Following the conventions of the European Continent, it was time for negotiations once again. The French, too, had to abide by this rule, especially as the Vienna System was re-established.
No sooner had the French diplomatic note been delivered than Cavour hurried to Paris, lavishing gifts and courtesies everywhere.
But it was all in vain—the French bureaucrats weren't fools; they knew which money to take and which not to. It was better to stay away from an Emperor assassination case.
Foreign Minister Clero said with a worried frown, "Prime Minister, all the gifts were returned, and these people won't even let us through the door."
That was still relatively restrained. Others would take the bribe and then send cannons back your way.
In other words, they took the gifts, stuffed something trivial into the gift boxes, and then ostentatiously threw them out.
