"What? The Austrians want to annex the Osman?"
Alexander III, who had just been crowned, didn't even have time to celebrate before he received the bad news.
Foreign Minister Osiel Rivera replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Not long ago, we applied for a loan from the Government of Vienna, and they made this request. "
Alexander III shook his head and replied with certainty, "No, absolutely not!
Once the Austrians annex the Osman, their power will penetrate deep into Central Asia. No one can guarantee that they won't become our competitor.
If Central Asia falls into the hands of the indigenous Khanates, we can still take it back. If it falls into the hands of the Austrians, it will be almost impossible to take it back.
Now that we are greatly weakened, we don't have the ability to compete with them.
The Austrians want to control our lifeline. If they take Central Asia, they will have the ability to divide the Russian Empire into two.
Coupled with the Dardanelles Strait that they already control, the future Russian Empire will have to act according to their will. "
The reason was good, but Osiel Rivera didn't agree with it. Being controlled by others was too big of a topic.
It wasn't just the Dardanelles Strait. The Russian Empire was controlled by Austria in many aspects. Military, finance, and economy, these three core lifelines couldn't be separated from Austria.
After hesitating for a while, Osiel Rivera reminded, "Your Majesty, it's not difficult to solve the Dardanelles Strait problem.
As early as many years ago, we had contact with the Austrians. The Government of Vienna agreed that we should pay for it or exchange territory.
Due to some special reasons, the deal wasn't reached. This also shows that the Government of Vienna doesn't care about the Dardanelles Strait. It's not difficult to get it. "
Alexander III had just ascended to the throne, and everyone didn't know his temper yet. The cautious Osiel Rivera chose to attack from the side.
The threat of Austria did exist, but it wasn't the time to consider this problem. What the Tsarist government needed the most at this time was money. As for other problems, they could wait.
The Tsarist government was confident in this aspect. With the size of the Russian Empire, there was no need to worry about foreign enemies invading.
Austria's threat was based on the premise that the two countries did not fall out. If they really parted ways, these problems could be overcome.
After hesitating for a while, Alexander III nodded helplessly. "Then let's talk to the Austrians first. No matter what, we can't let them take the Osman for themselves."
Alexander III's talent in diplomacy far surpassed that of his ancestors, and he quickly discovered the crux of the problem. Once Austria was determined to attack the Osman, they could not stop it at all.
With the support of the Russian Empire, things would be much easier. Without their support, Austria would still be able to start a war.
The aftermath of the Prussian War had yet to dissipate, and the European world was still immersed in the anti-war wave. It was impossible for Britain and France to go to war with Austria for the Osman Empire.
Russia seemed to have a lot of say, but they were still licking their wounds, and the government had no money. Coupled with the feud between Russia and Turkey, Alexander III really could not find a reason to save the Osman.
Alexander III was rational, just like how he stopped the great purge in the country. When he realized that he couldn't stop Austria, he decisively chose to exchange for benefits.
…
Foreign Minister Osiel Rivera added, "Your Majesty, in addition to this problem, we also have to consider the Finnish problem.
Before the war, in order to stabilize the Nordic Federation and raise war funds, we signed a mortgage with the Swedes, and there is still a secret agreement.
It clearly states that after the war, Finland will be sold to the Nordic Federation. If we breach the contract, in addition to repaying the debt, we must also pay a penalty. The Government of Vienna is the guarantor. "
This was another huge trap. Before the Prussian War broke out, in order to reduce one enemy, the Tsarist government had to sign such a treaty.
Now, this had become another problem. For the time being, it was a happy problem, a problem that would only occur after winning the war.
During the time of Alexander II Of Russia, the prepared response plan was to take over the Schleswig and Holstein duchies and hand them over to the Nordic Federation to repay the debt.
Unfortunately, halfway through the plan, Alexander II Of Russia met God. Alexander III's ability to withstand pressure was not as strong as his father's, and his own prestige was not enough.
In addition, the domestic situation did not allow him to continue the war. After being strongly opposed by the European countries, he quickly chose to compromise.
Alexander III frowned and shook his head. "Finland is of great strategic importance. We cannot hand it over, at least not all of it.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should first contact the Nordic Federation to see if they can accept the sale of part of Finland.
After all, this debt is guaranteed by Austria. Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not use force. "
A weak country had no diplomacy. The Hairy Bear had never been a ruler who followed the rules. Compared to solving problems at the negotiating table, they were better at using cannons.
Alexander III could be considered a peacemaker in Tsar. He could still take out part of Finland to fulfill the contract. If it were his father, Alexander II Of Russia, it would not be so easy to negotiate.
Of course, Austria's guarantee also played an important role. The "Debt Guarantee Contract" was not as simple as providing a security guarantee. There was also a clear penalty clause on it.
Compared to bribing Austria with benefits and making the Government of Vienna silent, Alexander III felt that it was easier to achieve his goal by negotiating with the Nordic Federation.
Foreign Minister Osiel Rivera smiled. "Your Majesty, rest assured. As long as we can take out part of Finland to fulfill the contract, the Nordic Federation will not refuse our goodwill."
…
Berlin. Ever since the end of the Prussian War, this bustling metropolis had suddenly become quiet.
Although they had reclaimed some of their funds by selling their territory, the Government of Berlin was still having a hard time.
The heavy debt had increased the burden on the shoulders of the people of Prussia. More importantly, the despair brought about by the failure of the war had made many people lose confidence in the future.
In order to give an explanation to the people of the country, William I had announced his abdication, and Prussia had entered the era of Frederick The Great III.
This was an unlucky guy. In the original timeline, he had only ascended the throne for a few days before he met God. He was given the title of "Emperor of One Hundred Days" and actually reigned for 99 days.
He barely survived his father and had a taste of being an emperor before he hurriedly left the world.
Under the butterfly effect, Frederick The Great III had ascended the throne in advance, but he also did not gain any benefits. He had to take over a mess.
The only good thing was that William I abdicated and forced a group of Juncker nobles to resign. There were not so many annoying people.
Compared to the current mess, perhaps Frederick The Great III would be more willing to accept a group of Juncker nobles.
The king was the biggest Juncker, and everyone's interests were still the same. What they were fighting for was only power.
Looking at the map hanging on the wall, Frederick The Great III sighed deeply.
He hadn't done anything yet, but the Kingdom of Prussia had lost more than half of its territory. If a country wanted to revive, it couldn't do without population and resources.
With the defeat of the Prussian War, the Kingdom of Prussia had lost a lot of territory, a lot of population, and resources.
Whether it was recognized or not, the Kingdom of Prussia had become a small country.
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