Make France Great Again-Chapter 82: The New ’Roosevelt’ New Deal

The proud departing figure of Percy became a powerful catalyst for the Bonaparte Party Members, who, as the central force of the Bonaparte Party, all longed to be valued by the "Monarch" so they could step out under the envious gazes of others.

The remaining Bonaparte Party Members intensely fixed their eyes on Jerome Bonaparte, eager to hear the next assignment from the Prince.

Jerome Bonaparte did not disappoint them, as the second order soon followed.

"Captain Leti!" Jerome Bonaparte directed his gaze towards Leti, standing in the third position to his right.

Hearing Jerome Bonaparte solemnly call his name, Leti dared not exhibit any negligence and hurriedly responded, "Your Majesty!"

"You are responsible for the pre-election propaganda in Paris, making sure that the name Bonaparte and its represented meaning penetrate deeply into people’s hearts!" Jerome Bonaparte spoke to Leti while pulling out from his coat pocket the draft page of slogans he wrote two nights ago at the Lyon inn, handing it to Leti: "I want to ensure its content can be posted on every street and alley in the City of Paris!"

Leti devoutly accepted the note handed over by Jerome Bonaparte and replied, "Yes!"

"You can open it and take a look! If there’s anything you don’t understand, speak up!" Jerome Bonaparte reminded, fearing Leti might not comprehend the content above.

Though slightly skeptical inside, Captain Leti heeded Jerome Bonaparte’s advice and unfolded the neatly folded draft paper.

The draft paper contained only one sentence: "In this unfortunate era, we must devise some plans to reinstate hope onto those oppressed by the Pyramid, the forgotten ones. Making France great again should be the responsibility and duty of the entire nation of France."

Indeed, the campaign slogan Jerome Bonaparte pondered and plagiarized during his stay in Lyon was a hybrid product of two American Presidents’ slogans from 1932 and 2016.

"Your Majesty, do you mean to reopen the national workshop to gain the support of those people?" Leti indeed did not grasp the meaning represented by Jerome Bonaparte’s campaign slogan; the concept of a free market led him to believe Jerome Bonaparte advocated for the reconstruction of the previously abolished national workshop to ensure no unemployment.

The rest of the Bonaparte Party Members also exhibited puzzled expressions similar to Leti’s.

Eugène Roué appeared somewhat conflicted, seemingly having something to say but hesitating to speak up now.

"No!" Jerome Bonaparte, after surveying everyone’s expressions and actions, spoke up again: "The national workshop itself is a superficial measure; what we need is to find something to occupy those restless individuals! The government should not remain silent during crises; it should be the driving force for economic recovery. When the market cannot self-regulate, the government should guide the economic adjustments, ensuring the unemployed have work! Our government is not overreaching but underreaching! We must promote the superiority of the French system to reduce unemployment."

After listening to Jerome Bonaparte’s explanation, Leti, somewhat grasping it, asked: "Your Majesty, can I interpret it as reducing the unemployment rate?"

Jerome Bonaparte was momentarily taken aback, suddenly realizing discussing Keynes-Roosevelt economics with someone like Leti seemed futile, yet it’d be better to discuss something practical.

I am truly foolish!

Jerome Bonaparte felt an urge to slap himself, deciding then to align his channel with that of Leti and others’ levels.

"What I mean is, the future French Government should ensure the unemployment rate doesn’t climb while revitalizing the French banking industry, developing education... In a single phrase: New Deal, Order, Religion!"

Jerome Bonaparte communicated this as succinctly as possible to Leti, occasionally casting glances at Eugène Roué.

Roué, who boasted one of the highest levels of education and alertness among the present Bonaparte Party Members, fell into contemplation.

After explaining the specific policies represented by the slogan to Leti, Jerome Bonaparte again inquired if Leti understood.

Leti indicated his understanding.

Seeing the subtly hinted permission to leave in Jerome Bonaparte’s gaze, Leti pointed out a few more prominent Bonaparte figures to depart together.

The scene was now left with only Pierre Bonaparte, Prince Old Jerome, Mathilde, Eugène Roué, Fleury, and the last two Bonaparte Party Members.

After inquiring about the specific work of those two remaining Bonaparte Party Members, one of them indicated he served as a battalion commander in the French National Guard.

"Good! You’re in charge of recruiting some individuals interested in joining us within the National Guard! Your direct superior is Fleury!" Jerome Bonaparte patted that Bonaparte Party Member on the shoulder, specially advising: "Remember, while you’re developing in the National Guard, you must tread carefully! If someone is not trustworthy, avoid deep connections with them!"

The Bonaparte Party Member entrusted with such a significant task responded excitedly with a "yes" and then left the room.

Next, Jerome Bonaparte proceeded to inquire about the situation of the other Bonaparte Party Member, learning from him that he was a railway special commissioner under the Paris police.

This was an appointment issued by Louis Philippe in 1846, and from this commissioner, Jerome Bonaparte learned that a railway special commissioner was not what he understood as overseeing the situation along the railway, but rather a secret police identifying special elements within Paris under the guise of railways.

However, due to this decree being issued only in 1846, the imperfect railway commissioners during the Orleans period did not fall under the police department’s control but were directly subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

After the February Revolution, only a small number of railway commissioners returned to the police department, becoming the most transparent members within it.

Jerome Bonaparte also advised this railway commissioner before him to consciously recruit a group of individuals sharing a similar fate upon returning to the police department, specifically asking him for his name.

"Your Majesty, my name is Marcel Yalek!" The railway commissioner excitedly stated his name.

"I understand, Marcel. If there’s any situation, you can contact me directly!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded slightly toward this fellow, as the idea of forming his own secret police took root in his mind.

"Yes!" Marcel Yalek deeply bowed to Jerome Bonaparte, leaving with dreams in his heart.

At this moment, Jerome Bonaparte turned his gaze toward his cousin, Pierre Bonaparte.