Chapter 301: Turmoil
Following the custom of the European Continent, it was time for negotiations once again. Especially now that the Vienna System had been reestablished, the French had no choice but to abide by its rules.
Ever since the French diplomatic note had arrived, Cavour had hurried to Paris, greasing palms and pulling strings everywhere.
It still didn't do a damn thing. French bureaucrats were no fools; they knew what money they could take and what money they could not. With the Emperor's assassination involved, it was better to keep their hands out of it.
Foreign Minister Clio said with a miserable expression, "Prime Minister, all the gifts have been returned. These people won't even let us through the door."
That was already putting it mildly. Some went even further—they took the sugar coating, then fired the cannonball back.
In other words, they accepted the gifts, stuffed something random into the gift boxes, then made a great show of throwing them back out.
Dream on if they expected those people to do anything for them. At most, the gifts would cool their tempers a little, making them load a bit less ammunition when they clamored for war.
There was no helping it. To show the Emperor their loyalty, they had to shout the slogans. Even the anti-war faction was now yelling that the Kingdom of Sardinia needed to be taught a lesson.
After all, the investigation showed that someone had aided the assassin and leaked the Emperor's whereabouts—yet that person had not been caught.
To avoid suspicion, no one dared commit such a political blunder.
Cavour said helplessly, "I have no results on my end either. Napoleon III is refusing visitors on the pretext of recuperating from his injuries. This matter is likely to be difficult.
"Still, we have