Make France Great Again-Chapter 163: The Final Battle Rehearsal

Through more detailed exchanges with General Renio, Jerome Bonaparte realized that General Renio, as he had shown in history, not only possessed a strong hand, but also a mind for weighing pros and cons. The only shortcoming was that General Renio lacked sufficient ambition.

Jerome Bonaparte speculated that this might be related to General Renio’s age because General Renio was approaching 60 years old. If he followed the normal routine, he would retire in a few years, which also changed his mindset. Everything he did was more about repaying his gratitude to those who had recognized his talents and paving the way for those in the Roman campaign.

This also meant that Jerome Bonaparte could not place the entire wager of the coup on him. A soldier without enough ambition might falter at critical moments.

Although he had decided in his mind to consider General Renio as a transitional general, Jerome Bonaparte still hoped that General Renio could hold his position well during this period.

When everything settled down, General Renio would be transferred to the Italian Army to serve as commander, replacing Marshal Biron.

Of course, this was just Jerome Bonaparte’s personal intention. When the time came for General Renio to leave, Jerome Bonaparte would, just like with Minister Liu Aili and (future) Prime Minister Oppel, also let General Renio choose for himself.

’General Renio, I entrust the future Ministry of War to your hands!’ Jerome Bonaparte warmly said to Renio.

’I will surely lead my colleagues in the Ministry of War, swearing an oath of loyalty to the President!’ General Renio quickly stood at attention and saluted Jerome Bonaparte, emphasizing once more: ’Even if it means going against a large group of people! Only the Bonaparte Clan can rule all of France. Apart from the Bonaparte Clan, we recognize no one else!’

’Excellent!’ Jerome Bonaparte was very satisfied with General Renio’s attitude. He once again assured General Renio: ’General, I assure you, your loyalty will certainly be rewarded! God will not let any general loyal to France be disappointed!’

Despite Jerome Bonaparte’s bold comparison of himself to France and God, ’devout’ General Renio did not feel any aversion. On the contrary, he felt even more that Jerome Bonaparte was a leader worth following.

And the reward Jerome Bonaparte mentioned was something that General Renio was well aware of. Part of the reason he could join the Bonaparte conspiracy without mental burden was because of this.

According to Jerome Bonaparte’s investigation, what General Renio wanted most was to obtain his father’s aristocratic title. Because General Renio was the illegitimate son of his father and a mistress, legally, General Renio had no right of inheritance.

If Jerome Bonaparte becomes Emperor, he could use the power of the Emperor to forcibly let Renio inherit his father’s title.

In fact, General Renio’s father’s title was originally conferred by Emperor Napoleon.

The uncle conferred the father, and the nephew conferred the son. freēwēbnovel.com

A wonderful combination.

’General Renio, during this time, you should stay at the Elysee Palace and go nowhere else! The Elysee Palace is quite large!’ Jerome Bonaparte said to General Renio.

’Your Majesty, I’d rather go back!’ General Renio was somewhat reluctant to live in the Elysee Palace.

’Why?’ Jerome Bonaparte curiously inquired of General Renio and then, in a teasing tone, said: ’Is there some taboo about the Elysee Palace?’

’I just feel... feel...’ General Renio was at a loss for words and finally just said: ’The pressure of being with you is somewhat great!’

’Pressure?’ Jerome Bonaparte gently stroked his smooth chin with his right hand.

Could it be that people give different impressions due to different positions?

’Forget it! Since you’re unwilling, I won’t force you!’ Jerome Bonaparte waved his hand generously in response.

’Thank you, Your Majesty!’ General Renio breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte also glanced at the corner clock with the corner of his eye. It was now about ten o’clock in the evening.

’Let’s go! It’s time for a midnight snack!’ Jerome Bonaparte said to General Renio.

Jerome Bonaparte and General Renio walked one after the other from the reception room to the dining room.

A sumptuous midnight snack was served on the table shortly after the two sat down. After enjoying a delightful meal, General Renio was led out of the Elysee Palace by Wardley.

Jerome Bonaparte was led to his bedroom by a servant holding a candelabrum.

Due to the many rooms in the Elysee Palace, placing candles everywhere would undoubtedly incur vast expenses. However, this expenditure needed to be borne by Jerome Bonaparte himself. A life somewhat financially constrained, Jerome Bonaparte could only abandon some unimportant areas.

The distance from the dining room to the same bedroom was precisely the part Jerome Bonaparte abandoned. Looking at the pitch-black corridor ahead, Jerome Bonaparte once again felt the greatness of electricity.

Unfortunately, the use of electricity would have to wait until after the Second Industrial Revolution to be applied on a large scale. France had not yet completed the first industrial revolution. Theoretically, it would take more than ten years to transform the Elysee Palace into a place full of light.

Unless Jerome Bonaparte can use France’s administrative resources to make the academicians of the French Academy of Sciences tackle the problem of electricity at any cost, only then will it be possible to enjoy the benefits of the Second Industrial Revolution ahead of time.

When I become Emperor, I will definitely make the entire Elysee Palace... no, the whole of Paris fully enjoy the convenience brought by electricity!

Jerome Bonaparte silently made up his mind, determined to spare no expense in lighting up the electricity technology tree.

Under the guidance of his servant, Jerome Bonaparte entered the bedroom.

The servant placed the candlestick on the bedside table and then left alone. Jerome Bonaparte stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the mischievous moonlight hanging in the sky, muttering in Chinese: "Bless me with success!"

...

Two days later, on September 29.

Less than two days remain until the opening of the Legislative Assembly.

Most of the members have returned to Paris, with only a few still absent.

With Audion Barrot as the leader, the cabinet members are working overtime to prepare reports, hoping to complete them before the assembly reconvenes and anticipate some questions that may be raised by the members.

Jerome Bonaparte is also staying in the office, diligently writing the "French Work Report from December 1848 to October 1849".

Referring to the data compiled by various departments, he will cover in the assembly everything that has happened in France over the past six months, and also include in the proposal some initiatives not yet approved by the Legislative Assembly, urging them to be implemented as soon as possible.

Just as Jerome Bonaparte was halfway through writing, there was a knock on the door.

Jerome Bonaparte, without looking up, simply responded softly: "Come in!"

The door slowly opened, and Percy’s voice reached Jerome Bonaparte’s ears: "Your Majesty!"

Jerome Bonaparte looked up at his trusted aide, who had been "missing" for nearly a month, and unconsciously paused his writing.

"Percy, why are you only returning now?" Looking at Percy, who appeared slightly fatigued, Jerome Bonaparte inquired kindly.

After asking, he got up and went to Percy, shook his hand, and then invited Percy to the sofa to tell him what had happened during this time.

"Your Majesty, you might not be aware..." Sitting on the sofa, Percy began recounting what had transpired since their separation: "After parting ways with you, I went to inspect Dijon on your behalf!"

"How do the people there view me? Did you properly explain the unrealistic rumors coming from Paris?" Jerome Bonaparte eagerly asked Percy.

"Your Majesty, the people of Dijon were all welcoming upon hearing that I was inspecting on your behalf! Especially the industrial and commercial magnates of Dijon, who continuously inquired when the President would arrive so they could host you in grand style!" Percy praised Jerome Bonaparte: "I also emphasized the implausibility of the coup rumors in July and reprimanded some journalists who tried to capitalize on the situation for attention! Now, the entire City of Dijon has become a strong supporter of ours.

Moreover, I also visited Auxerre City in Yona Province!"

"Oh? What’s going on there?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Percy, not believing that Percy "happened" to pass by Auxerre City.

"Their support for you, the President, is even more enthusiastic than in Dijon. Led by the Governor..." Percy vividly described to Jerome Bonaparte everything that transpired in Auxerre City, including the grand welcoming ceremony and the National Guard parade.

"Their Governor is quite an interesting person?" Jerome Bonaparte remarked to Percy.

"Indeed! Their Governor, Georges Eugène Haussman, is also a loyal supporter of yours!" Percy complimented Jerome Bonaparte.

"Wait, you said their Governor is Georges Eugène Haussman?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired of Percy once more.

"Yes! What’s the matter, Your Majesty?" Seeing a change in Jerome Bonaparte’s expression, Percy nervously asked, internally praying that Haussman had no resentment towards the President.

Otherwise, his hard-earned potential ally might be compromised.

"It’s nothing! Just that the name sounds somewhat familiar to someone I know." Jerome Bonaparte replied perfunctorily as he collected himself.

Jerome Bonaparte’s words made Percy breathe a sigh of relief, and he quickly continued to Jerome Bonaparte: "You might not know, Governor Haussman is a..."

The sourc𝗲 of this content is fre(e)novelkiss