Chapter 372

In any case, it was always good that the plan succeeded. Everything was difficult at the beginning. As long as the first step was taken, the rest would be easy.

Just as Grover Cleveland was about to launch the next step of the plan, a pie fell from the sky and directly hit him in the head.

The British wanted the United States to take the lead in helping the Russians build the "Siberian Railway."

On the surface, an ordinary railway did not seem to be much, but Grover Cleveland, who had a lot of political experience, immediately realized the risks and opportunities.

"Divide the Russo-Austrian Alliance", "Lure the Russians eastward, reduce the military pressure on British India", "Plot against the Russians" … A series of possibilities emerged in Grover Cleveland's mind.

Grover Cleveland did not know what the consequences would be in the end. The only certainty was that the deterioration of the relationship between the European powers was a good thing for the United States.

There were advantages and disadvantages. In order to "divert the trouble to the south" and provoke the Anglo-Russian rivalry, the Government of Vienna did not hesitate to spend a lot of money to help the Russians build the Central Asian Railway.

The money was invested, and the plan was about to succeed. Now that someone suddenly appeared, the Holy Roman Empire would certainly not let it go.

Although there was an ocean between them, offending a top power was still a great risk for the United States.

Although the Government of the United Kingdom promised to cover the bottom line, Grover Cleveland did not have the slightest confidence in John's integrity.

After rubbing his forehead, Grover Cleveland asked, "What did the British offer?"

The risk was not terrible. Although offending the Holy Roman Empire would be painful, it would not kill the United States. What was terrible was that there was a risk, but there was no corresponding return.

Even if the British did not make a move, the United States would still find ways to plot against the Russian-Austrian relationship, but that would be done in secret and could not be brought to the table.

"The Government of the United Kingdom promised to withdraw from the four-nation alliance, stop the suppression of us, and add an interest-free loan of 10 million pounds."

Secretary of State Juan Tripp replied with a blank expression. It was evident that he himself was not very interested in the terms promised by the British.

From the moment the European War ended, the so-called alliance of Britain, France, and Austria had collapsed.

"Stop the suppression" was even more of a joke. Britannia's suppression of the United States had existed in name as early as 20 years ago.

Not to mention now. The British didn't have limitless energy. There was still Holy Empire and Russian Empire in front of them. The London government couldn't care less about suppressing the United States.

The only thing of value was probably the "10 million pounds interest-free loan", but this 10 million was not really given to them.

The United States was just a middleman, and the money would eventually be spent on the Siberian Railway. Not only would they not earn, but they would also lose a lot of money.

Lending money to the Tsarist government was extremely risky these days. If the Russians went bankrupt one day, their investment would be for naught.

Juan was sure that day wouldn't be too far away. The war between France and Russia had already begun, and the Tsarist government had essentially entered the countdown to bankruptcy.

The Tsarist government would go bankrupt. Even with the secret support of the European countries, Russia would be lucky to avoid bankruptcy. In the future, the Tsarist government would still go bankrupt.

This was a lesson from history. Whenever there was a war, Russia's finances would enter a countdown.

Russia would go bankrupt, but the United States would have to repay the 10 million pounds interest-free loan from the British.

The Government of London would not be able to deal with the Congress. Therefore, the heavy responsibility of funding Russia could only be borne by the United States. The Government of London could only compensate them in other ways.

Grover Cleveland nodded thoughtfully. "Oh, it seems like the British offer this time is not bad. At least it's not all empty promises."

The sarcasm in his tone betrayed Grover Cleveland's true thoughts. Obviously, he was not satisfied with the British's compensation.

Secretary of State Juan read the look in his eyes and said, "It's not bad, but we still have to increase the price.

It's almost impossible to get more from the British, but it seems that we can negotiate with Russia.

We will help them build the Siberian Railroad and ask for a share of their income in the Far East. It's reasonable. "

Unlike the original timeline, after the division of the United States, not only did they not have an abundance of industrial raw materials, but their internal market had also shrunk.

They wanted to expand outwards, but after looking around, they tragically discovered that the world had already been carved up by other powers.

They were surrounded by great powers, and they were not to be trifled with. If they had a choice, they wouldn't be so obsessed with the South.

There was no other way. Compared to the top powers like Austria, the Southern Alliance was obviously easier to bully.

The "Siberian Railroad Plan" gave the United States a new choice. Since they could not continue to expand in the Americas, they would spread their influence overseas.

Since Russia's industry was not developed, as an investor in the Siberian Railroad, it was not a problem for the United States to get a share of the profits.

Grover Cleveland: "Great suggestion. But before that, we still have to find a way to deal with the Austrians.

Otherwise, with them stirring up trouble, things will be very troublesome. You have to know that Russia already has the Central Asian Railroad, so I'm afraid they won't be too interested in the Siberian Railroad. "

Although the Hairy Bear was powerful, it was still impossible to take care of both the South and the East at the same time. At the same time, the Tsarist government could only choose one of them as a national policy.

It was obvious that the South faction had the upper hand in the Russian Empire. As for the East strategy, although there was no lack of supporters, the bad traffic had dispelled most people's ideas.

Juan sneered: "Don't worry, Mr. President. Nicholas II will help us deal with the Tsarist government. He is a supporter of the Yellow Russian Plan.

Moreover, with the Government of Vienna's usual style, if the Tsarist government wants to make trouble, it would be good if they don't add fuel to the fire, let alone stop it.

You have to know that France and Russia have just begun, and the Central Asian Railroad is still ongoing. If there is another Siberian Railroad, with the Russian Empire's assets, I'm afraid … "

Russian-American friendship was something that could be shouted during normal times. Juan didn't have the slightest psychological pressure in scheming against the Russians.

Moreover, it wasn't all scheming. As long as the Tsarist government could control their ambitions, they would know what to prioritize.

They could wait until the end of the Franco-Russian War and after the Central Asian Railroad was opened, then they could start building the Siberian Railroad.

As long as they were steady and didn't do anything reckless, with the size of the Russian Empire, no one would be able to do anything to them.

…

Nicholas II, who was at the center of the whirlpool, still didn't know that a conspiracy against the Russian Empire was being launched. At this moment, he was still immersed in the great victory of the Russian Army.

The Russian army stationed outside the city of Paris had already suppressed the French resistance forces in the Paris area and now had complete control over the city of Paris.

There had always been a saying in the European world that "controlling Paris is equivalent to controlling France." Judging from the law of historical development, the Russian Army that occupied Paris was not far from victory.

The victors were not to be blamed. As long as they won this war, not only would the trouble caused by the Russian Army be written off, but they would also be able to make a profit.

Nicholas II naturally had reasons to be happy with such a great victory at the front. He didn't hold a party to celebrate, which was already a sign of restraint.

Donoschaiv said: "Your Majesty, our war with the French is far from over. In addition to Paris, there are still a large number of resistance members scattered throughout the country.

It is almost impossible to clear the whole of France with just our troops stationed in Paris. In order to end the war as soon as possible, we should ask for help from our allies! "

Some people dared to pour cold water on Tsar's enthusiasm. Obviously, Nicholas II was not as brutal as described in the textbooks. A real tyrant couldn't tolerate honest words.

Of course, not being brutal didn't mean that Nicholas II was a wise ruler. Linking the ruler's personal moral cultivation with his ability to govern was originally a hooligan.

"Ask for help from our allies?"

"No!"

"Teacher, you are worrying too much. Today's France is no longer the France of the Napoleonic era.

As early as the previous European war, their backbone was broken, and now they are like a dog, only able to wag their tails and beg for food.

We have increased our troops in France, and the 200,000 Russian Army is enough to suppress any disobedience. The Russian Empire has been silent for many years, and now is the time to show its might, and the French are the best target! "

Whether or not it was the time for the Russian Empire to show its might, this question could not be determined in a short time, but it was definitely the time for Nicholas II to show his might.

No one knew when it started, but every Tsar who ascended to the throne had to prove his ability in foreign wars.

To evaluate a qualified Tsar, people didn't look at Tsar's ability to govern, but whether Tsar could fight.

The fiercer one fought in foreign wars, and the more glorious the results, the higher the Tsar's evaluation in the eyes of the people.

For example, Nicholas I Of Russia, who was known as the greatest Tsar of the Russian Empire, defeated the British and French allied forces, and recovered Constantinople.

As for the ability to govern a country, it was enough for a pure feudal emperor to be able to suppress internal rebellions without causing major trouble.

After all, he was a Tsar, and there was always a stubborn side to him. Once he decided on something, it was difficult to pull it back.

Donoscheff was not disappointed that he could not convince Nicholas II.

The main purpose of persuading Tsar to invite allies to help quell the rebellion was to end the war as soon as possible and save military expenses. He was not really worried about not being able to deal with the rebels.

As Nicholas II said, the backbone of France was broken. This kind of break was not a break in spirit, but a break in substance.

The country's young and strong labor force suffered heavy losses in the war, and the military industry was destroyed by the Allies. The elite troops that survived were sent overseas by Spain to work as mercenaries.

Although the upper class of France, including King Carlos, supported the resistance, it was all in the dark.

There was no other way, the anti-French alliance was too powerful. France at its peak couldn't withstand it, let alone now.

Supporting the resistance and encouraging the people to rebel was only to fight for better conditions, not to say that everyone was ready to turn against the anti-French alliance.

If it wasn't for the suddenness of the incident, they would definitely continue to hide, slowly accumulate strength, and wait for the international situation to change before taking action.

Now that they jumped out to fight the Russians, it was refreshing, but behind the refreshing feeling, thousands of French people fell in a pool of blood.

In a sense, the Russian Army's bloody suppression methods also played a role. Although it aroused more resistance from the French people, it also shocked the upper class of France.

It was fine if they didn't cooperate with violence, but if they really jumped out to fight the Russians to the death, it would be impossible.

They might not go so far as to implicate the entire family, but the Russians would still do what they said.

According to incomplete statistics, in the last three months, at least 100,000 French people fell under the guns of the Russian Army, and more than 500,000 people were exiled to Siberia. The population of Paris, which was controlled by the Russian Army, was directly reduced by half.

Without a leader, the many resistance groups in France naturally couldn't compete with the Russian Army.

Of course, this was only the current situation. No one knew what would happen in the future.

Maybe, under the pressure of the Russian Army, the resistance groups in France suddenly united. It should be noted that the invasion of foreign enemies also helped to promote the unity of all forces.

…

Minister of Finance Sergei Witte suggested, "Your Majesty, we have a lot of prisoners in our hands, and it's a waste of food to keep them locked up. Why don't we send them to build the Central Asia Railway?

It just so happens that the civilian laborers we recruited before have finished their service, and we can replace them. "

It didn't matter whether the civilian laborers finished their service or not, the key was that Sergei Witte had his eyes on this free labor force.

In the 19th century, building a railway was not an easy job. In the absence of enough mechanical equipment, they could only rely on manual labor.

At the railway construction site, there were casualties almost every day. It could be said that every section of the railway was built with human lives piled up.

No matter how worthless the gray animals were, they were still on the same side. People were going to die anyway, and it was better to kill the enemy than to kill one's own people.

Without the slightest hesitation, Nicholas II immediately replied, "The Ministry of War sent a message to the frontline troops, let them work harder and try to capture more prisoners of war. The follow-up construction of the Central Asia Railway depends on them."

It could be seen that when it didn't involve issues of principle, Nicholas II was a good father to the Russian people.