The Fox of France - Chapter 372: The Fire of Civilization

“During this week’s operations, the French navy captured three pirate ships and sank two others attempting resistance, significantly improving the security of Mediterranean routes. Our interview with Rear Admiral Treveil confirms that the French navy stands as the most advanced and formidable worldwide, fully capable of safeguarding peace and tranquility for the Olympics. He assures us that ensuring free trade is the sacred mission of the French navy; any act of piracy disrupting this is a challenge to the dignity and interests of France. He warns those indulging in piracy not to mistake French patience as limitless. Those shameless vermin daring to offend French dignity, wherever they flee, even if they disguise themselves as penguins in Antarctica, we will capture them and let them hang wearing their penguin skins on our mast.”

Two years ago, a French cruiser, carrying naturalists from the University of Paris for a global expedition, discovered the Antarctic continent, finding a species of colossal penguins standing at 1.2 to 1.3 meters tall. They named this species the Augustus Penguin.

Pauline’s toy factory immediately launched a series of penguin toys following this discovery. Some were so large that a person could hide inside. Hence, Rear Admiral Treveil’s statement.

It’s said this statement greatly inspired Pauline, leading her to create a comic series titled ‘Pirate Penguins,’ warping the originally cute and lovable penguin image.

Driven by France, the Spanish navy also joined in safeguarding free trade. However, compared to the French navy, the Spanish lagged far behind in technology, still relying on sail power—an approach entirely understandable to the Barbary pirates. Their method, more aggressive than the French, involved stationing themselves beyond cannon range in ports of several Barbary pirate countries, monitoring and intercepting any vessels attempting to enter or leave.

This approach was intolerable to the Pashas, who protested to both the Spanish and French consulates. The response they received indicated this was retaliation against the treacherous acts of piracy during this time. If the seized ships and sailors weren’t returned promptly, the blockade would persist.

Furthermore, both the French and Spanish consulates in Barbary countries began reducing their staff. Often, this action was interpreted as preparation for potential future conflicts.

After bribing personnel in the French and Spanish consulates, they received this message: “France will make significant moves during the Olympics; the First Consul will use this occasion to advance further. In this process, France must ensure the stability and harmony of its surroundings.”

Several Pashas deeply discussed the current situation among themselves, deciding to form an alliance for their protection. However, they also agreed to endure tough times, refraining from further robberies for the time being. They felt the French were old friends, expecting the French to act reasonably as long as they didn’t completely disrespect them.

The Olympic torch relay had commenced. Turkey was considerably unwilling to conduct such pagan activities, so the relay within Turkish territory was concise. Passing north into Russia, the torch’s journey in Turkish territory mostly involved travel by boat, crossing the Dardanelles and Bosporus through the Aegean Sea, entering the Black Sea, and continuing north along the Dnieper River into Russia.

During this process, the torch was kept within a firebox, essentially a precisely crafted lantern.

Upon entering Russian territory, the French escorting the torch received a warm welcome from the Russians. General Bagration personally led a squadron of cavalry wearing black bearskin hats to greet them. As the French descended from the ship with the torch, General Bagration’s cavalry unsheathed their sabers, cheering, “Hurrah!”—startling the Turks onboard, who nearly drew their guns in preparation to resist.

However, the brutish Russians, unlike usual, didn’t rush to attack; they merely cheered around the torch.

The Turks didn’t quite grasp why the Russians were so jubilant. Unlike Turkey’s stance, Russians had always had a mixture of admiration and crisis towards Europe.

Since Peter the Great’s reforms, Western learning became a fundamental direction for Russians. Faced with Europe’s radiant culture and science after the Renaissance, Russians were profoundly lacking in confidence, constantly fearing being ousted from the ranks of civilized nations.

During Empress Catherine’s era, Russians momentarily believed they had shed this anxiety, even nurturing illusions of leading the world. However, with France’s rise, Russia’s glory dimmed. When numerous Russian students arrived in France, they painfully felt the vast gap between Russia and advanced standards. Worse, this gap not only existed but widened day by day. As one student put it: “Every day for the French is like a month, or even a year, for us Russians.”

In this situation, the anxiety of being excluded from the ranks of civilized nations intensified. Amidst this, the French aimed to revive the grandeur of Greco-Roman civilization, yet they didn’t forget Russia, intending to bring the sacred flame to pass through Russia. To Russians, this symbolized recognition and praise for Russian civilization.

Most Russian nobles, upon receiving this news, first thought: “We are still an indispensable part of the civilized bloc.”

In such an atmosphere, combined with Russia’s self-identification as the heir of Eastern Rome, and the Olympic tradition originating from the heart of the Byzantine Empire, the passage of the sacred flame signified the transmission of the flame of civilization originating from Greece to the entire world. And if the flame took a separate route passing through Russia before spreading elsewhere, it silently affirmed Russia’s legitimate inheritance. Thus, the warm reception of the Olympic flame in Russia wasn’t surprising at all. Yet, if Napoleon knew their thoughts, he’d likely say, “You’re overthinking it.”

General Bagration personally stepped forward, lighting the torch prepared atop the firebox, then slowly raised it high. The surrounding soldiers once again cheered, “Hurrah!”

General Bagration listened contentedly to the soldiers’ cheers. At this moment, the French handed over the firebox containing the flame to the Russians welcoming it. Together with the Turks, they sailed back to France—a safer and quicker route compared to land travel.