"Please excuse us, but we cannot accept such harsh conditions from your side! We believe the terms you have proposed do not treat us as an equal nation, but rather as a defeated one!"

Nesselrode’s face revealed a hint of a cold smile, and he retorted with a trace of anger in his voice.

"A defeated nation?" Valerovsky showed no concern for Nesselrode’s indignation. He responded to Nesselrode without changing his expression: "Aren’t you being a bit overly sensitive! We believe that the conditions we are proposing are truly magnanimous compared to the treaties your side forced upon defeated nations. France has not demanded you give up any territory; the lands you have occupied (referring here to the Vienna Congress, where the Great Powers demanded France relinquish Belgium, Holland, and the Rhine Alliance!) have not required you to compensate for any war damages (as France did during the second Vienna Congress, compensating England, Austria, Russia, and Prussia). Neither do we mandate that your army must occupy the Crimea Peninsula.

What dissatisfaction could the Russian Empire have with such terms?"

Faced with Valerovsky’s words, each filled with connotation, Nesselrode felt uncomfortable.

But faced with the situation, Nesselrode couldn’t just challenge Valerovsky to a duel.

Negotiation, negotiation—negotiate first, and then judge. Nesselrode decided to discuss the conditions with Valerovsky one by one, hoping to catch any flaws in the negotiations, which could help the Russian Empire regain a step.

"Mr. Valleski, the conditions you mentioned are the terms imposed by victorious nations on defeated ones!" Nesselrode argued with reason against Valerovsky: "Russia has not been completely defeated; we still have a large army!"

"That’s correct! You do indeed still have enough resources to squander!" Valerovsky nodded in agreement with Nesselrode’s statement, "If it weren’t for considering these factors, the documents on the table would be much thicker than they are now!

Moreover, the treaty requires the Russian Empire to recognize the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire and acknowledge the Ottoman Empire’s authority over domestic Christianity... Is there anything wrong with that? Since the Ottoman Empire is recognized by Europe as a sovereign nation, shouldn’t it enjoy such treatment?"

"Sovereignty?" Nesselrode showed disdain. In his view, the so-called Ottoman sovereignty that Valerovsky spoke of was merely a flimsy excuse by England, France, and Austria to exclude the Russian Empire from the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire.

If England, France, and Austria really respected the Ottoman Empire’s sovereignty, the Austrian Empire would have already left the Danube Duchy.

Currently, not only has the Austrian Empire not withdrawn from the Danube Duchy, but it has also established a new administrative structure there and dispatched Prince Metternich to concurrently serve as the Governor of the Romania Principality (created by the merger of the Wallachia and Moldova Duchies under Jerome Bonaparte’s suggestion).

It is clear to any discerning person that the Austrian Empire is determined to completely annex the Danube Duchy.

"Your nation’s understanding of sovereignty is truly eye-opening!" Nesselrode remarked with a hint of mockery, then continued, "However, our side does not oppose the two conditions you just proposed!"

"So, does that mean you have objections to the remaining two?" Valerovsky asked, feigning ignorance.

Nesselrode first glanced at Alexander II, then responded to Valerovsky: "That’s correct! We believe the second and third clauses severely harm the interests of the Russian Empire, making it difficult for us to accept these terms!"

"Then how does your side propose we amend them?" Valerovsky countered.

"We hope your side can delete the second and third clauses!" Nesselrode responded immediately, "Moreover, we hope the Danube Duchy can be returned completely to the Ottoman Empire under the supervision of England, France, Russia, and Prussia! Don’t let certain countries seize the opportunity!"

"Isn’t your side being somewhat unreasonable with those conditions!" Valerovsky retorted to Nesselrode: "The second and third clauses are born out of our helplessness to safeguard interests in the Black Sea, as the root of this war lies in your side’s unlimited expansion in the Black Sea Region, which instilled fear across European nations, disrupting long-standing peace in Europe. Thus, we have no choice but to join with the Kingdom of Britain in declaring war on you.

If your side now wants peace talks, you must demilitarize the Black Sea so as to truly win the trust of the countries you invade and eliminate Europe’s fear of you!"

"Mr. Valleski, do you mean for our Russian Empire to give up the defense of our arms and open up our defenses?" Nesselrode replied to Valerovsky.

"Yes!" Valerovsky nodded with determination and stated firmly to Nesselrode, "Only by opening up can Russia regain the trust of Europe and secure more partners!"

Nesselrode coldly stated, "I’m afraid that by then, what we will gain are not partners, but sharp blades! Our neighboring countries will absolutely not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Only with guns and cannons can we protect our Black Sea gateway from invasion!"

"The Russian Empire is only demilitarizing the Black Sea, not all of Russia," Valerovsky retorted to Nesselrode, "Once hostilities start, you can dispatch some soldiers to the Black Sea! Does the Russian Empire even lack the courage to defeat the Ottoman Empire now?"

Having said that, the corners of Valerovsky’s mouth revealed a subtle hint of sarcasm.

Nesselrode and Gorchakov’s faces were slightly flushed, and Alexander II’s expression also revealed a hint of displeasure.

At this moment, Jerome Bonaparte, sitting beside Mr. Valleski, also spoke, "If the Russian Empire is truly worried about a possible sneak attack from the Ottoman Empire, then the French Empire can fully guarantee the security of the Russian Empire.

Any country that attempts to attack Russia through the Black Sea will be regarded as an enemy by France!

In that case, Russia wouldn’t need to worry about an attack from the Ottoman Empire, would it!"

"Correct! We can provide security guarantees for the Russian Empire in the Black Sea!" Mr. Valleski echoed the sentiment, his smile carrying a more mocking tone.

"No security guarantees are needed!" Alexander II said coldly, "The Russian Empire is not in a position where it cannot defeat a cowardly Ottoman Empire!"

"So, Your Highness, are you agreeing to the second and third terms we proposed?" Mr. Valleski asked Alexander II.

"No!" Alexander II shook his head and responded to Mr. Valleski: "I am only saying that we have the capacity to defend the Russian Empire with our own hands.

Moreover..."

Alexander II paused, then spoke firmly to Jerome Bonaparte, "Our Russian Empire was still able to grit its teeth and burn Moscow during the situation of 1812, continuing to fight against the invaders!

Your Majesty, do you think the current situation can be compared to that of 1812?"

"Certainly not!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head, responding leisurely, "Russia’s situation is indeed worse than in 1812!"

"Oh?" Alexander II showed a puzzled look, hearing this argument for the first time, "Please, elaborate!"

"Who were your allies in 1812?" Jerome Bonaparte asked lightly, then quickly answered his own question, "Your allies were Britain, Prussia, Spain, and Austria! If Britain hadn’t supported you with weapons at all costs, if Spain hadn’t tied down our 200,000 troops, and if the Royalists in France hadn’t provided intelligence, what could your army have accomplished!

You Russians always attribute others’ efforts entirely to yourselves, and then take it for granted!

Do you really think you defeated my uncle on your own? No! You relied on all of Europe opposing the French Empire to defeat us!

Now, what does your Russian Empire have left? Your former partners betrayed you because of your invasion of the Balkans.

The Britain that once provided you with substantial financial aid is now also my ally!

Not to mention those nobles who once groveled at your feet have found new paths after the French Empire.

They have realized they have other options besides being loyal to the Tsar!

Today’s Russia is vastly different from back then! If I’m not mistaken, your army is already greatly diminished, and if the troops in the Crimea Peninsula perish, I don’t know if you’ll be able to form an army of the same scale again!

Those nobles forced to submit to the Empire may rise up and act like the Decembrists of old when they discover your weakness!

After all, every stroke costs a Tsar!"

"Enough!" Alexander II shouted angrily, lifting his head and speaking to Jerome Bonaparte word by word, "Your Majesty, if you came here merely to mock us, then there’s no need for this negotiation to continue!

If you sincerely wish to negotiate peace with us, then please show a bit of sincerity!"

"Alexander!" Jerome Bonaparte spoke calmly to the future Alexander II, "This is already my greatest sincerity! If you are still dissatisfied, then please allow us to speak with the guns and cannons in our hands!"