As if on cue, Beaumont entered Napoleon's office and announced,
"The Minister of Foreign Affairs!"
Napoleon nodded in acknowledgment and turned to Audrey, "It's time for me to attend to my duties with the Minister. Beaumont, please accompany Mademoiselle Audrey to her quarters."
Audrey got up from her seat, curtsied politely to Napoleon and the Minister, and replied.
"Thank you, Your Excellency. I look forward to starting my duties tomorrow."
Beaumont stepped forward with a friendly smile.
"Follow me, Mademoiselle Audrey. I'll show you to your quarters and help you settle in."
As Beaumont and Audrey stepped out of Napoleon's office, they came face to face with Talleyrand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, waiting outside. Beaumont acknowledged him with a nod.
"The First Consul is ready to receive you, Your Excellency," Beaumont informed Talleyrand, who nodded in return.
With that, Talleyrand entered Napoleon's office, where Napoleon was busy arranging a stack of documents on his desk.
"Your Excellency," Talleyrand spoke. "I have arrived."
"Yes, I can see that, Talleyrand," Napoleon replied, glancing up from his desk. "Please, have a seat."
Talleyrand settled into a chair across from Napoleon.
"Can I get you something to drink, Talleyrand?" Napoleon asked, gesturing toward a nearby beverage tray.
"No, thank you, Your Excellency. I'm fine," Talleyrand replied politely.
Napoleon nodded and returned his attention to the stack of documents on his desk.
"Very well," he said. "Now, as for the purpose of why I called you here, Talleyrand is to discuss the terms we are going to sign with the Austrians."
"I'm listening," Talleyrand replied, leaning forward attentively.
"First of all, I want to stabilize Europe in order for our economy to fully recover after a decade of revolution. To do so, our terms shouldn't be harsh."
Talleyrand's lips curled into a smile after hearing Napoleon's desire for peace. It's something he had been looking forward to hearing from Napoleon.
"What is your idea then, Your Excellency?" Talleyrand asked.
"In the upcoming peace treaty, I want the Austrians to simply follow the terms that we have previously signed with them in the treaty of Campo Formio. This includes recognizing the independence and sovereignty of the Cisalpine, Ligurian, Batavian, and Helvetic republics. Additionally, the entire left bank of the Rhine, including the Austrian Netherlands, should be ceded to France. And last but not least, Imperial Italy should also be ceded to France."
"That is a lot of ceding, Your Excellency," Talleyrand mused. "I thought you wanted peace to prosper in Europe, but the demands you are giving to the Austrians aren't exactly light."
"I don't think so, Talleyrand," Napoleon responded firmly. "These territories, the ones we are asking for in the treaty, are the only ones I desire in Europe. I have no intentions of expanding further east. My goal is to build a strong and stable France, not to engage in unnecessary conquests."
Talleyrand raised an eyebrow, impressed by Napoleon's commitment to maintaining a peaceful Europe. "That's a bold stance, Your Excellency," he remarked. "It will surely be reassuring to the other European nations to know that France seeks peaceful coexistence."
"I believe that a peaceful Europe is in everyone's best interest," Napoleon replied with conviction. "They'd be stupid if they think otherwise."
Talleyrand chuckled softly, appreciating Napoleon's straightforwardness. "You have a point there, Your Excellency," he said and continued. "However, we have to prepare for the worst. What if we were to engage in war with the Austrians again?"
"Well, in that case, I would ask for war reparations; no territorial changes would be made. However, I would support German states that want to break away from the Holy Roman Empire."
"I will make sure that the Austrians see that the Republic of France yearns only for peace. The treaty should be signed in the first week of February, which would effectively end the war in Europe."
"Not yet, there is still Great Britain, but I'll take care of them once we sign a peace treaty with the Austrians," Napoleon said.
"Very well, Your Excellency," Talleyrand replied. "Oh, by the way, why do you want Imperial Italy? I mean, what is your plan for them?"
Napoleon rubbed his chin, contemplating for a moment, remembering the time when he was in Milan, where he had come up with an idea of uniting Imperial Italy under a single banner, a puppet state, the Republic of Italy.
"It's one of my many ambitions to control Italy, Talleyrand," Napoleon said. "Their geography, minerals, agricultural resources, and strategic location make it a valuable asset for France. By uniting Imperial Italy, I envision creating a stable and loyal ally that would serve as a buffer state between France and other European powers. This would also help to strengthen our influence in the Mediterranean and provide a strong foothold in Southern Europe…" he trailed off as another idea came to mind.
In the southern part of the Italian peninsula, there is the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily, which is under the rule of the Bourbon dynasty. Italy won't be whole without those regions merging with the Italian Republic he is going to establish soon. But, he knew he couldn't do that abruptly, he would have to take it slow.
"Your Excellency?" Talleyrand called, getting the attention of Napoleon.
Napoleon blinked and refocused on Talleyrand. "Apologies, my mind wandered for a moment," he said, straightening up in his chair. "Where were we again? Oh right, controlling Southern Europe. I do have colonial ambitions in Southern Europe. After our success in Africa and the Middle East, I'd say that it's only natural for France to take control of the Mediterranean region entirely. We are allied with Spain, so that's one step taken."
"Your Excellency," Talleyrand sighed. "Your ambition is truly remarkable, and I understand your desire to strengthen France's position in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean. However, doing so would bring more chaos than peace…"
"Talleyrand, can you please, for one moment, stop being so reserved and pessimistic about my colonial ambitions?" Napoleon cut him off, a tinge of frustration lacing his voice.
Talleyrand held up a hand in a conciliatory gesture. "I apologize, Your Excellency. It's not my intention to dampen your ambitions. I only want to caution against potential complications and opposition from other nations. We must proceed with prudence and tact to ensure our goals don't lead to unnecessary conflicts."
"You just have to trust me on that, Talleyrand," Napoleon assured and continued. "Let's adjourn this meeting before I completely tell you all of my colonial ambitions."
Talleyrand raised a brow after hearing Napoleon's words. So he still has more, huh? He rose to his feet and inclined his head respectfully towards Napoleon. "As you wish, Your Excellency. I will leave you to your thoughts for now."
The moment Talleyrand left his office, Napoleon let out a sigh again.
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