Chapter 226 Update to the People
On April 5th, 1801, in the capital city of the Republic of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, accompanied by his wife and children, stood amidst the bustling construction site of the Arc de Triomphe, located near the Champs-élysées.
The surroundings were marked by the emerging thoroughfares that would eventually encircle the Arc de Triomphe. The ongoing construction endeavors aimed to widen the streets, paving the way for the creation of new boulevards that were now in the midst of active development.
The area around the construction site buzzed with the enthusiastic supporters of Napoleon Bonaparte. His adept leadership had propelled France to a period of ascendancy, achieved through a series of triumphant military campaigns.
Aside from Napoleon's family, standing behind him were the Minister of Urban Development and Infrastructure Pierre-Fran?ois-Xavier Bouchard, and the Minister of Police, Joseph Fouché.
Today, Napoleon was scheduled to make a speech to the public about the development of the grand renovation of Paris.
One of the Minister of Police's men approached Fouche and relayed information to his ears. Fouche nodded and promptly stepped forward to Napoleon.
"Your Excellency," Fouché's voice was low, meant only for Napoleon's ears. "My men have taken all necessary precautions to ensure that no royalists or Jacobins will disrupt your speech."
"It better be, Fouche," Napoleon whispered back. "Because if something happened to me or my family during my speech, you'll be held liable. Is that understood?"
"Of course, Your Excellency," Fouché responded before taking a step back, allowing the Minister of Urban Development and Infrastructure to come forward and take his turn.
"Your Excellency. It's time that you make your speech," Bouchard informed.
Napoleon simply nodded and walked forward to the podium. Before making his speech, he glanced over his shoulder, at his wife Ciela, and their children, Francis and Aveline. He flashed them a confident smile and returned his gaze towards the gathered crowds.
"Gentlemen and ladies," Napoleon began. "It has been half a year since the inception of the Paris renovation initiative. The progress achieved thus far is tangible: houses razed to make room for the emerging avenues, streets undergoing excavation to establish a robust drainage and sewage network, and electric poles poised to illuminate every household. In the next five or ten years, the Paris that you are seeing now will be unlike anything you have seen before. It would be more modern, beautiful, and what's more, an attraction. Not only the city of Paris is to be modernized but other major cities as well.
Of course, I can't take all the credit for myself, as there was someone who had done an excellent job of modernizing our city before I became the First Consul. And that person is," Napoleon paused and glanced over to his wife. "My wife, Ciela Bonaparte. She was the one who brought you water and electricity, the steam locomotives. She was also the reason why we have expanded our territories in Egypt and the Middle East. Without her, France as we know it would not have reached this point of progress and influence."
After saying that, the people's eyes, filled with admiration, flickered to Ciela.
Ciela offered a nod, smiling beautifully, and acknowledging the recognition with humility.
Napoleon's gaze shifted back to the crowd, his expression one of shared pride. "It does not stop there, my wife has also been a huge sponsor in the public infrastructure project. Hosting charity to build schools, hospitals, and essential facilities for our communities. So now, whenever you see your lives getting better, don't thank me, thank also my partner in life."
The response from the crowd was a mixture of applause and nods of agreement.
"Another thing that I want to address to you people is the war. The Republic of France is still at war with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Last month, we defeated one of its oldest allies, the Kingdom of Portugal. Leaving the British alone in the fight. I have made offers and terms to end the war peacefully but the British declined and pursued a path of continued conflict.
Citizens of the Republic, as I live and breathe, I will make sure that France stands strong and resolute against any threats to our sovereignty and values. I will give you all the peace that you have yearned for so long that my predecessor failed to give! Long live the republic and long live France!"
Concluding his speech, the crowds burst into applause, their cheers echoing through the construction site and beyond. Napoleon's stern expression softened into a faint smile as he absorbed the energy of the crowd's response.
He walked away from the podium and turned to face his family and his ministers who were clapping their hands proudly at him.
"That was a good speech, Your Excellency," Bouchard complimented.
"Just make sure that we are on schedule on everything, Bouchard. I want to see modernized France before I pass away from this world."
"Your Excellency, please don't say such a thing," Bouchard said.
Napoleon chuckled at his reaction before patting him on the shoulder. He then shifted his gaze to his children who were looking at him with pride.
"Papa, you are amazing there!" Aveline's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she said that. Her cuteness caused Napoleon to stroke her hair with affection. "Thank you, my little angel."
He looked at Francis, who was beaming with pride and tousled his son's hair. "You too, Francis. One day, all of this will be yours to continue."
"What do you mean by that, father?" Francis asked curiously.
Napoleon simply smiled at the inquiry of his son. He doesn't know that in the future, he will make him his successor once he becomes emperor of France.
He then faced his wife, who was smiling at him fondly.
"You sure showered me with praises there, darling," Ciela joked playfully, her eyes sparkling with affection.
Napoleon chuckled. "Well, you deserve every bit of it, my love. You've been my partner in every endeavor, and I couldn't be more grateful. If I have to tell the world how grateful I am that I have you, I'll do it without hesitation."
"Aww…" Ciela blushed slightly. "You've always known how to charm your way into my heart."
Napoleon leaned in and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. "And I'll keep doing it, every chance I get."
Ciela playfully swatted at him. "Flatterer."
"Mama is flirting with Papa in front of us!" Aveline exclaimed, giggling mischievously as she pointed at her parents.
Napoleon and Ciela exchanged amused glances, their children's innocence adding a touch of humor to the moment.
While engrossed in that moment, two individuals approached Napoleon. Normally, those who tried to approach him would have been blocked by his elite guards but given that they weren't stopped, it meant that it was someone part of Napoleon's inner circle.
"Your Excellency."
Napoleon recognized the voice as that of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, his Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Napoleon turned to face Talleyrand, his expression shifting from the lightheartedness of the previous moment to a more serious demeanor.
"Talleyrand, what brings you here?"
Talleyrand's presence wasn't the only one that had caught Napoleon's attention. He noticed Louis-Alexandre Berthier, his Minister of War, standing a few steps behind Talleyrand.
Your Excellency, I apologize for the interruption. But I just want to inform you that you have a visitor from Saint-Domingue."
Napoleon's eyes widened slightly at the news. "Toussaint Louverture?"
"Correct, Your Excellency."
"I see, tell him that I'll meet him tomorrow. I have to prepare the reception," Napoleon said.
"Of course, Your Excellency," Talleyrand bowed.
After speaking with Talleyrand, Napoleon's gaze flickered to Berthier. He inclined his head, beckoning him to step forward.
"Berthier, what news do you bring?"
"Your Excellency, I came here to inform you that the invasion forces are all gathered in Boulogne," Berthier revealed as he pulled out a document from his briefcase. "And this is the battle order."
Napoleon took the document from Berthier's hand, his eyes quickly scanning the contents. Plans, troop deployments, strategies—all meticulously laid out.
His lips curled into a smile, his plan of ending the war was nearing. And he couldn't be more excited.
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