"Your Majesty, please forgive my boldness! Your actions towards the United States of Arica are pushing a forrly neutral country into the arms of the Russian Empire!"
Ambassador Cowley’s remarks elicited a cold laugh from Jero Bonaparte. He understood that Ambassador Cowley’s strong reaction stemd 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 ti as Canada Province).
The original Anglo-Arican War was fought over the interests of Canada Province. Although the Kingdom of Britain defeated the United States of Arica 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 Arica in 1815, being forced to recognize the independence of the United States.
Now, Jero Bonaparte’s act of stoking flas 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 !" Jero 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, Jero Bonaparte paused and cast a slight glance at Ambassador Cowley.
At this mont, Ambassador Cowley felt slightly embarrassed, as the victim of the independence of the Thirteen States of North Arica 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 sa ti, 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, Jero Bonaparte shook his head and abruptly stopped, saying, "Forget it! These are things of the past! What I an is: If the United States of Arica 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!"
Jero 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 extre thods!" Ambassador Cowley understood Jero 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 thod should I use? Agree to the conditions of the United States? Allow the ships of the United States to pass?" Jero Bonaparte answered his own question: "I’m only afraid that the mont I agree to Ambassador Mason’s conditions, the next mont the United States will escalate and place contraband on board. At that ti, 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 implent 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 Jero Bonaparte with painstaking effort.
"I’m sorry! Since things have developed to this point, it is impossible for to rescind my decision!" Jero Bonaparte would not give up this once-in-a-lifeti opportunity to stoke the flas.
Anyway, France’s interests in the United States of Arica had gradually shifted back to the holand, and the companies that remained in the United States of Arica were mostly shell companies, so he wasn’t concerned even if they were confiscated by the United States.
Moreover, the United States of Arica at that ti was not yet the relatively centralized country it would beco.
During this period, the system of the United States of Arica was more a little centralized confederation rather than a federal system.
According to the constitution of the United States of Arica, 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 Arica again! Do not let this small matter lead to war between the two countries!" Ambassador Cowley continued to earnestly try to persuade Jero Bonaparte.
"So does this an that Britain does not intend to stand with us on this issue?" Jero 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 Jero Bonaparte. He did not want to lose the French Empire at this ti.
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 sothing 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 Crian 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 Arica, or support our actions against the United States?" Jero Bonaparte was determined to corner Ambassador Cowley.
He cared little whether the United States would join the Crian 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 ti, Jero 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, Jero 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 imdiately 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 soone specifically back to London with the ssage.)
Shortly after Jero Bonaparte and Ambassador Cowley returned to the ball, it ended, and ambassadors from various countries began to take their leave of Jero 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 Arican Ambassador was indeed absent.
When it was Ambassador Cowley’s turn to bid farewell to Jero Bonaparte with his dance partner, Jero 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, Jero Bonaparte called Mokar to his side and gave him an order: "Imdiately send a telegram to our ’old friends’ in London, telling them the British Cabinet is likely to compromise with the United States of Arica!"
The "old friends" Jero Bonaparte referred to were so newspapers known for daring to expose British politics and boasting impressive sales.
These influential newspapers could significantly influence the political direction of Britain.
Jero 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 Palrston Governnt.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Mokar promptly responded.
anwhile, 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: "Imdiately send a telegram to London stating that the French Empire and the United States of Arica have not reached an agreent 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 erged from the room and reported to the ambassador: "Ambassador, I have sent your ssage 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, imdiately beca 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 ssage.
After thoroughly reading it, he handed it over to his superiors.
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