At eight o'clock on the morning of February 20th, 1801, Napoleon was seated in a carriage, peering out the window. He was busy watching the progress of a major construction project taking place in Paris. The streets were all torn up, as workers dug trenches to install a new drainage system. The narrow pathways that were once crowded and difficult to navigate were slowly getting wider as old buildings got knocked down.
Napoleon watched as construction workers, dressed in worn-out clothes, labored under the watchful eye of their overseers. He couldn't help but crack a smile at the scene. It hadn't even been a year since he had kicked off this series of construction projects, and yet the changes were already becoming evident.
The development of the city had been a long time coming. For too long, the streets had been a mess, with sewage and waste piling up in the corners. Napoleon was determined to change that. He wanted Paris to be a modern city, akin to Paris in the 20th century.
As the carriage rumbled along, Napoleon's thoughts turned to the upcoming meeting with the Minister of Police, Fouche. Since there were still eight days left for the member-states of the Second League of Armed Neutrality to make a decision about forming an alliance with France, Napoleon had ample time to gather the evidence needed to support his claim. He was determined to incriminate the United Kingdom, exposing a plot that ran contrary to the best interests of the alliance's member-states.
If he could obtain concrete proof that the British were plotting an attack on Copenhagen or other vital ports belonging to the alliance, it could tip the scales in his favor. Such evidence would bolster his diplomatic maneuvers and strengthen France's position in European affairs.
Ten minutes later, Napoleon arrived at the H?tel de Juigné, the headquarters of the Minister of Police. The carriage pulled up outside the building, and the police officers stationed at the gates snapped to attention as they caught sight of the First Consul's arrival.
Napoleon stepped out of the carriage, and the police officers stationed at the gates swiftly performed a salute as they saw him stepping out.
Napoleon acknowledged their salute with a nod and a curt, before moving purposefully towards the entrance of the H?tel de Juigné.
Napoleon made his way up a staircase, reached the upper floor, and navigated through the corridors until he reached the door marked "Minister of Police." Without hesitation, he rapped his knuckles on the door and entered.
Fouche looked up from his desk and offered a smile. As Napoleon glanced around the room, he noticed shelves lining the walls, stocked with an abundance of files and documents. This provided undeniable evidence of the meticulous surveillance operations carried out under Fouche's command.
"Good morning, Your Excellency," Fouche greeted.
Napoleon nodded in return. "I see you've been busy, Fouche."
Fouche chuckled, his attention briefly turning to his desk. "Indeed, I've been gathering intelligence on potential royalist conspiracies against you. So far, one man has surfaced as a possible instigator."
"Oh. Who is that man?"
"Jean Pichegru," Fouche revealed. "He was a backer of Georges Cadoudal, a royalist who attempted to assassinate you, Your Excellency, using explosives during the explosion plot of Rue Saint-Nicaise."
Napoleon's eyebrows furrowed as he absorbed the information.
"We have reason to believe that Pichegru's connections are more extensive than initially suspected," Fouche continued. "His ties with the British have deepened, suggesting a broader network of dissent."
"Perfect," Napoleon uttered.
Fouche tilted his head to the side, quizzically. "What do you mean, 'perfect' Your Excellency?"
Napoleon took a seat in the chair across from Fouche's desk and leaned forward. "Fouche, the reason I'm here is to ask for a favor. I need you to dispatch your top agent to London. Their mission will be to infiltrate critical targets, especially the Admiralty, the Foreign Secretary's office, and the Prime Minister's residence."
"Why?" Fouche inquired.
"Because I was proposing an alliance with the member-states of the Second League of Armed Neutrality, and they were hesitant. I want to prove to them that the British are the type of friend that would backstab them. I have reason to believe that the British might attack those member-states as they see the alliance as a direct connection to France. The agents would have to gather correspondences from the Admiralty, the Foreign Secretary, and the Prime Minister's residence to expose any sinister plots," Napoleon explained.
Fouche's brows furrowed as he analyzed the situation.
"You believe that by revealing British intentions to attack the member-states, we can sway them to join our side?"
Napoleon nodded resolutely. "Yes, so do you have an agent capable of what I am asking."
"Yes, Your Excellency, with my orders, they'll be in London in one week."
Napoleon shook his head. "No, Fouche, I need them to leave now," he stated firmly.
Fouche's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "That's a tight schedule you are giving, Your Excellency."
"Well that is because I gave a tight deadline for the member-states to respond to my proposal," Napoleon said and continued. "The deadline is February 28th."
Fouche sighed as he considered the urgency of the situation. "Very well, Your Excellency. I will make the necessary arrangements and ensure that our top agent is prepared to depart for London as soon as possible. However, please understand that expediting the process may involve certain risks."
"I am aware of the risks, Fouche. This mission is crucial to our diplomatic efforts, and I am willing to take those risks."
"Understood, Your Excellency. I will prioritize this mission and ensure that our agent is well-prepared for the task."
Napoleon stood up from his chair and straightened his jacket. "Thank you, Fouche. Oh, before I leave, the man, Jean Pichegru, I want him handled too."
"Consider it done, Your Excellency. I will see to it that Pichegru will never pose a threat to you and the republic."
Napoleon offered a satisfied nod. "Excellent, Fouche. Keep me updated on both matters."
With a final exchange of assurances, Napoleon turned and left Fouche's office, his mind already shifting gears to the next steps that needed to be taken. The meeting with the Russian Emperor, Paul I. He was the man critical for the alliance, without him, his hope of an alliance with the neutral countries would be in jeopardy. As he exited the H?tel de Juigné, Napoleon's carriage awaited him, ready to carry him to wherever he needed to go.
The Russian Emperor, Paul I, will arrive in Paris at five o'clock in the afternoon. He has to be ready by that time.
"Where to sir?" The coachman asked.
"To Versailles," Napoleon answered.
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