Make France Great Again-Chapter 839 - 830: Ambiguous Diplomacy

"However, I personally still respect the Austrian Empire’s rights on the Apennine Peninsula, because Venice and Lombardy are the internal affairs of the Austrian Empire, and France has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of another country!"

Jerome Bonaparte said calmly to William I, then added, "Unless there are major changes on the Apennine Peninsula, only then will the French Empire consider the issues there."

Such a seemingly ordinary latter statement was a clear signal to Regent William’s ears, that is, Jerome Bonaparte himself was somewhat displeased with the Austrian Empire’s issues in Italy.

Though this dissatisfaction cannot draw the French Empire towards the Kingdom of Prussia, it can indeed open a diplomatic breakthrough for the Kingdom of Prussia.

If the Kingdom of Prussia can help the French Empire "find" this breakthrough, then there will certainly be conflicts between the French Empire and the Austrian Empire.

By then, the Kingdom of Prussia can consider reaping the benefits.

"Prussia, of course, is willing to respect the Austrian Empire’s rights on the Apennine Peninsula, just like France!" Regent William changed his tone and agreed with Jerome Bonaparte, "But we also hope the Austrian Empire will respect our rights on the German issues!"

"William, you shouldn’t say this to me! I believe you should tell Franz Joseph!" Jerome Bonaparte kindly reminded Regent William, "France is not interested in the conflicts between the Kingdom of Prussia and the Austrian Empire!

We only wish for the Kingdom of Prussia and the Austrian Empire to peacefully coexist!"

Damn it! Then why did you hand the Kingdom of Poland to Maximilian!

Regent William couldn’t help but internally shout angrily at Jerome Bonaparte, though his face still maintained a calm expression.

"Because the French Empire is the most impartial nation up till now!" Regent William complimented Jerome Bonaparte, "That’s why I am willing to share these words with you, we only hope to secure our own position within the German Confederation!"

Regent William paused and then deliberately emphasized, "That’s all!"

"Regent William, you’ve overestimated me! How could I have the ability to influence the direction of the Austrian Empire?" Jerome Bonaparte chuckled and continued, "Moreover, hasn’t the Kingdom of Prussia already secured its own position, are you still not satisfied with the vice-chairman position of the German Confederation?"

"The vice-chairman of the German Confederation is merely an honorary position granted to us by the Austrian Empire!" Regent William said with a bitter face to Jerome Bonaparte, "In the vice-chairman position, the Kingdom of Prussia has no real rights, our national power and the treatment we deserve are not aligned."

"What does the Kingdom of Prussia hope to do?" Jerome Bonaparte asked, "Does it hope for the Austrian Empire to withdraw from the German Confederation, allowing the Kingdom of Prussia to manage the entire German Confederation? Or to divide Germany into two, with the north under your control and the south under the Austrian Empire?"

"Our country does not have such ambitions!" Regent William staunchly denied.

"No such ambitions?" Jerome Bonaparte kept a smile on his face as he slowly asked Regent William, "Could you explain your country’s proposal to further transform the German Customs Union from an economic symbol into a politically tight-knit political entity!

The current German Customs Union is almost becoming a one-sided voice of your Prussia. I see you intend to exclude Austria from Germany to establish your Greater Prussia!"

As Jerome Bonaparte’s voice fell, a hint of shock appeared on Regent William’s face. He didn’t understand why Jerome Bonaparte knew their thoughts.

Obviously, such thoughts were only passed around among the high-levels of Prussia.

Could it be that the French have infiltrated my closest circle? Regent William couldn’t help but feel some fear.

If the French Empire really infiltrated his circle, how terrifying would it be! 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Of course, even if William I were to die, he would never think that the person sitting opposite him, Jerome Bonaparte, was a time traveler.

If anyone were to claim they understood the Kingdom of Prussia best, even William I and his people would not understand it as well as Jerome Bonaparte.

Now, William I just wanted to return to the royal palace immediately and replace all the attendants and stewards inside and out.

Though William I still maintained a composed appearance, inside, he could not remain calm.

Regent William could only suppress his restless heart, forcing a smile to respond to Jerome Bonaparte, "You are joking! Our Kingdom of Prussia established the Customs Union simply to facilitate mutually beneficial exchanges with the German region and never considered transforming it into a tight-knit political entity."

"Then why was the Austrian Empire unable to join the Customs Union at the time?" Jerome Bonaparte asked.

"That’s because the Austrian Empire itself does not meet the conditions of the Customs Union!" Regent William explained.

"Does the Luxembourg Duchy meet the requirements to join the German Customs Union?" Jerome Bonaparte again asked Regent William.

"Unfortunately, even the Luxembourg Duchy’s homosexuality does not meet the conditions to join the German Customs Union!" Regent William sighed and responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Regent William, isn’t it obvious!" Jerome Bonaparte shrugged and said to Regent William, "Any country that does not meet the Kingdom of Prussia’s requirements is not allowed to join the German Customs Union! Because this would affect your country’s position in the Customs Union!"

"No... it’s not!" Regent William tried to explain to Jerome Bonaparte.

Just as the atmosphere between the parties was about to reach a stalemate, Jerome Bonaparte yawned and said to Regent William, "Actually, I do not dislike these actions of the Kingdom of Prussia, because every country wants to become strong enough.

I totally understand your country’s desire to expand. What country in this world does not want to expand! Whether it be France or Britain, they all expanded step by step to become what they are now... It’s just that when I start talking, I tend to get sidetracked."

"It’s okay!" Regent William expressed his understanding to Jerome Bonaparte, telling him that sometimes he also tends to get sidetracked when speaking.

Jerome Bonaparte shifted his topic, then responded to Regent William, "However, personally I do not wish for the Kingdom of Prussia’s expansion to be based on destroying the existing order.

The existing order was established with great difficulty, and I do not wish for any country to destroy it.

Unless they can provide a sufficiently convincing reason!

Otherwise, any country that attempts to destroy the order will face severe sanctions from the French Empire."

"I understand!" Regent William nodded and assured Jerome Bonaparte, "The Kingdom of Prussia will absolutely not destroy the existing order unless there is no other choice!"

"The French Empire welcomes every country that respects the order and becomes a partner of the French Empire!" Jerome Bonaparte offered greetings to Regent William, "I equally wish that the Kingdom of Prussia achieves its desires!"

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte and Regent William shifted the topic to other subjects.

After the two had conversed for almost half an hour, Jerome Bonaparte got up to bid farewell to Regent William.

During the handshake with Regent William, Jerome Bonaparte smiled and told him he hoped Regent William would one day bring his wife to Paris, where he and his wife Augusta would personally host them.

Regent William immediately responded, "If there is an opportunity, I will definitely go with my wife!"

Jerome Bonaparte and Regent William shook hands, then Jerome Bonaparte and Regent William arrived at the doorway of the neighboring room.

The two lightly knocked on the door, and soon Augusta and Catherine (the Regent’s wife) emerged from the room, each curtseying to Jerome Bonaparte and Regent William.

Regent William said to Jerome Bonaparte, "Well, we should be leaving now!"

"Are you returning to Berlin?" Jerome Bonaparte asked.

Regent William nodded and answered Jerome Bonaparte, "That’s right! Please excuse us!"

Afterward, Regent William informed Jerome Bonaparte that they had booked the hotel, and Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta could rest here as much as they like.

Jerome Bonaparte expressed gratitude to Regent William.

Thus, Regent William and Princess Catherine left the hotel.

In the carriage heading to the Danzig Railway Station, Regent William sat together with Von Bismarck (to the displeasure of Catherine), and he relayed the content of the discussion in the room to Von Bismarck.

After listening, Von Bismarck responded to Regent William, "Your Highness, I believe Emperor Jerome Bonaparte is trying to tell us that if the Kingdom of Prussia wants to challenge the Austrian Empire, it must offer certain benefits to the French Empire!"

Regent William furrowed his brow and nodded, responding to Von Bismarck, "That’s how I understand it too! But, must we give up some territory?"

"Your Highness!" Von Bismarck spoke with the fervor of a warrior about to enter battle, saying to Regent William, "Currently, Prussia is not yet in a position to challenge the Austrian Empire! If the day ever comes when we can challenge the Austrian Empire, then the Rhine Land will not be a problematic issue!"