CHAPTER 347: CHAPTER 342 CHIEF OF STAFF SAINT ARNO

"Damn it! If I had known it would be 996 every day, no matter what, I wouldn’t have become this Emperor. A bunch of Parisian rascals, they don’t know how to be grateful!"

Jerome Bonaparte let out a complaint reminiscent of the "Remorse at Founding Alibaba by Jack Ma"—the classic Versailles whine.

To be fair, the intensity faced by Jerome Bonaparte was indeed much higher than that of "ordinary people (meaning nobles)", but it was far from reaching the average level of this era, yet his rights stood at the pinnacle of this era.

In the 19th century, the French Empire possessed the first-ranking army in Europe, even the world, and the second-ranking navy in the world. Every word and strategy of his could influence the political trajectory of all of Europe and even the world.

With the immense power concentrated in his hands, Jerome Bonaparte could experience a joy he had never before felt—like candy wrapped around a jujube—the feeling of having the military and people prostrate at his feet.

Even though everyone knew that once the sugar coating was stripped away, only endless pain remained, everyone was still racking their brains to pursue the fleeting pleasure brought by power.

Louis XVIII, Charles X, the Duke of Orleans, as well as Thiers, Surt, and the like, they all walked the path of natural nobility, and some were outstanding talents of the time—all without exception fell beneath power.

Even before his death, Thiers still harbored the hope that he could defeat Jerome Bonaparte and regain power.

Compared to the rights obtained, the only thing Jerome Bonaparte gave up was insignificant: his freedom.

Shortly after having his Versailles complaint in the corridor of the Tuileries Palace, Jerome Bonaparte returned to his study.

After about twenty minutes, the sunset faded away, leaving only countless rays of red light. They gathered into a fiery red halo that seemed to be the final coronation for the upcoming night.

As night fell, the study gradually became dim.

Sitting in the chair, Jerome Bonaparte could barely see the outline of his hands.

At this moment, the sound of the door opening was heard, and Wardley appeared at the entrance of the study, holding an oil lamp in his left hand. The flame inside the lamp flickered with a ghostly blue glow, illuminating half of the study. In his right hand, he also held a few white candles.

"Your Majesty!" Wardley bowed to Jerome Bonaparte, then placed the oil lamp in front of Jerome Bonaparte. Several white candles, each about one and a half thumb widths, were arranged neatly beside the lamp.

Jerome Bonaparte watched quietly as Wardley brought a chair over, opened the oil lamp’s cover, then lit the candles and, standing on the chair, placed all the candles on the crystal chandelier.

With the help of the candlelight, Jerome Bonaparte once again clearly saw his palms.

Coming down from the chair, Wardley asked once again if Jerome Bonaparte needed to dine.

"Wait a moment!" Jerome Bonaparte instructed Wardley to wait a while, then added, "Have the kitchen prepare one more serving. A guest will arrive shortly!"

"Yes!" Wardley took the order and headed to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Wardley spoke with the kitchen chief Talan and conveyed Jerome Bonaparte’s request to Talan.

Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s sudden request, a trace of helplessness appeared on Talan’s face: Your Majesty was always so unexpected, never communicating with them in advance.

Many invitations were made on a whim, making it hard for those managing the Tuileries Palace kitchen to adapt.

However, there was one advantage when Jerome Bonaparte hosted guests, and that was there being significantly more leftovers than dining alone.

This means they could earn a certain markup through these leftovers.

In Paris, countless uneaten foods from the nobility enter the markets for the Parisian masses through certain "special" channels every day.

To satisfy their desires and in a bid to close the gap between themselves and the nobility, the petite bourgeoisie of Paris often bought the leftovers from the nobility, and this has already formed a massive market.

With mixed feelings, Talan could only call upon the kitchen chefs to get to work.

While the kitchen chefs worked enthusiastically, Jerome Bonaparte in the study was also waiting for the Minister of War, General Saint Arno.

"Please sit!" Jerome Bonaparte extended his hand to invite Saint Arno to sit on the sofa.

Despite the gossip behind the scenes, for ministers of Saint Arno’s standing, Jerome Bonaparte still showed respect.

Jerome Bonaparte understood that ministers from each department should be treated as one’s own beneficial aides, not as slaves that come when called or go when waved away.

If a country were compared to a company, then Jerome Bonaparte would be the chairman and general manager, while Saint Arno would be a minority shareholder and manager of a subordinate department, with Saint Arno’s shares being a relatively important component.

A single manager cannot stop Jerome Bonaparte’s actions, but if all managers unite, his position as chairman is in jeopardy.

To maintain the unity and stability of the company, Jerome Bonaparte finds it necessary to tolerate some of Saint Arno’s "little whims."

"Your Majesty! May I ask why you have summoned me?" Saint Arno asks Jerome Bonaparte neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"It’s like this! As the powers of the Secretariat grow, I hope the responsibilities between the Ministry of War and the Secretariat can be separated. This constant mixing benefits neither the Ministry of War nor the Secretariat!" Jerome Bonaparte first subtly suggests separating the Secretariat from the Ministry of War.

"Your Majesty, I also believe there are some unclear boundaries between the Ministry of War and the Secretariat!" Saint Arno immediately agrees.

Jerome Bonaparte nods and continues, "Do you remember my promise to you, that the future Secretariat would be the institution commanding the army, that is, the General Staff. Once reorganized, the General Staff will have more autonomy and will no longer serve merely as staff for the Commander-in-Chief..."

Saint Arno nods, his heartbeat speeding up involuntarily.

"I have decided..." Jerome Bonaparte deliberately pauses, and then points at Saint Arno, "to appoint you as the first Chief of Staff of the General Staff!"

This sudden surprise leaves Saint Arno somewhat dumbfounded, as he never imagined the Emperor would so seriously honor his promise, especially after losing hope for the Chief of Staff position due to opposing him on the logistics issue. (Saint Arno believed he lost the right to be Chief of Staff due to his opposition to the Emperor on logistical issues.)

Saint Arno feels ashamed for his actions obstructing military reforms after becoming Minister of War and for the President’s willingness to overlook past grievances and appoint him as the first Chief of Staff.

As Chief of Staff, who can command all military district commanders, the powers are almost equivalent to some of the Emperor’s powers.

Such immense power given to him signifies Jerome Bonaparte’s trust in him.

[P.S.: The specific powers of the Ministry of War are designated by the President, theoretically allowing the Ministry to command all actions within and outside France, but these actions only pertain to the final strategic intentions, while the intermediate process requires the Commander’s own judgement.

During the Crimean War, after Minister of War Saint Arno resigned to become Commander-in-Chief of Crimea, Marshal Vayan took over the Ministry of War position. In every action, Marshal Vayan only provided the final strategic objectives, without any power to interfere in specific actions.

The Chief of Staff not only controls the direction of war intentions but also manages the strategic intentions of the army, controlling the actions of commanders at the army level.]

"Your Majesty, I... I..." Faced with Jerome Bonaparte’s unconditional trust, even the iron-willed Saint Arno is choked up: "I apologize to you... I have let you down!"

"It’s nothing!" Jerome Bonaparte pats Saint Arno’s shoulder and says, "Once a person is in that position, there will always be things beyond their control!"

Then, Jerome Bonaparte solemnly says, "However, I hope you understand one thing!"

"What is it? I will certainly listen to you!" Saint Arno quickly says.

"Fighting is fighting, but I absolutely will not allow the army to engage in unrestrained conflict! Once such a situation arises, do not blame me for turning a blind eye!" Jerome Bonaparte says in a harsh tone.

"Understood!" Saint Arno assures Jerome Bonaparte that he will never engage in actions that divide the French Army.

"You haven’t eaten yet, have you! Would you like to have a meal together? It’s been a long time since the two of us sat down for a meal!" Jerome Bonaparte invites Saint Arno.

Saint Arno gladly accepts Jerome Bonaparte’s invitation, and the two leave the study for the dining room.

This dinner takes over an hour to conclude, during which Jerome Bonaparte and Saint Arno discuss many issues currently faced by the French Army.

Saint Arno also assures Jerome Bonaparte that he will rigorously address issues within the French Army.

At the end of April, the Tuileries Palace issued an order to the Ministry of War to establish the General Staff.

Saint Arno, then Minister of War, accepted the order, and the Secretariat officially separated from the Ministry of War and merged with the existing General Staff (which was essentially a shell).

While the outside world speculated on which Marshal would become Chief of Staff, Saint Arno submitted his resignation to Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte quickly approved Saint Arno’s resignation and then appointed the First Division Commander Kuzen Montebon as Minister of War, with General Canrobert succeeding Kuzen Montebon in commanding the First Division.

After his resignation, General Saint Arno was placed in the new Chief of Staff role the very next day by Jerome Bonaparte, effectively creating a seamless transition.