Chapter 1643 - 1549: The Glory of Rome

Chapter 1643: Chapter 1549: The Glory of Rome

The first two individuals to offer congratulatory speeches were from the Bourbon Family, who were also France’s most powerful allies, and the Regent’s brother-in-law, which was in line with diplomatic protocol.

Just as people were speculating whether Austria, Russia, or Baden would speak next, a man around fifty years old, wearing a snow-white turban adorned with an emerald gemstone, came to the center of the hall from Louis XVI’s right side, bowing before the King with a hand over his chest.

The representatives from various countries were taken aback.

The court ceremonial officer struck the ground forcefully three times with his scepter and loudly declared, "Envoy Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Ahmed Jalal, extends his congratulations to His Majesty the King."

Jalal took out a roll of parchment from his sleeve and spoke in nearly accent-free French:

"His Majesty the King of France, supreme of Europe, monarch revered by all nations, may the radiance of your throne never dim, may this Palace of Versailles, which outshines all palaces, gain everlasting honor tonight with the birth of the Crown Prince..."

The musicians in the back were about to play music to accompany the conclusion of the speech, but the Ottoman raised his volume again:

"All the way from Marseille to Paris, everything I witnessed filled us with marvel. Railways connected, gas streetlights spread everywhere, factory smoke covering the skies, unmatched by any country of Europe...

"Your country’s exquisite instruments, transported across the Mediterranean Sea by steamship, are the most popular treasures in Constantinople...

"The truths of stars and matter, written by your scholars, have been translated and read book by book by our Imperial Masters...

"France has been recognized as the pinnacle of craftsmanship, knowledge, military, law, and art. If there is a model among nations, only France could be worthy..."

Joseph found himself in awe. The Ottomans, in their bid to get France to exert influence over Egypt, were pouring out praises as if they were free.

Yet, upon closer examination, what Jalal said was indeed factual.

When the Sultan’s envoy finished his speech on "pinnacle France," the Austrian envoy, who had risen and sat down three times, finally had the chance to approach the throne, pondering whether to lengthen his own speech.

Just then, a voice with an English country gentleman’s accent filled the west side of the hall, "The glory of Versailles illuminates Gaul."

The Austrian envoy paused, glancing with everyone else towards the voice.

Sir Brian O’Reilly, the envoy of the King of England, walked out, glancing at Jalal, who had just sat down, out of the corner of his eye: "But tonight, this hall of the Christian world allows the one who serves the false prophet to have a seat.

"The Khalifa’s cavalry is roaming the borders of Wallachia, his governors still control over Christian Greece, yet the owner of the Palace of Versailles lets his envoys sit alongside Christian nations."

He then looked around at everyone with a provocative tone, "Forgive me for saying this, but this is a slight and even an insult to the entire Christian world!"

The entire Hall of Mirrors fell silent. Several Italian diplomats wanted to speak, but were unsure of what to say.

The Spanish Archbishop clutched his cross tightly. The Ottoman envoy still held his coffee cup with a smile, but the cold black in his eyes was like a bottomless abyss.

Joseph, however, chuckled.

He initially thought the British Royal Family was following European tradition, sending someone to offer congratulations—European states always separated war from the affairs of the royal family. Historically, during the times when Napoleon and Britain were at each other’s throats, Britain still sent Princess Atreus to attend Napoleon’s wedding.

But this time, the British were clearly not here merely for tradition.

He was about to rise but then considered that publicly confronting a British envoy might be unbecoming, so he glanced to his left at Talleyrand and mouthed the word "Rome."

Talleyrand immediately understood, stepped forward, adjusted his attire, and with his distinct and resonant voice addressed the British: "Mr. O’Reilly, you just mentioned ’the hall of the Christian world.’ I would like to know which city you believe is worthy of the title ’hall of halls’?"

O’Reilly hesitated for a moment, about to say "certainly London," but before he could finish the first word, Talleyrand boldly asserted, "Undoubtedly, it is Jerusalem—the place of Our Lord Christ’s suffering and resurrection!"

O’Reilly reluctantly swallowed the rest of his words. He wasn’t foolish enough to pit London against Jerusalem.

Talleyrand took a wine glass from a servant’s tray and gestured toward the British envoy, "Then allow me to remind you, it was during the age of Suleiman the Great, that the successors of your so-called ’false prophet’ allowed the monks of the Franciscan Order to repair the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem, placed the keys to Jesus’s tomb in the hands of Latin priests, and protected all denominations of Christians."

He didn’t give the opposition a chance to argue, quickly shifted to the main point, "If we trace back nine hundred years, when the ancestors on the island of England were still hunting boars in Sherwood Forest, the Khalifa’s envoy followed protocol, arrived in Rome, presented gifts and letters to the Pope and Emperor of Brazil. His Majesty the Emperor hosted them with a grand banquet, just as today. Ladies and gentlemen—"

Talleyrand’s gaze swept across the Hall of Mirrors, his tone ardent:

"Rome! Only great Rome can be revered and acknowledged by Islamic civilization. This is not slight or shame, but glory!

"Rome became Rome because it inspires reverence in conquerors and pilgrims alike. And today—"

He opened his arms as if embracing the surrounding brilliant light:

"Under the dome of Versailles, to have the envoy of the Ottoman Empire seated with us is precisely because France today, like Rome of old, prospers independently, without reliance on anyone’s protection, capable of choosing to welcome guests or confront foes.

"Today, at this moment, we choose to welcome guests. Today, be it Europe or the East, all can gather in Paris to celebrate this glory!"

Jalal was the first to stand, gesturing with hand over chest towards Talleyrand, then lifted his coffee cup and loudly proclaimed, "The glory of France, the glory of Rome, surpasses any morning light the spires might reflect!"

The representatives from Italy immediately followed suit, raising their glasses and shouting, "To the glory of France!"

"To the glory of Rome!"

The cheers awakened Prince Michel in the nursemaid’s arms.

The little one curiously looked at the crowd adhering to decorum yet brimming with excitement in the hall, letting out a long yawn.

O’Reilly waited for a long time, only when the hall gradually quieted did he coldly glance at Talleyrand, gritting his teeth, "I hope your country can help your ally in Madrid keep their American colonies with the strength you spoke of.

"Oh, I heard you are merely watching as your allies suffer one defeat after another."

This was his real purpose for causing a scene in public, directing the topic to the war in America, forcing France to publicly announce sending troops to New Granada.

It would take two months for news from America to reach Europe. He didn’t yet know that Portugal’s army was struggling under attacks from the Creoles in the jungles and swamps of South America. Meanwhile, the negotiating representative from the United States had already returned to Washington with a peace agreement.