CHAPTER 612: CHAPTER 603 PRE-DEPARTURE ARRANGEMENTS

After reading the achievements and honors that should be awarded to a Marshal (Saint Arno) and three Generals (Pellissier, Conrobel, Bo Ke Si) responsible for commanding the entire Crimean War, Jerome Bonaparte lifted his head and nodded approvingly at Kuzan Montebon: "You at the Ministry of War have done well in this regard. This is how statistics should be conducted!"

"It’s all thanks to your guidance!" Kuzan Montebon respectfully replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"This has nothing to do with me!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head, unwilling to take all the credit. "Let’s do this! Give the department responsible for compiling this list a collective merit!"

Kuzan Montebon promptly expressed gratitude to Jerome Bonaparte on behalf of the statistics department of the Ministry of War.

"This is the honor they deserve!" Jerome Bonaparte said flatly.

Then, he lowered his head again, turning the pages one by one to look at the subsequent contents.

Following the Marshal and three Generals, next in line were the chiefs of staff (ranks: Brigadier ~ Colonel) of the First, Second, and Third Divisions. It was because they led their staff according to the grand strategies of the Expeditionary Army Staff Department that there was victory at the Sevastopol Fortress. Therefore, two chiefs of staff with quasi-general ranks were proposed to receive the Legion of Honor (their silver medals were a notch below those of Conrobel and others), while a Colonel-level chief of staff gained an opportunity for promotion to Brigadier General.

Following these three Division-level chiefs of staff, Jerome Bonaparte’s familiar names MacMahon and Bazan appeared on the list.

As the only two sharp swords in the entire Expeditionary Army, the Zouave soldiers of these two regiments didn’t fall behind in any battle—from the Silestra Fortress to the landing at Yevpatoria, to the surprise attack at the Battle of Alma and the offense and defense at the Star Fortress, MacMahon and Bazan handed in a satisfactory report to Jerome Bonaparte.

Strictly speaking, in terms of fierce and intense battles alone, MacMahon and Bazan’s contributions were above those of the three Division-level chiefs of staff.

However, the French Army is gradually transformed by Jerome Bonaparte’s reforms into a force centered around the directives of the Staff Department rather than being solely dependent on the qualifications of the commanding officer.

Therefore, while MacMahon and Bazan’s roles in surprise operations were indeed greater than the Division chiefs of staff, their overall contributions were less impressive.

Although MacMahon and Bazan were ranked behind the three Division chiefs of staff on the list, they received silver Legion of Honor medals, just like those staff officers.

Next were the contributions of the officers in charge of regiments and battalions under the divisions.

Since many battles were determined after the forward regiment and battalion units established victory, the subsequent troops would either rush forward in a swarm or retreat ingloriously,

the two victories on the Crimean battlefield were achieved after determining victory at the regiment and battalion level, leaving the remaining troops to rout, followed by the cavalry team charging into the enemy’s camp to begin the kill.

If fortunate, the enemy’s army would be enveloped and surrounded by the cavalry team after the first round, resulting in capture.

As for the contributions at the company level, they were not included in the statistics by the Ministry of War. Their appointments and removals were in the hands of the divisions, with the Ministry of War only needing to handle the promotion member lists.

After the divisions received instructions from the Ministry of War to compile company-level promotion lists, they submitted the already-promoted company-level cadre lists to the Ministry of War, which then sorted and archived the lists.

However, despite the absence of company-level members’ names in the list, Jerome Bonaparte discovered his nephew Jerome Patterson’s name at the last part of the list.

Jerome Bonaparte Joseph Patterson, a member of the First French Division, rank: Captain, participated in the engagements including: Battle of Silistra, Battle of Alma, Battle of Sevastopol...

In the awards recommendation overview, the Ministry of War "suggested" a special promotion of Captain Jerome Patterson to Lieutenant Colonel.

"Is this suggestion from your Ministry of War or from the Expeditionary Army Headquarters..." Jerome Bonaparte placed Jerome Patterson’s information in front of Kuzan Montebon and Nie’er for questioning.

"Your Majesty, this is a suggestion from the Expeditionary Army Headquarters!" Nie’er hastily responded, "They also said that Captain Jerome Patterson performed his duties diligently in the aforementioned battles, living up to the Bonaparte name!"

"Indeed!" Kuzan Montebon also echoed.

"Even so, he cannot be promoted out of turn!" Jerome Bonaparte declared firmly.

Jerome Bonaparte reviewed his nephew’s activities in the Crimean War and found that Jerome Patterson was either acting as Conrobel’s adjutant or Pellissier’s temporary adjutant, never really delving into grassroots work, only conveying directives from Conrobel or Pellissier.

Therefore, Jerome Bonaparte adamantly disagreed with the suggestion from the Expeditionary Army Headquarters of promoting him two grades at once.

He would rather have his nephew’s career in the army progress a little slower and steadier than allow him to rise rapidly to the top.

Although on the surface it seems easier to establish power by skipping one or two ranks, such power is like a sandcastle on the beach, unable to withstand any impact.

Just like Jerome Bonaparte’s own father, Prince Monfort; despite holding the title of Imperial Marshal, his prestige in the army is incomparable, not only to Saint Arno but also to Marshal Renio, the Commander of Strasbourg. All his titles are based on Jerome Bonaparte himself being the Emperor of the Empire.

The building of any power is not achieved overnight; it requires accumulating connections little by little to succeed.

If Jerome Patterson were to be promoted to Major, it would fairly match his achievements and would also give an impression of solid progress.

Promoting to Lieutenant Colonel, however, would clearly imply a forced promotion.

"Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Kuzan Montbanto cautiously inquired.

"Promote him to Major, and then award him a Knight’s Medal (fourth-class)!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Kuzan Montbanto.

"Yes!" Kuzan Montbanto promptly replied.

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte put down the list in his hand and asked Kuzan Montbanto and Nie’er, "By the way, your two departments also need to draft one!"

"We still need to draft one?" Kuzan Montbanto looked at Jerome Bonaparte in confusion, not understanding his intent.

"Yes! Both of your departments must draft one," Jerome Bonaparte said logically to Kuzan Montbanto and Nie’er. "I have said that the honor of war does not only belong to the soldiers who fight bloody battles at the front, but also to the Logistics Department that supports them! Without their supply of ammunition, the frontline soldiers would be fighting the enemy barehanded!" He added, "However, the awarding of honors and promotions for your two departments must wait until the war is over! You only need to record those who perform excellently during the war, and then reward them all once the war concludes!"

Kuzan Montbanto and Nie’er nodded, indicating they would do as Jerome Bonaparte instructed, and also asked if they could inform their departments’ subordinates of this news in advance.

"Proactively disclosing this cannot motivate them! They must think they discovered it themselves!" Jerome Bonaparte said with a sly smile, "People always enjoy doing things sneakily!"

Kuzan Montbanto and Nie’er immediately agreed to follow Jerome Bonaparte’s directions.

"Alright! Now that all the preparations are complete, when do you think I should depart?" Jerome Bonaparte gently stroked his chin and asked Kuzan Montbanto and Nie’er.

"Your Majesty, I think it’s better to let the Ministry of War handle this! You only need to stay in Paris!" Kuzan Montbanto, after many days, once again suggested that it would be best for Jerome Bonaparte to stay in Paris.

Even though the Empire has captivated the people of Paris with successive victories, one can never guarantee there won’t be any mishap. If, after Jerome Bonaparte’s departure, the lurking individuals initiate another rebellion, the Empire could face downfall.

"This is non-negotiable! I must personally go to Constantinople!" Jerome Bonaparte uncompromisingly responded to Kuzan Montbanto.

"Yes!" Facing the assertive Jerome Bonaparte, Kuzan Montbanto could only acquiesce.

"During my absence, Nie’er!" Jerome Bonaparte turned his gaze to Nie’er.

"Present!" Hearing Jerome Bonaparte call his name, Nie’er’s heart skipped a few beats.

"You will be responsible for the army!" Jerome Bonaparte told Nie’er, "All forces stationed in Paris must not be mobilized without permission!"

"Understood!" Nie’er decisively replied.

"For the government, I will appoint someone! Just cooperate with him!" Jerome Bonaparte continued, "The departure is set for July 20th! From now until I arrive in Constantinople, not a word must be leaked! Should anyone let it slip..."

Jerome Bonaparte let out a cold snort, the meaning was self-evident.

...

After Kuzan Montbanto and Nie’er departed, Jerome Bonaparte instructed Mokar to summon Minister of Justice Rue.

About half an hour later, Minister of Justice Rue appeared in Jerome Bonaparte’s office.

"Rue, take a seat! I have something I’d like to discuss with you!"