Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 171: Speaking to the Emperor
"He says the court will accept your manner of respect," he said. "You will proceed as you are."
Villeneuve gave a short nod.
"That will suffice."
The official continued speaking, now shifting back to procedure. Instructions followed in sequence—when to enter, where to stop, when to speak, when to remain silent. Nothing was left vague. Two attendants stepped forward to reinforce the directions, pointing toward the inner hall and marking the exact distance where Villeneuve was to stand.
When the explanation ended, the room fell quiet again.
Then the doors opened.
—
They were led out of the chamber and into a wider courtyard that faced the main audience hall.
The structure stood elevated on a stone platform, reached by a set of broad steps. Red columns lined the front, supporting a long roof of yellow tiles that extended outward to form a shaded entrance. Guards stood at the base of the steps and along the edges of the platform, their positions fixed and evenly spaced.
Officials were already assembled inside.
From where they stood, Villeneuve could see rows of figures arranged along both sides of the hall, leaving a clear central path leading toward the far end where the throne was set.
Remy stepped slightly closer.
"Once we enter, we walk straight. No deviation."
Villeneuve did not respond.
He had already fixed his eyes on the entrance.
An attendant gave the signal.
They moved.
The sound of their steps carried across the hall as they entered.
The space inside was wide and structured with clear symmetry. Two lines of columns ran from the entrance to the far end, dividing the hall into sections while leaving the center open. Officials stood in ordered ranks along both sides, each positioned according to status. Their robes varied in color and detail, but their posture remained the same—upright, still, watching.
At the far end, the throne stood raised on a platform.
The Emperor sat beneath a carved backdrop, elevated above the floor level of the hall. The distance and height made his position clear without any need for announcement.
Villeneuve and Remy walked forward at a steady pace.
No one spoke.
When they reached the marked position, they stopped.
A brief pause followed.
Then Remy made a small motion with his hand.
Villeneuve inclined his head and upper body in a controlled bow—formal, measured, and no deeper than what he would give to a foreign monarch in Europe.
When he straightened, the reaction in the room was immediate but contained. Several officials stiffened. A few exchanged brief glances. No one broke formation.
On the throne, the Emperor remained still.
A court official stepped forward and announced the envoy in formal terms.
Remy translated quietly under his breath.
"Envoy of the French Empire, Armand de Villeneuve."
Villeneuve took a step forward.
"Armand de Villeneuve, envoy of the French Empire."
Remy translated.
"I bring the regards of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of France."
The words carried across the hall through Remy’s voice.
The Emperor listened without interruption.
Villeneuve continued.
"I stand here on behalf of my Emperor to establish formal relations between our nations."
Remy delivered the translation with precision.
The Emperor spoke.
His voice was calm and steady, carrying through the hall without force.
Remy listened.
"He says you have come a long way to speak of relations," Remy translated.
Villeneuve answered without hesitation.
"I have."
The response was translated back.
The Emperor spoke again, this time longer.
Remy listened carefully before answering.
"He says your arrival has been marked by violence."
"I will address that."
Remy translated.
Villeneuve continued, his tone controlled.
"The bombardment of Tianjin... and the engagement at Canton."
A slight shift moved through the officials on both sides of the hall.
Villeneuve did not look at them.
"France does not deny these actions."
Remy translated each word.
Villeneuve paused for a brief moment before continuing.
"We regret the loss of life and damage that followed."
The translation carried across the room.
"We did not come to China with the intention of destruction."
Remy spoke steadily.
"We came first with the intent to open communication. That effort was refused."
Several officials shifted at that line, but none spoke.
Villeneuve continued.
"When our representatives were denied the ability to conduct diplomatic affairs in a manner equal to that of other nations, it was taken as a refusal to engage."
Remy translated.
Villeneuve kept his posture steady.
"France does not seek conflict without cause."
The Emperor listened, his expression unchanged.
"But France will respond when it is denied respect in matters between states."
The words were delivered cleanly.
Villeneuve let them settle before continuing.
"What occurred at Tianjin and Canton was not our objective."
Remy translated.
"It was the result of a refusal to engage in discussions that could have been mutually beneficial."
A longer pause followed that statement.
The officials along the hall remained silent, but their attention had sharpened completely.
Villeneuve did not move.
"We are here now to correct that."
Remy delivered the line.
"To establish direct relations between our governments, so that such actions are not repeated."
The Emperor spoke again.
Remy listened closely.
"He says you speak of regret, yet you bring demands."
Villeneuve answered at once.
"I bring terms."
Remy translated.
The Emperor’s gaze remained fixed on him.
Villeneuve continued.
"Terms that reflect the reality we now face."
The translation carried through the hall.
"France is not a merchant seeking permission. It is an empire seeking relations."
A slight shift moved through the court.
Villeneuve did not look away from the throne.
"And we believe that such relations can benefit both our nations."
Remy translated.
The Emperor spoke again, quieter this time.
Remy listened.
"He asks what form of benefit you speak of."
Villeneuve answered without delay.
"Trade. Stability. Direct communication between our courts. Your Majesty, I must say, your country is backward. In Europe, everything is industrialized."
Remy stopped.
For a brief moment, he did not speak.
Villeneuve did not look at him.
"Translate it."
Remy drew a breath and delivered the line in Chinese without altering it.
The reaction came immediately.
Several officials along the civil ranks turned at once. One stepped forward before catching himself, his sleeve brushing against the man beside him. Another spoke under his breath, sharp and quick. Even among the military officials, there was a visible shift in stance, weight moving forward, attention tightening.
The hall did not break.
But the air changed.
On the throne, the Emperor remained still, though his gaze fixed more directly on Villeneuve.
He spoke.
Remy listened.
"He asks in what way you consider the Empire backward."
Villeneuve answered without hesitation.
"In access. In structure. In how you deal with other nations."
Remy translated.
Villeneuve continued.
"You confine trade to one port. You restrict communication through layers that delay or refuse engagement. You isolate your court from direct contact while the rest of the world moves forward."
The words carried across the hall.
One of the ministers spoke sharply, unable to hold back. He stepped forward, bowed briefly toward the throne, then spoke again, his tone firm.
Remy listened, then translated in a lower voice.
"He says the Empire has no need to follow foreign practices. It has stood for centuries as it is."
Villeneuve gave a short nod.
"And yet your defenses failed against a single fleet."
Remy translated.
The minister stopped.
He did not answer.
Villeneuve continued before anyone else could speak.
"This is not an insult for the sake of insult. It is a statement of fact."
Remy delivered the line.
"In Europe, industry drives power. Steam moves ships against wind and current. Production increases with machines. Transport improves with rail. Communication shortens distance."
The officials listened.
No one interrupted this time.
Villeneuve kept his tone level.
"States that adapt grow stronger. States that do not fall behind."
Remy translated.
A brief silence followed.
Villeneuve took a small step forward, no more than half a pace.
"We are not here to demand that you become like us."
Remy translated.
"We are here to establish terms that allow both sides to benefit. So, what will it be? Your Majesty?"
