Make France Great Again-Chapter 968 - 959: Olivier’s Helplessness

As Jerome Bonaparte finished speaking, Speaker Bi Yao was the first to applaud, followed by a wave of applause that filled the entire hall.

In the crowd, Ernest Picard glanced at Jerome Bonaparte in the distance, then quietly leaned toward Emile Olivier and said, "Do you think Jerome Bonaparte’s words imply that he wants to take this opportunity to act against us?"

After thinking for a moment, Emile Olivier also lowered his voice and responded to Ernest Picard, "I don’t think so! Jerome Bonaparte had already stated during the assassination that he wouldn’t act against us!

It’s reasonable to think that he won’t break his promise!"

Having said that, Emile Olivier instinctively glanced at Jerome Bonaparte in the distance, and it just so happened that Jerome Bonaparte looked toward Emile Olivier as well.

After their eyes met, Jerome Bonaparte and Emile Olivier exchanged gentle smiles, and Emile Olivier quickly diverted his gaze elsewhere.

After a while, as the applause died down, Jerome Bonaparte resumed speaking to those present, "I will not let a single villain escape, nor will I falsely accuse any good person.

I can assure you that I will not target any person or organization deliberately without concrete evidence!

The martial law you fear in Paris will not happen, nor will there be large-scale arrests!

Paris is not just my Paris, it is also the Paris of all, of France, and even the world. We must work together to maintain Paris’s image abroad!

The future Paris will not only become a zero-crime city, where everyone can feel safe to live, but also become the most desirable place in all of Europe!"

Once Jerome Bonaparte finished speaking, applause erupted again from the audience.

Except for the Imperial Generals and a few members of the Bonaparte Faction, other factions agreed with Jerome Bonaparte’s remarks. They, too, did not want to be constantly exposed to the troops’ gunfire.

As for those generals of the Empire, there was some disappointment in their hearts regarding Jerome Bonaparte’s unwillingness to use the military to maintain public order.

After all, the more often the Second Empire deployed troops, the more reliant the Tuileries Palace would be on these generals, thus increasing their status in the court of the Tuileries Palace.

Of course, the generals of the Empire could only vent their grumbles slightly within their hearts.

The Empire’s army was firmly in the hands of the Emperor and the General Staff, and they were utterly unable to stir up trouble.

After the second round of applause, Jerome Bonaparte let Empress Augusta speak.

In contrast to Jerome Bonaparte’s impartiality toward the assassin, Augusta appeared exceptionally empathetic; she first condemned the assassin, and then expressed sympathy for the punishment the assassin was to face.

At the same time, Augusta addressed those present: the assassin’s act of assassination was personal and irrelevant to their family, hoping that those responsible for interrogations and arrests would not trouble their families.

If their families were to suffer financially due to the assassin’s death, the Tuileries Palace was willing to fund the alleviation of the assassin’s family’s pain.

Upon hearing Empress Augusta’s speech, akin to the Holy Mother on earth, those present were moved by her compassion.

After Empress Augusta concluded her speech, Speaker Bi Yao began his oration.

Bi Yao first condemned the assassin’s heinous act, then stated that the Imperial Government’s trust by the public was built on two principles: establishing authority and protecting good people. Damage to either of these principles would harm the Empire’s public order, so they must at all costs prevent such turmoil to maintain stability in the Empire.

Jerome Bonaparte voiced his agreement with Speaker Bi Yao’s statement, also reminding Speaker Bi Yao that maintaining public safety was the premise to avoid them causing another upheaval in the name of preserving imperial authority.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty! We will certainly, under the premise of maintaining current order, root out those attempting to destroy the Empire’s order!" Bi Yao earnestly promised Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte nodded with satisfaction, briefly gazing at everyone present, then left the hall with Empress Augusta’s hand in his!

Seeing this, Chief Steward Bashirio hurriedly tapped his cane and announced loudly, "The meeting is adjourned! Please exit in an orderly manner!"

The guests in the hall slowly moved toward the open direction of the doors, Emile Olivier also followed the crowd, descending from the second floor to the first.

During this time, Ernest Picard, walking alongside Emile Olivier, was forced to separate from Emile Olivier due to the movement of personnel.

Just as Emile Olivier was about to leave, Alfred Dariemon stopped Emile Olivier and said, "Olivier, don’t rush off!"

Emile Olivier halted in his steps, displaying a slightly helpless look on his face—he knew he couldn’t escape.

Hence, Emile Olivier followed Alfred Dariemon to stand aside, quietly waiting.

After two or three minutes, Bashirio appeared in front of Alfred Dariemon and Emile Olivier, first smiling slightly at Alfred Dariemon, then gazing at Emile Olivier.

"Mr. Emile Olivier!" Bashirio said respectfully to the Legislative Corps representative in front of him.

Having been by Jerome Bonaparte’s side for quite some time, Bashirio knew that if Emile Olivier was invited individually by Emperor Jerome Bonaparte, he likely faced a promising future.

If he could establish a connection with him, Bashirio’s position as Chief Steward would become even more secure.

Thinking of this, a hint of eagerness appeared in Bashirio’s eyes.

"Chief Steward Bashirio!" Emile Olivier clearly didn’t notice Bashirio’s gaze. At this moment, he was internally pondering how he would refuse Jerome Bonaparte’s invitation.

[Emile Olivier in 1857 was somewhat purer than Olivier ten years later, so his intention to refuse was stronger than in 1869.]

"Mr. Dariemon, I’ll take Mr. Olivier up now!" Bashirio said to Alfred Dariemon.

Alfred Dariemon smiled slightly, then turned and walked away.

"Mr. Olivier, please follow me!" Bashirio turned to Emile Olivier and said.

Emile Olivier followed Bashirio through a narrow corridor to the Tuileries Palace. Then Bashirio led Emile Olivier to the reception room of the Tuileries Palace and said to him, "Mr. Emile Olivier, please wait here for a moment!

His Majesty is meeting with others! It’s estimated that you will meet him in ten minutes!"

Others?

Emile Olivier subconsciously thought of Ernest Picard. He couldn’t help but call Bashirio and asked, "Mr. Bashirio, can you tell me who His Majesty is meeting with?"

Bashirio stopped, quietly looking at Emile Olivier.

"Mr. Bashirio, I understand the rules of the Tuileries Palace!" Emile Olivier said to Bashirio, and then added, "If it’s inconvenient to tell, I won’t force it!

But I will remember your help in my heart!"

Emile Olivier’s hint was exactly the answer Bashirio wanted to give. He smiled at Emile Olivier and said, "It’s not really a confidential person, so it doesn’t hurt to tell you!

His Majesty the Emperor is meeting with Mr. Ernest Picard!"

Upon hearing Ernest Picard’s name, Emile Olivier’s mind buzzed.

He never expected that Ernest Picard would have contacted Jerome Bonaparte so early.

If this is the case, the Republican Faction would have no secrets in front of Jerome Bonaparte.

"Mr. Bashirio!" Emile Olivier asked Bashirio hoarsely, "When exactly did Ernest Picard connect with His Majesty?"

"That I don’t know!" Bashirio shook his head and replied to Emile Olivier, "In any case, before I held this position, Mr. Ernest Picard had already made contact with the Tuileries Palace!"

"So early!" Emile Olivier showed a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Mr. Olivier, in fact, it’s no big deal!" Bashirio comforted Emile Olivier, "Most of you in the Republican Faction are not dedicated to overthrowing the Empire!

His Majesty appreciates you very much!

He has always hoped that you can integrate into the imperial system and serve France!"

"Would the Republicans be considered Republican if they integrate into the Empire?" Emile Olivier showed a bitter smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Why wouldn’t they?" Bashirio asked rhetorically, then took advantage of the situation, "As long as you don’t seek to overthrow the monarchy, everything will simply be resolved!"

"If we give up overthrowing the monarchy, would His Majesty be willing to give up his authority?" Emile Olivier retorted.

Bashirio fell into silence; only the Emperor could answer this question.

Just as the room fell into a stalemate, the door opened, and Jerome Bonaparte appeared before Bashirio and Emile Olivier.

"You... what’s wrong?" Jerome Bonaparte, upon entering the room, clearly sensed the atmosphere had become eerily quiet, and he hurriedly spoke to ease the tension, "Why do you show such expressions when I arrive? Do I really seem that unwelcome?"