Napoleon in 1812

Chapter 31

6. Paris, City of Light – 1

‘Paris, the city of light and passion (Ville lumière et des passions)! How long has it been!’

He looked around with nostalgic eyes when arriving at the walls surrounding Paris. Napoleon, who had served his term in the other world and resigned as president, had returned to his hometown in Corsica, Ajaccio, as soon as he retired. The republican officials and ministers chasing him to Corsica were so annoying that he fled to Louisiana… Anyway, Napoleon did not go to Paris on purpose when he visited Europe after that.

This was because he was aware that his existence itself could be a great burden on the next presidential government.

‘I had never dreamed I’d become an emperor after running away from politics.

He had a bitter smile. In any case, Napoleon was able to step back into France, in a colorful, sophisticated and symbolic city.

He knew well that the other world and this one here were different in many ways. Of course, the biggest reason why the wheels of history went in different directions was the difference between one individual named Napoleon Bonaparte. The fact that the history of the world was so twisted by just one human being was still interesting.

Napoleon clearly knew that Paris, which he remembered in the past, could be different from Paris today.

However, the sense of strangeness and incongruity that arose at that moment was more than expected. Soon he stopped walking.

Parisians filling the Concorde Square (formerly the Revolution Square), a regular stage of victory ceremonies, were delighted and cheered for the victory of France and Napoleon. But with a sharp sense of observation, Napoleon discovered that it was not a genuine expression of emotion. They were just forced and loyal to their role as an audience.

France had an unprecedented great victory. Nevertheless, the atmosphere in the city was heavy and even depressed. The slums under the bridges of Paris looked much larger than in Napoleon’s memory. The clothes worn by citizens wandering along the road were generally shabby and old.

In the middle of the shops next to the square was a sign indicating the closure of business. There were many closed shops even though this neighborhood in Paris was quite busy.

Napoleon turned his head and looked at the other side of Concorde Square. He wanted to look at the historic buildings where the Bourbon family stayed or was imprisoned, such as Charles’ street, the Marais district, and the Temple Tower. But now there were only hideous traces left after someone destroyed it.

The same was true of the National Assembly, which was the birthplace of the revolutionary spirit, the Salle du Manège, a horse riding practice ground which was the meeting place of the delegates who constituted them, and the Couvent des Feuillants. Many other cultural heritages of the past were damaged or destroyed, and their vacancies were filled with buildings and statues praising France and Napoleon.

To describe Paris in the other world in two words, it was vitality and passion. The faces of citizens walking down the street were relaxed all the time and could not stop smiling. Children ran freely in parks and open areas, the stores and shops were crowded, and slums were rarely found.

It was a city where writers, painters, and sculptors gathered in search of jobs, fascinated by the free city’s style. The regular performances of famous writers and actors, including operas and plays, were endless. They praised Paris and sometimes satirized the figures of the Republic. Citizens maintained their dignity by appreciating high standards of culture and art.

Administratively, economically, culturally and artistically, Paris was the heart of Europe. It was the most advanced, free and wealthy city in the world.

Like the city that benefited the most under Napoleon’s rule, the people of Paris really loved and admired him. And they expressed it. Every time Napoleon walked along the streets and squares of Paris with his entourage, the merchants of the stores always handed Napoleon some goods and food they sold.

The unbounded affection and goodwill they gave was one precious memory that made Napoleon smile.

‘Nabot, you fucking Nabot. What the hell have you been doing here?’

What policies had been implemented, what actions had been taken, and what had been done, to make the citizens of Paris, who should be most passionate about supporting them, have that look on their faces at the victory parade celebrating a great victory? Was the propaganda for yourself and your regime more important than the city itself, which boasted a great history?

Napoleon was genuinely curious. If Nabot had been sacrificing the entire French people just for the title of Emperor… Napoleon, who thought about it, once again vowed to himself. He would surely heal France, which had suffered more than he thought. He would rebuild the great nation he remembered here.

“Long live His Majesty the Great Emperor!”

There was a voice that awakened Napoleon, who had been lost in all sorts of thoughts, as he rode through Concorde Square. Through the crowds and guards lined up in a row, a man ran out to the main street and blocked the Emperor’s triumphant ceremony from the front.

“It’s an assassin!”

“Protect the Emperor!”

The Guard, covering Napoleon from close range, immediately ran out. Some protected Napoleon with their bodies and the others rushed to the man who ran into the boulevard. They looked like they were going to tear up the man right away. Napoleon shouted in a hurry.

“The Guard, stop!”

“I have something to say at the risk of my life to Your Majesty the Emperor! If you’re going to slit this small man’s throat for rudeness, listen to him first!”

The words of Napoleon and this man rang almost simultaneously. The guards, staring at his man, stepped back at a reasonable distance when they realized he wasn’t carrying dangerous objects such as firearms. The man sat in the middle of the street and lowered his head. He then bowed down on the ground.

“This humble little man dares to pay tribute and reverence to Your Majesty the Emperor, who has once again won a great victory against the evil external enemies threatening the Empire. Your Majesty will certainly leave his name as the greatest monarch in the history of France.”

“I will receive your praise sweetly. Courageous citizen, what is your name?”

The man thought about it for a while, and soon bowed his head more and answered.

“My name is Laurent Cersault. I run a small gold and silver shop south of the Louvre Palace.”

“Yes, Cersault. You obviously risked your life to say something to me. The force that led you in front of me. Don’t regret it.”

Some of the generals and high-ranking officials around him advised him to arrest and seize the man named Cersault immediately, but Napoleon refused. All the citizens of Paris were already focused on this incident. Although he was guilty of obstructing the Emperor’s event, Napoleon could not help but be conscious of the eyes of the citizens around.

And above all, Napoleon wanted to hear the courageous middle-aged man’s honest thoughts.

“Your Majesty is the embodiment of a warrior that doesn’t know the defeat. The French army, led by His Majesty, conquered Europe and has the greatest strength that no monarch has ever achieved. So, Your Majesty!… Please let go of your greed for more than this expedition!”

“Have you ever seen such a rude villager!”

“How dare a clueless idiot insult the Emperor!”

The officers of the Guard got angry and roared, but Cersault continued calmly.

“This little man had three sons. They were lovely sons who looked like my deceased wife, who were all kind and respectful to their old father. The first and second were conscripted according to the laws of the country, and participated in the war to protect the country. They promised to win and come back and help their father in the family business.”

“My first son died in the Battle of Eylaulll in the Polish Liberation War (against Russia and Prussia). My second son went missing at the Battle of Wagram, 12 where Your Majesty the Emperor defeated Charles of Austria. Judging from the lack of news so far, the child probably lost his life, too. Now my only son left is the 18-year-old youngest. In three months, he will become a soldier under the new Imperial conscription law…”

The heart of Cersault silenced the noisy guards. They were loyal to the Emperor and the Empire, but they had also children and were the sons of someone in their families. Not only the guards but also the citizens who watched the situation with interest were speechless. Some were moved by Cersault’s words and showed tears.

“I bow down to the great Emperor and give my life to him. It’s a desperate request from a father who lost two sons. It’s a plea from widows and orphans who lost their parents. Please stop further conquest! Please do not put the horrors of war on the young men who will support the future of the Empire.”

In the end, no one could point a finger at Cersault or swear at him for his rudeness, as he eventually shed tears and sobbed. Still, some loyal guards restrained their emotions and were about to move to drag him down.

“I have sinned greatly against you. The eyes of many French parents, wives and children have shed tears of blood, Cersault, I will never be able to understand your sadness.”

Napoleon got off his horse and walked over to Laurent Cersault, who was lying face down. Guards warned that it was dangerous, but they did not dare to stop the Emperor. Napoleon looked at Cersault, who raised his head with bloodshot eyes.

“I gave you an indelible pain, and you gave the right teachings and bitter words to the ruler of the Empire. What many high-ranking officials and generals of the Empire have failed to do, Cersault, is what you did. How can I repay you for this?”

“Y-Your Majesty the Emperor! This little man did not do anything for His Majesty, but only for his personal reward…”

“It doesn’t matter what the purpose is. What matters is the result. You took courage to plead with your life, and it moved my heart.”

Napoleon took his wallet out of his inside pocket. Taking out six 100-francs bills, Napoleon approached Cersault lying on his stomach and kneeled on one knee. People around him were murmuring or holding their breath.

Regardless of them, Napoleon handed the money to Cersault.

“Don’t think of it as pity. A father who has lost his sons who could support his household will surely have trouble making a living. This is a fair price to pay for the burden. If you feel uncomfortable, I would like you to think and accept it as a sign of my regret for the great young men who gave their lives for the country.”

People who were critical of the Emperor could have said that he was just compensating with money. However, who could say that to the Emperor who showed sincerity while kneeling on one knee? Cersault received the bills with trembling hands. His lips trembled, and hot tears continued to leak out of his eyes.

Napoleon wished that the sorrow of losing a child in those tears had not existed.

‘It is simple for us to declare war. However, we must not forget that there are people who have to fight and die.’

In the other world, it was Napoleon who constantly expressed his opposition to war even within the belligerent National Assembly.

TL notes

[1] Battle of Eylau

[2] Battle of Wagram