Make France Great Again-Chapter 906 - 897: Reprimanding Vayan
Jerome Bonaparte’s suggestion was not adopted by the Persian envoy, who ultimately chose to proceed with peace talks with the Kingdom of Britain as soon as possible.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your suggestion!" the Persian envoy responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "However, I still hope to initiate the peace talks as soon as possible!
Because each day of delay brings enormous losses to our country due to the British Army."
Jerome Bonaparte shrugged after a moment of silence and responded to the Persian envoy, "Since you insist on negotiating quickly, I respect your opinion!
The envoy from the Kingdom of Britain should arrive in Paris in a week’s time.
At that time, you can have detailed discussions at the Tuileries Palace!"
"Thank you very much!" The Persian envoy immediately showed a smile, understanding that Jerome Bonaparte chose the Tuileries Palace as the venue for the talks to lend them some support during the negotiations.
If France were to truly maintain a neutral stance, the meeting should take place at the Ossai Pier, rather than the Tuileries Palace.
"It’s nothing! Ahem... ahem!" Jerome Bonaparte cleared his throat and asked nonchalantly if the Persian envoy would be interested in purchasing some goods from the French Empire to promote exchanges between France and Persia.
The Persian envoy immediately realized that Jerome Bonaparte was hinting at seeking some kickbacks, and he hurriedly expressed that he indeed should purchase some "specialty products" from France.
However, being unfamiliar with France, he didn’t know what might be best to buy.
Could he ask Emperor Jerome Bonaparte to make some recommendations?
"When it comes to specialty products, no one knows France better than I do!" Jerome Bonaparte boasted to the Persian envoy, "While other things from France may not compare to some countries, our rifles and artillery, if not the best in the world, are certainly among the top.
I suggest you purchase a batch to equip your army.
I am confident it will significantly enhance the combat ability of your forces... I have seen reports of your battles with the Kingdom of Britain, and what your army lacks are qualified rifles and artillery!
Trust me, with qualified rifles and artillery, coupled with a certain degree of training, transformation is inevitable!"
After listening to Jerome Bonaparte, the Persian envoy’s expression became dazed, never having expected that His Majesty Emperor Jerome Bonaparte would recommend such "hardcore" specialty products.
However, there was indeed some truth in Jerome Bonaparte’s words, as what the Kingdom of Persia lacked were advanced rifles and artillery.
With these, even if they couldn’t defeat the Kingdom of Britain, couldn’t they at least handle the rebellious forces within the kingdom (mainly minority groups within Persia)!?
Having realized this, the Persian envoy hurriedly responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, we are willing to purchase a batch of munitions!"
"How many are you planning to prepare?" Jerome Bonaparte’s eyes lit up, eagerly inquiring.
"Just ten thousand rifles... would that be okay?" the Persian envoy tentatively asked.
This time, the Persian envoy had no plans to purchase French munitions at all; with the sudden turn of events, the diplomatic budget he could use could only buy a maximum of ten thousand rifles.
"Mr. Farokh!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to the Persian envoy in a deep tone, "Ten thousand rifles accomplish nothing; it requires a large-scale purchase!"
"A large-scale purchase requires His Majesty Naxher’s approval!" the Persian envoy replied with a troubled expression to Jerome Bonaparte.
As soon as the Persian envoy spoke, Jerome Bonaparte revealed an unhappy expression and coldly said to Farokh Khan Aminmoruk, "Mr. Farokh, for such beneficial matters for your nation, is it necessary to consult with your king on everything!
If everything requires consultation, then forget about the peace talks!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s threatening remarks instantly changed Farokh Khan Aminmoruk’s expression, and he quickly informed Jerome Bonaparte that the Kingdom of Iran was very willing to purchase French munitions.
"I see!" Jerome Bonaparte stroked his chin, his expression softening, "My suggestion is that you first purchase thirty thousand rifles and one hundred cannons to strengthen your country’s Imperial Guard!
Because once peace talks are implemented, your nation will inevitably face some backlash.
At that time, a well-equipped and loyal army will become particularly important!"
"You are absolutely right!" the Persian envoy Ruisheng agreed, then cautiously inquired about the price from Jerome Bonaparte.
Jerome Bonaparte informed the Persian envoy that thirty thousand rifles and one hundred twelve-pound Napoleon Bronze Cannons would cost between fifteen million and seventeen million francs.
Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s offer, the Persian envoy told him that the Kaijia Dynasty was willing to purchase them, but hoped to introduce some officers from France to train their army.
Of course, they were not asking for free assistance; they could offer each officer arriving at the Kaijia Dynasty a monthly salary equivalent to 1.5 times their current pay.
If it’s a general-level military commander, then the salary can be 2-3 times the previous amount.
"This..." Jerome Bonaparte thought for a moment, then reservedly replied to the envoy from Persia, "I need to discuss this with the General Staff Department!
However, let me make it clear in advance, even if I agree to your request, these officers will only arrive after you have completely ceased hostilities with the Kingdom of Britain.
And all these officers do not represent France’s official stance!"
Farokh Khan Aminmoruk showed a fleeting disappointment, as he originally intended to introduce French influence into Persia to fill the vacuum left by the Russian Empire, thus achieving a dynamic balance.
Now it seems the Emperor is only willing to sell arms, and won’t care about anything else.
"Hmm!" Farokh Khan Aminmoruk nodded in response to Jerome Bonaparte.
Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte glanced at the grandfather clock behind Farokh Khan Aminmoruk.
At this moment, fifteen minutes had already passed from the time he mentioned, so he hurriedly said to Farokh Khan Aminmoruk, "Alright! It’s getting late! Our conversation should end now!"
Farokh Khan Aminmoruk quickly stood up, bowing once more to Jerome Bonaparte to express his gratitude.
Jerome Bonaparte personally escorted Farokh Khan Aminmoruk to the gate of the Tuileries Palace, watching as Farokh Khan Aminmoruk departed in a carriage.
Immediately after, Jerome Bonaparte inquired with Bashirio, who was beside him, which room Nie’er and Vayan had been arranged in, and Bashirio hastily guided Jerome Bonaparte.
At that moment, Minister Vayan and Chief of Staff Nier inside the room were still arguing endlessly over the army’s institutional reforms, but since they were in the Tuileries Palace and not at the Ministry of War/General Staff, Minister Vayan and Nier did not raise their voices.
Even so, the tension between the two remained palpable.
The door slowly opened, and Nier and Vayan quickly stood up from their chairs, turning their gaze towards the entrance.
Entering the room, Jerome Bonaparte looked at the Minister of War and Chief of Staff inside and once again showed a smile, joking, "What’s going on today? Both the Minister of War and Chief of Staff are visiting the Tuileries Palace at the same time. Should I feel honored!"
Upon hearing the sarcasm in Jerome Bonaparte’s words, Nier and Vayan both showed embarrassed expressions on their faces.
With Nier and Vayan watching, Jerome Bonaparte slowly walked up to them, then casually brought over a chair, sat down with one leg crossed over the other, and asked, "Go on, you two wise men, what brings you to my humble abode today!"
"We wouldn’t dare!" Nier and Vayan responded in unison to Jerome Bonaparte?
"Wouldn’t dare?" Jerome Bonaparte coldly rebuked them, "I don’t think there’s anything in this world that you two wouldn’t dare to do!
Do I need to vacate the Tuileries Palace for you, so you can have a good quarrel, strive to quarrel enough, make things clear!
If that’s not enough, look!"
Jerome Bonaparte pointed to two swords hanging on the wall, "You two could duel with these swords instead! Whether you live or die is determined by your own skills!
Wouldn’t you be satisfied with that!"
Nier and Vayan both bowed their heads and dared not speak, sensing the strong dissatisfaction from Jerome Bonaparte’s words.
After a while, Jerome Bonaparte, with a slight trace of weariness in his tone, asked Vayan and Nier, "Tell me, why are you two quarreling!"
Minister Vayan immediately recounted the content of his argument with Nie’er.
Jerome Bonaparte quietly listened to Minister Vayan’s words, then asked Minister Vayan, "Vayan, does this mean you disagree with the reform plan jointly formulated by Chief of Staff Nie’er and me!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Minister Vayan insisted on his previous stance, "The risks involved in the new tactical system are too great, we have no need to take such risks!"
"No need?" Jerome Bonaparte asked coldly, "Minister Vayan, may I ask what is necessary and what is not!
Is it necessary to blindly adhere to the old system and not reform?"
"Your Majesty, our current system has been tested by war..." Minister Vayan tried to use war as an example.
"Tested by war. Fighting against those serf armies of the Russian Empire is a war test?" Jerome Bonaparte retorted mercilessly, "Or do you mean fighting against those scattered troops in Algeria is a war test!
With such an army, not to mention our existing tactical system can easily defeat them, even Britain’s unchanged tactics for decades could defeat them.
Are you saying Britain’s tactical system is on the same level as ours?"
