Cesari looked towards Paul, speaking earnestly,
"Uncle, I think you should return to Corsica as soon as possible to stabilize the situation. Otherwise, by the next assembly, the voting will be even more unfavorable for you."
He was just short of saying outright that after the next vote, you would no longer be the leader of the Restoration Organization.
Paul paced anxiously back and forth in the room, shaking his head and muttering to himself,
"No, I can't go back! The French people must be waiting for me at the docks. If I go back, it's over for me…"
Cesari had no choice but to stress his point,
"Uncle, as far as I know, many of those who abstained believe the smears against you, but they were concerned that the organization couldn't afford to suddenly lose its leader, which is why they did not support Bartolomeo and the others."
At these words, Paul suddenly stopped pacing and turned to look at him, "What did you say?"
"I'm saying that some of the high-ranking members of the organization are worried that if something big happens suddenly, there will be no one to take charge, so they reluctantly support you. Once they choose a new…"
Paul raised his hand to interrupt him, his eyes flashing with fierce determination, "You are right, as long as a major incident occurs, they will have to rely on me. At that time, all votes will vanish!"
"Major incident? What do you mean?"
Paul lowered his head, pondering for a moment, then whispered to his nephew,
"After you go back, secretly burn down the village of Nonza. Then, leave some traces of the French people there, and publicly claim that the French are enacting retribution and that more villages will be…"
Cesari's eyes widened in shock, he exclaimed, "But… but that would mean the death of many Corsicans!"
Nonza was a village in the mountains where nearly all residents were staunch anti-French activists who had always been involved in conflicts between Corsica and the French Government.
Therefore, if something happened here, and it was blamed on the French, no one would doubt it.
Such a significant bloodbath would surely incite the whole of Corsica to unity against a common enemy, subsequently requiring someone to lead the resistance against the French.
And looking at the current situation, that person could only be Paul—no one else in the Restoration Organization yet had that kind of prestige.
Paul patted his nephew's shoulder forcefully, his voice full of gravity,
"For the future of Corsica, for the people's freedom, sacrifices are inevitable."
Cesari took a few steps back in disbelief, staring blankly at Paul as though he no longer recognized his uncle.
After a long while, Paul repeated the command in a firmer tone, and it was only then that Cesari snapped back to reality. Years of obedience to his uncle kicked in, and he lowered his head, murmuring,
"Yes, I understand… I will go back right away."
After Cesari left, Paul remained in a terribly foul mood for two days straight.
The Corsican Revival Organization had been established by his father, and those fools actually wanted to kick him out.
He silently vowed in his heart that after this incident was over, he would give Bartolomeo, Cesari, and the others a good lesson—yes, he would drive them out of Corsica!
The butler's voice came from outside, "Sir, it's time for you to go to the club."
Upon hearing the word "club," the youthful and beautiful face of Isabella immediately appeared before Paul, giving him a sweet feeling and dispelling much of his earlier disdain.
This so-called "going to the club" referred to the thrice-weekly secret meetings he had with Isabella.
He called out to the butler, instructing the maid to fetch his newly purchased French outfits, and couldn't help but hum a tune.
On the second floor of the Tuileries Palace.
Joseph flipped through the latest report about the situation in Corsica, speaking to Fouche, who was sitting across from him on the sofa,
"You did very well with this matter. So, what is the current state of the Restoration Faction?"
Fouche leaned forward slightly as he replied, "They are currently divided into three camps.
"One side is led by Bartolomeo, the anti-Paul faction, who is determined to expel Paul from the organization. Currently, there are 17 high-ranking members of the treasonous organization, and with our financial support, their momentum is the strongest.
"Another side is loyal to Paul, headed by Giuseppe and Cesari-Colonna Paoli. They deny all accusations against Paul and have 14 people.
"Lastly, there is the conciliatory faction led by Elorick, who advocate for an investigation of Paul while also calling for a new election for the leader of the organization. They number 12.
"Additionally, some have left the Restoration Organization."
Joseph was somewhat surprised; he had initially thought that splintering the Corsican Revival Organization into pro- and anti-Paul factions would be a success, but he hadn't expected it to fragment to this extent, with some even becoming disillusioned enough to "drop out."
He took a sip from the teacup before him, pondering, "If that's the case, we might be able to make a move in the Corsican Parliament."
Currently, Corsica had a highly autonomous political system, where neither the Governor nor the Royal Family had as much authority as the Congress.
If they could control the majority of seats in the Corsican Parliament, they could use it to push through legislation that would make it easier to reverse Corsican tendencies toward independence—for instance, by enacting laws stating that Corsica's Governor has veto power over the Congress' resolutions or that Corsican tax revenue would no longer be controlled by the Congress.
He looked at Fouche, "Through that sponsor, what's his name again…"
"Chalmers, Your Highness."
"Oh, have Mr. Chalmers use his influence on the 'anti-Paul' faction to urge them to break away from Paul's organization and form a new Restoration Organization. In the beginning, infiltrate some of our people and ensure that the organizational platform minimizes the content related to independence."
Fouche's eyes lit up immediately, as he eagerly nodded, "Yes, Your Highness."
It was clear that the momentum to establish this new Restoration Organization would be to oppose Paul. Then, they could watch as the restorationists fought amongst themselves.
Joseph continued, "Furthermore, I will personally remind Count Butafuoco to set aside his personal schemes and work hard to unite all of the pro-Government Corsican factions. Strive to gain more seats in Congress."
Count Butafuoco represented the Pro-France forces in Corsica and had no small influence on the island. However, this man was highly ambitious, always aspiring to become the great lord of Corsica and opposed the French Government's new policies. Compared to the Restoration Faction, however, he was very obedient.