Make France Great Again

After reading the plan, Jerome Bonaparte patted Leboeuf on the shoulder, encouraging him to go ahead boldly; France (or rather, Jerome Bonaparte) would never forget his contributions.

Encouraged, Leboeuf immediately patted his chest and assured Jerome Bonaparte that he would not betray His Majesty the Emperor’s trust and also thoughtfully inquired how these two additional incomes should be handled.

Jerome Bonaparte, of course, understood that Leboeuf’s implication was to hand over these two "windfalls" outside of the army’s accounts entirely to Jerome Bonaparte.

"How much can we earn from the railways and horses?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired to Leboeuf after pondering for a moment.

Leboeuf, hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s words, thought he was preparing to pocket all the money and hastily replied, "These two incomes amount to about 5 million francs together! However, there are also some depreciation funds for the guns... All in all, it should be around more than 10 million francs!"

"10 million francs!" Jerome Bonaparte smacked his lips, "That is indeed no small sum! So be it! Leboeuf, in the name of your logistics committee, distribute the entire 10 million francs!"

"Distribute all of it?" Leboeuf looked at Jerome Bonaparte in shock, unable to believe that he would issue such an order.

"Yes! Distribute all of it!" Jerome Bonaparte emphasized again.

Then, Jerome Bonaparte took out a note worth 100,000 francs from his pocket and handed it to Leboeuf.

"Your Majesty, I can’t..." Leboeuf wanted to refuse Jerome Bonaparte’s reward.

"This is what you deserve!" Jerome Bonaparte stuffed the note into General Leboeuf’s arms, and reiterated, "Do not touch any of that money! If there’s anything you need, feel free to ask me anytime!"

"Yes!" Leboeuf nodded to Jerome Bonaparte.

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte suddenly asked General Leboeuf if he was aware of how French officers handled war loot.

Leboeuf informed Jerome Bonaparte that he himself had also acquired loot through raiding tribes in Algeria, so he had some understanding of fencing loot.

Since the army engaged in virtually cost-free business, many of the illiterate sellers had no idea how to maximize the benefits of the loot in their hands, and thus the goods they stole were often extorted by merchants.

"Isn’t there anyone to help them organize a relatively fair platform?" Jerome Bonaparte asked in puzzlement.

"If it were in Algeria, it would be easier to handle! Those who want to continue working with us long-term must accept our arrangements! However, in a sudden war like this, it’s difficult for the army to find trustworthy merchants! Many soldiers, in pursuit of quick pleasure, sell items of immense value at extremely low prices!" Leboeuf answered Jerome Bonaparte.

After listening to Leboeuf, Jerome Bonaparte remained silent for a moment, then looked up at Leboeuf and said, "Alright, understood!"

Following that, Leboeuf chatted with Jerome Bonaparte for a while longer until Jerome Patterson entered the room and quietly informed Jerome Bonaparte of Marshal Pellissier’s arrival.

Seeing this, Leboeuf promptly stood up to bid farewell to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Wait a moment!" Jerome Bonaparte called out to Leboeuf, then signaled to Jerome Patterson with a glance.

Receiving Jerome Bonaparte’s "signal," Jerome Patterson turned and left the room. After a while, he returned with a tray in his hands.

On the tray was a silver Legion of Honor medal, and a flash of excitement crossed Leboeuf’s face. He stood tall, waiting quietly for Jerome Bonaparte to personally pin the medal on him!

Under Leboeuf’s watchful eyes, Jerome Bonaparte picked up the medal from the tray, slowly brought it to Marshal Leboeuf’s chest, and personally pinned it on him!

"Well done!" Jerome Bonaparte patted Leboeuf on the shoulder and spoke softly.

Leboeuf shook his head, expressing that it was his honor to serve the Empire.

Following Jerome Bonaparte’s order, Leboeuf was escorted out of the Perekop Fortress by Jerome Patterson.

Jerome Bonaparte, meanwhile, under the guidance of his attendants, arrived at the door of Marshal Pellissier’s room.

Upon entering the room, Jerome Bonaparte first laid eyes on Marshal Pellissier and Valerovsky, who were seated on the couch, savoring their tea.

The arrival of Jerome Bonaparte prompted them to set down their teacups and rise to welcome him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Jerome Bonaparte apologized to Marshal Pellissier with a look of regret.

Although as a monarch he naturally enjoyed the privilege of not abiding by time, keeping others waiting repeatedly was not exactly commendable either.

"It’s nothing! We just got here ourselves!" Marshal Pellissier quickly extended a step for Jerome Bonaparte.

"Alright! Marshal Pellissier, there’s no need to make excuses for me, let’s get straight to the point!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Marshal Pellissier with a wave of his hand.

"Yes!" Marshal Pellissier promptly resumed his military demeanor and responded firmly to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Marshal Pellissier!" Jerome Bonaparte too showed a serious expression, earnestly speaking to Marshal Pellissier: "In light of your outstanding performance in the Crimean War, and with the unanimous consent of the Legislative Court and the Senate (the Legislative Court and the Senate weren’t aware of this yet; Jerome Bonaparte intended to act first and seek permission later), you are granted the title of Count of Bakhchisarai!

It is hoped that in the days ahead, you will continue to make efforts and further expand the frontiers of France!"

Upon hearing that he was granted a count title, Marshal Pellissier felt as though he had been struck by a lottery ticket worth millions of francs, feeling rather elated.

Bear in mind that this world line differs from the one where his cousin is the emperor; in the Second Empire, titles are not handed out so freely that conquering a place would earn one a count or duke title.

Since the inception of the Empire until now, including Pellissier, only two counts and three marshals have been appointed, seemingly aligning with the standards of the First Empire.

As the saying goes, scarcity lends value, and naturally, Pellissier greatly cherished the title of Count.

Of course, if Marshal Pellissier were aware that in another world line, he received the title of Duke Malakhov merely for breaking through Sevastopol, he would definitely grumble about Jerome Bonaparte being stingy.

"Your Majesty, I pledge my allegiance with my Silent Empire until my heart stops beating!" Marshal Pellissier responded to Jerome Bonaparte with resolute determination.

"Very well!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded in satisfaction and then informed Marshal Pellissier that along with the count title, a Glory Medal and a mansion befitting his count status would be bestowed upon his return to France.

Marshal Pellissier nodded in understanding. Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte inquired of Marshal Pellissier as to when the French Army would be able to complete its withdrawal from the Crimea Peninsula.

Marshal Pellissier informed Jerome Bonaparte that the complete withdrawal from Crimea might take one to two months.

After all, nearly half a year had elapsed since France landed on the Crimea Peninsula.

It would be impossible to transport all 100,000 soldiers back in a short period.

Therefore, they would have to return in batches, which would undoubtedly take a considerable length of time.

"When will the first group of soldiers begin their departure?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired of Marshal Pellissier.

"In a week!" Marshal Pellissier said to Jerome Bonaparte and then suggested that Jerome Bonaparte return to France along with the first group of soldiers.

"Nonsense!" Jerome Bonaparte furrowed his brow, reprimanding Marshal Pellissier, "I shall leave here with the last group of soldiers!"

"Your Majesty, regarding the Crown Prince over there..." Valerovsky, standing by, hesitated before speaking.

"Friedrich, what’s the matter?" Jerome Bonaparte responded after a few seconds.

"His Holiness Pope Pius IX said he would personally be present for the Crown Prince’s baptism at his full month!" Valerovsky reminded.

"Humph!" Jerome Bonaparte snorted coldly, a trace of a mocking smile on his lips as he said, "Our Pope Pius didn’t come personally for Friedrich’s baptism (the baptism of Friedrich Bonaparte was officiated by the Archbishop of Nancy Cathedral; back then, the baptisms and coronations of the Bourbon Dynasty were all handled solely by Nancy Cathedral)!

Instead, he rushed to Paris from afar at the full month!

Such dedication!" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Facing Jerome Bonaparte’s mockery of Pope Pius IX, neither Marshal Pellissier nor Valerovsky dared to make rash comments.

Some matters, like those casually discussed by a monarch like Jerome Bonaparte, if casually critiqued by his ministers and caught by those with vested interests (the influence of the Church Faction in France is second only to the three main factions), would undoubtedly cause trouble.

However, the issue with Pope Pius IX did warrant Jerome Bonaparte’s ridicule, as his actions did seem overly opportunistic.

Valerovsky believed that had Pope Pius IX not received news of the Russian Empire’s complete surrender, he would have remained indecisive for some time.

Not rushing to Paris so fervently, fearing Paris might do something disappointing.