Make France Great Again-Chapter 156 Bonaparte Meeting

In the autocratic empire, once a policy/plan receives the support of the autocratic monarch, its implementation becomes very simple.

The Austrian envoy to France, Baron Hubert, received a telegram from Vienna the very next day. The telegram praised his efforts to win over France and also agreed with Baron Hubert’s opinions.

Baron Hubert immediately took a carriage to the Elysee Palace to deliver this "good news" to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Mr. President, His Majesty Franz and Prime Minister Schwarzenberg have agreed to all your conditions!" Baron Hubert reported to Jerome Bonaparte.

"That’s wonderful!" Jerome Bonaparte also put on a false smile, then abruptly changed the subject bluntly, "I wonder, what land does the Austrian Empire wish to support France in acquiring?"

"Some historical issues on the left bank of the Rhine Land! The Empire will support the French Republic to protect its own interests!" Baron Hubert did not hide his "traitorous" intentions.

"Then how does the Austrian Empire propose to support this legitimate claim of the French Republic?" Jerome Bonaparte pressed relentlessly.

"Mr. President, there will inevitably be a war between Prussia and Austria! The loser will accept all the conditions of the victor!" Baron Hubert offered his blank check to Jerome Bonaparte.

Understanding the strength of the Austrian Empire, Jerome Bonaparte was not at all afraid that the Austrian Empire would manipulate France like Bismarck of Prussia. Their army would only gradually decay over time.

Now they needed to weaken Prussia on behalf of France.

If the French Republic weren’t so limited, Jerome Bonaparte would want to personally deal with that ugly creation born in 1815.

Due to the issues between Prussia and Austria, Jerome Bonaparte hadn’t had a good night’s sleep for several nights in a row.

Hubert looked anxiously at the silent Jerome Bonaparte, unsure whether his blank check could attract this greedy president.

Until he heard Jerome Bonaparte’s "heavenly voice": "I hope you can defeat Prussia and maintain peace in Europe!"

Only then did the stone in Baron Hubert’s heart finally fall. He slightly bowed to Jerome Bonaparte and said, "Mr. President, thank you for supporting the Austrian Empire!"

"Supporting Austria is also supporting France!" Jerome Bonaparte said sincerely from the bottom of his heart.

If he had to face an enemy within Germany, he would rather face a multi-ethnic Austria than a "German Empire" slightly superior to France in population and soldiers.

The resolute steps of Baron Hubert, who finished relaying Vienna’s resolutions to Jerome Bonaparte, left the Elysee Palace. He believed that Austria, with the support of Russia and France, could defeat Prussia.

Alas! Hope you can put in some effort!

Jerome Bonaparte also prayed that the Austrian Empire could weaken the Kingdom of Prussia.

He finally had his hands free to dethrone Prime Minister Barrow, whom he had initially supported himself.

If Barrow hadn’t chosen to go to Britain to see Louis Philippe, he could have remained in his position as Prime Minister for quite some time.

...

That night, in the meeting room of the Elysee Palace, all senior members of the Bonaparte Faction, except for Percy and Mokar, attended the meeting.

In the meeting room, Jerome Bonaparte sat at the head seat, Prince Monfort (Old Jerome Bonaparte) sat opposite him, while Mornay and Eugène Roué sat on his left and right, respectively.

"Gentlemen, I have received the latest news! Our Prime Minister Barrow has already made contact with the one in Britain!" Jerome Bonaparte calmly informed everyone present.

As Jerome Bonaparte announced this "bombshell" to the group, there was a small commotion in the meeting room. Many members of the Bonaparte Faction, who had previously served under Louis Philippe, looked troubled.

Jerome Bonaparte turned his gaze toward Pierre Bonaparte, wanting to hear his cousin’s opinion.

Granted the power to interact and win over deputies long ago, El Bonaparte, under Jerome Bonaparte’s watchful eyes, could only muster the courage to respond: "During this period, I have secretly contacted a group of deputies, most of whom do not agree with dismissing Barrow!"

"Understandable!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded in acknowledgment.

Before Pierre Bonaparte could breathe a sigh of relief, Jerome Bonaparte’s next words caught him by surprise: "However, surely there are some people who agree with us, right!"

Pierre Bonaparte forced a smile. To say he was completely disagreeing now would imply his own incompetence, but indeed no one openly agreed with dismissing Barrow.

Even some members of parliament who were at odds with him believed Barrow’s existence could mend the rift in the Order Party.

"Most of them are just fence-sitters!" Pierre Bonaparte could only choose to downplay the attitude of the members of parliament. He stated firmly, "As long as we remain confident, they will only follow your lead!"

Jerome Bonaparte nodded slightly. Looking back at the historical actions of his cousin dismissing Audion Barrot, while the Order Party members didn’t agree with the dismissal, they too would only choose to reject their appointments as resistance, and would not take up arms against them.

Jerome Bonaparte’s approval made Pierre Bonaparte breathe a sigh of relief.

As his cousin sat in the presidential seat for an increasingly long time, his authority grew more intimidating. Now he could keep his emotions perfectly in check, a truly terrifying ability.

"Rue, how are things on your side?" Jerome Bonaparte turned his attention to Eugène Rouher.

"Your Majesty, I’ve also had a few conversations with some members of parliament! Their attitudes are similar to what Pierre Bonaparte has described, though each to varying degrees!" Eugène Rouher’s response indirectly helped Pierre Bonaparte out of a bind.

Eugène Rouher also received a grateful look from Pierre Bonaparte.

"It seems the Republic’s parliamentarians are truly united!" Jerome Bonaparte displayed a faint cold smile, with a sarcastic tone creeping into his voice.

Everyone except Prince Monfort fell silent as if plunged into cold chill.

"However!" Jerome Bonaparte continued with a cold smile, "Since they do not voice clear opposition, it means Mr. Barrow himself has already displeased members within the Order Party. His visit to London during the parliamentary recess further indicates our Prime Minister Barrow seeks support from that individual to quell discontent, stabilizing his position. We cannot allow Prime Minister Barrow to unite the Order Party! I have decided to dismiss Prime Minister Barrow once the parliament reopens!"

Everyone present listened respectfully to Jerome Bonaparte’s final decision, their faces displaying a range of expressions: surprise, amazement, excitement, and fear.

Jerome Bonaparte took in all their expressions, and then reassured the Bonaparte Faction members, "Rest assured! I will not do anything without certainty! The so-called Order Party is ultimately just a conglomerate with superficial unity. They are still bickering about their heir to the throne, and all we need to do is use thunderous means to shut them up!"

After all, the Second Republic granted the President powers akin to those of an autocratic emperor.

When the President has the right to replace the Prime Minister without going through parliament, the administrative power wielded by the Prime Minister must be accountable to his immediate superior.

For instance, Jerome Bonaparte’s dissatisfaction with Audion Barrot’s visit to London to see Louis Philippe meant he could replace Audion Barrot when the parliament reconvened.

The so-called respect for parliament is merely Jerome Bonaparte’s fig leaf.

Once the President possesses administrative power and the loyalty of the military, he is fully capable of establishing a dictatorship.

The conspiratorial group at the Elysee Palace, guided by Jerome Bonaparte, was gradually moving in the predetermined direction.

After the meeting, Eugène Rouher was asked to stay behind in Jerome Bonaparte’s office.

"Minister Rouher, please have a seat!" Jerome Bonaparte invited Eugène Rouher to sit down.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Eugène Rouher sat down opposite Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed posture, and asked, "Minister Rouher, do you think we should appoint a new Prime Minister after dismissing Barrow?"

Historically, after dismissing Audion Barrot, his cousin did not appoint a new Prime Minister but personally led the cabinet affairs, branding it the "Super-Class Cabinet."

However, during the execution of the "Super-Class Cabinet" phase, his cousin encountered many difficulties.

Unable to discern whether Jerome Bonaparte wanted a Prime Minister or not, Eugène Rouher could only offer his insight, "Your Majesty, I believe we need someone to draw the fire!"

"You’re saying you agree with appointing a new Prime Minister?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired of Eugène Rouher.

"Your Majesty, we can appoint an Order Party member inclined towards us as Prime Minister! This ensures our interests won’t be compromised and also prevents excessively aggressive reactions from the Order Party!" Eugène Rouher suggested his opinion.

"Indeed! Compared to the Order Party, our power is still somewhat diminished. But where will we find someone inclined towards us and yet a member of the Order Party?" Jerome Bonaparte carefully considered those Order Party members he had interacted with.

"Ah! He will definitely do!"

Read 𝓁at𝙚st chapters at (f)re𝒆we(b)novel.com Only