As a series of problems came to light, the colonial bureaucrats panicked as well. Although the Emperor had not flown into a rage on the spot, they were all adept at reading faces and could tell from Napoleon IV's expression that he was angry.
Inside the Governor's Residence in Algiers, a group of colonial bureaucrats was holding their routine meeting. The looks on their faces made it clear that this was no ordinary gathering.
A portly middle-aged man said anxiously, "Your Excellency the Governor, the Emperor has refused to let us accompany him. What should we do now?
"Whether it is the current Great Farm Plan or the earlier African Development Plan, we left behind far too many hidden dangers.
"Now, all these problems have been exposed before the Emperor. If responsibility is pursued, none of us sitting here will escape."
Governor Abulimiti did not answer immediately. Instead, he lifted a cup of steaming coffee, took a small sip, and only then said slowly, "What are you panicking for? The sky hasn't fallen yet!
"Since His Majesty the Emperor did not deal with us on the spot, that means there is still room to maneuver.
"By the way, Maimaitiming, what did you just say? The African Development Plan was from so many years ago. Have you still not handled the aftermath?"
When the law could not punish everyone, that became a special national condition of France, one that had endured for many years.
If the law were enforced to the letter, perhaps seventy or eighty percent of the people of Paris would end up behind bars. After all, those who joined protests often did something out of line.
If people could not be punished, then the law could only be amended. Even where the written statutes remained unchanged, they were