Chapter 193: Ascension to Emperor

The victory of the Battle of Marengo in Italy greatly enhanced Napoleon's reputation, while the victory of the Battle of Austerlitz against the Allies temporarily relieved Napoleon of the threat of external war.

The continuous success in foreign wars consolidated Napoleon's political power. While temporarily easing external relations, Napoleon promptly eliminated domestic opposition and, despite numerous objections from relatives, executed the descendants of the Bourbon dynasty's Condé family: Prince Louis Antoine, significantly strengthening his dictatorial rule.

Political obstacles were overcome one after another, but an idea kept taking root and sprouting in Napoleon's mind: he wanted to go further.

Napoleon had always harbored a desire for power; he longed to be above all others. As time went on, his power became increasingly solidified, with no one left to challenge him. Thus, that desire within him surged once again.

Intentionally, Napoleon summoned Fouché several times for discussions. During these conversations, Napoleon continuously probed Fouché, who, being a clever man, realized that Napoleon not only needed him to manage the police meticulously but also to cheer for his emperorship dream. Fouché not only did not feel repulsed by this but instead felt a strange excitement in his heart.

Why would Napoleon discuss such important matters with him? Could it be that he already held such an important place in Napoleon's heart? Did this mean that Napoleon had completely regarded him as one of his own? Excitedly, Fouché thought that if he had merit in the eyes of Napoleon in the East, he had it in the West as well.

So, with excitement, Fouché believed that Napoleon regarded him as a confidant. Therefore, he was determined to perform well this time.

Immediately, he appealed to the Senate to establish hereditary rule and openly explained that if hereditary rule were established, even if someone were to assassinate Napoleon, it would not destroy the entire hereditary system.

Under Fouché's blatant call and private hints, the Senate understood what Fouché truly desired. At the same time, they all realized that no one could dare to challenge Napoleon under these circumstances. Thus, the Senate took the lead in proposing that Napoleon ascend to become the Emperor of the French people, and they earnestly claimed that it was the people's voice and for the long-term peace and stability of France.

Subsequently, the Legislative Assembly and the Tribunate also enthusiastically applauded and endorsed this proposal.

The results of the vote were as follows: 3,572,329 votes in favor of establishing the French Empire, with only 2,569 votes against. This meant that in over 6,000 towns and villages across France, less than half of them had even one vote against, and 57% of places had no one opposing Napoleon's ascension to Emperor. In total, approximately 99.993% of the French people supported the Emperor, a statistically improbable figure. However, Napoleon controlled the country's army, police, news, publishing, and theaters, with no independent means to clarify or challenge the electoral procedures and results. Consequently, the coronation ceremony proceeded smoothly, with everything unfolding according to his will.

On May 18, 1804, the Senate approved it, and through a citizen vote, with a disparity of over three million votes in favor and just over two thousand against, Napoleon fulfilled his dream of becoming the Emperor of the French people.

At this moment, Napoleon's heart was filled with a certain unknown meaning. From a humble artillery lieutenant to now the Emperor of France, no one knew the hardships he had endured to reach this point.

Under the ominous gray sky, the environment in Paris became very cold and damp, facing more wind, frost, rain, and snow. Originally planned to be held at the Honor Military Court, the coronation ceremony was moved to Notre-Dame Cathedral at the last minute because Napoleon invited Pope Pius VII to officiate.

Throughout the night, court ladies and the wives of imperial dignitaries worked tirelessly to make new clothes, design hairstyles, and prepare for the ceremony. According to Louis-Jean-Napoleon, some noblewomen had their hairdos piled so high that they had to sit upright all night until dawn.

At dawn, 84 senators, dressed in blue velvet robes with black hats adorned with white feathers, led by their amiable chairman, Neyve Shatto, almost completely repeated the ceremony held at the Saint Croix Palace on May 18. They set off for the Sete Island and the Justice Palace to perform the oath of allegiance to the Empire. At 7 o'clock, they arrived at Notre-Dame Cathedral under the gaze of thousands of soldiers in formal dress. At the same time, a delegation of 5,000 representatives composed of soldiers, sailors, and members of the National Guard arrived at Dufrene. At 8 o'clock, members of the Legislative Assembly, Parliament, People's Assembly, and the Court, escorted by 28 cavalry and 100 infantry, respectively, traveled by car or on foot from their respective locations. An hour later, under the protection of the military, diplomatic delegations, including the Turkish ambassador and princes from Germany, appeared (no one from the European powers of Britain, Russia, and Austria attended.

Pope Pius VII departed from the Carousel under the escort of the French Imperial Guard cavalry. The convoy behind the Pope's carriage included cardinals, bishops, and other clergy, totaling more than 100 people.

Among them, Monsignor Sparoni rode a grey donkey adorned with ribbons, leading the Pope's procession.

"Look, this is the Pope's donkey! The Pope is riding a donkey!" some disrespectful Parisians shouted upon seeing this.

"You should go kiss that donkey!" Monsignor Sparoni muttered irritably.

However, the Pope paid no attention to the remarks. He was dressed in a cloak of gold and silver and wore a triple crown of gilded bronze inset with thousands of gems worth 180,000 francs, bestowed upon him by the Emperor. For the Pope, it was a strange moment. This city had been anti-Church just a few years ago, with its churches and monasteries destroyed, and its priests and nuns subjected to humiliation, torture, and execution. As Pope Pius VII traveled through the streets of Paris, he naturally felt a complex mix of emotions.

Initially, upon learning of Napoleon's invitation to Paris to officiate the coronation ceremony, the Pope was extremely shocked and angry. Previously, in any European country, when a king ascended to the throne, he would personally journey to Rome to seek the Pope's coronation. Therefore, Pope Pius VII had initially refused Napoleon's invitation until September 15.

Napoleon first tried to persuade him kindly, but when this failed, Napoleon resorted to threats. "If the Pope does not heed the call, I don't mind degrading him to an ordinary Roman bishop," he warned.

At the time, no one dared to doubt Napoleon's words, as after the war in Italy, the entire country was under his control

After several postponements, Pope Pius VII finally acquiesced, though he found a pretext for himself, claiming that he agreed only after considering Napoleon's commitment to restoring the role of the French Church. Whether anyone believed these words is unknown.

Despite Napoleon's failure to fulfill most of these promises, Pope Pius VII reluctantly set out to cross the snowy Alps to a country that had recently seen his predecessor, Pope Pius VI, die in prison—a place he knew he might return to one day as a prisoner himself.

For Napoleon, having the Pope come to officiate at the coronation held significant meaning. It was an unmistakable message to the entire civilized world: the Napoleonic dynasty had the support of the Vatican, an influence that no military victory could compare to.

At exactly 10 o'clock, cannons boomed as Napoleon himself departed from the Tuileries Palace, with the Royal Guard and a band leading the way. The procession was as grand as that of ancient Roman emperors. Security measures were extremely tight, with three rows of soldiers lining both sides of the road, totaling about 80,000 men.

Marshal Murat, the military governor of Paris, led the procession with his officers, followed by four squadrons of cavalry and four battalions of infantry, an Imperial Guard infantry regiment in Egyptian attire, and a detachment of Mamelukes on horseback.

Next came the heralds riding high-headed horses, leading 11 carriages carrying senior state officials, including Talleyrand, Berthier, and Fouché.