Make France Great Again-Chapter 784 - 775 Preparations Before the Currency Union
"And after you return to the Ministry of War, be sure to tell the Military Supply Bureau to strictly control the production of rifles!
It is expected that it won’t be long before we need to replace the rifles again!"
Jerome Bonaparte once again revealed his plan to Montauban, planning to fully equip the army with the Mauser breech-loading rifles by the end of 1857 at the latest.
Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s plan, Montauban showed a slightly surprised expression on his face and immediately promised that he would convey his words to the Military Supply Bureau.
"By the way, the next model of the rifle will first be equipped in Algeria, don’t drop the ball on me as the Governor of Algiers!" Jerome Bonaparte said in a casual manner.
"Your Majesty, will the next model of the rifle still be a muzzleloader?" Montauban immediately asked Jerome Bonaparte.
"No!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head and replied to Montauban, "The next type of rifle will be a breech-loading rifle!"
"Breech-loading rifle!" Montauban looked at Jerome Bonaparte in astonishment, not understanding why the astute Emperor would make such a "foolish" decision.
The breech-loading rifles, whether in terms of range or power, were far inferior to muzzleloaders. Its only advantage lay in the rate of fire and freedom of shooting.
However, what France values now is not the rate of fire, but the accuracy of shooting and the organization of the army.
Therefore, in Montauban’s view, these two advantages were not considered advantages, while its drawbacks were very apparent.
"What’s wrong?" Although Jerome Bonaparte knew Montauban’s thoughts, he still pretended to be curious and asked Montauban, "Do you have an opinion on breech-loading rifles as well?"
"Your Majesty, I believe breech-loading rifles should not become the next generation of weapons for France!" Montauban argued with Jerome Bonaparte, "We should continue on the path of muzzleloading rifles!"
"Then tell me, what is ahead for muzzleloading rifles?" Jerome Bonaparte countered.
As a transmigrator, he knew too well the limitations of muzzleloading rifles, and the Minie Rifle could be said to be the pinnacle of muzzleloading rifles. Any further improvements would be futile.
Breech-loading rifles, however, were different, as their potential had no limits for about a hundred years.
Breech-loading single-shot rifles (Mauser 1870) — breech-loading repeaters (Morganasyn) — semi-automatic rifles — automatic rifles.
These were the experiences passed down to Jerome Bonaparte, and he would not foolishly deviate from the established path set by predecessors, insisting on exploring alone.
"Your Majesty, breech-loading rifles also have many shortcomings!" Montauban responded to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Yes! Breech-loading rifles do indeed have many shortcomings!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and admitted, "But you cannot deny, they also have many advantages!
A qualified breech-loading rifle can effectively reduce training difficulty, while allowing our army to suppress the enemy’s firepower in a short time!
Imagine, others can only fire one bullet per minute, while you can fire 3 or even 4 bullets at once! This gives you more possibilities to eliminate the opponent!"
"But, this would lead to logistical difficulties!" Montauban instinctively retorted.
"Minister Montauban, did the Crimean War not serve as a warning for you?" Jerome Bonaparte’s tone was slightly disappointed, not expecting the Minister of War he chose to be so timid and not yet realized the future shift in warfare modes!
Prompted by Jerome Bonaparte’s "hint," Montauban suddenly recalled Jerome Bonaparte’s repeated emphasis on the role of railroad transportation. He realized the previously insurmountable logistical issue could be completely compensated by rail transport.
"I understand now!" Montauban hurriedly responded, "Your Majesty, you mean logistics can rely on railroads, so there’s no need to worry about logistics!"
Jerome Bonaparte slightly smiled, showing a "teachable" expression.
"You’re right!" Jerome Bonaparte told Montauban, "Our era is different from that of my uncle’s. We possess a more powerful transportation system than the previous generation!
As long as it is properly arranged, there is no need to worry about logistics issues.
Just like during the Crimea War, as long as we coordinate the railway schedules, it’s enough!
That’s why I keep emphasizing that your Ministry of War must synchronize timings and memorize the railway timetables!
The factors that determine victory or defeat in future warfare depend on both sides’ application and mobilization intensity of the railroad!"
"The role of railroads and mobilization intensity!" Montauban muttered.
"Future wars will not involve just a hundred thousand or two hundred thousand combatants, but total mobilization of a million or even two million troops!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Montauban in a low voice, "In a place where the front width measures over a hundred kilometers, there might be more than a million troops, and the battlefield depth might not exceed 20 kilometers!"
"This... impossible!" Montauban did not believe in the type of warfare Jerome Bonaparte described, even during the Napoleonic Wars, France had never experienced such a scenario.
"Minister Montauban, nothing is impossible!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Montauban with a sigh, "Technology is changing our destiny, making future warfare more brutal!
Crimea is just the beginning of our path towards cruelty!"
Although Montauban was reluctant to believe what Jerome Bonaparte was saying now, he had a vague feeling that the future war Jerome Bonaparte spoke of might indeed happen.
"Alright!" Jerome Bonaparte decided to stop the topic and continued to answer Montauban, "Let’s leave this issue for now!
France’s next-generation rifle is indeed a breech-loading rifle. Whether you like it or not, there is no room for negotiation on this issue!
After you assume the position of Governor of Algiers, you must actively cooperate with the rifle testing!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Montauban nodded and replied to Jerome Bonaparte.
Seeing Montauban’s slight emotion, Jerome Bonaparte responded to Montauban again, "However, rest assured! I can assure you this: the next generation of rifles will definitely perform better than those now, and as for the sealing issues, they are doing their best to resolve it!
If you still don’t believe it, you can go to the Mauser Company and test it yourself!
I think you will come to like it!"
Montauban nodded again, deciding to take some time to visit the Mauser Firearms Factory.
"Also, regarding this next-generation rifle issue, it’s enough that you know about it!" Jerome Bonaparte warned Montauban, "I don’t want it to become public! If this matter spreads, you’ll be the first I come to find!
Do you understand?"
"Understood!" Montauban responded to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Alright! You may leave now!" Jerome Bonaparte waved his hand and replied to Montauban.
Montauban stood up, saluted Jerome Bonaparte, and left his office.
...
In the days leading up to the arrival of the Victoria couple, Jerome Bonaparte was tirelessly processing intelligence sent by the Secretariat and convening bankers within France to discuss the European Currency Union. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
However, he did not gather them all for a meeting at once, but rather called them in batches to inquire about their views.
The first batch of summoned people included four: Minister of Finance Mane, President of the Bank of France Count Bemini, Minister of State Fuld, and former President of the Bank of France Count Algou.
For Count Algou, who was already idle at home, Jerome Bonaparte’s summons was undoubtedly the greatest respect he could receive.
Although he himself did not agree with the Emperor’s notion of a European Currency Union, he still came to the Imperial Council at the Tuileries Palace.
When Count Algou entered the Imperial Conference Hall, he immediately saw the two ministers and a bank president who had been waiting for some time.
Seeing the confident "Iron Triangle," a bitter smile appeared on Count Algou’s face.
In the past, it was these people who brought him down from power.
"Count Algou, you’re here!" said Count Bemini, the President of the Bank of France, who hurried over to assist Algou with a look of "respect for the elderly and love for the young" after seeing him with a cane.
"Count Bemini, thank you!" Count Algou forced a smile and said to Bemini.
At the same time, Count Algou kept reminding himself inwardly that it was crucial not to lose composure, especially at a time like this.
The most taboo thing in the political game is to fall out openly, which means that both parties will have no room for reconciliation!
Thus, Bemini helped Algou while waiting for Jerome Bonaparte’s arrival.
Five minutes later, Jerome Bonaparte appeared before them.
Everyone present saluted Jerome Bonaparte, and he lightly raised his hand to say, "No need for that, everyone!"
Then, he turned to Mokar and gave him an order to bring in some armchairs.
Mokar quickly brought three armchairs, and Jerome Bonaparte, seated on the throne, discussed with the four people below.
"Gentlemen, I think you all know the purpose of my summoning you!" Jerome Bonaparte said straightforwardly to the three present, "Tell me, who do you think should organize this European Currency Union meeting?"
"Your Majesty, I believe it should be led by you personally!" Fuld immediately responded to Jerome Bonaparte.
Count Bemini, Mane, and Count Algou also unanimously expressed that Jerome Bonaparte personally leading and organizing the meeting would be ideal.
"Then who should serve as the French representative for this meeting?" Jerome Bonaparte slowly glanced over the three present and asked leisurely.
