Napoleon in 1812

19. European Summit – 3

“All the patents and technologies that France has taken and used at will are the property of the Kingdom and its good citizens. The Kingdom’s position was clearly conveyed that ‘something unpleasant’ would not be avoided without compensation for the damage. But to think that you were actually making a fool of yourself here after being silent about it.”

“Hahaha! I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what the Viscount is saying at all. What do you mean patents and technologies? The honest and just Empire does not steal anything. It already has plenty of everything. Rather, didn’t Britain steal the patents of the Empire’s warships and steam-powered wagons?”

“You are as shameless as ever. France, too, has taken and used the Kingdom’s properties as if it were its own. With the signing of the Treaty of Madrid between the two countries, what happened in the past was buried in the past. Do you still have no idea which side broke down the atmosphere of reconciliation between the two countries first?”

“Well, let’s talk about that. I think your prime minister’s words and actions against the Empire and His Majesty are the reasons for the frozen relationship between the two countries… By the way, speaking of the Treaty of Madrid, didn’t you sign that you wouldn’t be involved in the war between Spain, Portugal and their colonies? However, according to the Empire’s sources, your country was busy traveling between the two sides and providing suspicious support…”

The French and British ambassadors were spitting sharp words at each other. It was Friedrich Wilhelm III and his Prime Minister Karl August von Hardenberg[1] who caused diplomats from other countries to growl inside the palace of a third country.

Prime Minister Hardenberg advised Friedrich Wilhelm III, who looked embarrassed when he heard that ambassadors from both countries had visited him at the same time.

He should rather bring the two here at the same time and make them dispute in front of Prussia. This would give Prussia a minimum of evasion, no matter what choice was made in the end.

Thanks to this, he could not see the ambassadors fighting inside the Berlin Palace, but Friedrich Wilhelm III was proud to have made the right choice for the sake of the national interest.

“Don’t do any more disrespect in the presence of His Majesty the King, and tell us your purpose.”

At the words of the head of the court, the two stopped arguing and looked around. There was a brief war of nerves over who would reveal his intentions first, but soon the Count of Boulogne, the French ambassador, opened his mouth first.

“Ahem… His Majesty, the Emperor of the Empire, said that it is impossible for the Prussian Kingdom, which has a strong influence in Central Europe, to miss the Strasbourg banquet. As a friendly ally of the Empire, the Empire expects Prussia to show friendship and trust.”

It was a polite expression with diplomatic rhetoric. But if its politeness was removed, it actually meant ‘If you don’t come to Strasbourg, you’re no longer an ally of France.’ It was a remark putting Prussia under strong pressure.

Some Prussian figures who noticed it hardened their facial expressions, and among them, Blücher’s face was worth seeing. The British ambassador, the Viscount of Buckingham, quickly intervened to take advantage of the gap.

“With the Treaties of Tilsit[2], Prussia became a major ally of France and gave generous support in every war. But France is threatening such an ally without any respect or consideration, showing a pitiful reality for Europe, where understanding and tolerance have disappeared! It’s really deceitful to speak of a consultative body for common European values.”

“It’s not something for a third country to intervene in. Go back to your own work.”

“I’d like to make an offer on the Kingdom’s behalf. Your Majesty should not go directly to Strasbourg, but send an agent with a reasonable position in your stead. In the past, Prussia was a long-standing friend of the Kingdom, although it was cut off by French tyranny and violence. This is an advice from the perspective of an old friend. The Kingdom deeply respects Prussia’s spirit and dignity, and is capable of repaying them. If you accept the Kingdom’s proposal, Prussia will have no problem with its national finances even if it does not collect any revenue for two years.”

“Huh? Did Britain have that kind of capacity? I heard that military costs are soaring because of the swollen finances from the war against the United States and the violence in South Asia as well. The government bonds that you have to pay back go back and forth between £800 million and £900 million, but you’re very generous to provide financial support for neighboring countries, aren’t you?”

The amount of government bonds issued by the British government exploded due to the persistent recession and the war with France. At the end of the war, it began to decrease, but the scale was still astronomical.

Britain’s finances were rolling hard just by preparing for a new war against France. The Count of Boulogne was sarcastic about the British situation.

Prime Minister Hardenberg roared when the French and British ambassadors quarreled again fiercely with each other.

“What kind of horrible words and actions are those? I definitely said that you were in the presence of His Majesty. Why are you arguing so loudly? The two ambassadors must be looking down on our Kingdom and His Majesty!”

Hardenberg immediately turned his head and told Friedrich Wilhelm III.

“I think the two ambassadors are especially excited today and can’t tell when they need to be polite. Why don’t we send them out of the court and call them separately later to talk?”

“Hmm. I think we should do so. You two, please step down for today.”

The Count of Boulogne and the Viscount of Buckingham stepped down, leaving words of apology for the king. Although Hardenberg expelled them on the pretext of disrespect, the real purpose was, in fact, to buy time to discuss this issue. However, even though the ambassadors and their party went out, the hall was still silent.

“…”

Even if no one was saying a word, they all had the same opinion. They had to hold the French hand.

There was little possibility of a major problem happening if they rejected the British proposal, but if they rejected the French one, it would be a real threat. Nevertheless, the reason why they could not easily open their mouths was because of Blücher’s presence.

‘If someone has to participate in the Strasbourg banquet, he’ll do everything he can to oppose it.’

‘He’s an old man but he’s still very healthy. Sigh!…’

“If he incites the main officers, that’s going to be a big trouble.’

While the ministers were worried about this, Blücher opened his mouth.

“Please accept the French ambassador’s suggestion, Your Majesty!”

The first words that Blücher brought up were enough to surprise Friedrich Wilhelm III and the Prussian court ministers.

“…But weren’t you insisting on throwing the French oppression away and fighting them more passionately than anyone else?”

To Friedrich Wilhelm III, who was asking with a doubtful look, Blücher quietly answered with courtesy.

“That’s definitely what I said in the past, and the idea itself remains unchanged. However, I am the commander of the Prussian army and a servant of Your Majesty. I will not commit the foolishness of making a mistake in the state’s affairs with my personal feelings.”

When Blücher insisted on fighting, it was when France was busy with the Russian expedition and the Iberian Peninsula War. At this time, he thought that with the support of the United Kingdom, if Prussia put a knife in France’s back with Austria’s help, they could overturn the situation.

However, France was much stronger than it was then, and there would be no second front to disperse its power. If they hastily set up a confrontation with France now, the entire country of Prussia would immediately be swept away under a wave of tricolor flags.

“The island bastards always try to show goodwill as if they are reliable, but if the situation breaks out, they act ignorant of their allies. Our Kingdom has also suffered from such tricks. I would rather believe that the Turks converted to Christianity than believe them. Someday I’ll have to show the French what I’m made of, but that should be at a time when the British can’t back off.”

When Blücher, who was the one to shout against France the strongest, said this, there was no need to discuss anymore. It seemed that Friedrich Wilhelm III would be going to the Strasbourg banquet with his attendants.

“Please allow me to go there as well with Your Majesty! I’m sure Nabot and his marshals will make rude threats, so I will stop them with my whole body!”

Friedrich Wilhelm III did not want to go with Blücher, but most of the ministers agreed, so he could not help it. Thus, the man in Prussia who hated Napoleon the most also got on a carriage heading to Strasbourg.

===

It was December 30, 1817, two days before the New Year. Strasbourg’s gate, which had long served as a wall protecting France, opened wide. And now the biggest event since the city’s founding was starting.

Strasbourg, located in the easternmost part of the Alsace-Lorraine region, was centered around the Rohan Palace and Strasbourg’s Cathedral, with Contades Boulevard to the north and Lugny Street to the south.

Usually, French citizens with a proven identity were able to go back and forth between these two main roads at ease, but today they had to go back and choose a different way as they were strictly controlled by French guards and police.

“First is safety, second is safety! No unfortunate accidents should ever occur to the city’s distinguished guests! The honor and prestige of the Empire are at stake, so everyone should be prepared well so that there will be no mistakes!”

The Duke of Rovigo and Police Minister Anne Jean Marie René Savary[3] called for caution from the security officers in a stern voice. He preached the importance of the event by ordering again and again to pay as much attention to safety and security as possible, and saying that it was acceptable to delay the movement between the carriages.

“The first procession of guests is arriving!”

“Great! Proceed as we have prepared!”

“Policemen, follow me!”

“Security guards, come this way!”

The security officers led their respective policemen and guards to control the streets and secure the carriage paths. Soon after, as the main gate of the city of Strasbourg opened, four-wheeled carriages with brilliant family crests appeared.

The patterns were ones that people would have seen at least once in newspapers, public documents, or artworks such as paintings. It gave an idea of how famous the people in the carriage were.

Personal guards and horsemen escorting the carriages separately appeared under the control of French guards and police forces.

Contades Street was wide enough to be called a boulevard, but in consideration of the crowd gathering at the event, the carriage road was temporarily expanded.

Nevertheless, several carriages moved at once, and their guards were added to the front, rear, left, and right, so the wide boulevard was very full.

“Whoah! What a spectacular sight.”

“You’ll never see a scene like this again in the future. Take a good look.”

“Dad! Give me a ride on your shoulders!”

Citizens who lived in nearby villages or cities tiptoed and captured the sights that they would remember all their life.

Although it was not possible to approach closely due to the tight security of the police protecting the carriage path, it was possible to climb up high-rise shops or building scaffolds and watch. The procession of Europe’s leading aristocratic families continued endlessly with the people’s interest.

On the southern Lugny Street on the other side, it was a series of very historical scenes of a different kind. It was incomparable to the colorful carriages and processions on Contades Boulevard, but the existence of each individual in these carriages was more than enough to make up for the difference.

There were music masters, literary geniuses who had published numerous masterpiece novels, comedies, poems, etc. that had created a milestone in the times, philosophers and scholars who had left numerous famous quotes and topics to talk about in the future.

Literally, the talents of the century were breathing together within a few meters of distance.

John Constable (British painter), Johan Gottlieb Gahn (Swedish chemist), Friedrich Heinrich Yakovi (Bavarian philosopher), and Antonio Canova (Italian sculptor) were driving in their own carriages.[4]

Thomas Robert Malthus (British political economist, after whom the Malthusian Trap was named), Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz (Polish poet and playwright), and Franz Schubert (Australian composer) were chatting with each other, making a scene that future generations would want to record even if they had to pay a million dollars.[5]

In addition, John Dalton (British chemist), Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German writer), Edward Jenner (British physician), and Antonio Salieri (Italian composer) led individual carriages one after another, chasing the preceding procession.[6]

Unfortunately, most of the people gathered on Lugny Street to watch them were farmers who farmed or raised livestock in the villages nearby, and they had very few knowledge to recognize the European celebrities.

Even when it came to great men who would be remembered for a long time in history, they were muttering words such as ‘Who are they?’ and ‘They must be the servants of the noble families’ that would make future generations pound their chest.

As such, the stars shining brightly on Europe were now gathering in the Rohan Palace in Strasbourg.

=

The lights in the main hall inside the Rohan Palace lit up with a sign that the dinner was ready. Starting with this, the lights turned on each room, terrace, the cathedral, and the palace were also lit. Finally, the curtain of the Strasbourg Banquet had risen.

TL notes

[1] Karl August von Hardenberg

[2] Treaties of Tilsit

[3] Anne Jean Marie René Savary

[4] John Constable, Johan Gottlieb Gahn, Friedrich Heinrich Jacobi, Antonio Canova

[5] Thomas Robert Malthus: Malthusianism, Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz, Franz Schubert

[6] John Dalton, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Edward Jenner, Antonio Salieri