Georges Ossman entered the room and straightforwardly asked.

Barroso placed the proposal on the table, nodded, and said to Georges Ossman, "Yes! Just recently, Colonel Bulbaski, the Emperor’s adjutant, came by to deliver a notification from His Majesty."

Georges Ossman glanced at the proposal on the table, and bluntly remarked, "Minister, I suppose you are prepared to break with Minister Achille Fuld!"

"Break? Why would I break? Deputy Minister Georges Ossman, this isn’t your concern!"

Despite Barroso’s internal indecision, his expression still projected the assertiveness expected of a minister.

However, Barroso’s assertiveness had no effect on someone like Georges Ossman, who held in his heart that only His Majesty the Emperor deserved true respect. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The rest, be it the Legislative Corps or ministers, were insufficient to elicit awe from Georges Ossman.

"Minister, are you still dreaming of seamless cooperation with Minister Achille Fuld?" Georges Ossman said to Barroso with exaggerated expressions.

"Shouldn’t cooperation between ministers be a given?" Barroso retorted to Georges Ossman, "His Majesty the Emperor encourages us to cooperate!"

"Indeed, ministers should cooperate seamlessly!" Georges Ossman initially affirmed Barroso’s viewpoint and then shifted his tone, "But seamless cooperation is only feasible between ministers with shared ideologies!

If two ministers have conflicting ideologies, no amount of cooperation would prevent them from undermining each other!"

"This..." Barroso was at a loss for words, forcing a defense of Achille Fuld, "How do you know that Minister Fuld and I don’t share the same ideology!"

"Minister, may I ask, what is the function of the public transportation department?" Georges Ossman didn’t answer directly, instead posing a question to Barroso.

"Drafting road and waterway development plans, implementing relevant policy standards, and overseeing their execution..." Barroso answered Georges Ossman without hesitation.

"Wouldn’t significant fiscal expenditures be generated during the drafting and implementation periods?" Georges Ossman continued to question Barroso.

"Of course!" Barroso responded.

"Our esteemed Minister Achille Fuld has consistently opposed excessive fiscal expenditures!" Georges Ossman unabashedly mocked, "He is like a miser, wishing to split a gold coin in half to spend!

Would someone like that truly agree with our plan?"

Barroso remained silent, understanding that presenting this plan to Achille Fuld would result in absolute refusal.

Yet the public transportation department’s power cannot be detached from infrastructure.

The monumental benefits tied to any infrastructure are alluring to countless individuals, even if it’s merely lending support to a project.

Barroso understood that his swift takeover of the public transportation department was entirely due to the department staff’s great hopes in him.

They hoped he could secure benefits for them.

If he couldn’t advocate for benefits within the public transportation department, it would be challenging for him to issue commands.

Authority relies on appreciation from superiors and obedience from subordinates.

Barroso knew that to continue controlling the public transportation department, he must fight and compete!

"Georges!" Barroso’s tone grew amiable.

Georges Ossman realized Barroso had made up his mind!

"I..." Barroso hesitated for a moment, then stammered, "I... being able to serve as the Minister of Public Transportation relies entirely on the strong support of Mr. Fuld!

I’m not ready to betray that!"

"No, no..." Georges Ossman shook his head at Barroso, "Minister, you’re mistaken!

The position of Public Transportation Minister is one of the Empire’s most crucial roles, and those who hold it can only be personally appointed by His Majesty the Emperor!

No one has the right to privately grant it, not even Fuld!

So, Minister, you owe nothing to Minister Fuld!"

"But... Fuld has the trust of His Majesty... would opposing him recklessly not be somewhat unwise?" Barroso remained apprehensive.

"Your Excellency, the Empire is not a one-man show for Fuld!" Georges Ossman subtly advised, "From what I know, Count Moreni, the Minister of the Seal, hasn’t been able to get along with Fuld!"

Barroso stared wide-eyed at Georges Ossman before inquiring, "Georges, tell me honestly, have you aligned yourself with Moreni?"

"Minister, my loyalty is solely to one entity, and that’s the Emperor of the Empire!" Georges Ossman declared unwaveringly, "The relationship between the Count and me is purely an alliance."

"Then... is Count Moreni truly willing to accept us?" Barroso was still somewhat anxious.

"Rest assured! Count Moreni will definitely accept!" Georges Ossman asserted confidently.

Georges Ossman’s words were like a reassurance, prompting Barroso to firmly decide to oppose Achille Fuld!

...

Let us return our focus to the Imperial Council.

When Jerome Bonaparte inquired about whether the public transportation department required funding from the Ministry of Finance, Barroso reflected briefly before responding promptly, "Your Majesty, road renovations indeed require assistance from the finance department!

However, we haven’t informed Minister Fuld yet."

"Minister Fuld, what are your thoughts?" Jerome Bonaparte stroked his chin, his eyes showing a hint of irony.

It was obvious that Achille Fuld was now being backstabbed by Barroso.

"Your Majesty, I’m unaware of which road Minister Barroso wishes to renovate, hence, I dare not make a rash judgment!"

Although Achille Fuld wished to tear Barroso apart, he needed to remain calm.

He raised his head, coldly looking at Barroso, and with a detached tone asked, "Minister Barroso, such an important matter!

Why didn’t you discuss it with me earlier but decided to present it in such an important forum?"

Having decided to break with Achille Fuld, Barroso wasn’t afraid to offend him.

Barroso spoke magnanimously, "Minister Fuld, I don’t believe you would permit me to realize the contents of the proposal!

In your mind, road renovation symbolizes wasting money!"

"Minister Barroso, I won’t allow you to disparage a meritorious minister like this!" Jerome Bonaparte promptly "rebuked" Barroso.

Then he turned his gaze to Achille Fuld and earnestly questioned, "Mr. Fuld, I’d like to know your opinion!"

On the spot, Achille Fuld was at a loss for words.

"Your Majesty, road renovation is indeed a strategy beneficial to the nation and its people, but it’s based on the empire’s fiscal balance!

Given the current financial situation, I do not endorse increasing fiscal burdens in these circumstances!"

"Minister Fuld, I disagree with your viewpoint!" Barroso spoke passionately.

"Minister Barroso, what differing viewpoints do you have!" Jerome Bonaparte inquired with interest.

In this unexpected "party feud," Jerome Bonaparte, as the arbitrator, leaned more toward Barroso’s side.

"Your Majesty, road renovation and canal widening are essentially meant to enhance the flow of goods between regions, thereby stimulating economic growth!

Especially for major regions like Alsace-Lorraine, which specialize in textile and manufacturing, we must ensure their roads are accessible!" Barroso eloquently explained to Jerome Bonaparte, "...I have conversed with numerous cotton textile merchants from Alsace, who frequently lament to me about the inconvenience of Alsace’s roads, resulting in their textiles’ inability to swiftly reach various parts of the nation, causing losses upwards of millions!"

"Really?" Jerome Bonaparte feigned surprise, "That’s truly terrible!"

"Indeed, Your Majesty!" Barroso, too, displayed a deeply pained expression, "Therefore, road renovation is paramount, even if Mr. Fuld doesn’t allocate funds, our transportation department will proceed regardless!"