untrustworthy man. Until he brought this up.
‘Your Majesty have changed rapidly since the expedition to the East in 1812, and has ruled this Empire almost perfectly. However, Your Majesty showed weakness in only one thing: the Empire’s grand strategy against the outside world. I’ll say that it’s necessary to feed even the fish caught.’
‘…Go on.’
‘Your Majesty pretend to value the balance and stability of European forces, but the basis of the strategy is still French-centered hegemony. It’s an instinct that comes from the roots of France that can’t be hidden even if one tries to. This can be both a burden and a threat to other countries that have fought together under the Empire. Only when they can be moderately soothed will the Empire be guaranteed the safety of the rear in the upcoming Great War.’
Napoleon immediately figured out what Talleyrand was saying now. Countries in Europe and in the New World surrounding France could be largely divided into three categories.
Potential enemy countries, ally countries, or neutral countries. The neutral countries were the Ottoman Empire, the Balkans and countries in North Africa, and there was no need to pay much attention to them as long as the relationships with them were not harmed.
The problem was allies. The French Empire had achieved a new European hegemony with the success of the Russian expedition and the victory in the Iberian Peninsula War. The Empire took all the glory and interests as the winner, but was very stingy in sharing them.
Denmark had long fought against Britain at sea despite enormous losses, the Confederation of the Rhine had been severely exploited every time the French went on expeditions, and the United States had been keeping Britain in check outside the European continent.
They did not receive any compensation, like territories or reparations. As soon as he heard Talleyrand’s words, Napoleon had no choice but to admit his mistake.
He did not pay attention to the management of allies except the United States because he focused on the problems within the Empire and the movements of hostile countries.
But no one in the imperial cabinet pointed out this. However, even with his hands and feet tied, Talleyrand-Périgord saw through the Empire’s diplomatic situation and weaknesses at once.
‘In the past, I saw the picture that Your Majesty wanted. But it was an illusion.’
Napoleon was sad that he could not deny it. At that time, Nabot was delusional in conquering the world beyond Europe, thinking of himself like Alexander the Great or Genghis Khan.
‘But Your Majesty is now a completely different person from then. I only admit it now. So… Your Majesty should accept this proposal. Because the national interest comes first.’
Talleyrand told Napoleon the external vulnerabilities of the French Empire and alternatives that he thought about. If his opinion had sufficient probability and rationality, Napoleon accepted it or corrected it to fit reality.
Talleyrand’s purpose was to be forgiven for the crimes he had committed and eventually live the rest of his life like a normal person.
Of course, since Napoleon did not know exactly what Talleyrand would do, he should thoroughly monitor his daily life, but from his point of view, he had nothing to lose by accepting this proposal if it was kept strictly confidential. That’s how Napoleon and Talleyrand-Périgord’s secret contract was concluded.
===
“From now on, the Empire will need to show a truly agile movement.”
The current external strategy of France led by Napoleon and the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with Talleyrand’s help, could be called ‘Octopus Feet’.
France stopped all expeditions and wars and was focusing on internal politics and development, but hands were moving quickly and secretly in the dark without rest.
Not only did it extend its arms to North America’s belligerent groups, but also to the colonies of Central and South America, which declared independence from Spain and Portugal.
France established a French consulate in their territory and dispatched diplomats there, starting normal diplomatic relations.
Spain and Portugal were fighting hard against them, but would they dare confront France?
France’s foreign ministry neatly ignored the opposition from the Iberian countries and held diplomatic events without interruption. Countries in Central and South America, of course, welcomed them with open arms.
“Preemptive effects also exist in diplomatic relations between countries. The colonies fighting Spain and Portugal are, more than anyone else, hoping to receive approval from other European powers and to be recognized as independent countries. There’s nothing better than receiving it from the Empire that dominates Europe. Take full advantage of their desperation, get everything you can get. Unlike other European countries, the Empire doesn’t need to be wary of Spain or Portugal at all.”
“They are currently in an extremely chaotic political situation due to the war for independence, internal social conflicts and civil war. It’s hard to find politicians who truly strive for the national interest of their country, and they are all sacrificing the foundation and future of the country for their own benefits. This is the best opportunity to subordinate them and make them economic colonies of the Empire. There is no need for diplomatic courtesy and moral conscience. Take care of the Empire’s national interests thoroughly, regardless of means.”
International diplomacy was a world where the weak bent before the strong. Especially when dealing with countries outside of Europe, the ferocity and viciousness of great powers went beyond imagination.
Talleyrand’s attitude toward colonies in Central and South America was a cool-headed rationalism and nationalism that Machiavelli would admire.
“Colonization by occupying foreign land, monopolizing raw materials and resources, and exploiting natives has now become a thing of the past. As a leading country in Europe, the Empire must more intelligently control and use subordinate states.”
There was certainly a time in the past when overseas colonies brought enormous economic benefits to their home countries. Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands led Europe by monopolizing overseas colonies and the resources obtained from them.
However, now, with the development of navigation techniques, private organizations could build sailing ships and engage in overseas trade, and as the capitalist class emerged significantly, a market-oriented economic system, not a state-centered one, was taking its place.
Therefore, national monopoly on certain raw materials had become difficult, and the value added led by production had also changed with the emergence of various industries such as paper, glass, steel, and cotton textile.
In addition, voices of dissatisfaction, reforms, and independence were popping up within colonial countries that had undergone an indirect modernization process influenced by their home countries. This was clearly seen in Central and South America now.
In other words, overseas troops, bureaucrats, and finances consumed to forcibly maintain the colonies were rising day by day, and the profits gained from exploiting them were decreasing relatively.
Of course, the story was a little different for countries with advanced ships and overseas trade at the level of Britain, but this was not the case for France even after putting all its energy into rebuilding its naval forces.
“There are many competent people around Your Majesty. A prime example would be the Minister of the Administration, Carnot. If you entrust him with this work, he will be colder and more vicious than anyone else to suck the bone marrow of the American countries and offer it to Your Majesty.”
“I don’t think that’s something you care about.”
Despite Napoleon’s cold words, Talleyrand did not erase his soft smile.
===
Leaving Talleyrand’s hideout, Napoleon took a moment to organize his thoughts. Talleyrand advised that countries other than neutral countries should be divided into three categories.
Enemies, economic colonies, and allies. The basics of international diplomacy were to skillfully mix wine and water to get the most from relationships.
Nevertheless, Talleyrand insisted on thoroughly separating the Empire’s attitude toward other countries.
‘This era of peace will come to an end someday. This suggestion means to clearly distinguish the enemy and establish a great strategy in preparation for that time.’
The United States should naturally be considered as an ally. Although it was not in Europe, it was the only country that could keep Britain in check beyond the ocean, and of course, the strategic value of the United States from the standpoint of France was absolutely high.
The United States also cleverly used this dynamics to bring its own interests.
Talleyrand had questions about Napoleon’s diplomatic techniques that stimulated the United States in a bad way. He was not alone to think this, the opinions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also similar. Support native tribal groups in North America? Taking the risk of abandoning the New Continent? It was something they could not understand.
‘However, while staying in Louisiana, I saw the endless possibilities of the North American continent. I know the value of the continent better than anyone else in France.’
The United States completely dominating the vast continent would pose a real threat to France in the future. For the future of France, it was necessary to keep them from monopolizing America.
This was why Napoleon decided to provide almost free support for the weak natives of North America.
As Talleyrand said, France’s current hegemony had an expiration date, and a ‘Great War’ had yet to come.
Perhaps this Great War was the last ordeal that could threaten France and Napoleon’s system. If this ordeal could be overcome, France would overtake Britain and reign as the world’s first power.
Then, according to the basics of war, France should work to increase its number of allies and reduce enemies in preparation for this. Until then, it would be a reasonable choice to somehow maintain friendly relations with the United States. However, Napoleon made a different choice.
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‘I can’t stay alive forever. Then… Wouldn’t it be better to put away all the obstacles in front of France while I’m still the Emperor?’
He decided to think simply. Even without the support of the United States, or even if it was on the other side during war, Napoleon was confident that he would never lose. Rather, it could be an opportunity to bring down the United States altogether with France’s enemies.
Although Talleyrand and other foreign officials could reject these thoughts, Napoleon did not consider himself unusual. What couldn’t he do?
“Before that, I should give my enemies one last chance.”
There was a playful look on Napoleon’s face as he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and fiddled with it. Many of the names written on the upper part of the paper belonged to giants ruling Europe. The time had come to wake up again the quiet Europe.