Make France Great Again-Chapter 810 - 801: Guaranteeing Bavarian Independence
Jerome Bonaparte and Maximilian II, along with their spouses, arrived at the Royal Palace Hall in the center of Munich by carriage, where the nobles waiting inside turned their solemn gazes towards the two majesties as they entered.
At the same time, the band in the hall began to play the national anthem of the French Empire, "Song of Departure."
In the resounding music, Jerome Bonaparte and Maximilian II shook hands in the presence of the nobles, until the "Song of Departure" stopped, then they released their hands.
Immediately after, the band played the "Bavarian Hymn," and Jerome Bonaparte maintained a solemn expression until the song ended.
With the song’s conclusion, the band was escorted elsewhere by the palace servants.
Maximilian II expressed his sentiments regarding the arrival of Jerome Bonaparte and his wife in Munich: both he and the Bavarian government warmly welcome Jerome Bonaparte and his wife... Though their stay in Munich is brief, it demonstrates the continued friendly relationship between the French Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria... He personally hopes that in the future the Kingdom of Bavaria will cooperate more closely with the French Empire.
Once Maximilian II finished speaking, Jerome Bonaparte was the first to applaud him, followed by the nobles who also enthusiastically applauded Maximilian II’s hometown.
After the applause faded, Maximilian II invited Jerome Bonaparte to say a few words as well. (Maximilian II assumed Jerome Bonaparte, like himself, had someone prepare notes. Little did he know that Jerome Bonaparte was always ready for impromptu speeches.)
Jerome Bonaparte had to once again exercise his improvisational speaking skills, starting with the history between the Kingdom of Bavaria and the French Empire (during the Rhine Federation period, the Kingdom of Bavaria gained substantial benefits through marriage with Emperor Napoleon’s stepson, hence Bavaria has always maintained a friendly stance toward France), and then he spoke about the present and future. (Jerome Bonaparte hoped that the French Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria could again join hands like before to defend peace in Europe.)
After the speech concluded, Jerome Bonaparte gave a sincere smile to everyone present.
Soon after, Jerome Bonaparte and Maximilian II were ushered to the main hall of the palace amidst the crowd of nobles, where the banquet honoring Jerome Bonaparte would be held.
Before the banquet began, there was a period of "rest" time where everyone could freely do as they wished, as long as their actions did not infringe upon the royal family.
Nobles gathered in small groups for conversation, while Jerome Bonaparte and Maximilian II went together to an unoccupied guest room to talk.
Maximilian II first tentatively asked Jerome Bonaparte’s opinion on the current situation in the German region (with Austria appearing strong and Prussia weak on the surface).
"Maximilian!" Jerome Bonaparte said solemnly to Maximilian II: "If I tell you that the reason I chose to offer Poland and the Danube River to Austria is to maintain the balance of power within Germany, would you believe me?"
"Jerome, Germany has lost all sense of balance now!" Maximilian II also responded, "The Austrian Empire is too strong! The power balance between Prussia and the Austrian Empire has severely tipped, and we smaller states wedged between Prussia and Austria are nearly out of maneuvering space!"
"Haha!" Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but laugh, "Your Kingdom of Bavaria is the most powerful state besides Prussia and Austria. Both Prussia and Austria must consider you! If you call yourselves a small state, then how should states like Württemberg and Baden view themselves!"
"The Kingdom of Württemberg has the support of France! They don’t need to worry about threats from Prussia or the Austrian Empire, while the Duchy of Baden is too small to have any real choice. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
On the contrary, our Kingdom of Bavaria stands out neither too high nor too low, making us the easiest target!" Maximilian II complained to Jerome Bonaparte again.
Maximilian’s concern was indeed reasonable; generally, before disputes arise between the top two powers, they often try to eliminate the third, then initiate conflict.
Otherwise, the third can benefit from the middle.
However, the Austro-Prussian War could not be predicted by usual logic; Prussia, the second power, chose to single-handedly challenge both the top power and the entirety of the opposing German principalities.
More surprisingly, Prussia not only won but won decisively.
Thus, Jerome Bonaparte’s decision to strengthen the Austrian Empire to prevent it from being overtaken by Prussia was perceived by Maximilian II as Jerome Bonaparte’s attempt to ally with Austria, thus jeopardizing the balance within Germany.
"Maximilian, why don’t you clarify! What do you propose we do?" Jerome Bonaparte asked Maximilian II.
"I simply want to remind France not to let the Austrian Empire become overly dominant!" Maximilian II diplomatically urged Jerome Bonaparte to consider weakening the Austrian Empire.
"You can rest easy about that!" Jerome Bonaparte assured Maximilian II: "Maintaining the independence of the states within the German region, especially the South German States, is the obligation of the French Empire! We will never allow any country, under any pretext, to flagrantly override the sovereignty of the states!"
"Even the Austrian Empire?" Maximilian II questioned.
"Even the Austrian Empire!" Jerome Bonaparte responded firmly, "If the Kingdom of Bavaria still feels uneasy, I can also sign a secret agreement with Bavaria!
If any German state (limited) dares to infringe upon the Kingdom of Bavaria’s interests regarding sovereignty, the French Empire will resolutely support Bavaria!
If necessary, the French Empire is willing to form an alliance with Bavaria, to jointly protect the interests of the Southern German States!
We are prepared to go to war for this!"
Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s declaration of readiness to fight for Southern Germany, Maximilian II felt somewhat reassured.
At the very least, from Jerome Bonaparte’s stance, it was clear he had no intention of allowing Prussia and Austria to unify them.
Of course, as the saying goes, there’s no free lunch; Maximilian II understood that to make Jerome Bonaparte fulfill his promise, some price must be paid.
Without paying the price, Maximilian II would not believe that Jerome Bonaparte would truly keep his promise.
"Jerome, I wonder what we can do for you!" Maximilian asked Jerome Bonaparte tactfully about the conditions.
"We hope your country will provide us some support on border issues in the future!" Jerome Bonaparte also responded politely to Maximilian II, then added, "Of course, I’m not referring to the border issues between your country and ours (Bavaria’s details), but certain historical issues!"
Maximilian II immediately understood that Jerome Bonaparte had his eyes on the Rhine Region under the Kingdom of Prussia.
Bearing the mindset of ’better others suffer than oneself’ style, Maximilian II naturally did not mind Prussia’s territory and immediately responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "As long as France is capable of capturing that area, Bavaria is certainly willing to provide Your Majesty with some support!"
"Then we can consider our cooperation settled!" Jerome Bonaparte said with a smile, extending his hand to Maximilian II.
"Indeed!!" Maximilian II clasped Jerome Bonaparte’s hand.
Having reached an agreement, both parties shifted the topic in their direction again; Jerome Bonaparte curiously asked Maximilian II where his son Ludwig was!
"If you wish, I can take you to meet him!" Maximilian II said to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Certainly!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and replied to Maximilian II.
Under Maximilian II’s guidance, Jerome Bonaparte arrived at Ludwig Otto Friedrich Wilhelm’s room.
Gazing at the "little gentleman" reading poetry on the sofa, Maximilian II’s face displayed a joyful smile.
"Father!" Ludwig looked at his father and Jerome Bonaparte beside him, set down his poetry book, and responded politely to Maximilian II, like a little adult.
"This is Jerome Bonaparte, the monarch of the French Empire!" Maximilian II hurriedly introduced his son.
"Your Majesty, please pardon my earlier rudeness!" Ludwig politely addressed Jerome Bonaparte once again.
"No worries!" Jerome Bonaparte said with a smile, "It’s actually I who should apologize for disturbing you!"
Ludwig smiled subtly, but said nothing.
"Maximilian, I truly envy you for having such a wise son!" Jerome Bonaparte praised Maximilian II, "If my son could be as excellent as he is in the future (no mental issues), I would be very satisfied!"
"You are too modest! Your son will surely be an outstanding monarch in the future!" Maximilian II also complimented.
