Make France Great Again-Chapter 743 - 734: The Ambitions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Bemini quickly stated to Jerome Bonaparte that he would certainly persuade the board members of the Bank of France to continue contributing to the prosperity of the empire.
"That’s good!" Jerome Bonaparte said, yawning while stretching his arms, "That’s all I have to say, I wonder if the two of you have anything to add!"
Bemini and Mane shook their heads, indicating they had nothing further to add.
"Then let’s leave it at that for now!" Jerome Bonaparte politely said to Bemini and Mane.
Bemini and Mane immediately stood up, bowed to Jerome Bonaparte, and left.
Not long after Bemini and Mane left, Jerome Bonaparte also got up and headed to Empress Augusta’s bedroom to communicate more with his son Friedrich.
As time ticked by, night quickly fell, and candles were lit in the corridor rooms of the Tuileries Palace, making the palace appear especially luxurious under the glow of the candlelight and golden ornaments.
At this time, Jerome Bonaparte was sitting in a room, gently placing Friedrich down on the carpeted floor with his hand, while quietly listening to Marcel Yale, the Director of the National Intelligence Bureau, sitting opposite him.
After Marcel Yale finished discussing the domestic issues, Jerome Bonaparte nodded and asked him about the Russian Empire.
"Have you had any contact with Duke Golitsyn?"
Marcel Yale shook his head and replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "Duke Golitsyn has not only stopped communicating with us but has also sent his subordinates from the Third Hall to eliminate our undercover agents in St. Petersburg.
Our forces developed in St. Petersburg have almost been destroyed completely under Duke Golitsyn’s relentless attacks!
Only a very few managed to escape this purge!"
As Marcel Yale finished speaking, Jerome Bonaparte sighed and said to Marcel Yale, "Alas! It seems Duke Golitsyn has grown cautious of us!"
Marcel Yale remained silent, while Jerome Bonaparte continued to ask, "By the way, can you rebuild the organization that has collapsed in the Russian Empire now?"
"Your Majesty, it will be quite difficult in the short term!" Marcel Yale replied.
The reason why their forces in the Russian Empire were able to grow rapidly was entirely due to the cooperation of Duke Golitsyn and his associates.
The former rebels have now legitimized themselves, so they naturally need to find new collaborators.
However, finding collaborators is not so easily accomplished.
Moreover, the person they face is Duke Golitsyn, who once evaded capture by the Russian Empire as a rebel.
In history, any rebel who turns into a regular army will instinctively guard against successors who might follow in their footsteps to overthrow them.
Therefore, Duke Golitsyn is even more troublesome than the Tsarist Government, and developing suitable personnel right under his nose is exceedingly difficult.
"Then don’t rush it for now!" Jerome Bonaparte advised Marcel Yale.
Just as Jerome Bonaparte was about to ask Marcel Yale about other matters, he heard the sound of "yiyah yiya" nearby.
Jerome Bonaparte had to cradle Friedrich in his arms again (he seemed to have forgotten that Friedrich was not yet a month old), gently rocking his hand like a cradle, "Go check on someone for me!"
"Your Majesty, who?" Marcel Yale immediately asked Jerome Bonaparte.
"It’s a person I met on the train. Although I don’t know his name, I’m certain he was a prominent figure during the Orleanist period.
He should be quite familiar with people like Migne and Thiers..." Jerome Bonaparte described his impression of the old man, "By the way, Minister Valvesky seems to have met this old man somewhere!
You may want to question him carefully!"
"Your Majesty, should I use any tools?" Marcel Yale politely asked Jerome Bonaparte.
Jerome Bonaparte chuckled softly and replied to Marcel Yale, "No need! Just remind him to think about where he met this person before!"
"Alright!" Marcel Yale nodded and responded with a word to Jerome Bonaparte.
"By the way, you need to find this person as soon as possible!" Jerome Bonaparte reminded once more.
"What should I do once he’s found?" Marcel Yale continued to ask.
"First, closely monitor him and see whom he is in close contact with!" Jerome Bonaparte said, "Remember not to alarm him, and avoid intentionally following him!"
"Understood!"
...
In the following days, Jerome Bonaparte methodically accepted the work at hand from Princess Augusta and Princess Mathilde while preparing for the baptism ceremony.
It was also during these days that Queen Catherine of the Netherlands, Belgian Crown Prince Leopold, Austrian Emperor Maximilian, former King Louis of Bavaria... and others arrived at Tuileries Palace one after another. Jerome Bonaparte and Princess Augusta arranged accommodations for them based on their level of intimacy.
For example, Queen Catherine of the Netherlands was arranged to stay with Empress Augusta, and the Crown Prince of Sweden, Duke of Canasa, along with others were arranged at Tuileries Palace and the Louvre...
The Belgian Crown Prince and future "spendthrift" Leopold II, along with the former King of Bavaria, were arranged at the Louvre Grand Hotel.
Once the arrangements were finalized, Jerome Bonaparte first met with Queen Catherine of the Netherlands in Empress Augusta’s bedroom.
At this time, Queen Catherine was happily conversing with Friedrich and Augusta when Jerome Bonaparte’s appearance caught her attention.
She first glanced at Jerome Bonaparte, then at Friedrich Bonaparte, nodding her head as she said, "You two really look alike!"
Not like me? Like the neighbor’s old Wang instead?
Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but make a mental quip, but he maintained a smile and complimented Queen Catherine by saying, "Cousin, you truly have a keen eye!"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Jerome Bonaparte and Queen Catherine delved into the main topic...
Queen Catherine started by apologizing for her husband’s absence and praised Jerome Bonaparte for being no less than Emperor Napoleon.
Jerome Bonaparte humbly told Queen Catherine that he was still far from the level of Emperor Napoleon.
Queen Catherine then continued, stating that in her view, Jerome Bonaparte was only one step away from being like Emperor Napoleon in terms of expanding territories.
Jerome Bonaparte went along with Queen Catherine’s line of thought, sighing as he remarked: Nowadays, where in Europe is there still an opportunity for expanding territories? Many countries remain highly vigilant against France. If it weren’t for the fact that the French Army had already stationed in the Luxembourg Duchy, establishing it as a fait accompli, even if they had signed an agreement with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it would have been difficult to take Luxembourg.
He expressed his gratitude to Queen Catherine and King William for their support, assuring Queen Catherine that as long as the French Empire exists in Europe, he will not let anyone harm the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s assurance, Queen Catherine seemed reassured. She believed Jerome Bonaparte would not break his word on this matter.
Thus, Queen Catherine boldly told Jerome Bonaparte that while territories with defined borders in Europe could not be touched, those with disputes present a good excuse.
If France is willing to help the countries involved in territorial disputes seek justice, then the country receiving that justice would certainly reward France generously.
"Cousin, what do you mean by that? I don’t quite understand!" Jerome Bonaparte feigned ignorance as he asked Queen Catherine.
"I mean, there are some disputes between us and the Kingdom of Belgium!" Queen Catherine straightforwardly stated. "Therefore, I hope France can assist us in this matter!"
"Cousin, didn’t you already announce the abandonment of the Kingdom of Belgium?" Jerome Bonaparte asked with a puzzled expression.
Though the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Belgium were indeed one country previously, the two separated over twenty years ago in 1830.
Moreover, in 1839, the Kingdom of the Netherlands recognized the independence of the Kingdom of Belgium. (Assisted greatly by the Orleans Kingdom)
Now reversing and not recognizing the independence of the Kingdom of Belgium seems somewhat lacking in integrity.
"Just because we gave it up, doesn’t mean we can’t take it back!" Queen Catherine confidently told Jerome Bonaparte. "The land of Belgium was originally acquired through territorial exchange. Why should they declare independence at will!"
Though Queen Catherine’s words at first seemed somewhat unreasonable, on reflection, they held a certain logic.
The independence of the Kingdom of Belgium was indeed forced by the oppression of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but the subsequent independence movement was completed by some regular French troops under the guise of a Volunteer Army. (Father of Belgium)
If the Orleans Kingdom still existed, Jerome Bonaparte’s brother-in-law William would have had to swallow his pride, and the entire Netherlands government would not dare have any thoughts on Belgium.
Now that the Orleans Kingdom was gone, replaced by the friendly Second Empire.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands became fervent about the idea of reconquering Belgium.
"Cousin... no, Your Majesty Emperor Jerome Bonaparte!" Queen Catherine addressed Jerome Bonaparte with a formal title.
"We are family, you should still call me cousin!" Jerome Bonaparte quickly responded to Catherine.
"Cousin, you also don’t want to see the remnants of the Orleans Clan occupying the position of the Kingdom of Belgium, do you!"
