Franz Joseph nodded and then invited Jerome Bonaparte to a room on the second floor of the Governor’s Mansion.

As soon as he entered the room, Jerome Bonaparte got straight to the point with Franz Joseph, "Franz, I hope the Austrian Empire can quickly end its investigation of the Sardinian Kingdom so that the entire Apennine Peninsula can return to a peaceful and stable situation as soon as possible!"

Franz Joseph pondered for a moment, then unexpectedly responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "Of course, it’s possible!"

"I know this might be difficult for you, but..." Jerome Bonaparte, not yet grasping the situation, thought Franz Joseph had just refused. He hastily and earnestly tried to persuade Franz Joseph, but suddenly realized that Franz Joseph had agreed. He quickly stopped and tentatively asked, "Did you just say yes?"

Franz Joseph calmly replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "That’s right!"

"That’s wonderful!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Franz Joseph with a joyful expression.

"However, regarding the matter of the 600 million franc interest-free loan you promised..." Franz Joseph also replied to Jerome Bonaparte, "I hope you can implement it as soon as possible!"

"Rest assured!" Jerome Bonaparte assured Franz Joseph, "We will grant you the interest-free loan as soon as this matter is completely resolved!

By then, all you need to do is sit back and count the money!"

Franz Joseph and Jerome Bonaparte completed the entire transaction in just a few words, and the tug-of-war that Jerome Bonaparte had anticipated never materialized.

Then, Jerome Bonaparte shifted the topic to ask Franz Joseph, "Franz, what are your thoughts on Italy’s future?"

Franz Joseph was slightly stunned, then inquired of Jerome Bonaparte, "What do you mean?"

"The nationalism within Italy and the unification of Italy!" Jerome Bonaparte explained to Franz Joseph.

After hearing this, Franz Joseph frowned slightly and responded with a hint of hostility to Jerome Bonaparte, "Jerome, you should know that we will never allow any country to unify the entire Italian region!"

Seeing that Franz Joseph misunderstood his intentions, Jerome Bonaparte hurriedly waved his hand and explained, "No, you misunderstood! What I mean is not having a single country unify Italy, but creating a relatively loose Italian Confederation, similar to how Prince Metternich treated Germany back then!"

"Italian Confederation?" Franz Joseph murmured quietly, "Will this really effectively prevent Italian nationalism?"

Jerome Bonaparte honestly shook his head and replied to Franz Joseph, "To be honest, this situation cannot prevent Italian nationalism; instead, it will make Italian nationalism even more rampant!"

Upon hearing this, Franz Joseph frowned even deeper and asked Jerome Bonaparte again, "Then why should I form this thing?"

"Because establishing the Italian Confederation can help you disguise as an Italian, thereby defusing some nationalists’ hatred!" Jerome Bonaparte explained to Franz Joseph, "Just like the current German Confederation!"

Franz Joseph fell into deep thought, feeling that Jerome Bonaparte’s words seemed somewhat reasonable, "If the Austrian Empire were to lead the formation of the Italian Confederation, then who should be appointed as the chairman of this confederation?"

"I believe this chairman should not be held by the Austrian Empire, but rather by the Pope State!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Franz Joseph, "Moreover, this confederation can be established with the exclusion of the Sardinian Kingdom!

In this way, nationalism originally linked with the Sardinian Kingdom will distance itself because the Sardinian Kingdom is excluded from the Italian Confederation!

This will help you effectively control the various duchies on the Apennine Peninsula!"

As soon as Jerome Bonaparte finished speaking, Franz Joseph replied to him, "What you say does make some sense!

However, I do not want to discuss these issues now!"

Since Franz Joseph was unwilling to continue the discussion, Jerome Bonaparte could only shrug his shoulders and say to Franz Joseph, "Then let’s temporarily end these topics!"

After speaking, Jerome Bonaparte suggested to Franz Joseph that they both go to Augusta and Princess Sisi’s room to have a look.

Franz Joseph also stood up and then followed Jerome Bonaparte out of the room.

When Jerome Bonaparte and Franz Joseph arrived at the room of Augusta and Princess Sisi, they saw Empress Augusta and Princess Sisi chatting and laughing.

The arrival of Jerome Bonaparte and Franz Joseph abruptly interrupted the conversation between Empress Augusta and Empress Elizabeth.

"What’s going on?" Jerome Bonaparte curiously asked.

"Nothing!" Augusta shook her head and replied to Jerome Bonaparte, then turned to ask, "Why did you finish so quickly?"

"Of course, it’s because we reached a consensus rather quickly!" Jerome Bonaparte said lightly to Empress Augusta.

"Yes! The two of us didn’t have much to analyze, so the conversation ended quickly!" Franz Joseph also added.

"So what do you plan to do next?" Empress Augusta continued to inquire of Jerome Bonaparte and Franz Joseph.

Franz Joseph was originally going to tell Augusta that he would leave tomorrow, but Jerome Bonaparte stood by and interjected, "Of course, take advantage of the leisure time to tour Milan and its surroundings a bit! Am I right, Franz?"

Franz had no choice but to nod, and the plan in his mind was temporarily put on hold.

...

In the following days, accompanied by Franz Joseph and Elizabeth, Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta traveled around Milan and its vicinity.

Also at the invitation of Franz Joseph, Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta watched exhibitions of various units of the Austrian Empire.

To be honest, the infantry of the Austrian Empire was slightly inferior in overall quality to that of the French Empire, though their artillery was similar to that of the French Empire.

However, the Austrian Empire’s artillery was still using front-loading bronze cannons, whereas the French side had gradually developed rear-loading steel cannons.

Once France’s rear-loading steel cannons debuted, coupled with France’s Chassepot machine gun and Mauser rear-loading rifle, they would become harvesters on the battlefield, reaping all life on the field.

Therefore, after the exercises, Major General Albrecht, who was responsible for commanding this army, was specifically called in front of Jerome Bonaparte by Franz Joseph.

"Jerome, what do you think of our army?" Franz Joseph asked Jerome Bonaparte with a slightly proud expression.

"Not bad!" Jerome Bonaparte, in order to save some face for Franz Joseph, did not mention the shortcomings of the army.

"Compared to your French army?" Franz Joseph asked again.

"Franz, compared to our country’s army, your country’s army does fall short!" Jerome Bonaparte replied tactfully to Franz Joseph, then gave encouragement, "However, I believe that as long as you continue to work hard, you’ll surely catch up!"

Though Jerome Bonaparte was already very dignified, in the proud heart of Albrecht it felt very unpleasant.

Thus, Albrecht asked Jerome Bonaparte in a firm tone, "Your Majesty, may I ask where exactly our country’s army lags behind compared to yours?"

"General Albrecht!" Franz Joseph frowned and reprimanded, then continued, "You should not speak to an Emperor in this manner!"

Seeing this, Albrecht quickly apologized to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, please forgive my previous remarks which may have been offensive!"

"It’s nothing!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head at Albrecht, "General Albrecht, didn’t you just ask me where our two armies differ? I’ll tell you, our armies differ in the soldiers’ subjective initiative, in the quantity of the army, and in the individual soldier’s quality..."

Jerome Bonaparte listed to Albrecht, "What I mentioned are issues that can be resolved through a prosperous treasury!

However, your country’s finances cannot bear it!"

At this, Albrecht instantly fell silent; the French Empire indeed invested much more in their army annually than the Austrian Empire did. The more investment in the army, the stronger the combat capability, which is a common principle.

Seeing both Albrecht and Franz Joseph remain silent, Jerome Bonaparte secretly revealed a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.

...

Time passed quickly, and Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta were soon approaching the time to leave.

On the evening before they left Milan, a gathering personally hosted by Franz Joseph was held at the Governor’s Mansion.

During the banquet, Jerome Bonaparte approached Prince Old Metternich and, with a slightly dazed look in his eyes, said, "Mr. Prince Metternich, I hope that the next time we meet, I will still see you!"

Prince Old Metternich responded with a touch of sadness, "Your Majesty, certainly!"