Make France Great Again-Chapter 852 - 843: Arrival in Lyon

"Of course it’s true!" Jerome Bonaparte responded assuredly to Prince Montfort.

Towards his eldest nephew, Jerome Patterson, Jerome Bonaparte harbored only thoughts of utilization, oppression and exile were not in his consideration whatsoever.

Because members of the Bonaparte Clan capable of assuming great responsibility were exceedingly rare, many members’ abilities did not match their ambitions. Jerome Patterson, a capable person who recognized his own position, was one in a hundred.

Seeing the lingering doubt in Prince Montfort’s eyes, Jerome Bonaparte argued strenuously, "Father, there’s absolutely no need for me to suppress him!

If I wanted to, he wouldn’t have been able to set foot in France from the start!

Don’t forget, my sister Mathilde always harbored a grudge against Jerome Patterson!

If it weren’t for me back then, Jerome Patterson couldn’t have joined the House of Bonaparte!

I painstakingly propelled Jerome Patterson to become a member of the House of Bonaparte, making him repeatedly earn merits on the Crimea Battlefield.

Aren’t these enough to prove my regard for him?"

After listening to Jerome Bonaparte’s self-defense, Prince Montfort believed in Jerome Bonaparte’s words. Then he asked why Jerome Bonaparte dispatched Jerome Patterson to the Gabon region.

"I made this appointment after seeking Jerome Patterson’s consent!" Jerome Bonaparte explained once again, "The reason for sending him to Gabon is firstly to expand the territory of France in Central Africa. You should know there’s nothing more pleasing to the French than territorial expansion.

Moreover, the one expanding the territory is an outstanding young man from the Bonaparte Clan.

Secondly, because Europe is in a relatively peaceful phase now.

So, if Jerome Patterson wants to quickly advance his military rank, going to a colony for warfare is the only path, which is why I arranged for him to serve as the Governor in Gabon."

"Advancing in military rank is not solely reliant on warfare!" Prince Montfort rebuffed Jerome Bonaparte.

"Yes! You are right!" Jerome Bonaparte acknowledged Prince Montfort’s remark, "Advancement in military rank doesn’t rely solely on warfare.

But a general who gradually ascends through warfare earns more trust from soldiers than one who rises through favoritism.

If my uncle hadn’t commanded the army personally, could he have become the Emperor?

If I hadn’t gone to Crimea then, could I now command the entire army so easily?

I believe Jerome Patterson wouldn’t want to be a mere decorative general either; he too has a dream of conquering battlefields."

After considering Jerome Bonaparte’s words for a while, Prince Montfort displayed a self-mocking smile and said, "Compared to you, I seem the least like a member of the Bonaparte Clan!"

"Father, you live far more freely than we do!" Jerome Bonaparte said with a calm expression.

"Indeed!" Prince Montfort nodded, speaking with a relaxed tone, "Living freely like this isn’t so bad after all!

Forget it, I won’t bother with these matters anymore! You handle it yourself!"

With that said, Prince Montfort turned and left Jerome Bonaparte’s study.

Standing by the door, waiting for Jerome Bonaparte’s summons, Bashirio hurriedly went forward to assist upon seeing Prince Montfort walk out of the room.

Prince Montfort lightly shook off Bashirio’s hand and stubbornly responded, "I’m not old yet!"

"Yes!" Bashirio complied with Prince Montfort’s wishes and stopped providing support.

Yet to prevent any mishaps as Prince Montfort descended the stairs, Bashirio closely followed behind him until Prince Montfort safely reached the entrance.

"Go back!" Prince Montfort said faintly to Bashirio before stepping down the stairs to board the carriage.

Watching the carriage carrying Prince Montfort depart, Bashirio also turned around and returned to Jerome Bonaparte’s study.

...

Meanwhile, Jerome Patterson, the person involved in this incident, was now sitting in a special train heading to Lyon, staring blankly at the wilderness outside the window.

Unaware of the undercurrents in Paris, Jerome Patterson’s mind was occupied with future plans.

Jerome Patterson gazed out the window for a long time until a fellow soldier appeared before him, reporting the imminent arrival in Lyon, prompting Jerome Patterson to respond. He smiled at the guard, saying, "Understood," before rising to tidy up his attire, ready for the train’s arrival.

After approximately twenty more minutes, the train let out a loud whistle, indicating the arrival at the station to Jerome Patterson.

With a slight tremble, the surrounding scenery gradually slowed down.

After a while, the train stopped under an open-air platform.

"Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Patterson, we’ve arrived at Lyon Railway Station!" The guard immediately reported the arrival to Jerome Patterson.

Jerome Patterson glanced at the slightly desolate surroundings and the rows of houses in the distance, immediately realizing that this platform was likely used for military supplies.

The houses in the distance must be temporary storage warehouses for military supplies, and the Italian Army camp is likely nearby as well.

"Let’s get off!" Jerome Patterson responded to the guard.

A squad of guards followed Jerome Patterson off the train onto the platform. Jerome Patterson took out his pocket watch and glanced at the time.

It was now around 3:15 in the afternoon, 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled arrival time, which meant he had to wait here for 15 minutes.

After Jerome Patterson and the soldiers stood quietly waiting for a while, a cavalry team slowly approached them from a distance.

When Jerome Patterson could see each member of the "cavalry team" clearly, he was surprised to find that the leader of this "cavalry team" was none other than the Italian Army commander Trochu.

Speaking of which, Jerome Patterson and Trochu were old acquaintances from the Crimea Battlefield.

This time, Trochu leading the team personally to welcome Jerome Patterson truly surprised him.

Trochu, mounted on his horse, dismounted when he was less than 50 meters from Jerome Patterson and walked towards Jerome.

Seeing this, Jerome Patterson also walked towards Trochu, and they met in the middle of the road, shook hands, and embraced each other.

"I apologize, something came up in the camp, and I’m late!" Trochu released Jerome Patterson and apologized to him.

Jerome Patterson shook his head and responded to Trochu, "No! You are not late; my train arrived 15 minutes early."

Then, Trochu introduced Jerome Patterson to the cavalry surrounding him, "This is Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Patterson, my close comrade on the Crimea Battlefield!

He is soon to become the Governor of Gabon!"

"It’s a pleasure to meet all of you!" Jerome Patterson bowed to the attendees with a smile.

The crowd also warmly welcomed Jerome Patterson.

After the simple introduction, Trochu ordered his officers to bring Jerome Patterson a horse.

"Your equestrian skills haven’t gotten rusty, have they?" Trochu asked Jerome Patterson with concern.

"It’s only been about a year since the war ended; I wouldn’t have forgotten such a basic skill as riding!" Jerome Patterson said to Trochu as he mounted the horse.

Trochu and the accompanying officers also mounted their horses, and the group galloped towards the Italian Army camp.

Upon reaching the Italian Army camp, Trochu introduced Jerome Patterson to the chief of staff and each division commander.

After a round of conversation, Jerome Patterson expressed to Trochu his wish to meet with the Croatians who were soon heading to Gabon.

"I didn’t expect you to start giving me orders before even taking office as governor!" Trochu shrugged and teased Jerome Patterson.

"His Majesty the Emperor repeatedly advised me before my departure to meet with the laborers as soon as possible and then head to Gabon!" Jerome Patterson replied to Trochu.

"Please follow me!" Trochu said to Jerome Patterson.

Under Trochu’s guidance, Jerome Patterson quickly reached the gate of a camp surrounded by fences.

Suddenly recalling something, Trochu asked Jerome Patterson, "By the way, did you ever learn German, Lieutenant Colonel Patterson?"

"German? A little!" Jerome Patterson replied to Trochu.

"That’s good!" Trochu answered Jerome Patterson.

"Why?" Jerome Patterson inquired out of curiosity.

"These Croatians haven’t learned French; only a few have learned German, so I asked if you knew German!

If you haven’t learned German, it’ll be difficult to communicate with them!" Trochu explained to Jerome Patterson.

"I understand!" Jerome Patterson nodded in response.

Trochu led Jerome Patterson toward the largest tent in the camp; along the way, Jerome Patterson saw many shaven-headed Croatians training under the scorching sun.

When Jerome Patterson entered the tent, two Croatians with their hair still intact rose to greet Trochu and Jerome Patterson.

"These are Baron Mirabeau Pulinkovic and Baron Andre Milanovic!!" Trochu pointed at them and introduced them to Jerome Patterson.