Just as the ballot numbers for Jerome Bonaparte and other candidates were spreading throughout the Parisian political sphere via the National Assembly, the Paris Police Department also welcomed an "uninvited guest."
An elderly gentleman in his sixties, wearing a black coat, a tall top hat, and a gold chain with three medals hanging at the button, slowly made his way to the entrance of the Paris Police Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the aid of a servant. He then walked up the steps and entered the modest four-story building.
The two Railway Commissioners standing guard at the police department’s entrance, after carefully examining the elderly man’s attire, dared not stop him. If they mistakenly barred a nobleman, it would be a grave offense.
The elderly man who entered the hall of the Police Department did not linger on the first-floor lobby but walked straight to a room at the corner on the third floor.
An iron nameplate hung on the wall to the left of the door, clearly engraved with the words "Police Chief." (The title "Police Chief" consists of three words in French.)
The elderly man stood patiently in front of the Chief’s office door and knocked slowly.
"Who is it! Didn’t I say not to disturb me at this time?" A roar came from inside the room; the Police Chief was obviously upset about being disturbed at this moment.
"Jerome Napoleon, here to pay a special visit to Chief Maxime Decamps today!" The old man... no, it should be Prince Old Jerome responded slowly and with the aristocratic arrogance characteristic of nobles.
Not long after, a woman’s scream and the sound of a chair moving came from inside the room.
Then, the Police Chief’s panicked voice followed: "Prince, please wait a moment, I’ll open the door for you right away!"
The movements inside the room brought a hint of a smile to Prince Old Jerome’s lips. Understanding the situation, he humorously replied, "Chief, as a gentleman, one must carry things through to the end!"
After a while, the door to the Police Chief’s office slowly opened, and a woman in a red robe, with slightly grayish blonde hair and a gold-crafted snake-neck collar, lightly covering her face with a lace-edged ivory carved fan, came out of the Chief’s office.
As she met Prince Old Jerome at the doorway, she didn’t forget to lower her fan and throw a coquettish glance at him before leaving.
A fiery sensation involuntarily surged in Prince Old Jerome’s abdomen as he watched the enticing figure of the woman. If not for the business at hand, he surely would have pursued the lady to explore some "geographical knowledge" with her.
The pressing matter at hand was still of utmost importance.
With this in mind, Prince Old Jerome pushed open the door to the Police Chief’s office and entered.
Upon entering the office, Prince Old Jerome glanced around the extremely luxurious office before looking at Chief Maxime Decamps, who had hurriedly come forward to meet him.
"Your Highness, may I ask what brings you here?" Chief Maxime Decamps inquired cautiously, lowering his stance, afraid of saying anything that might anger the old Prince before him.
Being part of the most well-informed circle in Paris, Maxime Decamps had already learned on the morning of December 10th that his future superior’s superior was Prince Jerome Bonaparte. To avoid losing his job, Maxime Decamps had to please the father of his future boss.
Only by doing so could he cleanse himself of Cafenak’s influence.
Reflecting on this, Maxime Decamps couldn’t help but regret his reckless actions during the France elections when he cast his vote for Cafenak and cooperated with his superior to take action against the newspaper affiliated with Jerome Bonaparte.
Now, with his political opportunism failed, his position was in danger.
Seeing the terrified expression on Chief Maxime Decamps’ face, Old Jerome couldn’t help feeling a little smug.
Amidst his smugness, Prince Old Jerome hadn’t forgotten the main issue. Observing Maxime Decamps’ anxious expression, he stated, "Chief, your subordinates have torn down our posters and even detained our people! I understand your regulations, but can’t all the blame fall solely on my son?"
Maxime Decamps suddenly remembered that he failed to inform his subordinates about the situation. Those scoundrels, only interested in making money, never considered politics.
"This... this..." Maxime Decamps showed a flattering smile, his forehead sweating nervously. "This... perhaps it’s a misunderstanding! It must be some officers causing trouble!"
"Oh, a misunderstanding!" Prince Old Jerome feigned sudden realization and replied with a cold smile: "My son is also very angry about this matter!"
"This... this..." Maxime Decamps stammered flatteringly: "Actually... Prince Bonaparte has already secured enough votes and doesn’t need further promotion!"
"So that’s why you had people tear down our advertisements and detain our members!" Prince Old Jerome intentionally raised his voice to ensure it would be heard outside.
"No...no!" Maxime Decamps was at a loss, not knowing how to explain to Prince Old Jerome. He couldn’t possibly confess that he once foolishly fought for Cafenak.
"Now...immediately...let those you captured be released!" Prince Old Jerome emphasized to Maxime Decamps.
"Yes...yes! I will comply!" Maxime Decamps agreed sheepishly, knowing that he had no room to bargain. The failure of political opportunism was a bitter fruit he had to swallow.
"Also, I require you to punish those officers who acted against our Bonaparte members severely!" Prince Old Jerome laid out the second condition.
"Yes!" Maxime Decamps again agreed to Prince Old Jerome’s terms.
Though doing this might damage his reputation among the officers, Maxime Decamps was more concerned about currying favor with his future superior than pleasing his subordinates.
"As for the third!" Prince Old Jerome’s expression softened, glancing at the open door, he quietly remarked: "Hmm... this is a small suggestion I have for the Police Department!"
"Please, go ahead!" Maxime Decamps appeared ready to listen attentively. He certainly understood the implications behind this so-called suggestion.
"I believe the Police Department should establish an investigation unit specifically to handle those disrupting the Republic’s peace!" Prince Old Jerome tactfully suggested.
Maxime Decamps immediately displayed an indignant expression: "Your Highness, I think your suggestion is very necessary. With the current France elections, many in Paris aim to disrupt it, so I believe establishing this department is crucial!"
Following this, Maxime Decamps showed an embarrassed look, spreading his hands: "But I don’t have suitable personnel for such a unit. I wonder if the Prince might have someone to recommend!"
"Certainly, I think your department’s Marcel Yale would be a suitable person! He previously served as a Railway Commissioner, so he is somewhat familiar with this area of work!"