Under the Old Regime, hunting was the privilege of kings and nobles. Even the benevolent Louis XVI went hunting. Someone once calculated that in all of 1775, he killed 8,424 animals—an average of 23 a day, rising to 52 a day in December. He was so "dedicated," treating hunting as the most important part of every day, because he had other purposes. At the time, noble titles had been opened to the bourgeoisie for financial reasons; anyone with money could buy one.
Louis XVI needed to give those hereditary nobles something money could not buy: ceremonial privileges.
There were two key elements to the hunting ceremony: the social novice uniform and the boot-removal ceremony.
Napoleon's gray coat was actually a form of formal dress, part of the social novice uniform worn during hunting ceremonies. The full outfit also included a red waistcoat, breeches, a lace shirt, and riding boots.
After dismounting, the nobles had to remove their boots and change back into stockings. The process represented "triumph and favor."
After the French Revolution, this privilege was abolished, but the forests remained closed. Winter was hunting season, when animals had their thickest fur. Those generals, who never had to worry about food, were not after the game's meat. What they wanted was the animals' pelts, along with certain other things.
It was said that Louis XVI had regretted missing a stag for a long time.
Ancient Chinese records stated: when the Qin dynasty lost its deer, all rose to pursue it.
Pursuing the deer was a game that haunted the dreams of countless men. Napoleon really was a terrible shot, and it was not merely because Prussian guns had no sights. He was a military commander with more of a scholar's temperament.
But if those generals kept inviting him, he would