His pain was not caused by bladder stones, but because his empire was in the midst of a new political crisis as in the past.
Although in the just-concluded fifth Legislative Council election, the opposition only won less than 35% of the votes and seats, as in the past, the majority of farmers still voted loyally to support the empire. Many people, even radical republicans,
Everyone agrees - the Empire is stronger than ever.
As emperor, Napoleon III never lost a popular election or referendum. Although he sometimes won very reluctantly, he was able to get public opinion to back him up every time.
However, as the emperor, he knew that the glory of the empire was fading, not only due to conflicts between parties, but even the support of the army for him was also weakening.
Just when Napoleon III was worrying about these problems in his study, the door of the study opened.
"Congratulations, father, we won the Legislative Council election again!"
The person who walked into the study was the Crown Prince of the Empire, Eugene. He was wearing the uniform of an army captain. As early as during the Franco-Prussian War, Eugene had accompanied his father to the front line and had a head-on confrontation with the Prussian army in Saarbrücken. Last year
After graduating from the military academy, Eugène served in the Guards. After learning that the election of the Legislative Council was over, he specifically asked for leave to congratulate the emperor on his victory.
"Eugène!"
Looking at his son walking into the study, Napoleon III didn't have much joy on his face.
"This is just an election. I will never lose such an election!"
Signing his son to sit down, Louis, as a father, gave his son a political lesson, or the "imperial art" of the European royal family.
"Eugene, remember, elections are just a simple political game. Bonaparte's name is enough for us to win the support of most farmers, and they will definitely be our biggest supporters.
And power and wealth can win the support of elites, and with their support, you will not lose the election."
Regarding the election, Napoleon III was arrogant, not only because of the support of the farmers, but also because of his many years of prison life, he not only read a lot of books, but also became enlightened and learned a lot of things. The most important thing was that he understood the power of politics.
The reason why it is necessary - precisely because there are too few Bonapartist elements, he must win over more people. With his superb political skills, he constantly compromises with old enemies and draws them to his side. He deeply knows that
Most elites and officials only care about the protection of their own power and wealth, and don't care who their masters are. For them, all they need to do is induce them to benefit.
"Father, this is why we need to keep giving favors to farmers and citizens, in order to get them to support us in the election, right?"
As the crown prince, Ou Ren asked inferences from one case to another.
"That's true. After all, I relied on the people's election to become the emperor. In order to maintain the crown, we must care about the well-being of the people at the bottom. After all, they are the majority, and we should be full of sympathy for them."
In fact, as a member of the generation who grew up after the Great Revolution, he seemed to sincerely believe in many of the spirit of the Revolution, and of course he also longed to establish personal authoritarian rule.
"But these are not enough. What the empire needs is not just elections. Eugene, my child, remember, what the empire needs is glory!"
Looking at his thoughtful son, Napoleon III said helplessly.
"Three years ago, when we defeated Prussia and occupied Luxembourg, the political environment was the most stable. At that time, everyone was immersed in military victory, even though..."
Although the victory was not perfect, although he was just a hair away from defeat, and even almost became a prisoner of the Prussians, but so what? In the end, he "defeated" the Prussians.
Then the whole of France was once in the glory of defeating Prussia. After all, in the past ten years, Prussia was a small military power. They defeated Denmark and Austria.
But so what?
No, it was still defeated by France. As for the secret agreements and private talks, of course, they are unknown.
The most important thing is that France enjoyed that kind of victory at that time.
"But now, no one can remember the glory of the victory of the war three years ago. When the glory of the empire fades away, the political disputes will intensify. Eugene, people's attention must be diverted. Only in this way can we maintain the
The stability of France. And only in this way can we win the support of the army!"
As the emperor, Napoleon III was very troubled!
Unlike his famous uncle, he never received unreserved admiration in the army. Instead, he relied on cooperation with senior military officers to maintain his power. In order to win the support of the army, he could only do it once
Another war started.
"Without the support of the military, national power cannot be stable. In order to gain their support, we must use victory to intoxicate us to bribe senior officers who want glory and wealth. Only then will the officers support us and help us maintain our status.
rule."
How risky is this?
Of course Louis knew very well that with a military victory, the army would always support him and his empire would be very stable. However, if he failed, his dynasty would lose the support of the military and collapse.
This is of course the reason why he has been "cautious" in the past few years. It is not that he is cautious, but the shadow of the Battle of Sedan has always shrouded his heart.
He is really scared!
Of course he is not afraid of death, he is afraid of losing his crown and everything.
"But we must win the war! Because losers will have nothing. My uncle is like this, and so are we. Eugene, remember, we need military glory to compete for the crown, and use military glory to win the war."
Victory wins the support of others, but no one will tolerate losers."
Of course, Ou Ren listened to his father's teachings. For the eighteen-year-old, all these are not so profound. All he needs is to learn and remember. Afterwards, the father and son talked a lot.
Louis was full of expectations for Eugène, and from time to time he asked about his son's service in the army.
"Army, Eugène, remember, the army in France guarantees the survival of all dynasties. If there is a barricade in Paris every few years, and if the army exerts force to suppress it, the dynasty can survive. If the army does not suppress it, then the dynasty can survive."
The dynasty collapsed immediately. Therefore, you are not just serving in the army, but like your uncle, you will achieve a brilliant military victory at the appropriate time. Only then will the army become your true supporter.
!”
Looking at his son, Louis' tone was full of expectation. He believed that one day, his son would truly win the admiration of the soldiers and win the support of the army like his uncle. Before that, all he could do was to please the soldiers.
That's all.
Eugène naturally nodded in agreement with his father's instructions. As a descendant of Bonaparte, he certainly hoped to re-establish Bonaparte's prestige on the battlefield.
"Where is your mother? Have you been to her?"
"We have been there before, she is accompanying Emperor Zhu."
Emperor Zhu... When he heard this name, Napoleon III's expression became a little unnatural.
Although he has now accepted the fact, he still feels a little upset every time he thinks about it.
"Di Zhu is getting bigger and bigger. He is very smart and beautiful. He will definitely be..."
Before Ou Ren finished speaking, he saw something seemed wrong on his father's face, so he asked.
"Father, what's wrong with you?"
The blue-faced Napoleon III, whose forehead was already sweating in pain, said in a difficult tone.