Jerome Bonaparte believes there is no love without reason in this world, just as there are no free lunches.
The position of Minister of Public Works has clearly been priced.
"As long as you withdraw from this election, I can assure you that you will still be able to sit in this position in the next term!" Cafenak offered his terms: "Trust me, the position of Minister of Public Works can bring unimaginable benefits to you and your friends!"
Jerome Bonaparte quietly waited for Cafenak to finish.
"What do you think of my proposal?" Cafenak looked at Jerome Bonaparte and added: "You’re still young! Start as a minister first!"
"Governor Cafenak!" Jerome Bonaparte’s face still wore a smile, but his tone became even colder: "Thank you for your kindness, but I don’t think I am capable enough to take on the role of Minister of Public Affairs."
"You can start as a secretary first!" Cafenak, who was straightforward, seemed not to understand Jerome Bonaparte’s meaning and kindly "considered" for Jerome Bonaparte.
"Governor, openly awarding the public office of France privately does not conform with the democratic spirit of France!" Jerome Bonaparte, no longer beating around the bush, clenched his fist and spoke firmly: "If I want a position, I can strive for it myself. I don’t need your charity! Put away your charitable face!"
"Why must you!" Cafenak was apparently a bit unwilling: "I can tell you clearly that in the forthcoming constitution drafted by the Constitutional Committee, it is stipulated that the term of the President of France is 4 years, and re-election is not allowed! Do you know what this means?"
Jerome Bonaparte still calmly looked at Cafenak, his eyes revealing a composure that seemed to indicate he had long known.
"This means that no matter who it is, they can only serve a four-year term as president!" Cafenak continued: "Jerome Bonaparte, you are still young and should undergo more tempering to be competent for the presidency!"
"Governor Cafenak, have you finished?" Jerome Bonaparte asked, word by word, the military leader blinded by the desire for power in front of him.
"I hope you can consider my suggestion! After another term as a minister, become the president! You can gain more!" Cafenak said, still not giving up.
"Rue, see the guest out!" Jerome Bonaparte did not want to play along with the guy in front of him for another moment, "Governor Cafenak, if you truly want to be president, then defeat me honorably through votes, not by using these means! Even if I don’t participate in the election, can you guarantee that your votes will be higher than Lederer Roland and Lamartine?"
"Governor, please!" Rue extended his hand toward Cafenak.
"You..." Cafenak pointed angrily at Jerome Bonaparte and turned to leave.
Holding a full set of tea utensils, Fleury watched Cafenak’s departure and then looked at Jerome Bonaparte: "Your Highness, this..."
"Leave it here!" Jerome Bonaparte tapped the mahogany table and said to Fleury.
"Alright!" Fleury placed the tea set on the table.
Jerome Bonaparte brewed a pot of fine tea to drink alone, showing a contemptuous smile on his face: "I almost ruined this pot of tea!"
On September 4th, more than ten days had passed since Cafenak’s visit.
In these more than ten days, Jerome Bonaparte had won consecutive victories, receiving votes again from the Five Provinces of France, and with Victor Hugo’s call, many voters from Seine Province also voted for Jerome Bonaparte. Jerome Bonaparte’s votes surged past the 140,000 mark, leaving Victor Hugo, who was originally in second place, far behind, and opening the gates of the National Assembly to Jerome Bonaparte. Jerome Bonaparte, as a representative of Seine Province, could freely enter and exit the National Assembly.
Just as all the Bonaparte Faction were celebrating Jerome Bonaparte’s remarkable achievements, a proposal in the National Assembly made all the Bonaparte Faction grit their teeth.
For a moment, the entire temporary meeting hall was filled with the smell of gunpowder, with dark clouds not only covering Paris but also weighing on the hearts of all Bonaparte Faction members. Every Bonaparte Faction member wore a murderous look on their face, resembling a gathering of bandits.
"That bastard Cafenak! How dare he!" Jerome Bonaparte’s staunch supporter Letty cursed out loud: "He doesn’t even look in the mirror to see what he is!"
Eugène Roué did not choose to curse like Letty, but instead lowered his head in thought.
It turned out that in the National Assembly this morning, Cafenak once again openly demanded limits on voter qualifications, to prevent voters who have lost their national character from voting.
An originally non-controversial topic was brought up again by Cafenak. However, this time’s voting result was unexpected to Jerome Bonaparte, with the National Assembly voting 350 to 400 to reject this proposal.
Although the National Assembly still rejected this proposal by a majority vote, the 300 additional votes of approval behind the proposal hung like the Sword of Damocles above Jerome Bonaparte’s head. Apart from the Order Party, there was no other party that could mobilize more than 300 legislators to vote in favor simultaneously.
[In the National Assembly, a proposal can only pass if over two-thirds of the votes are in favor.]
"The most critical issue is what’s happening with the Order Party?" Jerome Bonaparte’s expression also turned serious.
If Cafenak persisted in claiming that the voters were unqualified, it would be difficult to ensure that those originally wavering individuals would cast their votes for Cafenak.
"Your Highness, I’ve heard another piece of news: Cafenak seems to be plotting something with Changarnier?" Fleury cautiously said to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Where did the news come from?" Jerome Bonaparte turned his gaze towards Fleury.
"General Oppel!" Fleury responded quickly: "General Oppel told me that Cafenak is replacing a batch of soldiers in Paris with poor ideological conduct with those guys from Africa!"
"Troubled times!" Jerome Bonaparte murmured, pressing his temples.
Although in the original history Cafenak did not choose to go down the path of a coup, it does not rule out the possibility that he might act desperately like a cornered dog.
A general from the Orléans Faction like Changarnier mixed with an extreme Republican Faction governor was even more intriguing.
"Your Highness, do you think the Order Party is deliberately using Cafenak as a pawn?" Eugène Roué raised his head and said to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Then what is their goal?" Jerome Bonaparte said half-jokingly and half-seriously: "Their goal wouldn’t be me!"
"Very likely!" Eugène Roué tried to piece everything together: "Your Highness, do you remember the incident in Lyon?"
"Are you talking about Marshal Biron?" Jerome Bonaparte responded again.
"Yes!" Eugène Roué nodded: "Your Highness, haven’t you noticed that your prestige in Paris has grown! If I were them, I would certainly sound an alarm for you! Cafenak’s proposal is just their way of expressing their stance through the National Assembly. Therefore..."
"Therefore, we must have a talk with them!"