CHAPTER 566: CHAPTER 557 BEAUTIFUL SMASH FOOT

For Jerome Bonaparte, the war with the Russian Empire was merely a means to consolidate his own power and expand France’s diplomatic space on the European Continent. He did not want to overly weaken the Russian Empire.

A weakened Russian Empire was only beneficial to Central Europe and Britain, and had no benefit for France, located in Western Europe. On the contrary, it would cause the German Region to focus all their efforts on guarding against France.

Even though the relations between the Austrian Empire and the French Empire seemed quite good now, once the Russian Empire weakened, conflicts between France and Austria in the German and Italian Regions would immediately erupt.

By that time, either he would lead the French Army to crush the states of the German Region, or the states of the German Region, led by Austria and Prussia, would brandish bayonets at his throat.

However, given the current national strength and equipment, Jerome Bonaparte was confident he could crush the Southern German States before the German Region could react, leaving the entire region unable to fully integrate.

Once France entered Southern Germany, it would likely be difficult for Prussia and Austria to coordinate again.

All the French Empire had to do was defeat them one by one.

But if Jerome Bonaparte really did this, it was obvious that the Anti-French Alliance would once again surround them.

In short, in dealing with the German Region, France absolutely could not be the country to fire the first shot.

He could only wait for some "strong nation" within the German Region to lead troops to unify Germany (actually to unite the German states and expand Prussia’s territory) and declare war on another "strong nation," and then he would join the war.

In the meantime, Jerome Bonaparte must make Prussia believe France supported their territorial expansion.

Thinking of this, Jerome Bonaparte wondered if he should give some hints to the French ambassador to Prussia, to advance the Austro-Prussian War slightly.

After a while, Jerome Bonaparte gave up this idea, realizing that the most important thing at present was the Crimean War.

And the Crimean War could not proceed without the help of the Austrian Empire. Recklessly abandoning Austria might lead to new variables in Crimea and also cause Prince Metternich and his sons to face the Emperor’s inquiries in the Austrian Empire.

Of course, Jerome Bonaparte himself was not concerned with whether the Metternich family’s political career in the Austrian Empire went smoothly. He simply preferred to deal with clever people.

Because clever people could gauge the situation and make the right choices.

People with no sense of balance only mess up stable situations.

Yes! I’m talking about you, Joseph Franz!

"Shall we go back?" While Jerome Bonaparte was lost in thought, Eugenie’s lark-like voice reached his ear.

Coming back to his senses, Jerome Bonaparte quickly smiled at Eugenie and said, "That depends on you!"

Hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s response, Eugenie also showed a smile.

After a brief internal struggle, Eugenie shook her head and said, "Let’s not. I might not be suited for such a solemn ball! My presence would only trouble you!"

Faced with Eugenie’s self-deprecation, Jerome Bonaparte first hastily denied it, saying, "How could that be?"

Then he complimented her, saying, "Haven’t you realized you’re the most beautiful lady here tonight? It’s my honor to attend a ball with such a beautiful lady!"

After saying this, Jerome Bonaparte stood up gallantly, bowed to Eugenie, and extended his hand to her, saying, "Beautiful Miss Eugenie, may I ask you to dance with me once more?"

Smiling, Eugenie nodded and got up, placing her soft hand in Jerome Bonaparte’s.

Jerome Bonaparte gently held Eugenie’s hand and returned to the ballroom with her.

When Jerome Bonaparte and Eugenie returned to the ballroom, the court orchestra had just begun a new movement.

Jerome Bonaparte and Eugenie quickly adjusted and followed the rhythm to start dancing.

After the tune ended, Jerome Bonaparte released Eugenie and asked her how she felt.

Smiling, Eugenie nodded.

Just as Jerome Bonaparte and Eugenie were about to start another dance, an "unexpected guest" came in front of Jerome Bonaparte.

"And who might you be?" Jerome Bonaparte examined the slightly stout middle-aged man in a black suit standing before him with curiosity.

Judging from his clothes and attire, Jerome Bonaparte did not sense the aura of a traditional nobleman; instead, there was a sort of nouveau riche vibe, so he concluded that this person must be from the New Continent.

"Your Majesty, I am John Young Mason, the special ambassador of the United States of America to France!" Ambassador Mason quickly introduced himself to Jerome Bonaparte.

"The American ambassador?" Jerome Bonaparte reluctantly turned to Eugenie and said, "Do you have something to discuss?"

"Your Majesty, I wish to have a brief conversation with you," Ambassador Mason replied respectfully, then emphasized, "Please rest assured! I promise it won’t take long!"

Damn it! Why does this kind of thing always have to be discussed at a ball? Can’t something be taken up with the Minister of Foreign Affairs?

A flicker of annoyance crossed Jerome Bonaparte’s eyes; this was the first time he felt irritated by diplomacy.

Irritating as it may be, Jerome Bonaparte didn’t dare entrust all diplomatic affairs entirely to De Luy.

After all, De Luy did not stand on the "shoulders of giants" like he did.

Some major directions still needed Jerome Bonaparte himself to personally oversee.

"I need to consult with my dance partner!" Jerome Bonaparte responded.

"Thank you very much!" Mason tactfully distanced himself from Jerome Bonaparte and Eugenie.

"I apologize!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Eugenie with a hint of guilt.

"Your Majesty, I understand you! After all, you hold the fate of a nation in your hands; you don’t need to apologize to me!" Eugenie shook her head and said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Then I will go over!" Jerome Bonaparte pointed to Mason, who was not far from them.

"Hmm!"

With Eugenie’s consent, Jerome Bonaparte approached Mason, repeating what he had said to the Swedish envoy,

Ambassador Mason agreed to Jerome Bonaparte’s proposal, and together they left the hall.

Walking down the corridor of the Tuileries Palace, Jerome Bonaparte casually pushed open a door to a room and entered, followed closely by Ambassador Mason.

Sitting face to face on the sofa, the two began to communicate.

"Ambassador Mason, what do you want to discuss with me?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Ambassador Mason.

"It’s like this!" Ambassador Mason said to Jerome Bonaparte, "We have...some exchanges with the Russian Empire (translating to trade), but your country and the Kingdom of Britain have hindered these exchanges since the war began, so we hope..."

Before Ambassador Mason could finish, Jerome Bonaparte interjected, "Is the United States of America intending to join the Russian Empire’s camp to declare war against the Empire and the Kingdom of Britain?"

As soon as Jerome Bonaparte finished speaking, Ambassador Mason’s face changed instantly. He hurriedly denied, "No, no, no! The United States of America has always been a neutral country!"

"Since the United States of America has chosen neutrality, why are you still trading with the Russian Empire? Don’t you know we are at war? Any country that aids the Russian Empire in any form would be an act of provocation against the French Empire!" Jerome Bonaparte’s tone became much harsher.

"Your Majesty, no law seems to prohibit neutral countries from trading with countries at war!" Ambassador Mason’s tone also became slightly firmer than before.

For the current United States of America, the Russian Empire is their most important partner in Europe.

Trade exchanges between the US and the Russian Empire surpass those with France and Britain, making the Russian Empire America’s most important trading market.

Especially at the beginning of the Crimean War, the Russian Empire had to turn to the United States of America for help in certain areas, leading to more frequent exchanges between the two.

Orders from the Russian Empire set out from the Baltic Sea and arrived in the United States, creating a fleeting prosperity for the United States of America.

With the Anglo-French Fleet imposing restrictions on ships in the Baltic Sea, American ships destined for the Russian Empire were immediately detained upon reaching the Baltic.

The Russian Empire refused to pay the United States of America for the goods, citing not receiving the equipment.

Helplessly, the United States of America sought diplomatic means to demand the release of the detained ships by England and France.

"The United States has the right to trade with the Russian Empire, and we have the right to seize your ships! Moreover, your ships contain a large amount of arms and ammunition! You have severely violated the principle of neutrality! This action by the United States of America is tantamount to shooting itself in the foot!" Jerome Bonaparte protested to Mason, "Every bullet you send to the Russian Empire will help them kill our soldiers!"

"Then we can assure you that we will not transport weaponry in the future! That should suffice, right?" Ambassador Mason asked Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte shook his head, "No! Any assistance from the United States of America to the Russian Empire would fuel their continuation of the war! We absolutely cannot allow this to happen!"

"If that’s the case, the United States of America might have to reconsider its relationship with the French Empire!"