Chapter 305: Chapter 301 France and England Collaborate?
"However, the previous actions of the Russian Empire have made me deeply doubtful about its credibility!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s lips curled into a faint smile, his tone was so casual, yet it seemed to carry an undeniable force.
"Governor, you mean..." Vladimirovich looked at Jerome Bonaparte with feigned confusion, his position did not allow him to speak ill of the Russian Empire.
"Could it be that the Envoy has forgotten!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Vladimirovich with a mocking smile on his face: "The agreement between the Russian Empire and the French Republic from half a year ago?"
Vladimirovich appeared to have a sudden realization and quickly responded to Jerome Bonaparte: "I sincerely apologize! Regarding this matter, due to my recent busyness, I forgot to explain it to you! His Majesty the Tsar treasures the friendship with the French Republic, but also does not want to lose the friendship with the Kingdom of Prussia... Although our Minister of Foreign Affairs agrees with your proposal, my monarch is more concerned with ensuring all brothers and friends in Europe can co-exist closely..."
Vladimirovich rambled off a lot of diplomatic jargon, the core meaning of which was that the tacit agreement previously signed between the Russian Empire and the French Republic was already dead. However, the Russian Empire is still willing to maintain a good friendship with the French Republic.
Jerome Bonaparte, who had little hope of acquiring the Rhine Land through diplomatic means, was not very disappointed, as the unwritten rule of diplomacy is that unsigned papers are just toilet paper.
The verbal agreements themselves are meant to be torn apart.
Moreover, even if an agreement is signed, as long as one party chooses not to acknowledge it, no matter how much the other speaks, it will not help.
The future Nicholas II, under the encouragement of his cousin Weiwei’s smile, signed a German-Russian joint defense agreement in the German Empire, and after returning to St. Petersburg, thanks to the advice of his ministers, he finally realized this agreement only unilaterally restrained the Russian Republic, and immediately ordered the ministers to declare that after the State Duma’s deliberation, the joint defense agreement was invalid.
In an absolute monarchy, announcing that the monarch’s signed agreement is invalid is enough to show that the so-called agreement is just a piece of paper meant to wipe the rear.
When the agreement is beneficial to both parties, both will naturally adhere to it.
When the agreement is detrimental to either party, expecting a diplomat to talk till they’re blue in the face to make the other obey, that’s no longer diplomacy, it might as well be called Yuri.
Moreover, disregarding the facts, doesn’t the Russian Empire bear 99% responsibility for the "untrustworthy" act of tearing up the verbal agreement, and does the French Republic not bear even 1%?
Even so, Jerome Bonaparte still followed "custom" and sneered: "If every country were like the Russian Empire, then the whole diplomatic system of Europe would become nothing but an empty letter. At that time, everyone would take pride in tearing up agreements, and Europe’s religion, morality, and order would be obliterated."
Jerome Bonaparte then showed a look of compassion and continued, "The French Republic might have no choice but to drift along in the chaotic order! (Subtext: The French Republic might shamelessly go all-in directly!)"
Vladimirovich naturally also understood the subtext of Jerome Bonaparte, and a hint of anger appeared on his face.
The Bonaparte Clan is always nostalgic about their glorious history.
Now that all countries have just struggled out of the vortex of war, it is not the time to directly clash with the French Republic, and Vladimirovich and his people must choose to submit. Only after re-establishing the fragmented Holy Alliance and the principle of legitimacy can they truly curb and shatter the ambitions of the French Republic.
"The Russian Empire does not oppose the French Republic’s pursuit of maintaining European order, and we also hope the French Republic becomes a pivotal force in Europe..." Vladimirovich dodged the issue and attempted to temporarily appease the French Republic by integrating the Third French Republic into Europe.
However, little did Vladimirovich know that in Jerome Bonaparte’s heart, fighting the Russians had already become the most important priority.
No matter how much Vladimirovich exaggerated, he would never stop Jerome Bonaparte’s steps toward war with Russia, as all his actions were merely to cover up the impending war with the Russian Empire in a few years.
Vladimirovich and Jerome Bonaparte had an enthusiastic and friendly conversation.
Both sides met frankly, exchanged opinions, and enhanced mutual understanding.
In short, this brief meeting was meaningful.
[The reality was that during the ensuing conversation between Vladimirovich and Jerome Bonaparte, nothing was achieved. Be it the German problem or the Near East issue, Vladimirovich always sidestepped the real topic.]
After the envoy Vladimirovich left, Jerome Bonaparte called Valerovsky over again.
"Governor!" Valerovsky responded respectfully to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Help me summon Ambassador Cowley!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Valerovsky.
Valerovsky’s face showed a look of surprise, not understanding what the Governor intended to do!
Furthermore, it was somewhat against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs protocols for a Governor to specifically bypass the Ministry to summon a diplomatic envoy.
Despite his slight confusion, Valerovsky naturally diligently adhered to Jerome Bonaparte’s orders.
After Valerovsky left, Jerome Bonaparte stood up and stretched his muscles before calling the Chief of Staff of the Tuileries Palace, Mokar.
After more than two years of training, Mokar was already qualified to take on a role independently.
If the Tuileries Palace were not short-staffed, Jerome Bonaparte would have already considered transferring Mokar to some department to serve as Secretary of State.
"Your Majesty!" Mokar bowed to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Prepare some pastries and coffee! Remember, English pastries! Later, bring them to the study!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Mokar.
"Yes!" Mokar complied and left.
About 15 minutes later, Mokar returned to the study with a tray of pastries and coffee.
He placed the pastries and two steaming cups of coffee on the table behind the sofa and left.
Jerome Bonaparte sat back on the sofa, quietly waiting for the arrival of the British Ambassador Cowley.
Shortly after, Valerovsky brought British Ambassador Cowley into the study.
Jerome Bonaparte stood to greet Cowley.
"Your Excellency!" Cowley respectfully addressed Jerome Bonaparte.
"Please, take a seat!" Jerome Bonaparte invited Ambassador Cowley to sit.
Valerovsky once again carefully closed the door and left the study.
Cowley and Jerome Bonaparte sat on the sofa, and Jerome Bonaparte pointed to the pastries on the table and said to Ambassador Cowley, "Mr. Ambassador, I hope these preparations will satisfy you!"
"Thank you very much!" Ambassador Cowley glanced at the English pastries on the table and thanked Jerome Bonaparte, then went straight to the point: "I wonder, Your Excellency, what is the reason for your invitation?"
"I wonder what your country thinks about the Russian Empire’s actions in the Near East?" Jerome Bonaparte put away his smile and asked Ambassador Cowley with a serious expression.
"The Russian Empire is maintaining stability in the Near East!" Ambassador Cowley, not sure of Jerome Bonaparte’s stance, obviously would not candidly admit Britain’s aversion to the Russian Empire.
Diplomatic isolation is always a major taboo for the Kingdom of Britain.
"Could it be that the United Kingdom is not at all concerned that the power of the Russian Empire might affect the balance in the Near East?" Jerome Bonaparte once again asked Ambassador Cowley.
"I believe the Russian Empire would absolutely not do something so irrational!" Ambassador Cowley continued to respond diplomatically to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Oh, come on!" Jerome Bonaparte replied disdainfully: "Have they not committed enough irrational acts? The Russian Empire’s territory is not something other nations have volunteered to give lovingly to the Tsar!"
"Haha!" Ambassador Cowley was amused by Jerome Bonaparte’s "joke": "Your Excellency, perhaps you are right!"
"Your Excellency, the Ambassador!" Jerome Bonaparte’s tone grew more serious: "If nearly ten million Slavs in the Balkan region charge under the Tsar’s banner! At that time, can the Balkan region or even Constantinople really hold out?"
Jerome Bonaparte’s words caused Ambassador Cowley to show a serious expression: "I believe that the Tsar of the Russian Empire and his subjects will restrain their actions!"
"Restrain? When it comes to that point, who can restrain themselves? Victory is right in front of them! The Danube Duchy is only one step away from Constantinople!" Jerome Bonaparte continuously emphasized the Russian threat to Cowley.
"Your Excellency, the United Kingdom will not interfere with the freedom of action of any country; this is an inherent right of every nation. However, they should adhere to the corresponding order! If any country tries to threaten the order, then all the consequences should be borne by the respective country!" Ambassador Cowley subtly conveyed in French the stance of the United Kingdom behind him.
The attitude of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, led by the Whig Party, was already within Jerome Bonaparte’s expectation.
If the Whig Party were as conservative in foreign affairs as the Tory Party, someone as sharp as Palmerston would definitely not appear in the cabinet.
"France respects the diplomatic philosophy of the Kingdom of Britain. We also hope to contribute our part to the peace of Europe!" Jerome Bonaparte also subtly expressed the need for France to expand its influence: "In this regard, we hope to have more in-depth exchanges with the Kingdom of Britain."
"The Kingdom of Britain welcomes the French Republic to attend the World Expo!"