Make France Great Again-Chapter 202 The March of Suffering

"Republican legislators are waiting for me at the Elysee Palace? What do they want to do?"

Jerome Bonaparte looked at Percy in confusion, as if he was asking Percy.

In theory, the relationship between the Republican legislators and him was not close, akin to old acquaintances who never interacted.

He had once tacitly approved the Order Party’s suppression of the Republican Faction, causing their power to decline to a level lower than even the Elysée Palace Faction.

Could they possibly want to recruit him as a vanguard against the Order Party?

Jerome Bonaparte immediately dismissed this idea.

If the Republican Faction really had the intention, he wouldn’t mind playing a role in their ranks after abandoning the Order Party.

But after he dismissed Audion Barrot, the Republican Faction made no moves. Is it not too late to recruit him now?

"Your Majesty!" Percy cautiously revealed his guess: "Could it be related to the state of martial law? The election time is approaching!"

"State of martial law? Election!" With Percy’s reminder, Jerome Bonaparte immediately recalled the regulation that the Legislative Assembly must be postponed during the state of martial law.

"The Republican Faction still wants to overturn the election?" Jerome Bonaparte showed a mocking expression. In his view, the Republican Faction’s demise would come completely after the state of martial law was lifted.

Thiers’ order to limit universal suffrage was a fatal blow aimed at the Republican Faction and the Mountain Party.

Of course, they are not aware of Thiers’ plan now.

Since they insist on courting death, Jerome Bonaparte certainly wouldn’t mind giving them a slight push from behind.

The life of the Legislative Assembly is entering a countdown to its end!

"Let’s go! Back to the Elysee Palace!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Percy.

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

Accompanied by Percy, Jerome Bonaparte summoned all members of the Ministry of War to the conference hall to convey his care for the army. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

After several purges, the Ministry of War had completely turned into a one-man show of the Bonaparte Faction, both the administrative and military bureaucrats applauded Jerome Bonaparte.

At the end of the meeting, Jerome Bonaparte smiled and said: "Ladies and gentlemen, a new era has arrived. We must arm our army with new thoughts on military building and strengthen our combat power with new equipment! I hope that the Ministry of War and the Secretariat will more proactively cooperate with other departments to face this transformation. The future European Continent will undeniably belong to all of France! Long live France!"

"Long live France, long live Bonaparte, long live the Empire!" Members of the Ministry of War cheered in unison.

Jerome Bonaparte looked at his colleagues in the Ministry of War with satisfaction and waved them goodbye as he left the Ministry of War.

After seeing Jerome Bonaparte off, Minister Renio returned to his ministerial office and ordered his secretary to summon Secretary of State Saint Arno.

"Sit down!" Minister Renio, without assuming the stance of a superior, invited Saint Arno to sit down with a calm attitude.

In Minister Renio’s view, although Saint Arno’s position was a notch lower than his own, his military rank and future potential were on par with his own.

Renio had heard the President mention more than once the need to separate administrative and military orders, and Saint Arno, who controlled the Military Secretariat, would undoubtedly one day become a peer of the Ministry of War, having no need to treat a peer military officer with a commanding attitude.

"Minister!" General Saint Arno maintained a respectful attitude towards Minister Renio, which was beneficial for him in strictly adhering to the military hierarchical etiquette.

"Did you hear clearly what His Majesty just said?" Minister Renio asked Saint Arno.

"Are you referring to cooperation with other departments?" The quick-witted Saint Arno instantly captured the main point of Jerome Bonaparte’s message.

"That’s right!" Renio nodded in satisfaction and said, "The President intends for us to strengthen cooperation with the Ministry of Railways. I hope this cooperation can start from the Military Secretariat!"

"Minister, what do you want me to do?" Saint Arno asked Minister Renio.

"The Ministry of Railways has already been established. I hope the Secretariat can allocate some personnel to set up a permanent office at the Ministry of Railways, strengthening the connection between the military and the Ministry of Railways!" Minister Renio offered his suggestion.

"This..." General Saint Arno hesitated for a moment.

No one understands better than him the quirky characters under his command (a term of endearment). As a group of military elites with a bright future, making them obediently stay in the Ministry of War to devise operational plans for the Near East region and map out movements is acceptable only because of the promising future of the Military Secretariat. What future do they have in a stationed institution?

For an excellent elite eager to fight on the battlefield, dealing with coal, charts, and data all day long, mechanically performing tedious calculations, and breathing air full of black dust—what could be more terrifying than this?

"What’s wrong? Is there any difficulty?" Minister Renio asked with concern.

"No problem!" General Saint Arno replied firmly.

Since the minister has entrusted the task to the Military Secretariat, Saint Arno cannot disappoint the expectations of the President and the Minister.

Arranging personnel for institutional deployment is simple; just force them to go, and anyone unwilling to comply will be stripped of their military uniform and sent home.

Experience in managing the army in Africa taught Saint Arno that the stronger you control the army, the more obedient they become.

Conversely, if you are weak, the army will gradually disregard your orders.

"Good!" Minister Renio revealed a satisfied smile, having Saint Arno as a partner undoubtedly saved him a lot of trouble, as Saint Arno would often represent him in places where he found it inconvenient to appear and relieve those whom he found it inappropriate to dismiss.

In general, Saint Arno is a competent executor (a tool).

Poor members of the Military Secretariat were unaware that they were about to be dispatched by their superior to the Ministry of Railways’ construction troops for daily calculations and inspections.

...

The carriage carried President of the Republic, Jerome Bonaparte, and Secretary General Percy back to the Elysee Palace.

By this time, it was around 4 p.m., and the sky of Paris was gradually darkening.

In the last glow of the sunset, the winter wind howled, striking the glass of the Elysee Palace with a "crackling" sound.

This was the last dawn before darkness.

Under Percy’s guidance, Jerome Bonaparte quickly arrived at the room where the Republican Faction deputies were located.

Gently opening the door, Jerome Bonaparte saw many former acquaintances.

Cafenak, Camden, Bastide... He walked up to Lamartine with a smile and extended his hand to Lamartine, saying: "Mr. Lamartine, esteemed deputies, welcome to the Elysee Palace!"

"Mr. President, thank you for taking the time to meet with us despite your busy schedule!" Lamartine immediately complimented Jerome Bonaparte.

After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, they proceeded to the main topic.

"Mr. Lamartine, with such a congregation of deputies coming to the Elysee Palace, what do you seek to achieve?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Lamartine with a continued smile.

"Mr. President, we have come regarding the state of martial law! My party and I unanimously believe that the criminal elements and those who attempted to harm you have been dealt with, and the martial law can be lifted! We no longer need to keep the Parisians in a state of constant fear." Lamartine earnestly explained to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Fear?" Jerome Bonaparte’s smile faded as he adopted a serious expression and said, "I don’t believe the Parisians have anything to fear now! Is the current environment worse than before? Are our troops more frightening than the insects lurking in Paris? Or is it that..."

Jerome Bonaparte glanced around, questioning, "Some among you are accomplices with those criminal elements! Are you here to plead on their behalf?"

As soon as these words were spoken, many present dared not refute.

Striking at criminal organizations is always politically correct, and they dared not question this fundamental issue.

Jerome Bonaparte’s questioning rendered Lamartine speechless.

Bastide stepped forward again to speak to Jerome Bonaparte: "Mr. President, none of us are accomplices with those criminals. We agree with your decision to combat these criminal organizations. Most of them have already been eradicated by the army, and the remaining ones can be left to the police. There’s no need to waste resources for their elimination; what Paris needs now is peace."

"Do you mean lifting the state of martial law will bring peace to the Parisians?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired calmly, changing from his severe tone.

"Mr. President, the Parisians yearn for freedom. Military control may earn their gratitude in the short term, but if prolonged, it will only make them feel confined, and their gratitude will turn into resentment. We need to lift the martial law before the Parisians develop any grievances, allowing Paris to return to peace! The Parisians will forever remember everything you have done!" Bastide avoided mentioning any benefits to them from lifting martial law but instead highlighted the benefits it would bring to the President.

This demonstrated the qualities of a competent politician. Compared to Bastide, Lamartine and Cafenak seemed immature.

Jerome Bonaparte pondered for a moment, then feigned reluctance as he asked Bastide: "What about the series of incidents that occurred during the martial law..."

"Since they were accidents, there is no point in discussing them!" Bastide immediately replied on behalf of Lamartine, suggesting all matters during the martial law period would be consigned to the past after it was lifted.

"I agree to lift the state of martial law!"

Bastide and the other Republican Faction deputies all displayed expressions of joy.

"However..."

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