Make France Great Again-Chapter 107: The Army and the Railway

For Jerome Bonaparte, completing the main lines of the French railway network ahead of schedule, especially the Paris—Strasbourg and Paris—Marseille lines, is an urgent task.

The former is an important pillar for Jerome Bonaparte to attack Germany in the future, and the latter is a preparation for the Crimean War a few years later. He does not want to rely on Britain’s transport capabilities like his cousin in history.

Establishing a comprehensive military logistics support system is the first step in his military reforms, and breaking through Marseille’s railway network is the first move to support military logistics. He cannot wait until the verge of war to think of building railways. If so, he would be no different from his historical cousin.

"Rest assured, Mr. President. I promise to complete it within four years!" Alfred Picaud, a technical advisor and Railway Commission member, assured Jerome Bonaparte, patting his chest.

Although he still worried whether the Ministry of Finance would approve the project, since the President repeatedly assured him that the funds would be in place, he feared he might be dismissed if he continued to dampen the enthusiasm.

As a technical bureaucrat, Picaud only needed to complete the tasks assigned to him by the President and the country.

"By the way, Mr. Picaud!" Jerome Bonaparte continued reading the materials sent by Picaud and said, "If... I mean if..."

Jerome Bonaparte emphasized, "If a force of about 100,000 people gathered in Paris and traveled in batches by train to Marseille, could you completely deliver them within twenty days?"

"Mr. President, we..." Alfred Pierka, stunned by Jerome Bonaparte’s hypothesis, understood the president’s subtext. Other than the military, he couldn’t imagine what would require transporting 100,000 people at once.

What does the President intend to do?

Alfred Picaud’s heart trembled, and he didn’t know how to answer Jerome Bonaparte for a moment, or rather, he was afraid to answer, even though he knew the answer.

For Alfred Picaud, sometimes it’s better to be blissfully ignorant about certain matters.

He was just a mid-level bureaucrat in the national system, entrusted by Minister Mornay with the role of Railway Commission member, so he should stand together with Mr. Mornay.

Jerome Bonaparte noticed Alfred Picaud’s emotional fluctuation and quickly added, "Mr. Picaud, I am asking you from a national defense perspective! After all, France needs some self-defense capability. We must not wait until others invade us to counterattack. If you can’t answer, it’s okay; just treat it as a lubricant question!"

"Mr. President, based on France’s current system, transporting 100,000 people in twenty days is quite difficult! Unless..." Alfred Picaud paused.

"Unless what?" Jerome Bonaparte immediately inquired.

Alfred Picaud glanced at Mornay, gritted his teeth, and stated his conclusion, "Unless the Railway Commission’s weight is increased, and the engineering troops maintain a certain pace with the military!"

The solution proposed by Alfred Picaud reminded Jerome Bonaparte of the ministry of railways and railway troops from his previous life.

However, now is clearly not a good time to separate the Railway Commission from the Ministry of Public Works’ control.

Without mentioning the approval process required to add a new department in France’s political system, the upcoming issuance of bonds by the Ministry of Public Works is already a hurdle.

If the Railway Commission were to be separated, the railway approvals, railway company stock issuance, and the railway-related bond section of the Public Works Ministry would all need to be cut.

The Ministry of Public Works, whose interests would be harmed, definitely would not let it go without a fight — not openly confrontational, but certainly resistant in private.

If progress is delayed, Jerome Bonaparte would indeed end up with a futile attempt.

Not to mention establishing a Ministry of Railways, determining who would become its minister poses another significant issue.

"You can discuss the Railway Commission’s weight issue with Minister Mornay, and the engineering troops and military should maintain regular communication," the relatively powerless Jerome Bonaparte could only laugh off the issue.

Alfred Picaud’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Minister Mornay, the railway is a crucial element for our nation’s transportation, defense, and even the prosperity and stability of trade! I hope you can strictly oversee it so that the railway doesn’t become a laughing stock for other nations! I will also frequently visit the Ministry of Public Works and railway sites for inspection!" Jerome Bonaparte sternly addressed Mornay.

In a bureaucratic France, the quality of projects often depends on the leaders’ level of attention.

"Yes!" Mornay was also aware of Jerome Bonaparte’s emphasis on railroads; otherwise, he wouldn’t have "stubbornly" pushed his railway policy.

Over the past half month of interaction, Mornay learned that Jerome Bonaparte allowed close acquaintances to take some liberties, provided they performed their duties well.

Otherwise, he would not hesitate to scold them mercilessly.

Browsing through half of the documents, Jerome Bonaparte placed them back on the table and said to Alfred Picaud and Mornay, "Mr. Picaud, Mornay, I hope you can quickly complete the Railway Commission’s preparations. I want to see the railway’s construction start in the second half of this year! There’s no problem, right?"

"No problem!" Mornay immediately responded. With nearly five months until the second half of the year, he had enough time to start construction and issue the first batch of bonds.

"If there’s nothing else, you may leave!" Jerome Bonaparte politely issued a dismissal to the two of them.

Mornay and Alfred Picaud departed, leaving only Jerome Bonaparte and Marchioness Aile in the parlor.

"Madam, you just overheard national secrets word for word!" Jerome Bonaparte teased Marchioness Aile with exaggerated words.

"So, Mr. President, are you planning to detain me on charges of treason?" Marchioness Aile’s voice was as soft as cotton candy.

"That depends on Madam’s will!" Jerome Bonaparte replied with a serious expression.

Marchioness Aile giggled.

As Jerome Bonaparte’s old flame, she certainly understood the implication. Her pale arms encircled Jerome Bonaparte’s neck, and her body moved from the chair to sit on Jerome Bonaparte’s right leg.

Just as the two were about to proceed to the next step, Percy barged into the room.

Seeing this, Marchioness Aile intended to separate, but Jerome Bonaparte held her tightly and signaled Percy with his eyes to continue.

Unperturbed by the scene, Percy walked up to Jerome Bonaparte and said, "Your Majesty, Mr. Victor Hugo has arrived!"

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