The banquet continued from seven o’clock to nine in the evening, and upon Jerome Bonaparte’s suggestion, everyone moved to the second-floor lounge of Tuileries Palace to play poker.

Unknowingly, everyone battled from nine in the evening till midnight.

When the brass floor clock in the corner of the room solemnly chimed twelve times, Jerome Bonaparte put down the poker cards in his hand, yawned, and said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it’s getting late, let’s end today’s entertainment and head home early to rest!"

Achille Fuld and Barroso swiftly stood up and bowed to Jerome Bonaparte.

Sitting on another sofa in the room, Mr. Beimini, upon seeing this, also paused his chess game with Empress Augusta and apologized to Augusta.

Empress Augusta smiled understandingly, "Mr. Beimini, I hope we have another opportunity to continue playing chess with you next time!"

"Your Majesty the Empress, I’m honored by your affection!" Mr. Beimini humbly replied to Empress Augusta.

After that, Jerome Bonaparte called Bashirio and ordered him to dispatch a team of guards to safely escort the three ministers home.

The security of the 19th century was not like that of the 21st century; even after several crackdowns, Paris could not avoid the reappearance of mafia-like organizations in dark corners.

Of course, the threat posed by the mafia was not very fatal.

Because even the most reckless ruffians were restrained by a rational hierarchy, instances of senseless murder were rare, usually limited to kidnappings and extortion.

However, there was a type of organization more powerful and extremist than the mafia, possessing ideals and courage, capable of killing for the sake of "morality".

If they deemed the assassination of Imperial ministers could realize their ideals, they would act without hesitation.

This group was the exile organization residing in Paris, some were Hungarian republicans (such as Kossuth), others were Italian Charcoal Party members (such as Mazzini), and others were dissenters from the Rhine Land of the Kingdom of Prussia.

In short, these people represented the most unstable elements in Paris.

Nevertheless, even with such instability among these exiles, Jerome Bonaparte was unwilling to expel them.

Because these exiles symbolized a political force, a potential opposition from enemy countries.

While this political force was usually of little use, when Jerome Bonaparte sought action against enemy countries, these exiles would offer unexpected assistance.

Take the Hungarian exile leader Kossuth, for instance.

If one day the French Empire wished to go to war with the Austrian Empire, Kossuth could use his influence in Hungary to constrain the Austrian Empire.

The Austrian Empire, wary of the threat from the Hungarian Region, would surely be reluctant to fully commit their main forces to battle.

For the French Empire, this was no less beneficial than having 100,000 elite troops.

The previous Orsini assassination incident further provided Jerome Bonaparte with an excuse to intervene in the Italian Region.

Without the assassination, Jerome Bonaparte truly did not know what means he would use to seize Savoy and Nice from Sardinia.

Hence, these exile organizations were like double-edged swords for the Empire.

While they threatened the Empire’s orderly security, they were also its valuable assets.

To prevent these exile organizations from engaging in assassinations akin to past events, arranging for guards to escort them is very necessary.

The three ministers present likewise understood the good intentions of Jerome Bonaparte, and they each expressed their most sincere gratitude to him.

Under the watchful eye of Jerome Bonaparte, Bashirio led the three ministers out of the room.

Only Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta remained in the room.

Augusta asked Jerome Bonaparte, "Do you really believe Barroso and Achille Fuld would cooperate wholeheartedly?"

Jerome Bonaparte shrugged and responded to Augusta with a smile and a shake of his head, "How could it be possible? Barroso’s behavior is undoubtedly a disgraceful betrayal to Achille Fuld!

Look at Achille Fuld’s attitude towards Count Moreni and you’ll know the kind of position Barroso holds in Achille Fuld’s heart.

Our Minister of Finance’s resentment towards Barroso is even greater than Moreni’s!

Moreover, Barroso is backed by Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann.

Our esteemed Minister Fuld’s hatred for Baron Haussmann is so deep that not even the water of the Seine River could cleanse it!"

Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s metaphor, Augusta couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

"Achille Fuld and Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann turned out this way all because of you!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Slander! This is sheer slander!" Jerome Bonaparte solemnly declared to Augusta, "When have I ever been the kind of villain who sows discord among my subordinates!

Everyone in Paris knows I am the most just and selfless Monarch!

My government supports me, my ministers admire me, my army is devoted to me, and even my wife (Jerome Bonaparte instinctively glanced at Augusta) worships me!"

After hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s shameless remarks, Augusta immediately gave Jerome Bonaparte a look, "My great Majesty!

Could you inform your ignorant wife!

On one hand, you indicate to Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann that he can use concealed bonds to maintain the construction of Paris, while on the other hand, you appoint Minister Achille Fuld, a ’budget advocate’, as the Minister of Finance!

Isn’t that a form of balancing?"

"Ahem... Ahem!" Jerome Bonaparte cleared his throat and said "fiercely," "My wife, you seem to know too much!

How should I deal with you!"

Empress Augusta raised her hands and performed a standard Third Republic salute.

Just as Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta were laughing and playing, three ministers arrived at the empty space at the steps of the main entrance of the Tuileries Palace under Bashirio’s guidance. Bashirio bowed to the three present, saying, "Your Excellencies, please allow me to arrange the stables first!

The carriage responsible for safely delivering Your Excellencies will arrive soon!"

After speaking, Bashirio gradually walked away under the illumination of the tall road lamps on both sides of the garden.

As Bashirio gradually disappeared into the night, Lord Barosh, who was keen on reconciling with Achille Fuld, opened his mouth to express goodwill to Achille Fuld, "Mr. Fuld, I hope the Ministry of Finance will be able to take care of us!"

Barosh extended his hand, intending to shake hands with Achille Fuld as a gesture of reconciliation.

If it weren’t for Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann’s major infrastructure plan striking at his restless heart for power, Lord Barosh wouldn’t have chosen to break with Achille Fuld.

Since the Emperor has already said to reconcile them, he believes Achille Fuld shouldn’t embarrass him too much.

Barosh thought so.

However, there is always a significant gap between ideal and reality.

Faced with Barosh’s proactive goodwill, Achille Fuld still maintained a distant attitude.

"Mr. Barosh, there’s no need for us to shake hands!"

A surge of anger rose in Barosh’s heart, but he did not act out. Instead, he used half-threatening, half-pleasing language to say to Achille Fuld, "Mr. Fuld, His Majesty ordered our two departments to cooperate closely, I think you won’t oppose it!

If you need, my public transportation department is willing to complete the tasks His Majesty entrusted under your leadership!"

"No need!" Achille Fuld shook his head again, rejecting Barosh’s offer. "Our two departments are not subordinate to each other, so there is no such thing as who leads who!

Since His Majesty orders our two departments to cooperate closely, I will naturally follow the order!"

Speaking to this point, Achille Fuld turned the topic, looked coldly at Barosh and said, "However, I will send the Ministry of Finance’s designated personnel to the public transport department to supervise every penny’s flow, to prevent unnecessary waste by the public transport department!

I assume Lord Barosh will agree with me doing this!

Of course, even if you disagree, I will still proceed!"

"Agree! Why wouldn’t I agree! We wish for the Ministry of Finance colleagues to be stricter with us!"

Barosh’s temple veins bulged, and his hung hand involuntarily clenched into a fist.

At this moment, he felt incredibly stifled!

"If you are willing to cooperate, that would be great!" Achille Fuld continued to maintain his arrogant stance.

Then, after a brief pause, Achille Fuld continued, "By the way, please congratulate Mr. Georges Ossman on my behalf!"

"Congratulate?" Barosh looked at Achille Fuld with confusion.

"Yes!" Achille Fuld nodded to Barosh in response, "Now that he has successfully controlled the public transport department, isn’t it a matter worth celebrating?

Believe me, soon enough you will become a puppet in his hands!

Back when he held important positions in the Outer Province, he liked to bypass his superiors."

Barosh showed a fleeting moment of fear, but quickly calmed down and said, "Mr. Fuld, I can consider that you are sowing discord!"

"If that’s how you think, then I have nothing more to say!" Achille Fuld assumed an indifferent attitude, "However, I need to remind you of one thing!

In the Emperor’s mind, the initiator of this plan (road renovation) will never be you, but Georges Ossman!"

With that, Achille Fuld said no more.

Soon, three carriages with dozens of fully armed Guards appeared before them.

Achille Fuld, Barosh, and Mr. Bemini respectively boarded the carriages Bashirio prepared for them.

Once everyone was seated, the carriages proceeded along the Tuileries Palace Garden under the flickering candle light of tall road lamps on either side.