"The Russian Empire needs to compensate the Allies for the military expenses incurred in this action!" Valvesky then presented the final condition to Envoy Gorchakov.

Upon hearing the condition, Envoy Gorchakov was completely shocked. At this moment, he somewhat suspected that the real intention of France was to drive them to their death!

"Minister Valvesky, we hardly have any money left! Not to mention compensating your country’s losses, we might not even be able to gather enough money to return to St. Petersburg!" Envoy Gorchakov responded to Valvesky with a bitter smile, "Your country’s condition is something we simply cannot fulfill!"

"This too is within our consideration!" Valvesky said with a smile to Envoy Gorchakov, "Your country only needs to lift the restrictions on French merchants, allowing our merchants to set up factories, build railways, and establish commercial institutions in your country... The taxes generated from these can not only offset the compensation but also provide your government with a surplus! Isn’t this a win-win situation?"

After listening to Valvesky’s speech, Envoy Gorchakov displayed a hesitant expression on his face.

While Valvesky’s method could improve the Russian Empire’s finances in the short term, it undoubtedly undermines Russia’s self-sustaining capability in the long run.

Once the French Empire gains control over the railways and mines within the Russian Empire, Russian diplomacy may be influenced by France to a certain extent.

Unless Russia is willing to directly and forcefully confiscate the French Empire’s capital within the Russian Empire, otherwise, with just a little pressure from France, the entire Russian Empire may face turmoil.

[PS: The condition proposed by Jerome Bonaparte is the same trick that the French Republic originally used against the Russian Empire, except that the French Republic’s approach was capital infusion and they did not engage in operations.]

"Envoy Gorchakov, what are you hesitating about?" Minister Valvesky urged Envoy Gorchakov once again to make a quick decision, "Do you think that Russia, relying solely on its own efforts, could lead your nation towards industrialization?

In the future, countries without industrialization will not have a place on the stage!"

After that, Jerome Bonaparte also casually informed Gorchakov that the Austrian Empire had borrowed about 5 or 6 billion francs from the French Empire for their industrialization, and might borrow more in the future!

If the Russian Empire wishes to be left far behind by the Austrian Empire, then Jerome Bonaparte has nothing more to say.

Thinking of the Austrian Empire’s betrayal towards the Russian Empire, Envoy Gorchakov gritted his teeth with hatred. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Should there be a chance in the future, he would surely make the Austrian Empire pay.

Currently, the Austrian Empire has begun industrializing, and if the Russian Empire doesn’t act, it might find it difficult to defeat the Austrian Empire in the future.

After all, the battles of the Anglo-French army in Crimea are plain for all to see.

"Fine! I agree with you!" Envoy Gorchakov nodded and responded to Valvesky and then added, "However, I wonder if your country can lend us some money!

Without the support of St. Petersburg, it will be very difficult for us to achieve victory without your help!

If we face defeat, then all the treaties we signed will be void!"

"A loan!" Minister Valvesky turned his gaze to Jerome Bonaparte, seeking his opinion.

"Speak! How much do you need?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Minister Valvesky.

"3 billion francs!" Envoy Gorchakov boldly declared.

"3 billion francs?" Jerome Bonaparte sneered, "Is your country planning to completely re-equip your army? Or do you think we’re fools!"

"We can repay at an interest rate of 6% per annum!" Envoy Gorchakov attempted to entice Jerome Bonaparte with high interest rates.

However, Jerome Bonaparte wasn’t interested in interest rates. In his mind, even high-interest rates weren’t as valuable as plunging the Russian Empire into a bloody civil war.

billion francs is equivalent to the annual military expenses of 550,000 French Army and a part of the navy. With such a large amount, the Russian Empire could completely overthrow the St. Petersburg regime in a short time.

In this way, Jerome Bonaparte’s intention to continuously bleed Russia would become unattainable!

"Impossible!" Jerome Bonaparte firmly told Envoy Gorchakov: "We can lend you at most 1 billion francs, calculated at an annual interest rate of 4.5%!"

"Alright!" Envoy Gorchakov readily agreed to Jerome Bonaparte’s terms.

He never expected a loan of 3 billion francs, and Jerome Bonaparte agreeing to lend them 1 billion francs was already a pleasant surprise.

The soldiers of the Russian Empire are not like those of the French Empire; with a little push, they can raise an army of 300,000 to 400,000.

With this army, they can engage in battle with the rebels of St. Petersburg.

(Duke Golitsyn already has nearly 200,000 Finnish troops and about 100,000 troops from St. Petersburg, totaling around 300,000 as well.)

"By the way, we also hope to use this money to purchase a batch of the rifles you are currently using!" Envoy Gorchakov said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Sure!" Jerome Bonaparte also readily agreed to Gorchakov’s terms.

The Gorchakov Envoy was somewhat surprised that Jerome Bonaparte could agree so easily.

At that moment, he was unaware that far away in St. Petersburg, Duke Golitsyn was also sending batches of gold stored in the Russian coffers to France in exchange for the Minie rifles and production lines held by France.

Soon, they would see two Russian units using Minie rifles shooting at each other!

"By the way, we also have a rifle production line and bullet production line in Rhodes Island, are you interested!" Jerome Bonaparte asked the Gorchakov Envoy.

"Yes! Of course, we are!" The Gorchakov Envoy nodded hurriedly in response.

"Very well! I will hand it over to you after the war ends!" Jerome Bonaparte replied to the Gorchakov Envoy.

Then, Jerome Bonaparte turned the stage over to Valerovsky and Gorchakov.

"Your Excellency Ambassador, these are all our conditions! If you agree, then we’ve reached an agreement!" Valerovsky ordered his subordinates to hand over the document to the Gorchakov Envoy.

"Can I submit this document for the Crown Prince to review!" The Gorchakov Envoy responded to the Valvesky Envoy.

Although he was granted full authority by the Crown Prince to represent Russia, the conditions proposed by France made him hesitant to make a decision alone!

After all, the document stipulated the cession of Crimea, Finland, and Poland, as well as compensation to France for economic losses!

"Of course!" Valerovsky nodded and said to the Gorchakov Envoy, "However, we hope you can give us a prompt reply!"

"Certainly! Certainly!" The Gorchakov Envoy said to Valvosky.

After the negotiations concluded, the Gorchakov Envoy immediately took his leave from Jerome Bonaparte!

Jerome Bonaparte and Valerovsky warmly bid farewell to Gorchakov, "the traitor."

"Valerovsky, do you think they will accept our terms?"

"Your Majesty, I think they have no choice at all!"

...

Upon returning to Simferopol, the Gorchakov Envoy immediately handed the document to Alexander II, who also felt a wave of dizziness upon reading the terms!

"That fellow Jerome Bonaparte, might as well destroy us!" Alexander II said in despair, "If we sign these terms, they will be seen as traitors to the entire Russian Empire!"

"I heard that the traitor Golitsyn also signed a similar treaty with them!" The Gorchakov Envoy quickly comforted him with a word.

In fact, he knew in his heart that Duke Golitsyn’s treaty was surely not as treasonous as theirs.

As it stands, for them, there’s no other road except to sell their country.

Golitsyn’s new government has more room to maneuver!

"Do you think we should sign?" Alexander II turned to ask Commander Gorchakov and Count Orlov.

"Sign, Your Highness!" Commander Gorchakov promptly said, "In their (France’s) minds, we still hold value!

If we refuse to sign, they might abandon us!

At that time, our situation will only get worse!"

"Your Majesty, I agree as well!" Count Orlov also spoke up to say.

The support from the Gorchakov brothers and Count Orlov led Alexander II to make up his mind, and he ordered the Gorchakov Envoy to implement it quickly!

Early the next morning, the Gorchakov Envoy rushed to Bakhchisaray, telling Jerome Bonaparte that he was willing to sign the treaty on behalf of Crown Prince Alexander.

However, he hoped the French Empire would uphold the principle of helping thoroughly, and stop the Caucasus Ottoman Army from pursuing them!

The Gorchakov Envoy also hoped to leverage France’s influence to secure the Caucasus!

"I can agree to that!" Jerome Bonaparte said to the Gorchakov Envoy.

The Crimea Peninsula being exchanged to the Ottoman Empire was already considered Jerome Bonaparte’s compensation for the occupation of Rhodes Island!

The Caucasus Region should still be handed over to the Russian Empire for management, as his goal was never to revive the Ottoman Empire.