Jerome Bonaparte knew that Victor Hugo was clearly referring to some of his private agreements with the Order Party.
Clearly, it was you who asked to meet me, and now you start to evade!
Jerome Bonaparte grumbled inwardly, but he maintained his smile and complimented, "Your influence is greater than an entire party combined! Hardly anyone in Paris hasn’t read your books!"
Jerome Bonaparte silently added, "Those who haven’t have long been expelled!"
Victor Hugo still said nothing, quietly watching Jerome Bonaparte’s one-man show.
"People all know you as a humanitarian, a great writer, concerned with people’s suffering while upholding order and freedom!" Jerome Bonaparte attributed all beautiful words to Victor Hugo, then extended the topic to himself, saying, "We are alike in this, stemming from the concept of the Republic!"
"Is this what you declare to them (the Order Party)?" Victor Hugo said flatly.
"No... these words, I say only to you!" Jerome Bonaparte emphasized, "The Royalist Party does not care about the people’s suffering; they only care about themselves. Although I don’t like them, I will remain loyal to this regime!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s attitude of "although I don’t like them, I respect the constitution" made Victor Hugo feel goodwill.
"I have read your cousin Louis Napoleon’s ’Eradicating Poverty,’ and I was deeply moved!" Victor Hugo paused and continued, "I’d like to hear your views!"
"Cousin’s ’Eradicating Poverty,’ I share your feelings!" Jerome Bonaparte lifted his head and said leisurely, "A nation’s strength lies in its education; public education is indispensable. The nation needs a strong department to uphold the rights of French children’s free public education. The nation must also propose solutions to optimize the redistribution of industrial wealth, preventing the entire country from allowing the poor to become poorer and the rich richer! The Republic should take on more responsibilities and duties, enabling the unemployed to support themselves, rather than letting them linger in national workshops only to be kicked out in the end!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s blunt criticism of the Second Republic government officials not only did not arouse resentment in Victor Hugo but made him resonate more with Jerome Bonaparte.
Victor Hugo nodded with satisfaction, yet still remained silent.
"Mr. Hugo, only I can defeat Cafenak! If a butcher stained with the blood of the people becomes the first President of the French Republic, it would be the greatest insult to the Republic!" Jerome Bonaparte pressed on.
Victor Hugo recalled that rainy night, walking on streets of battle, watching wounded workers fall helplessly, feeling utterly powerless and desperate.
"Half the Republic killed the other half!" Victor Hugo murmured with his eyes closed.
Though Jerome Bonaparte had already guessed Victor Hugo’s response, he quietly awaited Victor Hugo’s final answer.
Victor Hugo opened his eyes, firmly stating, "I will support you becoming President!"
"Thank you! Thank you very much! Believe me, your choice will not be wrong!" Jerome Bonaparte said, shaking Victor Hugo’s hand.
Having gained Victor Hugo’s support, Jerome Bonaparte evidently had no intention of lingering any longer in Hugo’s home. After chatting briefly about upcoming works, Jerome Bonaparte and Eugène Ruby left Hugo’s residence.
Returning to the Rhine Inn from Vosges Square by carriage, as Jerome Bonaparte and Eugène Rue just entered the hotel door, the innkeeper informed them someone was waiting on the second floor.
Who would come to see me at this time?
Jerome Bonaparte wondered inwardly as he went upstairs with Eugène Rue.
Just then, Fleury appeared at the stairway.
"Your Majesty!" Fleury exclaimed quietly after a second of surprise.
"Fleury, who is inside?" Jerome Bonaparte pointed at the half-open door and asked.
"Your Majesty, I heard him say he’s a Count, something like Falu," Fleury responded to Jerome Bonaparte.
"It’s him!" Eugène Rue blurted out.
"Hmm?" Jerome Bonaparte looked at Eugène Rue.
Eugène Rue explained to Jerome Bonaparte about Falu’s "great achievements," including a proposal to dissolve the national workshops.
"Count Falu has deep ties with Catholicism, so..." Eugène Rue looked at Jerome Bonaparte.
"The Pope’s message has come?" Jerome Bonaparte murmured with his lips.
Under Fleury’s guidance, Jerome Bonaparte alone went to a temporary location to receive Count Falu.
"Your Highness!" Count Falu greeted Jerome Bonaparte with done-and-dusted formal etiquette, akin to a master trained in classical court manners.
"Count Falu!" Jerome Bonaparte, lacking in etiquette training, could only slightly bow in return to Count Falu.
Count Falu seemed unconcerned about Jerome Bonaparte’s standard compliance, directly cutting to the chase, "Your Highness, I have received His Holiness the Pope’s message! He hopes we can support you!"
"If the Church can support me to become President Franc, I will be deeply grateful!" Jerome Bonaparte responded with neither arrogance nor servility.
"Your Highness, you should know! The Gospel of the Roman Pope for us is merely a tendency; the key lies in what you can offer me!" Count Falu, discussing the most worldly benefits with a pious expression, appeared utterly clownish.
"As I know, since the July Monarchy, the Church’s control over secular schools has been further declining, even though Mr. Guizot issued his education law, allowing only limited Church intervention!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Count Falu.
"Your Highness, what do you want to say?" Count Falu maintained a calm expression.
"If the Church is willing to support me, I’m willing to hand over the entire education sector to the Church, allowing priests to supervise education!" Jerome Bonaparte offered his terms.
Count Falu’s expression changed slightly but remained generally calm, saying, "I think Cafenak would be equally willing!"
"No! He is not willing!" Jerome Bonaparte resolutely responded, "You underestimate our Dictator, he is a complete extremist republican! He would never agree to the Church taking over education!"
Count Falu fell silent. Based on his understanding of Cafenak, Cafenak indeed would not offer such generous terms as Jerome Bonaparte.
"I will convey your conditions to the Church!"
Count Falu and Jerome Bonaparte exchanged a few more words about Paris topics before hurriedly departing.