Make France Great Again-Chapter 783 - 774: Algeria Strategy
"October! That’s good!"
Jerome Bonaparte nodded with a smile and responded to Valerovsky.
If Maximilian’s coronation were scheduled for September, it would be very likely that Jerome Bonaparte would not be able to attend.
Because in September, he also had a crucial European Currency Union conference.
The success or failure of this meeting would indirectly affect Jerome Bonaparte’s series of actions to follow, so he couldn’t just let it be.
"Your Majesty, if there’s nothing else, I will take my leave now!" Valerovsky bid farewell to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Alright! Safe travels!" Jerome Bonaparte waved his hand, and Valerovsky left the room.
Immediately afterward, Jerome Bonaparte called for Mokar and ordered him to bring the Minister of War, Montauban, to him as he had some words to discuss.
"Yes!" Mokar nodded and replied to Jerome Bonaparte, then left the study to invite Minister Montauban from the Ministry of War.
About half an hour later, Mokar brought Montauban to Jerome Bonaparte.
Jerome Bonaparte stood up and invited Montauban, "Montauban, let’s talk on the sofa!"
"As you wish!" Montauban obeyed Jerome Bonaparte’s order and sat on the sofa with him.
Jerome Bonaparte started with some small talk with Montauban, asking about his recent situation.
Montauban told Jerome Bonaparte that as Minister of War, he was quite idle except for routinely inquiring about the progress of various departments each day; there was nothing else.
"Are you blaming me?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Montauban in a teasing tone, not wanting to escalate any conflicts between them.
After all, Montauban had taken quite a bit of the blame on his behalf, and deep down, he was grateful for Montauban’s "assistance."
"Your Majesty, no!" Montauban, realizing he was infusing personal feelings into his conversation with His Majesty, shook his head hurriedly and responded to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Is it truly no, or are you simply wary!" Jerome Bonaparte jested with Montauban, "Forget it! Let’s not discuss this. I know you have some dissatisfaction with me!"
"No!" Montauban immediately explained.
"You don’t need to explain!" Jerome Bonaparte raised his hand to stop him and continued, "If I were in your position, I would also be dissatisfied!
Why could the previous Minister of War control both military orders and military administration, while I could only handle military administration!
Why does His Majesty want me to do tasks he doesn’t wish to undertake..."
Jerome Bonaparte’s self-deprecating remarks eased Montauban’s mind a little.
The fact that His Majesty could make jokes in front of him was enough to show that the Emperor didn’t care about such matters.
In other words, his previous conduct would not cause the Emperor to be displeased.
"Your Majesty, that’s merely your conjecture. That’s not what’s in my heart!" Minister Montauban replied earnestly to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Regardless of what you’re thinking, I can affirmatively tell you that I have indeed been a bit too harsh on you!" Jerome Bonaparte said solemnly to Minister Montauban, restraining his smile.
"Your Majesty, I can hold the crucial position of Minister of War all due to your grace!" Minister Montauban replied to Jerome Bonaparte.
Indeed, although Jerome Bonaparte had severely curtailed the powers of Montauban, the Minister of War, he was still not someone who could be matched by those generals.
The position of Minister of War was akin to a platform, allowing Montauban to use it to be transferred away and serve as a vassal emperor far from France.
And for placing him on this platform, Jerome Bonaparte also received his gratitude.
"There’s no need to say flattering words!" Jerome Bonaparte waved his hand and said to Minister Montauban before asking him, "Montauban, aren’t you heading to Algiers soon to assume the post of Governor? Who do you think would be suitable to take over the position of Minister of War?"
"Your Majesty, such matters shouldn’t be recklessly commented on!" Montauban replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "All of this depends on your divine judgment!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
"But I want to know who you favor as your successor!" Jerome Bonaparte pressed Montauban, emphasizing, "Don’t give me vague answers. Answer me seriously!"
After contemplating for a moment, Montauban spoke to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the next Minister of War should be chosen between General Vayan and Marshal Canrobert!"
"Why did you choose those two!" Jerome Bonaparte asked Montauban.
"General Vayan is not only your current adjutant, but he also once served as the commander of the National Guard in Seine Province, so after Vayan assumes the role of Minister of War, he will certainly handle the issue of the National Guard well together with Chief of Staff Nie’er!" Montauban explained to Jerome Bonaparte, "And Marshal Canrobert is a hero of the Crimean War, and his achievements are evident to all!
Therefore, it is also reasonable for him to assume the position of Minister of War.
Moreover, Marshal Canrobert is not particularly keen on power struggles, so he can coordinate well with Nie’er!"
After listening to Montauban, Jerome Bonaparte nodded with satisfaction.
The candidates in his mind were largely the same as Montauban’s. The Minister of War could not be a too rigid military man, as a rigid Minister of War and a rigid Chief of Staff were bound to clash.
At that time, Jerome Bonaparte would have to spend a lot of time mediating the conflict between the two sides.
Likewise, someone who lacked resolve could not be chosen as Minister of War, because someone who couldn’t stand firm was likely to be led by the nose by Nie’er.
After much consideration, Jerome Bonaparte could only choose from Vayan, Canrobert, Trocch, and Renio. Since Renio had already served as Minister of War and considering his age, Jerome Bonaparte directly passed him over.
And Trocch was somewhat too young. Assuming the role of Minister of War too early might not bode well for Trocch’s future. (Although Trocch himself might not really think so.)
Therefore, only General Vayan and Canrobert were left for selection.
"Let’s go with Vayan!" Jerome Bonaparte replied to Montauban.
"General Vayan taking over my position as Minister of War is the best choice!" Montauban responded to Jerome Bonaparte.
Choosing Vayan as Minister of War meant that Montauban’s appointment as Governor in Algeria was imminent. He could finally leave behind the turmoil of Paris and assume the role of Vassal Emperor in Algeria.
Next, Jerome Bonaparte discussed matters regarding Algeria with Montauban, telling the Minister that once he took office as Governor in Algeria, he must closely unite with the property owners of the coastal cities and some tribal leaders there, to suppress the inland residents of Algeria together.
"The further you are from the coastal areas, the more you must strictly enforce the household registration system! Strive to have all household information firmly in hand!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Montauban, "At the same time, you should also implement a strict reporting and disclosure system within your jurisdiction!
Strive to confine the population in the inland regions firmly within our designated areas, ensuring those damned guerrillas have no capability to gain support, and thereby completely eliminate the basis of the guerrilla forces."
"I understand, Your Majesty!" Montauban replied to Jerome Bonaparte.
"For those who are willing to join France and abide by French civil law, you can be lenient!" Jerome Bonaparte instructed Montauban.
"Understood!" Montauban nodded again to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Also, I want you to give our neighbor Morocco some ’warmth’ when you assume the role of Governor!" Jerome Bonaparte hinted to Montauban to take action against Morocco.
After all, Morocco had once served as the ’base camp’ for the anti-French guerrillas in the Algeria region.
Many guerrilla fighters would immediately seek refuge in Morocco after being heavily encircled by French troops.
However, after Marshal Biron thoroughly swept through the large revolt groups in Algeria in 1847 and threatened the Moroccan border,
Morocco dared not continue to provide asylum to Algeria, and it was only after losing Morocco’s protection that Abdu Cadivin was captured by the French Army!
Afterwards, Jerome Bonaparte also suggested to Montauban that he could lead drills near the border area between Algeria and Morocco from time to time to intimidate Morocco.
By then, a pretext of missing soldiers would allow for a full military takeover of Morocco.
Of course, Jerome Bonaparte, at present, did not want to annex Morocco so soon.
With British and Spanish capital still continuously flowing into Morocco, Jerome Bonaparte wanted to wait until the British and Spanish investments ceased before considering sending troops to invade Morocco.
Montauban expressed his commitment to acting according to Jerome Bonaparte’s orders.
Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte inquired with Montauban about the rifle situation in the warehouses subordinate to the Ministry of War.
Montauban informed Jerome Bonaparte that although the Ministry of War had done its utmost to sell the MTL1842 rifles, nearly a third of them remained unsold.
"I have already informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sell off those stockpiled rifles at low prices as soon as possible!
By then, you just need to cooperate with them!
Also..."
