Shattered into Pieces

Cesari looked at Paoli and said seriously:

"Uncle, I think you should return to Corsica as soon as possible to stabilize the situation. Otherwise, the voting results will be even more unfavorable for you when the next rally is organized."

He practically said that after the next vote, you would no longer be the leader of the Restoration Organization.

Paoli paced anxiously back and forth in the room, shaking his head and muttering to himself:

"No, I can't go back! The France are definitely waiting for me at the docks. If I go back, I'm finished..."

Cesari had no choice but to emphasize his words:

"Uncle, as far as I know, most of those who abstained from voting also believed the slander against you, but they were worried that the organization couldn't suddenly lose its leader, so they didn't support Bartorio and his group."

Upon hearing this, Paoli suddenly stopped and turned to look at him. "What did you say?"

"I said yes, some high-ranking members of the organization are worried that if something major happens suddenly, there will be no one to take charge, so they are only reluctantly supporting you. They'll wait until they elect a new..."

Paoli raised his hand to interrupt him, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "You're right, whenever something big happens, they'll have to rely on me. Then all that voting will disappear!"

"A big deal? You mean something big?"

Paoli lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then whispered to his nephew:

"After you return, secretly send men to burn down the Nonza Village. Then leave some traces of the France, claiming it's France revenge, and that the revenge will extend to more villages..."

Cesari's eyes widened in shock, and he exclaimed, "That... that will kill many Corsica!"

Nonza Village is a mountain village, and almost all of its residents are staunch anti-French elements. They have been involved in every conflict between Corsica and the French Government.

So if something happens here, and it's said that the France did it, no one will doubt it.

Such a major bloodshed would certainly arouse the hatred of the entire Corsica, and thus someone would need to lead everyone in the struggle against the France.

Currently, it seems that this person can only be Paoli —other members of Restoration Organization do not yet possess this prestige.

Paoli patted his nephew on the shoulder and said earnestly:

"For the future of Corsica, for the freedom of its people, sacrifice is unavoidable."

Cesari took a few steps back in disbelief, staring blankly at Paoli as if he had never met this uncle before.

After a long silence, Paoli repeated himself in a commanding tone, and he suddenly snapped out of his daze. The obedience he had developed over decades towards his uncle kicked in, and he lowered his head and murmured:

"Yes, I understand... I'll go back now."

After Cesari left, Paoli was in a very bad mood for two consecutive days.

The Corsican Restoration Organization was founded by his father, and those fools actually wanted to kick him out of the organization.

He secretly vowed that after this incident, he would teach Bartorio and Cesare a lesson, and yes, he would drive them out of Corsica!

The butler's voice came from outside the door. "Sir, it's time for you to go to the club."

Upon hearing the word "club," Paoli immediately recalled Isabella's youthful and beautiful face, as well as her slender and graceful waist. A certain part of his body reacted subtly, and his previous displeasure instantly diminished by more than half.

The so-called "going to the club" refers to the days he met with Isabella three times a week.

"I see."

He beckoned to the butler and instructed the maid to bring him his newly purchased France fashion, humming a little tune as he did so.

The second floor of the Tuileries Palace.

Joseph flipped through the latest report on the situation in Corsica and said to Fouche, who was sitting opposite him on the sofa:

"You did a very good job this time. So, what's the current situation with the Restoration Faction?"

Fouche leaned forward slightly and reported, "Your Highness, they are currently divided into three camps."

"On one side is the Anti-Paoli Faction led by Bartorio, who are determined to expel Paoli from the organization. Currently, there are 17 high-ranking members of the traitorous organization, and with our funding, they are the most powerful."

"The other side is the Paoli Faction supporters, led by Giuseppe and Cesari - Colonna Paoli. They deny all charges against Paoli and there are 14 of them."

"Another faction, led by Eliok, advocated for Moderate Faction, which called for an investigation of Paoli and the re-election of the organization's leader. They consisted of 12 people."

"In addition, several people left the traitorous organization."

Joseph was somewhat surprised. He had thought that splitting the Corsican Restoration Organization into two factions, "pro -Paoli" and "Anti-Paoli," would be a success. He never expected it to fall apart like this, with some people even becoming disheartened and "leaving the group."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and pondered, "If that's the case, then we might be able to make a difference in the Corsican Parliament."

Corsica's current political system is highly autonomous, meaning that neither the Governor nor the Royal House has the same influence as the Parliament.

If a majority of seats in the Corsican Parliament could be secured, legislation could be pushed forward to more easily reverse Corsica independence tendencies—for example, by legislating that the Governor of Corsica has veto power over Parliament decisions, or by decoupling Corsica taxation from Parliament control.

He looked at Fouche and said, "You went through that patron, what was his name again...?"

"It is His Chamos."

"Oh, let Mr. Chamos use his influence over the ' Anti-Paoli ' faction to urge them to break away from Paoli's organization and form their own new Restoration Organization. In the early stages, let's include some of our people, and the organizational program should downplay the independence aspect as much as possible."

Fouche's eyes immediately lit up, and he hurriedly nodded, "Yes, Your Highness."

It's conceivable that the impetus for the formation of this new Restoration Organization was to oppose Paoli. Then they could simply watch Restoration Faction fought amongst themselves.

Joseph continued, "Furthermore, I will personally instruct Earl Buttafuoco to set aside his own selfish ambitions and strive to unite all the pro-government factions in Corsica, in order to gain more seats in Parliament."

Earl Buttafuoco was a representative of the pro-French forces in Corsica and wielded considerable influence on the island. However, he was very ambitious and always wanted to become the Great Lord of Corsica, opposing various new policies of the French Government. But compared to the Restoration Faction, he was quite obedient and absolutely loyal to the Royal House.