Make France Great Again

"I shall await your victory news in Paris!"

Jerome Bonaparte responded with a smile to Gorchakov Envoy and then reminded him not to forget to attend the peace conference in Paris this April.

Gorchakov Envoy knew that the so-called peace conference mentioned by Jerome Bonaparte was merely a supplementary meeting led by France to divide the Russian Empire’s territory.

However, Gorchakov had no choice but to attend this trial conference against the Russian Empire, for if they did not represent the Russian Imperial Government, the Golitsyn traitor group in St. Petersburg would surely do so.

This would lead to their indirect loss of international influence, and the European monarchies might no longer consider Gorchakov and his associates a fully functional government.

In this case, they would lose the support of some people.

After all, although Golitsyn’s new government limited the Tsar’s power, they did not abolish the Tsar.

Many monarchical countries would not treat them as harshly as they would a republic, instead maintaining an ambiguous stance similar to that once held toward the Orléans Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, rest assured! We will definitely arrive on time!" Gorchakov Envoy hurriedly assured Jerome Bonaparte.

"Alright! Gorchakov Envoy, it’s getting late! You all should set out!" Jerome Bonaparte issued a dismissal order to Gorchakov.

Gorchakov Envoy reluctantly took a last look at the land behind Jerome Bonaparte and then bowed and left.

Watching the Russian Army depart through the ankle-deep snow, Jerome Bonaparte displayed a sincere smile.

This war, which lasted about a year, finally ended with the Russian Empire’s exit from the Crimea Peninsula.

Next, what he needed to do on the Crimea Peninsula was the aftermath and bestowal of titles and rewards.

"Valerovsky!" Jerome Bonaparte softly called to the Minister of Foreign Affairs beside him.

"Your Majesty!" Valerovsky quickly responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

"What title do you think I should bestow upon Marshal Pelissier?" Jerome Bonaparte asked thoughtfully, "Duke? Or Count..."

"Your Majesty, that depends on your will!" Valerovsky swiftly passed the decision back to Jerome Bonaparte.

Whether it be Duke or Count, it was not something Valerovsky could decide.

If Valerovsky guessed right, all would be well, but if he didn’t discern Jerome Bonaparte’s mind, the consequences could be severe.

He, having a fairly decent relationship with Marshal Pelissier, did not want to incur Pelissier’s animosity on this matter.

There is indeed a certain gap between Duke and Count.

After pondering for a while, Jerome Bonaparte ultimately decided to grant Marshal Pelissier the title of Count.

After all, the late Marshal Saint Arno had merely received the title of Count of Sevastopol.

For Marshal Pelissier, as the successor to Marshal Saint Arno, it was truly difficult to confer the title of Duke.

Moreover, since this Crimean War was won with seventy percent politics and thirty percent military, Jerome Bonaparte did not want to directly bestow a Duke’s title.

"I have decided to bestow the title of Count upon Marshal Pelissier, as a reward for his courageous battle on the Crimea Peninsula. What do you think?" Jerome Bonaparte repeated to Valerovsky.

"That’s perfect! I’m sure Marshal Pelissier will be moved by your kindness and generosity!" Valerovsky hurriedly flattered Jerome Bonaparte.

"As for the title..." Jerome Bonaparte paused, turning his gaze to Valerovsky. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Your Majesty, since the title of Count of Sevastopol was already given to the late Marshal Saint Arno, why don’t we grant Marshal Pelissier the title of Count of Bakhchisarai as a reward!" Valerovsky suggested, looking up at Jerome Bonaparte.

"This..." Jerome Bonaparte hesitated for a moment, wondering if granting a general the title connected to the Crimea Khanate Royal City was somewhat excessive.

However, this thought was cut short within a few seconds, and he finally decided, "Alright! It shall be the Count of Bakhchisarai! Immediately head to Simferopol to notify Marshal Pelissier and order him to hurry here! Also, if Marshal Pelissier asks, say nothing to him! Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Valerovsky bowed and responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

That afternoon, accompanied by his entourage and escorted by Tatar Cavalry, Minister Valerovsky set out from Perekop. After several hours of long-distance travel, they finally arrived at the Capital of Simferopol that evening.

Led by a French officer, Valerovsky arrived before Marshal Pelissier.

"Your Excellency Valerovsky, why have you come alone? Does His Majesty have any instructions?" Marshal Pelissier hurriedly asked as soon as they met.

"Your Excellency Marshal, congratulations!" Minister Valerovsky responded to Marshal Pelissier with a smile.

"Congratulations? Congratulations on what?" Marshal Pelissier asked, looking puzzled.

"Your Excellency Marshal, you will know once you reach Perekop!" Minister Valerovsky added, "However, it’s best if you change into formal attire before going..."

Although it seemed Valerovsky revealed nothing to Marshal Pelissier, he had in fact fully conveyed the message.

By this time, Marshal Pelissier understood Valerovsky’s implication that Emperor Jerome Bonaparte’s purpose in summoning him to Perekop was likely to promote him.

"Thank you for informing me, Your Excellency Minister!" Marshal Pelissier hurriedly expressed his gratitude to Valerovsky.

"Don’t say that. I didn’t tell you anything!" Valerovsky denied, then added, "And when in front of His Majesty, make sure to pretend you know nothing!"

Early the next morning, after passing on instructions for matters to attend to during his absence, Marshal Pelissier donned his First Empire Marshal uniform and, together with Valerovsky, departed from Simferopol, arriving at Perekop Fortress by noon.

The two, led by Jerome Patterson, reached the residence of Jerome Bonaparte at Perekop.

"Your Excellency Marshal, Your Excellency Minister, please wait here for a moment! His Majesty is currently engaged upstairs and is expected to meet with you in about half an hour!" Jerome Patterson explained to Marshal Pelissier and Valerovsky as he guided them into a room to wait.

Marshal Pelissier and Valerovsky immediately expressed their understanding and then followed Jerome Patterson’s arrangement to wait in the room.

Subsequently, Jerome Patterson instructed the servants within the residence to serve them pastries and tea, allowing the two weary travelers to satisfy their hunger slightly.

Marshal Pelissier and Valerovsky sat quietly in the room, awaiting Jerome Bonaparte.

The person they were waiting for was at that moment in the study on the second floor of the residence, listening to a report from the Head of Military Supplies, Leboeuf.

"Your Majesty, this is the plan drafted by our technical staff regarding the handling of the Camish Port to Alma railway section. Please have a look!" Leboeuf presented the document with a respectful yet slightly reserved tone.

"Thank you for your hard work!" Jerome Bonaparte took the document solemnly from Leboeuf, carefully reviewed it, and then placed it back on the table.

The document’s content was straightforward: the Military Supply Department intended to dismantle and transport the railway and equipment between Camish Port and Alma to Syria Province, to construct a railway from Yate to Jerusalem!

Once this railway was completed, the pilgrimage to Jerusalem would increase significantly.

At the same time, the French Empire could exercise further control over the area surrounding Jerusalem via the railway.

"Who is responsible for contracting this railway?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired of Leboeuf.

"Mr. Isaac Pereire!" Leboeuf replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"And what about the pricing?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired again.

"20% above the market price for scrap iron!" Leboeuf responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

"They seem to be quite adept at business!" Jerome Bonaparte remarked with a slight smile to Leboeuf.

"Your Majesty, should we agree to their terms?" Leboeuf asked Jerome Bonaparte.

"Let’s proceed according to the plan!" Jerome Bonaparte shrugged and replied helplessly, "After all, leaving the railway here is a waste. I believe Abdul of the Ottoman Empire would definitely not invest too many resources here! Rather than letting the railway remain idle here, we might as well make use of it! This way, it can still provide some value!"

"Yes!" Leboeuf nodded, then presented Jerome Bonaparte with another proposal titled "Plan for Disposing of French Army Horses and Mules."

In this proposal, Leboeuf pointed out that the quantity of horses and mules possessed by the French Army was simply too large (most were requisitioned), and transporting them back would incur costs far exceeding the animals’ actual value. As such, the most optimal solution would be to sell them locally on the Crimea Peninsula to the local authorities.

Their supported governor Pasha Musa Gley (currently recognized by the Ottoman Empire as the Governor of Crimea) also expressed his willingness to "serve" the French Empire’s horses and mules. However, given that the Crimea Peninsula is a poverty-stricken region, the price they offered was also below market value.