From Corsica to the Fourth Rome

"William Pitt."

Duke Choiseul took a deep breath and shook his head. He couldn't help but start to crack his joints with his hands, and he kept mumbling the name of William Pitt.

If the British really get Corsica, the French may no longer be able to regard the Western Mediterranean as their back garden. Even in matters of Italy and Spain, the British will have a much stronger say.

"With the exception of the French navy's right to reside in the port."

Lawrence observed Duke Choiseul's expression and knew that he understood what he meant, so he further backed down and said:

"The French Army can also garrison troops in Corsica, but only on the outskirts of Ajaccio, and the Corsican government needs to share the command of the garrison."

The Duke of Choiseul took a long breath and decided to put the matter of William Pitt out of his mind for the time being and focus on the current negotiations.

"Mr. Bonaparte, our garrison is protecting Corsica."

Duke Choiseul picked up a piece of steamed cake from the round table beside him and stuffed it into his mouth, shook his head and said:

"Why do you think we took advantage of Corsica?"

After hearing this, Lawrence just smiled and shook his head, deliberately pretending to be helpless and shrugged:

"Well, I don't think the British think that way."

Duke Choiseul licked his lips and squinted at Lawrence, but did not speak, but continued to pick up the steamed cake from the table and feed it into his mouth.

It seems that the Duke of Choiseul was very fond of this unique flavor of fermented food coated with butter.

There was a brief silence between the two parties. Then Duke Choiseul took out his handkerchief and rubbed the corners of his mouth, crossed his right leg over his left leg, leaned against the back of the chair and said:

"You want autonomy, and that's hard."

The topic between the two parties returned to Corsica's autonomy. Although Duke Choiseul did not think Corsica was of great value to France, as a seasoned politician, he could not directly hand over all the benefits. Give it to Lawrence.

And Lawrence also knew very well that compared to Corsica itself, what the French valued more was not letting the British get Corsica.

So Lawrence also lay down on the large chair and said with regret:

"If this is the case, the conditions offered by France do not seem to be much better than those of England. Maybe I should obey the advice of our governor and become a British citizen?"

After saying that, Lawrence spread his hands and added:

"Your Excellency Peter promised me a British knighthood. To be honest, this makes me very excited."

Although he was a little disgusted with the thick tea in the manor, Duke Choiseul shook his head and picked up the tea cup and took a big sip, and then said slowly:

"Okay, Mr. Bonaparte, if you were really moved, you wouldn't be sitting here. I'll be honest with you."

"Of course that's good." Lawrence smiled and nodded.

"The conditions you have listed are not sufficient to obtain Corsica's autonomy."

Duke Choiseul's voice was very low, giving people a sense of non-committal.

Lawrence calmly adjusted his scarf, turned his head and said:

"Military garrison rights and limited garrison rights are enough. I believe France does not need more."

"This is true in military terms, but not in other respects." Duke Choiseul's eyes flashed with greed as he looked at Lawrence and said.

"Please tell me."

"Corsica can have political autonomy, but economically it needs to be integrated into France's national economic system, forcing a unified currency, establishing a common market, and customs. French merchant ships must have minimum tariff treatment."

The Duke of Choiseul is worthy of being the minister who has been in charge of France's foreign policy for more than ten years. He fluently proposed a series of regulations to strengthen economic control over Corsica. He also added:

"In addition, culturally, the Corsican government needs to cooperate with our cultural integration. Corsican schools must teach both French and Italian, and there must also be a certain proportion of French teachers."

Lawrence listened silently, knowing in his heart that this was an inevitable price to pay, so he said:

"I generally agree with you. Of course, the specific details need to be discussed in detail after Corsica is pacified."

Due to the current tense situation, neither of them has time to hold more than a dozen meetings to discuss every regulation like Pauli and Peter did. Therefore, what the two are currently pursuing is to reach an agreement on the general direction.

"very good."

Seeing Lawrence nodding in agreement, Duke Choiseul's expression relaxed a lot, which meant that the two sides had achieved considerable results in the first round of negotiations.

"So, coming back to that."

Duke Choiseul's posture was obviously much more relaxed, and he asked with a smile in a chatty tone:

"Monsieur Bonaparte, what are you going to do?"

Even in the Palace of Versailles, Duke Choiseul's eyes have not missed Corsica. After learning that a Sardinian army was recently defeated by the young man in front of him, Duke Choiseul also felt a little bit. A little surprise.

Only when a capable and powerful person like Lawrence sends that letter will the Duke of Choiseul be willing to condescend to come to Toulon to meet with him.

After hearing this, Lawrence dipped his finger in the tea cup, then drew a rough outline of Corsica on the table and said in a deep voice:

"The southern region of Corsica is already in my hands. The Sardinian army cannot organize an attack in a short time, and the southern army will obey my orders. What needs to be dealt with now is the northern army of Corsica and the Genoese."

Duke Choiseul nodded and said casually:

"These are nothing to worry about. I can directly put pressure on Genoa and make them withdraw from Corsica, including the Northern Army you mentioned. The troops in these valleys are just a piece of loose sand."

After saying that, Duke Choiseul's face became a little more solemn, and he looked at Lawrence and continued:

"However, there is a prerequisite for France to send troops, you should understand."

Lawrence also nodded seriously. Of course he understood the premise of what Duke Choiseul said.

No matter in which era, whether it is the East or the West, the use of the army needs to be done with good intentions. Although this reason for war may be forged or fabricated, it is still indispensable.

The best excuse for France to intervene in the Corsica dispute was undoubtedly the crown presented by Lawrence to Louis XV.

This also means that control of Ajaccio will become particularly important, and Lawrence must become the nominal supreme leader of the entire Corsica for a period of time, thereby announcing the establishment of the Kingdom of Corsica.

"I have faith in your abilities, M. Bonaparte."

Duke Choiseul stood up and called his clerk from outside, preparing to sign a rough contract with Lawrence.

"By the way, what are you going to do after taking control of Ajaccio?"

While waiting for the clerk to draw up the contract, Duke Choiseul asked casually.

Lawrence picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp, exhaled slowly and said in a deep voice:

"Form a cabinet, establish a Constituent Assembly, and declare the Kingdom of Corsica."

“Is the Cabinet and Constituent Assembly a constitutional monarchy of the Kingdom of Corsica?”

Duke Choiseul narrowed his eyes and walked to Lawrence, leaned down with interest and said softly:

"You, a young man, are so sophisticated in your methods. You also know how to do superficial things and pretend to decentralize power to the cabinet and parliament."

"It's far worse than you." Lawrence shook his head and said.

"Maybe."

The Duke of Choiseul picked up the draft prepared by the clerk and looked at it twice, then handed it to Lawrence to read, and at the same time said seriously:

"If all goes well, I shall have to call you Prime Minister Bonaparte."

Lawrence calmly took the draft and read it twice, and after confirming that it was correct, handed it back to Duke Choisery.

As for Duke Choiseul's words, Lawrence would only respond silently in his heart:

"If everything goes well, the title of Corsican Prime Minister will not exist for long."

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