Just as the ballot numbers for Jero Bonaparte and other candidates were spreading throughout the Parisian political sphere via the National Assembly, the Paris Police Departnt also welcod an "uninvited guest."
An elderly gentleman in his sixties, wearing a black coat, a tall top hat, and a gold chain with three dals hanging at the button, slowly made his way to the entrance of the Paris Police Departnt under the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the aid of a servant. He then walked up the steps and entered the modest four-story building.
The two Railway Commissioners standing guard at the police departnt’s entrance, after carefully examining the elderly man’s attire, dared not stop him. If they mistakenly barred a nobleman, it would be a grave offense.
The elderly man who entered the hall of the Police Departnt did not linger on the first-floor lobby but walked straight to a room at the corner on the third floor.
An iron naplate hung on the wall to the left of the door, clearly engraved with the words "Police Chief." (The title "Police Chief" consists of three words in French.)
The elderly man stood patiently in front of the Chief’s office door and knocked slowly.
"Who is it! Didn’t I say not to disturb at this ti?" A roar ca from inside the room; the Police Chief was obviously upset about being disturbed at this mont.
"Jero Napoleon, here to pay a special visit to Chief Maxi Decamps today!" The old man... no, it should be Prince Old Jero responded slowly and with the aristocratic arrogance characteristic of nobles.
Not long after, a woman’s scream and the sound of a chair moving ca from inside the room.
Then, the Police Chief’s panicked voice followed: "Prince, please wait a mont, I’ll open the door for you right away!"
The movents inside the room brought a hint of a smile to Prince Old Jero’s lips. Understanding the situation, he humorously replied, "Chief, as a gentleman, one must carry things through to the end!"
After a while, the door to the Police Chief’s office slowly opened, and a woman in a red robe, with slightly grayish blonde hair and a gold-crafted snake-neck collar, lightly covering her face with a lace-edged ivory carved fan, ca out of the Chief’s office.
As she t Prince Old Jero at the doorway, she didn’t forget to lower her fan and throw a coquettish glance at him before leaving.
A fiery sensation involuntarily surged in Prince Old Jero’s abdon as he watched the enticing figure of the woman. If not for the business at hand, he surely would have pursued the lady to explore so "geographical knowledge" with her.
The pressing matter at hand was still of utmost importance.
With this in mind, Prince Old Jero pushed open the door to the Police Chief’s office and entered.
Upon entering the office, Prince Old Jero glanced around the extrely luxurious office before looking at Chief Maxi Decamps, who had hurriedly co forward to et him.
"Your Highness, may I ask what brings you here?" Chief Maxi Decamps inquired cautiously, lowering his stance, afraid of saying anything that might anger the old Prince before him.
Being part of the most well-inford circle in Paris, Maxi Decamps had already learned on the morning of December 10th that his future superior’s superior was Prince Jero Bonaparte. To avoid losing his job, Maxi Decamps had to please the father of his future boss.
Only by doing so could he cleanse himself of Cafenak’s influence.
Reflecting on this, Maxi Decamps couldn’t help but regret his reckless actions during the France elections when he cast his vote for Cafenak and cooperated with his superior to take action against the newspaper affiliated with Jero Bonaparte.
Now, with his political opportunism failed, his position was in danger.
Seeing the terrified expression on Chief Maxi Decamps’ face, Old Jero couldn’t help feeling a little smug.
Amidst his smugness, Prince Old Jero hadn’t forgotten the main issue. Observing Maxi Decamps’ anxious expression, he stated, "Chief, your subordinates have torn down our posters and even detained our people! I understand your regulations, but can’t all the bla fall solely on my son?"
Damn! I forgot!
Maxi Decamps suddenly rembered that he failed to inform his subordinates about the situation. Those scoundrels, only interested in making money, never considered politics.
"This... this..." Maxi Decamps showed a flattering smile, his forehead sweating nervously. "This... perhaps it’s a misunderstanding! It must be so officers causing trouble!"
"Oh, a misunderstanding!" Prince Old Jero feigned sudden realization and replied with a cold smile: "My son is also very angry about this matter!"
"This... this..." Maxi Decamps stamred flatteringly: "Actually... Prince Bonaparte has already secured enough votes and doesn’t need further promotion!"
"So that’s why you had people tear down our advertisents and detain our mbers!" Prince Old Jero intentionally raised his voice to ensure it would be heard outside.
"No...no!" Maxi Decamps was at a loss, not knowing how to explain to Prince Old Jero. He couldn’t possibly confess that he once foolishly fought for Cafenak.
"Now...imdiately...let those you captured be released!" Prince Old Jero emphasized to Maxi Decamps.
"Yes...yes! I will comply!" Maxi Decamps agreed sheepishly, knowing that he had no room to bargain. The failure of political opportunism was a bitter fruit he had to swallow.
"Also, I require you to punish those officers who acted against our Bonaparte mbers severely!" Prince Old Jero laid out the second condition.
"Yes!" Maxi Decamps again agreed to Prince Old Jero’s terms.
Though doing this might damage his reputation among the officers, Maxi Decamps was more concerned about currying favor with his future superior than pleasing his subordinates.
"As for the third!" Prince Old Jero’s expression softened, glancing at the open door, he quietly remarked: "Hmm... this is a small suggestion I have for the Police Departnt!"
"Please, go ahead!" Maxi Decamps appeared ready to listen attentively. He certainly understood the implications behind this so-called suggestion.
"I believe the Police Departnt should establish an investigation unit specifically to handle those disrupting the Republic’s peace!" Prince Old Jero tactfully suggested.
Maxi Decamps imdiately displayed an indignant expression: "Your Highness, I think your suggestion is very necessary. With the current France elections, many in Paris aim to disrupt it, so I believe establishing this departnt is crucial!"
Following this, Maxi Decamps showed an embarrassed look, spreading his hands: "But I don’t have suitable personnel for such a unit. I wonder if the Prince might have soone to recomnd!"
"Certainly, I think your departnt’s Marcel Yale would be a suitable person! He previously served as a Railway Commissioner, so he is sowhat familiar with this area of work!"
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