While adjusting the industrial structure, Franz did not forget to find trouble for the Russians and disrupt Alexander II Of Russia's plan as much as possible.
There were no allies in the face of benefits. It had nothing to do with right or wrong. Identity determined one's position. Franz was already very restrained in limiting the trouble to the destruction of Russia's food exports.
It was unrealistic to completely block Russia's food exports. It was not difficult to set up some obstacles.
For example, the neighboring Switzerland decisively imposed a high tariff on the Russians after the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did some work.
Another example would be the German Federal Empire, which was still arguing over whether to accept Russia's food to pay off the debt. The reason was simple: no country that lent money to Russia objected.
Austria's diplomatic influence was behind this, but more importantly, it was because of Russia's displeasure. That's right. Disliking the people of Russia was also a reason, and it was the main reason.
It was already very difficult to sort out the grudges between them. In short, the enemies of the Russians were all over Europe. It was not difficult to target them.
Belgium and the Netherlands were also successfully persuaded by Austria to impose high tariffs on the Russians. Spain and Portugal were no exception.
The reason was very practical. Who asked the Russians to be in such dire straits?
Perhaps Russia would rise again in the future, but with Austria and Prussia in the middle, they didn't have to worry at all.
The threat of Austria was right in front of them. Who knew what kind of retaliation they would face if they refused the kindness of the Government of Vienna?
The example of the French annexation of the Italian states had already frightened these countries. Even if Austria had to pay attention to their table manners and wouldn't directly annex them, it was still possible for them to find an excuse to beat them up.
Ever since the news of the alliance between the UK, Fao, and Germany spread, the European countries no longer believed that they could rely on the balance of powers to ensure their own safety.
Since that was the case, he might as well perform a little better. He maintained a good relationship with his neighbors so that they would be too embarrassed to make a move.
Do not feel cowardly, this is the way small countries survive. It's okay to throw a tantrum during normal times, but don't randomly pick a side during critical moments.
As for the remaining British and French, Franz was too lazy to do any useless work. Don't think that everyone is in the process of forming an alliance. If you take it seriously, then you will lose.
From the very beginning, this alliance had been full of ulterior motives. They were forced to stand together because of benefits, but when it came to benefits, there was no room for discussion.
It would not be difficult to persuade Britain and France, but the Russo-Austrian Alliance would soon collapse. Frankly speaking, Franz didn't care about this alliance anymore, but that didn't mean he would take the initiative to break it.
This was related to the credibility of the country. A country that ignored the treaty would not be respected internationally.
Once Austria tore up the Russo-Austrian Alliance, it would be difficult for it to regain its current transcendent status. It would even be marginalized in the upcoming Triple Alliance.
Fao relied on the British mainly because the British had too many records of betraying their allies. It made people unconsciously wary of them.
Franz was not prepared to try. If he really did that, Austria would no longer be considered a reliable ally.
The House of Habsburg had painstakingly worked on this persona for many years, and it had been maintained for many years. From the Vienna Conference to the present, Austria had the right to speak on the European continent during this period, and this persona also played a key role.
When forming an alliance, everyone would subconsciously have a concept of reliability. Now Russia and Austria were only competing fairly. If they didn't have enough diplomatic means, it would be their fault. Franz didn't play any tricks that went beyond the rules.
Otherwise, a group of pirates suddenly appeared in the Aegean Sea and could block the door of the Russians. The few broken ships of the Black Sea Fleet were really no match for the pirates.
The Tsarist government had already created a record of a naval fleet being wiped out by pirates. If it happened again, it was unknown if Alexander II Of Russia could withstand it.
The price paid to bribe Britain and France was too high. Moreover, there was no need to bribe them at all. It was difficult for the Russians to get what they wanted.
Every time there was a change, there would be vested interests that would suffer, and these people were the biggest opponents. The nobles and farmers in Britain and France were the biggest opponents of cheap food in Russia.
Simply provoking public opinion, with the "good" reputation of the Russians, it was estimated that the people would protest and block the door again.
It wasn't time for these means to be launched. The best time was to wait for the Russian grain ships to arrive. Encouraging a few chuunibyou teenagers to start a fire was more effective than saying anything else.
Small tricks were still not elegant. At most, they would intercept for two or three years and make the Russians pay a higher price.
In the later stage, there would always be capitalists who would cooperate with the Russians for the sake of profit. As long as the two sides hooked up, these small tricks would lose their effect.
The main reason why Franz didn't like to use conspiracies was that no matter how he calculated, it seemed insignificant in the face of profit.
It wasn't only Austria that made a move against the Russians. The people of Prussia were more active. Compared to the Government of Vienna, the Government of Berlin was more worried about the rise of the Russian Empire again.
Seeing Alexander II Of Russia practicing Neigong, reforming the internal affairs, developing the economy, and restoring the national strength, the Government of Berlin didn't relax.
The two sides were already mortal enemies and there was no possibility of reconciliation. Once the Russian Empire recovered, the war between Prussia and Russia would break out again.
The Juncker nobles were ready to make the first move. They had tasted the sweetness and wanted to get more benefits from the Russians.
If they didn't put it into practice, it meant that they weren't strong enough to attack the Russian Empire.
In the past two years, the relationship between Prussia and Austria had eased a lot. Austria was also secretly cheering for the Government of Berlin. Many pro-Austrian Juncker nobles were also the vanguard of anti-Russian.
Now that anti-Russian was politically correct in the Kingdom of Prussia, it wouldn't be strange for them to do so. After all, the people around you were anti-Russian. If you weren't anti-Russian, it would attract everyone's attention.
After the Russo-Austrian Alliance expired, Franz was considering whether to continue to renew the contract with the Russians. Because of the geopolitical relationship, the conflict of interests between the two countries would continue to increase in the future.
Franz didn't have confidence in the moral integrity of the Tsarist government. Alexander II Of Russia was also an ambitious monarch, but he was unlucky. It just so happened that the empire was going from prosperity to decline and was forced to carry out social reforms.
This was a common problem of almost all rulers. They were all ambitious. If the Russians really took care of Poland and Prussia, Austria and Russia would turn against each other.
The French would be led into the gutter. Napoleon Iii was old and didn't even have time to pave the way for his son. It was unlikely for him to take military risks at this time.
When Napoleon Iv succeeded the throne, the suppressed internal conflicts would erupt. The Italians would want independence. It would be God's blessing if France didn't have a civil war. They wouldn't have the strength to stab Austria in the back.
The conflict between Prussia and Russia couldn't be eased. It would be a fool's dream to want them to unite. The conflict of core interests would continue to make them fight each other.
The international situation had decided that Austria didn't have to worry about fighting on multiple fronts. At this time, the Russian-Austrian alliance, which had different thoughts, was useless to Austria.
As long as Austria didn't cause trouble in Europe, there was no need to worry about being ganged up on. There was no love or hate without reason, and there was no need to be besieged for no reason.
If the Russians were to lose the next Prussian war, the steamroller of Europe would come to an end. Without the restriction of the alliance, it was convenient for Austria to hit them when they were down.
On the other hand, if Prussia lost the war, then the Juncker nobles would have no choice but to compromise with Austria and join the Shinra Empire to protect themselves.
It seemed like both endings were good. As long as the French didn't jump out of the Italian quagmire, Franz had nothing to fear.
Franz didn't expose his thoughts. In the eyes of the outside world, Russia and Austria were still good allies. The UK, Fao, and Germany were about to become good allies.
European alliances usually had a time limit. Under normal circumstances, thirty years was considered a long time. The Russo-Austrian Alliance was such a long contract.
This was only possible when the relationship between the two countries was quite good. However, no matter how good the relationship was, it couldn't withstand the wear of time.
If the other side wasn't a great ruler like Alexander II Of Russia, the relationship between Russia and Austria could still be maintained for many years. Unfortunately, there were no ifs in reality.
Facing an ambitious Tsar, Franz couldn't be vigilant. With the butterfly effect, who could guarantee that Alexander II Of Russia wouldn't be assassinated like in the original timeline?
If he continued to lead the Russian Empire, then Russia and Austria would sooner or later go against each other because of interests. No, the two sides were already at each other's throats.
They didn't tear each other apart because the conflict of interests between the two sides wasn't big enough. Franz had been maintaining the alliance because of the large market of the Russian Empire.
There were many points of conflict between the two sides, such as strategic conflict. The Aegean Sea was now under Austria's control. Whether they were willing or not, the task of guarding the Mediterranean Sea had fallen to Austria.
The British power in the Mediterranean Sea had been squeezed to the point of no return. If they let Russia in, then the shared interests would be their own interests.
There was nothing to say. At this time, if the Russians wanted to expand their power in the Mediterranean Sea, Franz wouldn't even provide a foothold.
It could be said that Napoleon Iii's plan was successful. This was an overt plot. Whether they were willing or not, as long as France withdrew, Russia and Austria would directly go against each other on the Mediterranean Sea.
There was no conflict because the Russians weren't strong enough. The remaining old sailboats of the Black Sea Fleet were likely to be wiped out by pirates if they went to the Mediterranean Sea to make their presence known.
The conflict of interests was cruel. There was nothing that couldn't be done. Back then, Napoleon Iii sensed that France controlled the The Balkans. The strategic pressure was too great, so he decisively gave up this piece of interest.
The Government of Vienna couldn't refuse the benefits that were delivered to their doorstep. After taking over the French The Balkans, the task of encircling the Russians fell to Austria's shoulders.
Before the British were squeezed out, Austria could pretend to be afraid. Anyway, Greece was a little brother supported by John Bull, so it was their boss who should take the lead.
Now it was different. The interests of this area were in Austria's hands. The Russians coming in was robbing Austria's interests. The Government of Vienna naturally couldn't let it go.
With such a big interest involved, Alexander Ii Of Russia could actually not say a word. Franz couldn't help but pay attention to this scheming.
Although they knew that this was the French's plot, in the face of interests, the Government of Vienna was still willing to accept this plot. This was the horror of an overt plot.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
