Chapter 54: Chapter 54 “Huangpu Police Academy” (Please follow)
At the viewing stand of the Police Academy, Joseph, clad in a brand-new blue and white Paris Police Force uniform, revealed a warm smile to the instructors and trainees before him and spoke loudly, “First of all, I want to congratulate all of you, for you are going to become the glorious police officers of France!”
“Yes, at present, almost everyone looks down upon, even spits upon the police, but please believe me, this history will end with you!”
“The police of France will be a sacred profession, protecting the public, maintaining public order, and combating crime.”
“From now on, you will be respected by everyone, praised, loved, and girls will flock to marry you.”
After bolstering the morale, Joseph moved on to his key points, “I am delighted to be your principal.”
“Once a principal, always a principal!”
“Please remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, no matter what adversities you face, your principal will stand firmly behind you, supporting you forever!”
“Even if one day, you graduate from the Paris Police Academy, and even if one day you grow too old to continue as a police officer, this academy will always be the eternal bond between you and me!””
The audience beneath the stage was so moved that they could barely contain themselves, feeling that entering the Paris Police Academy was simply divine favor. Had there not been rules to follow, someone might have already shouted “Long live the principal!”
Joseph raised his hand and made a forceful gesture, “Paris Police Academy officially starts its courses today!”
All instructors and trainees raised their hats in salute and replied loudly, “Yes!”
Subsequently, the Director of Paris Police, Besancon, took the stage and announced, “Please allow the Crown Prince to instate the newly promoted Police Commissioners of the Paris Police Headquarters.”
Immediately, more than a dozen uniformed individuals, under the lead of Alden, came to the center of the viewing stand and stood in a neat row, heads held high and chests puffed out.
This ceremony had been arranged by Besancon, and Joseph inwardly praised his subordinate thoroughly.
Although the positions had already been determined, this ceremony declared to everyone that their posts were granted by the Crown Prince himself, to remember whom they serve.
Joseph took from Besancon’s hand a set of copper collar and cufflinks engraved with the image of a sword, symbolizing the rank of Second Grade Police Inspector, and one by one, adorned them on the several elevating to Police Commissioner.
After the instatement was completed, the Police Academy instructors led the regular training of the police officers in a drill performance for the Crown Prince, and only then did the entire ceremony come to an end.
The trainees dispersed in an orderly manner, and Joseph then followed the Dean of Administration, Frient, to inspect this newly established Police Academy.
Other officers from the Police Headquarters accompanied them at a distance.
Deliberately lagging a few steps behind, Besancon gave a meaningful glance to a square-faced Police Commissioner, who hurriedly approached.
With a frown and in a low voice, Besancon said, “Why haven’t you made a move on that matter yet?”
“Director, in fact, I was prepared two days ago,” the square-faced police officer hurriedly explained, “but then an individual from the ‘Daily Affairs Squad’ said he had a better plan.”
“Oh?”
The square-faced police officer swiftly recounted the plan, and Besancon immediately smiled, “Indeed, it’s just the kind of trick those fellows are best at; this is a good plan.”
The square-faced police officer also smiled, “I think so too. This way, we can severely teach those damned banks a lesson without leaving any trace, so I let them prepare anew.”
Besancon nodded in satisfaction, “Good, proceed as soon as possible.”
“Yes!”
As Joseph walked from the academy’s buildings to the training grounds, he shook his head inwardly. The school buildings were extremely rudimentary, clearly repurposed from slums’ dilapidated houses; though the training ground was relatively flat, it was utterly barren, probably only suitable for drill and running exercises.
However, it can be understood, after all, this place only started to be constructed nearly a month ago.
But this is his Whampoa… cough, his Paris Police Academy, how can it be so shabby? Especially now that there’s some money in hand, it must be built according to top-tier standards!
Joseph first pointed to the dilapidated school buildings and said to Bleriot, “Build new buildings over there that can accommodate at least 2000 people. Each room must have a fireplace, and the toilets must be equipped with flushing systems.”
Then he looked at the training ground, “All kinds of training equipment must be fully supplied, climbing frames, rope ladders, obstacle courses, sand pits, mud pits, we can’t just practice drills…”
Upon arriving at the academy’s storeroom, Joseph frowned deeply, “Why is it all anti-riot forks and swords, spears? Where are the firearms?”
Bleriot responded somewhat aggrievedly, “Your Highness, back in the Saint Antoine District, didn’t you restore order with just these…”
Joseph sighed, “I had no choice at that time. Provided there’s rigorous training, firearms will certainly be more useful!
“Take note, purchase 500 firearms first. They should be the new guns produced by the Salle-a-Manger Company.
“Stock up on more gunpowder and lead bullets, and from now on, everyone should fire live rounds 10 times every three days. The Elite Class should do it at least 8 times a day.”
Bleriot nodded in surprise—the academy currently had only around 200 cadets, and you’re preparing 500 guns… and the amount of live-fire practice far exceeds even the elite troops of the Imperial Guard.
Joseph, however, was obviously still not satisfied and continued, “Also buy some cavalry horses, let’s start with 50, and hire a stablemaster. Members of the Elite Class must learn horseback riding, and those with good talent can also be taught cavalry tactics like mounted combat and formation charges.”
Bleriot was numbed, alright then, whatever you say we should buy, we’ll buy. But 50 cavalry horses will cost over 300,000 livres.
After visiting the entire academy, Joseph seemed slightly unsatisfied, smacking his lips and shaking his head slightly, “The area is a bit small.”
Just as Bleriot was about to say that the academy has two hectares of land, which should be enough for training any project, he heard the Crown Prince mutter quietly, “Even if we reduce the load of gunpowder, a cannonball would still reach the city center.”
This time, not only Bleriot but also all the police officers who heard these words felt a twitch in their hearts, From the sounds of it, is the Highness planning to train the police to use cannons?!
Joseph thought for a moment and instructed Bleriot, “Look around the outskirts of Paris to see if there’s a larger open space, buy one.
“Build something like military barracks, anti-cavalry defense, I’ll bring over some cannons later… By the way, does anyone here know how to operate a cannon?”
Bleriot and the others exchanged looks, all shaking their heads.
Joseph said, “Well, it’s fine, Dibowa is an Artillery Officer, he can teach. Hmm, for a startup phase, this will be about right…”
Paris Louvre District.
Ravel Bank’s largest store in Paris.
A group of people dressed in blue and white police uniforms, wearing a ruffian look on their faces, carrying anti-riot forks and shields, sauntered in through the doors.
A bank employee hurriedly greeted them with a smile plastered over his face, “Officer, what can I do for you?”
“We don’t need anything, it’s your bank that needs us,” a burly policeman bellowed, “We’ve received a tip that a gang of robbers is planning to rob this place today!”
No sooner had his words fallen than the customers in the bank, whether depositing money or arranging transfers, scampered out of the bank like startled birds, abandoning their transactions and running without looking back.
The burly policeman gave his subordinates a signal, “Go, guard the door properly! Inspect everyone who comes in carefully, we must not overlook a single robber!”
“Yes!”