Make France Great Again-Chapter 602 - 593 "Victory Day" Speech

Chapter 602: Chapter 593 "Victory Day" Speech
"Long live the Empire, long live Bonaparte, long live Franco-British friendship! Long live Franco-Austrian friendship!"
Amidst the deafening shouts of the soldiers, Emperor Jerome Bonaparte of the French Empire, dressed in a sky-blue double-breasted Lev’s formal suit, wearing a cocked hat, draped with a red ribbon, slowly walked to the reviewing stand along with Prince Albert and his consort, Franz Joseph, as well as King William I of Württemberg, Grand Duke (Regent King) Friedrich I of Baden, senior military officers, and foreign envoys.
Shortly after Jerome Bonaparte and others arrived at the reviewing stand, the sound of salutes echoed from Concorde Square not far from Jerome Bonaparte, signaling the official start of the parade ceremony from that moment.
General Nier, the Vice Chief of Staff of the French General Staff, who was both the organizer of this parade ceremony and its main figure, puffed up his chest and stepped out from the line of the officer group of the parade ceremony, striding forward to the reviewing stand and loudly ing to Jerome Bonaparte the unit numbers being reviewed and the "glorious achievements" of their respective companies and regiments (most of which were from the establishment of the First Empire).
Jerome Bonaparte gravely nodded to Nier, who then returned to the officer lineup.
"Long live the Empire! Long live France!"
The soldiers once again cheered for France, and after a moment, Jerome Bonaparte, standing on the reviewing stand, waved his hand slightly. Upon seeing this, the commanders in the formations below immediately ordered their soldiers to stop cheering, and each formation immediately fell silent.
Whether it was the Parisians beyond the human walls, the soldiers in the formations, or the invited spectators, everyone was watching Jerome Bonaparte on the reviewing stand, waiting for him to deliver a speech.
In this silence, Jerome Bonaparte solemnly began, "Honorable citizens of France! Respected veterans! Warriors, sailors! Sergeants and warrant officers, generals and marshals, and all the invited guests here to attend the parade ceremony!
I extend my most sincere gratitude to you!
When European peace is violated, when the security of France faces unprecedented challenges, it is you who stood up together with the Britons, Austrians, and Prussians (the Prussian Envoy breathed a sigh of relief) to fight for the peace of Europe and the prosperity and stability of France.
From the landing at Varna to the assault on Silistra, and then to the engagements with nearby enemies at Yevpatoria, Sevastopol, I witnessed the brave and fearless posture of the French, Britons, Sardinians (Cavour revealed an excited expression), and Turks... I saw the figure of the Austrian Empire running around to restore the precarious European peace. Although they ultimately failed, the highest respect is still due to them.
It is precisely because of the collaboration of numerous European countries that our Europe can greet true peace. From them, I saw a dream, a dream of a United States of Europa, where all countries are equal and mutually beneficial, inclusive of each other, and mutually restrained, working together for the eternal peace of Europe, a belief I have always held.
This is also why despite the various differences in European relations, France has always agreed to establish an equal, secure, and indivisible system, a system that is crucial to European relations.
In April of this year, I, together with the Kingdom of Britain and the Austrian Empire, signed a security guarantee agreement for the Ottoman Empire (Four Power Talks).
Though at that time the French Empire was already in a state of war with the Russian Empire, I still believed that Nicholas I of the Russian Empire would be willing to reach a consensus with us before the war expanded further, engaging in sincere dialogue based on mutual interests to seek an appropriate solution.
However, all was in vain. The Russian Empire turned a deaf ear to the goodwill we extended, indicating they still maintained significant aggression toward our friend, the Ottoman Empire.
They aim to complete Peter I’s (blueprint) vision for access to a seaport through the occupation of the Danube Duchy, Bulgaria, Serbia, and even Constantinople... Led by Nicholas I, the Slav gang is actively expanding into our neighboring regions!
By such means, they have deliberately posed an unacceptable threat to European peace, forcing us to carry out a counterattack against them."
Jerome Bonaparte, with a tone tinged with slight melancholy and pain, addressed the soldiers and citizens present, as if this war was not one the French Empire intended to wage, but rather a war imposed on France by the Russian Empire, with the empire’s actions on the Crimea Peninsula being merely for self-protection.
"Today’s parade is not to promote war, but to promote peace. We long for peace, and we do not fear war. Any country attempting to threaten the territory of France or disrupt European peace in any manner will inevitably face resistance from France and other European countries.
Here, I sincerely hope to join hands with all European countries, including Russia, to jointly maintain peace, resolve disputes through peaceful means, and create a bright future together!
Long live the Empire! Long live peace!"
"Long live the Empire, long live peace!"
Jerome Bonaparte was like a trumpet initiating a charge, and the soldiers in the phalanx near the Arc de Triomphe also cheered, as the bayonets on the Minie Rifles on their backs glistened ominously in the sunlight, making one shudder in awe.
After Jerome Bonaparte’s speech ended, each phalanx, led by their commanders, marched past the reviewing stand, loudly shouting "Long live the Empire" to Jerome Bonaparte, raising their bayonets in respect.
Jerome Bonaparte likewise took off his Napoleon Hat, waving it lightly in the air.
Squadron after squadron marched past, quickly nearing the last few formations.
Franz Joseph’s expression changed from indifferent to astonished, then to anxious... and even a hint of anger.
Standing beside Franz Joseph, Prince Albert couldn’t help but smile as he noticed the change in Franz Joseph’s expression.
This was exactly what Franz Joseph wanted to see. Now, the Austrian Empire was beyond redemption.
When news spread to the Russian Empire that Franz Joseph attended the parade and reviewed the Russian prisoners of war alongside England and France, the Russian Empire would surely see Franz Joseph as an accomplice of England and France.
According to Prince Albert’s understanding of Nicholas I, he would surely be angered by the Austrian Empire joining the battlefield, making it difficult for the Austrian Empire to continue maintaining neutrality, even just a façade of neutrality.
Meanwhile, murmurs erupted from the "observers" behind Franz Joseph. Prince Metternich and Richard Metternich couldn’t help but let out bitter smiles, as they never expected England and France to use such methods to thoroughly worsen the relationship between the Austrian Empire and the Russian Empire.
Are they not afraid of a mad Nicholas I pursuing them relentlessly, even unto death!
As the prisoners in gray uniforms appeared on the parade platform, Jerome Bonaparte did not remove his hat, but quietly watched the Slavic Army, "come from afar" from Sevastopol, leave.
After the parade ended, Jerome Bonaparte, as per tradition, invited all participating soldiers to enjoy a grand feast in the open fields of the western suburbs of Paris.
Jerome Bonaparte also took the opportunity to "throw" off Prince Albert and others (who were taken by carriage appointed by Jerome Bonaparte to their destination, while he walked with the officers and soldiers to the location) to chat with the participating officers and soldiers, exchanging witty remarks that made the whole team burst into laughter, while also speaking intimately with some personally promoted generals, fostering a family-like camaraderie between the army and Jerome Bonaparte.
And Jerome Bonaparte’s close interaction was precisely noticed by Queen Victoria and her husband as they passed by in their carriage!
"That Jerome Bonaparte, really!" Queen Victoria muttered softly to Albert in complaint about Jerome Bonaparte, "He just leaves us in the carriage while he chats and mingles with those soldiers... Truly, I wonder what’s so good about those common soldiers!"
"My dear, Jerome Bonaparte is different from us! His empire was established with the support of these very common soldiers, which is why he goes to great lengths to please them!" Prince Albert gently caressed the hair of his Queen consort, softly responding, "But, I do admire him!"
"Admire him for what?" Queen Victoria asked in puzzlement.
"I admire that he can lower himself to have relatively equal exchanges with soldiers and officers, something Britons have never been able to achieve!" Prince Albert sighed to Queen Victoria.
Victoria realized that Albert was once again recalling the cold reception he received in the Kingdom of Britain.
The inherent arrogance of the Anglo-Saxons made them look down on everyone other than themselves, even though her husband had demonstrated his capabilities to them; they still saw Albert as someone who came to bask in the glory of the Britons... The attacks on Albert never ceased.
"A son-in-law who marries in is always a detestable role, especially for a German Prince like me, who’s a dime a dozen..." Albert continued to reveal his soft side to Queen Victoria.