Make France Great Again-Chapter 164: Increasing Steel Production Capacity

Percy described to Jerome Bonaparte his "contributions" in Auxerre City, which included but were not limited to widening the streets, dredging the river, establishing a unified water supply system, and renovating old houses in Auxerre.

Through Percy’s account of Georges Eugène Haussman, Jerome Bonaparte could be certain that the Georges Eugène Haussman Percy spoke of was indeed the same person as Baron Haussman, a pioneer of the Second Empire’s modernization of Paris in history.

The modernized structure of Paris, under the hands of Baron Haussman, had not undergone major changes until almost the 21st century, a perfect combination of classical aesthetics and modern industry.

This is exactly the person I am looking for!

Jerome Bonaparte secretly resolved in his heart to find an opportunity to "invite" this modernizer of Paris to the city and appoint him as the "designer" of its modernization.

"Percy, do you think Governor Georges Eugène Haussman is qualified to serve as Governor of the Seine Province?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Percy.

Percy was taken aback, Jerome Bonaparte’s sudden question left him somewhat unclear about the President’s intention, whether the President was impressed by Haussman’s talents or was using the occasion to warn him.

"I think appointing him abruptly might arouse opposition in Paris!" Percy cautiously offered his opinion to Jerome Bonaparte: "You could let Eugène Haussman gain some experience first and then employ him!"

"Then where do you think Eugène Haussman should work?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Percy once more.

"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Eugène Haussman should serve as Governor of the Gironde Province for a period to see his effectiveness!" Percy hesitated for a moment before cautiously replying.

"Gironde Province!" Jerome Bonaparte turned his gaze to Percy: "I remember it’s part of the Aquitaine Region, and it’s also a traditional stronghold of the Royalist Party."

"Your Majesty, this will showcase Eugène Haussman’s capability!" Percy, without any psychological burden, handed over the task of "educating" the people of Gironde Province to love Bonaparte to Eugène Haussman: "If Eugène Haussman can govern Gironde Province well under your appointment, it shows he has the corresponding ability. Anyone who can manage a Royalist Party city can certainly manage the Seine Province. This would also prove the President’s vision.

Conversely, if it’s someone without capability, we can turn him into a pawn infiltrating the Provence Region."

If Eugène Haussman were at the Elysee Palace, he would surely be stunned by Percy’s willingness to "torture" him without hesitation just to maintain his standing in the President’s mind.

"I have no grievance with you, yet you go so far as to kick me when I’m down," might become Eugène Haussman’s true inner expression.

[After receiving the transfer order from Paris, Eugène Haussman vented in his office before resolutely deciding to go to the Gironde Province.]

"Yes!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded to Percy and said: "This method is good! I will order the Cabinet to handle this after the Legislative Assembly begins!"

"Yes!" Percy replied with a nod, then took out a land deed and handed it to Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte glanced at the land deed framed in Percy’s hands, it was the same one he had refused initially.

"Percy, didn’t I already refuse this? Why did you bring it again?" Jerome Bonaparte slightly frowned at Percy.

"Your Majesty, Mayor De Reina said it was a kind gesture from him and the entire City Hall, and it’s not valuable. If you don’t need it, they’ll demolish the house on the land and rebuild." Percy replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Demolish and rebuild? It can’t be demolished! The items inside the castle are precious treasures." Jerome Bonaparte quickly responded to Percy.

"Your Majesty!" Percy continued holding the land deed with both hands without speaking.

"Ah!" Jerome Bonaparte sighed heavily, "I will reluctantly accept it! By the way, how much is this castle? We should pay them truthfully!"

"Your Majesty, I have already paid it off!" Percy responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Paid off is good!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded, of course, understanding that the "paid off" price Percy mentioned was at least ten times less than the real value on the land deed.

Sometimes, one should not be too harsh on subordinates.

Corruption, no less in the Third Republic, was notoriously rampant.

Scandals like the Panama Canal Company emerged, where from the President to the Prime Minister and down to the lower officials could hollow out a company, with all the company’s money used to flatter those bureaucrats. It was simply outrageous.

Afterwards, the management of the Panama Canal Company and the entire Cabinet resigned.

Those "diligent" civil servants then set their sights on the next "sacrifice."

"By the way, did you bring the person I asked you to find?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Percy.

Percy instantly remembered that he might have left that guy waiting in the lounge for him to go in first and report.

In conversation with the President, he almost forgot the existence of the "guest."

"I almost forgot!" Percy slapped his forehead: "Your Majesty, the person you’re looking for is now in the lounge, do you need me to bring him over?"

"Go ahead!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded to Percy.

Jerome Bonaparte, staying in the study, ordered the servant to bring three cups of coffee.

Not long after, Percy brought the distinguished guest he had invited from Le Clerc before Jerome Bonaparte.

He had a head of fluffy and messy brownish-yellow curls, and on his unkempt face were embedded two eyes like pearls. His brownish-yellow coat paired with beige trousers made him look just like a worker returning from the construction site.

He was clutching the hem of his beige trousers with both hands, his eyes filled with the steadfastness typical of a scientific worker.

Jerome Bonaparte stepped forward, extended his hand, and said to the distinguished guest before him, "Welcome to the Élysée Palace, Mr. Eugène Schneider!"

Indeed, this person before him was Eugène Schneider.

If you are a military enthusiast, you must have heard of the "Mademoiselle 75" produced by Schneider Cannon Company, whose "fiery" firing rate made it renowned in the French Army during World War I.

The so-called "Italian Cannon" in Sword was actually the "Mademoiselle 75."

If you are not a military enthusiast, then you must have some understanding of the famous Schneider Electric Company.

The founder of Schneider Electric, which has been around for nearly 100 years, is none other than the Eugène Schneider before you.

"Hello, Mr. President!" Eugène Schneider bowed to Jerome Bonaparte, his gaze curiously sizing up the President before him.

Although he had heard about the President from his brother Adolphe Schneider, seeing the President in person gave him an even deeper understanding.

More amicable than his brother had described.

Eugène Schneider thought to himself.

However, he still couldn’t understand why the President had brought him all the way to Paris.

In terms of value, his brother who managed all the banking affairs of the Schneider Clan was clearly more valuable than himself.

The number of people investing in industry in France was far less than financial speculators.

Besides the lower profits of industrial capitalists compared to those in finance, the entire French trend was leaning towards speculation.

This also led to most French industrial capitalists having strong self-protection awareness, preferring to slowly expand with profits earned from their industry rather than accepting investments from financial capitalists.

As a result, many financial capitalists had no avenues for investment, and if they tried to venture personally, they feared not measuring up to the professionals.

Adolphe Schneider and Eugène Schneider, these two brothers, with one deeply rooted in banking broadening networks in Paris, and the other in industry expanding scale.

The two complemented each other and achieved mutual success, allowing the Schneider Company to remain glorious.

However, Jerome Bonaparte also knew that these Schneider brothers had historically invested a large sum in his cousin, and after the collapse of the Second Empire, their political speculation nearly cost them dearly.

"Mr. Schneider, may I call you that?" Jerome Bonaparte said kindly, respecting every industrial capitalist and scientist, as they are the real value creators.

"Of course, Mr. President!" Eugène Schneider replied humbly and respectfully.

"Mr. Schneider, I invited you here today to ask you some questions! You are aware, of course, that the Ministry of Public Works is undertaking railway construction, aren’t you?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Eugène Schneider. ƒгeewebnovёl_com

"Of c-course!" Eugène Schneider was certainly aware because part of the steel plates for the railway construction was supplied by their company. His brother Adolphe Schneider had also told him that the Minister of Public Works, Mornay, mentioned that their company would supply the future railway locomotives.

"Here’s the thing! I think the current steel production in France is too low, and we need to increase steel production! What do you think?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired of Eugène Schneider.

"Of course! Mr. President, are you suggesting that our company increase production?" Eugène Schneider asked tentatively.

"No, no, no! What I mean is that the current equipment can no longer meet our needs. Can we upgrade the equipment?" Jerome Bonaparte asked, spreading his hands.

"Mr. President, please pardon my frankness!" Eugène Schneider spoke in a subdued tone, trying not to upset Jerome Bonaparte, "I also know that the current steel refining method cannot meet the demands, but inventing an entirely new method is really difficult. Sometimes a little luck is needed!"

"It seems God still favors me!" Jerome Bonaparte stood up with a smile, and Eugène Schneider and Percy hurriedly stood up as well, "You don’t have to stand!"

After speaking, Jerome Bonaparte walked alone to the desk, bent down to open the bottom drawer, and took out a rolled-up blueprint.

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