Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 131: A Snippet of Progress

"The Universal Exposition that will be held in Paris is in the final phase of construction. They are doing final touches to ensure that in the opening ceremony, everything will run smoothly. Invitations to the royal households across Europe were sent and most of them confirmed their attendance," Lemaine reported and handed Napoleon II a brown envelope.

Napoleon II grabbed the envelope and opened it.

Inside was a stiff sheet of mounted paper. A black-and-white photograph fixed carefully at the center.

He pulled it free and held it up toward the light from the tall windows.

The image was sharp.

Four massive iron legs rose from the Champ de Mars, curving inward as they climbed. The lattice narrowed gradually. Cross-bracing formed a repeating geometric pattern that pulled the eye upward. Workers were still visible near the lower platforms, small against the scale of the structure. Scaffolding clung to one side.

The Bonaparte Tower.

In the photograph, it dominated everything around it. The temporary exhibition halls below looked almost flat in comparison. Even from the frozen frame, it felt vertical. Intentional.

Lemaine watched him carefully.

"The final rivet inspection was completed three days ago," he said. "Load testing on the lower platforms exceeded projections. The engineering council signed off unanimously."

Napoleon II nodded in satisfaction. "Okay, the Universal Exposition is on schedule. I am satisfied with the development. But tell me something I don’t know."

"Your Imperial Majesty, I just had a meeting with the Minister of Defense, Berthier, where most of the battleships, battlecruisers, destroyers, submarines, are completed. Though it’s still in the dock, awaiting for launching, which requires your attendance. The Army has increased their arsenals from machine guns, rifles, artillery, bombs, and others."

"Yes, and I read the report from the Minister himself. I know that, I told you, something I don’t know."

Charles-Louis chuckled as he knew what Napoleon II really wanted to hear.

"Your Imperial Majesty, with the modernization of our army and navy, the British Empire is terrified and is now spending a lot of money to catch up. The Austrians, Russians, and the Prussians are following suit. We are now in an arms race. Not only that, the Prussians are considering uniting the German states. They already established Zollverein, an economic customs union across most of the German states," Charles-Louis finished. "Tariffs reduced internally. Standardized weights and measures. Rail gauges aligned in several regions."

Napoleon II did not react immediately.

He set the photograph of the Bonaparte Tower flat on the desk and placed both palms on either side of it.

"How far along?" he asked.

"Prussia leads it," Charles-Louis replied. "Austria excluded. Bavaria and Saxony participated. The smaller principalities are aligning out of convenience."

"Even Bavaria too? Didn’t they know that the Empress of France is from Bavaria?"

"They do. In short, we spooked our neighbors too much due to our economic and technological advantage."

Napoleon II laughed. "Well, they are reacting so there’s nothing much we can do. We focus on ourselves and if they step out of the line, they will...you know what I mean. What else?"

"Our colonies in Africa," Charles shifted to the next report. "Under Marshal Davout, our territorial gains in Northern Africa are stabilizing. After Algiers, our forces pushed east toward Tunis. The Bey there chose negotiation rather than confrontation. A protectorate arrangement is being drafted."

Napoleon II listened without interrupting.

"And Morocco?" he asked.

"More complicated," Charles-Louis replied. "Tribal militias inland resist administrative presence. Along the coast, compliance is manageable. Further south, it becomes fragmented."

"Casualties?" Napoleon II asked.

"Limited on our side. The strategy has been consistent. Fortify ports. Secure supply corridors. Offer trade guarantees and protection to cooperative leaders. Withdraw subsidies and apply force when agreements are violated."

"Carrot and stick," Napoleon II said.

"Yes, Sire."

"Davout established layered control," Charles-Louis continued. "Coastal cities first. Telegraph lines. Roads inland under military escort. Where resistance forms, it is isolated, not allowed to consolidate."

"And further inland?" Napoleon II asked.

"Gradual," Charles-Louis answered. "We are not overextending. Garrisons are placed at intervals. Native auxiliaries are being recruited under French officers."

Napoleon II nodded once.

"And West Africa?"

"Our presence has expanded from Dakar," Charles-Louis said. "A fortified administrative hub is operational. Naval station secured. River surveys along the Senegal are underway. Slavery is still institutional in those areas but were demolished the moment we found out."

"As for Cuba and the Philippines—the transitions from Spanish authority were smooth."

"Define smooth," Napoleon II said.

"In Cuba, the planter elite were assured continuity of land rights and commercial privileges. Sugar exports uninterrupted. Tariff adjustments phased rather than abrupt. They accepted French administration in exchange for stability."

"And the Philippines?"

"Similar assurances," Charles-Louis replied. "Local principalia retained positions within provincial administration. Church relations handled cautiously. Trade routes integrated gradually."

Napoleon II’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"But?"

Charles-Louis did not hesitate.

"Mindanao."

Silence held.

"Muslim sultanates in the south continue to resist central authority," Charles-Louis said. "This predates Spanish control. It is not a new issue."

"Armed resistance?" Napoleon II asked.

"Localized but persistent. Raiding patterns along coastal settlements. Refusal to recognize administrative decrees."

Napoleon II rested one hand on the back of his chair.

"How is our response structured?"

"Naval patrols increased in the Sulu Sea. Fortified positions along key ports. Negotiation attempts through intermediaries ongoing."

"And?"

"Limited success."

"I see, well the elites are the stabilizing factor in the early success of the colony. But it is the people that we should charm. Land reforms, abolition of outdated structures. Copy the system that works here in the mainland and implement it there."

"Will take note of it, Your Imperial Majesty."

"Are there any other reports?" Napoleon II asked.

"There’s no further report, Your Imperial Majesty. Most of it is in your table in the form of paperworks."

Napoleon II smiled. "I guess I’ll take a look at them. This has been a productive meeting, thank you for your time. You are all dismissed."

"Yes Your Imperial Majesty," they intoned and then left his office.