Make France Great Again-Chapter 170: The Ministry of Railways and the Military Parade
Chapter 170: Chapter 170: The Ministry of Railways and the Military Parade
Mornay’s words aroused the ministers’ desires for money after they had purchased public works bonds, hoping that the bonds in their hands would continue to appreciate.
"Moreover..." Mornay paused and turned his gaze towards Minister of War Reniao.
Minister Reniao knew that it was his turn to act. He too stood up and placed two documents in front of Jerome Bonaparte and Opler.
Prime Minister Opler, who had only read half of Mornay’s documents, now saw the documents placed on the table by General Reniao, with the prominent title "Railway and Army Modernization" on the cover.
Prime Minister Opler put down Mornay’s documents and turned to study Reniao’s documents. In his heart, the army was more important than the government.
Due to the lesser content, General Opler quickly finished reading it, and Jerome Bonaparte, who was already aware of the contents, also hastily browsed through.
"Colleagues, we are experiencing a transformation!" General Reniao said with passion, "It is not something else bringing us this change, but the railway! I once had a conversation with the Austrian army near Rome, and they told me that their Marshal Radetzky used the railway for rapid movement in Lombardy to swiftly defeat the slow-moving Sardinian Dynasty! In this regard, we in France cannot fall behind. The mobility of railways will allow us to reach designated positions more quickly! Such speed was unimaginable during the Emperor’s time..."
General Reniao advocated for the army to use the railways for rapid mobilization, establishing deep exchanges between the army and the Railway Commission. Ideally, the army and the Railway Commission would exchange personnel to reside in each other’s departments.
However, due to the Railway Commission’s administrative level not on par with the Ministry of War, both sides faced an awkward issue of administrative affiliation. A scholarly-type military bureaucrat coming for exchange and study was even higher in rank than leaders of the commission’s sub-bureaus, causing awkward issues of command.
"We urgently hope that the Railway Commission can form an independent department, thus facilitating equivalent exchanges and learning with the Ministry of War! The situation we face does not allow us to be complacent!" General Reniao asserted with unwavering tone.
After the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of War, Bi Fei from the Agriculture and Commerce Department also indicated that telegraph lines would be adjusted along the railway...
Based on needs for both money and strategy, Prime Minister Opler deliberated for a long time before finally making a decision.
"Minister Mornay, do you have confidence in establishing the Ministry of Railways? Will it affect the entire Ministry of Public Works!" Prime Minister Opler finally asked Mornay.
"Rest assured, Mr. Prime Minister, the severance of the Railway Commission from the Ministry of Public Works will not be a problem!" Mornay assured Opler.
In fact, he wasn’t quite sure if issues might arise, as the bonds gathered in six months had already been tied to the interests of some in the Ministry of Public Works. Expecting them not to resist at all was impossible, and he could only do his best to minimize turbulence.
"Since that’s the case, then I agree to your proposal to sever the Railway Commission!" Prime Minister Opler again turned his gaze to Jerome Bonaparte: "Mr. President, what do you think?"
"I think it’s feasible!" The founder of the plan to sever the Railway Commission, Jerome Bonaparte, naturally agreed with Opler’s opinion.
"Then who will serve as the new Minister of Railways?" Prime Minister Opler posed the question that all ministers coveted, as the Ministry of Railways, free from internal interference from the Ministry of Public Works, would undoubtedly soar.
This was akin to a mouse lying in a granary full of rice, where just a little theft would yield great profits.
"Whoever raised the question should take the position!" Jerome Bonaparte suggested.
Jerome Bonaparte’s words dispelled the ministers’ ambitions of becoming the Minister of Railways.
"That’s also good! Whoever proposes, takes responsibility!" Prime Minister Opler nodded with a smile: "Minister Mornay, you may have to work hard for a while, as establishing the Ministry of Railways is not easy!"
"For France, I will not decline!" Mornay said fervently, clenching his fist.
"During this period, you will continue to serve as Minister of Public Works until the Ministry of Railways is fully established!" Prime Minister Opler generously extended the resignation period with understanding.
"Yes, Mr. Prime Minister!" Mornay replied.
After concluding the first task of the Ministry of Railways, there were no major issues to discuss next, except for the Ministry of Finance’s appropriations, the Navy’s shipbuilding plan, and the War Department’s matters regarding the Roman Republic’s subsequent expenses.
Or rather, Jerome Bonaparte did not want to address all the problems at once, as this could lead the Prime Minister Opler to disengage.
Yikes!
Jerome Bonaparte knew all too well that the prime minister he appointed was merely someone who wished to sail smoothly through his term, and excessive unrest might well prompt his withdrawal.
At the end of the meeting, Minister of War Reniao once again proposed a resolution to the Cabinet meeting.
"Mr. President! I believe we should strengthen the military’s sense of honor, so that more people are willing to join the army!" Minister of War Reniao suggested indirectly.
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[Although France ostensibly has a national conscription system, in reality, it is a substitution system. The urban bourgeoisie only have to grit their teeth and pay 3000 francs to have someone else serve in the military in their place, so most conscripts come from rural areas.]
However, some promotion of honor can still be beneficial. If it indeed attracts a group of foolish... no, patriotic young people to join the military and serve France, it would undoubtedly be a welcome outcome.
"What’s your plan?" Prime Minister Opler asked Reniao straightforwardly.
"We plan to move the Roman Expeditionary Army stationed in Lyon to Paris, to be reviewed by you, Mr. President, and the Prime Minister personally!" Minister Reniao said to Prime Minister Opler.
Reviewing the troops is undoubtedly the best opportunity to enhance influence, and Reniao couldn’t believe that Prime Minister Opler wouldn’t want to elevate his prestige.
"How many people do you want to deploy!" Prime Minister Opler asked General Reniao again, as if there was more implied in his tone.
"Mr. Prime Minister, I believe the number of participants in the parade should be around 5000 people!" Reniao responded to Prime Minister Opler without hesitation.
"5000 people? This means some troops will be relocated from Paris!" Prime Minister Opler said to General Reniao word by word.
Faced with Prime Minister Opler’s nearly oppressive words, General Reniao responded with composure: "Every troop in Paris should be under government control, and the government has the right to decide their deployment!"
"I agree with Minister Reniao’s view. Some troops in Paris should relocate too!" Jerome Bonaparte inserted himself into the conversation to relieve some pressure off Minister Reniao.
The Prime Minister Opler summed up looked at Minister Reniao, glanced at Jerome Bonaparte, and sighed deeply: "I agree with your proposal in principle, but I hope you can discuss it with Shang Jia’nie on this matter, all the troops in Paris are under his command!"
"Of course!" Minister Reniao nodded and said: "I will inform General Shang Jia’nie after the meeting concludes!"
"Hmm!" said Prime Minister Opler, nodding to approve General Reniao’s request for the parade.
The meeting ended with a conclusive speech by Prime Minister Opler, with Jerome Bonaparte and Minister Reniao taking a carriage together to the Elysee Palace.
Jerome Bonaparte, getting off the carriage, immediately said to Percy who came to greet him: "Mr. Percy, please go to General Shang Jia’nie’s residence and tell him I have something urgent to discuss with him!"
"Yes!" Percy received the white horse handed over by the guards and rode to notify General Shang Jia’nie’s residence.
"Let’s go!" Jerome Bonaparte motioned to Minister Reniao to go to the drawing room.
The two waited in the drawing room for about an hour before the door slowly opened.
With grey temples, a face full of wrinkles, and a weary expression, Changarnier was led by Percy to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Mr. President!" Changarnier lowered his once proud head to greet Jerome Bonaparte, then glanced at Minister Reniao and reverted to his original expression, "Minister Reniao!"
Since Jerome Bonaparte suddenly dismissed Audion Barrot on October 20th, Changarnier, aware of losing an ally, moved closer to the Elysee Palace.
[Changarnier’s character is haughty, and his relationship with the Order Party has always been lukewarm.]
With Jerome Bonaparte’s indulgence, he has self-styled himself as a Royalist Faction member and the President’s Protector. Under his dual identity, Changarnier seemed somewhat delusional in thinking Jerome Bonaparte would embrace him.
"Please sit, Commander Changarnier," Jerome Bonaparte smiled and extended a hand to invite Changarnier to sit.
While not completely isolating Changarnier yet, goodwill should be shown to confuse Changarnier.
After sitting down, Changarnier still could not shed his arrogant "President’s Guard" demeanor and in a condescending tone asked: "Mr. President, I wonder what business you have with me?"
"It’s like this..." Jerome Bonaparte conveyed the contents discussed in the Cabinet meeting to Changarnier.
"A 5000-strong force?" Changarnier eyed Minister Reniao suspiciously.
"That’s correct, 5000 people!" Minister Reniao replied.
"5000 troops to enter Paris means the same number must leave, am I right?" Changarnier’s tone suddenly carried an inexplicable sense.
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