CHAPTER 362: CHAPTER 357: DELAYING THE OUTBREAK OF WAR

If the factor of the Russian Empire is not considered, Vallette’s diplomatic strategy regarding Constantinople can be described as flawless, using France’s strong power in the Mediterranean to pressure the Ottoman Empire High Gate into submission to the French Government, and then gradually turning the Ottoman Empire into a vassal state of France through progressive encroachment.

During this period, France and the Ottoman Empire are bound to engage in a prolonged diplomatic tug-of-war, where careful handling could persuade the Ottoman High Gate to gradually lean towards the French Government without provoking the Russian Empire. After all, France and the Ottoman Empire have historically been long-standing allies, from the Sacred Defilement Alliance during the Bourbon period to the "Anti-Russian Alliance" during the First Empire.

Although there were some unpleasant incidents between the French Empire and the Ottoman Empire during the Restoration of Bourbon and the Orleans Kingdom periods, the interests between countries would prompt the Ottoman Empire to abandon the Russian Empire and turn to the French Empire, even if the process might take a bit longer.

However, both Jerome Bonaparte and De Ruyi never expected the Ottoman Empire High Gate to submit so quickly, to the point where they seemed to completely disregard the attitude of the Russian Empire.

The swift submission of the Ottoman Empire allowed the French Empire to gain adjudicatory power over the Holy Land, a privilege that became a hot potato, bringing prestige to the French Empire and Jerome Bonaparte, while also forcing the French Empire to face the Russian Empire head-on.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that the French Imperial Army couldn’t match the Russian Empire. On the contrary, the current French Empire, in terms of military structure and firepower, could completely outmatch the Russian Empire, which had never been fully staffed and whose firepower remained in the pre-Napoleonic Wars era.

However, Jerome Bonaparte understood that France’s real enemies were never the Russian Empire, but rather the Kingdom of Prussia next door and the Kingdom of Britain across the channel.

Whenever Jerome Bonaparte recalled Prussia mobilizing a million troops in 1870, he wished he could destroy the Kingdom of Prussia right away.

However, since the Kingdom of Prussia never committed acts that trampled on European peace, Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t arbitrarily assault the Kingdom of Prussia.

Otherwise, countries would remember the fear of domination by the First Empire, quickly forming an Anti-French Alliance, with only destruction awaiting him.

The Austro-Prussian War two years ago (in 1850) was merely an appetizer to weaken Prussia, and now the Kingdom of Prussia has fully transformed into a realm under autocratic rule. Under Jerome Bonaparte’s influence, the residents of the Rhine Region under autocratic rule began reminiscing the benefits of the French Empire, and many Rhine Germans oppressed by Prussian soldiers have fled in batches to Strasbourg.

By the end of 1852, the Strasbourg Region had accommodated nearly more than 50,000 "German compatriots."

Back to the main topic, Jerome Bonaparte’s army reforms against the Kingdom of Prussia and his naval reforms against Britain are proceeding in an orderly fashion. Starting a war now, however, Jerome Bonaparte feared would affect the troops’ combat capability.

The army, division, brigade, and regiment structures within the staff system were still in the adaptation phase.

"Your Majesty, the Russian Empire may not give us that much time!" De Ruyi smiled wryly and added, "They are likely to take major action soon!"

"I think so too!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded slightly and then asked De Ruyi seriously, "Is there any way to buy more time?"

De Ruyi lowered his head and pondered for a while, then he lifted his head to respond, "Your Majesty, only by recalling Vallette from the Constantinople envoy position could the issue be possibly mitigated now!"

"Re-call Vallette?" Jerome Bonaparte muttered quietly.

Jerome Bonaparte was somewhat tempted by De Ruyi’s suggestion. By this stage, only by recalling Vallette, the master of incitement, from Constantinople could the situation be eased.

However, Jerome Bonaparte still had some concerns over the current public opinion issue.

Currently, the priestly class in Paris already regards Vallette as the primary hero in "recovering" the Holy Land, and handling this poorly could provoke backlash from the priestly class, which would also harm Jerome Bonaparte’s prestige.

"How about this! You send someone to ask Vallette! If he is willing to serve as the French Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Britain, then have him depart immediately!" Jerome Bonaparte decided to adopt a gentle approach to transfer Vallette from Constantinople.

In terms of administrative level and importance, the French Envoy to Britain is the highest ranking among all ambassadors, with only the current Minister of Foreign Affairs De Ruyi above it.

De Ruyi himself had once been promoted to Minister of Foreign Affairs by Jerome Bonaparte after serving as the French Envoy to Britain.

Having occupied this position for nearly three years, Jerome Bonaparte did not believe Vallette’s faith could withstand the corrosion from pure gold.

"Yes!" De Ruyi immediately nodded in agreement with this decision, then added, "Your Majesty, who should the next Constantinople envoy be..."

"I plan to appoint Valerovsky!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to De Ruyi.

A hint of disappointment flashed in De Ruyi’s eyes; he originally intended to recommend his chosen candidate to Jerome Bonaparte. But since the Emperor already had someone in mind, there was no need for him to say more.

"Lord Valerovsky has ample diplomatic experience and is indeed a suitable candidate!" De Ruyi, from the standpoint of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, impartially assessed Valerovsky.

"With your assurance, I am relieved!" Jerome Bonaparte smiled with joy.

After a brief conversation about European affairs between Jerome Bonaparte and De Luy, Jerome Bonaparte personally escorted De Luy out of the Tuileries Palace.

After watching De Luy leave the Tuileries Palace, Jerome Bonaparte put away his smile and showed a serious expression. He then ordered Mokar to call Valerovsky, who had been idly staying at home, back to the Tuileries Palace.

Since Valerovsky returned to Paris to deliver his mission, he has been idling around various opera houses like a person with nothing to do all day.

The former Secretary General position had been completely handed over to the Minister of the Seal, Mornay, and from Jerome Bonaparte’s attitude, it seemed he had no intention of giving the secretariat back.

This caused Valerovsky’s spirits to be somewhat depressed, and wandering in the opera houses became his only pleasure.

On this day, Valerovsky was still in a box at the opera house watching a play when suddenly there was a knock on the door outside the box.

"Come in!" Valerovsky said indifferently.

"Mr. Valerovsky, His Majesty wants you to come over now!"

Mokar’s voice reached Valerovsky’s ears, and Valerovsky immediately perked up. He quickly stood up and responded to Mokar, "I’ll go right now!"

After finishing his sentence, he went with Mokar to the Tuileries Palace.

Valerovsky, with one foot just stepping into the study, heard Jerome Bonaparte’s voice inside, "Cousin, I need your help?"

At this time, Jerome Bonaparte was looking down signing documents, and once again, his desk was piled with files needing signatures.

Valerovsky hurriedly and respectfully responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "Willing to be at your service!"

Jerome Bonaparte looked up and glanced at Valerovsky, who was still standing at the door, gesturing with his hand: "Come over and sit down!"

Valerovsky quickly walked over and sat down in front of Jerome Bonaparte.

"Here’s the thing!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Valerovsky while sorting out the documents, "I would like you to go to Constantinople and serve as the ambassador there! What do you think?"

"Constantinople ambassador?" Valerovsky slightly frowned and then cautiously inquired, "I remember Mr. Vallette is serving as the ambassador there, isn’t he?"

"Well-informed indeed!" Jerome Bonaparte paused for a moment, then once again showed a smile on his face.

The news about the Ottoman Empire transferring the decision-making authority over the Holy Land to the French Empire had only spread within religious circles, rarely known in non-religious fields and underdeveloped regions, but high society in Paris was a relatively broad information circle, with many religious people inside.

Therefore, Valerovsky knowing this news was both unexpected and yet anticipated by Jerome Bonaparte.

"Recently, I’ve often been going to the opera house and learned about matters concerning the Holy Land!" Valerovsky explained to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Since you already know, I won’t have to explain it further!" Jerome Bonaparte accepted Valerovsky’s statement, "Your purpose in going to Constantinople is to replace Vallette as the ambassador there!"

"What do I need to do?" Valerovsky succinctly asked.

"Delay!" Jerome Bonaparte briefly said.

"Delay?" Valerovsky was somewhat surprised.

"Exactly, delay!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded, then explained, "Your task is to stall both the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire, preventing them from quickly initiating friction! The longer you stall, the more advantageous our subsequent military actions will be!

So you need to use every possible means to stall these two countries, ensure the Ottoman Empire does not excessively submit to the Russian Empire, while also stalling the Russian Empire to avoid them engaging in war with the Ottoman Empire anytime soon!

As long as you can achieve these two points, that’s enough!"

"I guarantee to complete the mission!" Valerovsky promised Jerome Bonaparte.