Under the intervention of the French Army and the monetary offensive by spies hidden within Savoy and Nice, 90% of the Italian population in these areas supported joining the French Empire, becoming a part of it.

When the newly formed temporary government of these two regions presented this data to Jerome Bonaparte in the Turin area, Jerome Bonaparte’s face also showed an expression of disbelief.

"Are you sure that all the residents of Savoy and Nice participated in the vote?" Jerome Bonaparte asked, pointing at the data.

"Your Majesty, nearly 80% of people in Savoy and Nice participated in this vote!" said Trocch, the highest official of the Chambéry temporary government, with a confident tone to Jerome Bonaparte, "The data reliability can be guaranteed!"

"Alright! I know!" Jerome Bonaparte responded to Trocch, then added, "You can leave now!"

"Yes!" Trocch saluted Jerome Bonaparte again and then left.

Jerome Bonaparte took the latest referendum data to the residence of Count Cavour. At Cavour’s home, Jerome Bonaparte not only saw the Sardinian Kingdom’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cavour, but also Prime Minister Lamamor.

When Cavour and Lamamor saw Jerome Bonaparte, they both showed a hint of resistance on their faces.

Because they understood that Jerome Bonaparte was here to "collect debts" this time.

"Mr. Cavour, Mr. Lamamor, I didn’t expect both of you to be here!" Jerome Bonaparte looked at Cavour and Lamamor in surprise, then smiled and said.

"Your Majesty!" Cavour and Lamamor bowed to Jerome Bonaparte.

Immediately, Jerome Bonaparte told Cavour and Lamamor the voting results of Savoy and Nice.

Cavour and Lamamor also showed expressions of surprise, as in their view, a 90% vote approval rate was somewhat too "irregular."

"Mr. Cavour, I hope the Sardinian Kingdom can resolve the remaining issues in Savoy and Nice within a week!" Jerome Bonaparte said in a calm tone to Cavour and Lamamor, "After a week, the territories of Savoy and Nice will automatically become part of the French Empire’s territories!"

"Your Majesty, a week is simply not enough time for us to solve all the problems!" Cavour pleaded slightly to Jerome Bonaparte, "Could you give us some more time?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty!" Lamamor also responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "A week is far from enough to handle all matters, could we have an extension?"

Faced with the pleas of Cavour and Lamamor, Jerome Bonaparte firmly replied to them, "No! You must resolve everything within a week!"

Cavour and Lamamor had no choice but to swallow the bitter fruit.

...

Soon, a week passed, and the Sardinian government, in a half-sell, half-give manner, sold all its assets in Savoy and Nice to the French Government and capital interests.

The capitalists and the government managed to make a small fortune in Savoy and Nice.

The Sava Bank, which had the right to issue notes and independent banknotes, had all its businesses taken over by the Bank of France, and the railway stocks spread across Savoy and Nice were also acquired at very low prices by the Southern Railway Company.

After everything was settled, Jerome Bonaparte remotely instructed the "Bonaparte Newspaper" in Paris to publish an article titled "The Origin of France’s Natural Borders," explaining in detail why natural borders were of such importance to France and the ancestral ties between Savoy, Nice, and France.

Although this article was essentially written in a way to justify actions after the fact, it nonetheless represented Jerome Bonaparte’s stance.

At the same time, the semi-official newspaper "Observer" also published an article titled "Savoy, Oh Savoy!" officially announcing to the Parisians that the residents of Savoy and Nice, with an overwhelming 90% approval, merged with the French Empire.

For a while, all of Paris was engulfed by the "return" of Savoy and Nice to France, and gentlemen in the streets and alleys discussed Savoy and Nice.

Some gentlemen believed that the return of Savoy and Nice to France was a rightful thing, while others thought that the French Empire’s annexation of its ally, the Sardinian Kingdom, to satisfy its own desire was not the action of a responsible nation.

Despite there being many in Paris holding the latter view, more people still believed that Savoy and Nice should have returned to the French Empire.

Because Jerome Bonaparte’s approval ratings also continued to rise after the merger with Savoy and Nice.

Some who were previously dissatisfied with Jerome Bonaparte became supporters of the French Empire again after this merger.

Upon Jerome Bonaparte’s train return to Paris, he was immediately met with the most enthusiastic calls from the Parisians.

In a wave-like chorus of calls, Jerome Bonaparte, riding on horseback, returned to the Tuileries Palace after a departure of several months.

"Finally back!" Jerome Bonaparte, seated on the familiar chair, closed his eyes and murmured softly.

The next moment, a knock on the door reached Jerome Bonaparte’s ears. He reopened his eyes and asked, "Who is it?"

"Your Majesty! It’s Bashirio!" Bashirio’s voice reached Jerome Bonaparte’s ears.

"Please come in! Bashirio!" Jerome Bonaparte replied to Bashirio blandly.

Bashirio entered the room and reported to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, Ambassador Kaotz is outside!"

"Ambassador Kaotz!" Jerome Bonaparte’s face showed an unnatural expression. He certainly understood the purpose of Ambassador Kaotz’s visit, but he did not wish to meet with Ambassador Kaotz at the moment.

Thus, Jerome Bonaparte said to Bashirio, "Go tell Ambassador Kaotz that I’m not feeling well right now!

Can we meet in a few days?"

"Yes!" Bashirio replied with a single word, then turned and left the study.

Descending from the staircase at the end of the study to the first-floor hall, Bashirio approached Ambassador Kaotz and smiled as he said to him, "Honorable Mr. Kaotz, His Majesty is feeling a bit unwell right now and hopes to chat another day!"

Upon hearing Bashirio’s reply, Ambassador Kaotz slightly furrowed his brows and said, "Mr. Bashirio, please convey to His Majesty!

That the Kingdom of Britain is extremely angry with the French Empire for annexing Savoy and Nice without notifying other countries, and they require an explanation from the French Empire.

My purpose in coming here is to maintain the relationship between the French Empire and the Kingdom of Britain.

If His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte obstinately refuses this action, the diplomatic relations maintained between the Kingdom of Britain and the French Empire since the Crimean War will completely collapse.

Weigh the importance, I believe His Majesty should have a scale in mind!"

After listening to Ambassador Kaotz’s response, Bashirio also sensed a whiff of diplomatic crisis. He hurriedly responded to Ambassador Kaotz, "Ambassador Kaotz, please wait here for a moment! I will go to the study and try to persuade His Majesty!"

"Much obliged!" Ambassador Kaotz replied solemnly to Bashirio.

Bashirio left the hall, quickly climbed the stairs to Jerome Bonaparte’s study, and then pushed open the door to Jerome Bonaparte’s room.

"What is it this time?" Jerome Bonaparte’s face showed a hint of impatience.

Bashirio immediately repeated what Ambassador Kaotz had just said to Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte’s expression also became unusually serious. A sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth as he muttered to himself, "Kaotz is threatening us!"

"Your Majesty, should I refuse once more?" Bashirio inquired of Jerome Bonaparte.

"Does he think I’d be afraid of his threats..." Jerome Bonaparte spoke slightly excitedly, then changed his tone and said, "Meet him! Why not meet him! Bashirio, quickly invite Ambassador Kaotz over! Don’t keep them waiting long!"

Bashirio’s mouth twitched slightly, then he bowed and responded to Jerome Bonaparte, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Subsequently, Bashirio brought Ambassador Kaotz before Jerome Bonaparte.

"Bashirio, you may leave now!" Jerome Bonaparte waved to Bashirio.

Bashirio once again bowed, then turned and left the study.

The study was left with only Jerome Bonaparte and Ambassador Kaotz. After a while, Jerome Bonaparte deliberately put on a clueless expression and asked Ambassador Kaotz, "Ambassador Kaotz, what brings you to me?"

"Your Majesty, I have come about the matter of Savoy!" Ambassador Kaotz replied bluntly to Jerome Bonaparte.

"The matter of Savoy?" Jerome Bonaparte pretended to be confused again and said, "Which matter regarding Savoy are you referring to?"

"The Kingdom of Britain wants to know why Savoy, which should have been Sardinian Kingdom’s territory, suddenly became the possession of your country!" Ambassador Kaotz emphasized as he inquired of Jerome Bonaparte.

"Ah, that!" Jerome Bonaparte feigned comprehension and said to Ambassador Kaotz, "This was because Victor Emmanuel II wished to thank our French Empire for our contribution during the recent crisis. Hence, he was willing to cede Savoy and Nice to us.

We also adhered to the principle of a national referendum, accepting Savoy and Nice as territories of the French Empire."