Chapter 20: crowned emperor

Napoleon mainly introduced several of his capable men to Xiao Jie, including: Massena, who was Napoleon's most trusted lieutenant general and had won a major victory in the Battle of Rivoli. After the fall of Rome in 1798, he served as assistant to the commander of the French army. In 1799, he served as the commander of the French army stationed in Switzerland. On September 25 of the same year, he defeated a large Russian army in the Second Battle of Zurich. After the coup d'état on 18 Brumaire, Napoleon sent him to direct the Italian Front shortly after taking power. He revived the morale, and from April 21 to June 4 of the following year, he withstood the besieged Austrian army in * *, enabling Napoleon to break into the enemy's rear, win the Battle of Marengo (June 14), and force the Austrian army to withdraw from Italy. north.

Lan Shi, who came from a humble background, worked as an apprentice. In 1792 he joined the National Volunteer Army in Gers, and later served in the anti-Spanish Eastern Pyrenees Front as a sergeant. In the Italian campaign he fought valiantly at the Battle of Daigo (1796), greatly appreciated by Napoleon. He was promoted to general in 1796. From 1798 to 1799, he participated in the capture of Cairo, and moved to Syria as a division commander. Since then, he has successively served as the commander of the Ninth Division and the Tenth Division, and participated in the Brumaire Coup (1799.11. 9) that brought Napoleon to power.

Murat - Napoleon's top cavalry captain, is also Napoleon's brother-in-law, Xiao Jie's uncle, and is said to have had an affair with Napoleon's wife Josephine. The son of the innkeeper. Joined the cavalry regiment in 1787. When the war broke out in 1792, he was promoted quickly, and he was famous for commanding the cavalry in the Italian campaign and the Egyptian campaign. Because of his meritorious service in the coup d'état on 18 Brumaire, after Napoleon became the first consul, he married his younger sister Carolina to him. In the Italian campaign in 1800, he won a decisive victory at the Battle of Marengo.

Marmont came from a military family. Joined the artillery in 1792. Appreciated by Napoleon during the Siege of Toulon (1793), he soon became his adjutant. He distinguished himself during the Italian campaign (1796), became a colonel at the age of twenty-two, and was appointed general by Napoleon two years later on his way to Egypt. Very loyal to Napoleon.

Lie - the best of the warriors. The most famous marshal under Napoleon, a legendary hero who is brave and good at fighting. Born in a family of handicraft workers. Joined the Hussars in 1788. During the French Revolutionary War from 1792 to 1800, he was famous for his bravery in combat. After participating in Napoleon's previous wars. In 1803 he was appointed commander of the 6th Army,

Davout - merit ranks first among the twenty-six marshals. French general, outstanding field commander under Napoleon. Noble birth. Received military training. In 1790 he led his regiment in the uprising in favor of the Revolution. He served in the Belgian campaign of 1792-1793 and became famous for stopping General Dumouriez from treason. From 1798 to 1799, he accompanied Napoleon on his expedition to Egypt. Promoted to major general. He was loyal to Napoleon and fought bravely, which won Napoleon's appreciation.

It can be said that they are the most loyal people to Napoleon and Napoleon's most capable assistants. Napoleon has completely controlled the entire French army through his own influence and them. It is also the cornerstone of his power that makes him careless in political struggles. It is exactly what Mao Zedong said: Power grows out of the barrel of a gun. Napoleon controlled the army, so there was almost no one in France who could pose a threat to him. Of course, except for the assassinations launched by those stubborn royalists.

It was precisely because of these strong supports that he amended the constitution in 1803 and declared himself to be in power for life, and those who dared to oppose were suppressed by him with force.

At the banquet, Xiao Jie also showed great enthusiasm and respect to these senior officials who held military power. The uncles always called the uncle long and the uncle short. In addition, he was Napoleon's nephew, and Napoleon was the most Favored nephews, and even likely heirs, so quickly won their favor.

At that time, the commander of the Paris Garrison was Xiao Jie's uncle Murat, and the whole family felt more at ease when Xiao Jie was placed there, and he was promoted safely and quickly. Since then, Xiao Jie has become the kind of full-fledged **** in the garrison headquarters who just needs a cup of coffee or tea and a newspaper at work, or goes out for a stroll, or even just stays at home. Because the commander was his uncle, and his uncle was the boss of the whole of France, no one dared to say anything more.

Back home, Xiao Jie asked directly: "Dad, how much money have we made in the past two years? What about my share?"

"Don't you care about this? I thought you didn't want it anymore?" Joseph said with a smile.

"Why don't you want it? You were just in charge before, and I was still in school, so I didn't ask. Now that I have graduated, of course you need to know how much money I have."

"Oh, well, let me tell you. In the past two years, we have sold a total of 150,000 rifles and 600 million rounds of ammunition. The price of the rifle is 500 francs, and the profit is 200 francs. The sale price is 20 francs and 100 rounds, and the profit is 5 francs and 100 rounds. A total of 60 million profits have been obtained, and I have deposited your 12 million francs in the bank for you. There should have been more A lot of them have been sold, but now they are only equipped with the Guards Corps, UU Reading www.uukanshu.com The First Corps and the Second Corps. There are also the Third, Fourth and Fifth Corps and the Cavalry Corps that have not changed their outfits, but the government is really I ran out of money, so I had to wait for a while before changing clothes." Joseph said.

The arms industry is really profitable. A rifle has made so much money in two years, so I don't know how much I have earned from the good things in my hand. But in order not to attract attention, he didn't plan to take it out yet.

At this time, because Napoleon had been tempted by Xiao Jie earlier, he had already started preparations for his coronation and proclaiming himself emperor.

At 6 o'clock in the evening on December 1, 1804, the salute of the Parisian training ground, the Academy of Honor, and the municipal building lasted until late at night. Although the cost of the celebration was greatly reduced, the salute was still deafening. People's conversations and chamber music performances were completely submerged, and the foundations of ancient medieval buildings that had gone through vicissitudes trembled in the sound of salutes; on May 18, Napoleon single-handedly facilitated the Senate to formally announce the establishment of the French Empire at the Palace of Saint-Cluwe, and in November On the 6th, the referendum passed with an overwhelming majority. Napoleon had legitimately ascended the throne of French Emperor.

Voting results: 3,572,329 votes for the establishment of the French Empire, only 2,569 votes against, which means that less than half of the more than 6,000 towns and villages in France have only one vote against each, while 57% There is no one who opposes Napoleon's proclaiming emperor. In total, about 99.993% of the French people approve of the emperor, a statistic that is almost impossible. But Napoleon controlled the country's army, police, press, press, and theater, and there were no independent means of clarifying and questioning the procedures and results of the elections. Thus, the coronation of the emperor went smoothly - Napoleon smiled, because everything was going according to his will.

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