Thus, Gorchakov Envoy had to wait another day in Bakhchisaray, and early the next morning, he waited for the arrival of Jerome Bonaparte and Minister Valvesky.

Jerome Bonaparte and Minister Valvesky clearly had no intention of hastening the negotiations; they departed from Sevastopol unhurriedly and arrived in Bakhchisaray only at noon.

Then, after having a simple lunch at the military camp in Bakhchisaray, they finally met with Gorchakov Envoy at the French Command!

"Gorchakov Envoy, I truly apologize for keeping you waiting so long! If you had told me earlier, I wouldn’t have kept you waiting here for no reason!" Jerome Bonaparte feigned a very apologetic demeanor as he shook Gorchakov Envoy’s hand and spoke to him.

Gorchakov Envoy, of course, understood that Jerome Bonaparte’s words were nothing more than polite words, and Jerome Bonaparte had kept them waiting so long simply to dampen their spirits and make the negotiations more favorable to his side.

Thus, Gorchakov shook his head and humbled himself to Jerome Bonaparte: "It’s nothing! Actually, we are the ones who should apologize!

If it weren’t for us, His Majesty should still be enjoying life in Constantinople!"

"It’s nothing. For the peace of Europe, no matter how hard or tiring, it is worth it," Jerome Bonaparte replied with a smile to Gorchakov Envoy.

"Your Majesty, what you said is really wonderful!" Gorchakov Envoy complimented.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Jerome Bonaparte and Gorchakov Envoy... no, to be precise, Minister Valvesky representing Jerome Bonaparte and Gorchakov Envoy representing Alexander II began the negotiation phase.

"Your Excellency, I suppose you are aware of the recent series of events in our country." Gorchakov Envoy, having waited for a long time, did not want to beat around the bush and directly asked Minister Valvesky.

"I deeply sympathize with Crown Prince Alexander’s predicament!" Minister Valvesky replied to Gorchakov Envoy.

After all, according to the policies issued by the new government in St. Petersburg, Alexander has been deprived of the succession rights to the Tsar of Russia by the Russian Empire Constitutional Committee.

The current new Tsar of the Russian Empire is his underage child, and Duke Golitsyn has been unanimously elected as the Regent of the Russian Empire and the President of the Russian Empire’s First Council.

In essence, he is now the First Governor of the New Russian Empire.

If not cloaked in the guise of a Tsar, it could completely be described as a fully republican state.

Although Minister Valvesky was more aware of the situation of the Russian Empire than Gorchakov Envoy, he still had to display a completely uninformed expression.

"However, I’m a bit curious! How does the newly established State Duma in your country have the authority to depose a Tsar’s heir? Has your country become so democratic already?"

Minister Valvesky’s sarcastic remarks made Gorchakov’s face show a hint of embarrassment.

Even though Gorchakov knew that there were ambiguous relations between Britain and France with the rebellious government in St. Petersburg, (otherwise, why would the "Kingdom of Sweden" and the "Sardinian Kingdom" send people there), he still had to cooperate with Minister Valvesky’s performance.

"Your Excellency, our Crown Prince not only does not acknowledge the State Duma’s judgment, but also will not recognize the State Duma established by Peterburg!"

"That would be interesting!" Minister Valvesky said with a playful smile, "Since you don’t acknowledge the State Duma’s authority, how did this State Duma come to be?"

"Actually, the State Duma was established by insurgents from the Peterburg Region who kidnapped our monarch, Nicolai, and forced him to create this institution of power!" Commander Gorchakov responded to Minister Valvesky, "Our monarch is still in an uncertain state of life and death, while these conspirators who stole power are shamelessly declaring the establishment of a whole new Russian Empire in St. Petersburg!"

"Gorchakov Envoy, isn’t that fortunate?" Minister Valvesky replied indifferently, "The Russian Empire indeed needs some change!"

"Your Excellency, I also believe that the Russian Empire indeed needs change, but such change should not be carried out by a group of rebels!" Gorchakov Envoy said with anguish, "It should be decreed personally by His Majesty the Emperor or His Highness the Crown Prince to change the entire Russia gradually.

And not forcibly change all of Russia through radical means."

"However, they did indeed issue decrees in the name of the new emperor!" Minister Valvesky responded confidently, "If I’m not mistaken, the current Emperor of the Russian Empire is the son of Crown Prince Alexander, whose inheritance rights are only behind Crown Prince Alexander."

"But the new emperor does not possess independent ability!" Gorchakov Envoy continued to respond to Minister Valvesky, "His all decrees are entirely established by that traitor Golitsyn!"

Minister Valvesky shrugged and said to Gorchakov Envoy, "Your Excellency, the issue of the succession rights is merely an internal affair, and I do not wish to delve too deeply into it with you. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Whether you are willing or not, it is merely your subjective opinion!

To me, this new Tsar of the Russian Empire also holds legal validity!

The rights of a monarch sometimes do not originate from God, but from the subjects living under their rule!"

Saying this, Minister Valvesky instinctively glanced at Jerome Bonaparte.

A smile of approval appeared on Jerome Bonaparte’s lips.

Gorchakov Envoy realized the same, that speaking of the divine right of kings to these sovereign and subject would not be understood at all.

Because Jerome Bonaparte’s throne was decided by a plebiscite, he could not deny the legitimacy brought by the plebiscite.

Gorchakov Envoy had no choice but to change his approach and solidify the traitors in the Peterburg Region: "Could it be that as the only legitimate government of France, your country intends to plead for those rebels?"

"Rebels?" Minister Valvesky still maintained his smile, "If that alone classifies them as rebels, then how do we classify your former Catherine’s vision and the Holy King?"

Gorchakov Envoy’s expression froze; he had indeed forgotten that coups in the Russian Empire were an old tradition. If rebels were classified solely based on rebellion, then there were far too many rebels in the Russian Empire.

"Your Excellency, Minister, the rebels in the Peterburg Region now are vastly different from the past palace coups!" Gorchakov Envoy replied to Valvesky: "These rebels are more revolutionary than ever! If this revolution succeeds in Russia, it will undoubtedly spread like a common plague.

At that time, all of Europe will be facing the event that occurred a few years ago."

"So, what do you intend to do?" Valvesky asked Gorchakov.

"We hope your country can lend support to the Russian Empire based on our shared monarchical system!" Gorchakov Envoy quietly pleaded with Valvesky, "As a monarchical nation, the French Empire should stand together with Russia against revolution! We warmly welcome the French Empire to integrate into the European monarchial family!"

"Gorchakov Envoy, even if your country does not welcome us, it makes no significant difference!" Jerome Bonaparte suddenly spoke to Gorchakov Envoy: "After all, not recognizing our country as a monarchy and still considering us as enemies, only the Russian Empire remains."

Faced with Jerome Bonaparte’s response, Gorchakov Envoy hurriedly replied humbly, "Your Majesty, all previous matters were misunderstandings! Now the misunderstandings have been lifted, and the Russian Empire will be your best brother!"

"This Russian brother, I’m afraid I am not blessed to bear!" Jerome Bonaparte said mercilessly, "Who knows if you would stab me in the back as soon as the crisis is over!"

"No! No!" Gorchakov shook his head desperately, answering sincerely, "Our Russian Empire is very sincere to every friend, and would absolutely not do anything to harm a friend!"

After a moment of silence, Jerome Bonaparte spoke again, "Alright! I might as well believe you. How do you plan to end the battle?"

"Your Majesty, we hope to temporarily cease the war!" Gorchakov Envoy earnestly replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Gorchakov Envoy, are you mocking me?" Jerome Bonaparte furrowed his brows and questioned Gorchakov Envoy.

"Certainly not!" Gorchakov Envoy hurriedly responded.

"Now your 180,000 troops are surrounded by mine, I don’t see any reason for me to give up devouring them!" Jerome Bonaparte snorted coldly, "Wanting to stop the war now, isn’t that a bit too far-fetched!"

"Your Majesty, what do you want us to do?" Gorchakov Envoy inquired to Jerome Bonaparte.

"You must formally surrender to us!" Jerome Bonaparte answered Gorchakov Envoy, "I can promise you that after you surrender, you will retain your organizational structure, and a portion of the captured soldiers will be returned to you!"

"We are willing to surrender!" Gorchakov Envoy quickly responded.

Now the Russian Army has reached the end of the road. Ceasefire and surrender are merely matters of face.

In fact, their reputation was already completely lost in the prior battles, so there’s no concern about losing more!