Make France Great Again-Chapter 853 - 844: Struck Gold

After the introduction by Troche, Governor Jerome Patterson carefully examined the two "Barons", his face revealing a look of surprise. He couldn’t understand why two German Barons would appear in a group of laborers.

"Commander Troche, you must be joking! We are merely two criminals expelled by the Austrian Empire, long ceased to be Barons!" Mira Bo Pulekovic responded to Brigadier General Troche with a bitter smile.

"Criminals? What on earth is going on?" Governor Jerome Patterson’s curiosity about the identities of Mira Bo Pulekovic and Andre Milanovic only grew.

"This question, it’s best they tell you themselves!" Troche confidently pointed at Mira and Andre as he spoke to Governor Jerome Patterson.

"Which of you will tell me what’s really going on?" Governor Jerome Patterson asked Mira Bo Pulekovic and Andre Milanovic with a puzzled look.

After exchanging a glance, Mira Bo Pulekovic said to Governor Jerome Patterson, "Your Excellency, let me explain."

Mira Bo Pulekovic spoke in detail, sharing that he was born into a Baron family in the Croatian region, the second child of the family.

With an older brother above him, unless something unexpected happened, he was destined not to inherit the family’s legacy and title. His future inheritance depended entirely on the whims of his elder brother.

Thus, his father, the Old Baron, planned a military career for Mira Bo Pulekovic from an early age to prevent him from falling into destitution.

Despite the plan lacking Mira Bo Pulekovic’s enthusiasm, compelled by his father’s stern education, Mira Bo Pulekovic gritted his teeth and climbed the ranks within the military.

The Austrian Empire had a system covering military education from elementary to academy levels. So, at around eight years old, Mira Bo Pulekovic was sent to a military elementary school in Zagreb, progressing from there to military academia.

During his time at the military academy, Mira Bo Pulekovic encountered the ideas of Rousseau and others, which led to a fundamental change in his thinking.

After graduating from the military academy, Mira Bo Pulekovic was assigned to the Croatian Military District as a Lieutenant.

Coincidentally, Mira Bo Pulekovic’s brother and mother died of cholera around this time.

Mira Bo Pulekovic naturally became the family heir, and the Old Baron increased his investment in him accordingly.

Within just ten years, Mira Bo Pulekovic was promoted from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel.

[Conrobel weeping.jpg]

However, shortly after Baron Mira Bo Pulekovic became Lieutenant Colonel, the Old Baron passed away as well.

Mira Bo Pulekovic naturally inherited all the properties of the Old Baron.

With new-found wealth, Mira Bo Pulekovic’s spirit grew restless, leading him to seek out forbidden books in the Austrian Empire.

Gradually, Mira Bo Pulekovic’s thoughts aligned with constitutionalism, believing that the Austrian Empire should not adhere to its brutal monarchical rule but instead adopt constitutional monarchy practices of France and the United Kingdom.

It’s at this moment that the surging Great Revolution began.

The entire region of Croatia became restless due to the Revolution’s influence, prompting Mira Bo Pulekovic to seize the opportunity for a major action.

With Mira Bo Pulekovic’s forging alliances, three regiments stationed in Zagreb (including Andre Milanovic’s regiment) responded to the populace’s call, proposing the Austrian Empire adopt the constitutional monarchy and pressured it into concessions.

Unfortunately, the Austrian Empire did not choose compromise, instead responding to them with perfunctory attitudes.

Mira Bo Pulekovic decided to show the Austrian Empire the will of the Croatian people, continuing to unite the remaining military forces, aiming to create an atmosphere of demanding either recognition of Croatia’s position or the onset of war.

This time, the Austrian Empire chose compromise, appointing Josip Jelačić as Croatian Governor and Commander-in-Chief.

"Since the Austrian Empire chose compromise, why are you still criminals?" Governor Jerome Patterson prompted further inquiry.

"It’s all that bastard Josip’s fault!" Mira Bo Pulekovic replied through gritted teeth to Governor Jerome Patterson.

It turned out after Josip Jelačić assumed the roles of Croatian Governor and Commander-in-Chief, he abandoned his previous opposition to Austria and openly declared that the Croatian Autonomous Region should pledge allegiance to the Austrian Empire.

In order to show their sincerity to the Austrian Empire Government, Baron Milap Pulekovic and Andre Milanovic became the masterminds behind the instigation of this rebellion.

However, Josip Jelačić was relatively fair; he did not directly sentence them to death but instead imprisoned them, awaiting the judgment of the Austrian Empire.

After the Austrian Empire completely suppressed the Hungarian independence with the help of the Russian Empire, the trial followed.

Perhaps due to the excessive killings caused by the Austrian Empire in the Hungarian Region, Baron Milap Pulekovic was not sentenced to death but was stripped of his baronial title and property, and sentenced to imprisonment.

If it weren’t for Jerome Bonaparte’s need for a large labor force, Milap Pulekovic and the others would never have been released.

Of course, this group of laborers had already been tacitly acknowledged by the Austrian Empire as never being able to return within the empire’s borders; hence, they felt bold enough to send political prisoners into the labor force dispatched to France.

"So, you two could be considered knowledgeable in warfare!" Governor Jerome Patterson said to Milap Pulekovic with a slight excitement in his tone.

"Your Excellency, Governor!" Milap Pulekovic replied proudly to Governor Jerome Patterson, "Although our military capabilities are far inferior to that of General Troche and yourself, we can still manage small-scale battles."

"That’s good!" Governor Jerome Patterson also smiled, then changed the subject and said to Milap Pulekovic, "However, let me make it clear from the start! I don’t care what books you’ve read before; in the French Foreign Legion, you must choose to obey!"

"I understand!" Milap Pulekovic replied firmly to Governor Jerome Patterson.

"Let me see the results of your training!" Governor Jerome Patterson responded to Milap Pulekovic and Andre Milanovic.

"Yes!" Milap Pulekovic and Andre Milanovic replied in unison.

Subsequently, the four people in the tent walked out of the camp.

Milap Pulekovic and Andre Milanovic announced an assembly to their subordinates in Croatian, and upon hearing the order, their men hurriedly ran towards the distance.

After a while, the loud military bugle echoed throughout the Croatian camp.

The Croatian members, who were training, quickly moved towards the open space upon hearing the bugle.

General Troche and others also walked towards the open space, and by the time they arrived, nearly half of the troops had already gathered.

A few minutes later, a troop of nearly 5,000 people had assembled on the open space.

Gazing at the orderly array of people in the open space, Governor Jerome Patterson couldn’t help feeling a bit excited.

As a Lieutenant Colonel, he was about to lead these people to the Gabon Region, expanding the French Empire’s influence in Africa.

Just then, Baron Milap Pulekovic’s introduction rang in Governor Jerome Patterson’s ears, "This is Governor Jerome Patterson, our future superior! I hope each one of you maintains adequate respect for the Governor..."

Baron Milap Pulekovic ardently extolled Governor Jerome Patterson, making Governor Jerome Patterson feel somewhat embarrassed.

"Next, let’s have the Governor say a few words!" Baron Milap Pulekovic said to the crowd present, then made a welcoming gesture to Governor Jerome Patterson with a smile, "Your Excellency, Governor, please!"

Governor Jerome Patterson cleared his throat, organized his words, and said, "As just mentioned by Baron Milap Pulekovic, my name is Jerome Patterson, soon to be the Governor of the Gabon Region..."

As Governor Jerome Patterson spoke, beside him, Baron Milap Pulekovic translated his words for them.

"...I can assure you that the Empire will not withhold a single penny from you; all money will be sent to each of your homes... If you unfortunately sacrifice your life, the Empire will compensate you with a certain amount, allowing your families to live in safety... If you seize any spoils during battle, the Empire won’t confiscate them! On the contrary, we will provide you with a channel to convert your spoils into gold coins," Governor Jerome Patterson explained the benefits to motivate them to serve the Empire faithfully.

Upon hearing about the benefits, the Croatians’ faces filled with excitement, as their monthly salary in the relatively impoverished areas of the Austrian Empire was meager, while the labor fee was three to four times that amount, enough to prompt a Croatian to take risks.

Thus, upon learning they would be mercenaries, they did not choose to withdraw but rather gritted their teeth and continued training.

And the reason they did so was to provide some security for their lives.

There is only one illness in this world that is hard to cure, and that is poverty!