Chapter 107： Army and Railroad

For Jerome Bonaparte, the early completion of the main lines of the French railway network, especially the construction of the Paris-Strasbourg and Paris-Marseille railways, is a top priority.

The former is that Jerome Bonaparte is an important reliance to attack Germany in the future, and the latter is to prepare for the Crimean War in a few years. He does not want to rely on Britain's transportation capabilities like his cousin in history.

Establishing his own perfect army logistics support system was his first move to reform the army, and opening up the railway network in Marseille was also the first **** in leveraging the army's logistics support. In that case, he is no different from his historical cousin.

"Please rest assured, Your Excellency, that it will be completed within four years!" Alfred Picard, a technical advisor and a member of the Railway Commission, assured Jerome Bonaparte with a pat on his chest.

Although he is still a little worried about whether the Ministry of Finance will approve this project, since Mr. President has repeatedly assured himself that the funds will be in place, if he continues to pour cold water, I am afraid that he will pack up and leave.

As a technocrat, Picard only needs to complete the tasks that the president and the country have given him.

"That's right, Mr. Picard!" Jerome Bonaparte continued to look at the information sent by Picard and said, "If... I mean if..."

Jerome Bonaparte repeatedly emphasized: "If a team of about 100,000 people gathers in Paris and arrives in Marseille by train in batches, can you deliver them completely within 20 days!"

"Mr. President, we..." Alfred Pirka, who heard Jerome Bonaparte's assumption, looked at Jerome Bonaparte dully, he understood Jerome Bonaparte's The subtext is that he really can't find anything other than the army to transport 100,000 people at once.

What does Mr. President want to do?

Alfred Picard couldn't help trembling in his heart. For a while, he didn't know how to answer Jerome Bonaparte, or he didn't dare to answer if he knew the answer.

For Alfred Picard, some things are better for him to know.

He is only a middle-level bureaucrat in the national system. Thanks to Minister Morney's not giving up as a member of the railway committee, he should stand with Mr. Morney even more.

Jerome Bonaparte saw Alfred Picard's mood swings, and he quickly added: "Mr. Picard, I'm just asking you from the perspective of national defense! After all, France also needs some self-defense. Ability, we can't wait until others take the initiative to invade us before fighting back. It doesn't matter if we can't answer, just treat it as a lubricant!"

"Mr. President, based on the current system in France, there is still some difficulty in transporting 100,000 people within 20 days! Unless..." Alfred Picard paused.

"Unless what?" Jerome Bonaparte asked immediately.

Alfred Picard glanced at Morney, gritted his teeth and said his own conclusion: "Unless the ability to increase the weight of the railway committee, and the road and bridge troops need to keep a certain pace with the army!"

The plan given by Alfred Picard reminded Jerome Bonaparte of the Ministry of Railways and railway engineers in his previous life.

However, now is clearly not a good time to take the Railroad Commission out of the control of the Department of Public Works.

Leaving aside the approvals required to add a department to the French political system, the issue of the bonds that are now about to be issued by the Ministry of Public Works is a problem.

If the Railroad Commission were separated, railroad approvals, railroad company stock issuances, railroad issuances included in public works bonds would all be cut from the public works department.

The Ministry of Public Works, whose interests have been damaged, will never let it go. It has no courage to confront it openly, but it still has a lot of courage to resist secretly.

Once the progress is slowed down, Jerome Bonaparte will really be a steal.

Not to mention the establishment of the Ministry of Railways, who becomes the Minister of Railways is another big question.

"You can discuss the issue of the weight ratio of the railway committee with Minister Morny. The road and bridge troops and the army should also keep in touch from time to time." Jerome Bonaparte, who did not have enough authority, could only choose to avoid the problem.

There was a hint of loss in Alfred Picard's eyes, but he soon regained his strength.

"Minister Morney, railways are an important link in the prosperity and stability of our country's transportation, national defense, and even commodity trade! I hope you can strictly control and don't let the railways become the laughing stock of other countries! I will also go to public works from time to time. Ministry and railway site survey!" Jerome Bona looked at Morni and said in a serious tone.

For a bureaucratic France, the quality of the project often depends on the level of attention the leadership attaches to the project.

"Yes!" Morney also knew that Jerome Bonaparte attached great importance to the railway, otherwise he would not "willfully" implement his railway policy.

Through the contact in the past two weeks, Morne learned that Jerome Bonaparte allows those close to him to carry out some appropriate arrogance, but the premise is that you can do your job well.

Otherwise, he will rebuke you mercilessly.

Jerome Bonaparte, who had roughly flipped through half of the documents, put the documents on the table again and said to Alfred Picard and Morni: "Mr. Picard, Morni hope you can complete the railway as soon as possible. Commission preparations I hope to see the railway start in the second half of this year! No problem!"

"No problem!" Molney responded immediately. There are still nearly five months until the second half of the year, which is enough time for him to start construction and issue the first tranche of bonds.

"If you have nothing to do, please do it!" Jerome Bonaparte euphemistically ordered the two of them to be expelled.

Morney and Alfred Picard left, leaving only Jerome Bonaparte and Marquise Allais in the living room.

"Madame, you just heard the state secrets without omission!" Jerome Bonaparte looked at Marquise Allais with an expression of annoyance, but his eyes were full of provocation.

"Then what is your Majesty going to do with me?" The Marchioness of Allais squeaked. She moved the chair to Jerome Bonaparte's side and rubbed her full breast against Jerome's arm. It goes without saying.

"Then it depends on what you mean, Madame!" Jerome Bonaparte teased nakedly.

The Marchioness of Allais "giggled" with a smile.

As Jerome Bonaparte's old lover, of course she understood what she meant, her pale arms were placed on the back of Jerome Bonaparte's neck, and her body sat on Jerome Bonaparte's thighs.

Just when the two were about to kiss each other, Pesini broke into the room.

Upon seeing this, the Marquise de Allais wanted to separate, but Jerome Bonaparte hugged her tightly and motioned Pessini to continue with his eyes.

Pessini, who was not surprised by such a scene, walked up to Jerome Bonaparte and said, "Your Majesty, Mr. Victor Hugo is here!"