On November 17th, Jerome Bonaparte, in the capacity of the highest commander of the Expeditionary Army Headquarters, issued a gathering order. Since no one in the entire Expeditionary Army held a position higher than Jerome Bonaparte, and no army was more formidable than the French, he easily commanded the allied forces of Britain, Italy, and Turkey. Marshal Lagren of the British Expeditionary Army, Marshal La Malamor of the Sardinian Expeditionary Army, and Omar Pasha of the Ottoman Empire Expeditionary Army, along with their aides and staff, braved the fierce cold to head to the French Expeditionary Army Headquarters to accept unified command from the French Expeditionary Army Headquarters.

When everyone arrived near the French Command, they saw Jerome Bonaparte and Marshal Pellissier standing at the door. They quickly accelerated their pace and reached the headquarters.

"Your Majesty!" Marshal Lagren and the others bowed in unison to Jerome Bonaparte to show their respect upon entering the headquarters.

Jerome Bonaparte nodded slightly, smiling as he responded to Lagren and the others, "Thank you for your hard work! Please follow me!"

Afterwards, upon Jerome Bonaparte’s invitation, everyone who arrived at the headquarters proceeded to the meeting hall of the Expeditionary Army Headquarters.

At this time, small pieces of cake and cups of steaming coffee were placed on the long conference table in the meeting hall. It seemed that these were specially prepared for them.

"Please seat yourselves, everyone!" Jerome Bonaparte’s voice reached everyone’s ears, "Considering that you braved the cold coming from the north shore of Sevastopol, I specifically had these prepared in the kitchen for you! I hope you are satisfied!"

Jerome Bonaparte’s words filled everyone present with a warm feeling, increasing their respect for him.

Marshal Lagren and the others expressed their gratitude to Jerome Bonaparte once again, then found their seats and started enjoying the cake and coffee.

The steaming hot coffee instantly dispelled the cold and fatigue from their bodies, significantly boosting everyone’s spirits.

After a while, almost everyone present had finished their cake and coffee, then Jerome Bonaparte spoke up, "Gentlemen, I have called you here hoping that in the coming period, you could actively cooperate with France’s military actions to swiftly resolve the Russian Army entrenched in Bakhchisaray, Simferopol, and Saki!

Sweep away the Russian Empire’s forces on the Crimea Peninsula!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone present changed immediately; they didn’t understand why Jerome Bonaparte chose to attack at this time.

Had the relations between France and Russia deteriorated so quickly?

Just a few days ago, the French Empire and the Russian Empire were still in peace talks.

As everyone speculated why Jerome Bonaparte chose this time to attack, Marshal Lagren, holding a position second only to Jerome Bonaparte among the allies, gently raised his hand.

"Marshal Lagren, do you have something to say?" Jerome Bonaparte asked with a smile.

Marshal Lagren rose and, with a respectful attitude, inquired of Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, please forgive my bold question! Why do you wish to attack the Russian Empire at this time?"

"Marshal Lagren, do we need to choose an auspicious date for launching an attack?" Jerome Bonaparte retorted.

"That’s not what I meant!" Marshal Lagren hurriedly shook his head and cautiously put forth his understanding, "I just think that launching a full-scale attack on Bakhchisaray in such weather might be somewhat inappropriate. Our troops have yet to become accustomed to fighting in such conditions!

If we launch a hasty attack, it might affect the army’s combat effectiveness!"

"Unaccustomed?" Jerome Bonaparte raised an eyebrow and sternly replied, "We don’t have time to wait for the soldiers to become accustomed to the combat environment; this is a battlefield, not child’s play, so we must take action!" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Why must we attack so urgently?" Marshal Lagren inquired of Jerome Bonaparte again, "We can completely wait until the spring of the coming year to launch an attack on them!

I believe that by then, the Russian Army will be easier to deal with than now!"

La Malamor and Omar Pasha secretly agreed with Marshal Lagren’s words in their hearts.

After all, the former Emperor Napoleon suffered a disastrous defeat in the winter of Moscow, and they did not consider themselves to have even half the capabilities of Emperor Napoleon, making them hesitant.

"Marshal Lagren, what is your basis?" Jerome Bonaparte calmly asked.

"What basis?" Marshal Lagren looked at Jerome Bonaparte in confusion.

"Weren’t you saying just now that the Russian Army in spring would be easier to deal with than it is in winter? I assume you have some basis for this assertion!" Jerome Bonaparte calmly spoke.

"Most of our soldiers haven’t experienced a Russian winter, so..." Marshal Lagren replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Does the winter in the Crimea Peninsula only freeze us but not the Russian soldiers?" Jerome Bonaparte questioned, "Or do you believe that the supplies available to the Russian Empire now far exceed ours?"

Facing Jerome Bonaparte’s question, Marshal Lagren remained silent for a moment.

Jerome Bonaparte was right. Whether in terms of army re-equipment or logistical supplies, the Allies were superior to the Russian Army; they need not be so fearful.

"I know, some of you are afraid we will repeat the mistakes Emperor Napoleon made in Moscow, so you’re hesitant to attack!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to everyone present in an unquestionable tone: "Now I can responsibly tell you, we will definitely not repeat those mistakes!

We have stronger artillery and rifles than we did back then, and we also have better transportation methods.

I can say without hesitation that as long as our railways can continue to operate, we will receive supplies continually!

The factors that were once detrimental to us have now been mostly eliminated, so what do you have to worry about!"

As soon as Jerome Bonaparte finished speaking, Marshal Lagren was the first to start applauding, and then everyone present joined in!

The winter in Crimea did indeed frighten some of the generals, and without Jerome Bonaparte’s encouragement, they probably wouldn’t have had the courage to make an offensive decision.

After all, there was a "sky" over their heads that could make decisions for them, preventing them from getting caught up in mutual bickering.

Marshal Pellissier, sitting in his seat, also felt more admiration for Jerome Bonaparte!

If he had been in charge of this meeting, he definitely wouldn’t have achieved Jerome Bonaparte’s effect.

Because Marshal Lagren was on equal military rank and status with him, it was impossible for him to repeatedly use coercive means to demand Marshal Lagren’s cooperation.

At that time, he might have had to compromise with Marshal Lagren.

Once Pellissier compromised with Marshal Lagren, the original combat plan might have to be modified.

In such a case, the entire combat plan would become a mess.

After enjoying the applause from everyone, Jerome Bonaparte revealed a satisfied smile, then gently clapped his hands.

Standing at the entrance of the conference hall, Jerome Patterson heard the applause coming from inside the room, quickly embraced a stack of documents, entered the conference hall, and placed the documents in front of Jerome Bonaparte.

"Distribute the combat plans," Jerome Bonaparte lightly tapped the table, instructing Jerome Patterson.

"Yes!" Jerome Patterson distributed the bound combat plans to everyone present.

Those who received the combat plans focused intently on them, and Jerome Bonaparte spoke again: "This is just an initial plan! If there are changes in the subsequent war, there will be new combat plans!"

It wasn’t long before the sound of pages turning was heard in the conference hall, and everyone remained silent.

About ten minutes later, Jerome Bonaparte crossed his hands and asked calmly, "Does anyone have any questions for me?"

This time, Marshal Lagren stood up again: "Your Majesty, according to the plan, our British 50,000 troops need to deploy 45,000. Isn’t this a bit too risky!"

"Risky?" Jerome Bonaparte spread his hands, shrugged, and said: "Marshal Lagren, I don’t think it’s too risky! Sevastopol doesn’t need so many troops!

Moreover, aside from your 5,000 men, aren’t there also 5,000 men from Omar Pasha?

As long as your 45,000 plus the 20,000 stationed in Yevpatoria can completely suppress the 80,000 Russian Army in Saki within the fortress!

Then you don’t have to worry about the safety of Sevastopol at all!"

After listening to Jerome Bonaparte, Marshal Lagren sat back down.

Subsequently, La Malamor and Omar also raised questions, which Jerome Bonaparte answered one by one.

When everyone had no more questions, Jerome Bonaparte spoke to them again: "Alright! Everyone, go back and prepare! I plan to launch an attack on the Russian Army on the 19th. I hope you don’t falter at the critical moment!"

Everyone present quickly stood up and responded to Jerome Bonaparte: "Understood!"

After the meeting ended, everyone left the French Command and that night, Ivanov Gorchakov appeared once again before Jerome Bonaparte, informing him that Alexander II wanted to continue peace talks.

"Please tell your Crown Prince that the French Army will not retreat another step! We will occupy Bakhchisaray by the end of this month. At that time, the Russian Empire can discuss peace talks again!"