Chapter 189: Significant Divergence

Roland was personally selected by Napoleon, though initially many were dissatisfied, accusing him of favoritism. However, Roland's battlefield performance silenced those critics. His excellent performance also proved just how discerning Napoleon's eye for talent truly was.

**Knock Knock!** Just as Napoleon was reveling in Roland's achievements, his office door was suddenly knocked.

"Napoleon, a message from the Foreign Ministry," announced a civilian clerk, approaching Napoleon slowly and placing a diplomatic letter in front of him.

"A message from the Foreign Ministry?" Napoleon puzzled as he opened the letter and carefully read its contents.

Upon understanding the letter's contents, Napoleon's face once again lit up with a smile. It seemed today was filled with good news.

"Barrett, it looks like today is my lucky day! Just this morning, I've received two pieces of good news," Napoleon said, placing the letter on his desk with a smile.

To answer Barrett's curiosity, Napoleon continued, "It's from Tallerand. He says the Dutch Foreign Ministry has sent us a request, expressing their willingness to mediate the conflict between us and the British for the sake of peace in Western Europe."

"The Dutch are stepping up?" Barrett exclaimed in surprise.

"That's right! The Dutch are stepping up, but even a fool knows there's British influence behind this. These British fellows have finally had enough. It seems they got quite a beating at Middelburg!" Napoleon chuckled.

"Governor, you're right. It's just the British army after all, they're not our match at all. Now that they're hurting, of course, they're coming to us for peace," Barrett agreed.

"You're quite the straightforward one, Barrett. That's right, the British have always been arrogant, but no matter how arrogant they are, in the end, it's force that determines who holds sway. Just like this time, if it weren't for Roland leading the army to surround the British at Middelburg and about to annihilate them, the British, with their character, would never negotiate with us," Napoleon said, smiling at Barrett.

"However, we only have the advantage on land for now. In terms of naval battles, we still can't match the British. So, for now, negotiations are more advantageous. Tell Tallerand that we agree to the Dutch request for negotiations," Napoleon concluded.

Therefore, with Napoleon's consent, the French Ambassador to the Netherlands, Talleyrand, proceeded to the talks. Thus began another round of negotiations between the two sides.

Inside the meeting room, representatives from England, France, and the Netherlands took their seats around the conference table. Despite everyone's calm demeanor, the hearts of the British Ambassador, Edward, and the French Ambassador, Talleyrand, were filled with urgency. At this point, the war had evolved into a war of attrition. With each passing day, the losses inflicted upon both countries' domestic fronts increased.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor for everyone to be here today. As for the purpose of this meeting, I believe everyone already understands. No one wishes for this war to continue. For the people of England and France, it is undoubtedly a huge disaster. Therefore, I hope that today, both sides can show sincerity and ensure that the negotiations make breakthrough progress," said the Dutch Ambassador, Haarlepit.

"The Dutch Ambassador is right. War is a terrible thing. Therefore, the British Empire always desires world peace. We are very sincere in these negotiations," Edward quickly replied.

"Humph! Nice words, but who started this war? If it weren't for the invasion of our territory by the British army, how could this war have broken out?" Talleyrand said disdainfully.

His actions almost completely disregarded the British, but he didn't care. In the upper echelons of France, who didn't know that England and France were mortal enemies who couldn't peacefully coexist? Europe was too small to accommodate two world powers. Even if in this war, they couldn't completely annihilate the British, in the future, there would certainly be a larger scale of life and death battles between the two countries. Therefore, as much as possible to weaken the strength of the British in this war is undoubtedly preparing to win a complete victory in the future.

"Middelburg is the territory of the Netherlands, and the French have no relation to it. It was the French who invaded the Netherlands first, and the British army only went to their aid after receiving a request for assistance from the Dutch ruler, Bragge," Edward argued cunningly.

"You're talking nonsense! As early as last year, it was clearly stated in the treaty signed between us and Austria that the Netherlands was to be placed under French rule. Do the British not know how to read? In that case, we can translate the contents of the meeting into English and give it to the British," Talleyrand mocked the British without hesitation.

"You..." Talleyrand's words made Edward's veins bulge, and he was about to erupt in anger.

"Please, gentlemen, let's not get heated. This is a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Since it's a misunderstanding, let's clear it up. Isn't that why we're here today?" Seeing the situation gradually slipping out of control, Dutch diplomat Halpert immediately stepped in to defuse the tension.

"Alright, let's get back on track. After all, no one wants the war to continue indefinitely. We've all come to this negotiating table today, so let's each state our conditions to end this unnecessary conflict," Halpert said.

If the British and French representatives were to argue again, today's negotiations might not be able to continue.

Both sides agreed to this approach, and the negotiations proceeded to the main issues.

"British Ambassador, please state your demands next!" Halpert said, playing a conciliatory role, though it was well-known he had received a "gratitude" of 100,000 pounds from the British.

"Our country hopes that the French government can handle the matter of the Netherlands properly. The Netherlands is an extremely important country in Western Europe, not anyone's colony. Such a country should respect the opinions of its people, allowing them to be independent rather than subject to aggression," Edward said, watching Talleyrand's expression. Seeing no change in Talleyrand's demeanor, Edward continued with Britain's demands.

"Therefore, the British government demands that France withdraw from the Netherlands. Of course, to compensate the French government for its losses, the Dutch government will provide eight million pounds, equivalent to ten million francs, as compensation. Furthermore, given the armed conflicts between our sides, my country also requests that the French government pay compensation to the families of our fallen soldiers," Edward concluded, continuing to look at Talleyrand, awaiting his response.

However, his response was only cold indifference.

"Is that all the conditions the British government has?" Talleyrand said coldly.

"Yes," Edward hesitated. He couldn't understand what Talleyrand was thinking. He knew his terms were somewhat harsh, but isn't that negotiation? Step by step, negotiating down.

"Hmph! Well, France's conditions are that England must acknowledge defeat, compensate us with 20 million francs, and you must take your army and leave the Netherlands," Talleyrand said with a cold snort, then continued, "What?"

After hearing Talleyrand's conditions, Edward and Halpert both opened their mouths in shock.

Talleyrand's conditions were unexpectedly harsh. Who in their right mind would agree to such terms?

"French Ambassador, are you... are you sure you're not joking?" Dutch Ambassador Halpert asked first.

"What do you think? Isn't it England who's joking?" Talleyrand said coldly.

"Ambassador Edward, Ambassador Halpert, our side came to these negotiations with great sincerity. However, if the British have no integrity, then negotiations will be difficult. This meeting can be ended," Talleyrand said, looking at Halpert and Edward.