Chapter 301: Chapter 297: I Establish the 3rd Republic in the World
The coup of December 2nd lasted three days, ultimately ending with the victory of the counter-revolutionary group led by Jerome Bonaparte. According to preliminary statistics, approximately 485 people were killed or injured during the coup in Paris, most of whom were university students within the city.
—— "A Brief History of the Third Republic"
On December 5th, 1850, the temperature in Paris became even colder than it was a few days earlier. The biting cold wind fiercely swept over every inch of Paris, trying to take away the city’s last bit of warmth.
Dark clouds once again hovered over Paris’s sky, casting an oppressive shadow over the city.
Due to the extreme cold weather, the streets of Paris saw very few pedestrians, and only soldiers manning the outposts at street corners remained.
Those soldiers, holding Mini Rifles and clad in winter attire, stood shivering at intersections, patrolling back and forth with chattering teeth against the howling wind. Privately, each soldier prayed for their shift to end quickly while cursing their superiors.
Meanwhile, soldiers stationed in the camp near Concorde Square, Bastille Prison Square, Bourbon Palace, Tuileries Palace, and Elysee Palace wished that time would pass more slowly so they could linger longer in the comfort of their tents.
Although the crackdown on December 4th had already announced the complete victory of the coup group led by Jerome Bonaparte, with all remaining deputies captured except those who fled to Britain, they could not afford to be complacent. Before the plebiscite set to open on December 14th, the military would garrison the city to maintain stability across Paris.
On the evening of December 5th, an exclusive celebration for the Bonaparte Faction unfolded at Tuileries Palace.
Under the glow of thousands of candle lights, Tuileries Palace emitted an ethereal sacredness. This palace, which had gathered dust for over fifty years, was once again in Bonaparte’s hands, poised for a rebirth under their stewardship.
At seven in the evening, Bonaparte Faction deputies, generals, social elites, and foreign political figures arrived at this lavishly decorated hall at Jerome Bonaparte’s invitation. The living room, illuminated by a mix of candlelight and golden reflections from the goldware scattered about, appeared particularly dazzling.
The hall was teeming with people, gathering in small groups to chat. Generals animatedly recounted the "interesting stories" from the coup, while elderly socialites reminisced about events from the First Empire, continually muttering "the Empire is returning" to those around. Meanwhile, ambassadors from other countries listened to the generals’ accounts while pondering the direction France’s situation would take next.
"By the way! Where is Mr. President? Why hasn’t anyone seen him?" someone issued the first inquiry, and the crowd, about to commence the banquet, then realized that Jerome Bonaparte, the protagonist of the event, was indeed absent.
What a peculiar circumstance!
During the guests’ speculation about Jerome Bonaparte’s whereabouts, the Chief Secretary, Valerovsky, appeared before them to explain.
"Everyone, Mr. President will be here shortly! Please be patient for a moment!" Valerovsky said with a smile to all present.
The gathering resumed its lively discussion, while Jerome Bonaparte, the keynote of the banquet, was at that moment with Minister Percy, remaining in a tent at Concorde Square, conversing with the soldiers and sharing "inferior" diluted wine with them.
At the instigation of the regiment leader, the soldiers in the tent raised their glasses together and exclaimed, "Long live the Empire, long live the Emperor!"
Jerome Bonaparte also raised his glass and responded, "Soldiers, thank you for your blessings! I am with you!"
Afterward, Jerome Bonaparte ordered the district police chief, in front of all the soldiers of the First Division, to distribute frozen chickens and wine to each soldier on duty.
"The army is our most solid shield and sword. We must fully ensure their provisions, do you understand?" Jerome Bonaparte sternly instructed the district police chief.
"Yes! I understand!" The district police chief nodded servilely, immediately organizing officers to deliver the frozen chickens, garlic sausages, and wine to the soldiers on duty.
The soldiers’ complaints against Jerome Bonaparte and the officers faded away beneath the frozen chickens.
Amidst the farewell of soldiers and officers, Jerome Bonaparte left Concorde Square by carriage.
"Next stop, Bourbon Palace!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Percy beside him.
"But... the banquet is about to begin!" Percy hesitated momentarily before speaking.
"Hmm?" Jerome Bonaparte glanced out the window. The sky had turned into a mass of dark clouds, and the lanterns hanging on both sides of the carriage swayed back and forth in the roaring cold wind.
"Never mind," after a moment of thought, Jerome Bonaparte decisively chose to head to Bourbon Palace: "Let them wait a little longer!"
"But... will this..." Percy cautiously spoke to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Will what?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired of Percy.
"Will they feel you are neglecting them!" Percy said cautiously to Jerome Bonaparte.
"They can interpret it however they want! I don’t care!" Jerome Bonaparte nonchalantly responded to Percy, then gravely advised, "Percy! You must understand that our legitimacy does not come from them, but from those who have lived in silence on the land for generations. Our foundation is the French military; these two pillars support us. If either one collapses, we will be doomed!"
Jerome Bonaparte, by now in a high position, had unknowingly acquired the aura of a ruler. Percy nervously swallowed and nodded.
The carriage crossed the bridge over Seine River and arrived at the left bank, quickly reaching the entrance to Bourbon Palace along the road.
The soldiers stationed at the Bourbon Palace instinctively raised their rifles upon seeing the carriage; after several days of suppression, the soldiers had developed a reflex to raise their guns in warning when an unfamiliar carriage approached.
The carriage slowly stopped in front of the barricade, and Jerome Bonaparte and Percy stepped down together.
The soldiers who had set up the barricade hurriedly removed it upon seeing the arrival of Jerome Bonaparte.
With a smile on his face, Jerome Bonaparte patted a soldier on the shoulder and said, "Good work!"
"Not at all! Not at all!" The soldier replied to Jerome Bonaparte, overjoyed at the recognition.
Led by the soldiers, Jerome Bonaparte saw the soldiers inside the camp.
At this time, they were also eating frozen chicken and garlic sausage. When they saw Jerome Bonaparte arrive, they hastily stood up and gathered around him.
It wasn’t until the arrival of the army officers that the soldiers returned to their seats.
Jerome Bonaparte once again shook hands with the officers, warmly speaking each of their names.
The extraordinary memory was an additional ability Jerome Bonaparte gained after his crossing through time.
The officers, too, showed the same surprised delight as the soldiers.
After a brief exchange, Jerome Bonaparte and Percy left the Bourbon Palace,
and having inspected the Paris Military Camps one by one, Jerome Bonaparte returned to the Tuileries Palace at 7:45.
"The President is here!"
Upon receiving the news of the President’s arrival, Valerovsky hurriedly ran into the living room and shouted to the guests present.
The guests in the living room turned their eyes to the doorway.
After a while, a slow-arriving Jerome Bonaparte appeared in everyone’s sight.
"I truly apologize for keeping you all waiting!" Jerome Bonaparte bowed to all the guests present.
The banquet officially began, and the servants led the different types of guests to different dining rooms.
Jerome Bonaparte’s position was among all the "esteemed contributors" of the coup.
Minister Saint Arno and General Kuzan Montebon were seated on Jerome Bonaparte’s left and right sides, followed by General Manion, Valerovsky, De Moreni, Conrobel, Pello, Normar, and others.
The servants poured wine for everyone seated at the dining table, and Jerome Bonaparte raised his glass and said, "Thank you all for your help! Without you, I wouldn’t have succeeded! Now that we’ve overthrown the National Assembly, there’s no longer any force in France that can stop us! We can transform the entirety of Paris however we like!"
The generals and ministers at the dining table raised their glasses and drank to this hard-won sweetness.
Some of them had waited nearly ten years for this day.
As soon as Jerome Bonaparte finished speaking, Minister Saint Arno immediately stood up and said, "I propose we toast to the governance of Jerome Bonaparte! Let us wish Chief Jerome Bonaparte health and longevity!"
Everyone present raised their glasses in unison, saying, "To Chief Jerome Bonaparte, health and longevity!"
"Well done! Well done!" Jerome Bonaparte accepted their blessings with a smile.
He then began issuing tasks to the various department ministers at the dining table.
"Mr. De Moreni, after the banquet, draft a telegram urging the governors of each province to vote. If necessary, the military can supervise the voting! Be sure to complete the vote by December 20th! Your wording can be stern!"
"Yes!" De Moreni responded immediately.
"Minister Saint Arno, Minister Bifei, jointly use the telegraph to issue a message to all of France saying that the unrest has been suppressed! The President dissolved the National Assembly to prevent the spread of the Reds!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Saint Arno and Bifei.
Saint Arno and Bifei nodded to show they understood.
The next command was for Manion to strictly monitor the National Guard and Mopa to reorganize the army, among other matters.