Make France Great Again

September 1, 1850.

Duke Richelieu was ordered to go to Clément to mourn Louis Philippe. Due to Ames being located in the coastal area of northwestern Germany, this convenient condition saved Duke Richelieu time on land travel.

At 9 a.m., a fast steamer equipped with a high-powered steam engine carried Duke Richelieu to Britain.

Under the action of the steam engine, the fast steamer no longer needed to accommodate the wind direction and force, traveling at high speed through the Northern Sea.

After a day and night's voyage, the steamer finally arrived in London on the afternoon of September 2.

After disembarking, Duke Richelieu did not head to Claymont Village immediately. Instead, he went to partake in gambling activities at the racetrack after leaving the London Dock, stopping only after losing all his current funds.

From this point of view, Duke Richelieu was not completely decadent; to some extent, he was even progressive.

As for why Duke Richelieu opposed the union of the Orléans Faction and the Orthodox Faction, a small part of the reason was his genuine hatred for Louis Philippe. His father was originally expelled from Paris by Louis Philippe and lived in exile once more. However, most of the reason is this: once they join the Orléans Faction, they would have to compromise with the Orléans Faction. Compromise means sacrificing some interests to the Orléans Faction.

But whose interests should be sacrificed? It surely can't be those guys constantly running around Paris for the King's restoration! If you don't sacrifice their interests, you inevitably have to sacrifice the "Small Court's" interests.

Long detached from the Parisian political arena, they have not had many centuries; they can only survive by relying on their monarch, which is tantamount to weakening their power.

The "Small Court" faction, led by Duke Richelieu, is naturally unwilling to unite with the Orléans Faction. Duke Richelieu is not just one person; he represents the small court surrounding him.

They can completely achieve isolation from the outside world by linking together.

Of course, all this assumes that the Count of Chambord aligns with their ideas.

However, how could the Count of Chambord, who grew up in such a decadent small court, not bear decadent fruits?

Indulging in revelry with no money left, Duke Richelieu casually found a hotel to rest, arriving at Claymont Village on the morning of the 3rd.

This was the final day of Louis Philippe's burial. No one present was surprised by Duke Richelieu's arrival.

Duke of Nemur, suppressing his grief, rose to greet Duke Richelieu, accompanied by Count Morel and others.

"Welcome to your arrival, Your Excellency the Duke!" Duke of Nemur said to Duke Richelieu with a look of worry.

Seeing Duke of Nemur's "decline," Duke Richelieu raised his head and haughtily nodded, saying, "I came at the King's command to bid farewell to the Duke of Orleans!"

Duke Richelieu's arrogant remarks made everyone present glance at him, for Louis Philippe was, after all, the king crowned and recognized by the entire French people, but in Richelieu's words, he became the Duke of Orleans.

Duke Richelieu's meaning was obvious; they were unwilling to acknowledge the so-called Kingdom of Orleans.

Prince Juaneville gave Duke Richelieu a resentful look, and the envoys from the British Court and Valerovsky also showed surprised expressions.

"Thank you for the Count of Chambord's graciousness!" Duke of Nemur, not to be outdone, also sarcastically referred to "Henry V" as the "Count of Chambord."

Duke Richelieu's expression also stiffened, and his eyes revealed anger.

From the beginning of the funeral, the Orléans Faction and the Orthodox Faction displayed a stance as hostile as fire and water.

Seeing this, Count Morel, standing beside, hurried forward to ease the atmosphere, saying, "Thank you, King Henry V, for sending an envoy to bid farewell to our King Louis Philippe!"

Count Morel's standard response provided an out for both Duke Richelieu and Duke of Nemur, and they decided to set aside their differences for the time being to let the funeral proceed.

Duke Richelieu proceeded to Louis Philippe's coffin in silence.

Old fellow, you're finally dead!

Though Duke Richelieu's expression was solemn, his heart was genuinely delighted.

"May God bless Your Excellency the Duke, and may all his glory and sins accompany the Lord into heaven together!" Duke Richelieu proclaimed loudly.

These words once again stirred agitation among the Orléans Faction.

Many members of the Orléans Faction felt Duke Richelieu didn't seem to be seeking cooperation; instead, he appeared to be deliberately causing trouble.

To avoid affecting the continuation of the funeral, the Orléans Faction and others had to suppress their inner anger.

At noon, an elder dressed in white bishop's attire appeared at the coffin, holding a Bible loudly reciting the prayers.

"May our brother be able to..."

After the prayer ended, the Bishop stepped back after sprinkling two drops of "Holy Water" on the coffin where Louis Philippe lay.

The Duke of Nemur and others, with sorrowful hearts, closed the coffin lid and lifted it onto the carriage.

The carriage, carrying the body of Louis Philippe, arrived at a hillside in Claymont Village.

With a tearful voice, Louis Philippe's wife, the former Queen of the Kingdom of Orleans, introduced to the noble by her side: "He loved this place in life!"

The coffin was slowly placed into a deep pit that had been freshly dug at the foot of the hill, shovelful by shovelful, earth slowly covered the coffin.

Looking at his father's body, which could only be buried in a foreign land, the Duke of Nemur, with tears in his eyes, silently swore an oath in his heart.

Father! It won't be long before you can return to France!

The burial of Louis Philippe's coffin was completed by 3 PM, and everyone returned with various thoughts to the villa in Claymont Village.

Many also bid farewell on their way back to Claymont Village, gradually leaving only the members of the Orthodox Faction and the Orléans Faction.

When Duke Richelieu was returning to the villa in Claymont Village and was about to leave, Count Morel blocked his way.

"Your Grace, I believe Duke Broi has already explained the situation to you," said Count Morel to Duke Richelieu.

"I know! You want to plan a merger!" Duke Richelieu displayed an indifferent attitude.

Seeing Duke Richelieu's attitude, a nameless rage surged in Count Morel's heart, and he suppressed it as he questioned Duke Richelieu, "Your Grace, we should unite! Only then can we confront the President! In his final words, King Louis Philippe expressed his regret over the past events and hoped we could set aside our grudges and work together."

Count Morel's words surprised Duke Richelieu; he hadn't expected Louis Philippe to set aside the King's pride and admit his mistakes in his final moments.

Surprised though he was, Duke Richelieu had no intention of joining forces with Count Morel: "Mr. Morel, I do not believe that without your help, our Majesty cannot ascend to the throne! The power of the monarch comes from God, not from the subjects. That is the difference between us!"

Duke Richelieu's haughty speech made Count Morel even angrier, yet he chose to suppress his anger and reason with Duke Richelieu: "Your Grace, you have probably not been acquainted with the politics of Paris for a long time! We are now suppressed by that mongrel Jerome Bonaparte. If we cannot unite, then Jerome Bonaparte will surely seize the fruit of France."

Letting Jerome Bonaparte seize it is better than yours!

Duke Richelieu scoffed inwardly.

The hatred for heresy surpassed that for heretics; the enmity between the Restoration of Bourbon and Napoleon had long faded after eighteen years.

The hatred between the Restoration of Bourbon and Orleans was the real mainstream.

"I do not think it's our lack of unity that's commendable!" Duke Richelieu instantly found a reason to retort: "If you could serve the monarch wholeheartedly as we do, we would be fully capable of placing our monarch on the throne. But you cannot, you are indecisive, you have no ability to return the monarch's power to God. You wish to rely on our strength to help you achieve your goals, and I tell you it is impossible!"

"Duke Richelieu, that is not what we previously discussed!" Now realizing Richelieu had no intention of merging, Count Morel also changed his attitude and spoke coldly.

"I am unaware of any agreement Broi made with you!" Duke Richelieu bluntly cut off Count Morel and others' attempts: "I can tell you! As long as we exist, we will never unite with the usurper."

"You..." Count Morel pointed at Duke Richelieu, unable to speak.

Duke Richelieu strode out of the room, leaving Claymont Village.

When the Duke of Nemur inquired about the merger news, Count Morel replied apologetically: "I'm sorry! Your Highness, they have no desire to unite with us!"

Disappointment flashed across Nemur's face, but he had to comfort Morel: "Count Morel, I believe that under your and Mr. Thiers' leadership, we can certainly return to France without them!"

"I believe so too!" Count Morel forced a smile and replied to the Duke of Nemur.

On the 6th, when Duke Richelieu returned to Emra, he reported the funeral matters to the Count of Chambord.

"Your Majesty, those Orléans fellows wanted to unite with us, and I refused! I told them we would never unite with them."

After speaking, Duke Richelieu glanced at Duke Broi and Belie.

Their expressions froze as soon as Duke Richelieu uttered those words, unable to believe their ears.

All their efforts thus far were in vain! What had they been doing it for? To act as clowns?

"Well done!" The Count of Chambord nodded in approval of Duke Richelieu's actions, then also looked at Duke Broi and Belie, emphasizing, "I reiterate, I will never unite with those despicable usurpers!"