CHAPTER 330: CHAPTER 326 VASSAL SARDINIA

Facing Jerome Bonaparte’s barbed words, Cavour chose not to retort. He knew that it was the Sardinian Dynasty that needed France now, not the other way around. He wanted to convey respect for Jerome Bonaparte from the Sardinian Kingdom in a humble manner.

"Respect? I don’t see any respect, what I see is the contempt of the Sardinian Dynasty for France!" Jerome Bonaparte showed no appreciation and continued aggressively, "Does the Sardinian Dynasty believe that the Bonaparte Clan cannot earn the understanding of the legitimate order?"

"No!" For Jerome Bonaparte’s almost unreasonable words, Cavour decisively refuted, "The Sardinian Kingdom respects the will of the French Republic and earnestly hopes that France can participate in maintaining peace in Europe! I personally agree with Your Majesty’s words, the Empire is the Republic! I represent the Sardinian Kingdom hoping that Your Majesty can re-establish a brand new Empire!"

"So, I misunderstood you!" Jerome Bonaparte’s face eased into a benevolent expression, and his previous unreasonable behavior was merely to give the Sardinian Kingdom a warning.

"There is no issue of right or wrong here!" Cavour exonerated Jerome Bonaparte, "It’s just some small misunderstanding! I believe that through this misunderstanding, the friendship between the French Empire and the Sardinian Kingdom will be deepened."

"Oh! Friendship! What a precious word!" Jerome Bonaparte was also touched along the way. He reached for the black box on the table, opened it, and a reddish-brown cigar was revealed. Judging from the appearance of the cigar, it should be top grade, which made cigar-loving Cavour swallow a mouthful of saliva, "France cherishes friendship the most!"

After speaking, Jerome Bonaparte took out a cigar and handed it to Cavour, who hurriedly accepted it with both hands as a sign of respect.

Then, Jerome Bonaparte pulled out two flints and lit the cigar for Cavour.

The first wisp of smoke in the room appeared, and Cavour’s face showed an enchanted expression, "The Sardinian Dynasty is the same!"

"Since both France and Sardinia cherish friendship, then there will be many topics we can discuss together!" Jerome Bonaparte said with a half-smile at Cavour, "However, for a moment I can’t seem to recall how we should begin! Mr. Garibaldi, could you tell me!"

Jerome Bonaparte actively handed over the initiative to Cavour, which made Cavour somewhat excited.

Nevertheless, Cavour cautiously said, "The Sardinian Dynasty respects the French Empire and is willing to follow the dispatch of the French Empire!"

"No, no, no!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head with a smile, "France will not order any country, nor will it command any country! The Sardinian Kingdom and France are in an equal relationship, there is no hierarchy! If a distinction must be made, then it can only be said that France is Sardinia’s big brother! Both of our countries are striving for national independence and autonomy!"

"Right! Correct! Independence and autonomy!" Cavour responded excitedly to Jerome Bonaparte, "Whether it is Sardinia or France, both are striving for national independence and autonomy! France for the independence and autonomy of the French Nation, and the Sardinian Kingdom for the independence and autonomy of the Italian Nation! In this regard, France is undoubtedly Sardinia’s big brother!"

"As I understand it, the Apennine Region under Austrian Empire management is well organized! Is the Italian National issue not sharp?" Jerome Bonaparte feigned ignorance and said.

"Your Majesty! We respect and admire the great achievements of the Emperor in the Apennine Region. Under the Emperor’s leadership, the Apennine Peninsula formed an unprecedented Kingdom of Italy..." Cavour continued to praise Emperor Napoleon’s past accomplishments, unexpectedly arousing Jerome Bonaparte’s ambition.

Jerome Bonaparte has always prided himself as Napoleon’s successor, and therefore, what Emperor Napoleon did, he rightly should also accomplish.

Jerome Bonaparte quietly listened to Cavour’s flattery, and when Cavour finished, Jerome Bonaparte sighed and continued, "Now is different from before, the situation in the Apennine Peninsula is much more severe than we imagined! Even if I want to help you, how should I persuade the Legislative Corps? How do I counter the alliance of the Russian Empire, Austrian Empire, and Kingdom of Prussia! The French Empire cannot experience another Europe-wide war! I am very sympathetic to the Sardinian Dynasty, sympathetic to the Italian Nation of the Apennine Peninsula, but ideals cannot be eaten! We must tread firmly on the ground!"

Jerome Bonaparte’s attitude was simple; France could not get involved in any affairs of the Apennine Peninsula in the short term, otherwise, once Britain formed an alliance, it will break apart due to France’s inability to restrain Sardinia.

"Mr. Garibaldi, I can tell you frankly! France’s primary target is the Russian Empire. Before France defeats the Russian Empire, we hope there will be no radical actions in the Apennines!" Jerome Bonaparte subtly suggested to the Sardinian Dynasty the illusion that once Russia is dealt with, the Apennine Peninsula will be organized.

This kind of vague diplomatic language is a compulsory course for every qualified diplomat Rento.

At this time, Count Cavour was not the seasoned politician of 1860, having not long stepped into the political arena, Cavour obviously hadn’t realized the crisis within vague diplomatic language.

Under Jerome Bonaparte’s vague diplomatic rhetoric, Cavour unwittingly fell into the trap carefully designed by Jerome Bonaparte.

"The Sardinian Dynasty understands France’s situation and sincerely hopes that France can achieve victory! If the French Empire needs it, the Sardinian Dynasty can send troops to fight alongside France!" Cavour handed over Sardinia’s allegiance, and participating in the war against Russia likely meant Sardinia would be targeted by the Austrian Empire.

"France is very willing to fight alongside the Sardinian Dynasty!" With the mindset of not wasting an opportunity, Jerome Bonaparte did not hesitate to accept with a smile, "Not only France but Britain will also join the fight against the Russian Empire! This is an opportunity for the Sardinian Kingdom to gain recognition from Europe. I hope the Sardinian Kingdom is prepared ahead of time!"

"Understood!" Cavour was filled with gratitude towards Jerome Bonaparte.

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte and Cavour further negotiated on how to strengthen the bilateral relations between France and the Sardinian Dynasty.

"To expedite communication between our two countries, I hope the Sardinian Kingdom and France can maintain uniform railway standards!" Jerome Bonaparte once again suggested to Cavour.

"This..." Cavour hesitated a bit, maintaining consistency with French Railways meant that the existing ones might be abolished, and constructing new railroads would require a substantial investment.

"If Sardinia lacks funds, France is willing to help the Sardinian Kingdom!" Since choosing to make Sardinia a vassal state, Jerome Bonaparte was not hesitant to inject capital, as long as Sardinia remains disunified, they cannot escape France’s grasp: "If Sardinia is unwilling, then France won’t force it!"

Ultimately, Cavour agreed to let the wolf in, as French capital was injected into areas beyond Ossman for the first time.

Besides the railroad investment, Cavour was also forced to sign agreements on agricultural products and rifles and cannons.

The Sardinian Dynasty was gradually being consumed by French capital.

Decades later, lying on his sickbed, Cavour recalled the past once again and couldn’t help but feel regret.

The secret discussions between Jerome Bonaparte and Cavour continued from morning until afternoon.

After leaving the building, the two men shook hands warmly and then departed one after the other.

On November 28th, feeling that the time was ripe, Jerome Bonaparte decided not to hesitate any longer.

Before the Legislative Corps convened again, he revealed his intention to become Emperor to Bijou, then the President of the Legislative Corps.

After the Legislative Corps convened, President Bijou proposed that Jerome Bonaparte should be crowned as Emperor, and aside from a few dissenting parties, the Legislative Corps overwhelmingly approved the request for Jerome Bonaparte to become Emperor, transforming the Republic into an Empire.

After securing the overwhelming approval of the Legislative Corps, the "Second Institute" also unanimously agreed, with one abstention, on the matter at that time.

The approval of the Legislative Corps and the Senate meant that Jerome Bonaparte legally had the opportunity to become Emperor. The next step was to conduct a nationwide plebiscite. If a majority of the French people did not oppose, the Second Empire could be established a year earlier than in history.

On November 29th, a telegram from Paris unexpectedly appeared before the highest officials of each Major Region and Province, stating: France should adhere to the principles of fairness, justice, and openness, inviting all French citizens to cast their votes to decide whether to establish an Empire or maintain a Republic.

On November 30th, each Province began voting on whether to establish the Empire.

After nearly 7 days of voting, all Provinces in France finally completed the voting on December 6th, with the vote counts being telegraphed to Paris at the time.

On December 8th, after more than three hours of statistics, the Senate announced the voting results to the people of Paris.

8,724,000 votes were in favor of establishing the Empire, 253,000 votes opposed, and nearly 1 million abstentions, most of which were discarded votes from the southern and western regions.

The over 8 million votes in favor granted Jerome Bonaparte the legal right to establish the Empire.

A new round of debates ensued within the Bonaparte Faction regarding when the Empire should be established.