Jérôme Bonaparte's sudden question made Liuelli a little at a loss.
Who in Paris doesn't know that the general currently in charge of the Italian Front is the "die-hard" Marshal Bijo of the Party of Order. Just last month, Marshal Bijo was still clamoring in Lyon to "lead troops to Paris" to defeat the "red elements".
God! Is the president going to take action against Bira?
Thinking of this, Liuelli couldn't help but feel numb. He should never have taken over as Minister of War from the beginning. This position was simply a pit of fire.
At this point, Liuelli could only answer cautiously and tentatively: "I think Marshal Bijo is strict in running the army. Under the leadership of Ah, the combat effectiveness of the Italian Front has steadily improved!"
"Oh? By the way, I almost forgot that Marshal Bijo was also the commander of the Italian Front!" Jérôme Bonaparte suddenly realized a problem. Marshal Bijo, the "Emperor" of the Italian Front, would die in September this year, so he said
The idea of transferring Liuelli to the command of the Italian Front seemed to have some difficulties in execution.
"Your Excellency President!" Liuelli looked at Jerome Bonaparte in confusion. He did not understand Jerome Bonaparte.
"Minister Liuelli!" Jérôme Bonaparte picked up the aluminum knife and fork and cut the foie gras on the plate into small pieces, and said to Liuelli: "Frankly speaking, you are no longer suitable to be the Minister of War.
This position!"
Jerome Bonaparte's calm words were so cold when they reached Liuelli's ears through the air. Liuelli's fiery body was at the moment when Jerome Bonaparte said "You are not suitable for the Minister of War"
"Frozen", his mind went blank and he didn't know how to reply to Jérôme Bonaparte.
Although Liuelli said that he should not take over as Minister of War and knew in his heart that sooner or later he would be dismissed by the president or prime minister, when Jérôme Bonaparte actually presented his "showdown" to him, he was unable to accept it for a while.
This result.
It was you who recalled me from the Legislative Assembly, and it is you who now deem me unfit to serve as Secretary of War.
An inexplicable anger surged into Liuelli's heart. If he were not a politician, he would definitely get up and leave directly.
Precisely because he is a politician, even if his teeth are broken, he will smile and say "well done".
"Mr. President, I know that I am not qualified for the position of Minister of War because of my limited knowledge and skills!" Liuelli showed a forced smile and said to Jérôme Bonaparte in a dry tone.
Looking at Liuelli's expression of mourning, Jérôme Bonaparte became more determined to take power into his own hands. He did not want to become a pawn like Liuelli who could be discarded by others.
The Party of Order must die and the Reich must live
In order to ease the awkward atmosphere, Jerome Bonaparte raised his glass and said in a brisk tone: "Mr. Minister, thank you for your work in the Ministry of War these days!"
Liuelli forced himself to raise his glass and drank the brandy. The bitter brandy made Liuelli cough twice.
The servant on the side quickly handed the white handkerchief to Minister Liuelli. Liuelli took the handkerchief, wiped the corners of his mouth and apologized: "Your Excellency, please forgive me for my gaffe!"
"Mr. Minister, I understand how you feel now!" Jérôme Bonaparte comforted Minister Liuelli, and then changed the subject: "I also understand and respect your neutral choice, but I hope you can also understand
Come on, that old guy in Changarnier has gone too far lately!"
Jérôme Bonaparte's frank response finally gave Liuelli a glimmer of warmth in his cold heart. He also understood that with the fall of the Montagnards and the Republicans, the enemies of the President and the Party of Order no longer existed. What would happen next?
Either the president suppresses the parliament and becomes the president with real power, or the parliament suppresses the president and turns the president into a puppet.
[ps: Liuelli believes that Jérôme Bonaparte just wants to act as a president with real power and spend four years smoothly.]
How could the president, who was the emperor's nephew, tolerate a dictating parliament above his head? There was no possibility of neutrality between the president and the Party of Order.
The War Department was merely the president's first attack on Congress.
Minister Liuelli felt better after "thinking about" this. He was unwilling to help the President fight against the Congress, and he was also unwilling to help the Congress fight against the President. He was indeed not suitable to stay in this position.
"Your Excellency, I don't want to get involved in the whirlpool of party disputes. I also understand your will." Liuelli couldn't help but remind him: "But as a minister who is about to be dismissed by you, a humble man who follows the emperor to fight.
Officer, I still want to remind you that the Ministry of War is a huge and bloated bureaucratic organization! If it is not necessary, I hope you will not touch them. Once their interests are touched, no matter how much they respect you, they will not do anything.
Hesitantly counterattacking you. I know these guys too well. They will not oppose you while you are still on stage. If one day you really accidentally lose power, they will definitely counterattack without hesitation? "
"Mr. Minister, thank you for your advice!" Jerome Bonaparte first expressed his gratitude to Liuelli, and then said firmly: "I remember two months ago, I once said to you, even if the road ahead is thousands of feet
I will jump into the abyss without hesitation!"
Jérôme Bonaparte's firm expression reminded Liuelli of the emperor more than thirty years ago. Was the emperor then so firm?
If he were still young, he would not hesitate to follow the emperor's nephew to do great things.
Now that he is old and his thinking has become conservative, he would rather resign than get involved.
"Your Excellency, since you have made up your mind, I sincerely wish you success!" Minister Liuelli also raised his glass and said to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Yes!" Jérôme Bonaparte nodded, and the two crystal clear wine glasses collided together, making a "ding-dong" sound.
Liuelli and Jérôme Bonaparte drank the brandy in their glasses at the same time, and the footman on the side saw this and quickly refilled their glasses.
Liuelli carefully squeezed half a lemon with a knife and fork, and the lemonade flowed from the lemon into the sturgeon meat. The sour lemon, the soft sturgeon meat, and the special sauce were chewed gently in the mouth.
Supreme enjoyment.
Jérôme Bonaparte waited quietly for Liuelli to finish his meal. When Liuelli's Adam's apple moved up and down, Jérôme Bonaparte finally spoke, "Mr. Minister, I don't know which position you would like to belong to."
, Deputy Commander of the Strasbourg Front? Deputy Commander of the Italian Front? Or Governor-General of the Algerian Front?”
Jérôme Bonaparte, who was supposed to be a public servant, was left to Liuelli's choice in the form of compensation.
Liuelli showed a surprised expression, Jérôme Bonaparte waved his hand and said: "Mr. Minister, I just think you should get out of the vortex of the Minister of War! You are an excellent general, an excellent general.
It shouldn’t be buried!”
"Deputy Commander of the Strasbourg Front!" Liuelli's choice was beyond Jérôme Bonaparte's expectation. He did not choose the Governor of Algeria, who had the most wealth, but instead chose the Deputy Commander of Strasbourg.
.
"Thank you, President, for your generosity in providing me with so many choices!" Liuelli said with a self-deprecating smile: "I'm old! I don't want to get involved in any disputes, and I'm also unwilling to do any dangerous work.
!Deputy Commander of Strasbourg is a good job!”
"I know!" Jérôme Bonaparte responded to Liuelli with a nod.
"But, Mr. President! I want to know who will come to take over my job!" Minister Liuelli asked Jérôme Bonaparte.
Jérôme Bonaparte was silent.
"I took the liberty!" Liuelli said apologetically to Jérôme Bonaparte.
"Currently serving as Major General Renault of the Roman Expeditionary Force!" Jerome Bonaparte said: "I am going to let him take your place to lead the War Department."
"It turns out it's him!" Liuelli then understood why Reinho became the commander of the Roman Expeditionary Force just after being promoted to major general.
After a long quarrel, it turned out that the president had paved the way for him in advance so that he could successfully take over his position.
Reinho's treatment made Liuelli jealous and a little gloating at the same time. He looked forward to Reinho's performance after returning to China.
Minister Liuelli, who calmed down, said half-jokingly: "It seems that President, you are not ready to remove me immediately!"
"That's right!" Jérôme Bonaparte nodded in agreement with Liuelli's idea, "I still hope that you, Minister, can help me reorganize the Ministry of War during the period before you leave! We will not forget you, Mr. Minister.
Contribution made!”
Liuelli thought for a moment and then said: "I will do my best to serve the President!"
…
After all the conversations were completed, Liuelli got on the horse for the return journey, accompanied by Jérôme Bonaparte himself.
Looking at the long shadow of Liuelli's carriage fading away, Jérôme Bonaparte turned around and returned to the Elysee Palace.
"Your Majesty, has Liuelli really agreed?" Pesini, who was following Jérôme Bonaparte, asked.
"He has agreed!" Jérôme Bonaparte responded.
"Great!" Pesini clenched his fists excitedly and said, "I can finally give those guys a good look!"
"Pessini!" cried Jérôme Bonaparte in a cold voice.
"Yes!" Pesini responded quickly.
"Before you proceed to the last step, please be cautious!" Jérôme Bonaparte reminded Pesini in an indifferent tone: "Any slightest negligence may take away everything from us!"
"Yes!" Pesini responded seriously.
On the other hand, Liuelli on the carriage stared at Paris outside the window with blurred eyes. Paris shrouded in darkness seemed so silent that it was scary, and the conflict hidden under the undercurrent was about to begin.