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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator – Seraph]
[Proofreader – Draxx]
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Chapter 02
Is fate really a thing?
Napoleon had written ‘The Supper at Beaucaire’ just as he had in recorded history.
And all I had done was bring him to a coffeehouse.
"What do you think?"
"Napoleon, you should publish this pamphlet."
"Publish it?"
"Yes. The content is solid. If we're lucky, the National Convention might take notice."
"You really think the Convention would pay attention to my writing?"
Napoleon looked doubtful.
From his perspective, as nothing more than a low-ranking officer, it must have seemed ridiculous to think that the National Convention would ever acknowledge his work.
But I already knew.
I knew that ‘The Supper at Beaucaire’ would catch the Convention's attention.
That this very pamphlet would set Napoleon on the path to becoming the artillery commander at Toulon.
"Trust me on this, Napoleon."
I spoke with confidence.
"I'm certain the Convention will take interest."
At the mention of the Convention, Napoleon hesitated only briefly before nodding.
"Since you insist, I'll give it a try."
As a minor noble, Napoleon had always been desperate for a chance to rise in rank.
Even so, he didn’t seem to expect much from it.
It was only natural expecting a thin political pamphlet to pave the way to success was absurd.
And indeed, a few days after its publication, The Supper at Beaucaire sank into obscurity.
It was so ignored that calling it forgotten would be an overstatement.
In revolutionary France, dozens of political pamphlets were published every single day.
But while it didn’t create any social waves, Napoleon’s pamphlet did manage to attract one person’s attention.
"Who is this Napoleon fellow?"
That man was none other than Augustin Robespierre.
The younger brother of Maximilien Robespierre, leader of the French Revolution.
According to history, Augustin had been so impressed by The Supper at Beaucaire that he personally arranged for Napoleon to be appointed artillery commander at Toulon.
Later, Augustin would become one of Napoleon’s most crucial political backers, ensuring his rise to the rank of general.
As long as nothing went wrong, he would likely become Napoleon’s patron again.
The problem was timing.
‘The battle for Toulon has been going on for a while now.’
In recorded history, Napoleon had gained Augustin’s attention shortly after the siege began.
But in this timeline, the siege had already been underway for quite some time.
Even if Augustin became interested in Napoleon, it was unlikely that he’d replace Toulon’s current artillery commander.
No one would casually swap out a commanding officer in the middle of a war.
But no matter what, I had to get Napoleon into the battle.
— Assist Napoleon and lead the Siege of Toulon to victory!
If I wanted to complete this quest, Napoleon had to take part in the siege.
‘But how…?’
As I wracked my brain for a solution, my eyes landed on the shelves of my general store.
Specifically, on a cheap tea set I had bought from a home shopping channel.
"This might just work."
My dilemma seemed like it had a surprisingly simple solution.
***
In early modern Europe, there was a fascination with the so-called ‘mystique of the Orient’ a phenomenon known as Orientalism.
This was evident in Marco Polo’s ‘The Travels of Marco Polo’ and Isabella Bird’s ‘A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains’.
Travelers who had ventured east often painted it as an exotic and fantastical world.
As a result, Europeans developed a strange sense of admiration and wonder for the East.
One of the most coveted items influenced by this fascination was blue-and-white porcelain.
In the modern day, this style is common, appearing in everything from teacup sets to inexpensive flower pots.
But in early modern Europe, that was far from the case.
The cobalt blue pigment used in porcelain was an extremely expensive material, something even nobles rarely had access to.
To Europeans, the sight of blue-painted designs on white porcelain was the ultimate symbol of luxury and refinement.
Owning blue-and-white porcelain signified wealth and power, as well as an appreciation for exotic Eastern artistry a mark of a true gentleman.
And Augustin Robespierre, a deputy of the National Convention, was exactly the kind of man who prided himself on such refined tastes.
"This… this is blue-and-white porcelain!"
His eyes widened as he stared at the teacup on the table.
Porcelain itself was difficult enough to acquire, but a teacup crafted in the blue-and-white style?
The delicate, hand-painted Eastern landscapes on the surface captivated him instantly.
"The owner of this teacup wishes to meet me, you say?"
"Yes, sir."
"Bring him in at once."
At Augustin’s command, his aide quickly left the office.
Moments later, the aide returned, leading a young man of Eastern descent into the room.
"Welcome."
Augustin stood up to greet him with the utmost courtesy.
"I am Augustin Robespierre, a deputy of the Mountain faction in the National Convention."
"I am Choi Seojun."
"Should I address you as Mr Choi?"
"You may call me whatever you find comfortable."
"Haha, then please, have a seat."
Augustin found himself immediately liking this young Easterner.
Not only had he brought a piece of blue-and-white porcelain, but he also spoke flawless French, an impressive feat that only deepened Augustin’s interest.
"Mr Choi, you speak French remarkably well."
"I have been engaged in trade for a long time. It was a necessity."
"Even so, it is truly astonishing. I have never met an Easterner so fluent in our language."
After a few moments of exchanging pleasantries, Augustin leaned in slightly and asked in a curious tone,
"If I’m not mistaken, this teacup is blue-and-white porcelain, is it not?"
"Your keen eye serves you well. You are quite knowledgeable."
"Haha, I’ve seen a few pieces at the Versailles Palace."
Augustin’s lips curled into a smile at the praise.
"But is it true that this teacup is a gift for me?"
"Yes. I could not possibly meet a deputy of the Convention empty-handed."
Seojun’s response left Augustin genuinely surprised.
And for good reason.
Blue-and-white porcelain was so valuable that it was often called ‘white gold’.
A single piece could cost as much as an entire luxury estate in Paris.
And this teacup, with its exquisite craftsmanship, was likely worth twice as much.
For someone to present such a rare and precious item as a mere gift…
Augustin found himself growing more and more fond of Choi Seojun.
Of course, Augustin Robespierre wasn’t naive enough to think that Choi Seojun had gifted him the teacup out of pure goodwill.
"Mr Choi, what brings you to me?"
"I have a request to make."
"A request, you say? And what kind of request would that be?"
Augustin tensed slightly.
For someone to present such a valuable gift, the favor they sought was bound to be just as significant.
The teacup had greatly impressed Augustin, and he hoped the request was something he could reasonably grant.
But then.
"It concerns the reassignment of Sir Napoleon."
"Napoleon?"
Augustin blinked at the unexpected name.
"You mean the officer who wrote The Supper at Beaucaire?"
"Yes."
As it happened, Augustin was already well aware of Napoleon.
Having been deeply impressed by his pamphlet, he had even been considering summoning Napoleon to Paris.
As a powerful figure within the National Convention, handling a military reassignment was hardly a challenge for him.
Augustin found the request easier than expected, though he maintained a firm expression.
"It would be improper to accept a bribe in exchange for reassigning an officer."
"You needn’t worry I am not asking for anything unlawful. I am merely recommending him."
"Hmm. If it is just a recommendation, that is acceptable."
Augustin’s expression softened at the careful phrasing.
In the convoluted political landscape of the National Convention, the difference between a recommendation and a reassignment was nothing more than a technicality.
And yet, that technicality was what separated legality from corruption.
Finally, Seojun spoke.
"I would like to recommend Napoleon as the artillery commander of Toulon."
The French Revolution was a movement led by the people.
As a result, the revolutionary army had virtually no officers with real combat experience.
It was not uncommon for a dentist to be given command of an army, or for a painter to oversee the front lines, things that would be unthinkable in modern times.
It was an utter mess, an army where political connections mattered more than actual military skill.
In such an environment, Napoleon, a trained artillery officer and graduate of a military academy, was an elite among elites.
Even so, replacing a commander in the middle of a war was highly unusual…
Yet.
"I… have been appointed as the artillery commander of Toulon."
"That’s great news."
"How… how did this happen?"
"Congratulations, Napoleon."
Against all expectations, Napoleon had been officially assigned as the artillery commander for the Siege of Toulon.
● Recommending Officer
— Maximilien de Robespierre, Chairman of the National Convention.
Thus, the Steel Parachute known as Napoleon had arrived.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator – Seraph]
[Proofreader – Draxx]
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