"Mr. President, I think this reform plan is too... too..."
Minister Liulei hesitated for a long time, his expression resembling someone suffering from constipation.
Before coming to see the President, he had already planned to arrange positions for the "sycophants" around the President, but he never expected that the President not only wanted to insert Conrobel into the Ministry of War as Secretary of State but also wanted to perform a "surgery" on the Ministry of War.
This is not separation of powers and responsibilities! It’s clearly an attempt to weaken his power! Isn’t this bullying an honest man!
Liulei couldn’t help but feel a bit of regret; why did he foolishly decide to wade into the muddy waters of the Ministry of War?
At this moment, Liulei had completely forgotten how excited he was when Audion Barrot invited him; he was almost eager to lick Audion Barrot’s buttocks back then.
Now that the Ministry of War might become a battlefield for political struggle, he couldn’t help but have second thoughts again.
"But what? You can voice any difficulties!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Liulei with a sympathetic expression.
"I think..." Liulei hesitated for a moment and then reorganized his words to say euphemistically: "I believe that the policy of separation of powers and responsibilities mentioned by Your Excellency the President is a viable plan, but hastily changing the current army system with the current proposal may bring about some unforeseen troubles, so I think it would still be better to proceed gradually!"
Liulei’s standard bureaucratic tone, along with his cautious demeanor, made Jerome Bonaparte even more convinced that the person in front of him was someone he could "bully."
Jerome Bonaparte nodded in agreement and said, "I know any military reform carries great risks!"
Before Liulei could breathe a sigh of relief, the President’s next words almost took his breath away.
"But I am confident, whether it’s a minefield or an abyss ahead, I will forge ahead bravely, without hesitation, dedicating myself entirely!" Jerome Bonaparte’s determined eyes and righteous demeanor made it hard for one not to believe that the President intended to overhaul the Ministry of War.
In France, as long as the rulers want to get something done, no force can stop them.
The memories of the previous "purge" were once again awakened in Liulei’s mind.
[In 1830, when the Orléans Dynasty was established, many loyal generals and governors who refused to pledge allegiance to the Orléans Dynasty were directly dismissed, and those generals lucky enough to remain were in a constant state of anxiety.]
"Your Excellency the President, I think there is no need to go to such extremes!" Minister Liulei hurriedly tried to dissuade Jerome Bonaparte, as he did not want to be the President’s first sacrificial lamb.
"Hmm?" Jerome Bonaparte looked at Liulei with suspicion, as if saying, "You, with those thick eyebrows and big eyes, want to betray me": "Minister Liulei, I believe the Ministry of War must undergo reform by breaking down the existing structure and rebuilding! Didn’t you just say that there are many people in the Ministry of War occupying positions without doing any proper work?"
That was to flatter you!
Liulei’s inner turmoil grew even more intense. Being over sixty, he really didn’t want to toss about; he just wanted to remain stable and not upset the status quo at the Ministry of War.
"Mr. President, I believe the Ministry of War needs reform, but it shouldn’t be radical! My suggestion is that we start with a pilot program in the Ministry of the Army!" Unwilling to offend Jerome Bonaparte, Liulei again sought to accommodate, proposing his suggestion to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Pilot program? You mean?" Jerome Bonaparte understood that Liulei’s defenses had already been penetrated by him.
As Brother Xun said, the nature of the Chinese is to always prefer compromise and moderation. For example, if you say this house is too dark and needs a window, everyone won’t agree. But if you propose tearing down the roof, they’ll happily compromise to opening a window.
This statement applies not only to the Chinese but also to French politicians.
For them, political compromise has long been a commonplace occurrence.
"Your Excellency the President can, in the name of the President, set up a military staff department at the Elysee Palace and then connect it with the Ministry of War! This way, we can reduce some conflicts caused by drastic reforms!" Liulei suggested to Jerome Bonaparte.
Although Liulei understood that his method would also produce conflicts, compared with a major purge of the Ministry of War, this method was evidently much milder.
To show the President that this was his final bottom line, Liulei said with a mix of softness and firmness: "If you are really determined to conduct radical reforms, then please allow me to resign from the position of Minister of War!"
Jerome Bonaparte pretended to ponder seriously for a moment, then stood up and turned his back on Liulei.
Liulei watched Jerome Bonaparte nervously, awaiting the final result from Jerome Bonaparte.
This result would directly decide his own future, and he didn’t want to become a thorn in the side of his colleagues or a helper in the purge as he neared the end of his career.
After a while, Jerome Bonaparte turned back and returned to his original seat.
Jerome Bonaparte did not immediately respond to Liulei. From Liulei’s perspective, the President’s serious face already conveyed his attitude.
Liulei felt a bit conflicted; it was not easy to accept losing a position he’d held for only three months. The thought of it tugged at his sense of unwillingness.
"Your Excellency the President, please allow me to..." Liulei wanted to say the word "resign," but he found those words to be as heavy as a thousand pounds.
Jerome Bonaparte didn’t wait for Liulei to finish his sentence and smiled as he nodded, saying, "I agree!"
"Ah!" Liulei’s emotions were like a roller coaster, and he almost fainted from relief, having narrowly escaped a crisis.
"Thank you for your understanding!" Liulei sincerely expressed his gratitude to Jerome Bonaparte.
At that moment, he still didn’t know that Jerome Bonaparte’s true aim was never to cleanse the military from within.
"Minister, I hope you can recommend a batch of capable officers to come forward. I will establish a military staff department directly under the President!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Liulei.
Believing he’d escaped a crisis, Liulei naturally "returned the favor" and agreed to Jerome Bonaparte’s request. After all, many people graduate from Saint-Cyr Military Academy and the Paris Institute of Technology each year, so a large group of reserve officers can be easily gathered.
In peacetime France, not every military academy graduate can enjoy the treatment of an officer; many soldiers who wish to strive for more head to Algeria.
"By the way, preferably those under 40 years old! Preferably with combat experience in Algeria!" Jerome added.
Older individuals are less receptive to new things; instead of arguing with them over whether the staff department should be reformed, it’s better to cultivate more officers like Conrobel who are willing to change.
Experiences from combat are also what he seeks in military personnel.