CHAPTER 606: CHAPTER 597 SHARP BONAPARTE

"Is the world progressing?" Franz Joseph repeatedly pondered Jerome Bonaparte’s words. This was already the second time he had heard Jerome Bonaparte say this, and each time, it brought Franz Joseph a different feeling, along with a trace of urgency and confusion.

Looking at the monarch deep in thought before him, Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but pat Franz Joseph on the shoulder, advising him in a teacher’s tone: "That’s right! We are in an era of rapid change! The coming century will be different from the previous 18 centuries; it will propel all of Europe and even the world forward at an astonishing speed. Every individual and group will inevitably be affected by it, so you must try to embrace it and steer it forward. Only then can you ensure your empire isn’t swallowed by the waves of the future."

In Franz Joseph’s eyes, the future was a haze he couldn’t see through, evoking fear. But in Jerome Bonaparte’s eyes, the general direction of the future had already been set, and all he needed to do was to establish the French Empire in place of the German Empire’s position, becoming the overlord of Western and Central Europe.

In terms of geography, the French Empire doesn’t need to face the risk of a two-front attack.

If managed well, Franco-British tensions and Franco-Russian tensions would not be like Weiwei’s smile in history.

Thinking of the diplomatic measures of history’s Weiwei smile, Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but feel a chill down his spine.

Being able to turn the British Empire from a potential ally into an enemy, Weiwei’s diplomacy was like a scorpion’s droppings—truly one of a kind!

My son won’t become another Weiwei, will he? Jerome Bonaparte subconsciously glanced at Augusta’s swollen belly, praying that his descendants wouldn’t turn out as troublesome as Weiwei.

Otherwise, Jerome Bonaparte could only grit his teeth and follow the Old Buddha of the Great Yin Empire, hoping to outlive his son and pass the crown to his grandson.

If his son turned out to be as mischievous as Weiwei, but didn’t have the longevity of the Old Buddha.

Then it could only mean that the Bonaparte Clan was destined not to have a connection with the throne, and escaping to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to become a Grand Duke might be a good option.

"Why are you telling me this?" Just as Jerome Bonaparte was lost in thought, Franz Joseph’s voice reached his ears.

At this moment, Franz Joseph found himself unable to see through Jerome Bonaparte.

If Jerome Bonaparte was sincerely helping the Austrian Empire, his tactics of threatening the Austrian Empire with war were quite annoying!

If Jerome Bonaparte saw the Austrian Empire merely as a temporary ally, there was no need for him to go this far for the Austrian Empire.

Franz Joseph could even hear from Jerome Bonaparte’s words a fervent expectation for the Austrian Empire.

In Franz Joseph’s heart, Jerome Bonaparte had become a contradiction.

"Why?" Jerome Bonaparte tilted his head and repeated Franz Joseph’s words, then said to him: "Let’s just say it’s a bit of life experience I’m passing on to you as a senior."

Faced with such an answer from Jerome Bonaparte, Franz Joseph was clearly unwilling to believe it, but he didn’t continue to question Jerome Bonaparte either.

"Alright!" Jerome Bonaparte also changed the topic: "We’ve talked for so long! The photographer is getting anxious! Let’s wrap this up quickly!"

"Alright!" Franz Joseph also nodded in agreement.

Under the photographer’s guidance, Jerome Bonaparte and the others posed.

With the click of the camera, the photographer, who had his head covered by a red curtain, emerged and informed Jerome Bonaparte: "Your Majesty, it’s done!"

"Excellent!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded at the camera, then asked the photographer how long it would take to develop the photos.

"Your Majesty, it will take about 5 to 7 days," the photographer replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Alright! I hope you can do it as fast as possible!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded.

Then, he ordered Mokar to escort the photographer out of the Tuileries Palace.

Jerome Bonaparte and his wife, Franz Joseph, and Elizabeth left the studio. On the way from the studio to the hall, Jerome Bonaparte talked again with Franz Joseph about the issues of railroads and highways, suggesting that Franz Joseph could complete them using a public-private partnership method to save the already stretched funds of the Austrian Empire.

Franz Joseph told Jerome Bonaparte that Prince Metternich had also recommended this to him.

"So it seems! Prince Metternich and I must have had the same insight!" Although Jerome Bonaparte still smiled while responding to Franz Joseph, he couldn’t help but be amazed by Prince Metternich’s "far-sightedness" (which was actually copying France’s policies).

After discussing the issues of railroads and highways, Jerome Bonaparte tactfully suggested to Franz Joseph that the Austrian Empire should appropriately loosen its grip on Hungary and Lombardy-Venice, as this would benefit the empire’s rule in those areas.

Franz Joseph was not in favor of Jerome Bonaparte’s suggestion.

Thus, he responded vaguely to Jerome Bonaparte, saying he would consider the matter.

Upon hearing Franz Joseph’s answer, Jerome Bonaparte knew that Franz Joseph would certainly not heed his advice.

Only after Franz Joseph tastes the bitterness of high-pressure policies will he seriously consider his opinion.

From the perspective of marginal effects, although the Austrian Empire can loot a large amount of money in a short time by implementing military rule in Hungary and Lombardy-Venice, in the long run, the cost of maintaining stability through military rule will inevitably rise until it surpasses the taxes collected.

By that time, it would be difficult for the Austrian Empire not to consider reform.

Jerome Bonaparte just needs to patiently wait for the marginal effects to manifest in the Austrian Empire, and if managed properly, he could make a handsome profit from the Austrian Empire.

The four people parted ways upon reaching the hall, with Jerome Bonaparte returning to the study, while Franz Joseph, Augusta, and Elizabeth returned to their respective rooms.

As Franz Joseph was about to reach his room in the Tuileries Palace, he paused and turned towards Prince Metternich’s direction.

After a while, Franz Joseph entered Prince Metternich’s room and discussed the recent conversation in the studio and the stairwell with him.

"Mr. Metternich, do you think our punitive actions against traitors in Hungary and Lombardy, Venice, were truly wrong?" Franz Joseph inquired Prince Metternich.

Metternich knew that Franz Joseph was only seeking affirmation from him, not for him to refute him.

"Your Majesty, I do not believe we were wrong!" Metternich replied formally to Franz Joseph, "It is because His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte’s French Empire and your Austrian Empire have different national circumstances, leading to his judgment."

Hearing Prince Metternich’s reply, Franz Joseph’s heart finally found some reassurance, "By the way, Metternich, do you know what a camera is?"

"Camera?" Prince Metternich pondered for a moment, not understanding why Franz Joseph would ask him this, and nodded, "Your Majesty, I do know!"

"Does it really capture portraits of people?" Franz Joseph continued to ask.

Metternich, still familiar with daguerreotype technology, was unaware that the latest advancements had already been born in England and France, "It can, but the captured images are blurry and not of much use."

"I see!" Franz Joseph muttered softly, "It seems of not much use then!"

...

In the following days, newspapers throughout France reported on the review ceremony and Jerome Bonaparte’s speech at the event.

Different newspapers reviewed Jerome Bonaparte’s speech at the ceremony. Some said he profoundly explained what the French Empire should do and how to do it; others praised Jerome Bonaparte for not forgetting peace even in war, calling him a monarch truly longing for peace. Meanwhile, some political newspapers claimed that the Emperor’s act was a peace request to the Russian Empire.

In short, almost all newspapers praised Jerome Bonaparte.

However, across the French Channel, in the Kingdom of Britain, opinions on Jerome Bonaparte’s parade were polarized.

Some conservative (right-wing) newspapers continued to praise Jerome Bonaparte’s actions, declaring that the Kingdom of Britain should also hold a parade.

The majority of progressive (left-wing) newspapers maintained a critical attitude towards Jerome Bonaparte, claiming that his actions were like an Ancient Roman general flaunting his achievements to numb the Roman People, making them feel that honor was with them, so they continued to support him. They argued his so-called speech was merely to gloss over his aggressive nature towards the Russian Empire.

One article in particular stated.

"A struggle between a thief and a robber, yet it requires the French and Russian peoples to foot the bill, is an utmost sadness. But we firmly believe the French people will see through it and overthrow Jerome Bonaparte, the thief, and his decorated empire.

By then, Bonaparte’s statue will topple with the empire from the stone pillar of Wagram Square..."

However, at the end of the article, the author conceded that the French Empire’s attack on the Russian Empire had a positive effect; it could expedite the Russian Empire’s transition from feudalism to capitalism.

For the French Empire has shown the Russian Empire through their actions that capitalism wields a power far surpassing that of feudal autocracy.

If the Russian Empire is unwilling to reform, then revolution will inevitably find them.

As for the author of this article, need I say more, you should already know!