October 30, 1855.
Jero Bonaparte and Franz Joseph, after staying in Warsaw for nearly 20 days, announced their departure to return ho.
On this morning, nearly 50,000 Warsaw residents walked out of their hos to the streets to see off the two monarchs leaving Warsaw.
At 9 a.m., after Jero Bonaparte, Franz Joseph, and Maximilian exchanged farewell hugs in the Polish Royal Palace, Jero Bonaparte and Franz Joseph each left in their carriages.
The two entourages parted ways at a crossroads in Warsaw, with one heading towards the northern riverbank of Warsaw and the other proceeding south.
[PS: Jero Bonaparte would take a ship up along the Vistula River to Danzig, then sail back to Paris.
Franz Joseph would return to Vienna along the sa road he ca.]
When Jero Bonaparte’s entourage reached the Vistula River port, a steaming passenger steamboat was docked at the port quay.
Around the port quay, there were also many Warsaw residents gathered to bid farewell to Jero Bonaparte, each holding flower petals in their hands.
As Jero Bonaparte and Augusta stepped out of the carriage, the residents on both sides of the dock almost simultaneously threw the petals into the central passage.
The petals ford a shower of flowers in mid-air, making the whole farewell ceremony exceptionally romantic.
Jero Bonaparte and Augusta, hand in hand, walked on the petal-covered path to board the steamboat.
The two standing at the edge of the deck waved goodbye to the Warsaw residents who hadn’t dispersed from the quay.
At 10 a.m., accompanied by the formal departure of the steamboat, white smoke continuously billowed out.
The vessel carrying Jero Bonaparte and Augusta sailed up the Vistula River, gradually disappearing from sight.
When the steamboat arrived in Danzig City of the Kingdom of Prussia, it was already around 8 p.m.
After a 10-hour voyage, Jero Bonaparte felt sowhat fatigued; he first asked Empress Augusta if she wished to rest overnight in Danzig and resu the journey the next day.
Augusta nodded, agreeing with Jero Bonaparte’s idea.
Subsequently, Jero Bonaparte called Mokar over and said, "Mokar, I think we should find a hotel to rest for the night before continuing!"
As an attendant, Mokar dared not defy Jero Bonaparte’s opinion, hurriedly replying to Jero Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, I will arrange it imdiately!"
After speaking, Mokar turned around and ordered the attendants behind him to disembark imdiately to find a luxurious hotel for Emperor Jero to rest.
Jero Bonaparte quietly waited for everyone to disembark before returning to his room with Augusta to change into casual clothes and then disembark.
After Jero Bonaparte and Augusta disembarked, an unexpected figure appeared before them, blocking their way.
This unexpected figure had hawk-like eyes, which caused everyone who faced him to instinctively evade; it was Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck.
A cunning diplomat who believed in the policies of iron and blood, and a future founder of the German Empire and destroyer of the French Empire.
Why was he here?
Gazing at Von Bismarck, who blocked his path, Jero Bonaparte couldn’t help but feel secretly astonished.
If his mory wasn’t incorrect, Bismarck at this ti should be serving as a parliantarian in Berlin (the Frankfort representative was forced to be removed due to De Luy’s issues), so how did he appear here?
Despite Jero Bonaparte’s heart full of doubts, he had to feign an expression of surprise.
"Sir, what are you doing? Why are you blocking my way?" Jero Bonaparte pretended to be surprised and asked Von Bismarck.
Seeing this, Von Bismarck promptly introduced himself to Jero Bonaparte: "Esteed sir, I am Von Bismarck from Berlin! My master has specially commissioned to co here to wait for you and your wife! He eagerly hopes to et with you!"
The wise Von Bismarck conveyed all the information to Jero Bonaparte, trying not to reveal their identities.
Could William I, the old man, have co?
Jero Bonaparte was startled once again, yet his expression remained calm.
"If that’s the case, please lead the way!" Jero Bonaparte responded to Von Bismarck.
"Please!" Von Bismarck bowed and gestured an invitation to Jero Bonaparte.
Jero Bonaparte, holding Augusta’s hand, proceeded, and soon Jero Bonaparte and Empress Augusta reached a luxurious carriage nearby.
Von Bismarck opened the carriage door for the two, extending his hand and saying, "Please get in!"
Jero Bonaparte and Augusta sat inside the carriage, and Von Bismarck considerately closed the door for them before boarding the carriage behind Jero Bonaparte’s.
The carriage carrying Jero Bonaparte and his wife sped towards the center of Danzig City and soon arrived at an inn in the city center.
At this mont, outside the lavishly decorated inn was a squadron of Prussian soldiers in blue uniforms. After Jero Bonaparte’s and Empress Augusta’s carriage stopped, the squadron of Prussian soldiers, led by their commander, quickly ran to Jero Bonaparte’s carriage, where the commander spoke personally to Jero Bonaparte.
As Jero Bonaparte observed the commander of the soldiers closely, a hint of surprise flashed across his face.
Because the commander in charge of this troop was none other than Old Maoqi, who was later honored as the God of German War.
Although Old Maoqi’s appearance differed sowhat from the photographs taken later, in general, there was an eighty to ninety percent similarity.
Compared to the later photograph, the present Old Maoqi appeared much younger in appearance.
After all, the photographs taken later were post-1870, which was after Old Maoqi turned 70.
Presently, Old Maoqi was only 55 years old, at the pri of his life.
"Your Majesty Emperor Jero, Your Majesty Empress Augusta, welco to Danzig!" Old Maoqi greeted Jero Bonaparte and Augusta in his deep voice.
In contrast to the diplomatic Von Bismarck, Old Maoqi always liked to speak directly.
"General, what’s your na?" Jero Bonaparte pretended it was his first ti eting Old Maoqi and politely inquired.
"Helmut Karl Bernhard von Moltke!" Old Maoqi straightened his posture and saluted Jero Bonaparte, "I am currently serving as Chief of the General Staff of the Kingdom of Prussia, assisting Regent King William in managing the army!"
Jero Bonaparte also solemnly returned the salute to Old Maoqi and praised him as an upright soldier.
Old Maoqi rely smiled slightly and did not respond.
At this mont, Von Bismarck appeared in front of Jero Bonaparte and Augusta, inviting them to enter the inn.
Jero Bonaparte and Augusta turned and entered the inn, then were led by Von Bismarck to a guest room on the second floor.
When the door to the guest room opened, Regent King William I of Prussia and his wife were in the room.
The Regent King and his wife stood up to greet Jero Bonaparte and his wife as soon as they arrived.
Jero Bonaparte and William I shook hands "enthusiastically" and embraced.
"Please forgive for calling both of you here in this manner! This is the quickest way I could think of!" Regent King William expressed his apologies to Jero Bonaparte.
"It’s nothing!" Jero Bonaparte magnanimously waved his hand at Regent King William, "Augusta and I initially planned to find an inn in Danzig to rest overnight, and then return to Paris tomorrow!"
Coincidentally, your attendant Von Bismarck appeared before us, so we went along with it and ca!"
"Actually, Mr. Bismarck is not my attendant!" Regent King William explained to Jero Bonaparte.
"Oh?" Jero Bonaparte showed a perfectly tid expression of surprise and quickly asked Regent King William, "Then who exactly is Von Bismarck?"
"Mr. Bismarck is a mber of parliant in Berlin. However, he did indeed invite you on my orders!" Regent King William replied to Jero Bonaparte.
"So that’s how it is!" Jero Bonaparte showed an expression of sudden realization.
Then, Regent King William’s wife invited Empress Augusta to another room for a chat.
Jero Bonaparte and Regent King William chatted in the room together.
Regent King William first inquired about the recent situation of King Maximilian of Poland. Upon hearing from Jero Bonaparte that Maximilian had successfully been crowned, he began to regret not attending Maximilian’s coronation.
Jero Bonaparte also insincerely comforted Regent King William, saying that even though Regent King William couldn’t go personally, Maximilian already understood their goodwill.
Maximilian hoped that the Kingdom of Poland and the Kingdom of Prussia could adhere to the principles of peaceful coexistence and cooperation.
Afterward, Regent King William gradually shifted the topic to the Austrian Empire, first scolding its actions in Italy on a small scale, using this to test Jero Bonaparte’s reactions.
Following Regent King William’s thoughts, Jero Bonaparte also diplomatically comnted.
There are indeed so dissatisfying issues with the Austrian Empire in Italy; they should choose to respect the wishes of the Italians appropriately.
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