CHAPTER 351: CHAPTER 346: THE STAFF COLLEGE IN INTERNAL COMPETITION

For the plea to halt reforms from the old Bonapartist generals before him, Jerome Bonaparte did not hesitate to refuse outright.

Then, Jerome Bonaparte handed the petition back to them without mercy and issued an eviction order: "Take this petition! Leave immediately, at once!"

"Your Majesty! Please consider that we once risked our lives for the Empire!" The old general was clearly unwilling, and he begged Jerome Bonaparte once again.

"Hmph! Risked your lives for the Empire?" Jerome Bonaparte had a smile on his lips, unlike the kind smile he showed before; this was one of ridicule, of disdain: "What qualifications do you have to talk to me about devotion..."

As he spoke, Jerome Bonaparte pointed at one of the old generals who had once led an expedition to the Russian Empire, and said word by word, "You... what did you do after my uncle abdicated!"

"I..." The old general accused by Jerome Bonaparte was momentarily at a loss for words.

The old general who claimed to be willing to remain loyal to Napoleon quickly defected to the restored Bourbons after Emperor Napoleon abdicated, and gained opportunities for promotion and wealth from the Restoration of Bourbon.

After Jerome Bonaparte came to power, he shamelessly declared himself part of the Bonaparte Faction, posing as the most loyal guard of the Emperor.

"And during the second restoration of the Bourbon Dynasty, what did you do then..." Jerome Bonaparte pointed at another general injured in the Battle of Leipzig and loudly questioned.

This general was also speechless. After the Bourbon Dynasty was reestablished, he transformed into a crown witness to thoroughly submit to the new dynasty, sitting at the trial bench to judge his former colleagues with impunity.

Many colleagues died by his gun, yet now he also stands brazenly before Jerome Bonaparte, claiming his loyalty to the Emperor.

Next, Jerome Bonaparte pointed out, one by one, what these so-called loyal Bonapartist generals had done after the death of Emperor Napoleon.

The generals present felt somewhat ashamed, but years of forming a "thick skin" in France’s military and political circles prevented any extreme emotions from arising from a few insulting words.

"Your Majesty, the Empire lost! We had no choice!" The generals sought to cleanse their past stains.

"No choice?" Jerome Bonaparte still wore a sardonic look, raising his head slightly in contempt: "If that counts as no choice, then what about those commanders who lost their lives for the Empire? What about Marshal Ney, Marshal Moncey, Marshal Murat? Marshal Moncey back then preferred to forsake his title rather than strike against his former comrades!

Compared to them, what outstanding contributions have you made for the Empire! Indeed! You once risked your lives for the Empire, but the Empire did not treat you unjustly, each due payment was given to you! Even if my uncle was somewhat in debt to you, have I ever been in debt to you? Double salary, committee adviser, each was granted by me! Touch your conscience and think carefully, what debt does the Empire owe you!

What you’ve done could hardly match those marshals, speak up if you can say one point, and I might consider it!"

Jerome Bonaparte’s rapid-fire words left these old generals silent, as they really had no standing to compare themselves to those renowned marshals, having only served as captains in the First Empire!

Seeing the generals remain silent, Jerome Bonaparte pressed on: "Now it’s just a little modification, and you’re eager to carry my uncle’s banner to obstruct me! You truly are great generals under my uncle!"

Jerome Bonaparte emphasized "great generals," further expressing his disdain for such self-aggrandizing generals.

"Your Majesty, we’re just worried..." The generals tried to defend their actions.

"Worried? Worried about what?" Jerome Bonaparte showed no pity, "Worried your power will be affected? Worried your faction will be weakened? Or worried you won’t gain more interests! What you’re doing now isn’t saving the French Army; you’re attempting to destroy the entire French Army!

What did you really learn in the decades after my uncle left?"

Before the generals could reply, Jerome Bonaparte shook his head in self-conversation: "You learned nothing, still indulging in the fragmented dreams of the past, unaware of the world’s changes!

The guerrilla warfare in Algeria has made you completely forget how to conduct full-scale warfare; at best, you’re merely capable of small-scale operations within limited regions!

Yes! The Zouave Battalion is indeed formidable, but how many such units does France have!

Wake up! France is groaning, sliding towards an abyss of decadence!

I don’t ask you to revolutionize the French Army, just at least learn to shut your mouths! You need only watch quietly!"

In that instant, the old generals felt as if they saw the Emperor of old, who also rebuked them just like this...

After the reprimand, Jerome Bonaparte summoned Mokar and instructed him to send the veteran generals back.

The veteran generals, who had been scolded by Jerome Bonaparte, left the Tuileries Palace as if they had lost their souls. Their plan to demand concessions from Jerome Bonaparte through a petition had completely failed.

When other members of the Staff College faction visited the homes of the veteran generals to inquire about the situation, the generals shook their heads and shut their doors tightly.

The next day, Marshal Saint Arno, the Chief of Staff of the General Staff, issued a document on "How to Reform the French Military Academy".

The document analyzed the pros and cons of several academies such as the Saint-Cyr Military Academy, Ecole Polytechnique, and Paris Staff College, particularly criticizing the Paris Staff College for fostering cliques, lack of diligence, and seniority-based ranking practices.

It was evident to clear-eyed observers that Marshal Saint Arno was backed by Jerome Bonaparte, and for a moment, the members of the Staff College faction could not find a good solution.

Protest? Useless! Rebel? They dared not!

The Staff College faction, muddling through several days, finally faced its most fatal blow.

On July 4th, Marshal Saint Arno, Chief of Staff of the General Staff, hoped that all staff officers in France (mainly those of the Staff College faction) could participate in a "fair," "just," and "open" assessment. The winners would be allowed to stay, and the outstanding could even receive a promotion.

Meanwhile, those who failed would face the risk of retraining, and for those unwilling, France would order retirement.

The assessment was scheduled for one month later, on August 1st.

The assessment topics were nothing more than field exercises, coordination among different branches, and war game simulations.

If one were a staff officer working diligently, these exercises would be a breeze to handle.

For those members of the Staff College faction who had long lost their basic skills, this was undoubtedly a disaster.

Many staff officers from the faction, whose families were somewhat well-off, applied for retirement from the Ministry of War. Minister of War Kuzan Montauban, under Jerome Bonaparte’s direction, approved their applications.

Perhaps to avoid being accused of ditching workers after using them, Jerome Bonaparte specially instructed Kuzan Montauban to grant them a retirement pension at 1.5 times their current level.

In a short time, nearly 30 staff officers from the Ministry of War withdrew from active military service.

Under Marshal Arnau’s criticism, the Paris Staff College also dared not slack off in the slightest.

The officers who had arduously joined the Paris Staff College were forced to engage in an internal competition once again.

Meanwhile, the officers of the Staff College were also surprised to find that, at some point, many unfamiliar faces they had never seen before appeared in the college. These people, in civilian clothes, rushed to the college to attend classes and left as soon as they ended.

Upon inquiry with the teachers, they learned that these individuals were their seniors, who attended classes likely to prepare for the upcoming surprise test.

The changes in the academy were not limited to this. Afterward, Jerome Bonaparte, the Emperor of the French Empire, seemed to have heard some rumors and also visited the college. He praised the college for having so many students, and hailed it as the cradle for the French Army.

This left the leadership of the Staff College surprised and in awe. Led by the leadership, Jerome Bonaparte toured the entire school.

Subsequently, the Emperor and the principal and dean of academics of the Staff College withdrew to a room, seemingly to discuss certain matters.

The day after Jerome Bonaparte left, the dean of academics of the Staff College immediately announced that the college would add two more courses based on the original curriculum, one related to railways and the other to telegraphs.

The instructors for these two courses were selected from the Ministry of Railways and the Telegraph Bureau, and the dean also announced that starting this year, there would be annual "final" exams on railways and telegraphs.

The exam format would combine practical and theoretical knowledge, aimed at ensuring officers are proficient in the relevant instructions.

Moreover, in the last semester, every student must undergo a six-month internship at the Ministry of Railways and the Telegraph Bureau (three months each) to graduate smoothly.

Under the dual pressure from Jerome Bonaparte and Saint Arno, the Staff College began frantically competing internally.