CHAPTER 331: CHAPTER 327: ASCENDING THE THRONE (PART 1)

On December 9, 1851, the Legislative Corps and the Senate of the Third French Republic officially renamed it the French Empire. The tricolor flag that symbolized the Third French Republic was taken down by the loyal palace guards from the rooftops of the Tuileries Palace and Elysee Palace, and replaced with a tricolor flag bearing the emblem of the Bonaparte Clan.

The change in the national flag and name indicated that the Republic, which lasted more than three years, had become history as of December 9, and France had once again returned to the embrace of a monarchy.

Although this empire, established by a national referendum, was an anomaly in the eyes of a true monarchy, it represented the greatest common denominator that the entire French populace could tolerate.

Compared to a traditional despotic empire, the revolutionary French Empire implemented policies through referendums with a certain degree of democracy.

Compared to the Republic of the Great Revolution, the revolutionary French Empire was a little less fanatical, a bit more rational, and could also garner more goodwill than the Republic.

No one wanted to deal with a country prone to exporting revolutions at every turn.

Of course, this is not to say that the French Empire was without flaws. The Emperor, who presided over the Republic, naturally lacked a sanctity in legal terms, which, though intangible, truly affected relations between France and the European Monarchies.

Not to mention how Jerome Bonaparte’s uncle had repeatedly thrashed the European countries in the past, leaving many nations with lingering Francophobia.

As Jerome Bonaparte announced the establishment of the French Empire, the Russian Empire’s envoy, Vladimirovich, immediately sensed the situation sliding towards the brink of war. He dispatched personnel to report Jerome Bonaparte’s enthronement to the Russian Empire while also arriving at the Tuileries Palace to meet with Jerome Bonaparte.

At that moment, Jerome Bonaparte was donned in a red imperial cloak embroidered with golden bee patterns on the outside, and a white long robe underneath. An olive branch golden crown was placed on his head, the Great Eagle Medal, symbolizing France’s highest honor, was worn across his chest, and in his right hand, he held the Great Eagle Scepter.

When Vladimirovich saw Jerome Bonaparte dressed this way, he almost thought the former Emperor had descended upon the world once more.

Looking at the flustered Russian Empire envoy before him, Jerome Bonaparte gently tapped the Persian red carpet with the Great Eagle Scepter, smilingly asking, "What brings you here in such a hurry, Mr. Envoy?"

Snapping back to reality, Vladimirovich realized that the man before him was merely a despicable imitator. He quickly composed himself and coldly said to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Excellency, do you remember what you once said to the Russian Empire?"

"Hmm?" Jerome Bonaparte feigned surprise and asked, "What did I say back then?"

"You once told me that you would never choose to become Emperor! The French Republic would never turn into an Empire!" Vladimirovich emphasized word by word to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Oh, so it was that!" Jerome Bonaparte appeared to suddenly understand. He smiled modestly and then righteously replied, "This is the will of all the French people, even I, as the Supreme Governor, cannot defy it!"

What will of all the French people! In the end, it’s just a show!

Of course, Vladimirovich would not believe Jerome Bonaparte’s nonsense. Ever since Jerome Bonaparte launched a coup, he had lost all credibility in Vladimirovich’s eyes.

As Vladimirovich’s understanding of France deepened, he became increasingly convinced that Jerome Bonaparte’s rise to Emperor was only a matter of time.

However, he never expected Jerome Bonaparte to be so impatient, choosing to establish the empire so swiftly.

Was he not afraid of interference from all of Europe?

"Your Excellency, I imagine you are aware of some problems you might face following your enthronement?" Vladimirovich’s words carried a hint of threat.

"Your Excellency, the establishment of the Empire does not mean the advent of war. I believe the establishment of the Empire signifies the arrival of peace!" Jerome Bonaparte responded leisurely, "Whether Empire or Republic, France is committed to upholding European peace and not becoming a country of hegemonic power politics!"

With a cold smile at the corner of his mouth, Vladimirovich replied, "I hope Your Excellency can be responsible for your actions!"

After finishing speaking, Vladimirovich left the Tuileries Palace without looking back.

Not long after Vladimirovich left, the Austrian envoy to France, Baron Hubert, also arrived at the Tuileries Palace.

Facing a Jerome Bonaparte dressed in cosplay attire, Baron Hubert also wore a look of shock.

Immediately afterward, Jerome Bonaparte and Baron Hubert engaged in some discussions regarding the matter of becoming an Emperor.

"Your Majesty, I extend my personal congratulations to you!" Baron Hubert said to Jerome Bonaparte with impeccable finesse.

"Thank you for your congratulations, I also hope that Austria will have more aspirants like you..." Jerome Bonaparte responded to Baron Hubert.

Thereafter, Baron Hubert tactfully expressed that some "special" groups (mainly military aristocrats) within the Austrian Empire might make some aggressive actions due to Jerome Bonaparte’s ascension to the throne, possibly threatening Lombardy or making moves in Southern Germany. He hoped that Jerome Bonaparte would not be angered by these radical behaviors, and assured Jerome Bonaparte that as long as Prime Minister Felix Schwarzenberg continued to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs, France and Austria would not truly come to arms.

"The French Empire cherishes its friendship with the Austrian Empire, and we believe that the Austrian Empire will certainly stand with the French Empire. Although there may be some differences between our two countries, I am confident that as long as we work together, we can eliminate these differences." Jerome Bonaparte once again responded to Baron Hubert using diplomatic terms.

"I also believe that the friendship between the French Empire and the Austrian Empire will endure!" Baron Hubert responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

After exchanging views, Baron Hubert left the Tuileries Palace with a farewell from Minister of the Seal De Morini.

Afterwards, diplomatic envoys from Wurttemberg, Bavaria, and the Sardinian Dynasty all came to the Tuileries Palace. They subtly expressed their support for Jerome Bonaparte’s ascension as individuals.

For these diplomats who separated individual actions from collective ones, Jerome Bonaparte still expressed his gratitude towards them.

He then individually invited them to attend his coronation ceremony, but except for the Wurttemberg envoy, the envoys from the remaining countries all tactfully declined Jerome Bonaparte’s suggestion.

Jerome Bonaparte, of course, understood that the reason they were unwilling to attend the coronation ceremony was largely because the French Empire had not yet truly integrated into the mainstream countries of Europe.

Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia had not expressed genuine acceptance.

Without a definitive stance from the major powers, how could these countries dare to express their own political positions?

Wurttemberg was different; it belonged to Jerome Bonaparte’s maternal family, so it was reasonable for King William of Wurttemberg to send someone to witness his nephew’s coronation.

If investigated in detail, Wurttemberg, as part of the legitimate order, should not participate in the coronation either.

That night, Jerome Bonaparte once again convened the Bonaparte meeting at the Tuileries Palace.

Besides members of the Bonaparte Clan, attendees of this meeting included some important figures from the Bonaparte Faction, including Mornay, Valerovsky, Saint Arno, Percy, Mane, Fuld (in a dormant state), Pariou, and the President of the Legislative Assembly Bijou.

The meeting focused on when and where the coronation ceremony should take place, and whether Pope Pius IX should be invited to come to France for the coronation.

"I believe the sooner the coronation, the better! We have established the Empire, and the Empire cannot long remain without an emperor!" Minister of the Seal Mornay first proposed his opinion, which was supported by Pierre Bonaparte, Percy, Pariou, and others.

"Actually, we don’t need to rush the coronation ceremony, this way we can have more time to prepare for the coronation!" Empress Princess Mathilde Bonaparte opposed, hoping Jerome Bonaparte’s coronation could be made better. If Pope Pius IX could come, it would be even more perfect.

The forces supporting Mathilde Bonaparte were also considerable, including Valerovsky and Legislative Assembly President Bijou.

Besides these two factions, there was also a neutral faction led by Prince Monfort, who believed the speed of the coronation depended entirely on Jerome Bonaparte’s own will.

Jerome Bonaparte pondered for a moment, and after considering multiple aspects, he chose Mornay’s suggestion.

"The coronation should not be delayed! I plan to hold the coronation on December 12! If Pope Pius IX is unwilling to come, there’s no need to insist! We, with the support of over 8 million French people, do not need the Pope to validate us!" Jerome Bonaparte made the final decision.

Despite his words, Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help feeling a tinge of regret.

If it weren’t for Pope Pius IX’s high demands (Pope Pius IX required Jerome Bonaparte to hand over all education in France to the Church and to return some of the large-scale confiscated lands to the Church), he would have hoped for Pope Pius IX to add a divine touch to his coronation.

Mornay and others showed joyful expressions.

Having set the coronation date, Jerome Bonaparte turned to the division of responsibilities for the coronation ceremony.

Since the French Empire represents the will of all French people, the Legislative Corps, representing French public opinion, must also participate in this coronation.

And the task of organizing the Legislative Corps was entrusted to Bijou and Valerovsky, while Mornay and others would follow Jerome Bonaparte to share in this grand event.