Make France Great Again

From a certain perspective, France's attitude represented the inclinations of the Southern German Principalities.

Which Holy Roman Emperor could, like the Emperor Napoleon of the past, elevate the "flags" of the German Principalities? The former Electorates of Bavaria, Saxony, and Wurttemberg became kingdoms; the once fragmented Rhine Region was forcibly integrated, abolishing feudal dependencies, and to this day, the Rhine Region still uses the Napoleonic Code and adheres to Catholicism.

It can be said that France's "favor" to all of Germany far exceeded that of the Holy Roman Emperor of the past.

Moreover, in history, the Southern German Principalities have always appeared as turncoats and traitors.

After discerning the attitude of the French Republic, the Wurttemberg Envoy decided to report France's inclination to his home country immediately after the ball, so that the Kingdom of Wurttemberg could quickly sign a pact with the Austrian Empire.

However, he still needed a "guarantee" from Jerome Bonaparte, even if it was just a verbal assurance.

"Your Highness! If the Kingdom of Prussia and the Austrian Empire really go to war..." the Wurttemberg Envoy tentatively asked.

"Rest assured! If war indeed breaks out between them, the Kingdom of Wurttemberg can maintain a neutral stance, and the French Republic will assist the Kingdom of Wurttemberg when appropriate!" Jerome Bonaparte offered a blank check to the Wurttemberg Envoy.

With the Paris armament under his control, Jerome Bonaparte already held preliminary power akin to "I am the state," and whether this blank check would be honored depended solely on his mood.

In Jerome Bonaparte's mind, Wurttemberg's value was second only to the coveted Rhine Region; he had to safeguard this disruptive element in German affairs.

"But what if the Austrian Empire insists that we send troops?"

Even with the assurance from the French Republic, the Wurttemberg Envoy still had some concerns about the Austrian Empire's stance.

"Mr. Envoy!" Jerome Bonaparte revealed a cunning smile and said, "I heard there's a specialty in the Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel, do you know what it is?"

"Huh?" The Wurttemberg Envoy was slightly stunned and shook his head, seemingly not understanding Jerome Bonaparte's implication.

"Back then, the Marquis of Hesse-Kassel specially dispatched a group of subjects to wage war everywhere to fill his treasury!" Jerome Bonaparte added as a reminder, "If the Austrian Empire really insists on Wurttemberg sending troops, Wurttemberg can secretly form a volunteer corps to assist the Austrian Empire! This way, you won't offend the Austrian Empire, nor will you offend the Kingdom of Prussia."

"If the Kingdom of Prussia insists on punishing us..." Despite not believing that the Kingdom of Prussia could ultimately win, the cautious Wurttemberg Envoy asked Jerome Bonaparte again.

"Then the French Republic will be the most faithful ally to ensure the safety of the Kingdom of Wurttemberg!" Jerome Bonaparte stated righteously to the Wurttemberg Kingdom Envoy, then added, "If you still don't trust me, Mr. Envoy, I can have Minister De Luy sign a secret defense pact with you, as long as your minister and my uncle agree!"

With these words, the Wurttemberg Envoy finally felt at ease.

Sometimes, the Wurttemberg Envoy had to admit that luck was more important than strength.

No one could have predicted that the Bonaparte Clan, once expelled from France, would one day return to France.

"Your Highness, I wish you an early ascension to that throne!" The Wurttemberg Envoy sincerely expressed his blessings to Jerome Bonaparte.

In his view, only when Jerome Bonaparte ascended to the throne would Wurttemberg have greater security.

In the mid-19th century, the emotions between monarchs often determined the political direction of a country.

Monarchs could be said to symbolize the personification of a nation, and even the Kingdom of Britain was no exception.

However, the political system of the Kingdom of Britain made its monarch reluctant to readily display personal likes and dislikes.

Just as Prince Albert despised the Russian Empire for Britain's interests, he would not easily express his opposition stance against the Russian Empire but would subtly replace pro-Russian Empire candidates with opponents in particular settings.

This represented the Kingdom of Britain as a whole opposing the Russian Empire.

In fact, the vast majority of the people of the Kingdom of Britain do not want to care, nor do they have the time to care about the Russian Empire; they just hope they can eat a little more.

After finishing the conversation with the Wurttemberg Envoy, the Wurttemberg Envoy was the first to leave, and a moment later, Jerome Bonaparte also walked out of the room.

Before Jerome Bonaparte returned to the ball, he "accidentally" encountered the Russian Empire Envoy in the corridor of the Tuileries Palace.

"Mr. President!" The Russian Empire Envoy hurriedly stepped forward and introduced himself in French: "I am succeeding the previous Russian Empire Diplomatic Envoy… Kirill Vladimirovich."

After the Russian Diplomatic Envoy introduced himself, Jerome Bonaparte scrutinized this tall figure, with thick traditional Russian brownish-yellow mutton chop whiskers, appearing to be around forty or fifty years old. Based on his attire, he did not seem to be someone meticulous about details, nor did he appear to be from a prestigious noble family.

"Are you of German descent?" asked Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte's question caused a flicker of annoyance in Vladimirovich's eyes, suspecting the person before him of mocking him.

Vladimirovich, who came to mend relations between the two countries, suppressed his anger and told Jerome Bonaparte: "Mr. President, I am a native-born Russian noble!"

"Oh! So the diplomacy department under Emperor Nicholas still has diplomats that aren't of German descent!" Jerome Bonaparte "suddenly understood" and feigned apology as he said: "I always thought that within the Russian Empire there were only diplomats of German descent!"

"Mr. President, I sincerely apologize for the unpleasantness caused by the previous diplomat!" Vladimirovich bowed in apology to Jerome Bonaparte: "His Majesty Nicholas I was very angry upon hearing this news! Now Count Durroviev has been reassigned back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work in logistics by His Majesty!"

"So that guy was a Count!" Jerome Bonaparte, with a tone meant to infuriate, asked Vladimirovich: "So, sir, what is your title?"

"Count!" Vladimirovich proudly puffed out his chest as he said: "My family has served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for generations!"

"Mr. Count!" Unlike his cousin Napoleon III, Jerome Bonaparte did not show any envy for the prestigious noble family Vladimirovich came from and asked indifferently: "So, what do you want with me?"

"Mr. President, could you spare me some time!" Vladimirovich asked Jerome Bonaparte.

Not expecting to attend the ball anytime soon, Jerome Bonaparte led Vladimirovich to the room where he had previously conspired with the Wurttemberg Envoy.

Sitting on the sofa, Jerome Bonaparte crossed his legs, adopting a relaxed posture as he flippantly asked: "Mr. Envoy, what do you want to say?"

Boorish man!

Thinking of himself as a traditional European noble, Vladimirovich felt a sense of disdain for Jerome Bonaparte's behavior and sat opposite him in a manner almost akin to a religious ceremony.

Vladimirovich cleared his throat, reorganized his words, and told Jerome Bonaparte: "We deeply apologize for Count Durroviev's flippant remarks! Although we are a monarchical country, our Majesty does not exclude the Republic. Tsar Nicholas I welcomes the Republic to join Europe with an inclusive attitude… Durroviev's previous actions were merely due to some people's fear of the republican system within our country…"

Vladimirovich's words, translated, mean: the past issues can be erased; now the Russian Empire hopes to jointly do things with the French Republic.

Jerome Bonaparte looked at Vladimirovich with ridicule, but Vladimirovich decisively ignored his gaze and continued: "You must understand the fear a monarchical country has for revolutions. By God's grace, you have reined in the revolution, bringing France back to reason…"

"So does the Russian Empire finally recognize the French Republic?" Jerome Bonaparte continued to look mockingly at Vladimirovich, as if saying: France does not need your recognition.

"We welcome any rational state to join the ranks of Europe!" Count Vladimirovich said to Jerome Bonaparte: "We also agree with your assertion, Mr. President, that Europe should be built upon a peaceful order! At present, our order is facing unprecedented crisis; the revolution has toppled the established order we built…"

Vladimirovich still used numerous complex diplomatic terms to speak to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Count Vladimirovich, what exactly do you want to say?" Jerome Bonaparte asked directly and straightforwardly.

"Our Tsar hopes that the French Republic can act together with the Russian Empire to maintain the system of Europe!" Vladimirovich finally revealed his intentions: "Currently, the powers of Prussia and Austria have weakened, and the Kingdom of Britain is overseas; the French Republic should join hands with the Russian Empire to maintain the order of Europe and the Mediterranean! To let the crumbling edifice of reason shine again, to allow the people of Europe to enjoy prosperity and wealth once more."