In the political program for the second round of reforms in the Pope State published in the newspapers, Jerome Bonaparte clearly sensed the embarrassing predicament of the division yet helplessness within the Pope State.
The reforms emphasized that the Pope State should follow the trend of history and establish a system suitable for its national conditions, hence the implementation of a bicameral system.
The Upper House will consist of members nominated by Pope Pius IX from the Cardinal College and nobles with titles in Rome. The Lower House will be elected by all citizens of the Pope State, and the Cabinet will be formed based on the proportion of parties in the Lower House.
If no party can secure a majority in the Lower House, the Prime Minister of the Cabinet will be personally appointed by Pope Pius IX.
Of course, Pope Pius IX can also appoint the Cabinet prime minister himself.
From this political system, Jerome Bonaparte could see that Pope Pius IX didn’t really want to lose secular power entirely, otherwise he wouldn’t have added the provision that allows the Pope to appoint the Cabinet to the political reforms.
However, since the Pope’s position is elected by the Cardinal College, the College, which seems merely symbolic in the Upper House, actually still wields an unseen control over the Pope State.
In Jerome’s view, the second round of political reforms clearly mimicked the French political reforms, but because of the Pope’s dual secular and religious nature, what was a well-designed French reform turned into a shapeless reform for the Pope State.
Under the second round of reforms, the Pope lost some powers but still held the majority of authority over the Pope State.
It is equivalent to transitioning from a reactionary monarchy to an enlightened monarchy.
The benefit of relinquishing some powers was that Pope Pius IX could continue to enjoy the support of the majority in Rome.
If there was no external interference, such shapeless reforms would allow the Pope State to smoothly navigate the perilous European revolutions.
Can all this really go according to Pope Pius IX’s wishes?
On July 17, the first vote in the Pope State began. Pope Pius IX and Perellino Rossi went to St. Peter’s Square to announce the establishment of the Upper and Lower Houses to the citizens of Rome and to announce a temporary list of Cabinet members until the election of the first Cabinet.
Perellino Rossi was successfully promoted to the first acting Prime Minister of the Pope State, concurrently serving as Minister of Internal Affairs and Foreign Affairs. Bishop Muzarelli was also promoted to Minister of Public Education, while positions such as Minister of Finance and Minister of Transportation were mostly held by the clerical class, or rather, gentlemen close to the clergy.
Although the prominent nobles of Rome were somewhat dissatisfied with Pope Pius IX’s appointment of trusted individuals, with the vote approaching, they, tied by Pius IX’s carrots, did not want to contend with him on the temporary Cabinet matters.
After all, they were just a temporary Cabinet, and if they and their party succeeded in the elections themselves.
They would not fear Pope Pius IX failing to keep his promises.
On July 31, a letter from Paris arrived in Jerome Bonaparte’s hands via Marseille Port, delivered by none other than Percy.
Seeing Percy, who had rushed over from Paris, Jerome Bonaparte, sitting at his desk with his hands crossed, hurriedly stood up to give Percy a hug, saying, "Percy, long time no see!"
"Your Highness, it’s so good to see you!" Percy responded to Jerome Bonaparte with excitement.
Then, at Jerome Bonaparte’s invitation, the two sat on the sofa by the desk.
Captain Leti immediately served two cups of coffee, a crystal cup filled with sugar cubes, and a pair of tongs for Percy and Jerome Bonaparte.
"Sugar cube!" Jerome grasped a sugar cube with the tongs and inquired if Percy wanted some.
"No, thank you!" Percy picked up the coffee and quietly stirred it a couple of times with a spoon, the rising white steam constantly flowing from the coffee under Percy’s stirring, and the brown coffee gradually turning into a brownish-white color with a sticky appearance. After a few stirs, Percy gently blew away the steam floating over the rim of the cup and took a sip of coffee, instantly relieving half the fatigue from the long journey.
Fueled by the effects of the coffee, Percy, bracing himself, then recounted the situation in Paris to Jerome Bonaparte.
Under Cafenak’s crackdown, Paris experienced a temporary slump but has since revived.
Physical pain can be forcibly silenced, but spiritual pain can only be healed with time.
After the revolution, General Cafenak faced strong opposition from the Moderate Republicans led by Hugo, who even boldly declared he would never support a butcher in power.
"Hmm? Has our Dictator not taken action against poor Mr. Victor Hugo?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired gloatingly.
As Cafenak’s rival, he hoped for more people to oppose Cafenak.
In politics, success comes from having many friends and few enemies.
"I heard Cafenak has lost his temper several times in the office and even claimed he would arrest Mr. Hugo!" Percy chimed in gleefully, "However, our Mr. Dictator doesn’t seem to have the guts to detain Mr. Hugo, and is now focused on the December presidential election."
"He lacks the guts for a coup but is bold in suppressing workers! Our General Dictator is really someone who kneels while making money!" Jerome Bonaparte continued to mock Cafenak, then asked again, "By the way, regarding propaganda, are you facing any difficulties?"
"Well...well..." Percy scratched his head bashfully and said softly, "It’s not without difficulties. It’s just that whenever we post leaflets, we are surrounded and intercepted by groups. Each time our party members get caught, Princess Mathilde has to rescue them!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s mouth twitched slightly, and based on Percy’s description, related scenes began to form in his mind.
The Bonaparte Faction’s propaganda depends on haphazardly posted leaflets. Is this a sign of progress or the "decline" of the Bonaparte Faction?
"By the way, here’s a letter from General Difuer for you!" Percy handed the letter to Jerome Bonaparte.
Jerome Bonaparte opened the envelope to check its contents.
The letter stated that under his guarantee, Jerome Bonaparte could embark on a journey back to France.
"Let’s go! Back to France!"