Chapter 169 Can’t Be Too Careful



As he waited for the Minister of Police to arrive, Napoleon delved into his system, seeking more information about the impending assassination plot set to unfold in the evening, should the events of this world align once again with his original timeline.

After a thorough search through countless records, he finally came across what he sought. The incident was known as the Plot of the Rue Saint-Nicaise, a notorious assassination attempt against Napoleon that occurred in Paris on the evening of December 24, 1800. On that fateful night, as Napoleon was en route to the opera to witness the French premiere of Joseph Haydn's oratorio, The Creation, a cart nearby exploded shortly after his carriage had passed.

This audacious attack was carried out by royalists with ties to the Chouan leader Georges Cadoudal, who had been in the employ of the British government. The conspirators orchestrated their plan meticulously. They purchased a horse and cart from a Parisian grain dealer, and on that cart, they attached a large wine cask filled with shrapnel and gunpowder. This lethal "infernal machine" was then stationed on Rue Saint-Nicaise close to the intersection with Rue Saint-Honoré, along Napoleon's intended path to the opera. To ensure the plan's execution, one of the plotters paid a 14-year-old girl named Marianne Peusol, whose mother sold buns nearby, a sum of twelve sous to look after the horse and guard the cart while the would-be assassin stood at a safe distance, holding the fuse in hand.

However, the assassination attempt proved unsuccessful. The conspirators had anticipated Napoleon's carriage to be accompanied by a cavalry escort, serving as the signal to ignite the explosives. Unfortunately for them, Napoleon's coachman was driving at a high speed, catching the conspirators off guard as the carriage appeared suddenly. This led to a critical timing error in their plan, preventing the exploding mechanism from detonating before Napoleon's carriage had already passed.

Despite the miscalculation, tragedy struck when the explosive finally detonated at a considerable distance from Napoleon's carriage. The blast claimed the lives of the horse, the young girl who had been looking after it, and as many as a dozen bystanders. Additionally, around 40 others were wounded, and several buildings in the vicinity were damaged or destroyed.

It was a close call for Napoleon's family as well. His wife in the original world Josephine, his daughter Hortense de Beauharnais, and his sister Caroline Murat were traveling in a carriage following behind Napoleon's. Their lives were spared due to a fortunate delay caused by Josephine's shawl needing some adjustments.

After reading the context of the assassination, Napoleon looked for more information about the conspirators. They were royalists, by the name François Carbon, the one who made the bomb, Pierre Robinault de Saint-Régent, Joseph de Limoëlan, Georges Cadoudal, Jean-Baptiste Coster, Joyaux d'Assas, Jérôme Pétion de Villeneuve, and La Haye-Saint-Hilaire. All were staunch supporters of the monarchy and abhorred the republic.

Napoleon hummed in thought, planning how he would deal with them. Even though he had changed a lot in this world, some events still happened the same as how it unfolded in the original world. For example, the Battle of Hohenlinden. So he can't be too careful with those people. His family's life is at stake.

Though he can prevent that by not going to the opera, it was counterintuitive to his goal of being the man of the people. If Napoleon and his family were to be cooped up within the walls of the Palace of Versailles, then the people would think that he is distant and disconnected from their daily lives. As head of state, it is important to have a public presence and be accessible to his subjects. It was a delicate balance he had to maintain—protecting his family while also upholding his image as a leader close to the people, especially on Christmas Eve.

Napoleon knew that he could not take the threat lightly, nor could he let fear govern his actions. Instead, he resolved to tackle the situation head-on. The Minister of Police would be arriving at any moment so he grabbed a pen and paper and wrote the names of the conspirators. He also started coming up with an idea on how he had got this information should Fouche inquire about it.

"They are..." Fouche raised his brows as he read the names of the people on the list.

Napoleon continued, his voice steady and determined. "They are royalists, Fouche, staunch supporters of the monarchy who despise the republic and are willing to resort to violence to achieve their goals. You must thwart the threat immediately. In that list, there is also the address of their whereabouts. Arrest them, and have them executed for treason."

Fouche hummed in understanding, but Napoleon could sense some doubts in him.

"What's the matter, Fouche?"

"Well, Your Excellency, is there evidence supporting these claims?" Fouche inquired cautiously.

Napoleon nodded, understanding the need for concrete evidence.

"Well, one of them, Georges Cadoudal, is a Chouannerie leader who is hell-bent on restoring the monarchy," Napoleon began, "and he has been known to have connections with the British government, seeking their support in overthrowing the Republic. That's enough proof that they are a threat to the republic. Also, the anonymous individual said that they are planning on using a bomb. So if you find explosives in their whereabouts, then all the more reason to arrest them."

"But what if we couldn't find the bomb in their whereabouts and, as a result, claim that they are innocent of the accusations?" Fouche inquired.

"You will still arrest them, hold them in a place where they wouldn't be able to come close to me or my family before, during, and after the opera," Napoleon instructed.

"Very well, Your Excellency, I shall form a special police force to capture these individuals immediately," Fouche replied with determination, stowing the list in his pocket.

Napoleon nodded in approval.

As Fouche turned to leave, Napoleon stopped him by calling him. "One more thing, Fouche. I have an idea to strengthen the security measures for tonight's opera. I want you to deploy additional plainclothes officers throughout the theater and the streets that we will be passing. They should blend in with the audience and bystanders and keep a close eye on any suspicious individuals."

Fouche nodded, acknowledging Napoleon's orders.