Reincarnated as Napoleon II-Chapter 169: Make it Clear

The fires in Tianjin had begun to die down.

Smoke still hung over parts of the port, but the worst of the flames had burned through what they could consume. Charred beams lay collapsed along the waterfront. The remains of the batteries were nothing more than broken earth and scattered stone.

The French fleet remained anchored just beyond the damaged harbor.

From the deck of the Napoleon I, the coastline looked quiet.

Villeneuve stood near the rail, watching the shoreline through a glass.

"They’re taking their time," he said.

Remy stood beside him.

"They needed to send word to Beijing," he replied. "This was never going to be immediate."

Villeneuve lowered the glass.

"They’ve seen enough."

"Yes," Remy said. "Which is why they’re thinking carefully."

Behind them, the ship moved with its usual rhythm. Crewmen passed along the deck carrying out routine tasks. Officers spoke in low voices near the bridge. The guns remained in position, silent but ready.

Nothing had changed.

Except that everything had.

A lookout called down from above.

"Boat approaching from shore!"

Both men turned.

From the direction of the damaged port, a single Chinese boat moved slowly toward the fleet. It was smaller than the war launches the French used, with two rows of oars and a covered section near the center.

A white cloth had been raised on a pole.

Remy exhaled.

"That’s them."

Villeneuve nodded once.

"About time."

The signal was passed quickly.

The approaching boat was allowed through.

Within minutes, it reached the side of the Napoleon I.

A rope ladder was lowered.

Two Chinese officials climbed up first, followed by a pair of attendants. Their robes were clean, though the hems carried dust from the port. Their faces were composed, but there was tension in the way they held themselves.

A marine met them at the top.

"This way."

They were escorted across the deck.

Sailors glanced at them as they passed, but no one spoke. The atmosphere remained controlled, disciplined.

Villeneuve and Remy were already waiting near the forward section of the upper deck.

The officials stopped a few paces away.

One of them stepped forward.

Remy listened.

Then his expression shifted.

Villeneuve noticed immediately.

"Well?"

Remy turned to him.

"They’ve come with an answer."

Villeneuve held his gaze.

"And?"

Remy allowed himself a small breath.

"They’ve agreed."

Then Villeneuve gave a short nod.

"Of course they did."

Remy turned back and responded in Chinese.

The official continued speaking.

Remy listened carefully, then translated.

"The Emperor will grant you an audience. Arrangements will be made for your journey inland under official escort."

Villeneuve did not hide his satisfaction.

"Good."

He stepped forward slightly.

"Tell them we accept."

Remy relayed the response.

The official inclined his head.

But he did not leave.

Instead, he spoke again.

Remy listened.

"He says there are matters that must be discussed first."

Villeneuve glanced toward the shoreline, then back at the official.

"Here?"

Remy translated the question.

The official shook his head slightly and replied.

Remy turned back.

"They request that we come ashore. A temporary office has been prepared."

Villeneuve considered it for only a second.

"Fine."

He looked toward the nearby marine officer.

"Prepare a small escort."

"Yes, monsieur."

—

The building they were brought to stood farther inland from the damaged port.

It had not been hit during the bombardment.

Its structure remained intact, though dust had settled along the outer walls. Guards stood outside, more organized than those seen earlier at the waterfront.

Villeneuve entered first, followed by Remy and a small group of French soldiers.

Inside, the room had been cleared.

A long table stood at the center.

Several Chinese officials were already present.

They remained standing as the French entered.

Villeneuve took his place at one side of the table.

Remy stood beside him.

The officials sat opposite them.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then one of the Chinese officials began.

Remy listened, then translated.

"The Emperor has agreed to receive you. However, before that meeting takes place, we must understand your intentions."

Villeneuve rested his hands lightly on the table.

"That’s simple."

Remy translated.

The official waited.

Villeneuve continued.

"We did not come here for a single conversation. We came to establish terms."

Remy relayed every word.

The officials listened closely.

One of them spoke.

Remy translated.

"He asks what terms."

Villeneuve did not hesitate.

"First," he said, "the Canton System ends."

Remy translated.

There was an immediate reaction across the table.

Several officials shifted.

One spoke sharply.

Remy raised a hand slightly, signaling for him to wait, then finished translating.

The room settled again, though the tension had increased.

Villeneuve went on.

"No more restrictions confining trade to a single port. French merchants will have access to multiple ports within the Empire."

Remy delivered the line.

One of the officials leaned forward.

He spoke quickly.

Remy listened, then answered.

"He says that system has been in place for generations."

Villeneuve nodded.

"And now it ends."

Villeneuve continued.

"Second. Diplomatic relations."

Remy translated.

"We will establish a permanent embassy in Beijing."

A pause.

"And your Empire will establish one in Paris."

The officials exchanged brief glances.

One of them spoke again, slower this time.

Remy listened.

"He asks what purpose such embassies serve."

Villeneuve answered without delay.

"To prevent misunderstandings like this."

Remy translated.

The official’s expression tightened slightly.

But he did not argue.

Villeneuve moved on.

"Third. Trade agreements."

Remy repeated the words.

"Fixed tariffs. Fair access. No arbitrary restrictions."

He let the words sit for a moment.

"We are not here to negotiate for scraps."

Remy translated.

The officials were no longer speaking among themselves.

They were listening.

Villeneuve leaned slightly forward.

"You asked what we want."

Remy delivered the line.

"This is what we want."

"He says these are... significant demands."

Villeneuve gave a small nod.

"Yes."

"He says these matters can only be decided by the Emperor," Remy added.

Villeneuve leaned back slightly.

"Good."

Remy translated.

"That is why we are going to meet him."