Make France Great Again-Chapter 126: Investigation Department Draws Swords

Compared to Audion Barrot, who didn’t care at all about Minister Liu Aili’s feelings, Jerome Bonaparte noticed the displeasure on Liu Aili’s face.

It must not be easy to be the Minister of War!

Jerome Bonaparte muttered silently.

In Liu Aili’s current predicament, he could only sympathize internally.

After all, there were three "grandmothers" over Liu Aili’s head, he had to consider the President’s attitude, the internal unity of the Order Party, and most importantly, his nominal subordinates were indifferent to him.

Anyone who tries to be opportunistic in this position will end up with only two outcomes.

Either they leave in anger, or they are dismissed by the President.

Jerome Bonaparte would never allow an opportunistic person to sit in this important position, even if it meant frequently replacing the Minister of War.

Audion Barrot’s personal "lecture" ended after half an hour.

"Minister Liu Aili, as for the time to sign the mobilization order, I’ll leave it to you! We hope that the Ministry of War can quickly issue the martial law order just before Changarnier takes action! This way, it won’t be ’unconstitutional’." Jerome Bonaparte said to Liu Aili with a friendly attitude.

"Yes!" Liu Aili immediately responded. Compared to Audion Barrot ignoring him, Jerome Bonaparte "respecting" his opinion was far better.

"Right! What the President said is correct!" Audion Barrot’s tone was slightly overbearing, like a gladiator about to enter the battlefield: "We cannot act after waiting for the Ministry of War to issue orders; the Ministry of War should cooperate with our actions!"

Minister Liu Aili understood.

After the brief meeting, Audion Barrot and Liu Aili left the Elysee Palace.

After walking out of the Elysee Palace, Audion Barrot and Liu Aili parted ways, one heading to Matignon Palace [Prime Minister’s Office of France], the other to Blenheim Palace.

Just as Liu Aili, riding in a carriage, stepped onto the Blenheim Palace steps, Conrobel, riding a horse, called out to him.

"Minister, this is for you from the President!" Conrobel dismounted and handed an invitation card for a dinner to Liu Aili.

Liu Aili took the invitation but didn’t look at it in front of Conrobel, instead placing it in his pocket and said to Conrobel, "Please extend my thanks to Mr. President!"

"Mr. President hopes you will undoubtedly honor us with your presence!"

Having said this, Conrobel once again mounted his horse and left.

Watching Conrobel ride away, Liu Aili quietly opened the invitation; the date on it was June 14th.

...

The time was 3:40 in the afternoon.

The near-four o’clock sunlight was so oppressive, scorching, languid, decadent yet excited, as if to pour all its last light and heat onto the earth, bleak and somber yet not without grandeur.

Minister of Agriculture and Commerce Bifei arrived at the Elysee Palace at this time from the countryside.

"Minister Bifei, welcome!" Jerome Bonaparte extended his hand and said to Bifei.

"I am honored by Mr. President’s favor!" Bifei did not shake hands with Jerome Bonaparte; with a slightly arrogant personality, he just responded with neither servility nor arrogance.

Facing Bifei, who had no intention of getting closer to him, Jerome Bonaparte showed no negative emotions. freewebnoveℓ.com

"Please have a seat!" Jerome Bonaparte extended his hand to invite Bifei.

Bifei sat opposite Jerome Bonaparte and said, "Mr. President, may I ask what instructions you have for me?"

"Minister Bifei, I would like to ask how many telegraph lines does France have going abroad, how many submarine cables, and can our telegraph receive information from all of Europe immediately?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Bifei a series of questions in one breath.

Bifei thought for a long time before organizing his language and said, "Mr. President, France has a total of 5 lines, they connect with Belgium (Brussels), Prussia (Rhine Land and the Frankfurt Region), and Austria (Vienna)! As for the submarine cable, we are in the process of laying it; it is expected to lay a cable from the United Kingdom to France by next year, so we cannot receive all of Europe’s information!"

"Does the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce have any plans to set up a few lines, for example, a cable to the Ottoman Empire, or perhaps to Rome?" Jerome Bonaparte asked tentatively.

"I’m sorry! No!" Bifei resolutely refused: "According to France’s existing financial expenditure, we cannot build a cable to the Near East region! If the cable breaks in the middle, all our investment will come to nothing, and from a practical perspective, the telegraph line to the Ottoman Empire is of no use at all!"

"What about Strasbourg? There should be a use there!" Jerome Bonaparte still suggested to Bifei in a negotiating tone.

"It’s a pity!" Bifei showed no deference to Jerome Bonaparte and said, "Our department also discussed the telegraph between Paris and Strasbourg, but the conclusion was that the costs outweigh the revenue! Thus, the current telegram circuit is undoubtedly the best choice. Besides, isn’t Mr. President’s newspaper also a beneficiary?"

Bifei directed his attack towards the "Bonaparte Newspaper" under Jerome Bonaparte, subtly implying that he did not want interference in the affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce.

"If Minister Bifei believes there’s an issue with the Bonaparte Newspaper’s procedures, then go ahead and investigate! I support Minister Bifei’s decision!" Jerome Bonaparte sneered and then added, "However, if there is a problem with the Bonaparte Newspaper, it must be inseparable from your ministry. By then, I fear I will have to conduct an in-depth investigation of your internal affairs!"

Jerome Bonaparte’s blatant threat made him appear like a rogue.

As Jerome Bonaparte implied, he could abandon the Bonaparte Newspaper, but could Bifei abandon his entire department?

Moreover, if Jerome Bonaparte discovered any wrongdoing in the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, all it would take is a scoop, and Parisian journalists would swarm like sharks scenting blood.

If it affected Audion Barrot’s cabinet, Bifei would become the scapegoat.

"Mr. President, I don’t mean we shouldn’t set up telegraph lines; I think we should delay the action! Let’s wait until the finances have a surplus, and then proceed with the next step!" Bifei’s attitude softened instantly.

A financial surplus? Dream on!

According to Jerome Bonaparte’s plan, France’s finances would not see a surplus in the coming years and might even face massive debt.

This is all a necessary part of industrialization.

If we wait for financial relief, the telegraph might not be fully established even in ten years.

"I was reckless on the telegraph issue!" Jerome Bonaparte realized there was no way to confront Bifei directly on the "laid line," so he opted to superficially end the topic.

"Your Excellency, Mr. President, I understand your desire to achieve greatness for the country!" Bifei affirmed Jerome Bonaparte’s actions, advising with a facade of impartiality, "However, you shouldn’t rush things! We need to wait until France’s finances can support our endeavors!"

"I understand, Minister Bifei! We certainly shouldn’t act hastily! After all, you should know, my term is only four years, and I want to accomplish something that earns their approval!" Jerome Bonaparte shrugged and sighed, seemingly compliant with Bifei’s arrangement.

Believing he had persuaded Jerome Bonaparte, Bifei offered verbal encouragement, and then Jerome Bonaparte, with Percy’s farewell, left the Elysee Palace.

After seeing Bifei to the palace gates, Percy returned to the study.

At that moment, Jerome Bonaparte’s expression instantly changed from a smile to a sneer, the air in the room thick with tension.

"Percy!" Jerome Bonaparte said coldly, enunciating each syllable.

"Yes!" Percy quivered and responded swiftly.

"Bring Marcel Yale to me! His Counter-Reaction Investigation Unit has been formed for half a year; now it’s time to see results!" Jerome Bonaparte ordered Percy.

Receiving Jerome Bonaparte’s command, Percy quickly proceeded to the Police Department, found Director Marcel Yale, and informed him of the presidential summons.

Having been director for half a year, he immediately followed Percy to the Elysee Palace to meet the president.

With immense reverence, Marcel Yale once again met Jerome Bonaparte and exclaimed excitedly, "Your Majesty, it is such a pleasure to see you!"

"Spare me the pleasantries!" Jerome Bonaparte showed no concern for Marcel Yale’s feelings, speaking harshly, "Now take your men and investigate Bifei thoroughly! I want to see what courage this dog-raising wretch has to oppose me!"

"Yes!" Marcel Yale instantly understood Jerome Bonaparte’s intent and assured him that he would uncover all of Minister Bifei’s secrets.

"Don’t alarm him, and don’t let him know anyone is investigating him!" Jerome Bonaparte reminded once more.

"Your Majesty, rest assured! I guarantee the investigation will be conducted without a trace!" Marcel Yale pledged confidently to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Go!" Jerome Bonaparte waved his hand.

Feeling valued, Marcel Yale left the Elysee Palace accompanied by Percy.

As they parted, Marcel Yale said passionately, "Secretary Percy, that Bifei is too presumptuous; do you want me to...!"

Marcel Yale made a throat-slitting gesture, his meaning clear.

"Your task is to thoroughly investigate all of Bifei’s connections and secrets; do not do anything unnecessary! Beware of displeasing His Majesty!" Percy warned the slightly reckless fellow.

"I understand!"

Marcel Yale nodded to show his understanding.

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