Talleyrand squeezed the cane, thinking to himself that the situation was indeed as predicted by His Highness the Regent.

He took out the prepared speech: You need to look at the long term. As I told you before, Austria will soon begin to quell the rebels and go to war with Hungary. At that time, Austria will definitely need a large amount of logistical supplies. Look, Poland’s wheat is being harvested, and potatoes are about to ripen as well, and the Emperor of the Sanctum will offer a high price to purchase these goods. Oh, and gunpowder, military uniforms, tents, and the like, Warsaw has stockpiled quite a bit, and they can be transported to Brno to be exchanged for gold coins.

Count Pototsky lit up upon hearing this. Poland’s finances have long been insufficient, and it’s only by the united resistance against invasion that it hasn’t collapsed. This is also why many in the Polish upper echelons are reluctant to agree to a ceasefire amidst an unfavorable situation—if war reparations aren’t received, it’s highly likely Poland will fall into civil unrest.

But if they can make a fortune from Austria’s civil war, while it might not cover previous deficits, it should be enough to stabilize the domestic situation.

He immediately shook his head and said: But Austria can completely purchase these from Saxony or Prussia. Especially Saxony, which is very close to Prague.

Talleyrand smiled: I can assure you, Saxony and Prussia will not be involved in this transaction.

Count Pototsky immediately said: And Bavaria...

Talleyrand: Their volunteers are currently at war with the Austrians in Switzerland. To be honest, next week I have to go to Zurich to mediate for them.

As they spoke, the two had arrived in front of the red carpet in the square. Talleyrand nodded to the Poles and went to the passage dedicated to the mediators.

Count Pototsky looked up, and beside the negotiating table at the end of the carpet, several Russians were sitting there arrogantly, with a dozen or so Russian guards standing behind them.

He immediately straightened his chest and shouted loudly: Tear apart the invaders! Long live Poland!

The thousands of Poles watching immediately shouted along: Tear apart the invaders!

Long live the Fatherland!

Victory belongs to us!

Talleyrand came to the negotiation table from the north side of the square, first letting the French guards he brought maintain the scene’s order, then nodded to the negotiation delegates of both Russia and Poland, and began his speech.

Soon, Count Pototsky and Novosilitsiev’s people began to argue fiercely.

The Russians insisted that Poland pay the "redemption" fee for Polotsk, at least 2 million rubles, and compensate the Russian army’s losses, as well as prohibit garrisoning troops in Polotsk and Mozhili.

Meanwhile, the Poles denounced Russia’s invasion, demanding the Russian army immediately roll out of Poland, or they would fight all the way to Viazma.

Hmm, both sides consider themselves the victors, yet both have exhausted their national power, on the brink of collapse.

Talleyrand just listened quietly until four in the afternoon, when both sides seemed to have exhausted their energy, gradually quieting down. He then smiled and looked at Count Pototsky: So, if the Russian army unconditionally withdraws east of the West Dvina River, will you agree to a ceasefire?

Pototsky glanced at the Russian delegate and reluctantly nodded: This is our country’s most basic requirement.

Novosilitsiev, who understood French, immediately objected: That is absolutely impossible, the compensation must...

Talleyrand gestured for him to calm down: If you get the redemption of Polotsk and war compensation, you shouldn’t entangle further on the border garrison issue.

The Russians’ expression softened a bit: This could be considered.

Count Pototsky looked at Talleyrand in shock: Your Excellency Archbishop, you cannot side with the invaders!

Talleyrand also waved his hand to him: Don’t worry, I guarantee Poland won’t pay a single penny.

He signaled for both negotiating parties to come closer, whispered for a while, and soon the Poles and Russians stared at each other in surprise, eventually returning to their seats.

That afternoon, both Polish and Russian delegates took the armistice documents drafted by Talleyrand back to their respective governments for confirmation.

The document for Poland stated that Russia would immediately withdraw unconditionally and promise never to invade Poland again.

While the armistice document received by Russia stated that Poland would pay 1 million rubles to redeem Polotsk and compensate Russia with another 1 million rubles, and promise not to provoke any war against Russia.

Three days later, Talleyrand confidently returned to the negotiation venue, ready to witness Poland and Russia signing the ceasefire agreement, only for Count Pototsky to reluctantly tell him that the Great Sejm had unanimously decided that Russia must pay war compensation, otherwise a ceasefire would never be accepted.

Talleyrand discussed with him for a long time with an unpleasant expression, finally said coldly: Then 900,000 francs. The signing ceremony is postponed by two days. I don’t want any more surprises in the maritime domain.

I extend the highest gratitude to you on behalf of all Poles!

...

In the northern Austrian city of Brno.

Franz II angrily slammed the Sharp Signal Tower document on the table, shouting at Kobutsel: Damn! We actually have to pay the Poles!

Yes, the 2 million rubles that Poland "pays" to Russia comes from Austria. And the "war compensation" Russia pays to Poland is also footed by Austria.

Kobutsel bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, the French say Poland’s attitude is very tough, and without this money, the ceasefire negotiations might drag on for a month or two."

He furtively glanced at the Emperor, adding: There have already been voices in Graz supporting the rebellion against Vienna, and if it drags on further, I’m afraid... If 360,000 florins can make Russia quickly send troops, it might actually be acceptable.

Franz II stared at him for a long while, ultimately grabbing the pen with a dark face and casually signing the document.

...

August 11, 1801.

The Polish-Russian ceasefire agreement was officially signed.

With the news spreading, long-lasting cheers erupted in the city of Blaslav.

The years-long war finally ended! Under pressure from Paris, the Russians retreated and paid a large sum in war compensation.

And three days earlier, Kutuzov had already ordered his two infantry divisions and three Cossack cavalry battalions to cross the Dnieper River, and head to Austria via the Zhitomir plains of Poland—this was part of the Polish-Russian secret agreement.

Meanwhile, journalists from various countries in Blaslav became busy.

One news dispatch after another was sent to various European countries, with titles almost all being: "When the wrath of Russia and Poland was on the brink of exploding, it was Archbishop Talleyrand with his calmness and wisdom that saved the negotiations from the edge of collapse," "Paris brought rare peace to Eastern Europe," "For all countries in Europe, perhaps it is everyone’s fortune to have an arbitrator who is not present but is omnipresent."

These were, of course, articles provided by the Paris News Agency.

They had the first-hand detailed information of the negotiations, and journalists from other countries who wanted to release valuable news could only use their articles.

Moreover, for journalists from various countries, with inexpensive ready-made news articles available for use, they couldn’t be bothered to write themselves either.