Under Jerome Bonaparte’s firm attitude, Alexander II had no choice but to change his previously laissez-faire stance and began to personally engage in negotiations with Jerome Bonaparte.

After hours of back-and-forth for their respective positions and interests, it gradually reached noon.

The hungry Jerome Bonaparte hurriedly raised his hand to suggest to Alexander II: "It’s not something that can be agreed upon quickly, why don’t we have lunch first and discuss later!"

Also feeling a bit hungry, Alexander II nodded slightly, "Alright!"

Thus, Jerome Bonaparte quickly ordered his subordinates to collect the documents placed on the table, and Alexander II also instructed Gorchakov and Nesselrode to put their files back into their briefcases.

The table, which was originally full of documents, was cleared in no time, and Jerome Bonaparte turned to the officer behind him to give the order to "begin the meal."

Seeing this, the officer quickly went to the kitchen and ordered the chefs to serve the lunch that had been prepared.

With the help of a small homemade serving cart from the chefs, garlic sausages, bread, foie gras, and a large pot of meat soup... were served one after the other.

Looking at the table filled with delicious food, the delegation from the Russian Empire subconsciously swallowed, as their initial resentment towards the French delegation (disputes over certain clauses during negotiations were inevitable, and intense confrontations could easily create animosity) vanished under the influence of the feast.

Just as Jerome Bonaparte invited Alexander II and others to start dining, he suddenly wanted to see the meal conditions of the troops stationed outside Yalta.

So, Jerome Bonaparte excused himself for a brief restroom break and temporarily left the dining room.

Once out of the dining hall, Jerome Bonaparte quickly headed to the headquarters stationed near Yalta, where smoke was also rising from above.

Jerome Bonaparte rushed into the camp as soon as he saw this.

In the camp, he saw several steaming cooking pots set up on the ground, with burning wood underneath them.

When Jerome Bonaparte reached the cooking pots, he saw mutton soup boiling inside and quickly said to a soldier doubling as a cook, "Give me a bowl!"

"Why the rush! It’s not ready yet!" The cook, looking slightly impatient, seemed not to recognize Jerome Bonaparte.

"Okay!" Jerome Bonaparte had to give up the idea of tasting and turned to leave.

Before Jerome Bonaparte could take two steps towards the exit of the camp, a shout came from behind, "Your Majesty!"

Jerome Bonaparte turned to see the shocked gazes behind him, the stunned expression of the soldier who refused him, and the officer rushing towards him.

The officer approached Jerome Bonaparte, saluted, and reported his name and affiliated unit, to which Jerome Bonaparte also returned the salute!

Then Jerome Bonaparte praised the officer, "You did well! It’s important to eat mutton in winter to nourish oneself!"

"It’s my duty!" the officer modestly responded.

Subsequently, the officer inquired why Jerome Bonaparte had come over and if anything happened in Yalta City?

"Not at all!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head and then told the officer: he merely wanted to check on the meals of the stationed troops!

"Rest assured!" the officer hurriedly assured Jerome Bonaparte, "We follow your instructions, and every soldier fighting for France won’t be neglected!"

"That’s good!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded in satisfaction.

Then, he casually asked if the sheep were paid for.

"Well..." The officer hesitated for a moment.

Jerome Bonaparte immediately understood that the sheep were likely confiscated from "locals" in Crimea, and he sighed and replied to the officer, "Only this time!"

"Yes!" The officer promptly promised Jerome Bonaparte that it would not happen again.

Looking at the confident officer before him, Jerome Bonaparte was certain there would definitely be a next time.

After all, from the very essence, the French Army was fundamentally a band of mercenaries with the nature of robbers, and even during times of national warfare, this nature hadn’t changed at all.

Jerome Bonaparte could not, nor was he willing to change the inherent nature of France.

The reason the French Army was willing to support him was for his ability to lead them to wealth and prosperity.

If he were to transform this apparatus into a group of warriors made of special materials, then the first ones to overthrow him would be the soldiers themselves.

As the Emperor of France, all he needed to do was to ensure the interests of the French Army and the French people.

Things like great proletarian unity and world revolution could be left to those who come after him.

After all, one must trust in the wisdom of posterity (laughs).

Jerome Bonaparte, having taken a stroll around the military camp, returned to the dining hall in Yalta City. Upon re-entering the hall, he noticed that during his absence, Alexander II and others had also not touched their utensils.

"Eat! Why aren’t you eating?" Jerome Bonaparte said after a few seconds’ pause, sitting back in his original position and pointing at the foie gras in front of him, he said to Alexander II: "Dining is such a delightful affair!"

"Your Majesty, we did not dare to eat since you weren’t here!" Alexander II responded to Jerome Bonaparte in a teasing tone.

"What does that matter!" Jerome Bonaparte unceremoniously sliced a piece of foie gras and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing heartily: "Eat up!"

Jerome Bonaparte’s unabashed eating encouraged the others to put aside their inhibitions, and they too began to dig in, formally beginning lunch.

Due to the absence of fine wine, the entire lunch lasted only half an hour and then ended hastily.

After a moment’s rest following a satisfying meal, everyone embarked on the second round of negotiations.

The afternoon’s second round of negotiations was less combustible compared to the first, however, Valerovsky and Nesselrode remained steadfast on their positions and interests.

Throughout the afternoon, both sides gradually agreed on the third clause concerning the Russian Empire’s navigational rights, namely: Russian Empire’s merchant ships could navigate the Danube River under the supervision of England, France, and Austria. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Just as the parties were about to begin discussions on the fourth clause, Jerome Patterson appeared in Yalta.

Jerome Bonaparte hurriedly halted the negotiations and then left alongside Jerome Patterson.

"What’s happening over in Sevastopol?" Jerome Bonaparte immediately inquired of Jerome Patterson.

"Paris received a letter from St. Petersburg, Duke Golitsyn says they plan to launch a coup against Nicholas I by the end of the month! He hopes we can cripple the Russian Empire on the Crimea Peninsula, making them unable to withdraw and return!" Jerome Patterson replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Alright! I understand!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded in response to Jerome Patterson.

Upon Jerome Bonaparte’s return to the dining hall, he suddenly said to Alexander II: "I believe there’s no need for us to continue negotiations!"

"Your Majesty, you agree!" Misunderstanding Jerome Bonaparte’s intent, Alexander II thought he was ready to make concessions on the fourth clause.

If Jerome Bonaparte was willing to concede on the fourth clause, he would be absolutely confident of securing peace!

"Agree to what?" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Alexander II with a calm tone, "What I mean is the negotiations between the French Empire and the Russian Empire end now, and from here on it will be up to our two nations to prove themselves on the battlefield!"

Jerome Bonaparte’s abrupt cessation left Alexander II finding it a bit difficult to accept.

He had already made many concessions for this peace talk, and now Jerome Bonaparte was suddenly telling him there would be no more talks, was this not mocking the Russian Empire!

Thinking of this, Alexander II felt like a complete fool, played by Jerome Bonaparte.

"Your Majesty, you were the one who proposed the peace talks, and now you tear them apart!" Alexander II, face flushed, roared, "What is your purpose for doing this!"

"For what purpose?" Jerome Bonaparte pondered for a moment, then with a victorious smile on his face, said, "If I say it was just for fun, would you believe me?"

Hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s reply, Alexander II was thunderstruck, his face suddenly pale, his lips trembling constantly, "Liar, scoundrel, you and your cronies are all a bunch of absolute liars!"

"Alexander!" Jerome Bonaparte directed a look of sympathy toward Alexander II, "We’re engaged in war, not a child’s playhouse game, so a little deception is necessary!"

"I swear, I will send you and your army to Hell!" Alexander II, in a fit of rage, shouted at Jerome Bonaparte.

"Alexander, there will always be some gap between ideals and reality!" Jerome Bonaparte replied unhurriedly, "Sometimes reality is more terrifying than ideals! Oh, by the way, our war will officially commence at dawn tomorrow, I hope you and your soldiers are prepared to welcome France’s attack then!"

That night, Jerome Bonaparte returned to the Sevastopol Fortress to actively deploy strategic plans for attacking Bakhchisaray and Simferopol.

Meanwhile, Alexander II handed over all his authority to Gorchakov and sat alone in his room in a daze.