Chapter 317 Napoleon's Arrival At Warsaw



On November 4th, 1804, Napoleon and his Grand Army undertook an arduous march of 575 kilometers from Berlin to Warsaw, the capital city of the former European powerhouse, Polish-Lithuania.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

As Napoleon rode on horseback, he couldn't help but notice the throngs of Polish citizens lining the streets. They enthusiastically waved small flags bearing the insignia of the Empire of France as the army made its way through the streets of Warsaw. The atmosphere was electric, with Poles whistling, cheering, shouting, and showing their exuberant support for the French forces.

"It's reminiscent of that when we first arrived in Italy," Murat, who was riding a horse next to him, commented.

"You are right, it exactly looked like this," Napoleon concurred, his eyes glancing at the sea of faces before him. Memories of their triumphant march through Italy flooded his mind. The similarities between that moment and this one were striking.

Napoleon's gaze shifted from the crowd to the grandeur of Warsaw itself. The city stood as a testament to its storied history, with its towering spires, impressive architecture, and the remnants of its once-great empire.

As the procession continued, they passed by historic landmarks, including the Royal Castle and the Cathedral of St. John.

The Royal Castle's imposing walls and the intricate sculptures on the Cathedral of St. John were reminders of the grandeur that had once defined this city. Napoleon couldn't help but appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Poland-Lithuania, even as he led his army through its streets as a conqueror.

Polish-Lithuania, also known as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, was a significant European power that existed from the late 16th century until its eventual dissolution through a series of partitions in the late 18th century. Its history is marked by a unique political structure, cultural diversity, and periods of both strength and decline.

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth emerged from the Union of Lublin in 1569, which united the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania into a single state. This union created one of the largest and most populous countries in Europe at the time, with a rich blend of cultures, languages, and religions, including Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, and Judaism.

But Napoleon was different, he wanted a strong ally in central Europe, and in order for that to happen, he'd have to modernize Poland.

He went to one of its staterooms which he could use as an office.

At one of the grand staterooms of the Royal Castle of Warsaw, Napoleon sat at an elaborately adorned desk. And there, he pulled out a map of Europe in 1804. He wished to revive Poland with its border similar to the 21st century. That would mean, shaving off Prussia's entire eastern land.

Prussia would definitely not be happy when they saw his terms. But if Prussia could erase a country off the map through partitions, their country could be erased as well.

Now the matters at hand, Russia. It's still at war with France. Napoleon didn't want to stay in Warsaw for long, he needed to defeat them decisively and return home. He had just missed Francis and Aveline's birthday so all the more reason to end this war quickly.

But as he was about to draw up plans, Armand entered the door.

"Your Majesty, there is someone here that would like to see you," Armand informed.

"Who is it?" Napoleon asked.

"She introduced herself as Marie Waleska, Your Majesty," Armand revealed.

"Marie Walewska," Napoleon repeated, recognizing the name, "Okay, let her in."