CHAPTER 568: CHAPTER 559: AMBASSADOR COWLEY DEEPLY ENCIRCLED

"Your Majesty, please forgive my boldness! Your actions towards the United States of America are pushing a formerly neutral country into the arms of the Russian Empire!"

Ambassador Cowley’s remarks elicited a cold laugh from Jerome Bonaparte. He understood that Ambassador Cowley’s strong reaction stemmed from his fear that the Kingdom of Britain might be drawn into a war with the New Continent by the French Empire.

After all, no matter how much the French Empire boasted, the United States would not cross the ocean to attack.

The French Empire had already lost its interests in the New Continent during the First Empire, while the Kingdom of Britain still had Canada (known at that time as Canada Province).

The original Anglo-American War was fought over the interests of Canada Province. Although the Kingdom of Britain defeated the United States of America with its strong national strength, the Kingdom of Britain itself did not fare well either.

Therefore, the Kingdom of Britain signed a truce with the United States of America in 1815, being forced to recognize the independence of the United States.

Now, Jerome Bonaparte’s act of stoking flames against the United States clearly placed Britain on the hot seat.

"Ambassador Cowley, Ambassador Mason is using the threat of joining the Russian Empire against me!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Ambassador Cowley and then, with the characteristic arrogance of the nobility, said, "They are just a group of nouveau riche who walked out from us, yet they dare to threaten us with war. They seem to have long forgotten that they were able to establish independence with our help! If it weren’t for us..."

At this point, Jerome Bonaparte paused and cast a slight glance at Ambassador Cowley.

At this moment, Ambassador Cowley felt slightly embarrassed, as the victim of the independence of the Thirteen States of North America was precisely their Kingdom of Britain.

It was likely that Louis XVI had not expected that the United States he helped to establish would, two hundred years later, shatter British hegemony, and at the same time, topple the colonial empire of the French Republic.

It could be said that the United States also indirectly avenged Louis XVI.

As this piece of history was unfavorable to the "unity" of England and France, Jerome Bonaparte shook his head and abruptly stopped, saying, "Forget it! These are things of the past! What I mean is: If the United States of America can ride on the head of the French Empire, then where is the dignity of the French Empire!

Ambassador Cowley, I think you should understand what the French Nation yearns for!"

Jerome Bonaparte answered his own question: "It’s dignity! It’s the most basic respect for a great nation, so I must fulfill this small desire of theirs!"

"But! Your Majesty, there’s no need to use such extreme methods!" Ambassador Cowley understood Jerome Bonaparte. As a leader of a nation that dared to send its king to the gallows, he had to create an image that satisfied his subjects.

If he could not create a role that pleased the Parisians, the citizens of Paris would not hesitate to overthrow it.

Louis Philippe, for example, created a "people-friendly" image, which allowed his kingdom to survive for 18 years before being overthrown.

"Then what method should I use? Agree to the conditions of the United States? Allow the ships of the United States to pass?" Jerome Bonaparte answered his own question: "I’m only afraid that the moment I agree to Ambassador Mason’s conditions, the next moment the United States will escalate and place contraband on board. At that time, how should I explain it to the Parisians and the soldiers on the front line?"

Your Majesty, in fact, we only need to order the United States to cease transporting weapons; if not, we can just implement a delaying tactic on the United States! There’s no need to make the relations so strained! It’s not good for either of us!" Ambassador Cowley continued to attempt to persuade Jerome Bonaparte with painstaking effort.

"I’m sorry! Since things have developed to this point, it is impossible for me to rescind my decision!" Jerome Bonaparte would not give up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stoke the flames.

Anyway, France’s interests in the United States of America had gradually shifted back to the homeland, and the companies that remained in the United States of America were mostly shell companies, so he wasn’t concerned even if they were confiscated by the United States.

Moreover, the United States of America at that time was not yet the relatively centralized country it would become.

During this period, the system of the United States of America was more a little centralized confederation rather than a federal system.

According to the constitution of the United States of America, each state had the right to withdraw from the Union.

However, whether or not withdrawal would lead to conflict was up to Washington.

"Your Majesty, I still urge you to talk to the ambassador of the United States of America again! Do not let this small matter lead to war between the two countries!" Ambassador Cowley continued to earnestly try to persuade Jerome Bonaparte.

"So does this mean that Britain does not intend to stand with us on this issue?" Jerome Bonaparte feigned displeasure on his face as he questioned Ambassador Cowley.

"Your Majesty, we are not unwilling to stand with you!" Ambassador Cowley quickly responded to Jerome Bonaparte. He did not want to lose the French Empire at this time.

The power that the French Empire displayed in the Battle of Sevastopol was enough for the Kingdom of Britain to exert all efforts to win them over.

As for the possibility that France’s displayed military might could threaten Britain, that was only something for the future.

Moreover, the French Empire could not realistically cross the La Manche Strait.

Therefore, the Kingdom of Britain is not at all worried about the current threat from the French Empire.

Only by winning the current Crimean War can the Kingdom of Britain talk freely about the future.

"So what do you want to do? Support the demands of the United States of America, or support our actions against the United States?" Jerome Bonaparte was determined to corner Ambassador Cowley.

He cared little whether the United States would join the Crimean War, as long as he could provoke discord between the UK and US, reminding the Kingdom of Britain of past enmities.

After all, the United States still had to endure a "catastrophe."

This time, Jerome Bonaparte was determined not to let the United States pass through it smoothly.

"Of course, we support you!" At present, the united front value of the French Empire clearly outweighed that of the United States, so Ambassador Cowley could only choose to support the French Empire: "However, we still hope..."

"That’s good!" Before Ambassador Cowley could finish speaking, Jerome Bonaparte interrupted directly: "Ambassador Cowley, I’m finished with my matters, let’s return to the hall together!"

Looking at the capricious monarch in front of him, Ambassador Cowley showed a helpless smile. He decided to immediately convey the news back to London after the ball ended.

(The telegraph line between the Kingdom of Britain and the French Empire was already established, and Ambassador Cowley no longer needed to send someone specifically back to London with the message.)

Shortly after Jerome Bonaparte and Ambassador Cowley returned to the ball, it ended, and ambassadors from various countries began to take their leave of Jerome Bonaparte one after another.

During the period of farewells by ambassadors from various countries, Ambassador Cowley observed the ambassadors arriving at the Tuileries Palace and noticed that the American Ambassador was indeed absent.

When it was Ambassador Cowley’s turn to bid farewell to Jerome Bonaparte with his dance partner, Jerome Bonaparte lowered his voice and said to Ambassador Cowley: "Ambassador, I shall await your news here at the Tuileries Palace!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Ambassador Cowley responded helplessly, then left the Tuileries Palace with his dance partner.

After all the guests had left, Jerome Bonaparte called Mokar to his side and gave him an order: "Immediately send a telegram to our ’old friends’ in London, telling them the British Cabinet is likely to compromise with the United States of America!"

The "old friends" Jerome Bonaparte referred to were some newspapers known for daring to expose British politics and boasting impressive sales.

These influential newspapers could significantly influence the political direction of Britain.

Jerome Bonaparte believed that Britain’s "wolves of war" would definitely give him a big surprise!

Of course, it might not be a surprise but a fright for the Palmerston Government.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Mokar promptly responded.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Cowley, upon returning to the British Embassy, headed straight for the telegraph operator’s quarters.

Having successfully knocked open the door to the telegraph operator’s quarters, he gave the operator an order: "Immediately send a telegram to London stating that the French Empire and the United States of America have not reached an agreement on trade issues and are gradually approaching the brink of war."

"Yes, Ambassador!" the operator promptly responded, bringing the kerosene lamp to the telegraph room’s door, taking out a key, and unlocking the telegraph room.

The "tick-tock" sound echoed from the telegraph room, and after a while, the "tick-tock" stopped. The operator emerged from the room and reported to the ambassador: "Ambassador, I have sent your message to Britain word for word!"

"Thank you for your hard work!" Ambassador Cowley nodded and patted the operator on the shoulder.

"It’s nothing! It’s my duty!" the operator replied, "You should also rest early!"

With that said, the operator returned to his quarters, and Ambassador Cowley, watching the operator return, also headed back to his room.

An hour later, at the telegraph substation of the British Foreign Ministry.

The telegraph operator on night duty yawned as he sat in front of the telegraph machine. Just as he started to feel bored, the familiar "tick-tock" sound began to play.

The telegraph operator, who was about to fall asleep, immediately became alert upon hearing this familiar sound. He quickly picked up his pen to record all the sounds made by the telegraph machine.

Once the telegraph machine stopped emitting sounds, the operator compared his notes with the telegraph language instructions and translated the entire message.

After thoroughly reading it, he handed it over to his superiors.