Make France Great Again

After Jerome Bonaparte finished explaining Marquis Alet's views on France's naval power issue, Deco showed an expression of surprise; he never thought there would be someone in the world who completely agreed with his thoughts.

In the beginning, in order to reverse the Navy Department's disregard for maritime power, Deco had to exert significant effort, reassigning many high-ranking Navy officers to civilian roles or forcing them into retirement because their ideals were incompatible.

A large number of aristocratic Navy officers were also forced to be transferred, replaced by a group of frustrated civilian officers.

Deco's actions faced strong resistance from the aristocratic officers, to the extent that they secretly cursed Deco as the "Dictator of the Navy."

Of course, those frustrated civilian officers absolutely adored Deco; without Deco's unconventional promotions, they feared they would never emerge in their lifetime.

During this era, the navy still belonged to the domain of aristocracy, and the chances of advancement in the navy were even lower than in the army.

Take the newly appointed Colonel of the Paris First Division, Montauban. It took him more than twenty-four years to rise from a regular junior officer to a colonel.

Remember, these twenty-four years were not peaceful years. Montauban participated in the Spanish expedition, fought Arabs in Algeria for more than twenty years, and captured the Arab national hero. If not for being discovered by Jerome Bonaparte, he might have had to wait until 1855 to be promoted to Brigadier General, and then to Lieutenant General rank.

In the navy, if an ordinary person with ability doesn't have exceptional luck, they might never attain the rank of colonel in their lifetime. The seniority-based system in the navy is even stricter than in the army.

Imagine the joy of the Navy Department members when Minister Deco removed some aristocrats who occupied their positions without doing any work.

"Mr. President, what position would you like Marquis Alet to hold?" Minister Deco cautiously asked Jerome Bonaparte.

If it was a recommendation from an average person, even if it were from a fellow ministerial colleague, Deco would tactfully decline because the Navy Department's progress thus far relied on ironclad rules, which Minister Deco must also adhere to.

However, the President is not bound by the Navy Department's rules. Minister Deco knew he first needed to satisfy the President's demands to continue planning his strategic objectives.

"You decide!" Jerome Bonaparte lightly tossed the responsibility to Deco.

"Well..." Deco thought for a moment and bit his lip, saying, "Your Majesty, perhaps we should first appoint Mr. Marquis as an Assistant Minister?"

Jerome Bonaparte looked at Deco in surprise. An Assistant Minister is not a minor position; every word and action represents the will of the minister.

It can be said to have a small title but significant authority in the Ministry of the Navy.

Misinterpreting Jerome Bonaparte's expression, Deco hurried to explain, "Your Majesty, after all, Marquis Alet has been absent from the navy for nearly two years. Promoting him abruptly would disrupt the entire navy's deployment! I intend to let him familiarize himself with the navy's operations as an assistant first, and when the time is right, I will appoint him as a regional naval commander."

"Minister, you don't need to explain anything to me!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Deco, "If I am the President of the entire country, then you are the President of the navy. The whole navy will follow your command!"

Jerome Bonaparte presented an attitude of complete respect for Deco, stirring a complex emotion within Deco.

"Alright, Minister! I must leave now! There is another meeting waiting for me to attend!" Jerome Bonaparte glanced at the bright sunshine outside the window and said to Deco.

Deco quickly stood up to see off Jerome Bonaparte. After Jerome Bonaparte declined further courtesy, Deco only escorted him to the door of his ministerial office.

Watching the President leave through the window, Minister Deco immediately called upon his Secretary of State and briefed him on some matters.

"Have the design institute modify the gunship plan. Try to remove the full-length gun deck and switch to a central gun position. Also, thicken the gunship's iron plating!" Deco conveyed the order to the Secretary of State and added, "If such adjustments don't affect the overall performance of the gunship!"

Ultimately, Deco still harbored some doubts about Jerome Bonaparte's insights on ironclads.

Sometimes, it's necessary to comply with leadership.

"Yes!" the Secretary of State immediately responded.

"And bring the information about the retired Marquis Alet to my office!" Deco continued to instruct.

"Understood."

...

After a bit of a struggle leaving the Ministry of the Navy Building, Jerome Bonaparte finally arrived at the Elysee Palace.

At this moment, it was already a quarter past nine, leaving Jerome Bonaparte less than 15 minutes until the appointed time.

Sitting in the reception room, Jerome Bonaparte, looking fatigued, half-reclined on the sofa and unknowingly fell asleep.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..."

It was not until the cries sounded again in Jerome Bonaparte's ears that he woke up from his drowsiness.

Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Jerome Bonaparte finally saw everyone around him. Yawning, he said to everyone present, "I am truly sorry, yesterday..."

As he spoke, Jerome Bonaparte yawned again.

Everyone present showed understanding smiles.

Once Jerome Bonaparte was fully awake, the meeting officially began.

Present at the meeting were Minister of Justice Roué, Minister of Finance Fuld, Minister of Internal Affairs Barroso, Minister of Railways Mornay, Minister of Public Works Percy, Minister of War Renio, Secretary of State Saint Arno, and Secretary General Valerovsky. This meeting was a critical life-and-death gathering for the Bonaparte Faction, with most of the participants being key figures for future proceedings.

Jerome Bonaparte surveyed the room, and from their eyes, he saw determination, anxiety, and excitement.

Although each person's expression was slightly different, the word "ambition" was revealed in each person's eyes.

The Bonaparte Faction is a gathering of ambitious people; without a bit of ambition, one could not possibly join the Bonaparte Faction, nor would they be willing to follow Jerome Bonaparte in a coup d'état.

The meeting began once Jerome Bonaparte was awake; he cleared his throat and coldly said, "Gentlemen, I believe you know why I invited you over!"

Everyone present nodded; they were, of course, aware of Jerome Bonaparte's intent.

Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Jerome Bonaparte smiled contentedly and said, "Throughout history, victors have always been those with predetermined goals and decisive actions! They are able to patiently lie in wait for ten, even twenty years for a goal, and they seize the opportunity the moment it arises."

As he spoke, Jerome Bonaparte extended his hand in a grabbing motion, his expression growing particularly solemn: "For me, the only word in my dictionary is 'win!' We must keep winning to be worthy of our current efforts. The Goddess of Victory favors us because we are more resolute than others. While they are still fighting for power and benefits in the Assembly, we have already mastered the government and military of Paris. So long as we do not hesitate, the weak National Assembly is no match for us!"

Everyone present smiled; they had long been ready to settle accounts with those folks from the National Assembly.

"Now we have entered a new phase! We must formulate a new plan!" Jerome Bonaparte's expression was stern, but he couldn't conceal his smugness. He turned his gaze to Valerovsky: "Secretary General Valerovsky, how is the summarization and organization of the petitions from the Secretariat proceeding?"

Valerovsky reported seriously to Jerome Bonaparte, "Mr. President, as of today, the Secretariat has received petitions from the northern, central, and western provinces, all of which without exception choose to support us! In terms of public opinion, we need not worry at all!"

"Good!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded with satisfaction and turned his gaze to Roué: "Mr. Roué, can the Ministry of Justice help us bypass certain constitutional... After all, we intend to dissolve them with the bright swords and armor!"

"You needn't worry at all, Your Majesty! You represent the will of the entire French people, and no constitution can be above the will of France." Eugène Roué answered calmly, his demeanor and gaze resembling a Bonaparte analysis: "After we achieve victory, we can completely legislate! At that time, who will be able to stop our steps? However many laws are needed, we can make that many! Your will is the embodiment of the law!"

"Good!" Jerome Bonaparte applauded Eugène Roué, then turned his gaze to Mornay and Percy: "Mornay, Percy, how are you two faring?"

Mornay and Percy both guaranteed that there would be no mishaps.

"During the coup, it is essential to cut off Paris's communication with the outside world, and no train should run during that time! Our enemies are not just in Paris!" Jerome Bonaparte reminded once again.

Immediately, Jerome Bonaparte inquired about issues regarding the police with Minister of Internal Affairs Barroso.

After receiving Barroso's assurance that he would restrain the police during the coup, Jerome Bonaparte also encouraged him.

During the coup, as long as the police did not cause trouble, it would suffice.

"Minister Fuld, how are the preparations for the Bank of France loan?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired about the Bank of France loan situation.

Fuld, one of the directors of the Bank of France's board, told Jerome Bonaparte, "Count Algou is actively garnering support from the shareholders of the Bank of France for you; many shareholders have already been drawn under our command. It won't be long before the bank loans can be approved under the guise of bonds, and it definitely won't miss the time!"