Make France Great Again-Chapter 969 - 960: The Struggle Between Democracy and Autocracy

Chapter 969: Chapter 960: The Struggle Between Democracy and Autocracy

"No! Your Majesty, that’s not it!" Bashirio hurriedly explained, "Mr. Olivier and I were just contemplating some issues, which is why we didn’t say anything."

Emile Olivier’s response was unlike the conciliatory approach of Bashirio. He addressed Jerome Bonaparte with a candid attitude, "Mr. Bashirio is right! We weren’t intentionally silent because of Your Majesty’s presence, but because Mr. Bashirio and I had differing views on certain issues, which led to our silence!"

Bashirio, standing by the side, cast a glance of reproach, beginning to resent the "unsophisticated" Emile Olivier in his heart, while Emile Olivier faced Jerome Bonaparte’s potential questioning with an open demeanor.

"Oh?" Jerome Bonaparte revealed a bemused smile upon hearing Emile Olivier’s answer and then leisurely inquired, "What were you discussing just now?"

Facing Jerome Bonaparte’s inquiry, Bashirio remained silent, and Emile Olivier continued to speak, "Mr. Bashirio and I had a heated disagreement on whether Your Majesty will return power to the Legislative Corps in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Jerome Bonaparte immediately showed a look of astonishment, while Bashirio’s face instantly turned to one of terror.

Not just Bashirio, even Jerome Bonaparte didn’t expect that Emile Olivier would dare utter such "treasonous" words in front of him.

Jerome Bonaparte then burst into laughter, followed by his expression turning unusually serious, even imposing, as he coldly said, "Mr. Emile Olivier, do you realize how much trouble your words could cause you?"

Emile Olivier fearlessly replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, I am well aware of the potential consequences my question might provoke! 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

At worst, I’ll lose my representative qualification, be hunted down again, and thrown into prison."

"No!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head, continuing with a stern tone addressing Emile Olivier, "That would be too lenient on you!

You might die in prison due to illness, with no one to remember you or care for you!"

"Your Majesty!" Emile Olivier retorted fearlessly to Jerome Bonaparte, "History will remember me! When your Empire collapses, the truths will be unveiled!

The newborn Republic will remember me, and I will gain spiritual immortality with the entire Republic!"

Standing by, Bashirio’s expression grew even more horrified, prompting him to shout toward the door, "Guards! Guards!"

Emile Olivier raised his head, wearing the expression of a victor, seemingly accepting his possible fate of arrest.

"Bashirio, stop shouting! This is the Tuileries Palace, not a prison! I am not so low as to arrest him here!" Jerome Bonaparte slowly spoke to Bashirio.

"Your Majesty!" Bashirio’s face bore an awkward look.

"Mr. Olivier, you have great courage!" Jerome Bonaparte praised Emile Olivier, "Besides my wife, no one has dared to discuss such a matter in my presence!

Everyone assumes this Empire will persist indefinitely, forever!"

"Your Majesty, no one wishes to lose their power!" Emile Olivier steadily told Jerome Bonaparte, "Those around you also wish to gain power through the Empire!

Before you became Emperor, the positions they now hold were beyond their wildest dreams!

Thus, no one is more willing than them to support you becoming the Empire’s Emperor, even loving the Empire more than you do."

Emile Olivier’s speech prompted Jerome Bonaparte to clap in admiration.

"Mr. Olivier, you’re absolutely right!" Jerome Bonaparte shrugged, saying to Emile Olivier, "Whether Rue or Barroso, they have a deeper affection for the Empire than I do!

I’ve even imagined a scene ten years down the line where the Empire suddenly collapses, yet they might not think similarly.

Of course, I also understand they don’t love me as an Emperor, but love an Empire that can grant them high ranks."

Standing aside, Bashirio felt even more awkward, sensing Jerome Bonaparte’s words had an implied criticism towards him.

Jerome Bonaparte also noticed Bashirio’s predicament, promptly adding, "For the Empire, more people like them are naturally better!

Whether supporting the Empire or supporting me is far better than opposing it!

By the way, Mr. Emile, what do you think the Empire should do to truly progress!"

After a moment of thought, Emile Olivier replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, I believe you already have the answer!"

"Abandon autocracy, embrace democracy, is that right!" Jerome Bonaparte calmly responded to Emile Olivier.

"Yes, Your Majesty! An empire that cannot enjoy freedom will not be adored by the people!" Emile Olivier said to Jerome Bonaparte, "Especially a nation like France, which inherently cherishes freedom!

We overthrew three dynasties for freedom!"

"But it seems that neither of the republics survived under the banner of freedom!" Jerome Bonaparte said indifferently to Emile Olivier, "Excessive freedom only leads to a situation spiraling out of control.

Today you may overthrow a government for freedom, and tomorrow others might overthrow another government in the name of freedom."

"Your Majesty, this is the choice of freedom!" Emile Olivier argued to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Then, Mr. Olivier, have you thought about other countries!" Jerome Bonaparte responded coldly to Emile Olivier, "We are surrounded by monarchies, and in their eyes, a chaotic republic is a perfect target for invasion."

"We can defeat them just like we did back then!" Emile Olivier said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Mr. Olivier, open your eyes and look at the world!" Jerome Bonaparte shouted loudly, "France is no longer the France of the past; our population is insufficient to support us in waging war against the entire world!

Do you want to see another generation perish?"

Jerome Bonaparte’s thunderous speech was like a wake-up call, leaving Emile Olivier speechless for a long time.

"Last century, France could wage war globally based on our population advantage!

Now our advantage is gradually disappearing, and the population of the German Region has started catching up with us!

Moreover, the Russians have a population that exceeds ours by over 20 million (currently Russia’s population is about 50 million).

Given these circumstances, how do we confront the world?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Emile Olivier.

"But we have already defeated the Russian Empire in Crimea; now the Russian Empire is in disarray!" Emile Olivier tried to use the Crimean War to counter.

"The Crimean War is merely a catalyst for Russia’s division, and Russia will surely reunify!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Emile Olivier, "You don’t think the Russian Empire will remain in its current state forever, do you?"

Emile Olivier was silent, and Jerome Bonaparte continued his offensive, "Once a republic is established and falls into chaos!

Then all monarchies will unanimously decide to act against it, the German allies will occupy Paris, and put that fool Chambord on the throne!

At that time, the freedom you so cherish will completely turn into ruins!

To prevent the virus of the republic from spreading again, the allies would demand that France continue to cede territory..."

"Your Majesty, please don’t say anymore!" Emile Olivier’s voice revealed a hint of pleading.

"Mr. Olivier, this is the future of the free republic you envision!

A chaotic system with a capricious cabinet will not win anyone’s favor!" Jerome Bonaparte coldly responded to Emile Olivier.

"But, Your Majesty, what is the difference between your autocratic empire and the previous Bourbon Dynasty?" Emile Olivier retorted.

"I have given them the right to vote, given the people of France the right to pride!

France during the two Bourbon periods did not have the status it does now!

These are rights I’ve fought for for France!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Emile Olivier, his tone slightly proud.

"Your Majesty, you have indeed brought glory back to France, allowing France to stand in its deserved position!" Emile Olivier acknowledged Jerome Bonaparte’s achievements, "I still implore you to grant some rights for French citizens to enjoy freedom!"

"Mr. Olivier, I can promise you that in the near future, the Empire will gradually implement control!" Jerome Bonaparte slowly said to Emile Olivier, "At that time, I will give the Legislative Corps the rights to maintain order in France, and even grant them the ability to appoint and dismiss the cabinet."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Emile Olivier responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

"However, it cannot be now! At present, France cannot possess these powers!" Jerome Bonaparte suddenly changed his tone towards Emile Olivier, "I must clear all obstacles for France!"