On the other hand, as soon as Ivanov Gorchakov returned to Simferopol from Bakhchisaray, he was informed that Crown Prince Alexander wanted him to immediately head to the headquarters. Ivanov Gorchakov quickly rode to the headquarters located in the center of Simferopol.

When Ivanov Gorchakov arrived at the headquarters, he immediately felt the pervasive air of despondency within the headquarters.

From the guards at the headquarters to the adjutants, staff officers, and clerks inside, everyone’s face showed a sense of despair, sharply contrasting with the confidence and conviction he felt at the French Command.

"Alas!" Looking at his colleagues who had completely lost their morale, Ivanov Gorchakov couldn’t help but sigh softly.

If he hadn’t gone to the French Command, he probably wouldn’t have realized that the morale of the Russian Empire had fallen to this level.

After all, once an individual is infected by collective emotion, it is difficult for them to break free from it.

Led by an adjutant inside the headquarters, Ivanov Gorchakov soon arrived at the office of Crown Prince Alexander.

Standing at the office door, Ivanov Gorchakov gently knocked, and after a while, the voice of Crown Prince Alexander came from inside: "Come in!"

Ivanov Gorchakov quickly pushed the door open and entered the office, discovering that inside were not only the Crown Prince, but also Commander Gorchakov, Count Orlov, and Gorchakov Envoy.

As soon as he entered, Ivanov Gorchakov heard Crown Prince Alexander’s urgent inquiry: "Lieutenant Colonel Ivanov, how is the situation with the French Empire? Is His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte willing to negotiate with us?"

"Your Highness!" Ivanov Gorchakov let out a bitter smile, shook his head, and said in a low tone, "This time, I did not meet His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte at the French Command!"

"Did not meet?" A trace of anxiety appeared on Alexander II’s face, and he asked again: "What about Minister of Foreign Affairs Valerovsky? Surely you met him!"

Ivanov Gorchakov shook his head again and replied to Alexander II: "People at the French Command told me that Minister of Foreign Affairs Valerovsky and His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte have already gone to Constantinople! They are expected to return in more than two months!"

"Oh God!" Crown Prince Alexander couldn’t help but exclaim softly.

For Alexander II, who now wanted to return to St. Petersburg to quell the rebellion, every day spent in Simferopol meant a lesser chance of success.

If they really had to waste two months here, then the rebels in the Peterburg Region could use this time to consolidate their position and even bring Moscow under their control.

By then, it would be very difficult for Alexander II to quell the rebellion.

If things went poorly, they could very likely be eradicated by the rebels in St. Petersburg.

After all, St. Petersburg and Moscow can be said to be the essence of the entire Russian Empire.

If the rebels establish a solid authoritative government in these two regions, they could completely dominate areas outside these regions.

Upon hearing Ivanov Gorchakov’s response, the faces of the Gorchakov brothers and Orlov also turned grim. They also understood what two months of delay meant for them.

Thus, Count Orlov couldn’t help but suggest to Alexander II: "Your Highness, let’s break through! I just do not believe these people can entirely block our army!"

"Your Excellency Count!" Commander Gorchakov replied to Count Orlov: "If we do not reach an agreement with France, even if we are lucky enough to break through, we will still face pursuit by the Allies!

By that time, let alone eradicating the rebels of St. Petersburg, not being eradicated by the rebels of St. Petersburg would already be fortunate enough!"

"Then what should we do?" Count Orlov stood up and shouted at Commander Gorchakov: "Now we are trapped in this damned place, unable to retreat! Are we really supposed to prepare to stay here for two months?"

For Count Orlov, returning to Peterburg a day earlier meant that his property (manor, castle) could be slightly recovered, and that was money painstakingly accumulated by their family!

"Your Excellency Count, taking out your anger on me won’t help!" Commander Gorchakov restrained his inner fury and patiently responded to Count Orlov: "The pressing matter now is to reach a peace talk with the French Army quickly! We can no longer waste much time here!"

"Commander Gorchakov is right!" Alexander II shifted his gaze to Count Orlov and slowly said: "Count Orlov, I understand your impatience to return to St. Petersburg! Which one of us here does not feel the same way? But the more crucial the situation, the more we need to maintain a calm mind! Don’t let emotions dictate your judgment!"

Alexander II’s speech slightly diminished the anger in Count Orlov’s heart.

Count Orlov believed that no one present was more anxious than Alexander II.

For they had only lost property and privileges, but Alexander II had lost an entire nation!

"I have been too impatient!" Count Orlov hurriedly admitted his mistake to Alexander II and sat back down in his chair.

"Your Highness, I would like to request permission to make decisions on the spot!" Ambassador Gorchakov, who had remained silent, also rose to speak to Alexander II, "In this way, I can hold detailed discussions with His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte!"

"This..." Alexander II hesitated for a moment, then, gritting his teeth, agreed to grant Gorchakov temporary decision-making authority, after which he asked Gorchakov what method he intended to use to summon His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte from Constantinople.

"Your Highness, if I’m not mistaken, His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte and Valerovsky have not gone to Constantinople but are still staying in Bakhchisaray!" Ambassador Gorchakov responded to Alexander II.

"Explain your reasoning!" Alexander II replied to Gorchakov.

"Thus, His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte also does not want us to stay in Crimea for too long!" Gorchakov confidently responded to Alexander II, "The longer we stay here, the stronger the Petersburg rebels will become!

Once we are unable to counter the Petersburg rebels, it will be the Allies who will be anxious!

So, I conclude that His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte and Valerovsky, at this critical juncture, are definitely still in Bakhchisaray and have not left!"

"Then why are they not meeting with Ivanov?" Alexander II inquired again.

"It might be because His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte believes Lieutenant Colonel Ivanov’s rank is insufficient!" Ambassador Gorchakov responded to Alexander II, "As a lieutenant colonel, he doesn’t have the authority to decide on behalf of the entire Russian Imperial Army, and His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte also doesn’t want to repeat the previous negotiation process, so he wants us to send someone of sufficient importance over!"

As soon as Ambassador Gorchakov finished speaking, Alexander II looked at Ivanov Gorchakov.

Ambassador Gorchakov’s guess was not unfounded, as Ivanov Gorchakov’s rank was indeed insufficient to represent the entire Russian Empire in negotiations with the Allies.

With this in mind, Alexander II nodded to Ambassador Gorchakov and said, "Alright! You shall represent the army and go to Bakhchisaray!

No matter what method you use, be sure to sign a ceasefire with the Allies!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" Ambassador Gorchakov nodded in response to Alexander II.

Early the next morning, Ambassador Gorchakov and his delegation set off from Simferopol, and after several hours of a long journey, they arrived at the French Command in Bakhchisaray by midday.

He was received by Jerome Patterson, who now wore an impatient expression and said, "Didn’t I tell you yesterday? His Excellency Minister Ge has gone to Constantinople and will take about a month to return!"

"Then please allow me to wait here for His Majesty’s return!" Ambassador Gorchakov responded with a smile to Jerome Patterson, "Before I left, His Highness Alexander told me that if I didn’t complete the ceasefire agreement, I would never be able to return to Simferopol!

While His Majesty is away, I and my delegation will have to trouble you!"

Then, Ambassador Gorchakov took out a note from Frankfurt Bank, telling Jerome Patterson that this note was for the cost of living during his stay and hoped Jerome Patterson would accept it!

"You..." the young Jerome Patterson was left speechless.

Subsequently, Ambassador Gorchakov settled in Bakhchisaray with a stance of staying indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Jerome Bonaparte in Sevastopol, upon hearing the news, also displayed a helpless smile.

"Your Majesty, what should we do now?" Minister Valvesky asked Jerome Bonaparte.

"Let him wait in Bakhchisaray for two days! Then we will appear!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Valvesky.

Two more days passed, and Ambassador Gorchakov received notification from Jerome Patterson that Jerome Bonaparte and Valvesky would be returning to the Crimea Peninsula that evening and were expected to arrive the next day.