CHAPTER 503: CHAPTER 497 THE FINAL DEADLINE

Richard Metternich swore that today was the most desperate day since he assumed the role of Austria’s secretary in France, especially when he saw Jerome Bonaparte "inadvertently" reveal his "French war plans against Austria," Richard Metternich’s originally orderly thoughts were completely disrupted.

Richard Metternich felt as if his brain had been punched hard, leaving him in a daze, staring blankly in place without moving.

"Mr. Richard, Mr. Richard!"

It wasn’t until Jerome Bonaparte’s voice reached his ears that Richard Metternich regained his composure, bowed once more to Jerome Bonaparte, and apologized: "Your Majesty, please forgive my recent misconduct!"

"It’s nothing!" Understanding why Richard Metternich was rude, Jerome Bonaparte shrugged and nonchalantly said, "Everyone has moments of distraction! Take me, for instance, I often reminisce about past times in various occasions, especially the time on the Apennine Peninsula..."

Jerome Bonaparte passionately talked to Richard Metternich about his childhood on the Apennine Peninsula, discussing the Republic of Genoa, the Peninsula Monarch, and even the Carbonari.

Richard Metternich’s face turned pale as Jerome Bonaparte discussed the situation on the Apennine Peninsula. When Jerome Bonaparte mentioned the Carbonari and the Italian revolution, the untrained-hearted Richard Metternich almost fell off his chair.

Combining the battle plan he had inadvertently glimpsed with the current statements, Richard Metternich had reason to suspect that Jerome Bonaparte might have lost patience due to Austria’s procrastination, thus altering his stance towards the Austrian Empire.

If that were the case, Jerome Bonaparte would surely repeat everything his uncle Napoleon did to the Empire previously.

What Jerome Bonaparte said next further confirmed Richard Metternich’s suspicions.

"My late brother and cousin were both members of the Carbonari. Although I didn’t join this party, under the influence of my late brother, I still have a favorable impression of it!" Jerome Bonaparte expressed nostalgia for past times, then shook his head and added, "But that’s all in the past now!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive my offense in advance! For what I am about to say may involve the late Prince Napoleon." Richard Metternich began with courtesy before addressing Jerome Bonaparte.

"Mr. Richard, we are friends! Speak plainly, I will not blame you!" Jerome Bonaparte responded generously.

"Personally, I believe your fondness for the Carbonari stems entirely from nostalgia for past times, resulting in a subjective favor towards them. In reality, the Carbonari are not a benevolent party. They are a group proficient at luring kind-hearted individuals with promises of a bright future to join them, engaging in assassinations and acts of terror!" Richard Metternich disparaged the Carbonari to the utmost, "I believe that the late Prince Napoleon was surely enticed by their flowery rhetoric, leading him to join them."

Jerome Bonaparte was internally defiant against Richard Metternich’s assertion. Despite the Carbonari having indeed conducted some horrifying terror attacks, their targets were predominantly the nobles of the Italian Region, with a goal of unifying Italy.

The fake terrorists were in the Apennine villages, while the real terrorists were in the high places of power.

In truth, those who orchestrated terror events on the Apennine Peninsula were Austria, which was behind Richard Metternich.

It was because the Austrian Empire controlled Lombardy, Venice, and a number of smaller states friendly to the Habsburgs that the Apennine Peninsula remained divided to this day.

However, what did this have to do with Jerome Bonaparte, who only mentioned the Apennine Peninsula to force the Austrian Empire to increase its investment in England and France.

"I see!" Jerome Bonaparte pondered for a moment, then asked Richard Metternich: "Let’s not talk about these! Mr. Richard, is there something you wanted by suddenly paying a visit today?"

"Your Majesty, I am here today to offer congratulations on behalf of His Majesty!" Richard Metternich said, sitting upright: "The French Empire, under your leadership, is thriving. The French Army and the Allied Forces of Britain are gaining the upper hand in two battles against the Russian Empire. I believe it won’t be long before the Russian Empire fully withdraws from the Danube River Region! By then, peace in Europe will be restored once again!"

As for the claim that he came to congratulate on the orders of Franz Joseph, Jerome Bonaparte was utterly unconvinced.

Being a conservative monarch, Franz Joseph would oppose the Russian Empire but would not excessively flatter this "revolutionary" monarch.

Richard Metternich most likely just borrowed Joseph Franz’s name to come to the Tuileries Palace to probe his thoughts.

However, the Vienna Court must have already known about the news of the Russian Empire retreating to the north bank of the Danube River.

"We greatly appreciate the Austrian Empire’s recognition of this great endeavor we are undertaking!" Jerome Bonaparte feigned disinterest as he looked at Richard Metternich and perfunctorily replied, "We also hope that more and more countries will see clearly the greedy nature of the Russian Empire and join us in this great cause! (Jerome Bonaparte revealed a meaningful smile) Standing on the fence will only lead to the collapse of the wall and the downfall of those on it!"

Jerome Bonaparte indirectly reprimanded the Austrian Empire for betting on both sides, making Richard Metternich feel a sense of shame.

Indeed! The Austrian Empire has been dragging its feet on this matter for too long. It’s not just that Jerome Bonaparte cannot tolerate this wavering diplomatic approach; even Richard Metternich himself cannot continue waiting for the Vienna Government to stop dithering.

That is why Richard Metternich would come to the Tuileries Palace to congratulate Jerome Bonaparte without receiving the latest instructions from Vienna.

The fact proves that Richard Metternich’s approach is correct; the French Empire is likely no longer able to tolerate the Austrian Empire’s vacillating policy and may take action against it.

Richard Metternich suddenly recalled that about a week ago, Prince Metternich had sent him a letter, in which Metternich told Richard Metternich that he attended the Frankfurt conference of the German Confederation under the Emperor’s order, hoping the German Confederation would temporarily extend the "War Law" from the German Region (Austria, Bohemia) to the entire Empire.

However, Prince Metternich’s efforts failed, as the South German Federation, led by Bavaria, and Prussia surprisingly united to oppose the Austrian Empire’s actions.

Prince Metternich’s temporary addition to the scope of the war law was not passed.

After that, Prince Metternich sought out the new Prussian ambassador to the German Confederation, Bismarck, to ask if the Kingdom of Prussia was willing to cooperate with the Austrian Empire, but Ambassador Bismarck, representing Prussia, refused Prince Metternich.

And the military, after going to Prussia, also did not receive any response from the Prussian Conservative Faction.

All signs indicate that everything happening in the German Region is being controlled by an invisible hand, and the owner of this hand is likely...

Thinking of this, Richard Metternich subconsciously glanced at Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte still looked at Richard Metternich with a smile on his face, but Richard Metternich’s gaze made Jerome Bonaparte feel a bit depressed; he wasn’t a man-eating tiger.

"We also hope to do our bit to provide some help against Russia’s symbol!" Richard Metternich could only respond to Jerome Bonaparte with some vague and grand statements, and then assured Jerome Bonaparte, "Please rest assured! It won’t be long before the Empire joins the camp against Russia!"

"How long is ’won’t be long’?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Richard Metternich aggressively, "Must the Austrian Empire be willing to fight alongside us only the moment before our army completely defeats the Russian Empire? If that’s the case, I’d rather treat the Austrian Empire as an enemy! At least it would satisfy the people of the Apennine Peninsula’s desire for unification and the Hungarian people’s desire for independence! However, at that time, I don’t know how much land the Austrian Empire will still hold!"

Jerome Bonaparte’s war threat made Richard Metternich, whose face had just regained some color, turn pale again.

"Please rest assured! The Empire will make a decision as soon as possible! Please, for my father’s sake, give the Empire some more time!" Richard Metternich pleaded with Jerome Bonaparte.

"I can give you time, but you must make a choice quickly!" Jerome Bonaparte said sternly to Richard Metternich, "Also, the French Empire’s army will hold a military exchange with the Sardinian army at the end of the month to discuss the form of future wars!"

Richard Metternich understood that Jerome Bonaparte was hinting to him that he was giving the Austrian Empire less than a month.

The Austrian Empire must make a choice within this month; otherwise, the French Empire is very likely to take military action against it.

"I will report to Vienna as soon as possible!" Richard Metternich assured Jerome Bonaparte.