Make France Great Again-Chapter 157 Party Strife and Division

September 20, 1849, only 10 days remained before the end of the Legislative Assembly recess.

In these last 10 days, many noble deputies residing in countryside castles had gradually returned to France. They needed to use the remaining time to communicate and discuss amongst themselves, then strive to solidify their political goals before the Legislative Assembly resumed.

Should they support Audion Barrot or oppose Audion Barrot?

Hence, the three great leaders of the Orthodox Faction, Berlier, Count Falu, and Count of Montalambert, gathered in a mansion in Vosges Square (the mansion belonged to Berlier) to deliberate on strategies.

[New Orthodox Faction Leader Berlier, Orthodox Faction (Church Right Wing) Count Falu, Orthodox Faction (Church Left Wing Liberal Catholic Thought) Count of Montalambert]

The three sat silently on red velvet cushioned sofas centered around a walnut square table, the atmosphere in the living room sunk into a heavy silence, one could hear their steady breathing if they listened closely.

The silent scene didn’t last long; as the servant placed Bordeaux wine on the table with an aluminum tray, the host Berlier spoke immediately, "Why don’t we have some wine before we continue our discussion?"

As Berlier spoke, he skillfully pulled out the already loosened cork.

Montalambert and Falu exchanged glances and nodded in agreement with Berlier’s suggestion.

Berlier poured the wine into three crystal-clear glasses, the crimson wine emitted a faint scent, with a few "naughty" drops spilling onto the walnut table.

Berlier handed the wine to Count Falu and Count of Montalambert, raised his glass, and said, "Let us toast to the health and longevity of our monarch! May we seize France from the hands of the mobs and return it to God!"

Berlier’s devout words struck a chord with Count of Montalambert and Count Falu.

Since the Bourbon Dynasty was usurped by the Orleans Clan, their days had worsened, and under the dual imprint of the Orthodox Faction and Catholicism, Montalambert and Falu faced more severe restrictions than Berlier, as De Orleans would never allow anyone to threaten his throne.

Until 1848, the onset of the February Revolution dismantled De Orleans and his kingdom. Only then were they relieved of vigilant oversight, yet the crown of France did not return to the main branch of the Bourbons; it was seized by mobs and placed upon the leader of the Bonaparte Faction.

Though the result was not entirely desired, at least it did not end up with the Republican Faction.

The Church’s situation was somewhat improved compared to during the Orleans Kingdom period, but it still could not compare to when the Bourbon main branch was in power.

"Taking the crown from the hands of the mobs and giving it to God? That’s well said!"

After a brief resonance, Count Falu had to return to reality, quietly repeating Berlier’s words, but with an unusually calm tone.

"Indeed!" Montalambert also nodded in agreement with Count Falu’s opinion.

The three half-full wine glasses clinked together, and Berlier, Montalambert, and Falu downed the wine in one gulp.

Berlier, with a slight blush, exhaled and said, "Mr. Falu, Mr. Montalambert, what do you think about the opinions proposed by those fellows from the Orleans Faction?"

Count Falu and Count Montalambert were momentarily taken aback, then quickly understood what Berlier meant.

However, Falu pretended not to understand what Berlier was referring to, asking, "Mr. Berlier, we have collaborated frequently with those Orleans fellows, and have given quite a few opinions to each other. Which opinion are you referring to?"

"Yes!" Montalambert similarly echoed.

"It is... it is..." Berlier hesitated briefly before biting his teeth and said, "It’s about the alliance between the Orleans Faction and the Orthodox Faction!"

"Mr. Berlier, I think you should understand the outcome of this matter!" Count Falu gathered his smile and earnestly asked Berlier.

Berlier’s mouth showed a bitter smile.

Indeed, since he subtly hinted in Emra to Orthodox Monarch Henry V about whether he was willing to ally with the Orleans Faction, Henry V’s response was resolute.

"I will never collaborate with a regicide, a despicable usurper, nor should you!"

Count of Chambord’s response completely severed Berlier’s possibility of collaborating with the Orleans Faction. Under Count of Chambord’s direction, the Orthodox Faction had to part ways with the Orleans Faction, and the Orthodox Faction also needed to exit Audion Barrot’s cabinet.

According to Count of Chambord, "If God favors me, I shall have the fortune of becoming the monarch of France. If God is unwilling to favor me, I would rather die in obscurity."

[Of course, in the OTL world line, after Louis Napoleon took the throne, perhaps sensing the brevity of his remaining days, coupled with the intentional mediation by small groups surrounding Count of Chambord, the Count of Chambord, who once vowed never to unite with the Orleans Faction, ended up allied with the Count of Paris.]

"Lawyer Berlier, you don’t mean to disregard His Majesty’s advice, do you?" Count Falu asked Berlier.

"I..." Berlier was speechless and could only pour another glass of wine and drink it up.

Being stuck with a monarch like Henry V, who doesn’t know how to adapt, seems to be Berlier’s blessing from eight lifetimes.

"Gentlemen, aren’t we here to discuss Mr. Audion Barrot?" Montalambert tried to mediate.

"Since His Majesty (Henry V) has decided not to collaborate with the Orleans Faction, what can we do then!" Count Falu emphasized, glancing at Berlier, "We can only comply with His Majesty’s opinion and break away from the Orleans Faction!"

"Mr. Falu, I think there’s no need for us to break with the Orléans Faction so quickly," Berlier opposed. "We should continue to support them, as supporting them is beneficial to us as well!"

"Mr. Berlier, are you going to disregard His Majesty’s orders?" Count Falu immediately labeled Berlier.

"I’m not ignoring His Majesty’s intentions!" Berlier explained. "We should leave some room for negotiation with the Orléans Faction, in case one day His Majesty wishes to cooperate with them. We wouldn’t be..."

"Mr. Berlier, I disagree with you!" Count Falu refuted Berlier. "We should serve the Monarch wholeheartedly and must not overstep our bounds.

Mr. Berlier, do you think you are in a position to act on behalf of His Majesty’s intentions?"

Berlier was at a loss for words, suddenly realizing that his plan to form a united front with Count Falu and Count of Montalambert seemed to have gone awry, as his allies had other thoughts.

"I agree with Count Falu!" Count of Montalambert immediately sided with Count Falu. "We should listen to the Monarch wholeheartedly and must not exhibit any presumptuous behavior!"

Facing pressure from the Monarch’s supporters in both left and right-wing Church Faction of the Orthodox Faction, the isolated Berlier had no recourse.

A meeting of the Orthodox Faction, whether to oppose or support Barrow, ended with the majority opposing Barrow.

Count Falu and Count of Montalambert left Berlier’s mansion together, leaving behind an angry Berlier.

As Falu was about to board his carriage, a hand was placed on his shoulder.

Count Falu looked back to find it was Count of Montalambert. freēnovelkiss.com

"Mr. Falu, could you walk with me for a while?" Montalambert smiled at Falu.

Falu nodded and then ordered the coachman to leave, strolling down the boulevard with Montalambert.

"Falu, what exactly do you want to do?" Montalambert asked calmly.

"Nothing much," Falu replied and then added, "I just want to leave some seeds for the Church."

"Are you so doubtful of Count of Chambord?" Montalambert asked Falu again.

"I thought Count of Chambord would change, but who knew..." Falu sighed, gazing worried into the distance. "Montalambert, we are not just Monarchists (Orthodox Faction), we are also representatives of the Church!"

"Indeed!" Montalambert sighed with a wry smile, "We have the Church behind us!"

At this moment, Montalambert and Falu reached a consensus.

...

"Your Majesty, Count Falu has arrived!"

A servant reported the arrival of Count Falu to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Hmm?" Jerome Bonaparte showed a puzzled expression, unsure why Minister Falu was looking for him. "Quick, bring him in!"

"Yes!"

Led by the Elysee Palace servant, Falu entered the study.

"Mr. President!" Falu respectfully addressed Jerome Bonaparte.

"Please, sit down, Mr. Falu," Jerome Bonaparte invited Falu to sit.

After Falu was seated, Jerome Bonaparte spoke again, "I wonder, what brings you to see me, Minister Falu?"

"Mr. President, I’ve heard that you are planning to replace Prime Minister Audion Barrot, is that right?" Count Falu straightforwardly asked Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte’s expression changed subtly, realizing that there are indeed no walls without ears.

"That’s right!" Jerome Bonaparte admitted frankly. "I believe Audion Barrot is not suitable for the position of Prime Minister!"

"We just discussed this matter!"

Count Falu recounted what happened at Berlier’s mansion to Jerome Bonaparte, including the news that the Orthodox Faction would break with the Orléans Faction.

"Why tell me this? Aren’t you allied with them (New Orthodox Faction)?" Jerome Bonaparte questioned.

"Mr. President, we are not only backed by them, but also by the Church! Sometimes, we must prioritize the interests of the Church, Count of Chambord he..."

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