"October! That’s good!"
Jero Bonaparte nodded with a smile and responded to Valerovsky.
If Maximilian’s coronation were scheduled for September, it would be very likely that Jero Bonaparte would not be able to attend.
Because in September, he also had a crucial European Currency Union conference.
The success or failure of this eting would indirectly affect Jero Bonaparte’s series of actions to follow, so he couldn’t just let it be.
"Your Majesty, if there’s nothing else, I will take my leave now!" Valerovsky bid farewell to Jero Bonaparte.
"Alright! Safe travels!" Jero Bonaparte waved his hand, and Valerovsky left the room.
Imdiately afterward, Jero Bonaparte called for Mokar and ordered him to bring the Minister of War, Montauban, to him as he had so words to discuss.
"Yes!" Mokar nodded and replied to Jero Bonaparte, then left the study to invite Minister Montauban from the Ministry of War.
About half an hour later, Mokar brought Montauban to Jero Bonaparte.
Jero Bonaparte stood up and invited Montauban, "Montauban, let’s talk on the sofa!"
"As you wish!" Montauban obeyed Jero Bonaparte’s order and sat on the sofa with him.
Jero Bonaparte started with so small talk with Montauban, asking about his recent situation.
Montauban told Jero Bonaparte that as Minister of War, he was quite idle except for routinely inquiring about the progress of various departnts each day; there was nothing else.
"Are you blaming ?" Jero Bonaparte asked Montauban in a teasing tone, not wanting to escalate any conflicts between them.
After all, Montauban had taken quite a bit of the bla on his behalf, and deep down, he was grateful for Montauban’s "assistance."
"Your Majesty, no!" Montauban, realizing he was infusing personal feelings into his conversation with His Majesty, shook his head hurriedly and responded to Jero Bonaparte.
"Is it truly no, or are you simply wary!" Jero Bonaparte jested with Montauban, "Forget it! Let’s not discuss this. I know you have so dissatisfaction with !"
"No!" Montauban imdiately explained.
"You don’t need to explain!" Jero Bonaparte raised his hand to stop him and continued, "If I were in your position, I would also be dissatisfied!
Why could the previous Minister of War control both military orders and military administration, while I could only handle military administration!
Why does His Majesty want to do tasks he doesn’t wish to undertake..."
Jero Bonaparte’s self-deprecating remarks eased Montauban’s mind a little.
The fact that His Majesty could make jokes in front of him was enough to show that the Emperor didn’t care about such matters.
In other words, his previous conduct would not cause the Emperor to be displeased.
"Your Majesty, that’s rely your conjecture. That’s not what’s in my heart!" Minister Montauban replied earnestly to Jero Bonaparte.
"Regardless of what you’re thinking, I can affirmatively tell you that I have indeed been a bit too harsh on you!" Jero Bonaparte said solemnly to Minister Montauban, restraining his smile.
"Your Majesty, I can hold the crucial position of Minister of War all due to your grace!" Minister Montauban replied to Jero Bonaparte.
Indeed, although Jero Bonaparte had severely curtailed the powers of Montauban, the Minister of War, he was still not soone who could be matched by those generals.
The position of Minister of War was akin to a platform, allowing Montauban to use it to be transferred away and serve as a vassal emperor far from France.
And for placing him on this platform, Jero Bonaparte also received his gratitude.
"There’s no need to say flattering words!" Jero Bonaparte waved his hand and said to Minister Montauban before asking him, "Montauban, aren’t you heading to Algiers soon to assu the post of Governor? Who do you think would be suitable to take over the position of Minister of War?"
"Your Majesty, such matters shouldn’t be recklessly comnted on!" Montauban replied to Jero Bonaparte, "All of this depends on your divine judgnt!"
"But I want to know who you favor as your successor!" Jero Bonaparte pressed Montauban, emphasizing, "Don’t give vague answers. Answer seriously!"
After contemplating for a mont, Montauban spoke to Jero Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the next Minister of War should be chosen between General Vayan and Marshal Canrobert!"
"Why did you choose those two!" Jero Bonaparte asked Montauban.
"General Vayan is not only your current adjutant, but he also once served as the commander of the National Guard in Seine Province, so after Vayan assus the role of Minister of War, he will certainly handle the issue of the National Guard well together with Chief of Staff Nie’er!" Montauban explained to Jero Bonaparte, "And Marshal Canrobert is a hero of the Crian War, and his achievents are evident to all!
Therefore, it is also reasonable for him to assu the position of Minister of War.
Moreover, Marshal Canrobert is not particularly keen on power struggles, so he can coordinate well with Nie’er!"
After listening to Montauban, Jero Bonaparte nodded with satisfaction.
The candidates in his mind were largely the sa as Montauban’s. The Minister of War could not be a too rigid military man, as a rigid Minister of War and a rigid Chief of Staff were bound to clash.
At that ti, Jero Bonaparte would have to spend a lot of ti diating the conflict between the two sides.
Likewise, soone who lacked resolve could not be chosen as Minister of War, because soone who couldn’t stand firm was likely to be led by the nose by Nie’er.
After much consideration, Jero Bonaparte could only choose from Vayan, Canrobert, Trocch, and Renio. Since Renio had already served as Minister of War and considering his age, Jero Bonaparte directly passed him over.
And Trocch was sowhat too young. Assuming the role of Minister of War too early might not bode well for Trocch’s future. (Although Trocch himself might not really think so.)
Therefore, only General Vayan and Canrobert were left for selection.
"Let’s go with Vayan!" Jero Bonaparte replied to Montauban.
"General Vayan taking over my position as Minister of War is the best choice!" Montauban responded to Jero Bonaparte.
Choosing Vayan as Minister of War ant that Montauban’s appointnt as Governor in Algeria was imminent. He could finally leave behind the turmoil of Paris and assu the role of Vassal Emperor in Algeria.
Next, Jero Bonaparte discussed matters regarding Algeria with Montauban, telling the Minister that once he took office as Governor in Algeria, he must closely unite with the property owners of the coastal cities and so tribal leaders there, to suppress the inland residents of Algeria together.
"The further you are from the coastal areas, the more you must strictly enforce the household registration system! Strive to have all household information firmly in hand!" Jero Bonaparte said to Montauban, "At the sa ti, you should also implent a strict reporting and disclosure system within your jurisdiction!
Strive to confine the population in the inland regions firmly within our designated areas, ensuring those damned guerrillas have no capability to gain support, and thereby completely eliminate the basis of the guerrilla forces."
"I understand, Your Majesty!" Montauban replied to Jero Bonaparte.
"For those who are willing to join France and abide by French civil law, you can be lenient!" Jero Bonaparte instructed Montauban.
"Understood!" Montauban nodded again to Jero Bonaparte.
"Also, I want you to give our neighbor Morocco so ’warmth’ when you assu the role of Governor!" Jero Bonaparte hinted to Montauban to take action against Morocco.
After all, Morocco had once served as the ’base camp’ for the anti-French guerrillas in the Algeria region.
Many guerrilla fighters would imdiately seek refuge in Morocco after being heavily encircled by French troops.
However, after Marshal Biron thoroughly swept through the large revolt groups in Algeria in 1847 and threatened the Moroccan border,
Morocco dared not continue to provide asylum to Algeria, and it was only after losing Morocco’s protection that Abdu Cadivin was captured by the French Army!
Afterwards, Jero Bonaparte also suggested to Montauban that he could lead drills near the border area between Algeria and Morocco from ti to ti to intimidate Morocco.
By then, a pretext of missing soldiers would allow for a full military takeover of Morocco.
Of course, Jero Bonaparte, at present, did not want to annex Morocco so soon.
With British and Spanish capital still continuously flowing into Morocco, Jero Bonaparte wanted to wait until the British and Spanish investnts ceased before considering sending troops to invade Morocco.
Montauban expressed his commitnt to acting according to Jero Bonaparte’s orders.
Subsequently, Jero Bonaparte inquired with Montauban about the rifle situation in the warehouses subordinate to the Ministry of War.
Montauban inford Jero Bonaparte that although the Ministry of War had done its utmost to sell the MTL1842 rifles, nearly a third of them remained unsold.
"I have already inford the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sell off those stockpiled rifles at low prices as soon as possible!
By then, you just need to cooperate with them!
Also..."
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