For Jerome Bonaparte, completing the main lines of the French railway network ahead of schedule, especially the construction of the Paris-Strasbourg and Paris-Marseille railways, was a top priority.
The former is Jérôme Bonaparte's important reliance in attacking Germany in the future, while the latter is preparing for the Crimean War a few years later. He does not want to rely on Britain's transportation capabilities like his cousin in history.
Establishing his own complete military logistics support system is his first step in reforming the army, and opening up the railway network in Marseille is also the first step in leveraging the army's logistics support. It is impossible for him to wait until the war is approaching to think of building railways. In that case, he is no different from his historical cousin.
"Please rest assured, President, I guarantee that it will be completed within four years!" Alfred Piccard, as a technical advisor and member of the Railway Commission, assured Jérôme Bonaparte, patting 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 on it, he may have to pack up and leave.
As a technocrat, Piccard only needs to complete the tasks assigned to him by the president and the country.
"By the way, Mr. Piccard!" Jérôme Bonaparte continued to read the information sent by Piccard and said: "If...I mean if..."
Jérôme Bonaparte repeatedly emphasized: "If a team of about 100,000 people gathers in Paris and takes trains to Marseille in batches, can you completely deliver them within twenty days!"
"Mr. President, we..." Alfred Pilka, who heard Jerome Bonaparte's hypothesis, looked at Jerome Bonaparte with dull eyes. He understood what Jerome Bonaparte meant. The subtext is that apart from the army, he really can't find anything that needs to transport 100,000 people at once.
What does Mr. President want to do?
Alfred Piccard couldn't help but tremble in his heart. For a moment, he didn't know how to answer Jerome Bonaparte, or he didn't dare to answer because he knew the answer.
For Alfred Piccard, some things were better left unclear.
He is just a middle-level bureaucrat in the national system. Thanks to Minister Morny, he has not given up his position as a member of the Railway Committee. It is even more important for him to stand with Mr. Morny.
Jerome Bonaparte saw Alfred Piccard's mood swings, and he quickly added: "Mr. Piccard, I am only asking you from the perspective of national defense! After all, France also needs some independent defense. Ability, we can't wait until others actively invade us before we fight back. It doesn't matter if you can't answer, just use it as a lubricant!"
"Mr. President, based on the current system in France, it is still difficult to transport 100,000 people within 20 days! Unless..." Alfred Piccard paused.
"Unless what?" Jérôme Bonaparte asked immediately.
Alfred Piccard glanced at Morny, gritted his teeth and expressed his conclusion: "Unless we can increase the weight of the Railway Commission, and the road and bridge troops need to keep a certain pace with the army!"
The plan given by Alfred Piccard reminded Jerome Bonaparte of the Ministry of Railways and the railway engineers in his previous life.
But now is clearly not a good time to take the Railroad Commission out of the hands of the Department of Public Works.
Let’s not talk about the approval required to add a department to the French political system. Just talking about the upcoming issuance of bonds for the Ministry of Public Works is a problem.
If the Railroad Commission is separated, railroad approvals, railroad company stock issuances, and railroad issuances included in Department of Public Works bonds will all be separated from the Department of Public Works.
The Ministry of Public Works, whose interests have been harmed, will never give up. It does not have the courage to openly confront, but it still has a lot of courage to resist secretly.
Once the progress is slowed down, Jérôme Bonaparte will really lose the rice.
Not to mention establishing the Ministry of Railways together, who will become the Minister of Railways is another big problem.
"You can discuss the issue of the weight ratio of the Railway Commission with Minister Morny. The road and bridge troops and the army should also maintain constant communication." Jérôme Bonaparte, who did not have enough power, could only choose to avoid the question by talking.
Alfred Picard had a trace of disappointment in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Minister Morny, the railway is 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 it and not let the railway become the laughing stock of other countries! I will also go to public works from time to time The ministry and the railway site survey!" Jérôme Bonnet looked at Morny and said in a serious tone.
For France, a country with a bureaucratic system, the quality of a project often depends on the importance the leader attaches to the project.
"Yes!" Morny also knew that Jérôme Bonaparte attached great importance to the railway, otherwise he would not have pursued his railway policy "insistently".
Through contacts in the past half month, Morny learned that Jerome Bonaparte allowed people close to him to make some appropriate transgressions, but only if you could do your job well.
Otherwise, he will scold you mercilessly.
Jérôme Bonaparte, who had roughly read half of the information, put the information on the table again and said to Alfred Piccard and Morny: "Mr. Piccard and Morny hope that you can complete the railway as soon as possible." With the committee’s preparations, I hope to see the railway construction start in the second half of this year! No problem!”
"No problem!" Molny responded immediately. There is still nearly May left in the second half of the year, enough time for him to start construction and issue the first phase of bonds.
"If you have nothing to do, please do as you please!" Jérôme Bonaparte tactfully issued an order to expel the two of them.
Morny and Alfred Piccard left, leaving only Jérôme Bonaparte and the Marquise Allais in the living room.
"Madam, you just heard the state secrets word for word!" Jérôme Bonaparte said in an exaggerated tone, the Marquise Allais.
"So Mr. President, are you going to detain me for treason?" Marquise Allais' voice was as soft as cotton candy.
"That depends on Madam's wishes!" Jérôme Bonaparte responded with a serious expression.
The Marchioness of Allais chuckled.
As Jerome Bonaparte's old lover, she certainly understood what he meant. Her green-white arms were wrapped around the back of Jerome Bonaparte's neck, and her body left the seat and sat on Jerome Bonaparte's right leg. superior.
Just when the two were about to make the next move, Pesini burst into the room.
Upon seeing this, the Marchioness of Allais wanted to separate, but Jérôme Bonaparte hugged her tightly and motioned with his eyes for Pesigny to continue.
Pesini, who was not surprised by this scene, walked up to Jérôme Bonaparte and said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Victor Hugo is here!"
