Make France Great Again-Chapter 975 - 966: The Regency Council System
"Understood!"
Emile Olivier responded to Jerome Bonaparte with a resolute tone.
Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte ordered Bashirio to summon Secretary General Lucien Murat to the study, and Bashirio left to carry out the order.
After a while, Lucien Murat appeared in Jerome Bonaparte’s office. He first glanced at Emile Olivier, then respectfully inquired, "Your Majesty, what instructions do you have for me!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
"Lucien, isn’t there still a vacancy for a director in the news agency under your secretariat! I’ve found a helper for you!" Jerome Bonaparte pointed at Emile Olivier and said in a consultative tone, "This is Mr. Emile Olivier, who previously held an important position in the Republican Faction and has now left their ranks.
I want him to serve as the news director in the secretariat, specializing in managing domestic and foreign news! What do you think!"
Lucien Murat sized up Emile Olivier and immediately realized that Emile Olivier was the Emperor’s plant within the secretariat.
At present, the news agency lacks a formal head, but there is a temporary agent for the position.
This person is also one of Lucien Murat’s confidants.
If Emile Olivier’s sudden installment is successful, it will inevitably lead some to feel disgruntled.
They might think that Lucien Murat didn’t fight for them in front of the Emperor,
In that case, the entire secretariat may no longer be as united as before.
Jerome Bonaparte’s move was entirely aimed at undermining Lucien Murat’s prestige in the secretariat.
However, refusal would also incur Jerome Bonaparte’s displeasure.
After weighing the situation repeatedly, Lucien Murat made his choice and smiled while responding to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, I warmly welcome Mr. Emile Olivier to assist me with the issues in the secretariat!"
"That’s good!" Jerome Bonaparte also smiled and nodded at Lucien Murat. He then "honestly" added, "Moreover, I appointed Emile Olivier to the secretariat not to divide your authority!
The reason I chose Emile Olivier to oversee propaganda and media control is because he was one of the few in the Republican Faction capable of guiding public opinion!
Assigning him to your secretariat is a perfect fit for his expertise!
So you need not worry; if Olivier doesn’t perform well, you are free to criticize and educate him at any time!"
"I understand, Your Majesty!" Lucien Murat nodded and spoke to Jerome Bonaparte.
Following this, Lucien Murat approached Emile Olivier, smilingly extending his hand in what appeared to be a friendly gesture, "Welcome to the secretariat! Mr. Olivier!"
"Honored to work with you! Prince Lucien!" Emile Olivier also respectfully responded.
After a brief handshake, Jerome Bonaparte once again addressed Lucien Murat, "Lucien, later you’ll take Olivier for a tour of the secretariat!
Let him become familiar with the secretariat’s work and structure!"
"Absolutely!" Lucien Murat replied shortly but firmly.
"Olivier, during your time with Lucien, observe and learn; it’s the only way you’ll truly progress!" Jerome Bonaparte also instructed Emile Olivier.
This implied that Emile Olivier should quickly acquaint himself with the secretariat, so he could take over swiftly when Jerome Bonaparte decided to remove Lucien Murat.
After all, Emile Olivier didn’t have much time left.
"Understood!" Emile Olivier clearly grasped Jerome Bonaparte’s intent and immediately replied.
Next, Emile Olivier and Lucien Murat left Jerome Bonaparte’s study together.
Jerome Bonaparte turned to ask Bashirio, "When do you think those two will clash?"
"Your Majesty, I can’t guess!" Bashirio shook his head and replied honestly!
"I estimate it won’t take long before they face a conflict!" Jerome Bonaparte stroked his chin and added, "However, as long as they don’t completely break relations, it’s fine!
The rest, let them handle!"
...
Over the next ten days, Emile Olivier gradually took on all the duties of the secretariat’s news agency while starting to win over subordinates to make them serve him.
During this period, Alfred Dariemon also established the New Republican Party and sent an ostentatious invitation to the Republican Faction the day before its founding.
When Jules Favre and others received this news, their expressions became extremely unpleasant.
Alfred Dariemon’s move was a blatant insult to them.
Even worse, Alfred’s action could easily lead to further internal turmoil within the Republican Faction.
Thus, under Jules Favre’s orders, all Republican members condemned Alfred Dariemon’s act of splintering the Republican Faction, stating that his action was completely detrimental to the Republican image in the eyes of the people.
Alfred Dariemon, naturally, did not take the insults lying down and promptly dispatched people to retaliate against the Republican Faction.
They say the old Republican Faction’s ideas are decayed and incapable of recognizing the changes of the era.
As the war of words between the new and old Republican Factions escalated in the newspapers, Alfred Dariemon revealed news of Jules Favre suppressing Emile Olivier.
Once this news came out, many of those who originally supported Jules Favre also chose not to unconditionally support him anymore.
Another group chose to leave along with Emile Olivier.
The influence of the old Republican Faction began to decline, while the new Republican Faction started to rise.
The entire process was completely observed by Jerome Bonaparte at the Tuileries Palace.
When the time came to February 1st, Mathilde’s arrival broke the tranquility of Tuileries Palace.
That afternoon, Mathilde arrived at Tuileries Palace as usual to chat leisurely with Empress Augusta.
As they continued to chat, the topic turned to the assassination.
"Alas! You two were really careless!" Mathilde sighed and responded to Empress Augusta in a reproachful tone, "Luckily, the assassin failed, what if..."
At this point, Mathilde hesitated, understanding that some words are better left unsaid.
"Even if Jerome Bonaparte and I really faced misfortune, wouldn’t we still have you!" Empress Augusta affectionately replied to Princess Mathilde.
"Us?" Princess Mathilde smiled bitterly and said to Empress Augusta, "I don’t have the ability to protect the Empire Jerome single-handedly established, let alone my father!
Rather than relying on us, it’s better to establish a system in advance!
If something really happens, then there will be measures to respond!"
After listening to Princess Mathilde’s words, Empress Augusta pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "You’re right! Indeed, a practical system should be designated to ensure Friedrich can smoothly inherit the throne!
Sister, who do you think can shoulder this responsibility?"
Princess Mathilde shook her head and said to Empress Augusta, "You’d better discuss this issue with Jerome!
I think he should be more aware of who is trustworthy!"
"That’s true!" Empress Augusta replied to Princess Mathilde.
After chatting for a long time, Princess Mathilde bid farewell to Empress Augusta, who personally escorted her out of Tuileries Palace.
Watching Princess Mathilde’s carriage gradually disappear into the distance, Augusta turned and headed to Jerome Bonaparte’s study.
Reaching the study’s entrance, Empress Augusta pushed open the door, with Jerome Bonaparte at the moment putting down his pen and stretching.
Seeing Augusta entering the study, Jerome Bonaparte asked, "What brings you here?"
"What! Can’t I come?" Empress Augusta questioned Jerome Bonaparte.
"Of course you can!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Empress Augusta.
However, having been married for many years, Jerome Bonaparte certainly knew Augusta must have something to discuss with him if she came to the study at this time.
Otherwise, Augusta wouldn’t have come at this time.
"Shall we sit on the sofa for a while?" Empress Augusta asked Jerome Bonaparte.
"Certainly!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and got up to go to the sofa.
After sitting on the sofa with Jerome Bonaparte, Empress Augusta rested her head on Jerome Bonaparte’s shoulder and said worriedly, "Jerome, after the last incident, I really fear that we might leave this world before Friedrich comes of age!"
"Don’t worry! Such things won’t happen again!" Jerome Bonaparte said gently, wrapping an arm around Augusta.
"Who can assure that such a thing won’t happen again!" Augusta retorted to Jerome Bonaparte, "We cannot place our hope on the absence of assassins!"
"So what do you suggest we do?" Jerome Bonaparte countered Augusta.
"Your Majesty, I believe our priority is to design a system that can assist Friedrich," Empress Augusta said seriously to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Isn’t this a bit of an overreaction?" Jerome Bonaparte said to Empress Augusta.
"Your Majesty, it’s not an overreaction!" Empress Augusta responded to Jerome Bonaparte with determination, "We must take precautions!"
"In that case, the only option is to prepare a Regency Council!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Empress Augusta, "This Regency Council would only be activated in the event of our deaths.
As for the candidates..."
In Jerome Bonaparte’s mind, the candidates appeared one after another.
After a few seconds, Jerome Bonaparte said to Empress Augusta, "The candidates for the Regency Council can tentatively be Nie’er, Rue, Barroso, and Bijou!
One military officer, two government officials, and one Speaker; this lineup should be adequate!"
