Make France Great Again-Chapter 167 Bonaparte Cabinet

Jerome Bonaparte’s sudden assault left Audion Barrot momentarily unresponsive, never expecting such an outcome from what he thought would be just an ordinary meeting.

In fact, a few days before the opening of the parliament, Audion Barrot had heard some rumors that Jerome Bonaparte might dismiss him.

At first, he didn’t take it seriously, but as more and more members hinted to him, Audion Barrot became a bit wary. However, not having the support of the parliament, he didn’t dare to fall out with Jerome Bonaparte, and he was also filled with confidence, believing that once dismissed, Jerome Bonaparte would be unable to gather enough people to form a cabinet. During the five days after the opening of the parliament, he both sought alliance with members of the Order Party and guarded against Jerome Bonaparte.

As time passed, Audion Barrot’s vigilance gradually decreased, as all signs suggested Jerome Bonaparte had no intention to dismiss him.

Unexpectedly, Jerome Bonaparte launched his attack with lightning speed, leaving him now in a state of confusion.

"Mr. President, where did I go wrong?" Audion Barrot asked mechanically, his eyes vacant, seeming less like an eloquent parliamentarian and more like a woman wounded by a scoundrel.

"Mr. Barrow! Ever since you took the position of Prime Minister, you have diligently organized the cabinet’s affairs every day." Jerome Bonaparte praised Audion Barrot’s work ethic: "Therefore, I will grant you the Glory Medal to honor your contributions to France during this period."

Having finished speaking, Jerome Bonaparte turned to place the Glory Medal from the table into his right hand, then turned back to face Audion Barrot, personally fastening the medal onto him.

Throughout the process, Audion Barrot did not say a word, like a soulless puppet at the mercy of Jerome Bonaparte.

After hanging the Glory Medal on Audion Barrot’s chest, Jerome Bonaparte clapped for him all by himself.

"Mr. President, why dismiss me?" Audion Barrot repeated his earlier question, this time with a tone that revealed his anger to Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte was completely indifferent to Audion Barrot’s feelings. A politician without power is like a toothless tiger—no, even a tiger would roar twice; politicians only swallow their broken teeth. Any disgraceful behavior means utter defeat, not to mention other rash actions. He believed Audion Barrot wouldn’t do anything unwise; the ups and downs for politicians were quite normal.

With a calm tone, Jerome Bonaparte responded to Audion Barrot: "Prime Minister Barrow... no, I think I should call you Mr. Barrow; you should understand why I dismissed you!"

Then, Jerome Bonaparte sighed and shook his head: "Mr. Barrow, I thought we would make great partners! I never expected you to do this!"

"Stop disguising!" Audion Barrot growled: "You never intended for me to always be Prime Minister from the beginning, did you? You despicable ambitious man! Your goal is merely to monopolize power, and all you said were just false excuses!"

Jerome Bonaparte continued to look at Audion Barrot with a smile. He did not expect Barrot’s loss of composure. He thought everyone would be like that old fox Thiers, maintaining a composed expression regardless of gaining or losing power.

"Say what you will, Mr. Barrow!" Jerome Bonaparte said with a regretful expression: "I do indeed have the idea of holding all power, but I will still choose to respect the National Assembly!"

"Respect the National Assembly?" Audion Barrot laughed angrily; he could not believe someone could shamelessly claim to respect the National Assembly.

Jerome Bonaparte quietly observed Audion Barrot until his laughter subsided, then responded in a stern tone: "Mr. Barrow, I once consulted the members who stayed in Paris regarding whether or not to dismiss you. Guess what they said?"

"What did they say?" Audion Barrot was also curious about his Order Party colleagues’ attitudes toward him.

"They opposed my dismissing you!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Audion Barrot.

Audion Barrot paused briefly, then a smile of relief appeared on his face.

The next second, Jerome Bonaparte shattered Audion Barrot’s relief with cold words: "Their opposition is nothing more than a few words! If they really didn’t want to see you step down, it wouldn’t be like this! I said, I respect the opinion of the National Assembly, but I don’t respect the opinion of fence-sitters!"

Audion Barrot’s relieved expression vanished into thin air.

Indeed! If the party members had staunchly supported him, he wouldn’t have been dismissed. The Emperor’s nephew wouldn’t fear a group of fence-sitters.

"Your Excellency, you won! We all underestimated you!" Audion Barrot’s mouth showed a desolate smile: "I, Thiers, Molay, all of us, gave too much power to the President back then!"

"Mr. Barrow, didn’t you have personal motives at that time?" Jerome Bonaparte questioned: "Who exactly granted the President immense power? It surely wasn’t me! After all, you just wanted to establish another King!"

"Yes!" Audion Barrot readily admitted his initial thought, "If we hadn’t been selfish back then, you wouldn’t have risen to power!"

For Audion Barrot, he had already lost this round, but he would not always lose; he would return sooner or later.

In French politics, the change of government prime ministers or prime ministers happens so frequently that it has long been common.

"Mr. Barrot, if no one were selfish, would you still be divided? Would you still choose to welcome back Orleans?" Jerome Bonaparte mercilessly punctured Audion Barrot’s lingering hopes.

If the Orléans Faction could truly unite sincerely, the Republican Faction and other parties would be suppressed below them, unable to move.

"Mr. President, may I dare to ask, who will take my position next?" Audion Barrot inquired.

Based on his understanding of Thiers and Molay, they would definitely not enter the cabinet.

If they had wanted to at the time, they could have completely taken on the role of Cabinet Prime Minister.

The Duke Broi was also unlikely to join the Bonaparte Faction. [Audion Barrot didn’t know that, influenced by the Count of Chambord, the Duke Broi was already considering joining the Bonaparte Faction.]

Only the likes of the Orléans Faction remained.

After a moment of silence, Jerome Bonaparte spoke the name of the Prime Minister, "I will appoint Count Opler as Prime Minister!" freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

"Count Opler?" Jerome Bonaparte’s answer left Audion Barrot somewhat incredulous, "That brute who only knows war? My successor?"

"That’s right! It’s him!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded to Audion Barrot in response.

Audion Barrot once again showed a hint of self-deprecation, never expecting that his successor would be such a person.

"Mr. President, you’re preparing to use Count Opler as a puppet in your hands, aren’t you!" Audion Barrot leisurely watched Jerome Bonaparte, "A soldier and a mimic, what a marvelous combination!"

Of course, Jerome Bonaparte would not admit his intentions. He humbly said to Audion Barrot, "I will respect Count Opler’s choices, just as I respected yours back then!"

Audion Barrot clearly could not believe that Jerome Bonaparte would truly respect Count Opler.

Since Count Opler was willing to become Prime Minister, it meant he had already voluntarily become Jerome Bonaparte’s puppet, and the ousted Audion Barrot could hardly meddle further.

"Mr. President, after I resign, the cabinet members are sure to be dissolved too, right?" Audion Barrot asked Jerome Bonaparte with composure.

"Aside from a few capable leaders, I will dismiss the majority of ministers!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded in response to Audion Barrot and added, "After you resign, your brother, Ferdinand Barrot, will become the Minister of Internal Affairs!"

"That guy Ferdinand has been one of your people from the start, right?" Audion Barrot displayed a bitter smile. He had long heard of his inept brother joining the Bonaparte Faction, but he simply had no time to confirm it.

Jerome Bonaparte nodded and explained the context to Audion Barrot, "Mr. Ferdinand joined us this June, willingly striving alongside us!"

"Alas!" Audion Barrot sighed again. His elder brother was a Republican, his younger brother was with the Bonaparte Faction, and he was with the Orléans Faction. A perfectly good family had ended up like this, "Mr. President, when do you plan to announce my dismissal?"

Jerome Bonaparte glanced at his pocket watch; the time was 9:30, "I will announce your replacement in half an hour!"

"Your actions are indeed swift! I am not losing unfairly!" Audion Barrot cast a look of admiration toward Jerome Bonaparte.

"Oh, and one more thing! Mr. Barrot, you should still be wary of Mr. Thiers! His ambitions are quite grand?" Jerome Bonaparte, with intentions of setting a trap, "warned" Thiers.

"I know!"

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