CHAPTER 333: CHAPTER 328 ASCENSION TO THE THRONE (PART 2)_2

Going to the City Hall for the coronation was a method Jerome Bonaparte arrived at after deep deliberation. If he were to choose Reims Cathedral for the coronation, it would pose a problem of legitimacy for the Bonaparte Clan.

The monarchs of the Bourbon Dynasty historically claimed that their crowns were bestowed by God, while the crown of the Bonaparte Clan came from the thirty million people of France. One claims divine right, and the other comes from the people’s mandate; these are not complementary claims, rather they are somewhat opposed. This would be like slapping the face of those traditional kingdoms, so after much consideration, Jerome Bonaparte abandoned this idea.

As for why he did not follow his uncle to Notre-Dame Cathedral for the coronation, one reason was that Pope Pius IX was not present, and another reason was that his uncle’s actions at Notre-Dame Cathedral were rather unsavory. Inviting the Pope for the coronation, the Pope unwillingly came to Paris, and then during the coronation, his uncle was unwilling to kneel before the Pope and instead snatched the Pope’s crown for a self-coronation, and even went on to snatch the Empress’s crown to crown her himself. He acted as if he were the God of France, and Pope Pius VII was almost infuriated to the point of fainting.

Should Jerome Bonaparte proceed to Notre-Dame Cathedral for the coronation, it might just stir up old memories of sympathy from that old fool Pope Pius IX. It’s best not to overly provoke Pope Pius IX.

After much pondering, the Paris City Hall, where Louis Philippe had once been crowned, became Jerome Bonaparte’s prime choice.

Although the Paris City Hall itself does not have much symbolic significance and is just an ordinary building, it at least represents the Emperor’s stance of standing with the people.

Moreover, with the precedent of Louis Philippe’s coronation, going to the Paris City Hall for his own coronation can also be seen as following in the steps of his predecessor.

Jerome Bonaparte is not someone stubbornly fixed on ideas; he doesn’t wish to hold any resurrection party for the past. The new era has arrived, and those so-called old-time ceremonies should vanish as soon as possible. Wearing the imperial robes for the coronation is his last compromise to the old times.

Standing at the entrance of the banquet, Jerome Bonaparte looked at the generals and government dignitaries inside, dressed in formal and military attire, with a hint of envy; at least they were not as cumbersome as Jerome Bonaparte himself.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

With a strong and mighty shout, everyone’s body faced the banquet hall’s door; the generals and political dignitaries inside the hall solemnly gazed at Emperor Jerome Bonaparte of the Empire.

Jerome Bonaparte also entered the banquet hall with a serious expression, beginning an impromptu speech: "Today marks the founding of the Empire; God has undoubtedly declared his expectations for me and the Empire; the snowflakes outside are God’s silent blessings."

Jerome Bonaparte cleverly linked the snowflakes with God’s auspices, quelling the crisis in its cradle.

"...In this past year, France has faced many problems and encountered many unexpected challenges; we have overcome them together... I believe that in the days following the Empire’s establishment, France will overcome one challenge after another. I will dedicate my life to serving the people of France, for France’s second struggle!" Jerome Bonaparte raised his hand and shouted: "Long live France, long live the Empire!"

Everyone present shouted in unison: "Long live France, long live the Empire!"

Amidst the shouts, Jerome Bonaparte invited everyone to lunch.

The lunch lasted over three hours before ending, and the generals and dignitaries left the Tuileries Palace.

At 5 PM, nearly two hundred carriages appeared in the four directions around the Tuileries Palace; they would ferry the generals and political dignitaries scattered across Paris to the Paris City Hall.

At 6 PM, under the command of General Affairs Director Mokar, the two hundred carriages set off under the cover of darkness.

At 7:30 PM, a magnificent double-bridge carriage stopped at the entrance of the Tuileries Palace, surrounded by a team of torch-bearing knights responsible for escorting Jerome Bonaparte to the Paris City Hall, led by none other than Legislative Corps President Bijou.

Bijou slowly dismounted and was led by Mokar to the study, where Jerome Bonaparte was savoring a book. Through the gas lamp on the desk and the chandelier’s candlelight, Bijou saw the book’s title - "The Communist Manifesto."

"Your Majesty, it’s time for us to set off!" Bijou’s eyes flashed with a touch of astonishment as he slowly approached Jerome Bonaparte and spoke softly.

"I understand!" Jerome Bonaparte closed the German edition of the manifesto, placed it on the table, and left with Bijou.

Jerome Bonaparte sat in his exclusive carriage while the Minister of the Seal Molt and Legislative Corps President Bijou mounted their horses.

Perhaps due to the snow, the torchlight extended far, making the road to the Paris City Hall no longer dark.

Likewise, the snow affected the journey from the Tuileries Palace to the Paris City Hall, which usually took only ten minutes, but it took nearly fifteen minutes to arrive.

At 7:57 PM, with less than three minutes to the 8 PM coronation, Jerome Bonaparte arrived at the City Hall.

In the City Hall’s main hall, under the gaze of all the generals, dignitaries, nobles, and wealthy merchants, Jerome Bonaparte resolutely walked to the center.

At 8 PM, the coronation ceremony officially commenced.

Legislative Corps President Bijou first delivered a speech: "While cherishing prideful memories of the great achievements in war, the people especially pin their hopes on you for great achievements in peace. They have seen you at work and look forward to you establishing a decisive, fast-paced, and efficient government. To assist you in this, they offer you their full approval and entrust everything to you: accept it, Your Majesty. Please accept from France this glorious crown that she dedicates to you. Never has any King worn a more legitimate or widely desired crown."

Standing beside him, the Bishop of Paris held the olive branch crown once worn by Emperor Napoleon in his hands, and Jerome Bonaparte took the crown and placed it on his head.

"My reign did not begin in 1815; it commences at this very moment, as you informed the nation’s will!" Crowned, Jerome Bonaparte said to Bijou.

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Empire!" the crowd below shouted loudly; they understood that from this moment, the Empire, which had vanished for over thirty years, reappeared, and France welcomed yet another new ruler.