Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 159: Speaking to the Officials

"You’re from the French Empire?"

The governor studied the two men carefully.

His eyes moved briefly from their faces to the enormous iron warship anchored behind them.

Then he looked back at them.

"You arrive in our river with a fleet of warships," the governor said calmly. "Naturally we must ask why."

Villeneuve heard the tone but did not understand the words.

He glanced toward Remy.

The merchant stepped forward and listened carefully as the governor finished speaking. When the governor stopped, Remy turned toward Villeneuve and spoke quietly in French.

"He asks why we have arrived with a fleet of warships."

Villeneuve gave a small nod.

He answered calmly.

"We came on an imperial mission. Tell him that."

Remy turned back to the governor.

"Your Excellency," he said in Chinese, "Monsieur Villeneuve is the official envoy of the French Emperor. Our arrival here carries a diplomatic purpose."

The officials behind the governor exchanged glances.

The governor looked again toward the fleet.

"A diplomatic mission?" he repeated.

Remy listened, then translated again for Villeneuve.

"He asks if this is truly diplomacy."

Villeneuve allowed a faint smile.

"In a manner of speaking."

Remy turned back to the governor.

"Yes," he said. "Our Emperor wishes to establish direct communication with the Qing court."

The governor watched them in silence.

Remy continued carefully.

"However... the matters we carry are sensitive."

He glanced briefly at the sailors and guards standing around the dock.

"Monsieur Villeneuve requests that we discuss these matters in a more private setting."

The governor raised an eyebrow slightly.

Remy waited patiently.

After a moment the governor answered.

Remy listened to the reply and then translated again.

"He says there is a customs office near the harbor. We may speak there."

Villeneuve nodded.

"That will do."

Remy relayed the response.

The governor turned toward his officials.

"Come."

The two groups began walking toward the harbor buildings.

The customs office stood a short distance from the docks.

It was a modest building compared to the massive warehouses along the waterfront. Wooden beams supported the tiled roof while several clerks quickly cleared their desks when the governor entered.

The room fell silent.

The governor walked inside and gestured toward a table near the center of the room.

"We may speak here."

Remy listened, then turned to Villeneuve and translated.

Villeneuve nodded and took a seat across from the governor while the officials arranged themselves along the sides of the room.

Villeneuve finally began speaking.

"We did not come here as merchants," he said calmly.

Remy translated his words carefully.

"Our Emperor wishes to open direct diplomatic relations with the Qing Empire."

The governor listened without interrupting.

Villeneuve continued.

"Our mission is to deliver a formal message from the Emperor of France to the Emperor of China himself."

Remy repeated the words in Chinese.

Several officials exchanged quiet looks.

The governor remained still.

Villeneuve went on.

"Our Emperor believes it is time for our two empires to speak directly. Not through merchants. Not through trade officials."

Remy translated again.

"But through the rulers of our nations."

When Villeneuve finished speaking, the governor sat quietly for a few seconds.

Then he spoke.

Remy listened carefully before translating.

"He says he understands what you are requesting."

Villeneuve waited.

Remy continued.

"But the governor says he does not have the authority to arrange such a meeting."

The governor spoke again.

Remy listened, then turned back toward Villeneuve.

"He says only the Viceroy of Liangguang can decide matters involving foreign envoys and the Qing court."

Villeneuve nodded slowly.

"That is reasonable."

Remy relayed the response.

The governor continued speaking.

Remy listened for a moment longer before translating.

"He says the Viceroy has already been informed of your arrival."

Villeneuve leaned slightly forward.

"And?"

Remy finished listening.

"The Viceroy was alarmed when he heard that a foreign fleet had entered the Pearl River."

Several of the Qing officials shifted uncomfortably.

Remy continued.

"He says the Viceroy is already on his way here."

Villeneuve raised an eyebrow.

"How soon?"

Remy listened again.

"Soon," he translated.

"The governor says the Viceroy departed as soon as he saw the ships from the city."

Remy glanced briefly toward the window where the faint smoke of the fleet could still be seen rising above the harbor.

Then he spoke the final line.

"He says the Viceroy should arrive at any moment."

For several minutes, no one spoke.

Outside the customs office, the harbor continued its restless activity. Sailors shouted from the docks while the low rumble of the French warships drifted faintly through the open windows.

Then footsteps echoed from the corridor.

A guard suddenly appeared at the doorway and bowed deeply.

"Your Excellency, the Viceroy has arrived."

Every official in the room immediately stood.

Moments later, the Viceroy of Liangguang entered the building.

He walked in with calm, measured steps, followed by several attendants and guards. His eyes moved briefly across the room before settling on the two foreigners seated across the table.

For a moment he said nothing.

Then he took the seat prepared for him.

The governor bowed slightly.

"Your Excellency."

The Viceroy gave a small nod before speaking.

Remy listened closely as the Chinese officials exchanged several brief words.

After a moment he turned toward Villeneuve.

"He asks if you are the envoy of the French Emperor."

Villeneuve nodded.

"Yes."

Remy translated.

The Viceroy studied him carefully before replying again.

Remy listened before translating.

"He says he has heard your request."

Villeneuve waited.

Remy continued.

"The Viceroy says arranging a direct meeting between a foreign envoy and the Son of Heaven is... impossible."

Several officials in the room nodded quietly.

The Viceroy continued speaking.

Remy listened before translating again.

"He says other Western nations have attempted the same thing."

Villeneuve leaned slightly forward.

"Which ones?"

Remy translated the question.

The Viceroy answered calmly.

Remy turned back.

"The British."

He continued.

"They attempted twice to establish such relations with the Qing court."

Villeneuve’s expression remained steady.

Remy finished translating.

"Both attempts failed."

The Viceroy continued speaking again.

Remy listened carefully.

"He says the Qing Empire does not conduct relations with foreign kings as equals. Trade is permitted through Canton. Nothing more."

The room grew still.

Villeneuve thought for a moment before answering.

"This mission will be different."

Remy translated.

The Viceroy raised an eyebrow slightly.

Villeneuve continued speaking calmly.

"Tell him that the Emperor of France wishes this meeting to happen."

Remy relayed the words carefully.

The Viceroy listened without interruption.

Villeneuve spoke again.

"Our Emperor sent us here with a fleet because this matter is important to him."

Remy translated once more.

Villeneuve leaned slightly forward.

"And if the Qing court refuses our request..."

He paused briefly and spoke. "Then we will have to make it happen in any means necessary."