Chapter 163 The Prelude To Modernizing Paris



When Lucien left his office with the draft of the education reform, Napoleon's attention shifted to Ciela.

"In a month, you found all the individuals I am looking for," Napoleon mused as he opened the file she handed to him again.

"That is right. I have reached out to the names you have given me and all of them agreed to be a part of your major construction projects," Ciela said, grinning. She continued. "I also contacted the person whom you'd like to be the head of the project. He is on his way here now."

"Great," Napoleon said, closing the document and setting it on his desk.

Ciela sat on the chair where Lucien had just vacated. "So, darling. You were talking about education reforms with your little brother."

"Yeah," Napoleon confirmed. "It's an important step to completely modernize France."

"If you are going to modernize everything, I suggest that you also modernize the entertainment industry," Ciela said and continued enthusiastically. "You see, the entertainment industry in this era revolves around opera house performances, music, and theater. Perhaps you can add motion pictures or cinematography to the mix. Imagine capturing live performances and stories on film, allowing them to be experienced by a broader audience beyond the confines of a theater. It would revolutionize how people consume entertainment and open up new possibilities for artistic expression."

"I think we are headed there my love," Napoleon said. "We already invented cameras, it will be only a matter of time before people start experimenting with motion pictures and cinematography."

"But I don't want to wait for two or three years, I want them now," Ciela said, her eyes glowing with determination.

"But darling, the technology needed to make a film similar to the early twentieth century is not available. Do you know that the first film ever made using motion capture was only two seconds long? And that it has no sounds, and the frame rate was incredibly low," Napoleon added, trying to explain the technical limitations of the era. "Creating full-length motion pictures with synchronized sound and smooth frame rates will take time and substantial advancements in technology."

"Not when you use your cheats," Ciela reminded. "Give me the blueprints of the technology to make film a possibility and I handle everything."

Napoleon sighed. "Fine."

Ciela clapped and reached over to kiss Napoleon on the cheek. "Thank you! This is going to be exciting."

Napoleon rose to his feet as well, his gaze landing on Bouchard.

"Your Excellencies," Bouchard gracefully greeted, inclining his head respectfully. "I apologize for any delay in my arrival."

Ciela gestured for Bouchard to approach. "No need to apologize, Monsieur Bouchard. You are just in time," she said warmly.

The person that Napoleon wanted to oversee his construction projects, the one who will be his Haussman, was none other than Pierre-François-Xavier Bouchard, the civil engineer who had transformed their colonies in Africa to look modern.

At that moment, Napoleon couldn't help but notice the tanned complexion of Bouchard's skin. Not that it concerned him or anything, as he, too, had acquired a tan during his Egyptian campaign.

"Monsieur Bouchard, please, have a seat," Napoleon gestured toward the empty chair in front of his desk.

Bouchard took the offered seat and placed a small leather case he was carrying onto the table.

"Thank you, Your Excellency," he replied with a composed demeanor.

Napoleon and Ciela took their seat, and Napoleon began. "So, how was Egypt?"

"Well, it's been treating me well, Your Excellency. The city has undergone a remarkable transformation in less than a year. The roads are now wide and well-maintained, the trams are efficiently servicing the people, and we have made significant progress in mining iron ores from the Bahariya area. Moreover, we have successfully constructed several railway stations, and the most ambitious project of all, the construction of the Suez Canal, began just two months ago."

"That's nice to hear," Napoleon smiled in satisfaction. Monsieur Bouchard, you know why we called you here right?"

"Madame Bonaparte has reached out to me, offering me a position to be the head engineer of the grand construction projects that you want to initiate in Paris, am I correct?" Bouchard said.

"That is correct, Monsieur Bouchard. I have witnessed your skills in Egypt and I found it to be of exceptional quality," Napoleon replied. "I believe you are the perfect person to oversee the construction projects here in Paris. Are you up to the task?"

"After seeing your modernization and beautification plan for Paris, I didn't even hesitate to accept the offer," Bouchard replied with a genuine smile. "To be entrusted with such a significant responsibility and to contribute to the transformation of this great city is an honor beyond words."

"Great," Napoleon extended his hand and offered him a handshake. "By accepting this position, Monsieur Bouchard, you will become my Minister of Urban Development and Infrastructure. Though the position doesn't exist yet as we haven't formally introduced them to the Senate. You will be provided with the fund and the government will advertise job employment opportunities for this project."

"Basically, a mass recruitment drive," Ciela added.

Bouchard simply nodded.