Although Alexander II was puzzled, he still agreed to Jerome Bonaparte’s request to hold negotiations in Yalta for the greater good.

After determining the location for the negotiations, both Russia and France began to negotiate the date and time for the talks.

Regarding the negotiation date, the Russian Empire still adhered to the idea of resolving it swiftly, hoping to negotiate with the French Empire as soon as possible,

while the French side clearly had no intention of a quick resolution. Under Jerome Bonaparte’s instructions, the French side initially set the date for December 2 (which the Russian Empire firmly opposed) and then for late November (which the Russian Empire still did not agree to).

After several days of negotiation, it was finally decided to hold the first bilateral talks on November 15.

The Russian Empire and the French Empire began to conduct intense preliminary preparations.

During the preparation period, small snowfalls continued intermittently over the Crimea Peninsula, covering Crimea in a world of white under the sporadic snowflakes.

As time slowly passed with the falling snow, the negotiation period soon arrived. On the afternoon before the negotiations, Jerome Bonaparte and Valerovsky led a regiment of soldiers to station in Yalta in preparation for the next day’s talks.

Early the next morning, Jerome Bonaparte rose early from the warm earth bed. Looking at the drifting snowflakes outside the window, he hurriedly put on a cotton jacket and then walked out of the room to head to the dining hall.

Upon reaching the dining hall, Jerome Bonaparte found Valerovsky already dining there.

Jerome Bonaparte walked slowly to Valerovsky’s side upon seeing this.

Soon, a steaming bowl of shredded pork porridge was placed in front of Jerome Bonaparte.

As Jerome Bonaparte began to eat, a military officer appeared before him and reported the arrival of the Russian Empire’s delegation.

"So soon?" Jerome Bonaparte showed a touch of surprise on his face and had to give up the idea of dining to leave the dining hall.

Valerovsky also followed Jerome Bonaparte out.

When Jerome Bonaparte, Valerovsky, and their entourage arrived at the gate of Yalta City, they saw Alexander II on horseback along with his delegation members.

Upon seeing Jerome Bonaparte, Alexander II quickly ordered his delegation, "Dismount!"

Nesselrode, Gorchakov, and the delegation members obeyed Alexander II’s order and dismounted.

Next, Alexander II, leading his horse, came beside Jerome Bonaparte and shook hands with him, saying, "Your Majesty, we meet again!"

"Indeed, Alexander!" Jerome Bonaparte glanced at Alexander and noticed he seemed thinner than half a month ago. He couldn’t help but remark, "It’s only been half a month; how have you lost so much weight!"

Alexander II showed a bitter smile. If it weren’t for excessive worry, how could this happen to him?

However, in front of Jerome Bonaparte, Alexander II certainly couldn’t say this and could only tell him he had been dieting recently.

"Alexander, dieting is not good for your health!" Jerome Bonaparte advised Alexander II earnestly, "At our age, we must take care of our bodies! You can’t function without eating food!"

Jerome Bonaparte paused as if recalling something, "By the way, you haven’t eaten yet, have you?"

Alexander II shook his head. Given that the distance between Bakhchisaray and Yalta is about 30-40 kilometers, how could they have eaten by this time (8:00)?

"I also haven’t eaten yet! Why don’t you join me for a meal?" Jerome Bonaparte invited Alexander II.

"Well..." Alexander II hesitated for a moment before refusing, "We think it’s better to get to the point quickly!"

"The negotiations don’t mind starting a bit earlier or later! The most important thing is to fill your stomach. Only with a full stomach can you negotiate effectively! You can’t do anything on an empty stomach!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Alexander II with a double meaning.

Alexander II glanced back at Nesselrode and Gorchakov, then turned his head and nodded in agreement with Jerome Bonaparte’s suggestion.

On the way to the dining hall, Alexander II introduced Nesselrode and Gorchakov, who would serve as representatives for the talks, to Jerome Bonaparte.

"You are Gorchakov?" Jerome Bonaparte curiously looked at the elderly man with thinning hair and round-framed glasses in front of him.

To be honest, he, used to the diplomatic rule that a good appearance was necessary (a rule of the 19th century), really couldn’t associate this half-bald old man with the title of "future" Foreign Minister leading the rise of the Russian Empire.

After all, Bismarck, who was of the same era, could at least be considered among the more handsome,

and Richard Metternich inherited some of the looks of his father Prince Metternich, dominating social circles in Europe.

"That’s right, Your Majesty!" Gorchakov Envoy bowed slightly, not understanding why Jerome Bonaparte’s gaze held a trace of disappointment. Could it be he had done something wrong?

"Mr. Gorchakov, what is your current position?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired again of Gorchakov.

"Thanks to the grace of His Majesty Nicolai, I am appointed as the Russian Empire’s ambassador to Austria!" Gorchakov responded solemnly to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Aren’t you interested in a change?" Jerome Bonaparte, in front of Alexander II, attempted to poach him: "If you are willing to come to France, I guarantee to immediately appoint you as the French Minister of Foreign Affairs!"

Jerome Bonaparte’s blatant poaching not only made Alexander II feel somewhat awkward (after all, Jerome Bonaparte’s generous offer to Gorchakov proved his worth, yet they (the Russian Empire) had only kept him as the ambassador to Austria, which was a bit humiliating), but Valerovsky also felt somewhat embarrassed (Valerovsky hadn’t even been Foreign Minister for long, and Jerome Bonaparte offered such favorable terms to a Russian, indirectly implying that he was far inferior to Gorchakov!)

Naturally, the one most embarrassed was Gorchakov.

He really didn’t expect Jerome Bonaparte to poach publicly. Although switching countries to serve as a minister was common, such matters could never be laid out openly.

The best scenario would be for the monarch to secretly invite, then for the invitee to either decline or go.

This way, face is preserved for both parties.

Jerome Bonaparte’s public poaching evidently placed such behind-the-scenes rules overtly, a difficult position indeed, and Gorchakov couldn’t outright refuse.

What if his remarks angered this unconventional monarch, leading to the collapse of the negotiations?

Gorchakov couldn’t bear the charge of disrupting peace talks.

After pondering for a moment, Gorchakov responded neither humbly nor haughtily: "Thank you for your benevolence! Unfortunately, my abilities are insufficient to wholeheartedly serve you! Please forgive me!"

Upon hearing Gorchakov’s words, Jerome Bonaparte sighed, showing a melancholic expression: "Mr. Gorchakov, I understand your thoughts! If you ever find yourself unhappy in the Russian Empire, you’re always welcome here!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Gorchakov quickly responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte and the others once again entered the dining hall.

At this time, a bowl of salted meat porridge and several pieces of black bread had already been placed on the dining table. Jerome Bonaparte smiled apologetically at everyone present: "Due to the rush, only these have been prepared! Please forgive us!"

Alexander II immediately indicated that being able to eat these was already quite sufficient!

Then, Alexander II and the others, under the arrangement of Jerome Bonaparte, sat down one after another.

The already famished crowd devoured the meat porridge and black bread as if a storm swept through, and once satiated, Jerome Bonaparte, sitting in his chair, spoke again: "Shall we discuss things here?"

"Alright!" Alexander II nodded, responding to Jerome Bonaparte.

Nesselrode and Valerovsky, the main negotiators, formally began their talks, with Nesselrode first introducing himself: "I am Nesselrode, sent by His Majesty the Tsar to negotiate with your country; this is my assistant Gorchakov!"

"I am Valerovsky, commissioned by His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte to interact with the Russian Empire!" Valerovsky said earnestly, then instructed the attendants in the dining hall to hand over the documents one by one to Nesselrode: "These are the conditions we propose at this stage; please have a look!"

Nesselrode carefully read through the documents, passing them to Gorchakov once finished.

After a while, Gorchakov also had seen all the contents of the documents.

This time, compared to the documents given to Nicholas I, there weren’t many changes, except for some added clauses under the third point about amending the Black Sea Treaty (limiting the Russian Empire Navy’s numbers, dismantling all military facilities on the Crimea Peninsula).

"Forgive my side for not being able to accept such harsh conditions from your side! You are treating us as a defeated nation, not as negotiating!"