Make France Great Again-Chapter 964 - 955: Emile Olivier’s Hesitation

As Ernest finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room seemed to grow heavy, and Jules Favre, the nominal Leader of the Republican Faction, had a flash of indignation in his eyes.

Alfred Dariemon, a figure that made every Republican member wanting to fight the Empire grit their teeth. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

If it weren’t for Dariemon’s sudden betrayal back then, the Republicans wouldn’t have fallen into division.

After Alfred Dariemon abandoned them, the entire Republican Faction roughly split into three parts.

One part, the surrender faction, immediately followed Alfred Dariemon in defecting to the Bonaparte Faction, becoming loyal lackeys of the Second Empire; another part, the compromise faction, gradually turned to the Imperial Government over time.

Now, only a faction like Jules Favre’s remains, resolutely resisting the Empire’s incorporation.

The hatred between Alfred Dariemon and Jules Favre can be said to be irreconcilable.

Even now, Jules Favre still believes that the reason why the Republican Faction has fallen to this point is completely due to the series of problems caused by Alfred Dariemon’s sudden betrayal back then.

"What use is it to ask that traitor!" Jules Favre said scornfully, speaking fiercely, "That traitor probably doesn’t know anything!

As far as I know, that traitor hasn’t had the opportunity to meet Jerome Bonaparte alone for a long time!

Jerome Bonaparte only uses him as a tool to divide us!"

Jules Favre’s vehement statements left the three people present silent, with Ernest Picard showing an embarrassed expression on his face.

After a while, Emile Olivier looked at Jules Favre and said solemnly, "I think we still need to contact Alfred Dariemon a little!

Although he has left us, he is still a Republican."

"A Republican would defect to Jerome Bonaparte?" Jules Favre retorted bluntly to Emile Olivier, "A Republican who doesn’t think about establishing a Republic, but instead wants to compromise with the Empire!

Can such a person still be considered a Republican?"

"There are many types of Republicanism!" Emile Olivier replied to Jules Favre with a calm expression: "We don’t need to be fixated on Republicanism solely defined by the establishment of a Republic!

We believe in Republicanism, not because of the Republic, but because of freedom and democracy!

If the Empire were to institute freedom of speech like the Kingdom of Britain, while granting rights to the Legislative Corps, then such Republicanism wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing!

I think Alfred Dariemon thinks this way too!"

"That’s revisionism!" Jules Favre yelled at Emile Olivier as if he had seen a heretic.

In his eyes, Emile Olivier had become second only to Alfred Dariemon as a traitor.

At times, heretics are more hateful than infidels.

"I do not believe that there is only one way to achieve Republicanism!" Emile Olivier said calmly to Jules Favre, then turned his gaze to Enon and Picard, "If the definition of Republicanism also becomes a one-way street, how are we different from the current Empire!"

Emile Olivier’s words elicited agreement from Enon and Picard.

"Favre, although I don’t agree with some of Emile Olivier’s statements, I still think that Emile Olivier just made a valid point!

The reason we believe in Republicanism is that we despise despotism and cannot stand a world that tolerates no criticism!" Jacques Louis Enon said solemnly to Jules Favre, "France cannot have just one voice!

Our Republican Faction is the same, and even if Emile Olivier is wrong, we shouldn’t criticize him as we did just now!"

"Enon is right!" Ernest Picard also chimed in, "Favre, you need to apologize to Olivier for this!"

Faced with the criticism from Jacques Louis Enon and Ernest Picard, Jules Favre had no choice but to apologize to Emile Olivier, "Olivier, I was a bit extreme in my previous remarks!

I apologize for that!"

Emile Olivier shook his head in response to Jules Favre, "Favre, I also apologize for using an inappropriate example just now!

However, I still firmly believe that Alfred Dariemon is still a Republican.

He was just deceived by Jerome Bonaparte’s sweet words, and once he sees the true face of this Empire, he will return!

I agree with what Picard just said.

Regarding the invitation issue, we indeed should ask Alfred Dariemon!"

As soon as Emile Olivier finished speaking, Jacques Louis Enon also expressed his agreement.

Afterward, he persuaded Jules Favre in an experienced tone to let go of his hostility toward Alfred Dariemon.

Since Jerome Bonaparte could use dishonorable means to bring Alfred Dariemon to their side, they could also bring Alfred Dariemon back.

Seeing that the three members of the Republican Faction successively agreed to contact Alfred Dariemon, Jules Favre found it hard to contradict them.

Maintaining the unity of the Republican Faction was of utmost importance.

Thus, Jules Favre assigned this task to Emile Olivier.

"Emile Olivier, since this proposal was suggested by you (Ernest Picard: ???), you should be the one to contact Alfred Dariemon!" Jules Favre said commandingly to Emile Olivier.

"Yes!"

Although Emile Olivier was somewhat displeased with Jules Favre’s superior tone, he chose to agree with Jules Favre due to the importance of maintaining the unity of the Republican Faction.

"By the way! When you contact Alfred Dariemon, be sure not to say that we sent you!" Jules Favre added again.

To Jules Favre’s self-deceptive addition, Emile Olivier couldn’t help but feel a sense of disdain.

"Alright!" Emile Olivier nodded and responded to Jules Favre.

After the meeting dispersed, Emile Olivier took a carriage to the mansion where Alfred Dariemon resided.

Getting off the carriage, Emile Olivier looked at the garden outside Alfred Dariemon’s residence, and a trace of envy showed in his eyes.

This mansion was located near the Seine River, arguably in the most prosperous area of Paris.

Its first owner was a member of the Orleans Royal Family; after the Orleans Royal Family was collectively ransacked by Jerome Bonaparte, this mansion became a trophy that fell into the hands of Emperor Jerome Bonaparte.

After that, to commend Alfred Dariemon’s contributions, Jerome Bonaparte rented it to Alfred Dariemon at an annual price of 500 francs.

(The reason it was rented and not gifted was that Alfred Dariemon didn’t want to accept such an expensive gift.

Jerome Bonaparte had to change the gift to a rental, symbolically charging 500 francs.)

To Emile Olivier, who still lived in a cheap apartment, this house was simply an unattainable dream.

Emile Olivier slowly walked to the door of the mansion and gently knocked on it with his hand.

After a while, the door opened, and a middle-aged woman dressed as a maid appeared before Emile Olivier.

"Whom are you looking for?" The middle-aged woman looked Emile Olivier up and down before asking.

"Is this the residence of Mr. Alfred Dariemon?" Emile Olivier respectfully inquired to the maid in front of him.

"Of course, sir!" the maid slowly replied to Emile Olivier.

"Please tell Alfred Dariemon that his old friend has come to see him!" Emile Olivier responded to the maid.

"Sir, it’s unfortunate! Our master has already been invited by His Majesty the Emperor to report at the Tuileries Palace!" the maid replied to Emile Olivier, "It may take quite a while before he returns!"

"Then I shall come another day!" Emile Olivier couldn’t help but sigh inwardly before turning away.

Just as Emile Olivier turned, he heard the sound of the door closing behind him.

Emile Olivier slowly walked towards the street, and when he reached the corner, a carriage suddenly stopped in front of him.

Upon closer inspection, the person seated in the carriage was none other than Alfred Dariemon.

At this moment, Alfred Dariemon, who was also sitting in the carriage, saw Emile Olivier outside and showed a surprised expression.

Originally, he had been wondering how to complete the task assigned by Jerome Bonaparte and establish contact with Emile Olivier, but unexpectedly, Emile Olivier "proactively" came to him.

Alfred Dariemon quickly got off the carriage and hurried to Emile Olivier.

"Mr. Dariemon, long time no see!" Emile Olivier greeted Alfred Dariemon with a smile.

"Mr. Olivier, long time no see!" Alfred Dariemon responded likewise and continued to ask, "Where are you heading?"

Emile Olivier recounted his experience of looking for him, only to be turned away at the door.

"That Chloe (the maid’s name), really! I’ll go back now and give her a piece of my mind on your behalf!"