Make France Great Again

"Mr. President, congratulations on reclaiming this palace that belongs to you!"

Shortly after parting with the Russian diplomat Vladimirovich, the British diplomat "coincidentally" encountered Jerome Bonaparte and offered his congratulations.

"No! This palace does not belong to me; it belongs to the great people of France!" In response to the British diplomat's flattering words, Jerome Bonaparte modestly replied, "Every room here, every brick, is a testament to the wisdom of the French people. I am merely a temporary guest residing here."

"Your Excellency remains as approachable as ever!" If one were to ignore the British diplomat's meaningful smile, Jerome Bonaparte might have taken this as a compliment. However, combined with the smile, the British diplomat's praise seemed oddly humorous and sarcastic.

"Your Excellency, Ambassador, is there something you wish to discuss with me?" Despite his inner dislike for the British diplomat's smile, Jerome Bonaparte maintained the necessary smile as he responded to the British diplomat.

The British diplomat replied, "Nothing, Mr. President, I am here simply to offer my congratulations!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the British diplomat turned to leave and then stopped less than 5 meters away, turned back, and said, "I hope the French Republic prospers under your leadership!"

The seemingly nonsensical remarks of the British diplomat left Jerome Bonaparte a bit puzzled.

Could it be that the Kingdom of Britain isn't at all concerned about any dealings between the French Republic and the Russian Empire?

Jerome Bonaparte put himself in the shoes of the British diplomat to think.

If he were the British diplomat, he probably wouldn't have the same patience as this British diplomat.

Since the British diplomat treated the event as an ordinary ball, there was no need for him to trouble himself with any pointless speculations.

Thinking of this, Jerome Bonaparte became "enlightened" and no longer dwelled on it.

The brief conversation between Jerome Bonaparte and the British diplomat was observed by others present, prompting diplomats from various countries to speculate whether there was a potential "rekindling" between Britain and France.

One could say that, with the participation of diplomats from various countries, a simple ball unexpectedly turned into a large-scale exchange event.

The ball concluded at eleven o'clock in the evening, with diplomats, generals, and parliamentarians from various countries departing one after another.

The vast Tuileries Palace was left with only some members of the Bonaparte Clan and the attendants serving them, along with the First Regiment soldiers guarding the palace.

What was once bustling and lively turned desolate in an instant.

After the ball dispersed, Jerome Bonaparte strolled leisurely down the narrow corridor, surrounded by silence, with only the "shush" of his Martin boots on the floor to be heard.

In the places he passed, attendants and guards held their breath, fearing to disturb the President with any "improper" behavior.

No one knew what he was thinking at that moment, people could only watch Jerome Bonaparte walk from one corridor to another and then back again.

After pacing back and forth a few times, Jerome Bonaparte's indifferent voice reached the guards' ears: "Where's Valerovsky now?"

The guards exchanged glances before one of them stepped forward to cautiously speak: "Your Majesty, Secretary Valerovsky is currently..."

"I don't care where he is; you must summon Valerovsky!" Jerome Bonaparte interrupted the guard before he could finish speaking.

"Yes!" The guard immediately straightened his posture and resolutely responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

Even before the guard had left the corridor, Jerome Bonaparte's voice called out from behind him, "Once you've found Valerovsky, have him come to the office; I will be waiting for him there!"

Jerome Bonaparte glanced up at the starry sky before leaving the corridor and returning alone to the Tuileries Palace.

After much effort, the guard found Valerovsky at the Elysee Palace and informed him of Jerome Bonaparte's summons.

Valerovsky quickly took a carriage to the Tuileries Palace, and under the guidance of the attendants, arrived at the study where Jerome Bonaparte was.

This study should have been Emperor Napoleon's office back in the day. Valerovsky gripped the handle and gently pushed the door open. Only a half-burnt candle illuminated the dim room, placed on the mahogany desk. By the flickering light, Valerovsky vaguely saw a portrait of Napoleon hanging on the wall behind the desk and Jerome Bonaparte in the rosewood chair below it.

At this moment, Jerome Bonaparte was leaning his head over the desk, supporting it with both hands to prevent it from falling down further.

"Mr. President!" Valerovsky looked at Jerome Bonaparte and responded.

Valerovsky's conversation caused Jerome Bonaparte to lift his head and gaze at Valerovsky, with such deep eyes as if he were about to dissect Valerovsky entirely.

After a while, Jerome Bonaparte withdrew his aggressive gaze and spoke softly: "Cousin, what do you think of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

"Diplomacy is the most cautious department of France, they bear France's most important tasks..." Valerovsky responded to Jerome Bonaparte in a low voice with a standard official tone.

"Then cousin, are you interested in working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? I remember you used to serve in such a position during the Orléans Dynasty!" Jerome Bonaparte once again asked Valerovsky in an inscrutable tone.

Faced with Jerome Bonaparte's sudden question, Valerovsky was dazed for a few seconds and then replied firmly, "Thank you for giving me this opportunity, I am willing to follow your will!"

Jerome Bonaparte got up, breaking free from the dark corner, and smiled, saying, "Excellent! You will be sent to London as a secret ambassador!"

"London?" Valerovsky responded in a daze: "Your Majesty, our relations with them seem..."

"I know!" Jerome Bonaparte said with a smile, "There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests! Recently, we have had some minor disagreements with Britain over interests, but I believe it won't be long before the disagreements between the two countries dissipate in the face of common challenges!"

"Common challenges?" Valerovsky was somewhat puzzled, wondering what common problems France and Britain could have.

"Of course, it's the Russian Empire!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Valerovsky: "Nicholas I of the Russian Empire has always been a bit unruly! Britain is just looking for an excuse to teach this greedy guy a lesson."

"Mr. President, should we join in as well?" Valerovsky inquired about Jerome Bonaparte's diplomatic route.

Now in France, Jerome Bonaparte's direction was the entire direction of France.

"That's right! We must engage in a war with them! Only in this way can we erase the shame they brought us back then!" Jerome Bonaparte said forcefully: "The Russian army, after more than fifty years of decay, has long become nothing but an empty shell. We just need to give a little push, and they will collapse completely. By acting together with Britain, we can ensure our naval supremacy in the Mediterranean, and we will crush the ambitions of the Russian Empire in the Balkans!"

Regarding the army, the French Army could dominate the entire European army (although the Prince of Prussia and the Duke of Wellington didn't think so), but in terms of navy, the Kingdom of Britain was the undisputed overlord of the entire world.

Even though Jerome Bonaparte had chosen to increase the budget for the French Navy on the existing basis and introduce steam engine technology, the overall strength of the French Navy could never be compared to that of Britain.

Jerome Bonaparte's words slightly shocked Valerovsky, and he suddenly thought of the map of the Near East region from the President's Secretariat's General Staff some time ago.

Could it be that the President is planning...

Valerovsky couldn't help but shiver, never having imagined that the President would start planning a war against the Russian Empire just a year after taking office.

Compared to him, I don't seem to be the Emperor's offspring...

Valerovsky was always proud to be the Emperor's son, even if he was only an illegitimate son.

"Cousin, before France and Britain officially decide to cooperate, you will go to Britain as my personal envoy to discuss many matters related to the Near East and Africa with Palmerston and others!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Valerovsky: "Of course, to avoid overly provoking the Russian Empire, your departure for Britain might be next year, and you will go as my secret envoy. You should know that now the capitals of various countries are filled with hostile spies. If you go through official channels, the whole of Europe would know before you even make a move, so our actions must be carried out in secret."

Jerome Bonaparte paused and then added: "However, during this period, you will continue to hold the position of Secretary-General. In the meantime, try to familiarize yourself with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"Yes!" Valerovsky responded.

"Alright! Cousin, please make a trip and bring Marcel Yale over, I have urgent matters to entrust to him!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Valerovsky.

Valerovsky left Jerome Bonaparte's study, leaving Jerome Bonaparte alone in the room once again.

Through the candlelight, Jerome Bonaparte seemed to see the Russian Empire struggling and pleading in the Near East region.

"Russia, I hope you guys won't disappoint me!"