Chapter 249: The Uproar
France.
Jaime Medina, the current head of the Medina family, inherited the title after the passing of the old Count Jacob Medina in March of this year.
The Medina family has long been an ally of the Hechingen royal family in France. However, years ago, because the old Count Jacob Medina opposed some of Napoleon III's reforms, he fell out of favor at court.
As a veteran who had once followed Napoleon Bonaparte, Jacob Medina was highly dissatisfied with certain of Napoleon III's policies—especially regarding political factions other than the Napoleonic Party. After Napoleon III took a disliking to him, and given that the House of Orleans, the House of Bourbon, and the Republicans already viewed him negatively, one can imagine how grim the Medina family's prospects became.
Having faded from politics, the Medina family was in steep decline on all fronts before Ernst's rise. Later, Ernst arrived in France and reunited these old family friends, assisting them economically via the Hechingen Financial Consortium's French agents, thus gradually helping them recover financially.
But the price they paid was drifting even farther from Paris, the center of French politics. Since the Hechingen Consortium in France focused on the southern port city of Marseille, the Hechingen alliance in France—represented by the Medina family—under Ernst's support, has formed a considerable base of power in southern France.
Because of the old count's death, Napoleon III remembered that stubborn old man. Although he disliked him, Jacob had once served the Napoleonic family. So in June, Napoleon III summoned Jacob's successor, Jaime Medina, to Paris.
"Your Majesty," Jaime Medina said upon meeting Napoleon III, "though the Medina family has long been sidelined in France, I still must say this: there is no chance of victory in war unless France is fully prepared for it. Any rash action could destroy the Napoleonic family's standing in this country."
"Huh? Count Medina, I have no intention of waging war at the moment."
"I'm only predicting. Ultimately, either Prussia or France must emerge as the victor. We want territory along the Rhine and a divided Germany, while Prussia wants a unified, complete Germany. These aims are irreconcilable."
"Those are indeed astute words. But what do you mean by being 'fully prepared' for war?"
"Prussia is no small nation; it's a military power in Europe. Our current French forces and system can't quickly defeat them. Once war drags on, Prussia could rally all of Germany into a single fist. Hence, any war with Prussia—unlike our previous conflicts in Crimea or Italy—demands that the French Army restructure itself in a more Prussian-like way, making it easier to organize large armies…"
Before Medina could finish, Napoleon III interrupted: "Prussia has done well these past years, but only because we French helped them. Without my tacit approval, they wouldn't have stood a chance—whether against Austria or even Denmark. And last time, we were deceived by that scoundrel Bismarck, who promised us French territory and failed to deliver. More recently, Bismarck tried to push Leopold to vie for the Spanish throne. If we hadn't stopped it in time, France would be facing threats from two sides."
"Sire, I know all of this, but the real issue is that Prussia has completed sweeping military reforms and been tempered in war. Its military system is almost perfected, whereas France seems unwilling to advance."
"That's enough, Count Medina. It's not your place to disparage the imperial army. If the old count could see you trembling over a mere Prussia, he'd probably claw his way out of the grave," Marshal MacMahon—newly returned from Algeria—shouted angrily at Medina.
Several other French officers also began to berate Medina. Seeing the court descending into uproar, Napoleon III hurriedly intervened:
"Enough. Everyone be quiet. Medina, return to Marseille for now. In a month, you'll have your answer. Our imperial forces will prove their strength."
With just that statement, the Medina family was exiled again. It seemed Jaime Medina had expected as much. He turned to leave but looked back before exiting: "Your Majesty, you will regret this."
Outside the Palace of Compiègne, throngs of reporters from various French newspapers and publishing houses swarmed toward Medina. It was clearly premeditated, as they swiftly encircled him.
A reporter from Xuanhua magazine questioned the count: "Count Medina, is it true that you oppose going to war?"
"Certainly. France isn't ready for war."
The following day, Xuanhua magazine published a cartoon titled "Surrender Without Fighting—The Old Count's Tears." In it, Medina is depicted kneeling on a map of Germany, facing toward a map of France and shouting the word "Peace!" Bismarck, drawn in a grotesque manner, stands behind him loading artillery, and a cannonball is already flying toward France. In the top-right corner of the cartoon, the late Count Jacob Medina appears in heaven, cursing "traitor."
Next, a reporter from Havas News Agency asked, "Then, Count Medina, in your opinion, who is stronger: France or Prussia?"
"France, of course, but militarily it's hard to say."
The day after, the headline by Havas declared: "Count Medina Believes France No Match for the Prussians."
…
That very night, Medina fled Paris by train under cover of darkness. If he didn't hurry, the enraged citizens of Paris might well have torn him to pieces by the next morning.
The French people, still fuming over the humiliation of the Ems Dispatch—known also as Bismarck's secret telegram—were furious with Prussia, and public sentiment favored war. To voice dissent in such an atmosphere was to invite collective outrage.
Those reporters cornering Medina weren't hired by others; he had paid them himself. His motive was naturally all about publicity.
Medina knew perfectly well that ever since the old count retired, the Medina family had been thoroughly marginalized in France. Even if they returned now, they wouldn't be trusted. There was no place for them in the French Empire's plans.
Though intentionally sowing chaos in Paris, he intended to clean up his reputation using Hechingen's media outlets once he got back to Marseille. He couldn't allow the label of "appeaser" to stick; he was actually in favor of war, just not blind belligerence. His stance was to wage war rationally, having recognized the French government's failings.
Three days later, the Marseille press took up the cause. With local newspapers at his disposal, Medina locked horns from afar with Parisian publications:
"Parisian media distort the facts and twist my words. They're nothing like the journalists in Marseille, who uphold an honest, fact-based spirit."
By flattering local outlets while criticizing the Parisian press, he quickly won over the media in Marseille. Those Marseille journalists accused their Parisian counterparts—living in a so-called "great city"—of looking down on everywhere outside Paris, including Marseille, "the great city of revolution."
In turn, the Parisian media lashed back at Medina and their Marseille colleagues. The dispute escalated until the French government finally stepped in to end the farce. By then, the Medina family's name had spread far and wide. Whether he was a hawk, a pacifist, or a surrender advocate no longer mattered—Count Medina had made himself the talk of France.
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