French Empire: But Napoleon IV

Chapter 37 Napoleon III's Decision

However, Napoleon III was in a state of extreme depression.

Just as the escapist mentality reached its peak, a cautious voice came from outside the conference room door.

"Your Majesty, the secret telegram from Paris was sent by Your Majesty's Guard troops in Paris."

?

Imperial Guard?

He was unsure why his own guardsmen were contacting him at this time. Why didn't they contact Bulbaqi, but instead went directly to him across the border?

A few doubts lingered in his mind, but Napoleon III, still shrouded in gloom, didn't even raise his head. He remained slumped on the ground, speaking weakly.

"Bring it in."

With Napoleon III's permission, another communications soldier pushed open the door and entered the conference room. Upon entering, he immediately saw the emperor sitting on the floor and the bloodstains.

Startled, the communications soldier quickly handed over the telegram, then lowered his head and muttered to himself that no one had seen him, no one had seen him, before leaving.

Napoleon III, who felt a sense of disgust at the sight of the telegram and did not want to open it, and who wanted to continue to escape, slowly took the telegram, not even bothering to open it.

Napoleon, who had initially intended to simply toss the telegram aside and follow the Paris government's lead regardless of what the other party said, hesitated for a moment before deciding to open the envelope.

With the sunlight streaming in through the window, Nathan could barely make out the writing, so the observant communications soldier beside him lit a gas lamp for the French emperor.

Now, Napoleon III could see the handwriting on the telegram clearly, and the content of the telegram was somewhat unexpected.

In the telegram, a Guards Major named Royal wrote in detail the entire argument between Eugène Napoleon and Montauban.

Surprised that Eugène Napoleon had actually argued with Montauban, the French prime minister, Napoleon III turned his astonished gaze downwards.

The content is very comprehensive, from how Eugène argued for Bazin's withdrawal, to Montauban's insistence on holding Metz for political and logistical reasons, and finally how the two compromised and reached a settlement.

This is the version of the Paris telegram that Napoleon III and others are arguing about now. Bazin is determined to hold Metz and not to break out without permission, while the entire Challenger Army is to withdraw to the west bank of the Meuse River and rely on Verdun and Saint-Mihiel to build a defensive line.

In the telegram, Royal also wrote that Eugène Napoleon had secured cabinet approval to expand the army in Paris by 6 men and to increase the Imperial Guard by two regiments.

Napoleon III was astonished to discover his son's strong character and unexpected side. He was also incredibly proud of his only son.

Although Napoleon III was on the front lines, his attention to Paris remained undiminished, and he was aware that his son had been attacked.

Therefore, the first thing that came to mind was the bandage on Eugene's neck that had not yet healed, mentioned in the telegram that had been sent to him earlier.

Thinking of this fourteen-year-old child, who stood up alone when he was far away on the front lines and Eugénie was unable to think about the problem from all angles, and confronted the stubborn and meritorious Earl of Baliqiao head-on.

This behavior caused Napoleon III, who had just been thinking of escaping, to feel an indescribable sense of guilt.

Looking at it this way, I realize that I, as a father, was hesitant and on the verge of collapse on the front lines, wanting nothing more than to escape everything.

His own good son, and in the political vortex of Paris, he did everything in his power to fight for the last glimmer of hope for the Bonaparte family in France.

She hadn't done anything for her son, yet she had made this young child shoulder a burden that he shouldn't have to bear.

Hey~

Nathan sighed deeply in his heart, feeling very gratified for Eugene and genuinely heartbroken for his son. He decided to do something and muttered to himself.

"At least... at least I can do something for you."

Struggling to his feet, Nasan leaned on the table and walked to a chair. Slightly regaining his composure, Nasan wiped away the tears and blood from his face, picked up a pen, his hand still trembling violently, but with a bit more strength than before.

He didn't revise the agreement that Paris and Eugène had already reached. He was tired, really tired. He didn't want to argue anymore, nor did he want to make any more decisions.

Since this was the result of discussions between the Paris government and his son, then let's proceed accordingly. However, in his reply to Paris, he added two extra orders.

"Marshal François Certain Camrobé is appointed commander of the newly formed Paris Army Corps, which will be expanded to 120,000 men, based on the existing 13th Army of 29,000. The Ministry of War shall give priority to all weapons, equipment, provisions and supplies without any conditions."

Cornelius was extremely loyal, a point Napoleon III was certain of. His own son's power was limited by his age, making further expansion difficult.

Since that's the case, why not reward Campbell? This French marshal is responsible to Crown Prince Eugène Napoleon anyway, and he won't be subject to the cabinet's control at all.

The cabinet only agreed to expand the army to 9, so he gave Eugène 12, more than 3. With the title of commander of the Legion of Paris, Camrobel was nominally on par with Napoleon III.

Although both the Paris government and the Châlons military camp had already divided the Rhine Army into two corps during their discussions, the Rhine Army they referred to was now simply the three corps commanded by Bazin.

In practice, nominally, the two legions have not yet been substantially separated, and both legions still belong to the Rhine Legion.

The commander of the Army of the Rhine was Napoleon III. As the commander of the Army of Paris, Camrobel's status rose significantly.

Because of this position, this French marshal could, when necessary, command all French troops in the Paris region as the supreme military commander.

This was the last bit of support Napoleon III could give his son. After finishing the telegram, Napoleon III threw the pen on the table and let out a long sigh of relief.

Nasan, who had felt guilty towards his son and thought it was wrong of him to give up, felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders after rewarding Eugene.

The French emperor leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and tried to think of nothing. Footsteps sounded outside the door; McMahon, still recovering from his serious injuries, had returned.

The French marshal, who wanted to speak privately with the French emperor, saw the tear stains on Napoleon III's face and the telegram on the table, and already understood seven or eight parts of the situation.

"Your Majesty, have you made your decision?"

"Yes. Proceed as agreed in Paris. Bazin will hold Metz to the death, and no one is allowed to break out without orders. You will take the Challon Legion and retreat to the west bank of the Meuse River, relying on Verdun and Saint-Miler for defense."