That evening, an encrypted telegram was sent from the radio station at the Sevastopol Fortress. After a "long-distance journey" of more than two hours, it arrived at the underground telegraph room of the National Intelligence Bureau at midnight.

The intelligence officers receiving the telegram listened to the audio signals from the radio station while using a pen to transform the signals into letters recorded on slightly yellowed paper.

After a while, the ticking of the radio stopped, and the intelligence officer handed the transcribed telegram to Marcel Yale.

Marcel Yale locked the door upon receiving the telegram and looking at the densely written characters on it.

Then he went to the desk, took out a book almost identical to Jerome Bonaparte’s, and page by page compared it with the characters on the telegram.

Soon, Marcel Yale translated the content of the telegram again and wrote it on the back of the telegram paper.

In the encrypted telegram, Jerome Bonaparte inquired of Marcel Yale whether the branch established by the National Intelligence Bureau in Russia was in contact with some of the forces opposing the Russian Empire.

If the Russian Intelligence Bureau was indeed in contact with them, then Marcel Yale was to ask those people on behalf of him if they were willing to overthrow the Tsar’s rule.

If they were truly willing to overthrow the Tsar’s rule, Marcel Yale could tell them that the French Empire was very willing to offer some assistance in the matter of overthrowing the Tsar.

However, at the end of the letter, Jerome Bonaparte specifically reiterated to Marcel Yale that if those nobles really intended to rebel, the help that the National Intelligence Bureau could provide was limited to supplying weapons.

Even if someone really needed to be sent to assist them in the conspiracy to overthrow, Marcel Yale must find people who appeared to have no connection with the French National Intelligence Bureau to carry out the mission.

After all, although England and France were openly striking hard at the Russian Empire, it was just seen as an internal conflict between monarchies by other monarchies and would not hurt the root of the monarchy.

And the National Intelligence Bureau’s attempt to find rebellious forces to conspire to overthrow Russia was essentially digging at the root of the Russian Empire.

If the National Intelligence Bureau’s actions were discovered, they would likely be regarded with hostility by monarchist forces across Europe.

Jerome Bonaparte’s reputation, already precarious, might also suffer a heavy blow.

After reading the telegram, a look of difficulty appeared on Marcel Yale’s face; the task entrusted to him by the Emperor was indeed challenging.

If not careful, the entire National Intelligence Bureau might have to reorganize, and he, the Director of the National Intelligence Bureau, would be compelled to step down.

After all, the charge of overthrowing a nation’s monarchy was too hefty, so much so that Marcel Yale himself couldn’t bear this charge.

By then, even the Emperor would likely be implicated by the National Intelligence Bureau.

However, since the Emperor had already instructed him to do this, he must have considered the consequences.

Under these circumstances, Marcel Yale believed he had no possibility of refusal.

Thus, Marcel Yale opened the kerosene lamp’s cover and placed the folded telegram in the flame’s center.

Once the telegram was ignited, Marcel Yale placed the burning telegram in the ashtray on the table, watching it burn completely, leaving only a pile of black ashes.

Subsequently, Marcel Yale stood up and left the office directly.

After a while, Marcel Yale’s figure appeared at the door of a room marked with the Russian Intelligence Bureau sign; he gently pushed open the door of the Russian Intelligence Bureau.

At this time, the Russian Intelligence Bureau was still brightly lit, and the staff inside were tirelessly organizing documents under the directive of Inspector Andrés de Abel.

The appearance of Marcel Yale focused the attention of everyone in the Intelligence Bureau on him, and Andrés also put down his work to look at Marcel Yale standing at the door.

"Andrés, come out with me for a moment!" Marcel Yale said pointing at Andrés.

Andrés had no choice but to put down his work and leave with Marcel Yale.

However, before leaving the Intelligence Bureau, Andrés instructed his subordinates to continue working, ensuring that his departure would not slow down progress.

Marcel Yale and Andrés returned to Marcel Yale’s office together.

"Have a seat!" said Marcel Yale, extending his hand to invite Andrés to sit down while seated on the sofa.

Andrés sat up straight beside Marcel Yale, with a concentrated expression on his face as well.

Seeing his diligent subordinate before him, Marcel Yale nodded with satisfaction.

After all, intelligence work is different from other jobs; it must not be done carelessly at any time, as a little carelessness may lead to serious consequences.

Afterwards, Marcel Yale asked Andrés if their Intelligence Bureau had any contacts with forces opposing the Russian Empire!

"Yes!" Andrés replied succinctly.

"Did they approach you, or did you contact them?" Marcel Yale pressed on the question.

"They contacted us!" Andrés continued to answer.

"What is their influence in Russia?" Marcel Yale inquired once again.

Andrés informed Marcel Yale that because the organization operated on a single-line contact, and their activities were limited to Russia, the Foreign Intelligence Bureau had not obtained much useful information.

Andrés’ response left Marcel Yale somewhat frustrated. Immediately, he asked Andrés whether his Russian Intelligence Bureau maintained frequent contacts with them.

Andrés nodded and informed Marcel Yale that the Russian Intelligence Bureau not only stayed in touch with them regarding matters in Russia but also maintained contact in Paris. The contact person for the organization in Paris was a man named Herzen.

"Herzen? The writer?" Marcel Yale asked again.

"Yes!" Andrés nodded, then said to Marcel Yale, "Herzen is also a member of that organization. It was he who told me that the purpose of his organization is to overthrow Russian rule and establish a republican or constitutional monarchy socialist Russia."

"Constitutional monarchy? Socialist Russia?" A trace of surprise appeared on Marcel Yale’s face. He could hardly imagine how those people in Russia could stitch together such ideas.

Then, Marcel Yale couldn’t help but ridicule, "Don’t they know that in a socialist country, there is no place for them and a monarch?"

Andrés shrugged and responded, "Minister, the Slavic nations are the ones most easily swayed from one extreme to another.

When they believe that the Tsar’s rule cannot make the Russian Empire strong, they will opt for radical anarchism and republicanism.

If they can achieve the dreams in their hearts, even death would be worthwhile."

After hearing this, Marcel Yale shook his head, finding it difficult to comprehend this behavior.

Even the most radical republicans in France believe the existence of the Empire benefits everyone.

Revolutionaries like those of the Russian Empire who deny everything in such an immature state are destined to fail.

Then Marcel Yale asked Andrés if he could help arrange a meeting with Herzen, as he wanted to understand the forces behind Herzen more clearly.

"Minister, please pardon my impertinence! Is there some significant movement in Crimea again?" Andrés asked Marcel Yale.

Marcel Yale nodded and quietly told him the contents of the telegram.

"Rest assured, I will bring Herzen over! However, I believe the location of your meeting with Herzen should not be here!" Andrés replied to Marcel Yale.

"The meeting will take place in the Bois de Boulogne, scheduled for tomorrow afternoon! Is that okay?" Marcel Yale responded to Andrés.

"Of course!" Andrés nodded in agreement.

...

The following afternoon, Marcel Yale, dressed in plain clothes, arrived early at an inconspicuous little wooden house in the Bois de Boulogne and made sure to wear a disguise.

After a while, there was a knocking sound outside the wooden house. Marcel Yale slightly altered his usual speaking tone and said to those outside the house, "Come in!"

Andrés and Herzen appeared in the wooden house. Marcel Yale extended his hand to invite Herzen, "Please have a seat, Mr. Herzen!"

After Herzen sat down, Marcel Yale intimidated Herzen by saying he was very concerned that someone as reputable as Herzen, yet associated with some extremist forces, might cause unforeseen damage to France, which was why he had brought Herzen over.

"Minister Marcel, there’s no need to try and scare me with such words! I believe we can have an open and honest conversation!" Herzen candidly said to Marcel Yale, "I know your intentions, and I believe you should also know ours. I think we both have the same goal and can use this as a basis for cooperation!"

"Cooperation?" An intrigued smile appeared on Marcel Yale’s face, "That depends on whether your organization has such value! If your organization is all just a group of people like you who only know how to talk, then there’s no need for us to continue this discussion!"

"What kind of people do you hope our organization consists of?" Herzen retorted.

"At least a few high nobles! Relying on the power of the masses has no future. Not to mention, it’s a nation like Russia, still enslaved by the nobility! At least the people of France understand how to resist, while your serfs don’t even have the courage to resist the nobility! Your people only kneel under the whip of the nobility, worshipping them! In Russia, the more brutal the nobility, the more they are supported by the serfs!" Marcel Yale unapologetically mocked.