Although Alexander II was puzzled, he still agreed to Jero Bonaparte’s request to hold negotiations in Yalta for the greater good.
After determining the location for the negotiations, both Russia and France began to negotiate the date and ti for the talks.
Regarding the negotiation date, the Russian Empire still adhered to the idea of resolving it swiftly, hoping to negotiate with the French Empire as soon as possible,
while the French side clearly had no intention of a quick resolution. Under Jero Bonaparte’s instructions, the French side initially set the date for December 2 (which the Russian Empire firmly opposed) and then for late November (which the Russian Empire still did not agree to).
After several days of negotiation, it was finally decided to hold the first bilateral talks on November 15.
The Russian Empire and the French Empire began to conduct intense preliminary preparations.
During the preparation period, small snowfalls continued intermittently over the Cria Peninsula, covering Cria in a world of white under the sporadic snowflakes.
As ti slowly passed with the falling snow, the negotiation period soon arrived. On the afternoon before the negotiations, Jero Bonaparte and Valerovsky led a regint of soldiers to station in Yalta in preparation for the next day’s talks.
Early the next morning, Jero Bonaparte rose early from the warm earth bed. Looking at the drifting snowflakes outside the window, he hurriedly put on a cotton jacket and then walked out of the room to head to the dining hall.
Upon reaching the dining hall, Jero Bonaparte found Valerovsky already dining there.
Jero Bonaparte walked slowly to Valerovsky’s side upon seeing this.
Soon, a steaming bowl of shredded pork porridge was placed in front of Jero Bonaparte.
As Jero Bonaparte began to eat, a military officer appeared before him and reported the arrival of the Russian Empire’s delegation.
"So soon?" Jero Bonaparte showed a touch of surprise on his face and had to give up the idea of dining to leave the dining hall.
Valerovsky also followed Jero Bonaparte out.
When Jero Bonaparte, Valerovsky, and their entourage arrived at the gate of Yalta City, they saw Alexander II on horseback along with his delegation mbers.
Upon seeing Jero Bonaparte, Alexander II quickly ordered his delegation, "Dismount!"
Nesselrode, Gorchakov, and the delegation mbers obeyed Alexander II’s order and dismounted.
Next, Alexander II, leading his horse, ca beside Jero Bonaparte and shook hands with him, saying, "Your Majesty, we et again!"
"Indeed, Alexander!" Jero Bonaparte glanced at Alexander and noticed he seed thinner than half a month ago. He couldn’t help but remark, "It’s only been half a month; how have you lost so much weight!"
Alexander II showed a bitter smile. If it weren’t for excessive worry, how could this happen to him?
However, in front of Jero Bonaparte, Alexander II certainly couldn’t say this and could only tell him he had been dieting recently.
"Alexander, dieting is not good for your health!" Jero Bonaparte advised Alexander II earnestly, "At our age, we must take care of our bodies! You can’t function without eating food!"
Jero Bonaparte paused as if recalling sothing, "By the way, you haven’t eaten yet, have you?"
Alexander II shook his head. Given that the distance between Bakhchisaray and Yalta is about 30-40 kiloters, how could they have eaten by this ti (8:00)?
"I also haven’t eaten yet! Why don’t you join for a al?" Jero Bonaparte invited Alexander II.
"Well..." Alexander II hesitated for a mont before refusing, "We think it’s better to get to the point quickly!"
"The negotiations don’t mind starting a bit earlier or later! The most important thing is to fill your stomach. Only with a full stomach can you negotiate effectively! You can’t do anything on an empty stomach!" Jero Bonaparte said to Alexander II with a double aning.
Alexander II glanced back at Nesselrode and Gorchakov, then turned his head and nodded in agreent with Jero Bonaparte’s suggestion.
On the way to the dining hall, Alexander II introduced Nesselrode and Gorchakov, who would serve as representatives for the talks, to Jero Bonaparte.
"You are Gorchakov?" Jero Bonaparte curiously looked at the elderly man with thinning hair and round-frad glasses in front of him.
To be honest, he, used to the diplomatic rule that a good appearance was necessary (a rule of the 19th century), really couldn’t associate this half-bald old man with the title of "future" Foreign Minister leading the rise of the Russian Empire.
After all, Bismarck, who was of the sa era, could at least be considered among the more handso,
and Richard tternich inherited so of the looks of his father Prince tternich, dominating social circles in Europe.
"That’s right, Your Majesty!" Gorchakov Envoy bowed slightly, not understanding why Jero Bonaparte’s gaze held a trace of disappointnt. Could it be he had done sothing wrong?
"Mr. Gorchakov, what is your current position?" Jero Bonaparte inquired again of Gorchakov.
"Thanks to the grace of His Majesty Nicolai, I am appointed as the Russian Empire’s ambassador to Austria!" Gorchakov responded solemnly to Jero Bonaparte.
"Aren’t you interested in a change?" Jero Bonaparte, in front of Alexander II, attempted to poach him: "If you are willing to co to France, I guarantee to imdiately appoint you as the French Minister of Foreign Affairs!"
Jero Bonaparte’s blatant poaching not only made Alexander II feel sowhat awkward (after all, Jero Bonaparte’s generous offer to Gorchakov proved his worth, yet they (the Russian Empire) had only kept him as the ambassador to Austria, which was a bit humiliating), but Valerovsky also felt sowhat embarrassed (Valerovsky hadn’t even been Foreign Minister for long, and Jero Bonaparte offered such favorable terms to a Russian, indirectly implying that he was far inferior to Gorchakov!)
Naturally, the one most embarrassed was Gorchakov.
He really didn’t expect Jero Bonaparte to poach publicly. Although switching countries to serve as a minister was common, such matters could never be laid out openly.
The best scenario would be for the monarch to secretly invite, then for the invitee to either decline or go.
This way, face is preserved for both parties.
Jero Bonaparte’s public poaching evidently placed such behind-the-scenes rules overtly, a difficult position indeed, and Gorchakov couldn’t outright refuse.
What if his remarks angered this unconventional monarch, leading to the collapse of the negotiations?
Gorchakov couldn’t bear the charge of disrupting peace talks.
After pondering for a mont, Gorchakov responded neither humbly nor haughtily: "Thank you for your benevolence! Unfortunately, my abilities are insufficient to wholeheartedly serve you! Please forgive !"
Upon hearing Gorchakov’s words, Jero Bonaparte sighed, showing a lancholic expression: "Mr. Gorchakov, I understand your thoughts! If you ever find yourself unhappy in the Russian Empire, you’re always welco here!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Gorchakov quickly responded to Jero Bonaparte.
Subsequently, Jero Bonaparte and the others once again entered the dining hall.
At this ti, a bowl of salted at porridge and several pieces of black bread had already been placed on the dining table. Jero Bonaparte smiled apologetically at everyone present: "Due to the rush, only these have been prepared! Please forgive us!"
Alexander II imdiately indicated that being able to eat these was already quite sufficient!
Then, Alexander II and the others, under the arrangent of Jero Bonaparte, sat down one after another.
The already famished crowd devoured the at porridge and black bread as if a storm swept through, and once satiated, Jero Bonaparte, sitting in his chair, spoke again: "Shall we discuss things here?"
"Alright!" Alexander II nodded, responding to Jero Bonaparte.
Nesselrode and Valerovsky, the main negotiators, formally began their talks, with Nesselrode first introducing himself: "I am Nesselrode, sent by His Majesty the Tsar to negotiate with your country; this is my assistant Gorchakov!"
"I am Valerovsky, commissioned by His Majesty Jero Bonaparte to interact with the Russian Empire!" Valerovsky said earnestly, then instructed the attendants in the dining hall to hand over the docunts one by one to Nesselrode: "These are the conditions we propose at this stage; please have a look!"
Nesselrode carefully read through the docunts, passing them to Gorchakov once finished.
After a while, Gorchakov also had seen all the contents of the docunts.
This ti, compared to the docunts given to Nicholas I, there weren’t many changes, except for so added clauses under the third point about anding the Black Sea Treaty (limiting the Russian Empire Navy’s numbers, dismantling all military facilities on the Cria Peninsula).
"Forgive my side for not being able to accept such harsh conditions from your side! You are treating us as a defeated nation, not as negotiating!"
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