Chapter 195: The Incompetent Descendants of the Bonaparte Family

But no matter what he thought in his heart, the Pope had work to do on the surface. Otherwise, Napoleon would now make it impossible for him to leave the stage.

So he stepped forward and handed the emperor's ring to Napoleon to wear. After embracing the emperor, he turned to the crowd and shouted, "Long live His Majesty the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"

Next, Napoleon took the oath of office:

"I swear to defend the territorial integrity of the Republic; to respect and perfect the laws, freedom of belief; to respect the rights of equality, political and civil freedoms, and the sacred inviolability of national property; except for the taxes and donations prescribed by law, all other onerous taxes will be reduced... to maintain the interests, happiness, and glory of the French people as the foundation of governance."

After the oath, the herald loudly announced that Napoleon Bonaparte had officially ascended to the throne of France, and all the people cheered, "Long live the Emperor!"

Later, from the banks of the Seine to the Bastille, all cannons fired in unison, and the coronation ceremony, under the auspices of the Pope, ended smoothly; Napoleon was very pleased with this.

According to police statistics, more than two million people from all walks of life in the capital of France participated in the coronation ceremony. Bells from churches large and small throughout Paris rang together, followed by fireworks displays that lasted for two weeks. Across the country, from Marseille to Brest, thousands of cannons fired a salute every hour until midnight.

At 6 o'clock on the morning of December 3, all the troops in Paris assembled on the Place de Mars, waiting for Napoleon to distribute the eagle flag to replace the republic's flag. On the magnificent reviewing stand, the emperor, dressed in military attire, sat on the throne. At his command, the various columns approached the throne. Napoleon stood up, ordered the distribution of the eagle flag, and addressed the legions:

"Soldiers, look at your flags! These eagle flags will always be your gathering place. Eagle flags are always where your emperor considers necessary to defend his throne and his people, to sacrifice their lives for the sake of defending eagle flags! For the courage to be able to keep the eagle flag forever on the road to victory!"

After the speech, the military cheered loudly, and soldiers jumped in celebration for the new emperor. For the next 10 days, all of France was immersed in the festive atmosphere. According to estimates by Minister of Finance Gaudin, the coronation ceremony, including state banquets, the Pope's visit, public celebrations, attire, etc., cost more than 8 million francs.

But Napoleon believed this expenditure was worthwhile, especially with the personal presence of the Catholic Church leader, the Pope, which gave his kingship international recognition, and increased both legitimacy and respectability. This led him to further consider new family alliances, royal alliances, and international agreements that had previously seemed unattainable. To ensure the significance of the coronation ceremony was not forgotten, Napoleon ordered his court painter to create four large-scale oil paintings to record this historic event (later only two were completed, "The Coronation" and "The Distribution of the Eagle Flags").

Finally, the cheers of the capital celebration and the smoke from the cannon salutes finally subsided.

With the conclusion of the ceremony, France and its people finally welcomed their new emperor: Napoleon. On the second day of his ascension to the imperial throne, Napoleon chose to share the glory with his subordinates and family.

After the coup d'état of the Brumaire, Lucien was appointed Minister of the Interior, but he was nothing more than a tool of others' rule. Whenever Napoleon issued orders, he would scrutinize them critically, imagining how he would issue them if he were in charge. In terms of personality, these two brothers had astonishing similarities. They would stop at nothing to achieve their goals, with morality holding no weight in their minds. However, he lacked the calculating mind of his elder brother. He was more adventurous than Napoleon but lacked political acumen. Despite being only twenty-five years old, he already held a high position of power, but how could this satisfy his desires? He harbored greater ambitions, unwilling to settle unless he achieved his goals. His first wife's father was just an innkeeper. In his youth, he dabbled in speculation on grains, living extravagantly, often struggling to make ends meet, yet refusing to work diligently. Now, he had the most magnificent residence in Paris, yet he remained insatiably greedy, always hosting guests and lavish banquets. His hobbies were performing and writing poetry, and his mind was always consumed with thoughts of usurping his brother's position of power.

The relationship between the two brothers was so complex; how could there not be conflicts? Lucien often credited himself with the initial victory. When the two first clashed, Napoleon had already resolved to exile his ambitious brother. In the end, out of brotherly love, he only removed him from his ministerial position, stripping Lucien of his power. He was sent to Madrid, where he made considerable achievements in his new position, particularly in anti-British efforts, while also lining his pockets with millions of francs. Now, with his wife deceased, he returned to Paris and married his beloved woman, although she was of the same ilk as Josephine. Napoleon was furious because he had always intended to orchestrate a political marriage for him.

As for Napoleon's elder brother Joseph, he was adept at socializing and relatively kind-hearted but had begun to speak disrespectfully to his younger brother, the First Consul. In reality, with the help of his brothers, he was wealthy and influential. However, he often bonded with Madame Staël and others, venting his grievances against the First Consul. The position of ambassador to Rome no longer satisfied his appetite, yet he refused to accept the presidency of the Italian Republic or even the presidency of the Senate. He wanted to place himself in the position of head of the family.

Louis, Napoleon's second brother, was indecisive, with his talents as a poet more prominent. For a long time, he was in love with a relative of Josephine's, but after Roland discovered this, Roland intervened severely. After all, Louis was Roland's father, and he would not allow his father to engage in such behavior outside, thus tearing apart his own family.

Napoleon's sisters, without exception, received money and honor from their brother, but they did not understand gratitude. Instead, they continuously demanded more wealth and prestige. Elisa! She and her brother Louis lacked stability and were criticized by outsiders. Napoleon once angrily rebuked them, saying, "Don't you have any shame? While I am striving to promote morality and restrain behavior, my siblings are appearing on stage in their underwear!" However, they remained unchanged after his departure.

Caroline, who married General Murat, unwittingly became involved in her husband's conspiracy with Bernadotte. When Napoleon learned of this, he angrily said, "Murat should be shot."

As for Pauline, she was the most pitiful person in the Bonaparte family. A colonial war took her husband, Leclerc, from her. A year later, she remarried Prince Borghese, a Roman noble, and thus became the Princess of Rome. In truth, her innocence was just an act. Napoleon liked her the most and often advised her carefully.

Uncle Fesch was a clergyman. With Napoleon's help, he first became a bishop and later rose to become a cardinal.

It goes without saying that all members obtained money and honor through Napoleon's power, leading lavish lives. As for Napoleon himself, he only knew work and more work, without understanding how to enjoy life.

Only Letizia remained solitary, not losing the essence of a Corsican woman. She continued to dislike Josephine. After Napoleon came to power, he invited her to live in the Palace of Duillier. She refused and continued to live with her eldest son, Joseph. She did not value the present wealth and glory, considering them fleeting. When people tried to please her, she responded, "I hope what you say will last!"

If Napoleon were just a nouveau riche, he might have kicked out his dozen or so siblings when they came to share in his achievements, fearing that others would learn about his background. He now ruled France, yet his mother spoke with a heavy Corsican accent. His shameless sister would embarrass him, making people wonder if he was also uncultured. Several brothers lacked restraint and integrity in their official positions. Surprisingly, Napoleon accepted these detestable individuals and continuously indulged their greed, giving them positions and money.