"Then, Colonel Conrobel, could I invite you to the Elysee Palace for a visit after the awarding ceremony? I will personally celebrate with you!"
Jerome Bonaparte raised his glass and straightforwardly extended an olive branch to Conrobel, confident that Conrobel would accept it.
Faced with Jerome Bonaparte’s sudden olive branch, Conrobel felt somewhat at a loss for a moment, but soon joy followed his brief panic.
Conrobel never expected that he would receive an olive branch from the emperor’s nephew just a few days after arriving in Paris.
With overwhelming excitement, and a slight tremor in his voice, Conrobel said, "I... I am not worthy to earn Your Majesty’s trust! If Your Majesty needs me, I am willing to do my utmost to assist Your Majesty!"
After speaking, he downed his brandy in one gulp.
Jerome Bonaparte also drained the brandy in his glass.
"I shall not disturb Your Majesty any longer!" Conrobel, understanding the propriety, requested permission to leave Jerome Bonaparte, knowing he couldn’t monopolize the president’s time.
"Go ahead!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded in response.
Amid the envious glances of surrounding officers, the balding Colonel Conrobel strode confidently into the crowd.
Next, the more alert officers took the opportunity to introduce themselves to Jerome Bonaparte.
However, compared to Conrobel, most of them were insignificant figures.
Jerome Bonaparte maintained a composed and courteous demeanor in responding to the officers present.
As time gradually approached 1 AM, the military banquet concluded, with officers returning to either their camps or hotels.
Stuffed with brandy, Jerome Bonaparte was once again assisted back to his room by Percy.
It wasn’t until 2 PM the next day that Jerome Bonaparte, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, donned his National Guard uniform and stepped out.
Just as he was about to leave, Audion Barrot intercepted Jerome Bonaparte to report a situation to him.
Jerome Bonaparte had no choice but to accompany Audion Barrot to the study.
In the study, Audion Barrot reported the situation concerning Italy to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Austria, Naples, and Spain are demanding to intervene in the newly established Roman Republic?"
In the study, Jerome Bonaparte feigned shock as he questioned Barrot again about the authenticity of the news.
"Indeed!" Audion Barrot replied with a bitter smile, "According to reliable intelligence, Marshal Radetzky of Austria has already split his forces, and it seems he’s preparing to intervene!"
"Hmph! That old bastard still hasn’t died!" Jerome Bonaparte displayed an expression of disgust.
As a member of the Bonaparte Clan, Jerome Bonaparte had every reason to disdain this Napoleonic Wars-era Allied chief of staff.
"No, and they have already almost defeated the Sardinian Dynasty!" Audion Barrot responded.
"Has the Austrian army fallen to the point where it can only defeat second-rate countries?" Jerome Bonaparte mocked once again.
Understanding the grievances between the Bonaparte Clan and the Habsburgs, Audion Barrot "understood" Jerome Bonaparte’s attitude. It was precisely this anticipation of Jerome Bonaparte’s eagerness that prompted him to brief the president in advance.
"What is the attitude of His Holiness Pope Pius IX, who is staying in Lyon?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired of Audion Barrot.
Upon hearing about Pope Pius IX, Audion Barrot’s expression grew even more resigned: "The Pope’s Secretary of State, Antonelli, has already gone to Naples. It seems the Pope is quite unhappy with our reluctance to act!"
"Previously, it was a matter of circumstance; now..." Jerome Bonaparte looked at Audion Barrot.
After pondering for a moment, Audion Barrot replied, "On what grounds could we enter there? Even though we’ve overridden the assembly, we haven’t yet entered the Legislative Assembly phase. Who knows, those people might oppose us again!"
Jerome Bonaparte tapped his forefinger lightly on the table, and after a while, he spoke again, "How about in the name of supporting the Republic?"
"Hmm?" Audion Barrot raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly not understanding Jerome Bonaparte’s intent.
"We would go to Civitavecchia Port under the guise of supporting the Roman Republic. Once we control that port, we can advance directly towards the Roman Republic! After all, we simply need to conceal our true intentions!" Jerome Bonaparte explained to Audion Barrot.
"That’s indeed a good plan!" Audion Barrot nodded in agreement with Jerome Bonaparte’s suggestion.
"Then, Prime Minister, you should present this plan to your colleagues in the Order Party! Afterwards, we’ll jointly discuss a deployment time!" Jerome Bonaparte urged Audion Barrot to leave promptly.
"Alright!" With no desire to linger in the Elysee Palace, Audion Barrot turned and departed.
After dealing with Audion Barrot, Jerome Bonaparte was about to leave the study when a knock came from the door. Jerome Bonaparte had to sit back down and composed himself: "Enter!"
Percy entered the study to report to Jerome Bonaparte: "Your Majesty, Colonel Conrobel requests an audience!"
Just as he spoke, Jerome Bonaparte sensed something inappropriate and quickly corrected himself: "I should personally go receive him!"
With Percy wearing an astonished expression, Jerome Bonaparte, accompanied by him, walked through the Elysee Palace hall to the main entrance.
Standing tall at the main entrance of the Elysee Palace, Colonel Conrobel looked at Jerome Bonaparte approaching and displayed an expression of being overwhelmed with favor.
Jerome Bonaparte gazed at the new medal on Conrobel’s chest, with a golden Napoleon head on the front and a tricolor French flag on the back, tightly grasping Conrobel’s hand: "Colonel Conrobel, congratulations on receiving the Legion of Honor Medal!"
"Your Majesty!" Conrobel, with his hand held firmly by Jerome Bonaparte, responded excitedly.
Jerome Bonaparte returned to the study along with Conrobel and Percy.
In the study, with a solemn expression, Jerome Bonaparte said to Conrobel, "Colonel Conrobel, I wonder if you would be willing to condescend to become my adjutant!"
Then, Jerome Bonaparte insinuated to Conrobel, "Promotion opportunities in Paris are much more frequent than in Algeria!"
Since the February Revolution, Conrobel had been inclined to the Bonapartists and was already willing to serve the House of Bonaparte, not to mention Jerome Bonaparte’s promise. He immediately said, "It is my greatest honor to serve Your Majesty!"
"Percy!" Jerome Bonaparte ordered Percy, pointing at Conrobel: "Tell Minister Liulei that Colonel Conrobel will become my adjutant starting today!"
"Yes! I will inform Liulei!"