Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 160: The Timetable

"Now, we really need to get to your capital city, and as soon as possible," Villeneuve said and Remy translated. "How fast do you think we can arrange such a journey?"

The Viceroy did not immediately answer. Instead, he studied the two foreigners across the table, his gaze steady and unreadable.

After a moment he spoke.

Remy listened closely before turning back to Villeneuve.

"He says you misunderstand the situation."

Villeneuve frowned slightly.

"What does he mean?"

Remy listened again as the Viceroy continued speaking in a calm but firm tone.

Then he translated.

"The capital of the Qing Empire is not a place foreign envoys can simply travel to whenever they wish."

Several of the officials standing along the wall nodded quietly.

Remy continued translating.

"The Viceroy says any request to approach the imperial court must first be reported to Beijing."

Villeneuve folded his hands on the table.

"And how long would that take?"

Remy relayed the question.

The Viceroy responded almost immediately.

Remy listened and then translated again.

"He says the message must travel through official channels. Couriers will carry the report north to the court."

Villeneuve waited.

Remy finished the explanation.

"He says it could take weeks before the court even considers the matter."

Villeneuve leaned back slightly in his chair.

"That is far too long."

Remy translated the response.

The Viceroy’s expression did not change.

"He says that is how the Qing Empire conducts its affairs."

Villeneuve was quiet for a moment.

Outside the window, the smoke from the French warships still drifted across the harbor.

Then he spoke again.

"Our Emperor did not send us across the world to wait for months in a port city. Well if being diplomatic takes months, then we will have no choice but to sail to the north."

Just as Remy was about to translate that, he stopped him. "Don’t translate that."

Remy paused halfway through the motion of speaking.

He looked at Villeneuve in surprise.

"You do not wish me to translate that?"

Villeneuve kept his voice low.

"No."

For a brief moment he glanced toward the Qing officials seated across the table.

"Not yet."

Remy nodded slightly.

Then he turned back toward the Viceroy.

"Monsieur Villeneuve says he understands the procedures of your empire," Remy said carefully in Chinese. "However, he hopes the process will not take too long."

The Viceroy listened without interruption.

His expression remained calm.

Villeneuve continued speaking in French.

"Our Emperor values this mission greatly. We are prepared to wait for the court’s response."

Remy translated.

"But we cannot remain here indefinitely."

Several officials exchanged quiet glances.

The Viceroy folded his hands together on the table.

Remy waited as the Chinese official replied.

Then he translated again.

"He says the time required depends on the court in Beijing. No one here can decide how quickly the Emperor will answer."

Villeneuve nodded slowly.

"That is understood."

He paused before continuing.

"Then we will wait."

Remy translated.

The Viceroy gave a slight nod.

But Villeneuve raised a finger gently before Remy could finish speaking.

"There is one condition."

Remy turned back toward him.

Villeneuve spoke calmly.

"We will remain in Canton for one month."

Remy translated the words.

The room grew quiet.

Villeneuve continued.

"If a response from the court arrives within that time, we will proceed according to the decision of the Qing Emperor."

Remy relayed every word carefully.

The Viceroy listened without reacting.

Villeneuve leaned slightly forward.

"But if no answer arrives within one month..."

He paused.

"...then we will be forced to consider other measures."

Remy hesitated slightly before translating the sentence.

When the words were spoken aloud in Chinese, several officials in the room stiffened.

The Viceroy remained composed.

He studied Villeneuve for several seconds before speaking again.

Remy listened carefully.

Then he translated.

"The Viceroy says he cannot guarantee such a timetable."

Villeneuve did not appear surprised.

Remy continued.

"He says the imperial court is far away. Couriers must travel great distances. The decision does not belong to him."

Villeneuve nodded once.

"That is clear."

The Viceroy spoke again.

Remy listened and translated.

"He says he will report your request immediately."

Villeneuve folded his hands on the table.

"That will be appreciated."

The Viceroy continued speaking.

Remy nodded as he listened.

Then he translated.

"The Viceroy also says that while you wait, you will be treated as official guests within Canton."

Villeneuve raised an eyebrow slightly.

Remy continued translating.

"He says accommodations will be arranged for you in the foreign quarter. The same district where other Western merchants reside."

Several Qing officials nodded quietly.

The Viceroy added a few more words.

Remy listened.

"He says your fleet may remain anchored in the Pearl River under supervision of the harbor authorities."

Villeneuve considered this for a moment.

Outside the building, the faint rumble of the French warships could still be heard through the harbor.

Finally he nodded.

"That will be acceptable."

Remy translated.

The Viceroy inclined his head slightly.

Remy listened again as the Chinese official continued speaking.

Then he turned back toward Villeneuve.

"He says that Canton is accustomed to foreign merchants. You will find the city comfortable enough while you wait for the court’s response."

Villeneuve allowed a faint smile.

"I have no doubt."

Remy translated.

The Viceroy stood slowly from his chair.

Every official in the room followed.

Remy listened to the final words before translating.

"He says a courier will depart for Beijing before nightfall."

Villeneuve rose as well.

"Good."

Remy relayed the response. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

The Viceroy studied the French envoy one last time.

Then he spoke again.

Remy translated quietly.

"He says the Qing Empire will consider the message of your Emperor."

The room fell silent.

Outside the customs office, the harbor continued its usual noise, but beyond the buildings the massive French warships remained anchored in the river.

Their dark silhouettes rose above the water like iron fortresses.

Remy glanced briefly toward the window.

Then he turned back toward Villeneuve.

"It seems," he said quietly in French, "we will be staying in Canton for some time."

Villeneuve looked toward the harbor where the smoke of the fleet drifted slowly into the sky.

"Yes," he replied calmly.

"But not for long."