Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 91: Delighted

After the meeting with the Spanish Ambassador, Napoleon II couldn’t hide how delighted he was knowing that Spain had just given Cuba, Guam, and the Philippines to the French Empire.

Well it was an expensive acquisition but they got those territories. With it, he now has a foothold in the Caribbean and the Pacific. Though it would be in a year but it’s guaranteed.

"Congratulations Your Imperial Majesty," Charles clapped his hand softly. "You acquired Cuba, Guam, and the Philippines. Those were the crown jewels of the Spanish Empire."

Napoleon II let out a breath that sounded halfway between relief and satisfaction.

"After fifteen years," he said, leaning back in his chair, "France is expanding again."

Charles smiled faintly.

"And this time," Napoleon continued, tapping a finger against the armrest, "we did it without firing a single shot. We just used our money and that’s it."

"That’s... cleaner than how expansion usually happens," Charles said.

"Spain stabilizes and we gain strategic territory. No one can claim we invaded anything. If they complain, I point to the signature and the payment ledger."

"But Your Imperial Highness, your offer was generous. Spain would definitely have the funds to industrialize their country. But, what if they rise up against us in the future?"

"I don’t think so. Given the rampant corruption in Spain and their bureaucracy that hasn’t changed, most of that money will disappear into patchwork fixes and political compromises before it ever becomes a true industrial base," Napoleon II said plainly.

Charles raised an eyebrow. "That’s... blunt."

"It’s realistic," Napoleon replied. "Industrialization isn’t just money. It’s discipline, planning, and institutions willing to break old habits. Spain has money now. Whether they use it properly is another matter."

He folded his hands on the desk.

"And even if they do manage to modernize," he continued, "they’ll be busy stabilizing their mainland. Railways. Factories. Internal politics. They won’t be looking to fight France over colonies they willingly sold."

Charles nodded slowly. "So you’re betting that their priorities will keep them grounded."

"I’m betting on human nature," Napoleon said. "Governments rarely pick new fights when they’re trying to fix old problems."

"Besides," he added, "we’re not humiliating them. We paid full price. We offered investment. From Madrid’s perspective, this is a transaction, not a defeat. That matters."

"And what about the colonies themselves?" he asked. "Transitioning three territories at once isn’t small work."

Napoleon turned back.

"That’s why we have a year," he said. "We send survey teams first. Administrators. Logistics officers. Cuba becomes our Caribbean anchor. Port expansion. Naval facilities. Trade hubs. The Philippines will be our gateway to Asia. Infrastructure, education, and commerce. Guam... staging and communications."

"You’re already structuring them like domestic provinces," he observed.

"Because that’s how they’ll succeed," Napoleon replied. "If we treat them like distant trophies, we’ll lose them. If we integrate them into the imperial economy, they become assets. And I prefer assets over liabilities."

***

The next day, Napoleon II met with the Ambassador of the United States of America, William C. Rives.

Rives stood straight, his hands folded neatly in front of him as Beaumont closed the door behind him.

"Your Imperial Majesty," Rives said, bowing his head slightly.

"Minister Rives," Napoleon II replied. "Welcome. Please, sit."

They took their seats. Charles stepped quietly to the side, ledger in hand.

Napoleon rested his forearms lightly on the desk.

"Trade between France and the United States has seen a steady rise over the last ten years," he began. "You are industrializing your country faster than most of my neighbors."

Rives allowed a small, controlled smile.

"We are trying, Your Imperial Majesty," he said. "Our factories are expanding, railways are being laid, and private enterprise is... energetic."

"That’s one way to put it," Napoleon said. "American merchants have a reputation for moving quickly when profit is involved."

Rives did not deny it.

"France has noticed," Napoleon continued. "The cotton exports coming out of your southern states have practically doubled in volume. Our textile mills in Lyon and Rouen are running on American fiber now."

Rives nodded once.

"Cotton is our strongest commodity," he said. "The plantations are expanding production every year. American merchants are eager to keep French mills supplied."

"And not just cotton," Charles added, glancing at his ledger. "Tobacco shipments have increased. Timber from your northern ports. Grain exports from the interior. Even salted pork and preserved goods are arriving more frequently."

Rives gave a small approving nod.

"Our agricultural output is... difficult to match in scale," he said. "The United States has land to spare. We intend to use it."

Napoleon tapped the desk lightly.

"And in exchange," he said, "your factories and rail projects continue to request French equipment."

Rives allowed himself a thin smile.

"Your machine tools, steam engines, and precision components are... well regarded in Washington," he admitted. "Our workshops still rely heavily on imported expertise."

"Machinery doesn’t appear out of thin air," Napoleon replied. "Industrial capacity takes time to mature. Until then, France is happy to supply what your industries need to grow."

Charles flipped a page in the ledger.

"Orders for textile looms," he read. motor-driven pumps. Metal presses. Rail fittings. Electrical components for telegraph, electrical appliances, electric lighting...Most of it bound for American ports."

Rives leaned forward slightly.

"Our government sees that exchange as mutually beneficial," he said. "Raw materials move east. Technology moves west. Both sides expand."

Napoleon nodded.

"That balance," he said, "is what I want to preserve. France receives commodities that feed our factories. The United States gains the machinery to build its own. Now, I have something to ask you...Mr. Ambassador."

"What is it, Your Imperial Majesty?" Rives asked.

"The Monroe Doctrine...do you enforce it?"

Rives’s composure suddenly shifted from amiable to serious.

"That depends on what you mean by enforce, Your Imperial Majesty," he said carefully.

Napoleon watched him without blinking.

"The doctrine states that European powers are not to extend their political systems into the Americas," he stated and added. "On paper, it reads like a warning. In practice... I’m interested in how far Washington is willing to act on it."

Rives folded his hands tighter.

"The Monroe Doctrine is a statement of principle," he replied. "It signals our opposition to new colonial expansion in the Western Hemisphere. It is not... a standing declaration of war against Europe."

Charles glanced briefly at Napoleon, then back to the ambassador.

"So it’s a deterrent," Charles said. "Not an automatic trigger."

"That is a fair characterization," Rives answered. "The United States does not possess the appetite, nor the fleet, to police the entire hemisphere. But we do expect our concerns to be taken seriously."

Napoleon nodded once.

"And if a European power were to acquire territory," he asked, "through legal purchase rather than invasion?"

"Washington would examine the circumstances. If such a transfer did not threaten American security or regional balance," he said, "it would likely be treated as a diplomatic matter, not a military one. Why? Did you perhaps buy a territory in the Western Hemisphere?"

"Well you’d find out anyway so I might as well tell you. We bought Cuba, Guam, and the Philippines from Spain."

Hearing that, Rives’s eyes widened.

"Cuba?" he said. "You... purchased Cuba?"

"Yes."

"That is... significant. Very significant."

"Spain approached the decision from a financial standpoint," he said. "The terms were accepted without coercion," Charles chimed in.

Rives nodded, though his attention remained on Napoleon.

"Cuba sits uncomfortably close to American waters," he said. "Washington will have questions."

"I expect it will," Napoleon replied. "That’s why I’m telling you directly instead of letting you read it in a dispatch weeks late. Let me assure you that France only wishes to gain Cuba, nothing else. You can trust us with that."

"Well, we will see about that, Your Imperial Majesty."