Make France Great Again-Chapter 46 Negotiations Begin

Since receiving the news from Eugène Roué from France, Jerome Bonaparte has been ready to meet with Tocqueville’s envoy at any time.

In order to understand the "enemy," Jerome Bonaparte specially went to the bookstore to buy a copy of Tocqueville’s "On American Democracy."

Although Tocqueville’s book made Jerome Bonaparte feel bursts of discomfort and even made him think of Tocqueville as an "Ayn Randist," Jerome Bonaparte still endured and finished reading Tocqueville’s book.

[Ayn Randist: A supporter of Ayn Rand’s ideology during the late 20th century’s era of American neoliberalism. This ideology believes the government should relax corporate regulations, if not completely abandon a government-led capitalist society system. Reagan is a famous advocate, who during his neoliberal reforms, abolished the regulatory and intervention rights over corporations established post-Roosevelt.]

"Your Highness, I have tracked down the inn where Tocqueville is staying!" Captain Letty, responsible for "intelligence," reported to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Hmm?" Jerome Bonaparte put down his book, raised his head, and asked: "How did you find it?"

"While patrolling (wandering) outside, I happened to encounter a young man who was inquiring about you!" Letty said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Did you tell him?" Jerome Bonaparte asked back.

"Of course not!" Captain Letty immediately claimed credit: "However, I followed the young man to an inn! After having a ’friendly’ conversation with the innkeeper, the innkeeper told me the guest’s name!"

"Hmm? Well done!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded in satisfaction, stood up, patted Letty’s shoulder, and encouraged him: "The Empire needs talents like you!"

"Serving the Empire is my duty!" Letty humbly responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

After encouraging Letty a few more times, Jerome Bonaparte subtly issued a "dismissal order" to Letty.

Fleury was called over by Jerome Bonaparte.

"Mr. Fleury, I have a critical task for you now!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Fleury.

"Your will is my direction! Whom do you want me to tear apart?" Fleury, still retaining his soldierly iron-blooded style, responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte nodded in satisfaction and entrusted Fleury with the task of inviting Tocqueville.

Fleury, finally entrusted with an important task, excitedly saluted Jerome Bonaparte and promised to complete the task before leaving.

"Your Highness, how can you entrust such an important task to him!"

Talan appeared, holding a washbasin made of brass.

Jerome Bonaparte took a steaming towel from the washbasin to wipe his face: "A rough person can make them lower their guard against me, and our enemies are not just Mr. Thiers, who wants to make us puppets; Republicans as well..."

Talan nodded as if understanding.

Half an hour later, Fleury returned and informed Jerome Bonaparte that Tocqueville would visit the next day.

...

May 14, 1848, 10 AM.

A brown carriage stopped in front of the Louvre Mansion, and Tocqueville and Lale got out of the carriage.

Jerome Bonaparte led members of the Bonaparte Party down the steps to greet Tocqueville.

"Welcome!"

Jerome Bonaparte and Tocqueville’s hands clasped together.

The two entered the Louvre Mansion side by side.

"Please!" Jerome Bonaparte gestured invitingly, and Tocqueville sat on the sofa with his secretary, Lale, standing to his right, stealing glances at Jerome Bonaparte now and then.

Percy, serving as Jerome Bonaparte’s secretary, was also present in Jerome’s room.

After all the main characters were seated, the "confrontation" formally began.

"On behalf of the French Republic, I express regret for the death of Prince Louis Napoleon!" Tocqueville showed a regretful expression, gesturing with his right hand to Lale.

Lale, understanding the gesture, opened the briefcase and handed a piece of paper to Tocqueville.

"This is a private letter from Governor Lamartine!" Tocqueville handed the letter to Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte scanned Lamartine’s private letter line by line, which was generally an expression of regret for the passing of Louis Napoleon.

"My cousin was always a Republican at heart, so he preferred to be called Citizen Louis Napoleon rather than a prince of old. The title of prince has long become history! Now, we are all citizens!" Jerome Bonaparte "reminded" Tocqueville.

Tocqueville, of course, would not believe that Louis Napoleon, who tried twice to restore the Empire, was a Republican, but how many true Republicans were there in the current French political scene?

"Alright! Citizen Jerome Bonaparte!" Tocqueville followed the lead in his response.

"I hope my cousin can return to France as a Republican, as a resister, and not as a war criminal! The sins of the Bourbon Dynasty should be abolished!" Jerome Bonaparte proposed the conditions to Tocqueville.

"This historical issue, Governor Lamartine agrees to abolish!" Tocqueville decisively agreed to Jerome Bonaparte’s terms.

Jerome Bonaparte looked at Tocqueville suspiciously, not believing there were no additional conditions from the French political scene.

As Jerome Bonaparte predicted, Tocqueville also presented conditions.

Tocqueville carefully phrased his words: "Governor Lamartine hopes the Bonaparte Clan can withdraw from this election!"

"Impossible!" Jerome Bonaparte opposed vehemently: "Governor Lamartine has no right to deprive the Bonaparte Clan of their electoral rights. According to the constitution of the French Republic, any French citizen aged 18 or above who has resided in France for more than two years can participate in elections!"

"It seems Citizen Jerome Bonaparte is well-versed in the French constitution!" Tocqueville looked at Jerome Bonaparte in surprise.

"If Governor Lamartine wants to strip the Bonaparte Clan of political rights, the Bonaparte Clan will not agree! We will use everything we have to fight against Governor Lamartine!" Jerome Bonaparte declared decisively.

Once this, the only opportunity is lost, the Bonaparte Clan would have no chance of returning to the French political scene.

Jerome Bonaparte would not allow such a thing to happen, even if it meant struggling against the then-flourishing Republican Faction.