Chapter 448

The relationship between France and Russia was not just a matter of words. Although Napoleon III was now only making a trial, in an attempt to gain a greater say in the Anglo-Franco-Austrian alliance, he had to take concrete action.

On March 6, 1871, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire announced that Crown Prince Alexandrovich would visit Europe and his first stop would be France.

The cooperation of the Russians was surprising. Under normal circumstances, the first stop of the crown prince's visit should be Vienna or Denmark.

The order of the crown prince's visit seemed insignificant, but it actually contained a strong political meaning. This was a political signal to the outside world.

Austria was the most important ally of the Russian Empire and the only one with weight. It occupied an important position in diplomacy.

The Kingdom of Denmark was a relative of the Russian Royal Family by marriage. Crown Prince Alexandrovich married Princess Maria Fyodorovna of Denmark.

Geographically, both countries were bordered by the Russian Empire. It was customary to visit Denmark first by sea and make the last stop in Austria, or to visit Vienna first by land and then Denmark.

This was a normal diplomatic visit process. It reflected the importance of diplomacy and didn't lose etiquette.

Now that the unconventional started from France, it was very interesting. This was not a business trip abroad. There were so many countries along the way that could be visited. Alexandrovich's travel route was obviously awkward.

When it came to politics, no matter how awkward it was, Crown Prince Alexandrovich had to go all the way. This was related to the foreign policy of the Tsarist government.

The outside world generally thought that this was the Tsarist government expressing its dissatisfaction with the Government of Vienna. Not long ago, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs disrupted the Tsarist government's "grain repayment plan," so it was natural for the Government of Saint Petersburg to have an opinion.

The European countries were happy to see the problems in the Russian-Austrian relationship. Many people were already ready to watch the show, and the international media also expressed their opinions.

Everyone was waiting for the reaction of the Government of Vienna, but they were disappointed. There was no reaction at all, as if nothing had happened.

This was just the opinion of ordinary people. In the eyes of the politicians of various countries, no reaction was the biggest reaction.

Either the two sides had communicated in advance, so there was no problem, or the Government of Vienna didn't care.

The former was irrelevant, but the latter was different. If the Government of Vienna really didn't care about the Russians, there were only two reasons:

Either the two countries had a good relationship and didn't care about this little thing. This was obviously impossible. Although the relationship between Russia and Austria was good, it was still far from being intimate.

Either the Vienna government had lost confidence in the Russian-Austrian alliance, or they didn't take it seriously. Or the Government of Vienna had lost confidence in the Russo-Austrian Alliance.

The Tsarist government used this method to express their dissatisfaction. In addition to the appearance fee paid by the French, it was more likely that they were testing the Vienna government and wanted to get some benefits from Austria.

If there was no real money, Alexander II would not have given face to the French and cooperated with them to put on this show. The so-called traditional friendship between the two countries had never existed.

It wasn't easy. Since the Tsarist government announced that it would not pay the debt, all international financial institutions closed their doors to the Tsarist government.

It wasn't easy. Since the Tsarist government announced that it would not pay the debt, all international financial institutions had closed their doors to the Tsarist government. Whether it was bonds or loans, as long as it was related to the Tsarist government, no one was willing to accept it.

There was always a loss. The promise of the French had not been fulfilled, and the Russo-Austrian Alliance was in crisis first. The more the Government of Vienna didn't care, the more worried the Tsarist government was.

The Russo-Austrian Alliance was about to expire. If it couldn't be renewed, when the alliance expired, the Russian Empire would face unprecedented diplomatic isolation.

The pressure on Alexander II Of Russia increased. There was also a lot of criticism within the Tsarist government. Many people thought that Tsar's stubbornness led to the rupture of the alliance.

This was a stain left by Alexander II Of Russia when he was young. In the German Region issue, he was pro-Russian, and at the same time, he had obvious anti-Austrian tendencies.

The original Kingdom of Prussia was able to establish the two empires, and Alexander II Of Russia's personal political tendencies also played a role.

It was normal to have political tendencies. After succeeding the throne, Alexander II Of Russia didn't compromise with Prussia because he was pro-Russian, nor did he alienate Austria because of his personal anti-Austrian.

Even if his inadvertent behavior at the beginning caused the speculation of his subordinates and inadvertently caused the relationship between the two countries to turn cold, Alexander II Of Russia later repaired it.

However, all heroes had arrogance. When Alexander II Of Russia first succeeded the throne, it was at the peak of the Russian Empire. Naturally, he was more arrogant.

After the defeat of the Russo-Austrian War, the Russian Empire declined. Alexander II Of Russia didn't adjust his mentality in time, which made the repair of the relationship between Russia and Austria unsuccessful.

This time's test of Austria made the relationship between the two countries even worse. This gave the domestic conservatives who opposed the reform an opportunity to take the opportunity to launch a political attack.

The internal pressure made Alexander II Of Russia overwhelmed. To be honest, Alexander II Of Russia's responsibility for diplomatic problems was not great. The cold relationship between Russia and Austria was more caused by the conflict of interests.

The diplomacy of the Tsarist government has always been known for being "rough," which is not what Russia is good at at all. Most of the time, the diplomacy of the Tsarist government was a failure.

Unfortunately, Alexander II Of Russia was not a strong diplomatic person. His main achievements in the original time and space were internal reforms and external expansion. He didn't have many achievements in diplomacy.

This visit to Europe was requested by Alexander II Of Russia himself. The famous Alexander III of the original space-time was obviously more powerful in terms of diplomacy.

The itinerary that Alexander III planned for himself was Denmark — Nordic Federation — German Federal Empire — Netherlands — Belgium — Portugal — Spain — Britannia — France — Greece — Montenegro — Austria.

Prussia and Poland were omitted because the two sides had become enemies. As the crown prince, he naturally couldn't visit the enemy country. Switzerland was missing because this country was not important, and it was not on the way to the inland area.

This itinerary arranged according to the geographical order seemed insignificant, but in fact, it was the best choice, taking into account the face of all parties.

Starting from France meant that many countries had to be given up in the middle. As the crown prince representing the Russian Empire, it was impossible for Alexander to take a detour and then turn back.

If he really did that, the importance of France would be reflected, but it would be too strong, and the face of the Russian Empire would be lost.

Alexander tore up the itinerary in his hand. He was very dissatisfied with the approach of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or rather, with the approach of his father, Alexander II Of Russia.

Just because of the 500 million franc loan, this European visit had to start from France. The original plan to use this opportunity to repair relations with other countries had to be reconsidered.

Despite his dissatisfaction, Alexandrovich only vented his emotions in private. He was still clear how poor the Tsarist government was. Poverty was short of ambition, and the country was poor.

Alexander II Of Russia's plan to open up wastelands had solved the farmers' land problem, but the price was that they had to pay for it.

The crops that were grown could not be sold now, and it was difficult to get a return in a short period of time.

Now in order to develop the industry, the government was vigorously carrying out infrastructure construction, and at the same time, a number of railway lines had been started.

All of this required money, and the money that was obtained in the early stage of confiscation had been used up. The Tsarist government now wanted to mix every penny into several halves.

In the Winter Palace, the suddenly changed itinerary plan, and Alexander II Of Russia had to appease his son's emotions. Otherwise, his son would be angry and announce that he was not going, and that would be terrible.

The Crown Prince of Europe still had a lot of power, and there were many who went against the Emperor. Although Aleksandrovich was not as extreme, there was still a huge difference in politics between the two of them.

"I'm sorry, Alexander Rovich. This situation is special, you know how short of money the government is now. We can't refuse the French's offer. "

Looking at his father's troubled face, Alexander Rovich's anger subsided. Emperor Nicholas I Of Russia seized Constantinople and brought the Russian Empire to its peak, but at the same time left a mess.

Unfortunately, this glamorous empire had its tiger skin pierced in the last war.

For the reform, Alexander II Of Russia had sacrificed a lot, and he looked at least ten years older than his actual age.

Alexander Rovich replied calmly, "You don't need to do this. Although I don't agree with your approach, I understand your decision. For the national interest, it is normal for the Crown Prince to make certain sacrifices.

But I have to remind you that this is playing with fire, and it is very dangerous to get close to the French. If it is not handled carefully, it is likely to bring disaster to Russia.

The Austrians have shown their position with their actions. In our opinion, it is not that they really don't care about the Russo-Austrian Alliance, but it is a warning for us not to get close to the French.

Once the Government of Vienna feels threatened, they are likely to make the first move. The target is likely to be the French, but it is more likely to be us.

When it comes to the strategic security of the country, the Russo-Austrian Alliance is insignificant. If it continues, I think when the alliance expires, the Government of Vienna will not renew it. "

After listening to his son's words, Alexander II Of Russia nodded. He also considered these issues. But he miscalculated the reaction of the Government of Vienna.

"Mhmm, I know. You still have to make more preparations for your visit to Europe. At the same time, you have to investigate the development of other countries and learn what is useful for us.

Compared to the European countries, Russia has fallen behind for many years. Especially the UK, Fao, and the other three countries, their strength is very terrifying.

Don't look at the Near East War, we defeated the British and French coalition forces and captured Constantinople from them.

In fact, that war was a game between Russia and Austria and Britain and France. Russia provided people, and Austria provided materials and equipment. In the end, they paid a heavy price to force Britain and France to retreat.

After so many years, the UK, Fao, and the other three countries have made great progress. Only we have not advanced, but we have fallen behind. We have opened up a gap with them.

In the last war, the Russian Empire did not lose to Prussia, nor to the coalition forces, but to ourselves. "

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