"Of course it’s true!" Jero Bonaparte responded assuredly to Prince Montfort.
Towards his eldest nephew, Jero Patterson, Jero Bonaparte harbored only thoughts of utilization, oppression and exile were not in his consideration whatsoever.
Because mbers of the Bonaparte Clan capable of assuming great responsibility were exceedingly rare, many mbers’ abilities did not match their ambitions. Jero Patterson, a capable person who recognized his own position, was one in a hundred.
Seeing the lingering doubt in Prince Montfort’s eyes, Jero Bonaparte argued strenuously, "Father, there’s absolutely no need for to suppress him!
If I wanted to, he wouldn’t have been able to set foot in France from the start!
Don’t forget, my sister Mathilde always harbored a grudge against Jero Patterson!
If it weren’t for back then, Jero Patterson couldn’t have joined the House of Bonaparte!
I painstakingly propelled Jero Patterson to beco a mber of the House of Bonaparte, making him repeatedly earn rits on the Cria Battlefield.
Aren’t these enough to prove my regard for him?"
After listening to Jero Bonaparte’s self-defense, Prince Montfort believed in Jero Bonaparte’s words. Then he asked why Jero Bonaparte dispatched Jero Patterson to the Gabon region.
"I made this appointnt after seeking Jero Patterson’s consent!" Jero Bonaparte explained once again, "The reason for sending him to Gabon is firstly to expand the territory of France in Central Africa. You should know there’s nothing more pleasing to the French than territorial expansion.
Moreover, the one expanding the territory is an outstanding young man from the Bonaparte Clan.
Secondly, because Europe is in a relatively peaceful phase now.
So, if Jero Patterson wants to quickly advance his military rank, going to a colony for warfare is the only path, which is why I arranged for him to serve as the Governor in Gabon."
"Advancing in military rank is not solely reliant on warfare!" Prince Montfort rebuffed Jero Bonaparte.
"Yes! You are right!" Jero Bonaparte acknowledged Prince Montfort’s remark, "Advancent in military rank doesn’t rely solely on warfare.
But a general who gradually ascends through warfare earns more trust from soldiers than one who rises through favoritism.
If my uncle hadn’t commanded the army personally, could he have beco the Emperor?
If I hadn’t gone to Cria then, could I now command the entire army so easily?
I believe Jero Patterson wouldn’t want to be a re decorative general either; he too has a dream of conquering battlefields."
After considering Jero Bonaparte’s words for a while, Prince Montfort displayed a self-mocking smile and said, "Compared to you, I seem the least like a mber of the Bonaparte Clan!"
"Father, you live far more freely than we do!" Jero Bonaparte said with a calm expression.
"Indeed!" Prince Montfort nodded, speaking with a relaxed tone, "Living freely like this isn’t so bad after all!
Forget it, I won’t bother with these matters anymore! You handle it yourself!"
With that said, Prince Montfort turned and left Jero Bonaparte’s study.
Standing by the door, waiting for Jero Bonaparte’s summons, Bashirio hurriedly went forward to assist upon seeing Prince Montfort walk out of the room.
Prince Montfort lightly shook off Bashirio’s hand and stubbornly responded, "I’m not old yet!"
"Yes!" Bashirio complied with Prince Montfort’s wishes and stopped providing support.
Yet to prevent any mishaps as Prince Montfort descended the stairs, Bashirio closely followed behind him until Prince Montfort safely reached the entrance.
"Go back!" Prince Montfort said faintly to Bashirio before stepping down the stairs to board the carriage.
Watching the carriage carrying Prince Montfort depart, Bashirio also turned around and returned to Jero Bonaparte’s study.
...
anwhile, Jero Patterson, the person involved in this incident, was now sitting in a special train heading to Lyon, staring blankly at the wilderness outside the window.
Unaware of the undercurrents in Paris, Jero Patterson’s mind was occupied with future plans.
Jero Patterson gazed out the window for a long ti until a fellow soldier appeared before him, reporting the imminent arrival in Lyon, prompting Jero Patterson to respond. He smiled at the guard, saying, "Understood," before rising to tidy up his attire, ready for the train’s arrival.
After approximately twenty more minutes, the train let out a loud whistle, indicating the arrival at the station to Jero Patterson.
With a slight tremble, the surrounding scenery gradually slowed down.
After a while, the train stopped under an open-air platform.
"Lieutenant Colonel Jero Patterson, we’ve arrived at Lyon Railway Station!" The guard imdiately reported the arrival to Jero Patterson.
Jero Patterson glanced at the slightly desolate surroundings and the rows of houses in the distance, imdiately realizing that this platform was likely used for military supplies.
The houses in the distance must be temporary storage warehouses for military supplies, and the Italian Army camp is likely nearby as well.
"Let’s get off!" Jero Patterson responded to the guard.
A squad of guards followed Jero Patterson off the train onto the platform. Jero Patterson took out his pocket watch and glanced at the ti.
It was now around 3:15 in the afternoon, 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled arrival ti, which ant he had to wait here for 15 minutes.
After Jero Patterson and the soldiers stood quietly waiting for a while, a cavalry team slowly approached them from a distance.
When Jero Patterson could see each mber of the "cavalry team" clearly, he was surprised to find that the leader of this "cavalry team" was none other than the Italian Army commander Trochu.
Speaking of which, Jero Patterson and Trochu were old acquaintances from the Cria Battlefield.
This ti, Trochu leading the team personally to welco Jero Patterson truly surprised him.
Trochu, mounted on his horse, dismounted when he was less than 50 ters from Jero Patterson and walked towards Jero.
Seeing this, Jero Patterson also walked towards Trochu, and they t in the middle of the road, shook hands, and embraced each other.
"I apologize, sothing ca up in the camp, and I’m late!" Trochu released Jero Patterson and apologized to him.
Jero Patterson shook his head and responded to Trochu, "No! You are not late; my train arrived 15 minutes early."
Then, Trochu introduced Jero Patterson to the cavalry surrounding him, "This is Lieutenant Colonel Jero Patterson, my close comrade on the Cria Battlefield!
He is soon to beco the Governor of Gabon!"
"It’s a pleasure to et all of you!" Jero Patterson bowed to the attendees with a smile.
The crowd also warmly welcod Jero Patterson.
After the simple introduction, Trochu ordered his officers to bring Jero Patterson a horse.
"Your equestrian skills haven’t gotten rusty, have they?" Trochu asked Jero Patterson with concern.
"It’s only been about a year since the war ended; I wouldn’t have forgotten such a basic skill as riding!" Jero Patterson said to Trochu as he mounted the horse.
Trochu and the accompanying officers also mounted their horses, and the group galloped towards the Italian Army camp.
Upon reaching the Italian Army camp, Trochu introduced Jero Patterson to the chief of staff and each division commander.
After a round of conversation, Jero Patterson expressed to Trochu his wish to et with the Croatians who were soon heading to Gabon.
"I didn’t expect you to start giving orders before even taking office as governor!" Trochu shrugged and teased Jero Patterson.
"His Majesty the Emperor repeatedly advised before my departure to et with the laborers as soon as possible and then head to Gabon!" Jero Patterson replied to Trochu.
"Please follow !" Trochu said to Jero Patterson.
Under Trochu’s guidance, Jero Patterson quickly reached the gate of a camp surrounded by fences.
Suddenly recalling sothing, Trochu asked Jero Patterson, "By the way, did you ever learn German, Lieutenant Colonel Patterson?"
"German? A little!" Jero Patterson replied to Trochu.
"That’s good!" Trochu answered Jero Patterson.
"Why?" Jero Patterson inquired out of curiosity.
"These Croatians haven’t learned French; only a few have learned German, so I asked if you knew German!
If you haven’t learned German, it’ll be difficult to communicate with them!" Trochu explained to Jero Patterson.
"I understand!" Jero Patterson nodded in response.
Trochu led Jero Patterson toward the largest tent in the camp; along the way, Jero Patterson saw many shaven-headed Croatians training under the scorching sun.
When Jero Patterson entered the tent, two Croatians with their hair still intact rose to greet Trochu and Jero Patterson.
"These are Baron Mirabeau Pulinkovic and Baron Andre Milanovic!!" Trochu pointed at them and introduced them to Jero Patterson.
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