Chapter 392: Chapter 386 France’s Industrial Mobilization
Smelling the scent of war in the telegram, Jerome Bonaparte immediately decided to convene a Cabinet meeting to "discuss" countermeasures.
Of course, calling it a discussion of countermeasures is less accurate than saying it was an inquiry into the readiness of the French Army and the timing of their entry into the Near East.
Although historically the Crimean conflict began around October, and the formal clash between the French Empire and the Russian Empire occurred in 1854, no one can guarantee that the Russian Empire won’t launch a war in advance.
According to intelligence from the National Intelligence Bureau’s Foreign Warfare Department, Paskievich of the Russian Empire has been deliberately spreading propaganda in the Black Mountain, Serbia, and Bulgarian regions, urging them to rise and overthrow the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
As for those useless spies under the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, they couldn’t even notice Paskievich’s little moves.
Of course, there is also the possibility that they don’t dare to report this information to the Sultan.
In any case, the entire Balkan Region has already become a powder keg. If the Tsar decides to make a move, the rebels lying low in the Ottoman Empire’s territory will rise up.
These rebels may not be able to defeat the regular army of the Ottoman Empire, but they are more than capable of causing some disturbances.
Jerome Bonaparte was somewhat worried that the Russian Empire might launch a two-pronged attack, swiftly piercing through Bulgaria with one force, and having the navy land to occupy Constantinople with the other.
If that happens, the French Empire might find itself in a passive position, which would result in more deaths on their side.
Each person is the most valuable human resource for France.
Without delay, Jerome Bonaparte immediately called in Mokar and ordered him to have the Minister of State, Minister of Finance, Minister of War, Minister of Justice, Minister of the Navy, Minister of Internal Affairs, Chief of Staff, Minister of the Seal, and Minister of Railways summoned to the Tuileries Palace.
"Yes!" Mokar accepted the order and departed.
"Come with me!" Jerome Bonaparte led De Luy ahead to the Cabinet meeting location at the Tuileries Palace.
The two sat quietly at the long table, waiting for the ministers to arrive. After about an hour, all the summoned ministers arrived at the meeting room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve called you here today to discuss our next course of action!" Jerome Bonaparte wasted no words and got straight to the point.
The attendees displayed a variety of expressions: surprise, excitement, and even melancholy!
Immediately, Jerome Bonaparte handed the telegram to Mornay, the Minister of the Seal sitting to his left, and said: "This is a telegram sent by Valvesky Envoy from Constantinople. Please pass it around!"
Mornay was the first to read the telegram’s contents, then handed it to the Minister of State, Fuld, sitting next to him. Fuld finished reading and passed it on to the Minister of Finance, Mane...
When the telegram returned to Jerome Bonaparte’s hand, another half hour had passed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if any of you have ideas, please share them!" Jerome Bonaparte addressed the ministers present.
"Your Majesty, does the breakdown of negotiations between the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire mean that war between the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire has already begun?" Minister of State Fuld was the first to speak.
"Nicholas I is definitely not someone who backs down easily! After negotiations break down, he will surely take action against the Ottoman Empire! I believe you all understand that the overreach of the Russian Empire is our opportunity. The Kingdom of Britain, like us, will absolutely not allow the Russian Empire to overstep its bounds! They will stand with us to jointly counter the Russian Empire.
So we don’t need to worry about facing the risk of isolation as before. Instead, we can take this opportunity to close the distance with Europe and then completely exclude the Russian Empire from the system."
Although Jerome Bonaparte had repeated this statement countless times, he continued to repeat it over and over again.
The purpose was to make them believe that he could definitely lead them to victory, as only by doing so would they firmly stand alongside Jerome Bonaparte.
No one would want to follow a leader without confidence!
The Minister of State Fuld, seeing this, remained silent.
Seeing that none of the ministers present were willing to speak, Jerome Bonaparte had to choose someone to question.
"Minister Montauban, how are the troop numbers, arms, and supplies preparations going?" Jerome Bonaparte first asked the Minister of War, Kuzen Montebon.
Kuzen Montebon immediately informed Jerome Bonaparte that all the way stations along the southern line had been completely reorganized, with way stations resuming their conscription functions. As a result, the annual troop replenishment was about 80,000 men, and the armament factories, clothing factories, and cannery facilities under the War Department were working under the committee’s requirements.
"Very good!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded at Kuzen Montebon.
Then, he turned his gaze to Chief of Staff Marshal Saint Arno: "How is the situation in the various levels of staff departments?"
"The army, division, brigade, and regiment staff departments are all ready! Ready to move at any moment!" Marshal Saint Arno replied to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Hmm!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded slightly to show understanding, then turned his gaze to his Minister of Railways, Barroso: "What about your Ministry of Railways?"
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Railways..." Faced with Jerome Bonaparte’s sudden inquiry, Barroso was momentarily at a loss, not comprehending Jerome Bonaparte’s intent.
"The Ministry of Railways is the most crucial link in war! You must coordinate well with the Ministry of War’s work!" Jerome Bonaparte said sternly to Barroso: "Starting next month, all railroads must operate punctually and as planned! No one, including myself, is allowed to alter the plan arbitrarily! Extend the train departure times!
Therefore, during this period, you must establish even closer contact with the military!"
A glint of melancholy flashed in Barroso’s eyes. After a moment of hesitation, he could only respond to Jerome Bonaparte with a "Yes!"
"Marshal Saint Arno, you must consult closely with Minister Barroso! When it comes to military matters, not a single detail can be neglected!" Jerome Bonaparte said sternly to Saint Arno and Barroso.
"Understood!" Saint Arno and Barroso responded promptly to Jerome Bonaparte.
Next, Jerome Bonaparte inquired about the state of French finances from Minister of Finance Mane.
Under the influence of high luxury taxes, France’s overall financial situation appeared favorable.
However, the fiscal surplus was not significant, making it impossible to initiate a war.
Issuing government bonds externally was a necessity.
In the 19th, 20th, and even the 21st centuries, no capitalist country has ever initiated a large-scale war solely relying on its fiscal surplus.
Even a global empire like Britain had more debt than France.
The debt of 450 million British Pounds from the Napoleonic Wars still stood at around 240 million today.
Although Britain successfully wielded the Gold Pounds to destroy the First Empire, it too suffered equally in the process.
"How much might this war cost?" Jerome Bonaparte asked a seemingly foolish question.
"Your Majesty! I cannot predict the start of the war, nor the end! All of this depends on your will!" Mane replied diplomatically to Jerome Bonaparte.
Jerome Bonaparte suddenly realized how foolish it was to estimate the cost of a war while making decisions within a war.
Though Jerome Bonaparte was confident in defeating the Russian Empire within two years, there was no telling if the Russian Empire would be more stubborn in reality, or if unforeseen events might occur; such things were unpredictable.
At present, all Jerome Bonaparte could do was issue war bonds as needed,
for the Russian Empire’s current finances could not hope to compete with France’s.
Jerome Bonaparte vowed to reclaim twice as much from the Russian Empire after the war.
"Very well! Regarding the war bonds, have those bankers ready themselves at any time!" Jerome Bonaparte could only instruct them to be prepared.
"Yes!" Mane promptly responded deferentially to Jerome Bonaparte.
Immediately after, Jerome Bonaparte asked the Minister of the Navy about the status of transport ships and warships. Deco naturally did not disappoint Jerome Bonaparte’s expectations, with all state-owned factories under the Navy Department, as well as factories controlled by the Navy, working overtime to ensure the launch of a second ironclad by the end of September.
"There’s no rush on the ironclad! Your current focus is ensuring the smoothness of the maritime routes!" Jerome Bonaparte issued a new round of instructions to Deco.
As for the Minister of Internal Affairs, Percy, Jerome Bonaparte’s instructions were even simpler, strictly monitoring those social celebrities imprisoned during the coup on December 2, 1850.
Although Jerome Bonaparte had issued two acts of amnesty in the past (once when he proclaimed emperor, another during his wedding), it did not mean he would ease his surveillance over them.
During wartime, their voices must be stifled to prevent reckless talk.
After the meeting, Minister of Railways Barroso once again approached Jerome Bonaparte to disclose the current plight faced by the Ministry of Railways.
Under massive debt, the Ministry of Railways might be unable to simultaneously pay bonds and interest and cover additional costs above the war, potentially leading to bankruptcy.
Over the past few years, the Ministry of Railways issued bonds exceeding at least 10 billion; bankruptcy could trigger an economic collapse across France.
In response, Jerome Bonaparte offered a solution.