Make France Great Again-Chapter 72 Paris Ballot

As soon as Jerome Bonaparte left the platform of Fort Saint Jean and stepped onto Canabière Avenue, known as the Little Champs-Élysées, he attracted the attention of the crowds coming and going on the avenue. People stopped just to take another look at this "legendary figure" who seemed to have walked out of a gold coin.

[The Napoleon gold coin features a bust of Napoleon, whose profile is remarkably similar to Jerome Bonaparte’s facial features.]

The eyes of the people on the street showed curiosity, surprise, and even confusion. They couldn’t imagine how a man long dead for decades could once again appear in France.

Jerome Bonaparte didn’t speak. He smiled at all the people on the street and walked slowly on the slightly damp road, his black riding boots making a clattering sound on the ground, as if tapping into the hearts of every resident who had heard the legendary stories of Napoleon.

Led by Percy, the Bonaparte Party Members followed closely behind Jerome Bonaparte, walking tall and proud as they enjoyed the "glory" bestowed upon them by the Bonaparte Clan.

Jerome Bonaparte continued to walk forward, and everyone subconsciously made way for the "Emperor" and his entourage.

Jerome Bonaparte and his followers walked to the end of Canabière Avenue under the watchful eyes of its residents.

At the crossroad at the end, Jerome Bonaparte stopped. Seeing this, Percy quickly ran to Jerome Bonaparte and quietly reported to him: "Your Majesty, the carriage is just ahead. We will take the carriage to Lyon, and then take the train from Lyon to Paris!"

[The Paris-Lyon railway was one of the railways built during Thiers’ administration in 1840, and it was also the only railway at that time connecting Paris to southern France.]

Jerome Bonaparte nodded slightly, then turned to look at the residents behind him. He cleared his throat and said to the residents of Marseille in a deep and magnetic voice, "Dear residents of Marseille, I’m sorry I don’t have time to spend a wonderful day with you! Now, I must go to Paris! In the upcoming elections, please cast your vote for me, and I will lead France to rise again!"

With that, Jerome Bonaparte raised his arm and shouted, "Long live the Republic! Long live the Orthodox!"

The majority of the Bonaparte Party members behind Jerome Bonaparte showed expressions of astonishment. Was their leader siding with the Orthodox Faction?

Only Rue and a few others understood Jerome Bonaparte’s intention. To win the electoral votes of the Marseille Province, one must be adept at deception.

"Long live the Republic! Long live the Orthodox!" Rue and others also shouted hysterically.

Then, Jerome Bonaparte and a group of Bonaparte Faction members continued forward, soon arriving at the location where the carriages were stationed.

In this large convoy, the largest and most luxurious gilt-edged four-wheeled open carriage was in the center, and the remaining carriages seemed to exist to protect this one. The side panels of the carriage were engraved with the coat of arms of the Bonaparte Clan. Needless to say, the guest who would ride this carriage was Jerome Bonaparte.

With Percy’s support, Jerome Bonaparte slowly boarded the carriage, along with Percy and Eugene Rue.

The one tasked with driving the carriage was still Fleury, who regarded himself as the Emperor’s Chief Steward.

The carriage at the front, responsible for paving the way, was skillfully driven by the coachman. Fleury also waved the whip, urging the two tall horses pulling the luxurious carriage forward. The pain spurred the horses into action, and the carriage also slowly started.

After the carriage had traveled a certain distance, Percy introduced Eugene Rue, who was sitting opposite Jerome Bonaparte: "Your Majesty, this is Congressman Eugene Rue!"

"Your Majesty!" Eugene Rue placed his right hand on the lower part of his left shoulder and saluted Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte smiled again. Whether it was the historical Eugene Rue or the present one, both had displayed a political acumen and sharp thinking that satisfied him.

This was what the followers of the Bonaparte Clan lacked. He hoped that there would be more Bonaparte Faction members like Rue.

"Eugene Rue, you’ve done well!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Eugene Rue: "It’s rare to have someone with your far-sightedness among the Bonaparte Faction!"

Rue’s expression showed a hint of stiffness. He didn’t understand whether Jerome Bonaparte’s praise was sincere or an opportunity to criticise him.

Whichever it was, it posed a significant issue for Rue.

Rare to find someone with far-sightedness? Does that mean the Bonaparte Faction is full of fools?

Knowing the perils of standing out too much, Rue did not want to leave an impression of ’aloofness’ among his colleagues, which might influence his future career. Especially as he didn’t have the deep "trust" relationship with Jerome Bonaparte that Percy did. He hurriedly humbled himself: "Your Majesty, under your leadership, the Bonaparte Faction has produced many talents! I am just the most ordinary one and do not deserve your praise!"

"Rue, you’re being modest! His Majesty praised your diligence while in London! I was right beside His Majesty at the time!"

Unlike Rue’s wild thoughts, Percy, who had been working with Jerome Bonaparte for half a year, understood that His Majesty’s praise was genuine. He recognized that the Rue, who had captured the emperor’s attention, had limitless potential. Percy decided to solidify his relationship with Rue.

Rue’s gaze met Percy’s, and seeing Percy’s friendly look, Rue breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mr. Rue, tell me about the recent happenings in Paris!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Rue again.

Eugene Rue told Jerome Bonaparte about the current situation in Paris. Under the negative impact of the June Revolution, the Republican Faction and the Mountain Party members of the Seine Province surprisingly failed, allowing Rue, who was supposed to be in fourth place, to rise remarkably. With an absolute advantage of 80,000 votes, he became the undisputed first in Seine Province. Victor Hugo came in second with 50,000 votes, while those from third to fifth place were left behind with an absolute disadvantage of 10,000 to 20,000 votes.

"So, the Seine Province has already secured a victory?" Jerome Bonaparte said excitedly.

"Your Majesty, my suggestion is that we should also strive to win Victor Hugo’s votes!" Rue said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"And the army’s votes!" Percy immediately interjected: "There are many people in the army who support you! They are also an indispensable force!"