Mornay’s words aroused the ministers’ desires for money after they had purchased public works bonds, hoping that the bonds in their hands would continue to appreciate.
"Moreover..." Mornay paused and turned his gaze towards Minister of War Reniao.
Minister Reniao knew that it was his turn to act. He too stood up and placed two docunts in front of Jero Bonaparte and Opler.
Pri Minister Opler, who had only read half of Mornay’s docunts, now saw the docunts placed on the table by General Reniao, with the prominent title "Railway and Army Modernization" on the cover.
Pri Minister Opler put down Mornay’s docunts and turned to study Reniao’s docunts. In his heart, the army was more important than the governnt.
Due to the lesser content, General Opler quickly finished reading it, and Jero Bonaparte, who was already aware of the contents, also hastily browsed through.
"Colleagues, we are experiencing a transformation!" General Reniao said with passion, "It is not sothing else bringing us this change, but the railway! I once had a conversation with the Austrian army near Ro, and they told that their Marshal Radetzky used the railway for rapid movent in Lombardy to swiftly defeat the slow-moving Sardinian Dynasty! In this regard, we in France cannot fall behind. The mobility of railways will allow us to reach designated positions more quickly! Such speed was unimaginable during the Emperor’s ti..."
General Reniao advocated for the army to use the railways for rapid mobilization, establishing deep exchanges between the army and the Railway Commission. Ideally, the army and the Railway Commission would exchange personnel to reside in each other’s departnts.
However, due to the Railway Commission’s administrative level not on par with the Ministry of War, both sides faced an awkward issue of administrative affiliation. A scholarly-type military bureaucrat coming for exchange and study was even higher in rank than leaders of the commission’s sub-bureaus, causing awkward issues of command.
"We urgently hope that the Railway Commission can form an independent departnt, thus facilitating equivalent exchanges and learning with the Ministry of War! The situation we face does not allow us to be complacent!" General Reniao asserted with unwavering tone.
After the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of War, Bi Fei from the Agriculture and Comrce Departnt also indicated that telegraph lines would be adjusted along the railway...
Based on needs for both money and strategy, Pri Minister Opler deliberated for a long ti before finally making a decision.
"Minister Mornay, do you have confidence in establishing the Ministry of Railways? Will it affect the entire Ministry of Public Works!" Pri Minister Opler finally asked Mornay.
"Rest assured, Mr. Pri Minister, the severance of the Railway Commission from the Ministry of Public Works will not be a problem!" Mornay assured Opler.
In fact, he wasn’t quite sure if issues might arise, as the bonds gathered in six months had already been tied to the interests of so in the Ministry of Public Works. Expecting them not to resist at all was impossible, and he could only do his best to minimize turbulence.
"Since that’s the case, then I agree to your proposal to sever the Railway Commission!" Pri Minister Opler again turned his gaze to Jero Bonaparte: "Mr. President, what do you think?"
"I think it’s feasible!" The founder of the plan to sever the Railway Commission, Jero Bonaparte, naturally agreed with Opler’s opinion.
"Then who will serve as the new Minister of Railways?" Pri Minister Opler posed the question that all ministers coveted, as the Ministry of Railways, free from internal interference from the Ministry of Public Works, would undoubtedly soar.
This was akin to a mouse lying in a granary full of rice, where just a little theft would yield great profits.
"Whoever raised the question should take the position!" Jero Bonaparte suggested.
Jero Bonaparte’s words dispelled the ministers’ ambitions of becoming the Minister of Railways.
"That’s also good! Whoever proposes, takes responsibility!" Pri Minister Opler nodded with a smile: "Minister Mornay, you may have to work hard for a while, as establishing the Ministry of Railways is not easy!"
"For France, I will not decline!" Mornay said fervently, clenching his fist.
"During this period, you will continue to serve as Minister of Public Works until the Ministry of Railways is fully established!" Pri Minister Opler generously extended the resignation period with understanding.
"Yes, Mr. Pri Minister!" Mornay replied.
After concluding the first task of the Ministry of Railways, there were no major issues to discuss next, except for the Ministry of Finance’s appropriations, the Navy’s shipbuilding plan, and the War Departnt’s matters regarding the Roman Republic’s subsequent expenses.
Or rather, Jero Bonaparte did not want to address all the problems at once, as this could lead the Pri Minister Opler to disengage.
Yikes!
Jero Bonaparte knew all too well that the pri minister he appointed was rely soone who wished to sail smoothly through his term, and excessive unrest might well prompt his withdrawal.
At the end of the eting, Minister of War Reniao once again proposed a resolution to the Cabinet eting.
"Mr. President! I believe we should strengthen the military’s sense of honor, so that more people are willing to join the army!" Minister of War Reniao suggested indirectly.
France’s army is a collection of dregs and degenerates, the vast majority of whom join the military to earn 1300-1500 francs, thus they have little sense of honor.
[Although France ostensibly has a national conscription system, in reality, it is a substitution system. The urban bourgeoisie only have to grit their teeth and pay 3000 francs to have soone else serve in the military in their place, so most conscripts co from rural areas.]
However, so promotion of honor can still be beneficial. If it indeed attracts a group of foolish... no, patriotic young people to join the military and serve France, it would undoubtedly be a welco outco.
"What’s your plan?" Pri Minister Opler asked Reniao straightforwardly.
"We plan to move the Roman Expeditionary Army stationed in Lyon to Paris, to be reviewed by you, Mr. President, and the Pri Minister personally!" Minister Reniao said to Pri Minister Opler.
Reviewing the troops is undoubtedly the best opportunity to enhance influence, and Reniao couldn’t believe that Pri Minister Opler wouldn’t want to elevate his prestige.
"How many people do you want to deploy!" Pri Minister Opler asked General Reniao again, as if there was more implied in his tone.
"Mr. Pri Minister, I believe the number of participants in the parade should be around 5000 people!" Reniao responded to Pri Minister Opler without hesitation.
"5000 people? This ans so troops will be relocated from Paris!" Pri Minister Opler said to General Reniao word by word.
Faced with Pri Minister Opler’s nearly oppressive words, General Reniao responded with composure: "Every troop in Paris should be under governnt control, and the governnt has the right to decide their deploynt!"
"I agree with Minister Reniao’s view. So troops in Paris should relocate too!" Jero Bonaparte inserted himself into the conversation to relieve so pressure off Minister Reniao.
The Pri Minister Opler sumd up looked at Minister Reniao, glanced at Jero Bonaparte, and sighed deeply: "I agree with your proposal in principle, but I hope you can discuss it with Shang Jia’nie on this matter, all the troops in Paris are under his command!"
"Of course!" Minister Reniao nodded and said: "I will inform General Shang Jia’nie after the eting concludes!"
"Hmm!" said Pri Minister Opler, nodding to approve General Reniao’s request for the parade.
The eting ended with a conclusive speech by Pri Minister Opler, with Jero Bonaparte and Minister Reniao taking a carriage together to the Elysee Palace.
Jero Bonaparte, getting off the carriage, imdiately said to Percy who ca to greet him: "Mr. Percy, please go to General Shang Jia’nie’s residence and tell him I have sothing urgent to discuss with him!"
"Yes!" Percy received the white horse handed over by the guards and rode to notify General Shang Jia’nie’s residence.
"Let’s go!" Jero Bonaparte motioned to Minister Reniao to go to the drawing room.
The two waited in the drawing room for about an hour before the door slowly opened.
With grey temples, a face full of wrinkles, and a weary expression, Changarnier was led by Percy to Jero Bonaparte.
"Mr. President!" Changarnier lowered his once proud head to greet Jero Bonaparte, then glanced at Minister Reniao and reverted to his original expression, "Minister Reniao!"
Since Jero Bonaparte suddenly dismissed Audion Barrot on October 20th, Changarnier, aware of losing an ally, moved closer to the Elysee Palace.
[Changarnier’s character is haughty, and his relationship with the Order Party has always been lukewarm.]
With Jero Bonaparte’s indulgence, he has self-styled himself as a Royalist Faction mber and the President’s Protector. Under his dual identity, Changarnier seed sowhat delusional in thinking Jero Bonaparte would embrace him.
"Please sit, Commander Changarnier," Jero Bonaparte smiled and extended a hand to invite Changarnier to sit.
While not completely isolating Changarnier yet, goodwill should be shown to confuse Changarnier.
After sitting down, Changarnier still could not shed his arrogant "President’s Guard" deanor and in a condescending tone asked: "Mr. President, I wonder what business you have with ?"
"It’s like this..." Jero Bonaparte conveyed the contents discussed in the Cabinet eting to Changarnier.
"A 5000-strong force?" Changarnier eyed Minister Reniao suspiciously.
"That’s correct, 5000 people!" Minister Reniao replied.
"5000 troops to enter Paris ans the sa number must leave, am I right?" Changarnier’s tone suddenly carried an inexplicable sense.
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