Chapter 6: Bonaparte of the Empire (6/200)

Chapter 6: Franco-Prussian War (2)

- Let us abandon the frivolous play of words and delve into the essence of ideas, and clarify the situation through comparison and inference...

I looked at the thick manuscript.

I couldn't hide my bitter smile.

The writing I had done was nothing but a rousing piece of propaganda.

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

Of course, the content is quite different from the original, but the core is the same.

'It's all the Jews' fault.'

The Jews have stabbed us in the back. That's why we are losing the war, or have already lost it.

Yes, it's a despicable act.

We are making the Jews the scapegoats to maintain our power.

'But the water has already been spilled.'

I threw the original manuscript, the only evidence that I had written the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, into the fireplace.

The papers caught fire and burned fiercely.

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion are being published in English in Britain, anonymously.

I was trying to use the authority of a third country to create a deception that this was not a document we had fabricated, much like what Bismarck did with the Ems Dispatch.

I felt a sense of self-loathing, but there was no other way.

'I'm sorry.'

I will create a place for them to live in East Africa, and I hope that will be sufficient compensation.

Of course, a book will come out in Russia a few decades later to quell anti-royal sentiment and shift all the blame to the Jews, so there shouldn't be any problem with me using it a bit earlier.

"Your Majesty, the defensive lines around Paris have been completed."

"What about the mobilization of the National Guard? And the expansion of the militia and the army?"

"Everything is proceeding smoothly."

The navy has already blockaded the entire North German Federation, and according to their reports, it's not an exaggeration to say that no ships can enter or leave the North German Federation.

So, we just need to defend Paris, by any means necessary.

"I will defend Paris. Has Louis arrived in Orléans?"

"Yes, but..."

"I will die here or wear the victor's crown. My father is resisting in Sedan, but he can't hold out forever."

I, the Crown Prince, put on my uniform and stepped onto the balcony.

Outside the window, countless soldiers had gathered.

"My comrades!"

As soon as I stepped onto the balcony, I shouted.

"Like my great-grandfather, I have one request to make of you now."

"Once more, for the last time, fight for this country! Do not let the Prussian barbarians trample our homeland!"

I shouted.

"They covet our territory, our culture, and our nation, and they seek to bring us to our knees! They seek to trample your freedom, equality, and fraternity! Can we let this happen? Do you want your wives and children to live under the guns of these autocrats!"

"No!"

"Comrades! Brothers! We will defend Paris, even if the rest of Sedan falls! As long as I live, Paris will never fall! I will defend Paris until the last man falls, and I will not run. I will stay with you until the end! They will have to drag my corpse from the palace to claim victory. I, Eugène Bonaparte, will defend France until my last breath, and I will uphold its spirit! I swear on the honor of God and our family, if anyone sees me fleeing the palace, shoot me in the heart!"

"Long live the Crown Prince!"

"Long live France!"

"Long live France!"

Enthusiastic cheers followed.

I drew my pistol from my belt.

"We will never be defeated! Viva la France!"

In the original history, Prussia never launched a direct assault on Paris. They starved the city into submission. If my prediction is correct and the Prussian army is suffering from a more effective naval blockade than in the original history, they won't be able to use that tactic. The rear will collapse while the army is engaged in a prolonged battle.

Moltke wouldn't be unaware of this, so he will attempt a direct attack on Paris.

However, the defensive lines around Paris are not weak enough for even the Prussian army to avoid a direct assault.

"Colonel Henri, by my authority, distribute all the weapons in the warehouses, including those intended for the Sedan defense force, to the National Guard. We can't send them to Sedan anyway."

How can we supply a besieged unit without air support, especially when our railway operations are inadequate? It's better to focus on defending and reinforcing Paris.

"Requisition all the barbed wire in the outskirts of Paris and use it to reinforce the defensive lines along with the trenches. Lay as many mines as you can."

We don't have machine guns, but trenches are still useful without them, especially for blocking artillery fire. The Prussian artillery is clearly superior to the French.

However, the French have better small arms, so we must rely on that.

If the defensive lines around Paris are breached, it will turn into street fighting, and if we lose the street fighting... it's game over. As proven in World War II, France is finished if Paris is lost.

We need to stockpile food for a long-term siege, but since Paris is a large city, the limits are clear. We need to force the enemy into a short, intense battle.

If we can inflict enough damage to bring the Prussian army to its operational limit, it will be our victory.

In the original history, the Prussian operational limit was not just Paris, but that depended on how well we fought.

***

Sedan, France.

The face of Helmuth von Moltke, Chief of the General Staff of the Prussian Army, was grim.

Multiple cavalry attacks had been repelled, and the French army was still resisting.

They were enduring the intense bombardment and the hail of bullets.

Meanwhile, the news from home was not good.

"Naval blockade..."

Of course, a naval blockade on France won't completely cut off all imports and exports, as there are countries like Russia that share a border.

However, the disruption of maritime trade is enough to cause economic problems for Prussia.

"The Prime Minister demands that we cannot prolong the war and insists on capturing Sedan as quickly as possible and advancing to Paris."

"It's impossible."

Moltke sighed.

"Do you think I don't know that? Sedan has more supplies than expected, and the French army is not showing any signs of surrendering. It's not easy to take such a fortress. Moreover, according to intelligence, Paris is also building separate defensive lines."

"We just need to capture Napoleon III. If Napoleon III surrenders, there won't be a need for a direct confrontation with the Paris defensive lines."

And Napoleon III is in Sedan. So, if we can break through Sedan, we will effectively win the war.

Moltke finally nodded.

"Prepare for the offensive."

***

Napoleon III, who had put Eugène's letter in his pocket, smiled bitterly.

"Reckless boy."

If we want to maintain the Bonaparte dynasty, we must not surrender?

Yes, as you wish, I will not surrender.

I will hold out stubbornly.

Even though I think about giving up a dozen times a day.

'Son.'

His voice kept him from giving up.

'A precocious boy with no charming qualities, but perhaps that's why the times are calling for you.'

If his role is like that of Philippos.

If he is preparing his empire like Philippos prepared the throne for his son Alexander, he will do it willingly.

-Boom! Boom!

The now familiar bombardment rained down, covering the emperor's body in dust, and a few fragments grazed his neck, drawing blood.

"It's a preparatory bombardment. All troops to their positions! Move! You fools!"

Shells and smoke covered the ground.

The emperor stood silently, looking at the battlefield. He realized anew that his uncle, his 26 marshals, and the soldiers who followed him had hope even in the most desperate moments.

And now, those around him were not afraid. The heavily armored cavalry that had been wiped out while trying to find an escape route, the soldiers and officers who were holding their positions in the trenches, and the officers waiting for orders.

No, they might be afraid, but they didn't give up because of that fear.

At least they still believed in hope. They believed that Austerlitz would be repeated,

Only he refused to see it, acting as if everything was over.

Of course, he is not his uncle. He is not a war hero.

But his son might be. And everyone in Paris believed in the Crown Prince as they believed in him.

Realizing this, he felt a sense of relief. Despite the fact that it threatened his power, and despite his own obsession with power, it was a strange feeling.

He was glad. Knowing how heavy a burden it is to be trusted, he was proud of his young son, who was proving his abilities by taking on that burden as if it were natural.

And because of that, he didn't want to disappoint him.

Even if he had to disappoint the people and his subordinates.

He didn't want to disappoint his son.

"We will fight. The National Guard is being organized under Eugène's command in the rear, and after they block the Prussian attack in Paris, they will break the siege of Sedan! We will surely win! Can't you see that they are becoming more desperate? They are in crisis! Is there a lack of supplies here? Is there a lack of food? Is there a lack of ammunition? The only thing lacking is courage! Sons of France! Fight as if this place will be your grave! And win!"

Napoleon III began to boost morale with his most powerful weapon, his speech.

He couldn't do it before. He couldn't convincingly persuade others of something he didn't truly believe in, but now he can.

Because his son was there. Because he believed the boy would come.

And the sons of France believed their emperor and held the front line.

In any case, he was their emperor.