Looking through the study window at Count Falloux leaving in a hurry, Jérôme Bonaparte knew that this deal with the Catholic right had been successful.
No party in the whole of Paris offered more generous terms to the clericalists than Jerome Bonaparte, or people who had the ability to compete with Jerome Bonaparte (such as Cavaignac)
, are unwilling to negotiate terms with them. Guys who are not capable of entering the election finals (such as Thiers, Molay, etc.), even if the terms they offer are generous, they are nothing more than flowers in the mirror.
Not to mention that Count Faru himself is a die-hard monarchist and clerical right-winger. It is simply a dream to expect him to make peace with an ultra-republican.
Jérôme Bonaparte, who was certain that Count Falloux would definitely agree to his conditions, showed a confident smile.
Although it has only been two days since he returned to Paris, he has already won the support of other forces besides his small farmer base. Some of them are the moderate republicans headed by Victor Hugo. Their base is the desire of the entire Paris.
The petty bourgeoisie that protects its own private property, and the other part represents the power of the Catholic right headed by the Count of Falloux. One part of them comes from Britannia, and the other part is from Provence.
The situation of the election cannot be said to be without progress, it can only be said to be winning after winning.
Under such a good situation, Jérôme Bonaparte could not help but feel a little elated.
After all, he is about to become the first person in history to become the president of France at the age of 26. In the past and future of France, there has never been a republican ruler under the age of 30.
Jérôme Bonaparte, who closed his eyes and danced gently, fell into a brief moment of narcissism.
However, Jérôme Bonaparte's intoxication did not last long before he was broken by Eugène Rouet's shout.
"Your Highness..." Eugène Rouet broke into Jérôme Bonaparte's study, swallowed and said intermittently: "Cavaignac, Cavaignac..."
"What's wrong with Cavaignac?" Jérôme Bonaparte instantly opened his eyes and woke up from his narcissism and asked with a serious expression.
"Cavaignac is downstairs! He said he wants to see you!" Eugène Rouet said everything in one breath.
"Huh?" A trace of surprise flashed in Jérôme Bonaparte's eyes. He didn't understand what Cavaignac, the dictator, was doing here if he didn't enjoy his last dictatorial time in the Elysée Palace. He didn't understand.
Maybe he wants to persuade himself not to participate in the election!
"Tsk, tsk, tsk! The god of plague is coming!" Jérôme Bonaparte shook his head, stood with his hands behind his hands and sighed.
"To see or not to see?" Eugène Rouet asked Jérôme Bonaparte. This kind of matter can only be decided by the leader alone. Anyone who makes the decision on behalf of the leader will only make things worse.
"Do we have any choice now?" Jérôme Bonaparte shrugged and responded in a calm tone: "Then let our gentleman in power come in! Don't let him wait too long!"
"Yes!" Eugène Rouet responded, then turned and left Jérôme Bonaparte's study.
In order to prepare for the arrival of Cavaignac, Jérôme Bonaparte had to call Fleury to his side and asked him to make a pot of good tea to entertain Cavaignac.
After receiving the order, Fleury met Cavaignac who was introduced to the second floor by Eugène Ruby as soon as he left the room.
Cavaignac, who was wearing a black corseted military uniform, red corseted trousers, and a yellow ribbon around his waist, looked at Fleury in surprise and said, "Fleury, I didn't expect you to come here?"
"Do you know each other?" Jérôme Bonaparte focused his eyes on Fleury's back one second, and looked at Cavaignac the next.
"Yes!" Cavaignac nodded and responded seriously and indifferently: "I once fought with Major Fleury in Algiers!"
Major? Sure enough, my cousin has randomly added official positions to his cronies.
Jerome Bonaparte complained silently in his heart.
Although he understood his deceased cousin's behavior of randomly writing bad checks, he was dissatisfied with having to cash in some of his cousin's bad checks.
Even he didn't know how many bad checks his cousin had sent out.
"Your Highness, I..." Fleury wanted to explain something, Jerome Bonaparte waved his hand and said: "Let's get down to business!"
Fleury went to prepare tea, and Eugène Rouet brought Cavaignac to Jérôme Bonaparte.
Jérôme Bonaparte and Cavaignac sat face to face on the sofa without saying a word. After looking at each other for a long time, Jérôme finally couldn't help but said: "Mr. Consul, I don't know what you gain by coming to this humble house."
!”
"To be honest, Prince Jérôme Bonaparte, I dislike you very much! I should have thrown you into prison!" Cavaignac said with a hint of hostility in his cold tone.
Cavaignac's naked hostility did not usher in a tit-for-tat response from Jérôme Bonaparte. He said with a smile: "Cavaignac is in power. As a political figure, we cannot put our dislikes and likes above the republic."
Above! Regardless of whether you like me or not, as long as I have not violated the Constitution of the Republic, you have no ability to arrest me!"
"Hmph!" Cavaignac still snorted coldly. He was obviously dissatisfied with Jérôme Bonaparte's rigid and almost official response.
Seeing this, Jérôme Bonaparte put away his smile, and his expression also became extremely indifferent. He said as if he was rejecting people thousands of miles away: "Mr. Consul, if you are here just to vent your dissatisfaction,
I think you can do it secretly at home by yourself! Whether you curse or pray to God! It’s all your right!”
Jérôme Bonaparte's eccentric attitude made Cavaignac feel very uncomfortable. He adjusted his mood and said, "I hope you can join my cabinet. The Republic needs people like you!"
Jérôme Bonaparte showed an expression of astonishment. He had never thought that Cavaignac, who was incompatible with him, would one day invite him to join.
This is a treatment that none of my cousins received in the "previous life".
"That depends on what position Cavaignac can provide me with in power!" Jérôme Bonaparte responded in a frivolous tone.
Cavaignac thought for a moment and then responded: "How about Minister of Public Works? I think this position is suitable for you!"
Having the power to spend on national public works means having the key to a national oil depot, and the cost of Cavaignac is not small.