CHAPTER 580: CHAPTER 571 REACTIONS OF VARIOUS COUNTRIES

"Citizens of Paris, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to come to Paris City Hall Square and attend this welcome ceremony I have held for my brother Franz Joseph and his fiancée..."

Jerome Bonaparte stood with composure and confidence in front of the Parisians in the Town Hall Square, saying, "The Austrian Empire and the French Empire have been mutually supportive partners since the time of my uncle. We cannot forget the assistance provided by Prince Metternich and Emperor Franz during France’s most difficult times... It was their righteous advocacy at the Congress of Vienna that allowed our nation and people to rise swiftly... Some among you might say that the Austrian Empire also restrained France."

However, I would like to ask those who try to sow discord between France and Austria, compared to the pain Russia has inflicted on France, how much harm has Austria really caused France... (As Jerome Bonaparte spoke each word, the Prussian ambassador’s face changed dramatically) Here, I sincerely hope that these two great nations, France and Austria, can put past grievances behind them and join hands to enter a new Chapter!"

As soon as Jerome Bonaparte finished speaking, the crowd erupted into enthusiastic applause.

Amidst the thunderous applause, Jerome Bonaparte bowed slightly to the Parisians present, then turned and smiled warmly at Franz Joseph, extending his hand to invite Franz Joseph to speak.

Faced with Jerome Bonaparte’s invitation, Franz Joseph had no choice but to bring out the speech he had originally prepared to deliver at the banquet.

Franz Joseph walked unhurriedly to stand beside Jerome Bonaparte, shoulder to shoulder.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank each and every one of you for being here to welcome me and my fiancée! I am delighted to have been invited by my brother, Emperor Jerome Bonaparte, to visit such a historically rich and culturally vibrant country..." Franz Joseph spoke to the residents of Paris City Hall in a respectful yet dignified tone, conveying his feelings for Paris through his words, as if each sentence, each word came from his heart. "From the moment I set foot on French soil, I felt the warmth of the French people. This warmth was displayed in the manner of reception, which greatly exceeded my expectations, making me feel both flattered and apprehensive.

I do not know how to respond to your warmth, so I can only hope that someday you will visit Vienna, allowing us Austrians the opportunity to welcome you in the same manner... I am confident that in terms of hospitality, Austria will certainly not lose to France."

Franz Joseph glanced at Jerome Bonaparte beside him and said humbly to the Parisians present, "I sincerely hope that your Emperor and Empress will also one day visit Vienna! I believe the Austrian people will welcome your Emperor with even greater enthusiasm, just as you have welcomed me."

After finishing his speech, Franz Joseph also bowed to the Parisians present, imitating Jerome Bonaparte.

In an instant, applause like a violent storm swept across the entire Paris City Hall Square.

Even those who detest the Despot Empire could not muster any dislike for the humble emperor standing before them.

There is no one who does not enjoy hearing praise for themselves, especially when such words come from a monarch of another empire.

Of course, not everyone was willing to hear Franz Joseph’s words.

At the edge of the square, the Prussian ambassador looked on with a troubled expression towards the center of City Hall Square where Jerome Bonaparte and Franz Joseph stood.

For the Prussian ambassador, nothing could be worse than the current situation.

Recently, the French Empire and the Austrian Empire have been visibly drawing closer at a rapid pace, nearly forming a defensive alliance.

And Franz Joseph’s recent bow was enough to make the Prussian ambassador feel as if his world was about to collapse.

It is well known that the Habsburg Dynasty is a monarchy that advocates orthodoxy even more than the Kingdom of Prussia, and their new monarch is a staunch opponent of compromising with the mob.

Yet this reactionary monarch bowed before the revolutionary citizens of Paris.

This indicates that the conflicts between the Austrian Empire and the French Empire are far outweighed by the need for an alliance between the Austrian Empire and the French Empire.

In order to smoothly form an alliance with the French Empire, the monarch of Austria was even willing to bow to the "revolutionaries" of Paris.

If the Austrian Empire and the French Empire successfully form an alliance, the Kingdom of Prussia will have no chance of recovery.

The lingering effects of the French Empire’s military impact on the Kingdom of Prussia from the Napoleonic Wars still remain, with many Prussian soldiers more terrified of the French Army than of their officers’ whips.

Not to mention, various Prussian jokes circulated widely in the Rhine Land, indirectly affecting the morale of the Kingdom of Prussia’s soldiers towards the French Army.

However, the Prussian Ambassador did not know that the sponsor behind these Prussian jokes was none other than Jerome Bonaparte of the Tuileries Palace, and these jokes were not only popular in the Rhine Land but also in the Southern German states and the Kingdom of Hanover.

Despite the Prussian Ambassador’s love for Prussia far exceeding that for Germany, it doesn’t mean the ambassador lacks a German dream. He personally hopes to establish a new German Confederation that excludes Austrian influence, ideally centered around the Kingdom of Prussia.

...

Thinking about the potential impact of a Franco-Austrian alliance on the Kingdom of Prussia, the Prussian Ambassador felt a sense of urgency.

Therefore, he decided to find Minister De Luyss while the two countries had not formed a tight alliance, relieving his own pressure and seeing if he could glean France’s attitude from Minister De Luyss.

If the French Empire truly intended to ally with the Austrian Empire, then the Kingdom of Prussia would have to consider how to defend against the joint suppression from Austria and France.

On the other hand, if the Franco-Austrian alliance was just for show, then the Kingdom of Prussia’s opportunity would arise.

Thus, the Prussian Ambassador left the City Hall amidst thunderous applause in Paris City Hall Square.

And his move was caught by the Wurttemberg Kingdom Envoy and the Saxon Kingdom Envoy standing not far away from him.

"Where do you think the Prussian Ambassador is rushing off to?" the Saxon Kingdom Envoy asked the Wurttemberg Kingdom Envoy beside him with a tone of schadenfreude.

As the Saxon Kingdom Envoy had some territorial grudges against the Kingdom of Prussia, no one was more eager than him to see Prussia suffer setbacks.

"Probably to Ossai Pier (location of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs)!" the Wurttemberg Kingdom Envoy replied leisurely to the Saxon Envoy.

"It seems the alliance between His Majesty Franz and His Majesty Jerome makes the Kingdom of Prussia feel threatened!" the Saxon Envoy said to the Wurttemberg Envoy, continuing the conversation.

"After all, with the strongest land army in Europe joining forces with the oldest family, which country wouldn’t be afraid!" the Wurttemberg Envoy shrugged and said in a usual tone.

"Indeed! The French Empire’s actions on the Crimea Peninsula have been incredibly swift! I originally thought it would take the French Empire a long time to occupy a city, who knew..." the Saxon Envoy also lamented, then turned to the Wurttemberg Envoy and said, "To be honest, I’m somewhat envious now! The Wurttemberg Kingdom is probably the safest country in all of Europe now! Once Empress Augusta bears an heir for His Majesty the Emperor, Wurttemberg’s status would likely be stable for two generations without issue! And the Emperor’s love for Empress Augusta..."

At this, the Saxon Envoy revealed a hint of envy in his eyes, greatly admiring the Wurttemberg Kingdom’s bold gamble.

At that time, Jerome Bonaparte’s position was not yet secure, with unrests yet to be quelled, leading many to predict his empire might be toppled by the next revolution at any moment.

Therefore, not many were willing to marry into Jerome Bonaparte’s family. The Wurttemberg Kingdom’s agreement to the marriage despite significant pressure surprised the German Region’s princes.

As time went on, Jerome Bonaparte’s position didn’t topple as predicted but gradually stabilized.

The pressure previously endured by the Wurttemberg Kingdom also gradually reduced with the French Empire’s stabilization, until after the Crimean War commenced, the pressure vanished entirely, and positive feedback emerged.

Many German states had to indirectly court favor with the French Empire through the Wurttemberg Kingdom to keep out of trouble.

After the French Army occupied Sevastopol, the Wurttemberg Kingdom was seen as the French Empire’s embodiment in the German Region by the Southern German states, thriving in the area.

"It’s nothing! It’s just the favor of His Majesty and the Empress!" the Wurttemberg Kingdom Envoy responded to the Saxon Kingdom Envoy, then glanced at him and said, "Your Excellency, you didn’t call me over just to say this, did you?"