Chapter 320 Prelude to the Congress of Versailles
November 19th, 1804.
On a chilly November morning, Tsar Paul I met with his trusted advisor, Alexei. There was a serious look on Alexei's face, and the Tsar knew what was coming.
"Our army at Friedland was crushed by Napoleon. We've got no troops left, and the Russian court is worried about a possible invasion. They're imploring for you to make peace with France."
"So the battle is truly lost?" Tsar Paul I stammered.
Alexei nodded gravely. "As much as I hate to say this, Your Majesty, but yes, Russia has lost."
"I can't believe this," Tsar Paul I hissed. "How a single nation defeated the coalition forces."
"Your Majesty, we are truly not ready for this kind of warfare Napoleon and his troops have already mastered," Alexei reasoned.
"You are right, we are not ready," Tsar Paul I concurred. France won because they had superior technology and modern tactics. There are no countermeasures to match their expertise in the field," Tsar Paul I sighed in resignation.
After a long, contemplative silence, Tsar Paul I finally spoke, "Very well, Alexei, arrange for emissaries to open negotiations with Napoleon. We must seek an end to this conflict, for the sake of Russia."
With a solemn nod, Alexei departed to carry out the Tsar's orders, leaving Tsar Paul I alone in the room.
"Napoleon, why does such a man like you exist in this world?!" Tsar Paul I frustratingly muttered to himself.
November 20th, 1804.
At the city of Warsaw, the Poles celebrated the victory of the French Army against the Russians. They knew the significance of the battle. With the Russians defeated, their path towards independence and self-determination seemed clearer than ever.
The streets of Warsaw were alive with jubilant crowds, waving French flags and chanting slogans in support of Napoleon. Bonfires were lit, and the sound of music and revelry filled the air.
As news of the Russian defeat spread, more and more people joined the festivities. Polish men and women danced in the streets, their faces beaming with hope for a brighter future.? But for the French soldiers, it was quite the opposite.
The French had marched hundreds of kilometers and wanted to go home as fast as possible. They had fought valiantly and now desired respite from the hardships of war.
Napoleon wasn't slow to notice the exhaustion that plagued his troops. In fact, he too yearned to return home and be with his wife and children. He missed Ciela and his four children who were waiting for him back home.
As he was imagining himself back with his family, Armand suddenly entered his office.
"Your Majesty, a telegraph from Friedland," Armand announced as he walked closer to Napoleon's desk.
Napoleon took the telegraph and quickly read the message. His expression shifted from contemplative to attentive as he absorbed the contents.
"Under the decision of the Emperor of the Russian Empire, peace negotiations are to be initiated. We recognize the necessity of ending hostilities and seek terms for a ceasefire," Napoleon read aloud.
A sense of satisfaction washed over him as he processed the message.
"It's over," Napoleon whispered to himself.
"How shall we respond…Your Majesty?" Armand asked.
"Tell the Russians that I don't want to meet the emissaries that he had sent. I want to meet the Emperor of Russia himself…" Napoleon paused as he glanced at the map of Europe. "Here, at Tilsit."
Armand nodded and quickly left the room to convey Napoleon's message to the Russian side.
As the message was dispatched, Tsar Paul I received word of Napoleon's request.
"Napoleon wanted to see me personally?" Tsar Paul I said.
"Indeed, Your Majesty," one of Tsar Paul I's advisors confirmed. "Napoleon has proposed a meeting at Tilsit, where he wishes to hold face-to-face negotiations."
"He's not playing around anymore, Your Majesty," Alexei said. "It seems to me that Napoleon no longer wants to delay for much longer and opted to face you directly, seeking a swift resolution to the conflict."
"Where is Tilsit?" Tsar Paul I asked.
"Tilsit is a town located on the banks of the Neman River," Alexei answered. "It's a suitable location for such a meeting, as it lies between our territories and the territory controlled by Napoleon."
Tsar Paul I nodded.
"Very well," Tsar Paul I said resolutely. "Prepare for my journey to Tilsit."
Preparations for the journey to Tilsit began immediately.
November 23rd, 1804, marked a significant day as two rafts departed from opposite banks of the Neman River. On one raft stood the Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, and on the other, the Emperor of Russia, Tsar Paul I.
As the rafts approached each other in the center of the river, an eerie silence hung in the air. French and Russian soldiers from their respective banks watched with bated breath as their leaders closed in on one another.
Finally, the two leaders' rafts met in the middle of the Neman River.? As Napoleon and Tsar Paul I stepped onto the floating platform, both emperors locked gaze as if studying one another.
Napoleon, looking determined, spoke first. "Your Majesty," he began. "It's been long since we met each other personally."
Tsar Paul I nodded. "I believe you were just a First Consul back then. Now, you are the Emperor of France."
"And when we were meeting back then, I gave you information that allowed you to stand before me."
"I haven't forgotten about that."
"Let's end the conflict between our nations with a handshake," Napoleon said, extending his hand, offering a handshake.
Tsar Paul I hesitated for a moment, his gaze still fixed on Napoleon's outstretched hand. After a long pause, Tsar Paul I finally extended his own hand and clasped Napoleon's in a firm handshake, signifying the end of the conflict between France and Russia, and with it, the War of the Third Coalition.
"Okay, Napoleon, what are your terms?"
Napoleon smiled and beckoned Tsar Paul I to take his seat in the middle of the raft. There, a table is set, and two chairs where each Emperors could take their place.
As Tsar Paul I settled into his chair, Napoleon began.
"Paul, can I call you Paul? Because I'm already an Emperor, which makes me an equal to you in rank," Napoleon said with a faint smile.
Tsar Paul I, though displeased inwardly with the idea, reluctantly accepted.
"So about the peace terms, that would be discussed at a later date," Napoleon revealed.
"Later date? What do you mean? Isn't the reason why we are meeting here to discuss the terms?"
"No, this meeting is to formally end the war between our two nations," Napoleon calmly explained. "As for the peace terms, I want you to attend the Congress of Versailles, where you'll be joined by the Prussian King, the Austrian Emperor, representatives from Kingdom of Denmark, and others. In that meeting, I'll state the terms."
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