"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress’s special envoy is now outside the military camp!"
When Jero Bonaparte heard Bulbaski’s report, a trace of doubt quickly appeared on his face.
Thus, Jero Bonaparte suspected that his son had secretly "accused" him once again to Augusta.
As for why it was "again."
Because during this ti, Jero Bonaparte often used the guise of training Friedrich to tornt him.
Including but not limited to, forcing Friedrich to converse in German, leaving Friedrich alone in the forest outside Fontainebleau Palace to survive an entire night alone, and more.
Every ti Friedrich would run to Augusta to accuse Jero Bonaparte.
Augusta, naturally understanding Jero Bonaparte’s intentions for Friedrich’s growth, couldn’t help but complain to Jero Bonaparte at the sight of Friedrich’s tearful little face.
Therefore, when Augusta’s envoy arrived, Jero Bonaparte instinctively glanced at Friedrich.
Friedrich imdiately understood the aning in his father’s eyes and shook his head, indicating that he also didn’t know why the envoy had co.
That’s right, Augusta should not yet know about this matter (referring to Jero Bonaparte’s forcible demand that Friedrich undertake the award ceremony on his behalf), Friedrich hadn’t had ti to accuse Augusta!
After ruling out Friedrich’s accusations to Empress Augusta, Jero Bonaparte thought of another possibility.
Could it be that there are visiting guests at Fontainebleau Palace?
Jero Bonaparte pondered for a few seconds and beca more convinced of this possibility.
Now that the award ceremony was over, Jero Bonaparte could return to Fontainebleau Palace at any ti.
However, Jero Bonaparte still chose to let the envoy enter the military camp to report the situation.
If the situation was not particularly urgent, then Jero Bonaparte chose to have lunch with the army before returning to Fontainebleau Palace.
The army is the foundation of the Empire’s peace and stability; Jero Bonaparte would never pass up any opportunity to strengthen ties with the army.
"Bring the Empress’s envoy into the military camp!!"
Jero Bonaparte imdiately instructed Bulbaski, who then left to carry out the orders.
The villa was left with only Jero Bonaparte and Friedrich Bonaparte, father and son. Jero Bonaparte turned his gaze back to Friedrich and asked lightly, "Friedrich, you seed very nervous on stage just now. How do you feel now?"
"I’m not nervous anymore!" Friedrich responded blandly like a little adult.
"That’s good!" Jero Bonaparte nodded and gently caressed Friedrich’s forehead, speaking with heartfelt seriousness, "You will experience many such events in the future. I hope you can gradually overco your inner tension!
Strive to maintain the composure and calmness that an imperial heir should have, so you can gain more supporters!
A monarch who lacks the courage to face the army does not deserve to rule this defiant country!"
"I understand, Father!" Friedrich solemnly nodded.
"And!" Jero Bonaparte continued to admonish Friedrich, "You must also listen to what I just said on stage!
The army indeed is the pillar of the Bonaparte Clan’s rule in the Empire, but it isn’t the only pillar.
Therefore, we cannot rely too much on the army!
Excessive reliance will only lead to the Empire being led around by the nose by the army!"
Jero Bonaparte’s advice left Friedrich Bonaparte feeling sowhat confused.
Clearly, his father had just said on stage that the army is a friend of the Bonaparte Clan, so why did he change his tune imdiately off stage.
Seeing Friedrich’s confusion, Jero Bonaparte imdiately realized he wasn’t facing a sowhat mature-thinking adult but rather a child only 5 years old.
In a child’s worldview, there’s only black and white; they mostly can’t navigate between the black and white like adults.
Even a slightly precocious child like Friedrich is destined not to understand these nuances.
In order to prevent Friedrich from having a ntal breakdown, Jero Bonaparte decided not to discuss overly complex political thoughts with him.
So, Jero Bonaparte gently touched Friedrich’s forehead again, smiling as he said, "Forget what I just said, and do not tell anyone!! So things you won’t understand now, but will beco clear when you grow up!"
"Hmm!" Friedrich nodded, deciding not to dwell on what Jero Bonaparte had just said.
Just half a minute after Jero Bonaparte and Friedrich finished their conversation, Bulbaski appeared in front of Jero Bonaparte.
Behind Bulbaski was a lady dressed in a black and white form-fitting gown. She was the Lady-in-Waiting to Empress Augusta, Countess Elizabeth de La Croix, and also the wife of General MacMahon of Algeria’s First Division.
Being the wife of one of Jero Bonaparte’s most trusted generals (though MacMahon joined the Orthodox faction after 1870, he was loyal to the Second Empire before then, which is why Jero Bonaparte naturally had considerable trust in him), Countess de La Croix enjoyed a noble status in the Bonaparte court.
Not only was she the most trusted Lady-in-Waiting of Empress Augusta, but she was also her closest friend.
In order not to betray the trust the Empress placed in her, Countess de La Croix actively distanced herself from the Orthodox faction[1]and frequently inculcated her loyalty to the Second Empire to her husband far away in Algeria.
In Algeria, under his wife’s influence, MacMahon beca increasingly loyal to the Second Empire.
After Countess de La Croix greeted the Emperor and the Crown Prince, she imdiately curtsied to Jero Bonaparte.
"Madam!" Jero Bonaparte smiled back at Countess de La Croix.
Subsequently, Jero Bonaparte inquired about the purpose of Countess de La Croix’s visit.
Countess de La Croix inford Jero Bonaparte that she had arrived at the camp on the Empress’s orders to convey Her Majesty’s ssage to the Emperor.
(Jero Bonaparte was quite annoyed by Countess de La Croix’s formality, but considering she was MacMahon’s wife, he continued to inquire with patience.)
"What happened at the Fontainebleau Palace?" Jero Bonaparte asked Countess de La Croix.
"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress asked to inform you that the nephew of Governor Said of Egypt visited the Fontainebleau Palace today and specifically requested a eting with you!" Countess de La Croix replied to Jero Bonaparte,
"Governor Said’s nephew?" Jero Bonaparte frowned, deep in thought.
Bulbaski, who clearly already knew the identity of the visitor, hurriedly addressed Jero Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, Governor Said’s nephew is the second son of Ibrahim, who is Governor Said’s brother, and his na is Ismail. He studied at the French Military Academy for so ti!"
"Ismail!" Jero Bonaparte suddenly recalled that this Ismail seed to be the heir to Governor Said Pasha of Egypt.
Then, to confirm his suspicion, Jero Bonaparte promptly asked Bulbaski, "Is this Ismail the heir to Said Pasha!"
After a mont of thought, Bulbaski responded to Jero Bonaparte, "Indeed! Ismail is Said Pasha’s legitimate heir!"
"Why does he want to see ?" Jero Bonaparte turned his attention to Countess de La Croix.
Countess de La Croix shook her head and replied to Jero Bonaparte, "Her Majesty the Empress did not tell this!"
"Then..." Jero Bonaparte paced back and forth before stopping and responded, "Please return to the Fontainebleau Palace imdiately and convey to the Empress that I will return to the Fontainebleau Palace after lunch!
If the guest is in a hurry, he need not wait for !"
"Yes!" Countess de La Croix nodded and turned to leave. Jero Bonaparte suddenly thought of sothing and called out to Countess de La Croix, "Wait a mont!"
"Your Majesty, is there anything else you wish to command!" Countess de La Croix turned and inquired of Jero Bonaparte.
"If you have ti, could you ask your husband if he is willing to succeed Marshal Canrobert and beco the Commander of the Guard Army?" Jero Bonaparte asked Countess de La Croix.
Marshal Canrobert’s loyalty was unquestionable, yet he was also a general prone to hesitation.
Particularly when making significant decisions, Marshal Canrobert’s indecisiveness often led to missed opportunities.
Jero Bonaparte felt that in tackling the Paris issue, it would be preferable to select a decisive general.
Given MacMahon’s "outstanding record" in history, Jero Bonaparte believed that he ought to take command of the Guard Army.
When Countess de La Croix heard that her husband might beco the commanding officer of the entire Guard Army, she did not feel elated at first; instead, a wave of panic overwheld her.
Being by the Empress’s side, she more or less knew so information and also understood the weight and responsibilities that ca with the position of Paris Guard commander.
[1]Countess de La Croix’s father was an Orthodox nobleman, hence Countess de La Croix was deeply influenced by the Orthodox faction from a young age.
Due to his wife’s influence, MacMahon chose to align with the Orthodox faction after 1870 in history.
Reviews
All reviews (0)