Chapter 368

On March 21, 1851, the Tsarist government appointed Duke Alexander Menshikov as a special envoy to Constantinople to negotiate with the Osman government.

After hearing the news, the diplomatic circle was in an uproar. Duke Alexander Menshikov had served as the governor of Finland, commanded the wars against Persia and Osman, served as the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, and was the Minister of the Navy.

As a key figure in the Tsarist government's ruling group, Duke Alexander Menshikov acted as the special envoy, which was enough to show the importance that the Russians attached.

This kind of importance seemed to be sending a signal to the outside world that the Russians wanted to solve the problem through negotiations.

However, considering that Duke Menshikov was a member of the pro-war faction and had commanded the last Russian-Turkish war, it seemed that this was another demonstration to the Osman.

Before going to Constantinople, Duke Menshikov first went to Sarabia to inspect the troops stationed there, and then went to Sevastopol to inspect the Black Sea Fleet.

Russia even conducted a landing exercise, and the target was obviously Constantinople. After the exercise, on March 12, Duke Menshikov boarded the warship "Thor" and went to Constantinople.

Menshikov was not a qualified diplomat. He despised diplomacy and etiquette. As the backbone of the pro-war faction, he opposed all compromises to the Osman Empire.

Franz was not optimistic about the negotiations with Constantinople. The Russians had such a big appetite, would the Osman Empire compromise?

While the Russians were negotiating with the Osman government, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not idle either. Diplomatic negotiations with the Osman Empire had also begun. However, Franz did not pay attention to this negotiation and directly authorized the Minister in Constantinople, Mestessel.

Fairspring Palace

It was a sunny afternoon, and Franz was fishing. It seemed that his luck was good, and the fish did not bite the bait.

In contrast, his father, Duke Carr, had already harvested three fish, the largest of which was three pounds. If there were no accidents, this unlucky fish would probably appear on the dinner table tonight.

The maid's clear voice sounded, "Your Majesty, Mr. Metternich is asking to see you."

"Take him to the pavilion, I'll be there right away," Franz said lightly.

After that, Franz put down the fishing rod and said to his father and brothers not far away, "You can continue, I have to go to work."

Duke Carr blurted out without thinking, "Go, unlucky child, may God bless you!"

Franz choked. He originally wanted to say, "Unlucky fish eats unlucky food. However, there was no such proverb in Austria, and no one would be able to understand it.

His good upbringing allowed him to directly filter out his father's words. He just glared at his younger brothers who were laughing and watching the scene.

His good upbringing allowed him to filter out his father's words. He just glared fiercely at his brothers, who were laughing and watching the show.

Seemingly remembering the days when they were dominated by terrifying homework, the little guys wisely put away their smiles. Franz left with satisfaction. Based on the principle that it was better to share the joy with everyone, Franz directly copied the pain he had experienced to his brothers.

Based on the principle that joy alone was not as good as joy together, Franz directly copied the pain he had experienced to his brothers.

It was nothing much. It was just that he was watched by more than 30 tutors, and there were always endless classes and homework. The European nobles attached great importance to their children's education, and no one interceded for them on this issue.

Then, the three little guys became good children. They were not top students. For the sake of a good life under the blue sky and white clouds, they decisively surrendered to their evil elder brother.

Otherwise, they would still be bitterly studying, and would not have the opportunity to cultivate aristocratic temperament (fishing and playing).

Perhaps in Duke Carr's view, Franz was really a very unlucky person. What was so good about being an emperor? He had endless official business to deal with every day, and even when he was on vacation, things would come to him.

As for his father's views, Franz never expressed any opinion. If he had the slightest ambition, he would be the one sitting on the throne now.

In Duke Carr's view, it was more comfortable to eat, drink and have fun than to work hard to be an emperor.

Under this view, Duke Carr often looked at Franz with pity in his eyes.

Franz could do nothing about it. After all, he could not say, "If it weren't for your own efforts, you, the Habsburg worm, would soon run out of rice to eat."

…

"Your Majesty, news has just come that the French have intervened in Jerusalem. The Catholic Church wants our support."

The news brought by Metternich made Franz sigh at the power of historical revision. But after careful analysis, this was also an inevitable result.

If Louis Napoleon Bonaparte wanted to restore the throne, he had to win the support of the people. The current crisis in the Holy Land might be a problem for others, but it was an opportunity for him.

Not only could he take the opportunity to increase France's external influence, but he could also gain the support of the Catholics. How could he refuse such a good deal that could kill two birds with one stone?

As for the consequences of doing so, it was nothing more than offending the Russians and the Osman. Others might be afraid of the Hairy Bear, but he was not. Anyway, the German Confederation was in the way, and the Russians could not come over. What was there to be afraid of?

The Osman's attitude could be ignored. The current Osman was no longer the Osman of the past. Any European power could step on them.

Franz thought for a moment and said, "So, the French have already entered the battlefield. It seems that the Russians are in trouble. I'm afraid the war between Russia and Turkey will not be easy.

But this has nothing to do with us. Since the French have already taken action in Jerusalem, with their strength, I don't think they need our help. We can just support them verbally. "

Help? It was impossible for the Government of France to let Austria intervene. This was a time for Louis Napoleon Bonaparte to gain prestige. How could they let Austria join in and share his "credit"?

Metternich frowned and said, "Your Majesty, it's not that simple. Not only are the Russians in trouble, but we are also in trouble. "

Franz was slightly stunned. He didn't realize that it had anything to do with Austria.

Metternich explained, "Your Majesty, the French's intervention in this conflict means that Louis Napoleon Bonaparte is ready to seize power. It won't be long before we hear about the disappearance of his restoration.

At that time, a Government of France that is absolutely pro-British will appear. In international affairs, Britain and France will further deepen cooperation.

There will be two poles in the world, the Russian-Austrian Alliance and the Anglo-French Alliance. With the outbreak of the war between Russia and Turkey, the contradiction between the two alliances will deepen and even lead to war.

Britain and Russia have geographical advantages, and the possibility of a full-scale war between the two countries is not high. At most, it will be a local conflict.

But we and the French are different. With the contradiction between the two alliances, it is very likely that a war will break out between Austria and France in the future. "

Franz was stunned. Metternich's analysis made him wonder who the transmigrator was.

He also considered the possibility of a war between Austria and France, but he always thought it was because of the Italian problem. Now it seemed that the contradiction between the two alliances would be the fuse of the future conflict between Austria and France.

In this context, there were only two paths for Austria to take. They could join forces with the Russians and deal a heavy blow to the French in the following war. Without this fighter, the British would also be afraid.

Or they could do nothing and wait for the conflict between Austria and France to escalate. The French had been eyeing the Rhineland covetously for a long time. With the deepening of industrialization, the Government of Prussia also paid more and more attention to this land, and the possibility of concessions was almost zero.

The Rhineland contributed greatly to the strength of the German industry in later years. The mineral resources here were indispensable and irreplaceable for the Kingdom of Prussia.

As for the possibility of compromise between the two countries? Franz could clearly answer that it was impossible. Bismarck had promised to cede the Rhineland to the French many times in history.

But in the end, the Government of Prussia would rather take a military risk and fight with the French than really give up this area.

This was the future of the Kingdom of Prussia. From the beginning of industrialization, the Government of Prussia had been aware of the importance of this area. If the Kingdom of Prussia gave up this area, then the Ruhr industrial area would be doomed.

Franz frowned and said, "It seems that we can't do anything now. The French are trapped in the Russo-Turkish war, which is very good for our strategy of westward expansion.

Once the strategy of westward expansion is completed and South Germany is integrated, the balance of power between the Fao and France will change. Even if there is a war in the future, our chances of winning are very high. "

This was not Franz's self-confidence, but the truth. After Austria integrated South Germany, the growth of power was definitely not as small as it seemed on the surface.

Many people in this era overestimated France. That was the shadow left in everyone's hearts by Napoleon's conquest of Europe. They ignored today's France. They were not the France of the past.

Whether it was in terms of comprehensive national strength or military strength, they were no longer the number one country that made the world tremble.

Metternich had a phobia of France. As long as there was a war with the French, he would be pessimistic, as if Napoleon had returned.

This problem was something that Franz could do nothing about. Metternich was a politician from that era. He had personally participated in the war against France and was traumatized by Napoleon. There was no solution at all.

Fortunately, the performance of the Austrian army that year was not too bad. The two sides fought back and forth and were not taken away by the French. The generals from that era were not afraid.

The military hardliners, led by Marshal Radski, were very unconvinced of the defeat that year and still wanted to find a chance to get back at them.

If it wasn't for the military being tough enough, Franz would actually be afraid. Who told the performance of the Austro-Hungarian army in the future to leave an impression of trash?

Franz, who had personally understood the Austrian army, was very clear that the Austrian Empire was definitely not the same as the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Whether it was the morale of the army or the training of the soldiers, it was much better than the Austro-Hungarian era.

Metternich shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, a France with constant internal strife is indeed not something to worry about. But once Louis Napoleon Bonaparte is restored, the internal strife of the Government of France will be suppressed.

At that time, we must consider the situation of Prussia and France joining forces. As long as we give them enough pressure, it is possible that Prussia and France will reach a compromise. "

Franz was shocked. If Austria annexed South Germany, there would be a tremendous change in power.

Then both Prussia and France would feel threatened. In order to solve this threat, as long as one side made concessions, it was not impossible to join forces to deal with Austria.

Then Franz shook his head again. It was too early to consider this problem. The French were very proud. It was almost impossible to make them give in to the Kingdom of Prussia without experiencing defeat.

It was certain that even if they won against Austria, the French would not let Prussia unify the German Region. So was it necessary for the Government of Prussia to take the risk?

If Fao or Prussia fought alone, the Russians might watch the show and use their strength to weaken Austria. If Prussia and France joined forces, as long as the Russians did not want to fall into a state of isolation, it would be necessary to send troops.

The French were far away and could not feel the threat of the Russians. The Kingdom of Prussia was close at hand. Maybe in the end, Austria would be crippled by Prussia and France, and the Kingdom of Prussia would be destroyed by Russia and Austria first.

Franz thought for a moment and said, "It seems that we have to restrain ourselves a little. If we were to be feared by other countries, then it would be big trouble. "

No matter what alliance it was, they had to speak with interests. Once there was a conflict of interests, they would turn hostile faster than flipping a book.

In order to avoid the worst situation from happening, Franz chose to feign fear first.