Chapter 76: The Assassination

As the troops forcefully entered the Council of Five Hundred, the previously arrogant deputies fell silent. They might not fear Napoleon himself, but they feared his army. The hall fell quiet. At Napoleon's signal, more soldiers, brandishing their weapons, flooded into the hall. Each deputy had a soldier standing sternly before them. These deputies, accustomed to a life of comfort, had never faced such a scene and immediately held their tongues, acquiescing to Napoleon's plans.

Despite the flashing blades, not a single person was harmed. The resisting deputies were simply dragged out. The hall was dimly lit, and chaos reigned. Deputies and soldiers grappled with each other, some deputies even jumping out of windows to escape. Meanwhile, Lucien went upstairs to the Senate, dramatically recounting the attack on Napoleon. The senators, panicked and confused, didn't know what to do. Lucien suggested they appoint three provisional consuls, and the meeting lasted until late at night.

In this way, Napoleon's carefully orchestrated plan succeeded, and he established the Consulate, becoming the First Consul of France. 

The coup of 18 Brumaire made the 30-year-old Napoleon the supreme ruler of France. However, Napoleon did not become complacent. He clearly understood that his rule was still far from secure. He needed to quickly consolidate his power and bring prosperity to his country.

Versailles Palace:

Around an oval table sat more than twenty people. Some were in their youth, others middle-aged, and there were even a few with white hair. They wore the clothing of ordinary citizens of the time, without wigs. Lace was no longer fashionable, and dazzling uniforms with gold epaulettes were no longer desired. These individuals, each vibrant and capable, were practical men of action and scholarly in demeanor. They came from different places but shared a common goal. For ten years, they had struggled through the waves of revolution and were now ready to end this era. Surrounding them was the opulent Tuileries Palace, a remnant of the Bourbon monarchy, whose luxurious decor clashed with the bourgeois atmosphere. The silver light of the candles evoked memories of the era.

Compared to the Luxembourg Palace, Versailles was filled with a sense of grandeur. Now, Napoleon held absolute power. Two months after the coup of 18 Brumaire, he, along with his two co-conspirators, governed from this palace, which he had long admired.

The last heir of the Bourbon dynasty had been arrested seven years earlier, and the leader of the petite bourgeoisie had moved in. History indeed has a curious way of unfolding!

Upon entering the palace, Napoleon couldn't help but look around to satisfy his curiosity. He was overjoyed and exclaimed, "Wonderful, Versailles is finally in our hands. This is truly magnificent. I will live here permanently."

Among those seated around the oval table, some had been here before, while others had visited the Luxembourg Palace. These individuals had witnessed the emergence and demise of three constitutions. Over the past eighteen years in France, waves of revolution had risen and fallen, and new ideas had continuously emerged, but none had endured. The struggle between old and new forces had never ceased.

"Quiet, everyone!" 

The meeting was called to order by a man sitting at the head of the table, dressed in an old green general's uniform. As soon as he spoke, everyone fell silent. He was now the head of the Consulate and effectively ruled the entire country. This man was Napoleon, once the hero of France and now the First Consul of the French Republic. Now, Napoleon could wield enormous power in France, his position unassailable. If he had not insisted on the principle of not using force initially, the regime might have been easier to seize. Strict adherence to rules had brought him trouble, but it also gave him a chance to showcase his political acumen. He commanded a powerful army but was also acutely aware of the limitations of force. He once said, "You know what amazes me? Sometimes force is so weak and impotent! Ultimately, force must yield to the spirit."

This meeting was Napoleon's first and most important since taking power, so he paid utmost attention to it. He had invited elites from all walks of society. Napoleon knew very well that if he could win them over, he would win over the entire society.

In addition, to establish a centralized system, Napoleon had Sieyès draft a new constitution. This constitution stipulated that the First Consul had the power to appoint and dismiss ministers, members of the Council of State, and provincial governors. He also had the authority to appoint diplomats, military officers, and judges, as well as to sign treaties. This constitution effectively concentrated all power in the hands of the First Consul while limiting the powers of the Second and Third Consuls. Napoleon finally satisfied his thirst for power through the constitution.

The new constitution was put to a public vote and passed with over five million votes in favor and only a thousand against. After the long turmoil, the people yearned for a peaceful and stable life and paid little attention to how the government's powers were distributed, which gave Napoleon the opportunity he needed.

Napoleon, utilizing the new constitutional framework, finally announced his centralization of power to the world in a "legitimate" manner. He then agreed to appoint Cambacérès and Lebrun as the Second and Third Consuls. These two newly appointed consuls were knowledgeable, mild-mannered, and lacked any desire for power. Napoleon brought them on board to leverage their expertise in governing and to ensure they wouldn't challenge his authority.

With these deliberate arrangements, Napoleon firmly secured the top seat of power in France.

...

Days and months passed swiftly, and soon it was Christmas. 

On a beautiful sunny day, Napoleon decided to take his family out for an excursion, providing a moment of relaxation for himself. Coincidentally, the Paris Opera House was scheduled to perform Haydn's oratorio *The Creation*. Around 7 PM, Napoleon finally finished his official duties and, accompanied by General Lannes and others, took a carriage to the opera house.

When they reached the middle of Rue Saint-Nicaise, the cavalry escorting the carriage noticed a handcart blocking the road. It appeared to be an ownerless vehicle, with a wooden barrel securely tied to it with ropes. The guard commander ordered the handcart to be pushed to the side under the eaves of a house. However, at that moment, Napoleon's coachman, in an unusual move, vigorously whipped the horses, causing them to surge forward like arrows released from a bow.

"General Napoleon!"

"What's going on?" The sudden turn of events immediately caused panic among the crowd. People turned their heads in confusion, looking around but unsure of what to do.

As Napoleon's carriage had not yet traveled 200 meters, the handcart exploded, filled with explosives and shrapnel. The massive blast killed 20 people on the spot and injured another 60. Napoleon's carriage was almost overturned, and its windows were shattered, but fortunately, Napoleon himself was unharmed.

"Seize that coachman, he's a traitor!" By now, even the slowest among them realized that there was something wrong with Napoleon's coachman. The coachman, quick to react, saw that Napoleon was unharmed and immediately turned to flee into a corner. However, the guards surrounding Napoleon were not about to let him get away. They quickly drew their weapons and pursued the coachman, capturing him within moments.

"General Napoleon, what shall we do with him?" The soldiers brought the coachman before Napoleon and asked.

"Detain him for now; we'll deal with the rest later." Despite his immense anger, Napoleon fought to keep his emotions in check.

"Let's go to the opera house," Napoleon said, continuing.

Meanwhile, the opera house was packed, buzzing with excitement. This wasn't due to the allure of the opera; the crowd was abuzz with the news of the explosion. Many were concerned for the safety of their First Consul, while some secretly hoped to hear of his demise.

As the doors of the opera house slowly opened, Napoleon calmly walked in, entering his box as if nothing had happened. 

Seeing Napoleon enter unscathed, the audience immediately rose to their feet, cheering, "Long live the First Consul!"