Jerome Bonaparte cleared out the furniture from one of the rented rooms, leaving only a few chairs. He informed the Bonaparte Party Members that he intended to use this empty room as a temporary meeting hall. Subsequently, he settled the formal meeting time with the Bonaparte Party Members for the next day, and then issued a dismissal order, leaving only Eugène Roué, Percy, Fleury, and Letty.
"I’ve asked you to stay because I consider you the most capable and loyal people!" Jerome Bonaparte began by praising the individuals present.
"Your Majesty, you flatter us!" Percy humbly bowed his head to Jerome Bonaparte and said, "We are insignificant people united under the banner of Bonaparte. Without Bonaparte, we are nothing! Our shared aspiration is for the Empire to be reestablished in France!"
Fleury, Letty, Roué and others nodded and said, "For the glory of the Empire, we will not hesitate!"
"I promise you! If one day the Emperor’s spirit favors me to rebuild the Empire, you will share in this glory with me!" Jerome Bonaparte pointed to each person in the room.
A mature monarch would never hesitate to hold all power in their hands; they need to distribute some power as rewards to trusted confidants. While generously granting rights, they must also prevent them from colluding. Through power, disagreements are sown among them to promote healthy competition. Only in this way can the Empire prosper, and the power delegated by the monarch can be easily reclaimed.
Jerome Bonaparte could share power with them, but they must serve the Empire for a lifetime.
Once Jerome Bonaparte detected any signs of rebellion, he would immediately reclaim the power entrusted to them.
After the Napoleon Dynasty, both the Restoration Dynasty and the Orléans Dynasty liked to share power with French literati, mainly because they were easier to curry favor with. They used their pens to build the dynasty’s image, and the dynasty richly rewarded them.
Once the literati’s opinions conflicted with those of the Kingdom, rescinding their power could be done with just a word.
Even though such power lies at the whim of the monarch, many still eagerly strive for it.
Percy and others were similarly avaricious. Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s generous promises, they trembled at the corners of their mouths, appearing extremely moved.
"Mr. Percy!" Jerome Bonaparte’s expression turned serious, and his tone became particularly formal.
"Your Majesty!" Percy responded.
"Now, I appoint you as Secretary General! I wonder, do you have confidence?" Jerome Bonaparte issued the first appointment to Percy.
"I will not disappoint Your Majesty’s trust!" Percy said resolutely.
Although the position of Secretary General mentioned by Jerome Bonaparte might be just an empty title, this appointment signified that Percy had successfully transitioned to a full-fledged role.
Though it was just an empty structure now, once Jerome Bonaparte became President, the Secretary General would lead the most powerful department.
Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s appointment, Eugène Roué showed a look of envy, while at the same time feeling apprehensive about what position Jerome Bonaparte would assign him.
"Colonel Fleury!" Jerome Bonaparte also formally addressed Fleury.
"Present!" Fleury stood straight, awaiting Jerome Bonaparte’s appointment.
"You’ve been following me for a while now, and your loyalty to the Bonaparte Clan has not gone unnoticed! Thus, I appoint you as Chief of Security, dedicated to guarding my safety! Are you willing?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Fleury.
"Of course, I’m willing!" Fleury said excitedly.
Ensuring Jerome Bonaparte’s safety was undoubtedly a critical task, representing Jerome Bonaparte’s trust in him.
Those trusted by the monarch are never short of power.
Captain Leti was assigned the task of publicity by Jerome Bonaparte, which involved organizing personnel to distribute flyers on the streets.
Eugène Roué was also appointed as the "Minister of Foreign Affairs," with the focus of his work on the parliament or salons to win over people leaning towards Bonaparte.
Of course, Jerome Bonaparte inwardly hoped Roué could become the Minister of Justice, for that was his actual profession.
"I will announce your appointments at tomorrow’s formal meeting and have all Bonapartists respect your authority! Of course, your positions are not fixed and will change according to circumstances."
Looking at the faces of the four, Jerome Bonaparte tactfully issued a dismissal order after explaining everything.
The four left one by one, and the last to leave was Jerome Bonaparte, who closed the door of the temporary meeting room and returned to his previous dwelling room.
After handling all affairs, Jerome Bonaparte lay in bed with his eyes closed, ready to sleep.
Just as Jerome Bonaparte was about to fall asleep, there was a rhythmic knocking at the door.
Fighting off sleepiness, Jerome Bonaparte yawned and slowly moved to the door, turning the brass doorknob to open it.
The door opened slowly, and a beautiful lady appeared outside. The drowsy Jerome Bonaparte instantly became alert upon seeing her. He scratched his head and said, "Sister, it’s so late! Why are you here?"
The lady at the door was Mathilde Bonaparte, Jerome Bonaparte’s elder sister.
Wearing a white court dress and holding an ivory fan, she looked at her brother, who exuded an air of laziness, and angrily poked Jerome Bonaparte’s chest with the fan, saying, "Jerome, why didn’t you tell me you were coming beforehand!"
"Um... um!" Jerome Bonaparte showed a sincere, silly smile that he would only display with family: "It’s already very late! I figured telling you tomorrow wouldn’t be too late!"
"Do you remember the things I mentioned in the letter!" Mathilde gazed at Jerome Bonaparte and said.
"Things? What things?" Just emerging from a state of drowsiness, Jerome Bonaparte’s thoughts were somewhat confused.
Seeing his sister Mathilde about to lose her temper, Jerome Bonaparte quickly recalled the matters she mentioned in the letter. He hurriedly pulled Mathilde’s arm and had her sit on the sofa, while massaging her shoulders, saying, "You mean that I should meet Mr. Hugo, right!"
"You still remember!" Mathilde said with a slightly sarcastic tone, "When does our great Prince plan to meet him?"
"How could it be otherwise! I should visit him personally!" Knowing his sister’s teasing intention, Jerome Bonaparte still maintained a humble tone towards her.
He and his father owe his sister Mathilde far too much.
"Then let’s go! My Prince!" Mathilde said to Jerome Bonaparte.