Franco-British negotiations: Talleyrand, a master at getting under people's skin

"Ha! I thought we wouldn't see each other until after Christmas Mass." Talleyrand, leaning on his cane, pointed to the side of the corridor, a broad smile on his face. "This way, my old friend."

Marquess Wellesley followed silently, cursing inwardly. If it weren't for that idiot Cornwallis's poor performance on the battlefield, he wouldn't have had to rush to Paris to be ridiculed by those damned France!

He walked a little further, then suddenly felt something was wrong and turned to look around:

"Archbishop Excellency, have you gone the wrong way? This doesn't seem to be the way to the Hall of Peace."

In accordance with France custom, important negotiations at the Versailles Palace are usually held in the Hall of Peace.

Talleyrand turned his head and gave an apologetic look:

"Unfortunately, Your Excellency, the Hall of Peace is about to hold a signing ceremony between the Paris Gas Industry Company and the Paris City Hall regarding the installation of Gas Streetlight."

"Well, you see, the Coal Gas company already booked there. It's the same if we go elsewhere to negotiate."

Wellesley nearly swore. Was this damned cripple implying that he, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the British Empire, was inferior to some Coal Gas company?

Talleyrand, however, continued with great enthusiasm:

"Oh, by the way, Your Excellency, the first Gas Streetlight installation ceremony will be held in Paris on the 15th of next month, and I cordially invite you to attend. It's an event you absolutely cannot miss."

"I'll consider it," the United Kingdom said through gritted teeth, his face grim.

Soon, the French and British diplomats took their seats in a small Reception Room.

Talleyrand seemed very interested in the topic of Gas Streetlight Gas Streetlight, and went on and on about their advantages:

"That's just how interesting this thing is. Oh, by the way, you'd never guess which city will be the third to light up the night sky with Gas Streetlight Gas Streetlight after Paris and Lyon have finished installing them?"

"..."

"It's Tunisia City!" the lame man said smugly. "Surprised? Well, after all, the threat from the Algiers bandits is no longer a concern, so many Investor have their eyes on its development prospects. His Highness the Duke of Tunisia is even coming to Paris in person to sign a contract with the Coal Gas company."

"Ahem—" Marquess Wellesley had to abruptly interrupt Talleyrand's continued rambling under the Gas Streetlight, "Archbishop Excellency, you know the purpose of my visit. It is time for our two countries to clarify some misunderstandings."

While the "bandits" in Algiers brought disaster to Tunisia, the Mysore bandits in the Far East also caused considerable losses to the United Kingdom East India Company.

"I believe we should cooperate to deal with the gang's forces."

Talleyrand smiled and waved his hand:

"Thank you for your kindness, but our army has already taught the Algerians and Morocco a lesson, and there is no more trouble in northwestern Tunisia."

"By the way, what's the situation with the East India Company?"

Wellesley sighed inwardly, "Why are the Morocco as foolish as Cornwallis? I'll definitely have to sacrifice some interests to salvage the situation in India —in fact, the British Parliament has authorized me to make a lot of concessions."

He didn't respond to the lame man's words, but instead said:

"Your Excellency Archbishop, our country will condemn the Tripoli bandits and support your nation in any necessary counterattack."

Poor Benjiul was thus labeled a "bandit" by him, implying that he accepted France's expansion of its influence into Tripoli.

"A very wise decision!" Talleyrand nodded with a smile. "However, the Algiers have also caused serious damage to our Tunisia. You know, Her Majesty the Queen has decided to declare war on Algiers. I think United Kingdom should also support this action."

Wellesley immediately said, "No, that's not appropriate..."

Tripoli was one thing, given its fertile land, but he absolutely could not accept Algiers, an area nearly twice the size of Tunisia, becoming a France sphere of influence.

Talleyrand interrupted him directly:

"As far as I know, two months ago, Carnatic lost half of Tiruchirappalli's territory. Perhaps we can wait and see; maybe Mysore will suddenly be God inspired and withdraw its troops."

Wellesley took a deep breath and threatened:

"Your Excellency, I have heard that your country's merchant ships have been frequently sailing to the Pacific region recently. Perhaps they need the British Royal Navy to ensure the smooth flow of traffic."

Talleyrand knew perfectly well that he was threatening to attack the France merchant ships—the convoy transporting Wool from New Zealand. However, he simply shrugged dismissively.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but I have heard that Russia fleets have suddenly become interested in Pacific Ocean trade."

That's right, the ships of the Double Company all flew the Russia flag, and most of the Sailor were Russia.

Wellesley paused, then said coldly:

"Those ports in the Pacific Ocean are also very unsafe."

This is a threat to directly attack key trade points. Although United Kingdom is not yet clear on who the French and Russian merchant ships are doing business with, given the strength of the Royal Fleet, they can certainly find out if they want to.

"I don't care," Talleyrand shrugged. "The pirates are welcome to try."

His Crown Prince had told him that the Maori people on New Zealand Island did not need France protection at all, and that United Kingdom would have to dedicate at least half of its military strength and spend more than five years to possibly conquer them.

Such a huge expenditure was absolutely unacceptable to the United Kingdom.

Wellesley probed repeatedly to confirm that the cripple wasn't bluffing, and inwardly groaned—he had basically played all his cards.

He suddenly stood up, gritting his teeth, and said:

"Archbishop, if you continue to be so aggressive, all you'll get is a war!"

Seeing his exasperated expression, Talleyrand knew he had almost reached his limit and immediately waved his hand to signal:

"Relax, my dear Marquis. At least we must punish the Morocco bandits entrenched in Annaba. After that, the Mysore army attacking Carnatic might truly be God inspired."

Wellesley thought to himself angrily: Damn cripples, they're Islam, God won't pay them any attention!

However, he slowly sat back down in his chair. "If it's only limited to Annaba, perhaps we can discuss it..."

At 5 p. m., Wellesley, clutching his aching stomach with one hand and carrying the preliminary text of the Non-Interference Treaty with the other, returned to London. He solemnly handed the text to Parliament for review and signature, his mind already preoccupied with what to do after resigning Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Yes, after taking over the mess left by the Duke of Leeds, he was full of confidence, thinking he could turn things around, but he found that he had lost even more than his predecessor.

Last year, the Duke of Leeds resigned due to his poor North Africa strategy, and he will inevitably follow in his footsteps.

"Perhaps I could go to India and tell Cornwallis how to resolve the trouble there," he muttered to himself.

He only gradually became passive after launching his attack from Mysore, so he must try to recover from that Mysore.