Upon this thought, Richard Metternich unconsciously furrowed his brows. He understood that he had to report this news to Jerome Bonaparte.

If the Kingdom of Sardinia truly dared to act this way, Richard Metternich was sure that without Austria needing to intervene, Emperor Jerome Bonaparte would promptly crush them.

Thus, while Richard Metternich handed the telegram back to the embassy’s military officer, he instructed him, "I must immediately visit the Tuileries Palace; you first send a telegram to Vienna informing our troops not to act rashly!"

"Ambassador Richard, we’re less than 12 hours away from formally engaging in war with the Kingdom of Sardinia. Is it somewhat inappropriate to call for a ceasefire now?" The military officer cautiously suggested to Richard Metternich.

"There’s nothing inappropriate about it!" Richard Metternich shook his head as he replied to the military officer, "You can mention in the telegram that the French Empire is not entirely on our side regarding the war with Sardinia. Hastily entering into war might not bode well!

Moreover, during my recent meeting with Emperor Jerome Bonaparte of the French Empire, the Emperor plans to lend us a low-interest loan of 600 million francs!"

Hearing about the 600 million franc low-interest loan, the military officer’s eyes lit up, and the previously brewing objections in his mind vanished instantly in the face of this financial offering.

In this world, no one can refuse money. If someone can refuse, it only proves the money isn’t enough.

Like the military officer now, perhaps tens of millions of francs wouldn’t grab his attention, but hundreds of millions of francs would certainly make him bow.

Principles, military morale—without financial backing—are mere castles in the air. Currently, the Austrian Empire happens to need a vast amount of investment.

"I’ll report immediately!" The military officer didn’t hesitate at all as he replied to Ambassador Richard Metternich.

"By the way! You don’t need to disclose the loan amount to His Majesty Emperor Franz Joseph, just tell him that Emperor Jerome Bonaparte intends to make substantial investments in Austria."

"Understood!" The military officer promptly bowed to Richard Metternich, and then he watched as Richard Metternich left the embassy.

...

Leaving the embassy once more, Richard Metternich swiftly waved toward the embassy. Soon, a carriage came to a stop in front of him.

"Ambassador, where would you like to go?" The coachman asked respectfully.

"Please take me to the vicinity of the Tuileries Palace Garden, thank you!" Richard Metternich stepped into the carriage, responding to the coachman.

"Certainly!" The coachman acted swiftly.

The carriage sped along the Seine River, crossed the bridge over Lake Paris Island, and reached the vicinity of the Champs-Élysées, finally arriving at the outskirts of the Tuileries Palace Garden.

"Ambassador, we’re at the Tuileries Palace Garden!" The coachman shouted toward the carriage interior.

Sitting inside, supporting his head with his hand, Richard Metternich replied calmly, "I know."

Following that, Richard Metternich steadily stepped down from the carriage, took out a silver coin, and handed it to the coachman.

As the coachman prepared to give change, Richard Metternich turned away, saying to the coachman, who was counting change, "No need to return the remaining money!"

The coachman paused and mumbled quietly as he watched Richard Metternich gradually walk away, "I hope for more clients like this!"

Having said that, the coachman chuckled to himself and rode away.

Meanwhile, Richard Metternich, moving straight from the Tuileries Palace Garden, soon arrived at the gate guarded by two soldiers. Behind the iron gate lay the Tuileries Palace.

Upon seeing Richard Metternich, the two soldiers immediately saluted him, "Ambassador Richard!"

Richard Metternich equally smiled and nodded to the two soldiers, pointing to the Tuileries Palace behind them, "Could you please open the gate for me to enter?"

"Of course, please enter!" The two soldiers responded in unison, then opened the iron gate, stepping aside to let Richard Metternich enter.

Richard Metternich proceeded along the cobblestone path, quickly reaching the steps in front of the Tuileries Palace’s main entrance.

Subsequently, he slowly ascended the steps leading to the Tuileries Palace’s hall, upon entering which he saw Bashirio wandering inside.

Standing in the hall, Bashirio also noticed Richard Metternich entering, his eyes showing a hint of surprise and confusion.

Then, Bashirio slowly opened his mouth to inquire about Richard Metternich’s business.

Richard Metternich promptly approached Bashirio and informed him that he had received a message from Vienna and wished to converse with Emperor Jerome Bonaparte.

Bashirio looked at Richard Metternich with deep eyes, and then replied, "Please follow me!"

Under Bashirio’s guidance, Richard Metternich was brought to the door of Jerome Bonaparte’s study.

Bashirio knocked lightly on the door, and soon Jerome Bonaparte’s slightly impatient voice came from inside, "Who is it?"

"Your Majesty, it’s Bashirio!" Bashirio hurriedly said to Jerome Bonaparte.

Then, Jerome Bonaparte’s voice came again from inside, "Is there something?"

"Mr. Richard Metternich wishes to have a conversation with you!" Bashirio slowly spoke to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Richard Metternich?" Jerome Bonaparte slowly put down his pen, his mind involuntarily questioning if he had experienced a time loop, as he had just spoken with Richard Metternich!

Upon thinking it over for a moment, Jerome Bonaparte could confirm that he had indeed summoned Richard Metternich before.

Then why is he back? Could there be some new development?

With this confusion, Jerome Bonaparte raised his voice to respond to Bashirio, "Let him in!"

"Yes!" Bashirio quickly replied, then turned to Richard Metternich and said, "Ambassador Metternich, please come in!"

"Thank you!" Richard Metternich said softly, then pushed the door open and entered.

As the door to the study closed again, Jerome Bonaparte extended his hand to invite Richard Metternich to sit, and then, with a slightly teasing tone, said to Richard Metternich, "Mr. Richard, less than an hour has passed since we last met!

It’s unexpected to see each other again so soon!"

"Your Majesty, I have just received a telegram from the Austrian Empire!" Richard Metternich replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

"Oh? What kind of telegram?" Jerome Bonaparte looked at Richard Metternich with curiosity.

Richard Metternich relayed the contents of the telegram to Jerome Bonaparte, and after listening, Jerome Bonaparte’s expression showed a subtle change.

After a while, Jerome Bonaparte spoke again, this time putting aside his previous casual attitude and seriously addressed Ambassador Richard Metternich, "Mr. Richard Metternich, do you think Cavour might be deceiving me on this issue?"

Richard Metternich pondered for a moment and then shared his thoughts with Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, I don’t think Cavour could deceive us on this matter. He should know the consequences of deceiving the French Empire."

"Since there’s no issue with Cavour, are you suggesting there’s a problem with your Austrian Empire’s telegram!!" Jerome Bonaparte asked again.

"Your Majesty, our telegram is also without issue!" Richard Metternich added.

"Since you say both are fine, then whose problem is it supposed to be!" Jerome Bonaparte questioned Richard Metternich again.

"Your Majesty, I suspect it’s very likely that something went wrong between Cavour and Victor Emmanuel II, which is why it’s become like this!" Richard Metternich said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"That shouldn’t be! Cavour is highly valued by Victor Emmanuel II; otherwise, he wouldn’t have personally come to negotiate with me!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Richard Metternich again.

"Your Majesty, the current Prime Minister of the Sardinian Kingdom is no longer Cavour, but Lamamor! Cavour now only holds the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs!" Richard Metternich reminded him.

"Are you suggesting the Sardinian Kingdom doesn’t trust Cavour anymore!" Jerome Bonaparte questioned again.

"That remains unknown!" Richard Metternich shrugged his shoulders and earnestly reminded, "Your Majesty, I suggest you quickly call Cavour to inquire.

If Cavour cannot influence the situation in Sardinia, then his promises would amount to nothing more than empty talk!"

Richard Metternich’s kind reminder sounded like a sharp dagger in Jerome Bonaparte’s ear. He took a gentle breath and candidly told Cavour, "Rest assured! I will ask Cavour to clarify!

By the way, did you transmit what I previously told you through the telegram back to Vienna?"

"Your Majesty, I have relayed all your words through the telegram to Vienna, and I believe it won’t be long before Vienna agrees!" Richard Metternich responded to Jerome Bonaparte.

"That’s good!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded with satisfaction, then said to Richard Metternich, "Thank you for taking the trouble to make this trip!"

"Not at all! Not at all!" Richard Metternich smiled and responded to Jerome Bonaparte.