"Nothing happened in St. Petersburg, but something serious happened in Crimea!"

Crown Prince Alexander’s words piqued Gorchakov’s curiosity, as the Commander-in-Chief of Crimea, he hadn’t noticed any unusual behavior.

"Your Highness, what exactly happened in Crimea?" Gorchakov asked in confusion.

"Didn’t you hear any rumors in Crimea?" Alexander II responded, puzzled.

"No!" Gorchakov shook his head and replied with a bitter smile, "These days, I’ve been worrying about supplies, where would I have the heart to bother with rumors!" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Since Gorchakov truly didn’t know about the situation in Crimea, Alexander II decided not to hold back.

"According to The Times, the Emperor of the French Empire, Jerome Bonaparte, has recently arrived in Sevastopol!"

[PS: During the Crimean War, all military actions of the Russian Empire were based on information leaked through the inside man The Times.

Sometimes, The Times received frontline news faster than the Cabinet!

However, after Jerome Bonaparte’s arrival, he ordered Marshal Lagren, in his capacity as Monarch, to shut the mouths of The Times reporters, as a traitorous ally can be far more damaging than ten divine opponents.

Marshal Lagren, who had long been unhappy with The Times, followed through with Jerome Bonaparte’s command and implemented certain restrictions on The Times.

Nicholas I learned of Jerome Bonaparte’s arrival in Sevastopol from The Times, just before Jerome Bonaparte restricted The Times. ]

"What?!!" Gorchakov widened his eyes in astonishment, "The Emperor of France has arrived in Sevastopol?!!!!"

"That’s right! That’s why I’m taking on the role of envoy this time!" Crown Prince Alexander II nodded at Gorchakov, then added, "Originally, His Majesty the Emperor planned to come personally, to have a deadly duel with Jerome Bonaparte! I told His Majesty that Napoleon III was just a usurper (Emperor—King of Rome—Jerome Bonaparte), there’s no need for him to come personally, so His Majesty ordered me to go to Crimea on his behalf."

"Your Highness, if the French Emperor is indeed in Sevastopol, would the Ministry of War (Nicholas I) still agree to our request to delay the attack?" Gorchakov asked Crown Prince Alexander.

Alexander II remained silent. If The Times report was true, the Russian Empire’s plan to delay the attack was unlikely to receive his father’s approval.

"It certainly will!" Although Alexander II understood the difficulty of the plan being approved, he kept a calm and confident expression.

"If that’s the case, that’s wonderful!" Gorchakov also did not believe the Emperor would give them time to rest, but he did not want to expose the lie either.

Alexander II then politely asked Gorchakov for his views on the war.

Gorchakov also politely expressed to Alexander II that the war was being fought at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and was a mistake.

The Russian Empire should have been taking advantage of its vast land to resist gradually, but now it had to gather its troops in Sevastopol to fight an asymmetrical war against the Allies.

Sevastopol now acted like a magnet, attracting all of the Russian Empire’s mobile forces on the Southern Front.

Worse still, their logistics lagged far behind those of the Allied Forces, relying on sea transportation, effectively using the Russian Empire’s weaknesses against England and France’s strengths.

"Commander Gorchakov, have you thought about how we should end this war?" Alexander II asked Gorchakov.

"Your Highness, there are only two ways to end the war! First is a grand victory for the Russian Empire, and the second is a complete defeat!" Commander Gorchakov said to Alexander II, "I believe we will definitely win, but the victory might not be in Crimea!"

"Have you considered a third way?" Alexander II asked Gorchakov.

"Your Highness, what is the third way?" Gorchakov instinctively asked.

"After both the Russian Empire and the French Empire are exhausted, they will make peace!" Alexander II whispered to Gorchakov, "As long as the French Empire chooses to withdraw, the Kingdom of Britain alone won’t be able to contend with us!"

"Your Highness, this might take a long time! The morale of the French Empire is still high!" Gorchakov replied to Alexander II.

"I know!" Alexander II nodded and then changed his tone, saying to Gorchakov, "But we must ensure we have a negotiation channel open in advance, so that we can end the war anytime we wish!"

After listening to Alexander II’s words, Gorchakov’s heartbeat automatically accelerated two beats.

He could be sure that His Highness the Crown Prince was definitely carrying out this action behind His Majesty the Emperor’s back; Emperor Nicolai would not be so quick to think of making peace.

"Commander Gorchakov, are you willing to lend me your aid?" Crown Prince Alexander sincerely asked Gorchakov.

"Your Highness, I know what to do!" Gorchakov nodded and responded to Crown Prince Alexander, "I happen to have a candidate! If you agree, I can have him represent you to go to Sevastopol to explain to the Emperor of France!"

"Can I completely trust him?" Alexander II asked cautiously, "You should know what the consequences are if this matter gets out!"

"Your Majesty, he is my nephew and also a meticulous person! You can fully entrust this matter to him!" Gorchakov assured Alexander II.

"In that case, let’s give it a try then!"

...

After a brief conversation, Alexander II, Gorchakov, and Jomini, along with their entourages, left the hotel on horseback and headed to the Perekop Fortress.

Upon arriving at the Perekop Fortress, Gorchakov immediately gathered his aides (more than one aide) and staff officers to the office for a short meeting to introduce Alexander II and Jomini to them!

"From now on, Crown Prince Alexander and Marshal Jomini will be part of our military! I hope you will maintain a respectful attitude towards them, understood?" Gorchakov emphasized repeatedly.

"Yes!" The aides and staff officers responded in unison to Gorchakov.

"Major Ivanov!" Gorchakov pointed out Ivanov Gorchakov from the staff officers.

"Present!" Ivanov Gorchakov stepped forward and responded loudly.

"After the military conference, you will arrange accommodations for His Highness and the Marshal!" Gorchakov ordered Ivanov Gorchakov.

No one present wasn’t envious of Ivanov Gorchakov; the current Crown Prince is the future Emperor.

The reigning Emperor Nicholas I is over 60 years old, and the Crown Prince will ascend the throne in at most ten years.

Being closer to the future Emperor might expedite one’s road to promotion.

"Yes!" Ivanov Gorchakov also revealed a slight smile, feeling only gratitude towards his distant uncle.

After finishing the instructions, Gorchakov checked his pocket watch and then looked up at everyone present, saying, "Alright! Everyone, we should head out!"

The Crown Prince and his entourage left Gorchakov’s office and headed toward the barracks near the fortress. Within the barracks, they introduced Alexander II and Jomini to the generals and division heads of the troops stationed near the fortress.

After visiting all the surrounding barracks, dusk quietly ensued, leading Alexander II and Jomini, under Ivanov Gorchakov’s guidance, to the rooms prepared for them.

"Your Highness, Marshal, if there’s nothing else, I will take my leave!" Ivanov Gorchakov bowed to Alexander II and Jomini, then turned to leave.

"Wait!" Alexander II called out to Ivanov Gorchakov.

"Your Highness, do you have any other instructions?" Ivanov Gorchakov inquired of Alexander II.

"Gorchakov introduced you to me! He said you are a trustworthy person!" Alexander II asked Ivanov Gorchakov sternly, "Although I trust Commander Gorchakov’s judgment, I still want you to tell me personally! Major Ivanov, can I trust you!"

Looking at the formidable figure in front of him, Ivanov Gorchakov instantly understood that he might have been set up by his uncle... No, it’s not really a setup.

After all, many people want this opportunity but can’t get it.

Although Ivanov Gorchakov didn’t know what task Alexander II would assign him, he understood this was his opportunity.

If he could seize it, then he has the chance to rise rapidly!

"Your Highness, I swear on the name Gorchakov, you can completely trust me!" Ivanov Gorchakov replied meticulously.

"Very well!" Alexander II smiled, "I promise you that your ability and loyalty will be rewarded accordingly!"

Ivanov Gorchakov immediately saluted Alexander II with a crisp military salute and resolutely said, "Willing to serve you!"

"Your task is to go to the camp in Sevastopol and establish contact with the Emperor of the French Empire!" Alexander II ordered Ivanov Gorchakov, "Since this is a confidential mission, you can’t tell anyone. In a few days, I will send a delegation to Sevastopol! At that time, you will be arranged to go with the delegation to meet the Emperor of France!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Ivanov Gorchakov replied.