The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 950 - 38 Napoleon’s Last Stratagem_3

For these people, even if Napoleon returned, what could he do? freēnovelkiss.com

The most Napoleon could offer them was no more than that.

And compared to Napoleon, who favored conquest and war, the current Orleans Royal Family is more partial to pacifism. Even if they wage war, it would be limited to an extremely controllable range, like continuing the conquest of Algeria.

Arthur, seeing him remain silent, also stood up and lightly clinked his glass with Louis.

With a crisp clink, Arthur’s voice sounded: "Louis, your uncle was a very great man, not just because of his illustrious career, but also because of his foresight. Napoleon put on a show and amassed much wealth, but what is commendable is that he was not stingy with his wealth. I remember you said that Napoleon himself did not have high standards for living quality, nor did he like gambling or corruption.

He bestowed the profits gained from war to his subordinates, marshals, princes, dukes, and all kinds of nobles with generous annuities, and he liked to frequently renovate their mansions and estates. But I must say, much of the money given to these people went down the drain. These people were not short of money and were capable of acquiring it themselves. What they preferred over wealth was the power to enrich themselves.

Fortunately, your uncle not only rewarded the nobles but frequently rewarded low-ranking officers and soldiers, which is why he was so beloved by the army. Moreover, on his deathbed, your uncle made the wisest move by not leaving his 200 million francs inheritance to any relatives in his will but dividing it into two parts. One part compensated veterans and officers who fought with him from 1792 to 1815 as pensions, and the other part was for compensating French towns harmed by the war.

Whether your uncle just had a spur of the moment or actually foresaw this long ago, in any case, because of this move, so many people in France still cherish the Bonaparte family. Louis, you have to understand where your path lies. You need not seek the approval of those professional political factions; how they view you is not important. What is important is how those who are not present at tonight’s banquet see you.

Think about the sheer size of their strength. Louis Philippe went to great lengths to gain the support of these people, sparing no effort to bring a coffin back from afar overseas. But you are still tangled in the political inclinations of a small group of opportunists. That small group is very satisfied with the current life, and their appetite is beyond what you can fulfill now. But for most who are dissatisfied, you only need to provide them with an illusionary notion of confidence. Letting them know that after the death of your brother, Napoleon’s son, the King of Rome, the Bonaparte family still has descendants."

Louis felt his whole body flush and his palms sweat upon hearing this: "I... but will this really work? You should know that on the Orthodox Party side, there are also figures like me. The grandson of Charles X, the Earl of Chambord, is still alive. Also, during the same time as last year’s Paris uprising, they were stirring rebellion in Vendee; they seem stronger than the Bonaparte Party and more discontent with the current situation."

Arthur simply shook his head lightly upon hearing this: "Louis, the Orthodox Party has its major troubles to deal with. Based on the information I got from my Envoy in Britain and Mr. Victor, the Orthodox Party may soon split apart."

Louis hurriedly asked upon hearing the news: "What happened to them?"

Arthur stood by the window, amidst the lamplight and the night, seeing a few sneaky figures slipping into an alley near the mansion: "The Duchess of Berry, the mother of the Earl of Chambord, after failing to lead the Vendee rebellion, was arrested by the police force in her hideout in Nantes last November, and is now imprisoned in Blaye Fortress. Initially, no one noticed anything unusual, but later, the guards found the Duchess’s belly growing larger."

Louis widened his eyes: "She’s pregnant?"

Arthur nodded slightly: "Exactly! Her husband was assassinated more than ten years ago, yet she is pregnant. What does this imply? More interestingly, it appears the authorities intend for her to give birth to the child."

Louis felt a tightening in his heart, forcing himself to remain calm: "Once the child is born, her reputation and honor would be completely ruined. Even worse, the purity of the Earl of Chambord’s lineage would be questioned, and if the Earl of Chambord is not of Bourbon descent, then the Conservative Party becomes a complete joke. How could anyone know whose son they are truly supporting, whether a crude coachman’s or a sycophant valet’s?"

Arthur smiled, patting Louis on the shoulder: "Louis, do you still think what I said to you before was meaningless? Proving oneself to be the Emperor’s descendant, the Bonaparte Party is far luckier than the Orthodox Party."

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