"I shall await your victory news in Paris!"
Jero Bonaparte responded with a smile to Gorchakov Envoy and then reminded him not to forget to attend the peace conference in Paris this April.
Gorchakov Envoy knew that the so-called peace conference ntioned by Jero Bonaparte was rely a supplentary eting led by France to divide the Russian Empire’s territory.
However, Gorchakov had no choice but to attend this trial conference against the Russian Empire, for if they did not represent the Russian Imperial Governnt, the Golitsyn traitor group in St. Petersburg would surely do so.
This would lead to their indirect loss of international influence, and the European monarchies might no longer consider Gorchakov and his associates a fully functional governnt.
In this case, they would lose the support of so people.
After all, although Golitsyn’s new governnt limited the Tsar’s power, they did not abolish the Tsar.
Many monarchical countries would not treat them as harshly as they would a republic, instead maintaining an ambiguous stance similar to that once held toward the Orléans Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, rest assured! We will definitely arrive on ti!" Gorchakov Envoy hurriedly assured Jero Bonaparte.
"Alright! Gorchakov Envoy, it’s getting late! You all should set out!" Jero Bonaparte issued a dismissal order to Gorchakov.
Gorchakov Envoy reluctantly took a last look at the land behind Jero Bonaparte and then bowed and left.
Watching the Russian Army depart through the ankle-deep snow, Jero Bonaparte displayed a sincere smile.
This war, which lasted about a year, finally ended with the Russian Empire’s exit from the Cria Peninsula.
Next, what he needed to do on the Cria Peninsula was the aftermath and bestowal of titles and rewards.
"Valerovsky!" Jero Bonaparte softly called to the Minister of Foreign Affairs beside him.
"Your Majesty!" Valerovsky quickly responded to Jero Bonaparte.
"What title do you think I should bestow upon Marshal Pelissier?" Jero Bonaparte asked thoughtfully, "Duke? Or Count..."
"Your Majesty, that depends on your will!" Valerovsky swiftly passed the decision back to Jero Bonaparte.
Whether it be Duke or Count, it was not sothing Valerovsky could decide.
If Valerovsky guessed right, all would be well, but if he didn’t discern Jero Bonaparte’s mind, the consequences could be severe.
He, having a fairly decent relationship with Marshal Pelissier, did not want to incur Pelissier’s animosity on this matter.
There is indeed a certain gap between Duke and Count.
After pondering for a while, Jero Bonaparte ultimately decided to grant Marshal Pelissier the title of Count.
After all, the late Marshal Saint Arno had rely received the title of Count of Sevastopol.
For Marshal Pelissier, as the successor to Marshal Saint Arno, it was truly difficult to confer the title of Duke.
Moreover, since this Crian War was won with seventy percent politics and thirty percent military, Jero Bonaparte did not want to directly bestow a Duke’s title.
"I have decided to bestow the title of Count upon Marshal Pelissier, as a reward for his courageous battle on the Cria Peninsula. What do you think?" Jero Bonaparte repeated to Valerovsky.
"That’s perfect! I’m sure Marshal Pelissier will be moved by your kindness and generosity!" Valerovsky hurriedly flattered Jero Bonaparte.
"As for the title..." Jero Bonaparte paused, turning his gaze to Valerovsky.
"Your Majesty, since the title of Count of Sevastopol was already given to the late Marshal Saint Arno, why don’t we grant Marshal Pelissier the title of Count of Bakhchisarai as a reward!" Valerovsky suggested, looking up at Jero Bonaparte.
"This..." Jero Bonaparte hesitated for a mont, wondering if granting a general the title connected to the Cria Khanate Royal City was sowhat excessive.
However, this thought was cut short within a few seconds, and he finally decided, "Alright! It shall be the Count of Bakhchisarai! Imdiately head to Simferopol to notify Marshal Pelissier and order him to hurry here! Also, if Marshal Pelissier asks, say nothing to him! Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Valerovsky bowed and responded to Jero Bonaparte.
That afternoon, accompanied by his entourage and escorted by Tatar Cavalry, Minister Valerovsky set out from Perekop. After several hours of long-distance travel, they finally arrived at the Capital of Simferopol that evening.
Led by a French officer, Valerovsky arrived before Marshal Pelissier.
"Your Excellency Valerovsky, why have you co alone? Does His Majesty have any instructions?" Marshal Pelissier hurriedly asked as soon as they t.
"Your Excellency Marshal, congratulations!" Minister Valerovsky responded to Marshal Pelissier with a smile.
"Congratulations? Congratulations on what?" Marshal Pelissier asked, looking puzzled.
"Your Excellency Marshal, you will know once you reach Perekop!" Minister Valerovsky added, "However, it’s best if you change into formal attire before going..."
Although it seed Valerovsky revealed nothing to Marshal Pelissier, he had in fact fully conveyed the ssage.
By this ti, Marshal Pelissier understood Valerovsky’s implication that Emperor Jero Bonaparte’s purpose in summoning him to Perekop was likely to promote him.
"Thank you for informing , Your Excellency Minister!" Marshal Pelissier hurriedly expressed his gratitude to Valerovsky.
"Don’t say that. I didn’t tell you anything!" Valerovsky denied, then added, "And when in front of His Majesty, make sure to pretend you know nothing!"
Early the next morning, after passing on instructions for matters to attend to during his absence, Marshal Pelissier donned his First Empire Marshal uniform and, together with Valerovsky, departed from Simferopol, arriving at Perekop Fortress by noon.
The two, led by Jero Patterson, reached the residence of Jero Bonaparte at Perekop.
"Your Excellency Marshal, Your Excellency Minister, please wait here for a mont! His Majesty is currently engaged upstairs and is expected to et with you in about half an hour!" Jero Patterson explained to Marshal Pelissier and Valerovsky as he guided them into a room to wait.
Marshal Pelissier and Valerovsky imdiately expressed their understanding and then followed Jero Patterson’s arrangent to wait in the room.
Subsequently, Jero Patterson instructed the servants within the residence to serve them pastries and tea, allowing the two weary travelers to satisfy their hunger slightly.
Marshal Pelissier and Valerovsky sat quietly in the room, awaiting Jero Bonaparte.
The person they were waiting for was at that mont in the study on the second floor of the residence, listening to a report from the Head of Military Supplies, Leboeuf.
"Your Majesty, this is the plan drafted by our technical staff regarding the handling of the Camish Port to Alma railway section. Please have a look!" Leboeuf presented the docunt with a respectful yet slightly reserved tone.
"Thank you for your hard work!" Jero Bonaparte took the docunt solemnly from Leboeuf, carefully reviewed it, and then placed it back on the table.
The docunt’s content was straightforward: the Military Supply Departnt intended to dismantle and transport the railway and equipnt between Camish Port and Alma to Syria Province, to construct a railway from Yate to Jerusalem!
Once this railway was completed, the pilgrimage to Jerusalem would increase significantly.
At the sa ti, the French Empire could exercise further control over the area surrounding Jerusalem via the railway.
"Who is responsible for contracting this railway?" Jero Bonaparte inquired of Leboeuf.
"Mr. Isaac Pereire!" Leboeuf replied to Jero Bonaparte.
"And what about the pricing?" Jero Bonaparte inquired again.
"20% above the market price for scrap iron!" Leboeuf responded to Jero Bonaparte.
"They seem to be quite adept at business!" Jero Bonaparte remarked with a slight smile to Leboeuf.
"Your Majesty, should we agree to their terms?" Leboeuf asked Jero Bonaparte.
"Let’s proceed according to the plan!" Jero Bonaparte shrugged and replied helplessly, "After all, leaving the railway here is a waste. I believe Abdul of the Ottoman Empire would definitely not invest too many resources here! Rather than letting the railway remain idle here, we might as well make use of it! This way, it can still provide so value!"
"Yes!" Leboeuf nodded, then presented Jero Bonaparte with another proposal titled "Plan for Disposing of French Army Horses and Mules."
In this proposal, Leboeuf pointed out that the quantity of horses and mules possessed by the French Army was simply too large (most were requisitioned), and transporting them back would incur costs far exceeding the animals’ actual value. As such, the most optimal solution would be to sell them locally on the Cria Peninsula to the local authorities.
Their supported governor Pasha Musa Gley (currently recognized by the Ottoman Empire as the Governor of Cria) also expressed his willingness to "serve" the French Empire’s horses and mules. However, given that the Cria Peninsula is a poverty-stricken region, the price they offered was also below market value.
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