Originally marginalized within the Police Department, Railway Police Commissioner Marcel Yale was immediately appointed by Maxime Decamps as the Acting Head of the Anti-Subversion Investigation Office. This newly established office would undertake the responsibilities originally meant for the Railway Police Commissioner, becoming the secret police monitoring Paris.
Though the newly established Anti-Subversion Investigation Office is but an inconspicuous force for the stage that Paris is currently in, it gradually expands along with Jerome Bonaparte’s power expansion.
As for why it is called Anti-Subversion, it is, of course, one of President Jerome Bonaparte’s whims.
Upon solving Marcel Yale’s staffing issues, Prince Old Jerome left in a carriage, accompanied eagerly by Maxime Decamps.
Watching the departing carriage, Maxime Decamps’ expression turned from bright to dark; he now had to solve the problem proposed by Prince Old Jerome.
Seated in the carriage, Prince Old Jerome stroked the scepter in his hand while gazing out the window, feeling a sense of nostalgia.
After more than 30 years, the Bonaparte Clan finally rose to become the rulers of France once again.
The more crucial point is that this ruler is his son.
In a daze, Jerome Bonaparte’s consciousness seemed to travel back to the era of the First Empire. Under the Emperor’s demands, he had to divorce his wife and marry someone he wasn’t very fond of. From then on, he began opposing his brother, wanting to best him at least once, yet each attempt resulted in a resounding defeat, up until he had Jerome Joseph Bonaparte and Mathilde.
"Brother, I finally beat you once!" Prince Old Jerome mumbled to himself.
The carriage soon arrived at the Rhine Inn, and Prince Old Jerome, with slow and steady steps, climbed the stairs.
At the second-floor staircase, Prince Old Jerome heard Jerome Bonaparte’s voice coming from the makeshift conference hall: "Fleury, how are the things I asked you to prepare coming along?"
"Your Highness, I have ordered a set of furniture from Baron Achille Fuld. The Baron promised it would match the Imperial style. Additionally, I purchased an unused dual-seat four-wheeled vehicle from Princess Liyewan!" reported Fleury, the chief of security, to Jerome Bonaparte, updating him on recent progress.
Ever since receiving the news on December 10th, Fleury had been arranging the necessary pomp and ceremony for Jerome Bonaparte’s move into the Elysee Palace, making frequent visits there for this purpose.
"And what about the matter of the horses? It’s no good having a carriage without horses," Jerome Bonaparte inquired.
"General Opler told me privately that he has a few extra horses at home that can be gifted to Your Highness!" Fleury quickly responded.
"Inappropriate!" Jerome Bonaparte replied calmly: "We should pay General Opler at the original price; there’s no need to take advantage of someone’s small kindness!"
Saying this, Jerome Bonaparte turned his gaze to Percy beside Fleury and asked, "Percy, how are the discussions on matters inside the Elysee Palace going?"
Percy quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I have already reached an agreement with the people at the Elysee Palace to retain some of the original attendants and then recruit a few more people!"
"That you can handle, but by no means should unknown individuals mix into the Elysee Palace!" Jerome Bonaparte again reminded him.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Percy promptly replied.
"Alright! I will leave matters of the Elysee Palace entirely in your hands, two. I hope that after I enter the Elysee Palace, I’ll see a different Elysee Palace!" Jerome Bonaparte concluded, "Is there anything else you need to report to me?"
"Well... Your Highness..." Percy hesitantly responded in a low voice, "Recently, Edgar Ney has expressed a desire to return to the Bonaparte fold!"
"When exactly was this?" Jerome Bonaparte asked carefully.
"December 11th!" Percy awkwardly responded.
"Ah, indeed!" Jerome Bonaparte sneered, his tone sarcastic, "Knowing we’re nearing victory, he is eager to join us. Truly a matter of adding frosting on the cake!"
No wonder Jerome Bonaparte was sarcastic. Anyone would have a hard time maintaining a good temper when encountering such a person. Moreover, unlike his cousin Louis Napoleon, Jerome Bonaparte was not a nostalgic person.
"Your Highness, Edgar Ney is Marshal Ney’s son!" Percy quietly reminded him.
"What about him being Marshal Ney’s son? Does it mean he can ascend to the heavens with a single step?" Jerome Bonaparte clearly did not have a high opinion of the so-called son of Marshal Ney, seeing him as nothing more than a useless parasite living off the reputation of a First Empire Marshal, making it unnecessary to waste too much time on him.
"Your Highness, we need to win over the old figures of the Empire, so..." Percy advised persuasively.
In all honesty, he didn’t like Edgar Ney, a party crasher who picked fruit midway either, but to win over the old figures of the Empire, they had to draw in some of the older generation.
"Then put Edgar Ney in the Directorate of Security! If he can’t even manage as a guard, then he should leave as soon as possible! Otherwise, he’d be an insult to Marshal Ney!" Jerome Bonaparte insisted that Edgar Ney be placed in the Directorate of Security.
"And then there’s Mr. Mornay! He also seems to be in favor of us!" Major Fleury cautiously mentioned another person.
"Mornay..." Jerome Bonaparte murmured. Unsure whether he should accept this half-brother of his cousin Louis Napoleon.
History has proven Mornay’s capabilities, but contrasted with his abilities, his loyalty leaves something to be desired.
Mornay even contradicted his cousin, let alone me.
However, the Bonaparte Faction currently has only a few key figures to rely on, and Mornay’s inclusion would only benefit the faction.
After a long contemplation, Jerome Bonaparte replied, "Don’t rush to respond to Mornay. I have other plans!"
As Percy and Fleury continued their discussion, the basic personnel for the Elysee Palace were finalized.
Percy and Fleury also left the makeshift conference hall, with Prince Old Jerome following behind to inform Jerome Bonaparte about the situation in the Police Department.
"Good!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded with a smile.
Now that the Police Department finally has an opening, it’s only a matter of time before it falls.
Only by controlling all the military and paramilitary forces in Paris can he proceed with his next phase of plans without haste.
On December 19th, rain fell on the Paris area shrouded in dark clouds.
In the gentle drizzle, Speaker Marast solemnly announced the election results: Jerome Bonaparte, with a nearly six million votes advantage, became the President of the French Republic.
The next step is to proceed to the Bourbon Palace for the oath.