Chapter 215 The Side Quests



April 25th, 1801.

At the Palace of Versailles.

In his office, Napoleon reviewed the reports detailing the recent events in the Baltic Sea. He absorbed the aftermath of the Battle of Copenhagen: the British Baltic Fleet's victory and the subsequent bombardment of the Danish port city.

The heavy bombardment had severely damaged the Danish naval fleet, prompting the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway to officially declare war on the United Kingdom. Similarly, the Kingdom of Sweden had taken a stand against the United Kingdom as a response to the British Baltic Fleet's assault on their port city of Helsingborg.

As Napoleon read through the information, a brief chuckle escaped his lips. It appeared that the British government had inadvertently set its course for isolation from their neighboring nations. Their aggression had managed to rally previously neutral states into a collective front.

Even in this world, Napoleon mused, the United Kingdom is acting like a bull in a china shop. Their moves are both aggressive and reckless, and now they find themselves surrounded by enemies of their own making.

Setting the reports aside, Napoleon leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers beneath his chin. Even if this was the case, he still couldn't get excited. Sure, the Danes and the Swedes can declare war on them, but it's not like they can offer much help to the country that would fight the British head-on.

But there are other ways that those two nations could contribute to the war effort, which is ceasing trade with the British. The Danes, Swedes, and the United Kingdom are major trading partners, and the United Kingdom just severed it.

Well, he understands the logic behind the British government's decision. They wanted to frustrate the league through force but this is not the original world. France has conquered Northern Africa and the Middle East and Tsar Paul I has been spared from the assassins. This turn of events made it clear to the Swedes and Danes that the French are militarily stronger than the British and aligning themselves with the Republic of France would be best in their interest because they knew that if they align themselves with the British, France, and Russia a strong army would simply invade them.

For now, he is keeping tabs on the ongoing development of the invasion of the United Kingdom. The French Navy is already dispatched and in the process of deceiving the British Fleet that is blockading the Atlantic, and the French Army concentrating on the city of Boulogne.

As he was engrossed in his thoughts, Beaumont entered Napoleon's office.

"Your Excellency, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has arrived."

"Let him in," Napoleon nodded, his attention shifting from his contemplations to the matter at hand. He straightened up in his chair as the door opened, and Charles Talleyrand entered the room.

"None so far, Your Excellency, the news has not yet reached the ears of Congress," Talleyrand answered. "Anyways, Your Excellency. With the Kingdom of Naples gone, we can now shift our attention to the last ally of the United Kingdom."

"The Kingdom of Portugal," Napoleon said.

"Yes, Portugal remains the last stronghold of British influence on the continent. Defeat Portugal and the British influence over mainland Europe will be completely shattered," Talleyrand replied with conviction. "We can ally with the Kingdom of Spain and together, invade Portugal. It will be easy as the Portuguese military is weak and pitiful."

"Talleyrand, you are as realistic as ever," Napoleon interrupted with a wry smile. "You don't have to tell me what to do as I will do it anyway. So what is the plan?"

"We will send an ultimatum to the Kingdom of Portugal, that she break her alliance with the United Kingdom. If she declines the ultimatum, then a land invasion will be the only option left," Talleyrand replied matter-of-factly.

"And I believe you have reached out to the Kingdom of Spain about this?"

"That's correct, Your Excellency. I have an amicable exchange of letters with the Spanish prime minister Manuel de Godoy," Talleyrand said. "He agreed on the plan, partly because the Kingdom of Spain had territorial ambitions over Portugal."

"I see," Napoleon said. "So, anything else?"

"There is sir, I have also selected a man for the job," Talleyrand revealed. "The one that will lead our forces in Portugal. He's outside, waiting for my signal. Should I let him in?"

"Okay,"

Talleyrand rose from his seat and walked towards the door. He opened it and exchanged a few words with someone outside before stepping aside to allow the visitor to enter.

A tall, stern-looking man walked into the room.

Napoleon rose to his feet and asked. "Do you have a name?"

The man replied. "Laurent de Gouvion Saint-Cyr"