Make France Great Again-Chapter 947 - 938: Georges Ossman Returns

Fuld first laid out the current situation facing the French Empire, and then expressed his own opinions.

"Your Majesty, given the current circumstances, we believe the most important thing to do is to formulate plans for infrastructure expansion, so that we can absorb more unemployed population!" Fuld said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Fuld, you are absolutely right!" Jerome Bonaparte clapped and nodded, then turned to Barroso, "Barroso, did you understand?"

Barroso, upon hearing this, quickly responded, "Your Majesty, I will definitely draft a new infrastructure plan as soon as possible!"

"Very good!" Jerome Bonaparte smiled and replied to Barroso, "I personally hope the plan submitted by the Department of Public Transportation will continue to be centered around railway construction, with canals and highways as supplementary projects!

Although the main railway lines in our country have been completed, some branch railways still need expansion!

Especially the railways in the Eastern region, they are the utmost priority!

Do you remember?"

"Your Majesty, rest assured! I will certainly keep your teachings in mind!" Barroso said with a slight flattery.

"By the way!" Jerome Bonaparte seemed to have thought of something all of a sudden, showing a concerned expression as he continued, "I see you, the Minister of Transportation, are busy managing railways, highways, and canals!

How about this! I’ll appoint an assistant for you, this busy man in the Department of Transportation!

What do you think?"

As soon as Jerome Bonaparte finished speaking, Barroso was momentarily stunned. He was clearly taken aback by Jerome Bonaparte’s sudden appointment.

Sitting at the side, Achille Fuld furrowed his brows slightly. He had already understood what Jerome Bonaparte intended to do.

A few seconds later, Barroso’s expression returned to normal, and he quickly responded, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Recently, I’ve been troubled by having too much on my plate!

If I have an assistant, that would be great!

I never expected that just as I thought about it, Your Majesty would appoint an assistant for me. I am truly grateful!"

"It’s nothing!" Seeing Barroso so cooperative, Jerome Bonaparte reciprocated by promising, "The assistant I appoint for you is really meant to do the hard work for you, and he will fully cooperate with your work. The Department of Transportation is still led by you, Barroso!"

After finishing, Jerome Bonaparte turned to Achille Fuld and said, "Fuld, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty, could you tell me who Barroso’s assistant will be?" Although Achille Fuld had already guessed the candidate, he still wanted to hear Jerome Bonaparte say it himself.

"The assistant I’m appointing for Barroso, you should know him as well! He is Georges Ossman from the Senate!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Achille Fuld.

Indeed!

Upon hearing Georges Ossman’s name, Achille Fuld wasn’t very surprised.

Or rather, when Georges Ossman’s name appeared, it had long been within Achille Fuld’s expectations.

After all, His Majesty the Emperor, known for being "stingy," wouldn’t easily treat them to Havana cigars without a reason.

Now it seems that the Emperor’s invitation to discuss how to solve unemployment was just a guise.

His real intention was to gauge the attitude towards Georges Ossman’s reinstatement.

At that moment, Jerome Bonaparte’s voice reached Achille Fuld’s ear: "Fuld, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty, I believe Georges Ossman indeed has the capability to serve as Barroso’s assistant!" Achille Fuld first confirmed Georges Ossman’s capability and then shifted his tone, "But capable individuals like Georges Ossman must be constrained! 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Otherwise, sooner or later, he will create financial gaps that are difficult to remedy for his visionary plans!"

"Fuld, how do you propose we constrain him?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired to Achille Fuld.

Since Achille Fuld did not restrict him from using Georges Ossman, Jerome Bonaparte naturally had to take a step back to seek Achille Fuld’s opinion.

After all, this matter was indeed a bit underhanded on Jerome Bonaparte’s part.

He had just promised Achille Fuld to dismiss Georges Ossman, and then Georges Ossman was reinstated shortly thereafter.

Although assisting Minister of Transportation Barroso in managing this position is far inferior to the Governor of Seine Province, it’s still more authoritative than being an Elder now.

Of course, Georges Ossman’s power degree will depend entirely on the Minister of Public Transportation Barroso and Minister of Finance Achille Fuld!

"Your Majesty, I suggest allowing Georges Ossman to enter the Department of Public Transportation Management as Chief Advisor, assisting Minister Barroso in handling departmental affairs!

While Georges Ossman is managing affairs of the Department of Public Transportation, the rights he possesses should only be executive and advisory rights, without any other authority!

All railroad constructions, road repairs, and canal clearing must proceed according to the process!

If it is found that Georges Ossman has violated the process and acted on his own, then immediately dismiss Georges Ossman from the position of chief advisor!

What do you think?"

Jerome Bonaparte pondered for a moment and then politely asked Achille Fuld.

If we were to actually follow Achille Fuld’s suggestion, then wouldn’t Georges Ossman’s power be somewhat too small?

"Your Majesty, Georges Ossman is only assisting Minister Barroso in handling issues he didn’t have time to address!

If Georges Ossman were to gain the same power as Minister Barroso, the entire public transport ministry would become chaotic!

By that time, we would face even more troublesome issues," Achille Fuld said to Jerome Bonaparte without backing down.

Sitting nearby, Barroso looked at Achille Fuld with a trace of gratitude in his eyes.

To be fair, Barroso himself didn’t want Georges Ossman to divide his powers in the public transport ministry, but he also couldn’t directly refuse Jerome Bonaparte.

Now, with Minister Achille Fuld refusing Jerome Bonaparte on his behalf, it was just perfect.

Jerome Bonaparte thought for a moment again and then nodded in agreement, saying: "Your suggestion is very constructive! Let’s do as you say!"

Afterward, Jerome Bonaparte turned his gaze to Barroso and said kindly: "Barroso, you should understand what Achille Fuld means!"

"Understood!" Barroso nodded in response to Jerome Bonaparte.

He knew he couldn’t deprive Georges Ossman of all his power, but he couldn’t give him too much either.

Otherwise, given Georges Ossman’s strong stance and his backing by Jerome Bonaparte, it would be difficult for Barroso to turn the tables.

Now that Achille Fuld had limited Georges Ossman’s power, Barroso could decide whether or not to grant Georges Ossman authority according to his own thinking.

As long as the decision-making authority of the public transport ministry was in his hands, Georges Ossman would be at his mercy!

"Good! It’s settled then!" Although the arrangement for Georges Ossman didn’t fully satisfy Jerome Bonaparte, it at least allowed Georges Ossman to return to the stage.

In the future, as long as he achieves some results, Jerome Bonaparte would have a reason to restore the power Georges Ossman had lost!

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte gifted a box of Havana Cigars each to Achille Fuld and Barroso to commend their efforts in recent times.

After Achille Fuld and Barroso left, Jerome Bonaparte again summoned Georges Ossman.

At this moment, Georges Ossman looked somewhat haggard, and Jerome Bonaparte hurriedly asked him: "Mr. Georges Ossman, what’s the matter with you?"

"Your Majesty! It’s nothing!" Georges Ossman shook his head in response, "I’ve just been a bit sleep-deprived lately!"

"As long as there’s no problem! Mr. Ossman, I have a task here that I’d like to assign to you, I wonder if you would be willing to take on some responsibilities for me!!" Jerome Bonaparte said directly to Georges Ossman.

Hearing this, Georges Ossman perked up and energetically responded: "Your Majesty, of course I am willing!"

Then, Jerome Bonaparte explained to Georges Ossman what he needed to do.

After listening, Georges Ossman hurriedly responded: "I am willing to go to the public transport ministry to assist Minister Barroso!"

"Very good! I didn’t misjudge you!" Jerome Bonaparte patted Georges Ossman’s shoulder, advising sincerely, "However, while you are serving as the chief advisor, you must resolutely follow Barroso’s orders. Do you understand?"

"Understood!"

The next day, Georges Ossman reported to the public transport ministry, becoming its chief advisor.

On the other hand, Lucien Murat, inspired by Jerome Bonaparte, understood his intentions.

From the next day, newspapers controlled by the Ministry of News began to report on the economic crises occurring in various countries in Europe, with some reports thoughtfully accompanied by street photos of Koblenz after being suppressed by Prussian troops.

Seeing that other countries were in similar or even worse states than France, the Parisians’ malice towards the Empire was slightly reduced.

After all, when the huge wave of economic development had temporarily ebbed, various countries had entered an era of being exposed.

It turned out that even the supposedly poor French Empire could rank ahead of most countries.

For the Parisians, such a result was already quite acceptable.