Let's be clear: Turnip doesn't want to be King. He wants to be a goddamned Emperor.

[eppur_se_muova]

Last edited Tue Oct 21, 2025, 03:09 PM - Edit history (1)

I just started reading a biography of Napoleon Bonaparte and was reminded of how, at his coronation, he was so eager to be crowned that he snatched the crown from the hands of the Pope and placed it on his own head. I have a feeling there are going to be noticeable similarities to Turnip throughout the book. One big difference is that Napoleon started out as a passionate patriot (of Corsica, not France) and fairly well-educated, thoroughly competent and resourceful gunnery officer. Neither passion, nor patriotism, nor education, nor competence is inborn in Turnip. But seeing as Napoleon created the French secret police and engulfed Europe in a series of wars, I expect more parallels than differences.

Forgot to add a big one: Napoleon served bravely under fire, rose through the ranks, and was wounded in battle. (He also slaughtered a bunch of civilians, which would meet with Turnip's admiration; he's always wanted to do the same thing.)