"However, the intelligence we received is that your country is using the Austrian Empire to threaten and forcibly demand the Sardinian Kingdom hand over Savoy and Nice to you!" Ambassador Kaotz replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte shook his head, replying confidently to Ambassador Kaotz, "I don’t know where your country got such absurd intelligence, but I can assure you that Savoy and Nice were not proposed by the French Empire.

We did not coerce the Sardinian Kingdom to demand that they must hand over Savoy and Nice to us!"

After hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s words, Ambassador Kaotz showed a hint of skepticism in his eyes, somewhat disbelieving what Jerome Bonaparte had just said.

Jerome Bonaparte shrugged, then continued to explain to Ambassador Kaotz, "If the Kingdom of Britain is really unwilling to believe, then we have no other options.

However, I still hope that the Kingdom of Britain and the Austrian Empire do not damage the relationship between our two countries over such a small matter."

"This small matter?" Ambassador Kaotz looked at Jerome Bonaparte in disbelief, "Your Majesty, the annexation of Savoy and Nice by the French Empire with such unreasonable reasons is not a small matter!"

"Mr. Ambassador, Savoy and Nice are indispensable barriers for the French Empire to maintain security at the southeastern border. The French Empire must retain its geographical advantage in the southeastern border region!" Jerome Bonaparte reiterated to Ambassador Kaotz.

"Your country’s geographical advantage can only be established at the expense of other nations!" Ambassador Kaotz countered to Jerome Bonaparte, "I remember that your country consistently opposes actions predicated on harming other nations’ interests, then why is your country being so irrational on the issue of Savoy and Nice?"

"Mr. Kaotz, we have not harmed the interests of the Sardinian Kingdom; everything is a voluntary act of the Sardinian Kingdom!" Jerome Bonaparte shamelessly replied to Ambassador Kaotz, then continued with a firm tone, "Moreover, this annexation was also conducted through a public referendum of all residents in the territories of Savoy and Nice; the residents of both areas voluntarily joined the French Empire.

This means that from the moment the referendum succeeded, Savoy and Nice have become an inseparable part of France.

No country or region can separate us, any external force attempting to do so will inevitably face hostility from the entire populace of the French Empire!"

Jerome Bonaparte’s uncompromising attitude left Ambassador Kaotz in silence, knowing that under such circumstances, persuading the French Empire to relinquish Savoy and Nice is nearly impossible.

Unless Jerome Bonaparte is willing to announce the re-independence of Savoy and Nice, despite the pressure from all of Paris and even the French public, which would certainly damage Jerome Bonaparte’s reputation.

Therefore, the moment Jerome Bonaparte made his statement, Ambassador Kaotz determined that Jerome Bonaparte would prefer to engage in war with the Kingdom of Britain rather than retreating on this issue.

Although Ambassador Kaotz had just made threats towards Bashirio, he dared not present a threat of war in front of Jerome Bonaparte.

Because the Kingdom of Britain is not psychologically prepared to fight alongside the Sardinian Kingdom against the French Empire, or even the Austrian Empire.

At this thought, Ambassador Kaotz’s attitude towards Jerome Bonaparte involuntarily softened somewhat, "I know that abandoning Savoy and Nice is not an acceptable matter for your country, so we won’t make things difficult for your country."

Listening to Ambassador Kaotz’s words, Jerome Bonaparte’s lips also curled into a smile, his tone becoming amiable, "Thank you for the understanding of the Kingdom of Britain! I always believed that the Kingdom of Britain, as a regional power that shares aspirations with the French Empire, would undoubtedly understand the actions of the French Empire.

Just as your country must ensure security at sea, our country must ensure security on land!"

"Your country is already secure enough; tell me, what nation in Europe could defeat you!" Ambassador Kaotz said to Jerome Bonaparte.

"No!" Jerome Bonaparte shook his head at Ambassador Kaotz, "Europe may not easily defeat the French Empire, but there are nations and organizations that could defeat us.

The Kingdom of Britain counts as one, and the German Confederation also counts as one!"

"The German Confederation?" Ambassador Kaotz questioned.

"Yes! The German Confederation!" Jerome Bonaparte replied to Ambassador Kaotz with confidence, "The entire German Confederation has nearly 70 million (including part of the Austrian Empire) people, twice the population of ours!

And their economy is nearly on par with ours, under such conditions, why wouldn’t I believe they could defeat us!"

"But the German Confederation is only a defensive organization!" Ambassador Kaotz emphasized.

"A defensive organization doesn’t eliminate the possibility of becoming an offensive one!" Jerome Bonaparte remarked with a slight smile to Ambassador Kaotz, "Mr. Kaotz, have you forgotten under what circumstances the German Confederation was initially established?"

Ambassador Kaotz’s thoughts gradually followed Jerome Bonaparte, "The German Confederation originally... established...?"

"That’s right!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and said to Ambassador Kaots, "Back then, German nationalists wanted a completely unified German Empire, so Prince Metternich established the compromise version of the German Confederation.

However, this compromise is ultimately only a temporary measure; the Great Revolution of 1848 has confirmed the desires of German nationalists. They hope to reorganize the German Confederation into a vast and tightly-knit empire!

Although they failed at that time, they also succeeded!

The entire Germany has become more cohesive compared to before, so I can assert that a brand new German Empire will inevitably rise in Central Europe, and it will become a giant force there!

Whether it’s the French Empire or the Russian Empire, they will all bow down beneath this giant force!"

In the historical timeline, although the German Empire did not become the Great German Empire, the Little German Empire, excluding the Austrian Empire, was already enough to instill fear across Europe.

"Your Majesty, you worry too much!" Ambassador Kaots chuckled twice and said to Jerome Bonaparte.

Jerome Bonaparte shrugged again, exhibiting a helpless expression.

Then, Ambassador Kaots began to reveal his true intentions in coming this time to Jerome Bonaparte.

Given the growing naval forces of the French Empire in the Mediterranean, the Kingdom of Britain is very concerned that this move may cause turmoil throughout the Mediterranean.

Thus, the Kingdom of Britain hopes to reach an agreement with the French Empire regarding the Mediterranean Fleet, limiting both parties’ naval presence in the Mediterranean.

Upon hearing Ambassador Kaots’ explanation, Jerome Bonaparte immediately thought of the Five-Nation Naval Treaty, which was established after World War I by the Kingdom of Britain to limit the rising US-Japan, thereby maintaining its shaky position as maritime overlord.

The treaty limited the tonnage of the main battleships of the US, UK, Japan, France, and Italy to 525,000 tons; 525,000 tons; 31,500 tons; 175,000 tons and 175,000 tons respectively.

Under such conditions, the rising United States of America had to dismantle its excess fleet, voluntarily restricting its naval expansion.

Now, Ambassador Kaots is doing the same to limit the expansion of the French Empire Navy, thereby keeping the Kingdom of Britain in its maritime supremacy.

Jerome Bonaparte told Ambassador Kaots that of course, the French Empire does not wish to inadvertently engage in a military race with Britain amidst continuous expansion, so it greatly agrees with the Kingdom of Britain’s proposal to limit the navy.

However, the limitation on both sides’ navies should be concluded by mutual discussions between the respective Ministers of the Navy.

Therefore, Jerome Bonaparte sincerely invites the Kingdom of Britain’s Minister of the Navy to come to Britain and negotiate a charter with Minister Dico.

"I will convey this message for you!" Ambassador Kaots said to Jerome Bonaparte.

Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte proactively discussed trade between England and France with Ambassador Kaots.

Ambassador Kaots thought that Jerome Bonaparte was preparing to lift trade barriers (currently both the Kingdom of Britain and the French Empire have limited trade due to trade barriers, though their financial exchanges are unprecedented), and enthusiastically explained the benefits of lifting these barriers.

Jerome Bonaparte quietly listened to Ambassador Kaots’ speech, nodding occasionally.

After Ambassador Kaots spoke for about half an hour, he eagerly asked Jerome Bonaparte whether he was willing to lift the trade barriers between England and France.

Jerome Bonaparte pondered for a moment and responded to Ambassador Kaots, "I need to discuss this issue with my ministers!"

"I await your good news, Your Majesty!" Ambassador Kaots replied to Jerome Bonaparte.

Immediately after, Ambassador Kaots informed Jerome Bonaparte that their embassy would soon host a wedding celebration for the Prince of Prussia and the Eldest Princess and hopes that Jerome Bonaparte and Augusta can attend.

"Prince of Prussia? Eldest Princess? I remember they were engaged a long time ago?" Jerome Bonaparte inquired back.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Ambassador Kaots nodded and replied, "It’s been over 7 years since their engagement."