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The Fox of France - Chapter 548
🕑 Added 2024-05-08 00:21:05 +0000 UTCChapter 548: The Real Grand Finale
Talleyrand was concerned about certain individuals in the French army, such as Marshal Berthier and Marshal Soult, who had recently seized the last opportunity to earn the rank of Marshal in Ireland. They were rumored to be eyeing political careers. Frankly, disregarding Napoleon's opinion, they were somewhat better positioned than Talleyrand himself. Despite their lack of political experience, their war hero status and backgrounds in the army, a branch of the military deeply trusted by the French, gave them a certain advantage.
Moreover, unlike Talleyrand, these two were free of any messy scandals, making their reputations much cleaner by comparison.
However, Talleyrand wasn't particularly worried about them, as he knew Napoleon to be a man of vanity and ambition. Napoleon's abdication was to craft an image of sainthood for himself, but that didn't mean he was genuinely ready to give up power. He felt that Napoleon was likely still orchestrating things from behind the scenes. And indeed, Napoleon still held sway over both the French people and the army; anyone who displeased Napoleon could be swiftly deposed with just a hint from him.
"So, whoever takes this position would only be a puppet. At the Ministry of Public Security, at least I'm in charge. If I became the First Consul, I'd have to hand over a nearly autonomous agency, becoming a puppet with no real power over important matters. Would I really do such a foolish thing?"
Meanwhile, at the Ministry of Public Security, Fouché was discussing the same issue with his subordinates. They were somewhat disappointed to learn that Fouché had no intentions of "moving up" at the moment.
"Perhaps I'll seek the position in the future, but not now," said Fouché.
Indeed, unlike Talleyrand who couldn't go a day without money, Fouché couldn't go a day without power.
Talleyrand knew that becoming the First Consul wouldn't necessarily expand his power much, but it would certainly open up more avenues to acquire wealth—Napoleon would only control major decisions, allowing Talleyrand a significant amount of leeway to operate as First Consul.
So, as everyone expected, after Napoleon officially announced his withdrawal from the next First Consul election, Talleyrand, with Napoleon's support, smoothly became the next First Consul. Meanwhile, the various French assemblies quickly passed Napoleon's last proposal: a law prohibiting anyone from serving more than two consecutive terms.
After assuming office as First Consul, Talleyrand's first proposal was a major construction project in Paris.
"To honor my predecessor, the eternal leader of the French people, the eternal First Consul, the greatest commander in the history of France, and the greatest thinker, revolutionary, politician, military strategist, and scholar, the founder and commander of the invincible French Republic and its army, the guardian of peace and order in France and Europe, and the embodiment of the French spirit, Napoleon Bonaparte, I propose that we erect a world wonder right on the site of the demolished Bastille. What do you think?"
The members of parliament were, of course, in favor. However, they questioned Talleyrand's plan.
"First Consul Talleyrand, may we see your design proposal?" shouted one member.
Despite his official title being First Consul, everyone, including the newspapers, tended to drop the "First" when addressing him. Even Talleyrand himself omitted "First" during his inauguration speech. Perhaps in all of France, only Napoleon still referred to him as the "First Consul."
"Right, First Consul Talleyrand, we don't doubt your sincerity, but we're quite skeptical about your taste in aesthetics," joked the parliamentarians when Napoleon wasn't around.
Talleyrand, however, wasn't upset by this; he cheerfully responded, "On this matter, we agree. So no, I don't have a design proposal, not yet at least. I believe it's not just up to the French government, but all of France, and indeed all of Europe. So, my plan is to first collect proposals from all over France and Europe, then have a committee composed of the assembly and the government perform an initial review. The proposals that pass this review will be sent to the Academy of Sciences for further scrutiny. The Academy will select the final candidates, and then we'll have a democratic vote in the assembly. I suppose no one doubts the aesthetic judgment of the French Academy of Sciences?"
And so, everyone burst into laughter.
The proposal was naturally passed unanimously, just as if Napoleon himself had proposed it.
Following Napoleon's retirement, a frenzy swept across Europe, and from Mexico to Saint Petersburg, almost every educated person discussed this architectural marvel. Many, regardless of their architectural training, joined in designing this world wonder. Snow-like, the designs were sent to the "New Paris Landmark Committee" in Paris, and then, in batches, were directly sent to
the paper mills for recycling. If quick enough, participants might see their papers recycled several times.
Even Napoleon himself, anonymously, sketched a grand Roman temple using geometric drawing techniques, thinking his design would surely make it to the next round. Yet, it was likely never even unrolled before being sent off to the paper mills—who would recognize it anonymously?
And Napoleon, unable to complain openly lest someone use this embarrassing situation against him, decided to confront Lucien the next day and vent his frustrations through a scolding.
However, what infuriated Napoleon even more was that—after the committee sent some of the shortlisted designs to the French Academy of Sciences—he found one remarkably similar to his own.
"This is blatant plagiarism! How could this happen? Can the world get any worse? I've never seen such shameless people!" Napoleon fumed, feeling cold and trembling.
"Napoleon, what's wrong?" Joseph, who was also reviewing the designs, noticed Napoleon's pale face.
"Nothing." Napoleon tried to appear nonchalant.
"May I see?" Joseph asked, taking the design from Napoleon.
"Hmm, drawn with geometric techniques," Joseph commented. "But this aesthetic taste is simply terrible, almost as bad as yours. How did this get through the initial selection? Those judges must have been influenced by your appalling rural aesthetics deliberately..."
Listening to Joseph unabashedly criticize the design and, in fact, deny his own taste, Napoleon couldn't hold back: "Joseph, you'd better keep quiet about aesthetics. Who doesn't know you lack artistic talent? Aside from drawing big eyes, what else can you do? When you listen to music, you can't even distinguish Mozart from Beethoven. My God, even a child could tell the difference in a second..."
Joseph, unoffended and unwilling to retaliate because, frankly, he lacked artistic refinement, immediately changed the subject.
"So, you think this design isn't too bad? Well, since the building is related to you, whatever style you like should be it. I don't think anyone else would have any different opinions."
"I..."
Napoleon found himself in a dilemma. If he approved it, he would have to bear the thought of a thief, a criminal, engraving his name on this magnificent monument and being revered forever—a situation he found intolerable.
But it was his own design. If he rejected it, it would be like shooting himself. Could he reveal it was plagiarized? After all, he still had the original. But if he did, the whole affair would become known across France, Europe, and the world. And who would be the most embarrassed? Undoubtedly, Napoleon. Vainglorious, self-aggrandizing, and then—a perfect fool. So, this matter must be kept secret, from everyone, especially Lucien and Fouché.
Thus, Napoleon reluctantly said, "This design isn't as bad as you say, Joseph, but it's not that great either. Overall, it has some merits, but overall, it's not sufficient to be our wonder's design..."
"I always feel your attitude is strange," Joseph remarked.
Ultimately, a disgruntled Napoleon chose another design: a steel, three-hundred-meter-tall ancient Egyptian-style obelisk.
At the obelisk's inauguration, the crowd cheered for Napoleon, but he appeared somewhat melancholic. Some noticed this and speculated various stories—some about love, others about virtue, and a few even involving aliens... This became a common theme in later French literary works.
From then on, Napoleon did not fade from public view. Although no longer in politics and seldom speaking on global political affairs, his legend persisted everywhere. Napoleon frequently appeared at public events, including charitable, artistic, and scientific gatherings, always receiving cheers. Although previously called "His Excellency the First Consul," now everyone referred to him as "Our Emperor," for he was still Europe's emperor.
Time swiftly moved to 1821. In real history, Napoleon died this year, but in this alternate reality, he was lively and well, enjoying his life. As for Joseph, thanks to his healthy lifestyle, he was even in better shape than Napoleon.
By 1835, the last high official of the Bonaparte family, Minister of Truth Lucien, also left politics. When he resigned, hundreds of people came to bid him farewell, affectionately calling him "daddy."
