Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 155: Now to Canton

Another day had passed and the fleet had completely refueled.

Villeneuve boarded the cruiser Marseille along with Remy Beauvilliers as the final preparations for departure were underway.

The harbor of Manila was already busy.

Dockworkers were hauling the last crates of provisions toward the gangways while sailors moved quickly along the decks securing ropes and equipment. The coal barges that had surrounded the fleet for the past two days were slowly pulling away from the warships.

From the pier, Governor-General Bernard stood with several colonial officers watching the activity.

Villeneuve paused briefly before climbing the gangway.

Bernard extended his hand.

"I trust your stay in Manila was comfortable."

"It was," Villeneuve replied. "Your colony is progressing quickly."

Bernard gave a small nod.

"We do what we can for the Empire."

Beauvilliers shook the governor’s hand as well.

"I look forward to seeing what Manila becomes in a few years."

"You will hardly recognize it," Bernard said.

A whistle sounded from the harbor.

One of the officers turned toward the bay.

The massive hull of the Napoleon I was already venting steam from her funnels as preparations for departure began.

Bernard glanced toward the battleship.

"It seems your fleet is eager to leave."

Villeneuve followed his gaze.

"Yes. China awaits."

He stepped onto the gangway and climbed aboard the cruiser.

The sailors saluted as he reached the deck.

Behind him, Beauvilliers followed.

Below them the harbor slowly came alive with movement.

Signal flags began rising along the masts of the warships.

Boilers roared to life.

Steam drifted across the calm waters of Manila Bay.

From the deck rail, Villeneuve watched as the destroyers Jean Bart, Surcouf, Duguay-Trouin, and Forbin began moving away from the docks, forming a loose screen near the mouth of the harbor.

Further out in the bay, the battlecruisers Austerlitz and Trafalgar had already started turning their bows toward the open sea.

The heavy cruisers Marseille and Bordeaux soon followed.

At the center of the formation, the three merchant vessels waited quietly.

Victoire de Marseille.

Victoire de Bordeaux.

Victoire d’Anvers.

Their cargo holds remained sealed, protecting the machines and equipment that would soon be presented before the Qing court.

"How long would it take for us to get to Canton?" Beauvilliers asked.

"According to the captain of Napoleon I, it would take about a day."

Beauvilliers looked out toward the open sea where the fleet was slowly forming its line of departure.

"Only a day?" he repeated.

Villeneuve nodded.

"With the speed of these ships, yes."

Beauvilliers exhaled quietly.

"Not long ago a journey like this would have taken weeks."

"That was before steam," Villeneuve replied.

The cruiser Marseille began to move as the tugboats guiding the warships pulled away. The harbor slowly slipped behind them while the fleet advanced toward the mouth of Manila Bay.

For a moment both men simply watched the coastline.

Then Villeneuve turned slightly.

"You have done business in China before, have you not?"

Beauvilliers nodded.

"Several times."

Villeneuve folded his hands behind his back.

"Then tell me something."

Beauvilliers glanced at him.

"What should we expect when we reach Canton?"

The merchant considered the question for a moment before answering.

"Expect that Qing port customs officials will approach our ships once we enter the Pearl River."

Villeneuve listened.

"They will board to inspect the cargo," Beauvilliers said. "Mostly to ensure there is no banned contraband."

"Such as opium," Villeneuve said.

"Yes."

Beauvilliers nodded.

"The Qing government is extremely strict about it."

Villeneuve looked toward the merchant vessels sailing behind them.

"Our cargo is industrial equipment."

"That will interest them," Beauvilliers replied.

"In a good way or a bad way?"

"Both."

Villeneuve raised an eyebrow slightly.

Beauvilliers continued calmly.

"China is cautious with foreign powers. They prefer controlled trade."

"But we didn’t come here to trade, we came here for a diplomatic mission."

"Well the Qing won’t see it that way. Any foreign ships, mostly from the West, the Qing would assume it’s for trade. But there’s nothing to worry about, we can simply tell them that."

"So that’s an easy solution."

"No," Beauvilliers said, shaking his head slightly. "The moment they hear those words they won’t let us pass."

Villeneuve frowned.

"They will insist that all foreign envoys remain in Canton," Beauvilliers continued. "That is how they manage foreigners. They keep them confined to a trading district and control every interaction."

Villeneuve leaned on the railing, watching the battleship Napoleon I ahead of the formation.

"That will not work for us."

"No," Beauvilliers agreed. "It will not."

The merchant folded his arms.

"The Qing officials will likely say that any diplomatic communication with the Emperor must go through their local governor. They will delay things. Weeks perhaps. Maybe months."

Villeneuve was silent for a moment.

"That is unacceptable."

Beauvilliers glanced toward him.

"I assume the Emperor anticipated such resistance."

Villeneuve nodded.

"He did."

The cruiser’s engines hummed steadily beneath their feet as the fleet continued northward.

Villeneuve spoke calmly.

"The Emperor told us something before we departed France."

Beauvilliers listened.

"If the officials in Canton refuse to allow us to travel north and meet the Qing Emperor... we are to do whatever it takes to make it happen."

Beauvilliers raised an eyebrow.

"That sounds... rather forceful."

Villeneuve gestured toward the fleet surrounding them.

"There is a reason we did not travel alone."

Beauvilliers followed his gaze.

Ahead of them the massive hull of the Napoleon I moved through the sea like an iron fortress.

Behind her sailed the battlecruisers Austerlitz and Trafalgar, followed by the cruisers and destroyers that formed the escort.

A full squadron.

Not a diplomatic escort.

A show of power.

Beauvilliers let out a quiet breath.

"Yes... that would certainly send a message."

Villeneuve nodded.

"The Emperor understands how the Qing court views foreign powers."

"And how do they view them?"

"As distant tributaries."

Beauvilliers gave a faint smile.

"That sounds accurate."

Villeneuve continued.

"But this fleet exists to show them something different."

The wind moved across the deck as the ships pressed north through the open sea.

Villeneuve rested his hands on the railing.

"If the Qing officials cooperate, then this will remain a peaceful mission."

"And if they do not?"

Villeneuve’s gaze remained fixed on the flagship ahead.

"Then the fleet will remind them that France did not cross half the world merely to request permission."