The Crown Question
Napoleon accepted the Imperator Medal and pinned it to his chest, immediately eliciting shouts of "Imbrard!" "Imbrard!"
After the shouts subsided, Napoleon delivered a brief speech to the crowd. He began by thanking the France people for their affection and expressing his deep gratitude. He then recounted the France Revolution and his struggle alongside countless heroes and martyrs for the freedom and democracy of France, stating that those who truly deserved this highest honor were the heroes who sacrificed themselves in defending French freedom and democracy and in building a free and democratic France.
Napoleon then reiterated the France spirit of "liberty, democracy, and fraternity," and stated that it was the greatest honor of his life to stand with the France people in upholding the French Republic, democracy, and freedom.
Finally, amidst cheers from the crowd, Napoleon finished his speech and returned to the Consulate to continue serving the France people.
Napoleon's impromptu speech was naturally featured on the front page of various newspapers. Today, not only France newspapers, but also those of France's closest allies (vassal states), and even some Britain, Prussia, and Austria newspapers are praising Napoleon's humility and his loyalty to democracy.
Of course, the situation abroad was not like that in France. In France, Napoleon was universally praised, but abroad, there were always some sour voices. For example, an Austria newspaper ridiculed Napoleon as a lowly country bumpkin, criticizing him for not even looking at himself in the mirror, saying he had a monkey-like face and yet dared to dream of something like a swan.
This newspaper went further, claiming that in all of Europe, there was only one legitimate "Imperial Emperor," namely His Majesty the Holy Roman Empire Emperor, His Majesty Franz II.
"His Majesty Franz II is of noble birth, a truly legitimate and blessed Rome emperor, the defender of Catholicism, the true and lawful Immaculate Conception. Compared to him, that Corsica dwarf is nothing but a monkey."
The newspaper that published this statement was one with a background of exiles. It's perfectly normal for such newspapers to publish articles that denigrate France and Napoleon. In fact, if such a newspaper were to start praising Napoleon, it would surely mean that Napoleon had become a revisionist.
Moreover, the newspaper's circulation was actually limited; often, it was simply printed by the exiles themselves to encourage themselves. In fact, many of the reader letters in the newspaper were fabricated by the editors, giving off a "Don't be fooled by the number of people speaking here; they're all just my pseudonyms" vibe.
What these kinds of newspapers say is, under normal circumstances, something that major newspapers, especially the France press, simply don't care about—who's interested in going to the toilet every day with a magnifying glass to examine feces?
However, this time, the newspaper's report suddenly caught the attention of the France media. First, a similarly unremarkable tabloid reported on the incident with a rather sensational headline, "Austria wantonly insult France leaders," and even implied that the newspaper's vicious attack on Bonaparte's rule was actually authorized by the Austria government.
However, "Science Truth Daily" followed suit, stating that such reactionary newspapers could not represent the attitude of the Austria people, who actually held France Austria people and Bonaparte's rule in high esteem. This newspaper had virtually no readership in Austria. "Austria the Sun" interviewed many Austria, many of Austria expressed their envy of France for having a good government and considered Bonaparte's rule to be the greatest of their time. The famous composer Beethoven even composed a symphony specifically for our First Consul, naming it "Imperado." From this, we can clearly see that the Austria people actually harbored no ill will towards France.
However, after making excuses for the Austria people, "Science Truth Daily" raised another question: We know that if a newspaper can't sell anything, it should go bankrupt and close down quickly. But now, a newspaper that hardly anyone buys can continue to be published in Austria for many years. Obviously, someone must be supporting it with real money.
Of course, the Austria government isn't necessarily the one supporting such a newspaper. However, when Austria and France reached a peace agreement, it included a clause stipulating that Austria should prohibit other powers from using Austria territory to engage in activities against France. It now appears that the Austria government has failed to fulfill this obligation; they have clearly violated the peace agreement with France and obviously disregarded France. From this perspective, it's not entirely unfair to say that the Austria government insulted the First Consul and France.
Although, according to its official name, "Science Truth Daily" has absolutely no connection with the France government and is a completely independent media outlet, everyone knows that "Science Truth Daily"Science Truth Daily is, in a sense, the mouthpiece of the France government. In particular, its editorials often directly represent the voice of the France government. Therefore, the appearance of such an article in "Science Truth Daily" should not be taken lightly.
Upon seeing the report, Ambassador Metternich immediately broke out in a cold sweat. He knew that it was no simple matter for "Science Truth Daily" to publish such an article, but Metternich pondered for a whole day and night without understanding why France was now targeting Austria. Austria was practically subservient to France, following its lead. Of course, some newspapers opposed to France did exist, but they had been around for a long time, and the France had never taken them seriously. Why were they suddenly making such a big deal out of it? What was their intention?
Ambassador Metternich was worrying when someone came to report that banker Nathan Rothschild had come to visit.
Metternich then had Rothschild invited in.
"Mr. Rothschild, is there something you wish to ask me at this time?" Metternich asked.
"I'm here, of course, for that article in 'Science Truth Daily'," Nathan Rothschild replied very directly, "Because it could have a significant impact on our business."
"What are your thoughts on this?" Metternich asked.
"Mr. Ambassador, how much do you know about the First Minister? What are your thoughts on the recent 'Imperial' incident?"
"The 'Imperial' affair? It's quite obvious that the First Consul himself orchestrated it." Metternich was quite frank with Nathan Rothschild.
"The First Consul is certainly a very capable man, but he is not a saint; even a true saint could not have reached his current position," Nathan Rothschild said. "However, the First Consul seems to be very fascinated by Rome. And I think his ambitions go beyond just being First Consul."
These words reminded Metternich, who thought for a moment and said, "So, he hopes to emulate Augustus and turn France into an empire?... If so, then his actions are completely understandable..."
In Europe, legally speaking, there are only two crowns, both originating from Rome: the crown of the Western Roman Empire and the crown of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Western Roman Empire emperors were theoretically crowned by the Pope. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Pope placed this crown on the heads of many monarchs, such as the famous Charlemagne, who was crowned "Emperor of the Rome" by the Pope.
Today, the crown of the "Holy Roman Empire" traces its origins back to the Western Roman Empire. The other crown is that of the Eastern Roman Empire. After the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire, Russia married princesses from the Eastern Rome to Russia and thus considered themselves heirs to the Eastern Roman Empire. This is how the crown of the Russia Tsar came about.
If Napoleon truly intended to become Augustus, then all of this becomes easy to understand, because the crown he needed was in Austria hands.
"Mr. Ambassador, from an interest standpoint, France is unlikely to directly turn against your country at present. However, I am very concerned about one thing," Nathan Rothschild said.
"What is it?" Metternich asked.
"The France might pull something through the Pope," Nathan Rothschild replied.
Metternich immediately understood Nathan Rothschild's meaning. Although the crown of "Emperor of the Rome" currently rested on Fritz II's head, under certain circumstances, the Pope could snatch it from Fritz II's head and hand it over to Napoleon. For example, he could accuse Emperor Fritz II of impiety, violating Catholicism doctrine, or even directly label him a heretic, thus excommunicating him and revoking his imperial title.
Given the current situation in Italy, the France have gained a decisive advantage there. Northern Italian Republic is an ally of France, and the France elite Italian Legion is stationed there. Austria influence has been almost completely squeezed out of Italy by France.
Faced with the Italian Legion of 100,000 men so close at hand, and the Austria far away on the other side of the Alps, it's almost a given that when forced to make a choice, the Pope would make a decision.
"Then what should we do? Can we really expect His Majesty to relinquish the crown himself?" Metternich asked.