Became the Weapon Monopolist of the Gods

Is there such a thing as fate?

Napoleon ended up writing “Dinner in Beaucaire” just like in the original timeline.

All I did was bring him to the café, but still…

“How’s this?”

“Napoleon, let’s publish this as a pamphlet.”

“Publish it?”

“Yes. The content is good, so if we do it right, the Convention might take notice.”

“Could my writing really catch the Convention’s eye?”

Napoleon looked skeptical.

From his perspective, without knowing the future, it’d be hard to imagine the Convention paying attention to a lowly junior officer’s work.

But I knew.

I knew that “Dinner in Beaucaire” would grab the Convention’s attention.

And that this attention would lead to Napoleon becoming the artillery commander at Toulon.

“Trust me on this, Napoleon.”

I said it with conviction.

“The Convention will definitely take interest.”

“If you say so, I’ll have it published.”

Just mentioning the “Convention” was enough to make Napoleon decide quickly without much hesitation.

Being of minor noble birth, Napoleon was someone who desperately craved advancement.

Still, he didn’t seem to expect much from this thin political pamphlet.

After all, expecting a career breakthrough from something like this would’ve been absurd.

A few days later, “Dinner in Beaucaire” was published… and promptly sank into obscurity without attracting much attention.

It was an embarrassing failure, to say the least.

In revolutionary France, dozens of political pamphlets were flooding out every day.

While it didn’t create any social impact, Napoleon’s pamphlet did manage to capture one person’s attention.

“Who is this Napoleon fellow?”

This man was none other than Maximilien Robespierre’s younger brother, Augustin Robespierre, a deputy of the National Convention.

*

According to history, after reading “Dinner in Beaucaire,” Augustin was impressed enough to appoint Napoleon as the artillery commander at Toulon.

Augustin was the one who became Napoleon’s powerful backer, helping him rise to the rank of general.

If nothing unusual happened, Augustin would’ve once again become Napoleon’s supporter.

The problem was the timing.

“The Siege of Toulon has been going on for far too long already.”

When the historical Napoleon caught Augustin’s attention with “Dinner in Beaucaire,” it was shortly after the Siege of Toulon began.

But now, it had been quite some time since the siege started.

Even if Augustin took interest in Napoleon, the likelihood of appointing him as the artillery commander at Toulon was slim.

Replacing a commanding officer during wartime wasn’t something that happened lightly.

Still, somehow, I had to get Napoleon appointed as the artillery commander at Toulon.

–Help Napoleon win the Siege of Toulon!

For the quest in the Status Window to succeed, Napoleon needed to participate in the Siege of Toulon.

“But how…”

As I racked my brain, my eyes landed on the display shelf in the antique shop.

There sat a cheap teacup set I bought from a home shopping network.

“This method could work.”

My dilemma seemed like it could be resolved more easily than expected.

*

In early modern Europe, the upper class was fascinated by the “mystique of the Orient,” or Orientalism.

This is evident in works like Marco Polo’s “Travels” or Isabella Bird’s “Bishop’s Travels.” Those who traveled to the East often depicted the Orient as a mysterious and fantastical world.

Because of this, Europeans harbored an unknowable fascination with the East.

One item that especially embodied this fascination was blue-and-white porcelain.

What we now see commonly in teacup sets or cheap flowerpots was not the case in early modern Europe.

The cobalt blue pigment used in porcelain was incredibly expensive, even rare among nobility.

To European eyes, blue-and-white porcelain was more than enough to stimulate desires for luxury and vanity.

Possessing blue-and-white porcelain symbolized wealth and power, and showcased the gentlemanly sophistication of recognizing art from the mysterious East.

Deputy Augustin Robespierre was no exception; he took great care to cultivate his gentlemanly refinement.

“These are indeed blue-and-white porcelain cups!”

His eyes widened as he saw the teacups on the table.

Finding porcelain alone was difficult, let alone blue-and-white porcelain in teacup form.

The intricately painted Eastern landscape on the teacups captivated Augustin.

“The owner of these teacups wishes to meet me?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Bring them here immediately.”

Following Augustin’s orders, the aide left the office.

Moments later, the aide returned with a young Easterner to Augustin’s office.

“Welcome.”

Standing up, Augustin greeted the Easterner respectfully.

“I am Augustin Robespierre, a deputy of the Mountain faction in the National Convention.”

“My name is Seo-Joon Choi.”

“May I call you Mr. Choi?”

“As you please.”

“Haha, please sit down.”

Augustin liked this young Easterner.

Not only did he bring blue-and-white porcelain, but his fluent French also made a strong impression.

“You speak French well, Mr. Choi.”

“Years of trading have made me proficient.”

“Still, it’s truly impressive. You’re the first Easterner I’ve ever met who speaks French so fluently.”

After complimenting Choi Seo-Joon for a while, Augustin asked casually:

“So, these teacups—are they really a gift for me?”

“Yes. It wouldn’t be proper to visit a member of the Convention empty-handed.”

Choi Seo-Joon’s response surprised Augustin internally.

Blue-and-white porcelain was so valuable it was called “white gold,” worth as much as a high-end house in Paris.

These exquisitely crafted teacups must’ve been worth a fortune.

To bring such a precious item as a gift…

Augustin liked Choi Seo-Joon even more.

Of course, he wasn’t naive enough to believe this was purely an act of goodwill.

“Mr. Choi, what brings you to me today?”

“I have a favor to ask.”

“What kind of favor?”

Augustin tensed slightly.

Given the value of the gift, it was clear the request would be equally significant.

Yet, the teacups appealed to him so much that he hoped it was something he could grant.

Then…

“It’s regarding Napoleon’s personnel assignment.”

“Napoleon?”

An unexpected name caught Augustin off guard.

“Are you referring to the officer who wrote ‘Dinner in Beaucaire’?”

“That’s correct.”

Augustin was well aware of Napoleon.

Impressed by his pamphlet, he had already planned to bring Napoleon to Paris.

Transferring officers was no big deal for someone of Augustin’s influence in the Convention.

The request was easier than expected, and Augustin secretly felt relieved, though he maintained a stern expression.

“Bribery leading to officer transfers is procedurally illegal.”

“This isn’t an illegal request. I’m simply asking for a ‘recommendation.'”

“Hmm, that can be done.”

The word “recommendation” softened Augustin’s stance.

In the delicate politics of the Convention, the difference between recommendation and transfer was merely semantic, yet crucial.

Finally, Choi Seo-Joon spoke:

“I’d like to recommend Napoleon as the artillery commander at Toulon.”

*

The French Revolution was a citizen-led revolution.

As such, the revolutionary army lacked experienced officers.

It was common to see dentists as commanders and artists leading frontlines—like Tang Dynasty troops in a modern context.

Positions were often handed out based on connections rather than merit.

As a military academy graduate specializing in artillery, Napoleon was considered elite among elites.

Even so, replacing a commander mid-war wasn’t typical…

“I’ve… been appointed as the artillery commander at Toulon.”

“Congratulations!”

“How did this happen?”

“Congratulations, Napoleon.”

Against all expectations, Napoleon received his appointment as the artillery commander for the Siege of Toulon.

● Recommended by

– President of the National Convention Maximilien de Robespierre

The arrival of “Iron Parachute” Napoleon.

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