Tallyrand opened his hands. ‘As I have pointed out before, sire, diplomacy is a gradual process. In time I hope that I might be able to persuade the Portuguese to accept our position.’
‘In time you hope that you might . . .’ Napoleon shook his head impatiently. ‘You prevaricate and vacillate far too much, Talleyrand. I have no more time for such diplomacy. I must have a result. You will inform the Portuguese that unless they close their ports to British trade by the first day of September, I will be obliged to occupy their country and remove their royal family from the throne.’
There was a stunned silence from Talleyrand before he swallowed and replied, ‘But sire, that is tantamount to a declaration of war.’
‘Yes, it is.’
‘But we have only just achieved peace on the continent.’
‘I want peace across the whole of Europe, on my terms. Nothing less will guarantee France’s pre-eminence above all nations.’
‘Or your pre-eminence above all sovereigns,’ Lucien added.
‘Quite.’ Napoleon nodded.
‘This is impossible,’ Talleyrand said bitterly. ‘The people will not be happy about another war, sire. I can assure you of that.’
Napoleon turned to Fouché. ‘What do you think?’
Fouché leaned forward and stroked the back of his hand with a finger as he replied. ‘Sire, there is already some discontent over the existing conscription laws. If we introduce further measures it will only exacerbate the situation.’
‘That is obvious enough,’ Napoleon agreed. ‘The question is, can your police and your agents contain the malcontents?’
‘Of course, sire. It merely depends on a judicious use of force and rewards, and ensuring that the newspapers print what we want people to read. If you grant me the powers I require, I can guarantee that any such rebels will be dealt with.’
‘Rebels?’ Talleyrand shook his head. ‘Sire, they are not rebels. They are not traitors. They are simply tired of war. Now that you have given them peace they will be as loyal to you as any man.’
‘He’s right,’ Lucien added. ‘For pity’s sake, sire, let France enjoy the peace.’
‘In good time,’ Napoleon replied.‘After we have dealt with Portugal.’
Talleyrand leaned forward with an earnest expression. ‘But sire, how can you wage war against Portugal? Our fleet was destroyed by the British navy. The warships we have left would not be adequate to protect any convoy carrying an army to the coast of Portugal.’
‘I know.That is why we must invade Portugal by land.’
‘By land?’Talleyrand’s eyes widened. ‘By marching across Spain?’
Napoleon smiled. ‘I am not aware of any other route. In which case, I require you to secure agreement with Spain that our army be given free passage from the Pyrenees across Spain to the border of Portugal.’
‘And if they refuse our request?’
‘Although the King of Spain is our ally, you must make it quite clear to him that I ask for his agreement out of courtesy. If he refuses, my army will march across his territory regardless of his wishes.’
‘If the Spanish oppose our forces it will mean war.’
‘Which is why they will not refuse.’
Talleyrand stared at the Emperor. ‘This is madness, sire. There is no other word for it.’
‘Be careful,Talleyrand.You go too far.’
‘Even if you do not provoke a war with Spain, you will earn their bitter resentment.They are a proud people, sire, and they will be shamed by a French army marching across the breadth of their country. Besides, our men are accustomed to living off the land. If our soldiers do that in Spain they will make us enemies wherever they pass. Sire, you cannot do this. I implore you. I will not have any part in such a scheme.’
‘Then I will have to entrust the task to another man.’
The Emperor and his foreign minister stared at each other for a moment in silence, each waiting for the other to respond. At length Talleyrand shook his head in despair.
‘So be it.’ He pushed his chair back and stood up. For a second there was silence around the table as the others regarded the foreign secretary with surprise. He drew a deep breath and composed himself before he spoke again. ‘Sire, I regret that I can no longer serve you as foreign minister.You ignored my warnings over a treaty with Russia and now this . . . I am compelled to tender my resignation.’
Napoleon forced a smile. ‘My dear Talleyrand! There is no need for such drastic action. If you have no wish to oversee this aspect of our foreign relations, then let another handle the matter for you. I can see you are tired, and no wonder after all the hard service you performed on behalf of your country at Tilsit.’
‘Enough!’ Talleyrand raised his hand to silence the Emperor. ‘Sire, you ignored my advice at Tilsit. I tell you again, no good will come of our treaty with Russia. Now you are intent on dragging France into another conflict. Sire, your wars are bleeding the nation dry.The Grand Army is like a great beast devouring gold and men and leaving nothing but a wasteland where it passes. War is the greatest evil to afflict men, yet it appears to me that you worship at its altar.Where will it end, sire?’ He shook his head and sighed. ‘I am no longer prepared to share the responsibility for your policies. I will not serve you as your foreign secretary.You will have my letter of resignation before the day is out.’
Before Napoleon could respond, Talleyrand turned and stumped across the room, leaving the others staring after him in shocked silence. As the door closed behind him, Napoleon collected himself and sneered. ‘It seems that Talleyrand lacks the stomach for a fight.’
Lucien leaned across the table and fixed his older brother with an intense stare. ‘You cannot let him leave your service.’
‘It is his choice whether he leaves or not.’
‘But Talleyrand has connections in every country in Europe. He is well known in every court. Brother - sire, we need him.’
Napoleon shook his head. ‘No. If he is fool enough to quit his position, then he is of no use to me, or to France. I can do without him. Besides, I doubt the man’s loyalty.’ He turned to Fouché. ‘Have him watched. Closely. If there is the least sign of disloyalty I want to know about it at once.’
Fouché smiled and bowed his head in assent. ‘Of course, sire. I will see to it.’
There were more processions and military reviews in the weeks that followed as the capital continued to celebrate France’s triumph over her enemies and give thanks for the prospect of a profitable and secure peace. Napoleon, and the imperial court, played host to elaborate musical and theatrical entertainments where the highest-ranking officers of the Grand Army wore their best uniforms and glittering decorations, and mixed with the elite of French society. For his part Napoleon was keen to demonstrate to the rest of Europe that the court of the Emperor would rival, and surpass, that of any other sovereign on the continent. All eyes would turn to Paris and marvel at the gorgeous spectacle that he would put on display. Over it all would loom the presence of Napoleon, the master of Europe. He had made it possible and he wanted to ensure that all France was reminded of the fact.