Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 128: The Planning of Exposition

A day later, in Napoleon II’s office in Versailles.

Three of Napoleon’s ministers were gathered today. Jules Fournier, Minister of Infrastructure and Communications, Victor Lemaine, Minister of Science and Technology, and lastly, Etienne Lacroix, Minister Minister of Commerce.

"Gentlemen, thank you for coming here on such short notice," Napoleon II said, addressing the three officials who stood before his table.

"The honor is ours, Your Imperial Majesty. On behalf of my colleague, we congratulate you for the healthy and successful birth of the Imperial Princess of the Empire."

When Jules said that, they bowed their heads in respect.

"I’m pleased to hear that," Napoleon II said. "So moving on to the agenda, I want to make France stand out from the rest of the world. As you all know, France is decades ahead of its neighbors in terms of technology, infrastructure, and development. I want to show off the progress of the Empire under the Bonapartist rule. And I plan on doing that in an exposition."

"It is only right and just that we show off our prestige, Your Imperial Majesty," Jules said and continued. "We are at your full disposal for whatever capacity is required," Jules finished.

Napoleon II nodded once and motioned for them to sit.

"This exposition will not be a provincial fair," Napoleon II said. "It will not be limited to textiles, livestock, or agricultural yields. It will be an exhibition of industry, science, engineering, and state capacity."

Lacroix leaned forward slightly. "A structured display of technological advancement?"

"Yes," Napoleon II replied. "Automobiles. Electrical grids. Modernized rail locomotives. Advanced machine tools. Agricultural machinery. Communication systems. And in time—aviation. Some of which you don’t know of except for Minister Lemaine."

The two ministers flickered their gaze to Lemaine who simply smiled humbly.

"We need to plan this out perfectly. France’s prestige is at stake here so I don’t want any mistakes. So to start, we need to plan. And I already have an idea in mind."

Napoleon II pulled a drawer under his table and then grabbed a rolled paper and set it down to the table.

He looked at the three men once before untying the thin cord around it.

"Stand," he said.

They rose immediately.

Napoleon II unrolled the sheet slowly across the polished wood. The paper spread wide, corners curling slightly before Jules instinctively placed a hand on one edge to keep it flat. Lacroix secured the opposite side. Lemaine leaned forward, eyes narrowing.

The drawing covered nearly the entire table. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

A detailed site plan.

Broad avenues ran through the center. Rectangular halls labeled in sections. Gardens arranged with deliberate geometry. A river cutting along one boundary. Bridges drawn at precise intervals. Pavilion blocks aligned in rows.

Silence settled over the room.

"This," Napoleon II said, resting one palm lightly near the top margin, "is the layout."

Jules scanned the grid carefully. "A centralized axis."

"Yes," Napoleon II replied. "Visitors enter from the primary avenue. They move along a grand promenade. Industry on one side. Fine arts and applied sciences on the other."

He traced a line down the central corridor.

"The spine of the exposition must feel deliberate. Wide enough to handle tens of thousands of people daily."

Lacroix exhaled slowly. "You’re anticipating foreign delegations."

"I am anticipating volume," Napoleon II corrected. "If this succeeds, attendance will exceed projections."

Lemaine adjusted his spectacles and leaned closer to the lower quadrant of the drawing.

"You’ve separated heavy machinery from commercial exhibitions."

"Yes," Napoleon II said. "Machine halls require reinforced flooring. Iron truss roofing. Ventilation. motor-driven equipment cannot be placed beside delicate displays."

He tapped the largest rectangular block on the left.

"This will be the Galerie des Machines. Long-span iron structure. Glass roofing panels to maximize daylight. No interior load-bearing columns if possible."

Jules looked up sharply. "No columns?"

"Minimal," Napoleon II amended. "Use arched iron ribs. Structural bracing along the sides. Also, since there should be an amusement park."

"An amusement park?" Lacroix repeated.

"Yes," Napoleon II said. "You know, structured attractions. Mechanical rides. Moving platforms. Demonstrations of controlled motion and applied physics. We want to make it as futuristic as possible, and to entertain visitors as well."

"Where would this be held exactly?" Lacroix asked.

"Along the river," Napoleon II answered without hesitation.

Lacroix frowned slightly. "Along the river is broad, Sire. Where exactly?"

Napoleon II shifted the paper and flattened the lower edge.

"On the Champ de Mars," he said. "From the École Militaire down to the riverbank. The main axis will run longitudinally across the field. The Galerie des Machines will occupy the western side of the grounds, parallel to the Seine."

Jules’ eyes sharpened. "That is a significant footprint."

"It must be," Napoleon II replied. "The Champ de Mars is already a parade ground. It is open, level, and structurally suitable for temporary foundations. Wide enough to construct long-span iron halls without disrupting dense residential districts."

He tapped the far edge of the plan.

"Across the Seine, on the Trocadero heights, we construct a palace, it’s supposed to look like this," Napoleon II said as he showed them the drawing of the Chaillot Palace.

"What would be the purpose of it, Sire?" Lacroix asked.

Napoleon II kept one hand on the drawing.

"It will serve as the ceremonial façade of the exposition," he said. "When foreign delegations arrive, they will not first see machinery. They will see architecture."

Lemaine studied the sketch carefully. "Twin wings. Central hall. Elevated terraces."

"Yes," Napoleon II replied. "The palace will sit on the heights overlooking the Seine. From its terraces, one can see the entire Champ de Mars complex. It will command the view."

Jules glanced between the two drawings. "So the river becomes the visual axis."

"Correct," Napoleon II said. "The Seine is not an obstacle. It is a framing device. Industry on one bank. Culture and diplomacy on the other."

He pointed to the central hall of the Trocadéro palace.

"This building will house fine arts, scientific exhibits that require controlled environments, and official receptions. Foreign delegations will be received here.

Lacroix nodded slowly. "Commerce will appreciate that."

"Now what about this, Your Imperial Majesty, it looks like a tower in this part," asked Lemaine who pointed on the map.

Napoleon II smiled as they finally noticed what made Paris memorable in his previous life.