Chapter 1135: Abandoning Annexation |
"Mr. Garibaldi, I also have one condition, and I hope you can agree to it!"
Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s words, Garibaldi immediately adopted a posture of listening attentively.
As an outstanding politician, Garibaldi possesses an intuitive political instinct that is rare among ordinary people. At this moment, that instinct tells him that as long as he gets through this one hurdle, all his plans will face no more obstacles.
"Your Majesty, please speak!"
"My condition is just one: after the matter is settled, the Sardinian Kingdom must not annex the Kingdom of Naples!" Jerome Bonaparte said his condition in one breath.
When Garibaldi heard Jerome Bonaparte’s condition, his immediate reaction was to refuse the Emperor’s condition without hesitation.
He (Garibaldi) had painstakingly prepared a "meal" (referring to driving away the Kingdom of Naples), only to be told by his neighbor (France) that there was no seat for him at the table.
Such a result is something that no one could possibly accept.
"Your Majesty, I don’t understand what you mean!" Garibaldi forced a smile, lowering himself to ask Jerome Bonaparte.
"I don’t understand!"
Though Garibaldi had already guessed the result, there remained a sliver of hope in his heart.
"If you had just answered that you are loyal to the Italian Nation, then I would have considered speaking to certain countries about all your plans at the appropriate time!" Jerome Bonaparte initially used cold words to threaten Garibaldi, then shifted his tone, continuing, "However, you chose to be loyal to the Savoy Royal Family, so it is only because of this that I am willing to give you an opportunity to showcase your talent!
I can clearly tell you that Sardinia cannot directly annex the Kingdom of Naples; that is my bottom line!
You can find a suitable heir within the Savoy Royal Family and let him go to Naples to serve as king there!
This can also add a splendid jewel to the crown of Savoy!
What do you think of my suggestion?"
Facing Jerome Bonaparte’s harsh condition, Garibaldi knows he and the Sardinian Kingdom have no choice.
Whether Sardinian Kingdom’s upcoming actions will succeed depends on the support of the French Empire.
The military operation from a year ago suffices to prove that Napoleon III is essentially a "reckless" monarch.
Therefore, Garibaldi does not dare to go against his wishes in any way.
Since the Sardinian Kingdom’s annexation of the Kingdom of Naples has become a pipe dream, Garibaldi can only choose to safeguard the interests of the Savoy Royal Family.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to follow your instructions!" Garibaldi lowered his head, speaking in an extremely humble tone to Jerome Bonaparte.
"That’s more like it!" Jerome Bonaparte immediately displayed a smile, saying frankly, "Mr. Garibaldi, you are firstly a Sardinian, then an Italian; therefore, you must always think of the Savoy Royal Family!
And I am different; I am a monarch of France, and I must exert all my energy on France’s geopolitical strategies!
In my view, the unification of the Italian Peninsula is beneficial and harmless to France, so I must do everything to prevent it!
This is the only thing I, as a monarch of France, can do for France alone!
However, I also dislike the Austrian Empire extending its influence too far into Italy!
If they were to integrate the Italian Peninsula, France would again have a headache.
Therefore, I feel it is necessary to weaken Austria’s tentacles in Italy!
Just when I hadn’t thought of how to sever their tentacles, you appeared!
Mr. Garibaldi, you are like an angel, always appearing when I need help the most!"
At this moment, Garibaldi’s heart feels as if it is being pierced by sharp knives, and the overwhelmed emotions make his throat feel inflamed.
Yet even as Garibaldi’s heart is about to bleed, his face maintains a smile, albeit a particularly rigid one.
"Your Majesty, it is my honor to resolve your troubles!" Garibaldi suppressed the emotions about to erupt in his heart, speaking neither servilely nor arrogantly to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Mr. Garibaldi, I know right now you must wish you could kill me!" Jerome Bonaparte, not feeling satisfied, playfully continued to provoke Garibaldi with words.
"I dare not!" Garibaldi said, lowering his head to Jerome Bonaparte.
"Unfortunately, this world is just so cruel!" Jerome Bonaparte shrugged, sighed lightly to himself, pointed at Garibaldi, and said in a sympathetic tone, "Even for someone as outstanding as you!
If you don’t have a country that matches your talents, you’ll become just a tool in the great powers’ game!"
At this point, Jerome Bonaparte paused and pointed to himself, saying, "In contrast, someone as mediocre as I am, if backed by a sufficiently strong country, can still use its powerful resources to bridge the gap between us!"
"Your Majesty, your talents far surpass those of most monarchs!" Cavour earnestly praised Jerome Bonaparte.
If Cavour were French, he would surely feel proud to have a monarch like Jerome Bonaparte.
For now, under Jerome Bonaparte’s leadership, France transformed from a country on the brink of insignificance in Europe to a powerful nation dominating half of Europe.
This transformation took less than ten years, with the French Empire sacrificing less than 50,000 lives and through one war to achieve its current status.
From any angle, Jerome Bonaparte is undoubtedly a wise and capable monarch.
Moreover, Jerome Bonaparte annexed Luxembourg, Savoy, and Nice without resorting to war.
Such an achievement can truly be hailed as the first since Emperor Napoleon!
"The reason I achieved what I have today is all because I stood on the shoulders of giants!"
Jerome Bonaparte clearly understood that his success was due to his late cousin Louis Napoleon.
It was he who paved the way, allowing Jerome Bonaparte to repeatedly approach the limits of Britain’s tolerance.
As long as the Kingdom of Britain did not completely break with the French Empire, the Second French Empire would not repeat the First Empire’s mistakes.
However, this "advantage" would be exhausted with the radically changing history.
Jerome Bonaparte might very well become "ordinary" again.
However, Cavour did not know Jerome Bonaparte’s background and assumed the "giant" he mentioned referred to Emperor Napoleon.
"Your Majesty, not everyone can draw new conclusions from reviewing history!" Cavour continued to praise Jerome Bonaparte.
Jerome Bonaparte smiled slightly and returned to the previous topic.
"Mr. Cavour, I allow the Savoy Royal Family to go to Naples to become King, and I even allow the various states of Italy to establish an Italian Federation under mutual consultation!
However, I will never allow a fully unified Italy!
To block the unification of Italy, I will spare no expense!" Jerome Bonaparte decisively told Cavour, "If you insist on creating a fully unified Italy, I will choose to stand with the Austrian Empire!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s words completely extinguished Cavour’s ambition to unify Italy in his lifetime.
After all, since Jerome Bonaparte said so, he certainly would not allow him to pursue a unification campaign.
The only option left for Cavour was to seek a throne for the Savoy Royal Family!
"Your Majesty, I will convey your words to His Majesty Victor!"
...
After Cavour and Jerome Bonaparte reluctantly reached an agreement on the Italian issue, Cavour felt there was no longer any reason for him to stay at Fontainebleau Palace.
Hence, Cavour took his leave from Jerome Bonaparte, who did not persuade him to stay, only telling Cavour to notify them of Garibaldi’s exact advance time after returning to the Sardinian Kingdom.
Cavour nodded to indicate he understood. Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte ordered Angelo von Beichu to escort Cavour safely to the train station.
After Cavour left Fontainebleau Palace, Jerome Bonaparte summoned his aide Bulbaski, commanding him to immediately send a telegram to the Navy Staff Headquarters.
"Immediately telegraph the Navy Staff Headquarters, Plan A has been abandoned, and now proceed with Plan B!" Jerome Bonaparte ordered Bulbaski.
Plan B? What is Plan B? Bulbaski pondered quietly.
Despite his confusion, Bulbaski dared not ask Jerome Bonaparte about the specifics.
Thus, Bulbaski faithfully executed Jerome Bonaparte’s order, promptly heading to the telegraph room to send the telegram.
When the telegram from Fontainebleau Palace reached the Navy Staff Headquarters, Minister Dico was discussing the contents of an exercise with his Chief of Staff.
A Navy officer burst in, relaying the Emperor’s order to Minister Dico and the Chief of Staff.
Upon hearing the order, Minister Dico couldn’t help but mutter softly, "Our Majesty really keeps us on our toes. The original plan was to conduct military exercises around Corsica Island; how did it become Cyprus Island (during the Crimean War, the French Empire leased a 99-year usage right from the Ottoman Empire under the pretext of establishing a telegraph relay station)?"
The Chief of Staff and the officer weren’t like Dico; they dared not comment on the Emperor.
"The Emperor must have his reasons! As subjects, we simply have to obey orders!
Moreover, we’ve also prepared for military exercises around Cyprus Island!" the Chief of Staff advised Minister Dico.
"Alright, alright! We’ll do as you say!"
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