CHAPTER 558: CHAPTER 549 THE BANK OF FRANCE DURING THE DYNASTIC TRANSITION

The Count of Algo understood that the now fully fledged Emperor no longer needed this "old man" to guard the gates of the Bank of France for him. He wanted to imprint his own will upon the treasury of the Bank of France, turning it into a tool obedient to him.

Just like His Majesty Napoleon did back then.

After all, no monarch likes having a subordinate who opposes them, especially when that subordinate holds a lifeline of France in their hands.

Thinking of this, the Count of Algo couldn’t help but feel a sense of anger. Now he felt like a prostitute, agreeing to submit to Jerome Bonaparte after the client fooled him with sweet talk.

Once Jerome Bonaparte felt he was of no more use, he would kick him aside effortlessly.

Of course, this was merely a thought borne of the Count of Algo’s shame and anger.

As long as he calmed down to think it through, he would realize that his economic philosophy was destined to diverge from that of the Emperor.

Forcing himself to stay as president of the Bank of France would only exacerbate the conflict between both sides. The best result would be for one party to change their economic thinking or withdraw.

The Emperor’s character and vision destined that he would never retreat; only the Count of Algo could retreat.

If it weren’t for considering the contributions Count Algo had made to the Empire before, Jerome Bonaparte would not have privately arranged a meeting with him at the Elysee Palace, hoping to convince him through dialogue to continue supporting his ideas, instead of directly commencing an Imperial Council and dismissing Count Algo in public.

However, the Count of Algo was reluctant to change his economic ideas, even concocting the "shock therapy".

It wasn’t until just now that Jerome Bonaparte made up his mind to let Count Algo leave the position of president of the Bank of France.

"Your Majesty, I will submit my resignation to you tomorrow!" Count Algo coldly responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Mr. Algo, why is it thus!" Jerome Bonaparte feigned surprise, saying to Count Algo: "I was merely lamenting the passage of time just now; you misunderstood me!"

"Your Majesty, as you said just now. Time passes, and in the blink of an eye, I’m almost 80! So, please allow me to resign from the position of President of the Bank of France!" The emotional Count Algo could only force himself to suppress his disgust, accompanying Jerome Bonaparte in his performance.

"Very well then!" Jerome Bonaparte seemed regretful about Count Algo’s resignation. He sighed and said to Count Algo: "Since you intend to leave, I won’t force you!"

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte expressed to Count Algo that, after he resigned from the position of President of the Bank of France, a position would be reserved for him in the Senate.

Count Algo only needed to clock in at the routine voting meetings of the Senate.

Count Algo knew that the Emperor arranged this to avoid giving the outside world an impression of ruthlessness and ingratitude.

Though the Senate’s power was far less than that of the Bank of France, it at least represented the Emperor’s stance.

To ensure that his political resources could shelter the next generation, Count Algo agreed to Jerome Bonaparte’s proposal.

Once everything was settled, Jerome Bonaparte invited Count Algo to dine together.

Count Algo could only accept Jerome Bonaparte’s invitation because this might be his last dinner with the Emperor.

"Let’s go!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Count Algo.

Count Algo got up and followed Jerome Bonaparte out of the room where he first met the Emperor.

The Royal Chief Steward Mokar, standing at the door, saw the expressionless Emperor and the pale-faced, faltering Count Algo trailing behind him. He immediately realized that this once powerful Mr. Earl had likely become an outcast beyond power.

Just as Moral was lost in thought, Jerome Bonaparte’s voice reached his ears: "Mokar, Mr. Algo’s mental state hasn’t been well lately! Go and assist him!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Mokar hurriedly responded, then quickly came to Count Algo, bowed slightly, and assisted him.

"Thank you!" Count Algo replied to Mokar in a low voice.

Now he had none of the grand ambitions he had when he was in charge of the Bank of France; he looked more like a helpless old man.

"It’s nothing, Mr. Earl!" Mokar responded to Count Algo with a standard smile on his face.

With Mokar’s assistance, Count Algo reached the door of the Elysee Palace.

Looking at the sky, now only with afterglow, Count Algo felt even more desolate inside.

"Get in the carriage!"

Jerome Bonaparte’s voice came from the carriage, and with Mokar’s support, Count Algo boarded Jerome Bonaparte’s carriage.

The carriage carrying Jerome Bonaparte and Count Algo departed from the Elysee Palace, traveling via the Champs-Élysées to reach the Tuileries Palace.

Once Jerome Bonaparte and Count Algo alighted from the carriage and entered the Tuileries Palace, they went straight to the dining room.

As the head chef of the Royal Palace, Taylor appeared in front of Jerome Bonaparte to ask him if it was time to serve the dishes.

"Yes!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and responded to Taylor.

Dishes from all over Europe were brought in by the servants of the Tuileries Palace, presented on trays. Seeing these mouthwatering dishes, Jerome Bonaparte, feeling cheerful, immediately felt he could completely devour them.

However, Count Algou clearly did not share Jerome Bonaparte’s appetite. Having lost the position of President of the Bank of France, no delicacy could lift his spirits at this moment.

Throughout the banquet, Count Algou only consumed a small amount of aperitif and a vegetable salad, abstaining from any other food.

After the dinner, Jerome Bonaparte ordered Mokar to personally escort Count Algou home.

With the escort of Moral, Count Algou successfully returned to his residence in Paris.

Taking advantage of the night, Mokar, having successfully delivered Count Algou home, took a carriage back to the Tuileries Palace.

...

Early the next morning.

A man claiming to be Count Algou’s butler arrived at the Tuileries Palace by carriage and handed Count Algou’s resignation letter to the Royal Chief Steward, Mokar.

Upon receiving the resignation letter, Mokar immediately passed it on to Jerome Bonaparte in the study.

Jerome Bonaparte carefully reviewed the contents of the resignation letter after opening the envelope.

In the letter, Count Algou explained that he was resigning due to his advanced age and lack of energy to manage the Bank of France, hence he pleaded with the Emperor to approve his resignation so that he could retire peacefully.

After reading the resignation letter, Jerome Bonaparte signed his name at the bottom and then summoned Mokar over, informing him of the need for an urgent Imperial Council to discuss the appointment of a new President of the Bank of France, scheduling it for three in the afternoon.

"Yes!"

Receiving the order, Mokar left the study, and Jerome Bonaparte, alone in the study, pondered carefully about a suitable candidate for the new President of the Bank of France.

...

Time passed quickly, and soon the scheduled time for the Imperial Council approached.

At this moment, in the Royal Hall of the Tuileries Palace, representatives from the three pillars of the Empire—the military, government, and bankers—gathered together, all waiting for the arrival of Emperor Jerome Bonaparte.

When the grandfather clock in the hall struck three, the side door of the Imperial Palace slowly opened, and Jerome Bonaparte, dressed in a black casual attire, entered the hall.

"Your Majesty!"

Those present all greeted and saluted the Emperor of the Empire in front of them.

Jerome Bonaparte nodded and gradually walked to the central position within the hall, ascended the steps, and sat on the chair that symbolized the highest authority of the Empire.

Sitting on the throne and gazing down at the pillars of the Empire below the steps, Jerome Bonaparte felt his entire body brimming with power—a sensation bestowed upon him by authority.

After savoring the moment, Jerome Bonaparte spoke: "Everyone! Just this morning, I received a letter of resignation! The author of the letter informed me that due to his advanced age, he no longer has the energy to manage banking affairs!"

Upon hearing these words, everyone present immediately realized that the person resigning was likely Count Algou, whose position was vacant at this Imperial Council.

Abundant with Count Algou, several bankers in proximity felt a slight shift in expression after realizing the news that Count Algou might have been "forced" to resign.

Conversely, the shareholders of the Bank of France who had previously been at odds with Count Algou and those vying for the position of President of the Bank of France, revealed smiles of pleasure at the corners of their mouths.

"Your Majesty, the person you’re referring to—isn’t it Mr. Algus?" Minister of Finance Mane, on behalf of those present, inquired of Jerome Bonaparte.

"Indeed! It is Mr. Algus!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and replied to Mane, then turned his gaze towards Mane and said with regret: "Since Mr. Algus insisted on resigning, I have no choice but to grant his request. Now, the position of President of the Bank of France is vacant, and recommending a new President of the Bank of France is indeed your responsibility as Minister of Finance!"

Besides the method of nomination by the shareholders within the bank, there is another way to appoint the President of the Bank of France, which is through the nomination by the Minister of Finance.

However, the Minister of Finance’s nomination is not arbitrary; the appointed person must hold the status of a shareholder in the Bank of France and must be recognized internally by the shareholders of the Bank of France.

If either of these two conditions is not met, then the appointment of the President of France by the Minister of Finance would be insignificant.

The reason Jerome Bonaparte inquired about the candidate for the President of the Bank of France from Mane is to express his dissatisfaction with the conservative economic policies currently pursued by the Bank of France.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Mane, questioned by Jerome Bonaparte, responded: "Your Majesty, I propose Count Jérôme Lebegue de Bemini to assume the position of bank president!"