Chapter 349 Treaty of Peace and Amity 1821

Chapter 349 Treaty of Peace and Amity 1821

The two leaders then proceeded to make arrangements for the evening's event. Takeyoshi sent word to his aides to prepare a selection of traditional Japanese dishes, while Francis coordinated with his team to ensure everything was in place for the treaty signing aboard the flagship.

Since the dinner will be held in the IFNS Napoleon, Francis ordered the crew to refurbish the mess hall, allowing for a spacious and formal setting. Long tables were set up, draped with white tablecloths, and adorned with centerpieces made of fresh flowers. Chairs were neatly arranged, and fine china, crystal glasses, and silver cutlery were set in place.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

Since it's also going to be some sort of cultural exchange, Francis ordered the chef of the flagship to cook the finest cuisine France has to offer. Some includes beef bourguignon, ratatouille, quiche Lorraine, and bouillabaisse. In addition to these main dishes, the menu also featured escargot, coq au vin, and a selection of fine French cheeses such as camembert, Roquefort, and brie. For dessert, there were preparations for tarte tatin, crème brûlée, éclairs, and macarons. A variety of French wines, including some from the renowned Bordeaux and Burgundy regions, were selected to complement the dishes.

Takeyoshi's team, wanting to showcase the depth and breadth of Japanese culinary arts, prepared dishes such as sashimi platters featuring tuna, salmon, and mackerel, tempura vegetables and prawns, udon and soba noodle dishes, and various sushi rolls. Traditional dishes like kaiseki, a multi-course Japanese dinner, and chawanmushi, a steamed egg custard, were also included. For those with a sweet tooth, mochi, matcha ice cream, and dorayaki were on offer. Sake and Japanese green tea were chosen as the beverages for the night.

As the preparations continued, both teams collaborated to ensure that the presentation of the dishes respected each culture's dining etiquette. For instance, the French dishes were served on large plates with the necessary cutlery, while the Japanese dishes were presented in bowls with chopsticks.

At eight o'clock in the evening, the event started. Governor Takoyashi was not alone this time, he brought with him the Council of Elders, or in the Western equivalent, the ministers of various governmental departments. They were key figures in the Japanese administration, responsible for significant decisions related to trade, defense, foreign affairs, and culture.

"I would like to thank everyone for joining us on this momentous occasion. Given that you have come aboard our ship means that you are committed to signing the treaty which I believe will bring prosperity and mutual benefits to both our nations," Francis began as he stood up to address the assembly. "Now, we'll enjoy the cuisines from both our great nations."

With that, the dinner began with the French tasting the Japanese delicacies while the Japanese tasted the French cuisine. However, one unforeseen problem erupted.

Daphne looked hesitant but nodded, "Alright, I'll give it a try."

Daphne grabbed one of the tempura prawns and took a tentative bite. To her surprise, she found it flavorful and crispy. "This is good," she admitted with a small smile. "It's like Schnitzel from Austria but with seafood."

"Good observation." Francis chuckled softly, glad to see his sister warming up to at least one aspect of Japanese cuisine. "See? There's always something for everyone."

After dinner, the treaty signing was to commence. Francis and Takeyoshi took center stage, flanked by their respective entourages. The treaty was beautifully crafted on parchment, the ink shimmering under the soft lighting of the room. Both leaders took a moment to read through the document one last time.

Governor Takeyoshi was the first to sign, followed by Francis. As they did, there was a palpable tension in the room, signifying the weight of the moment. With the last stroke of the pen, the treaty was signed, and both leaders looked up, acknowledging the significance of the moment. They exchanged firm handshakes as the room broke into polite applause.

Following the official signing, a toast was proposed. Francis, holding a glass of fine Bordeaux wine. "To the Empire of France and to the Empire of Japan!"

Everyone raised their glasses in unison, echoing Francis's sentiment, "To the Empire of France and to the Empire of Japan!" The room echoed with the clinking of glasses.

Meanwhile, Daphne let out a sigh. "Finally, we can go home."