Jero Bonaparte and Maximilian II, along with their spouses, arrived at the Royal Palace Hall in the center of Munich by carriage, where the nobles waiting inside turned their solemn gazes towards the two majesties as they entered.
At the sa ti, the band in the hall began to play the national anthem of the French Empire, "Song of Departure."
In the resounding music, Jero Bonaparte and Maximilian II shook hands in the presence of the nobles, until the "Song of Departure" stopped, then they released their hands.
Imdiately after, the band played the "Bavarian Hymn," and Jero Bonaparte maintained a solemn expression until the song ended.
With the song’s conclusion, the band was escorted elsewhere by the palace servants.
Maximilian II expressed his sentints regarding the arrival of Jero Bonaparte and his wife in Munich: both he and the Bavarian governnt warmly welco Jero Bonaparte and his wife... Though their stay in Munich is brief, it demonstrates the continued friendly relationship between the French Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria... He personally hopes that in the future the Kingdom of Bavaria will cooperate more closely with the French Empire.
Once Maximilian II finished speaking, Jero Bonaparte was the first to applaud him, followed by the nobles who also enthusiastically applauded Maximilian II’s hotown.
After the applause faded, Maximilian II invited Jero Bonaparte to say a few words as well. (Maximilian II assud Jero Bonaparte, like himself, had soone prepare notes. Little did he know that Jero Bonaparte was always ready for impromptu speeches.)
Jero Bonaparte had to once again exercise his improvisational speaking skills, starting with the history between the Kingdom of Bavaria and the French Empire (during the Rhine Federation period, the Kingdom of Bavaria gained substantial benefits through marriage with Emperor Napoleon’s stepson, hence Bavaria has always maintained a friendly stance toward France), and then he spoke about the present and future. (Jero Bonaparte hoped that the French Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria could again join hands like before to defend peace in Europe.)
After the speech concluded, Jero Bonaparte gave a sincere smile to everyone present.
Soon after, Jero Bonaparte and Maximilian II were ushered to the main hall of the palace amidst the crowd of nobles, where the banquet honoring Jero Bonaparte would be held.
Before the banquet began, there was a period of "rest" ti where everyone could freely do as they wished, as long as their actions did not infringe upon the royal family.
Nobles gathered in small groups for conversation, while Jero Bonaparte and Maximilian II went together to an unoccupied guest room to talk.
Maximilian II first tentatively asked Jero Bonaparte’s opinion on the current situation in the German region (with Austria appearing strong and Prussia weak on the surface).
"Maximilian!" Jero Bonaparte said solemnly to Maximilian II: "If I tell you that the reason I chose to offer Poland and the Danube River to Austria is to maintain the balance of power within Germany, would you believe ?"
"Jero, Germany has lost all sense of balance now!" Maximilian II also responded, "The Austrian Empire is too strong! The power balance between Prussia and the Austrian Empire has severely tipped, and we smaller states wedged between Prussia and Austria are nearly out of maneuvering space!"
"Haha!" Jero Bonaparte couldn’t help but laugh, "Your Kingdom of Bavaria is the most powerful state besides Prussia and Austria. Both Prussia and Austria must consider you! If you call yourselves a small state, then how should states like Württemberg and Baden view themselves!"
"The Kingdom of Württemberg has the support of France! They don’t need to worry about threats from Prussia or the Austrian Empire, while the Duchy of Baden is too small to have any real choice.
On the contrary, our Kingdom of Bavaria stands out neither too high nor too low, making us the easiest target!" Maximilian II complained to Jero Bonaparte again.
Maximilian’s concern was indeed reasonable; generally, before disputes arise between the top two powers, they often try to eliminate the third, then initiate conflict.
Otherwise, the third can benefit from the middle.
However, the Austro-Prussian War could not be predicted by usual logic; Prussia, the second power, chose to single-handedly challenge both the top power and the entirety of the opposing German principalities.
More surprisingly, Prussia not only won but won decisively.
Thus, Jero Bonaparte’s decision to strengthen the Austrian Empire to prevent it from being overtaken by Prussia was perceived by Maximilian II as Jero Bonaparte’s attempt to ally with Austria, thus jeopardizing the balance within Germany.
"Maximilian, why don’t you clarify! What do you propose we do?" Jero Bonaparte asked Maximilian II.
"I simply want to remind France not to let the Austrian Empire beco overly dominant!" Maximilian II diplomatically urged Jero Bonaparte to consider weakening the Austrian Empire.
"You can rest easy about that!" Jero Bonaparte assured Maximilian II: "Maintaining the independence of the states within the German region, especially the South German States, is the obligation of the French Empire! We will never allow any country, under any pretext, to flagrantly override the sovereignty of the states!"
"Even the Austrian Empire?" Maximilian II questioned.
"Even the Austrian Empire!" Jero Bonaparte responded firmly, "If the Kingdom of Bavaria still feels uneasy, I can also sign a secret agreent with Bavaria!
If any German state (limited) dares to infringe upon the Kingdom of Bavaria’s interests regarding sovereignty, the French Empire will resolutely support Bavaria!
If necessary, the French Empire is willing to form an alliance with Bavaria, to jointly protect the interests of the Southern German States!
We are prepared to go to war for this!"
Upon hearing Jero Bonaparte’s declaration of readiness to fight for Southern Germany, Maximilian II felt sowhat reassured.
At the very least, from Jero Bonaparte’s stance, it was clear he had no intention of allowing Prussia and Austria to unify them.
Of course, as the saying goes, there’s no free lunch; Maximilian II understood that to make Jero Bonaparte fulfill his promise, so price must be paid.
Without paying the price, Maximilian II would not believe that Jero Bonaparte would truly keep his promise.
"Jero, I wonder what we can do for you!" Maximilian asked Jero Bonaparte tactfully about the conditions.
"We hope your country will provide us so support on border issues in the future!" Jero Bonaparte also responded politely to Maximilian II, then added, "Of course, I’m not referring to the border issues between your country and ours (Bavaria’s details), but certain historical issues!"
Maximilian II imdiately understood that Jero Bonaparte had his eyes on the Rhine Region under the Kingdom of Prussia.
Bearing the mindset of ’better others suffer than oneself’ style, Maximilian II naturally did not mind Prussia’s territory and imdiately responded to Jero Bonaparte, "As long as France is capable of capturing that area, Bavaria is certainly willing to provide Your Majesty with so support!"
"Then we can consider our cooperation settled!" Jero Bonaparte said with a smile, extending his hand to Maximilian II.
"Indeed!!" Maximilian II clasped Jero Bonaparte’s hand.
Having reached an agreent, both parties shifted the topic in their direction again; Jero Bonaparte curiously asked Maximilian II where his son Ludwig was!
"If you wish, I can take you to et him!" Maximilian II said to Jero Bonaparte.
"Certainly!" Jero Bonaparte nodded and replied to Maximilian II.
Under Maximilian II’s guidance, Jero Bonaparte arrived at Ludwig Otto Friedrich Wilhelm’s room.
Gazing at the "little gentleman" reading poetry on the sofa, Maximilian II’s face displayed a joyful smile.
"Father!" Ludwig looked at his father and Jero Bonaparte beside him, set down his poetry book, and responded politely to Maximilian II, like a little adult.
"This is Jero Bonaparte, the monarch of the French Empire!" Maximilian II hurriedly introduced his son.
"Your Majesty, please pardon my earlier rudeness!" Ludwig politely addressed Jero Bonaparte once again.
"No worries!" Jero Bonaparte said with a smile, "It’s actually I who should apologize for disturbing you!"
Ludwig smiled subtly, but said nothing.
"Maximilian, I truly envy you for having such a wise son!" Jero Bonaparte praised Maximilian II, "If my son could be as excellent as he is in the future (no ntal issues), I would be very satisfied!"
"You are too modest! Your son will surely be an outstanding monarch in the future!" Maximilian II also complinted.
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