Make France Great Again-Chapter 835 - 826: King of Poland

"I am too!" Franz Joseph replied to Maximilian with a calm face.

Regardless of whether Franz Joseph and Jerome Bonaparte’s words were sincere or meant to give Maximilian a step down, Maximilian was very happy in his heart.

"Brother, His Majesty Jerome, I can assure you that the next time you arrive in Warsaw, Warsaw will have undergone a tremendous change!" Maximilian vowed to Jerome Bonaparte and Franz Joseph.

Maximilian already had a plan in his mind; he wanted to build Warsaw into a city that would rival Vienna.

Although the current Warsaw has a long way to go to reach this plan, Maximilian believes that with joint efforts with his Prime Minister, Warsaw will definitely become the city of his dreams.

"I look forward to Warsaw’s transformation!" Jerome Bonaparte smiled calmly, with a hint of encouragement in his tone.

Maximilian was a king he personally supported, so Jerome Bonaparte had some confidence in him.

The Kingdom of Poland is different from Mexico; it naturally possesses a strong royal tradition, therefore the nobles in Poland are not too resistant to Maximilian.

Mexico was very different; having gained its independence from Spain, the United Mexican States did not have a foundation for establishing a kingdom from the very beginning.

Although the slave owners in the United Mexican States wanted an emperor to act as their spokesperson for their interests, the number of people expecting an emperor paled in comparison to those opposing one.

Therefore, establishing an empire there was indeed a slow process.

Jerome Bonaparte believed that as long as Maximilian did not constantly squander the trust of the people like some unfortunate Bavarian prince, he would continue to receive the support of Polish nobles.

"I am too!" Franz Joseph also encouraged his brother Maximilian.

Although the Kingdom of Poland had become independent and Maximilian had become a king equal to him, as the elder brother, he felt it was necessary to support the newly formed Kingdom of Poland.

"I will definitely not fail your trust!!" Maximilian responded to Jerome Bonaparte and Franz Joseph.

Next, the managers of the Polish Royal Palace led Jerome Bonaparte and others to their rooms where they would stay for a period of time. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Looking at the grand Roman-style decor of the room and the gilded command saber hanging on the wall, Jerome Bonaparte determined that the previous occupant of this room must have been of a high rank. He couldn’t help but ask the manager, "Whose residence was this room previously?"

"Your Majesty, this room was originally the residence where the Governor of Poland received the Tsar!" the manager replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Maximilian has been thoughtful!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded in satisfaction, "Go tell Maximilian that I’m very pleased with the accommodation he arranged!"

"Yes! I will certainly report to His Majesty Maximilian!" The manager maintained a humble attitude in response to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Alright! Now you can go tell Mokar to bring in mine and Augusta’s luggage!" Jerome Bonaparte ordered the manager.

The manager bowed slightly and then left Jerome Bonaparte’s residence.

"That old guy Nicolai’s temporary residence is indeed luxurious!" Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but exclaim with admiration.

Empress Augusta cast a slightly dissatisfied glance at Jerome Bonaparte for calling Nicholas I an old guy and said with slight annoyance, "Your Majesty, can’t you show a little respect for a monarch who is already outdated!"

"Respect! He intended to overthrow your husband and your son from the throne! If the empire failed in the Crimean War, then the empire we painstakingly built would turn into ruins!" Jerome Bonaparte exaggeratedly said to Augusta, "How can you expect me to respect an old thing who constantly wants to topple my throne? I wish I could deal with him directly!"

Augusta pondered briefly and then said, "Although Tsar Nicholas indeed had such thoughts, he has now returned to the embrace of the Lord; you should learn to forgive him!"

"You’re right!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded, not wanting to get entangled in this topic with Empress Augusta.

Just then, a knock on the door sounded, and Jerome Bonaparte quickly called out to the visitor, "Please come in!"

Mokar entered the room carrying large bags, followed by several others carrying similar packages.

Once everyone had entered the room, the manager stood before Jerome Bonaparte and reported, "His Majesty Emperor Jerome, our Majesty Maximilian wishes to invite you for a hunt! Are you interested?"

"Then let’s go!" Jerome Bonaparte decisively responded to the manager.

Living in a nineteenth century with limited entertainment, fishing and hunting were Jerome Bonaparte’s greatest hobbies.

"Please follow me!" The manager led Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta to a lounge in the Governor’s Mansion.

At that moment, Maximilian was sitting in the lounge, wiping the gun he held with a towel. Jerome Bonaparte’s appearance made him pause, and he invited Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta to sit down.

Then, Maximilian tossed a hunting rifle and a towel to Jerome Bonaparte.

Sitting on the sofa, Jerome Bonaparte gently wiped down each part of the hunting rifle with the towel.

A while later, Franz Joseph and Empress Elizabeth also appeared.

Maximilian similarly tossed another rifle to Franz Joseph, who, after briefly showing a look of surprise, also began to wipe down the rifle.

Half an hour later, the three rifles were simultaneously wiped clean by the three men.

The manager appeared once more and informed the three monarchs that the carriages to the forest outside Warsaw were ready.

Jerome Bonaparte, along with four others, set off from the "Royal Palace" of Poland in three carriages and soon arrived at the forest outskirts.

The five then alighted from the carriages and met again with Pilsudski and Count Moselaski among others, the group confidently entered the forest.

After nearly over three hours of hunting, the three monarchs along with their ministers emerged from the forest.

By then it was around 1 PM, and Morazsky, the Prime Minister of Poland, said to Jerome Bonaparte and the others, "Your Majesties, we have prepared a sumptuous lunch nearby!

Please enjoy the lunch before considering more hunting!"

"Mr. Prime Minister, you are very thoughtful!" Maximilian spoke up, praising Morazsky.

"It is my duty to do so!" Morazsky humbly responded to Grand Duke Maximilian.

Under Morazsky’s guidance, they arrived at the site where lunch was stored.

Everyone sat in their designated seats and enjoyed the meal, which lasted for more than an hour, during which the Prime Minister, the Commander of the National Army, and others made toasts to the friendship of the Three Countries of France, Austria, and Bohemia.

When Jerome Bonaparte and Franz Joseph began to feel slightly tipsy, Maximilian started expressing the challenges of being the King of the Kingdom of Poland.

Although Jerome Bonaparte was a bit slower in his thinking than usual, he understood Maximilian’s point.

"Don’t worry! The French Empire will not leave its brothers unattended!" Jerome Bonaparte responded clearly to Maximilian, "If the Kingdom of Poland wishes, I can arrange for you to communicate with bankers within France!

As for whether you succeed or not, it will be up to you!"

"Thank you very much!" Maximilian, desperately in need of industrial funds, smiled in gratitude when he heard Jerome Bonaparte’s words.

Having eaten and drunk to their fill, the group re-entered the forest to hunt again, stopping only at 6 PM.

...

In the following days, Maximilian continued to accompany Jerome Bonaparte and Franz Joseph fishing, playing cards, and touring the Warsaw region.

Soon it was October 12th, the day of Maximilian’s coronation, when all the subjects of Warsaw City appeared in the streets to jointly celebrate Maximilian’s crowning as the King of the Kingdom of Poland.

At 9 AM, Maximilian, Jerome Bonaparte, and Franz Joseph donned their military uniforms and emerged from the Governor’s Palace of Poland, then successively boarded the carriages heading to the church.

As they passed through the streets of Warsaw, deafening cheers arose from the crowd: "Long live His Majesty Maximilian! Long live His Majesty Franz Joseph! Long live His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte!"

The cheers continued all the way from the Governor’s Palace to the coronation church. The three alighted from the carriages and stood at the church’s entrance.

"Go on, you are the star of this event!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Maximilian.

"Maximilian, go on!" Franz Joseph also urged Maximilian.

With a solemn expression, Maximilian nodded and then entered the church.

Jerome Bonaparte and Franz Joseph were also led by the Priest through the side door into the church.

The entire coronation ceremony lasted for nearly three hours, concluding with a Cardinal from Rome placing a luxurious crown on Maximilian’s head.

And so, Maximilian was officially crowned the King of the Kingdom of Poland.