Chapter 700

Paris

On the 28th of August, 1853, the much-anticipated negotiations began. Representatives from various countries gathered together, including many small states and free cities in Germany.

Hundreds of people flooded into the conference room, making it look like a market. After a few days of arguing, no agreement was reached.

On the 2nd of September, Russia's Foreign Minister, Carr Vossel, suggested, "Everyone, if we continue to argue like this, I don't think we will be able to reach an agreement by this time next year. Why don't we reduce the size of the conference?"

Obviously, this was the effect of the PR fee. Carr Vossel was very trustworthy. Adhering to the principle of getting paid, this proposal was exchanged for 500,000 rubles.

When the negotiations reached a stalemate, Metternich saw it and was anxious. If this dragged on, problems would arise sooner or later, and this was very disadvantageous to Austria.

At this time, it was obviously not suitable for Austria to step forward and exclude the participation of the representatives from other countries. The only ones who had the right to make this suggestion were the representatives of Britain, France, and Russia.

Needless to say, the British were eager to see Austria's drama. The French were not easy to bribe. Under the eyes of Napoleon Iii, it was difficult to play any tricks.

Only Carr Vossel could be bribed. Anyway, with the Russo-Austrian Alliance, the Tsarist government had already decided to support Austria in the conference.

The extent of this support was in the hands of Carr Vossel. In order to avoid any unforeseen events, Metternich naturally spent a lot of money on public relations.

Metternich said coldly, "Mr. Carr Vossel's suggestion is good. Everyone's time is precious. There is no need for those who are not involved to participate in the following negotiations. "

He did not have a good impression of these fence-sitters. Now, they were completely causing trouble for Austria.

"Alright, the countries involved can participate in the following meetings."

After some consideration, the Foreign Minister, Auvergne, also expressed his support. This delay would not do France any good.

The British Foreign Minister, Thomas, could only nod in agreement. His time was also precious. If he spent every day here, what would happen to his country?

Under the joint will of the major powers, the number of countries participating in the conference was reduced to 15. In addition to Britain, France, Russia, and Austria, there were also Prussia, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the soon to be merged South German States.

This was only the beginning. Under Metternich's manipulation, the September 5th conference was reduced again. Germany lost the right to participate and could only wait at home.

On the 10th of September, as these small countries were kicked out one after another, only England, France, Russia, and Ossip were left. It was like the Paris Peace Conference.

In this world, strength spoke louder than words. A multi-nation negotiation eventually turned into a closed-door meeting between England, France, Russia, and Osip.

The Spanish representative was only there to watch the show. However, as a member of the European powers, they still had the right to participate in the meeting, but they had no right to speak.

Britain, France, Russia, Austria, and Austria were the ones who would decide the final outcome. The conference could finally proceed as normal.

…

In the German Region, with the passage of time, the idea of North and South Germany became popular. Many experts and scholars published articles in the newspapers, explaining the feasibility of "North and South Germany."

Even the most optimistic people did not think that the German Region had the possibility of being unified. Didn't the Kingdom of Prussia openly express their opposition?

There were two other governments in North Germany that responded to the proposal of Prussia. They believed that Austria had destroyed the peace and stability of the German Region and wanted to kick them out of the German Region.

The two foolish German governments soon paid a heavy price for this, and were scolded badly by the people in their country.

If it was not for the intervention of Prussia, they would have become a republic. With this lesson in mind, the remaining German governments became more cautious.

Most of the nationalism in the German Region was still at the stage of verbal cannons, but they still had the power to overthrow one or two small countries.

Not to mention anything else, just his mouth alone could scold them until they couldn't get off the stage.

The German Region was made up of 39 states and a bunch of free cities. Other than Austria and Prussia, the remaining 37 states and a bunch of free cities occupied more than 200,000 square kilometers of territory.

If Bavaria, Hanover, Württemberg, Saxony, Hesse, and Baden are excluded, the remaining thirty or so states and free cities are holed up in a territory of forty to fifty thousand square kilometers.

Disregarding the two duchies occupied by Denmark, on average, each state and free city occupied less than 1,000 square kilometers and had an average population of less than 150,000.

The deterrence of the government was naturally insufficient. A village rebellion could topple a regime, so the government naturally did not dare to go against the will of the people.

As soon as the news of "North and South Germany" came out, public opinion exploded. Some supported it, and some opposed it. The entire German Region was lively.

Inside the University of Munich

A young student said excitedly, "That's impossible, Bayer. Do we have a better choice other than the North and South Germany?

We have the intervention of the European countries on the outside and the traitor of the Kingdom of Prussia on the inside. Under these circumstances, you actually want to forcibly unify the German Region. Do you know the consequences of doing so?

You're simply crazy. Once war breaks out, thousands of Germans will be displaced and the great German nation will fall just like the Poles. "

There was never a lack of idealists in this world, and Bayer was one of them.

Bayer said tit for tat, "Stein, don't make a fuss. The Intervention Alliance looks strong, but in reality, only Britain, France, and Russia have the ability to send troops to interfere with the unification of the German Region.

Now that the three countries are in conflict, the possibility of forming an alliance is almost zero. If they fight on their own, we may still have the power to fight. "

Someone next to him said sarcastically, "That's right, we do have the power to fight. After the war, the German nation will become history, or we will learn from the Prussia barbarians and become traitors, bowing to the enemy."

…

Not everyone liked war. Even if they were German nationalists, most people still hoped for a peaceful unification.

In the face of the joint intervention of the various countries, many people were rational. They knew that the German Confederation was unable to resist the common will of the European countries, so compromise became the only choice.

The theory of the partition of North and South Germany was not so much pushed by the Government of Austria behind the scenes, but rather, it was the need of these rational people.

In the situation where a grand unification could not be achieved, this was the second option that everyone was forced to choose.

South Germany was fine. After the partition, they merged with Austria and became one of the most powerful countries in the world. Most people could still accept it.

North Germany was different. No one liked a traitor, and many people could not get over merging with the Kingdom of Prussia.

Secondly, North Germany had only stepped into the ranks of the great powers. There was still a certain distance before it could become a real power, which was not what they wanted.

In this context, the Kingdom of Hanover came up with a new idea. It instantly spread through North Germany and even flowed into South Germany.

"Kick out Prussia and Austria, and form a new country with the remaining German states."

This idea was very popular in North Germany. People who were unwilling to merge with the Kingdom of Prussia were willing to join this new country.

Although this country was only established as a medium-sized country, with a land area of about 200,000 square kilometers and a population of 17 to 18 million, it was still far from the dream of a great power in everyone's mind.

There was no doubt that the British Empire was involved in this. Once the three legs of the German Region were established, whether it was Austria, Prussia, or this new country, they would all lose the ability to unify the German Region.

Under such a balanced system, the European continent would become more stable. Under the premise of conforming to the interests of the British, it would also remove the worries of the French. Even the people of Russia were very tempted by this system.

This idea had been around for a long time. The Bavarian government was a supporter of the three legs of the tripod. Unfortunately, this idea lacked supporters in the German Region. Even the Bavarians opposed it.

Now the situation had changed. After confirming that the German Region could not be unified, the North German state, which did not want to merge with the Kingdom of Prussia, became a supporter of this idea.

Franz, who was far away in St. Peter's Castle, did not know that John Bull had already made a move, and it was a fatal blow.

With a theory based on the people, it was no longer just a theoretical idea. It could become a reality.

The people of South Germany might not support this argument, but the governments of these states were different. Following Austria, their right to speak was bound to be limited.

The right to speak meant benefits. When a group of small states merged together, no one could be dominant. It must be a federal system!

In a federal country, the power of the central government was destined to be limited. Everyone's interests could be protected to the greatest extent.

Under the stimulation of interests, the governments of these small states could not help but promote this theory at home. The undercurrent was surging in the German Region.

Baden

Prince Friedrich was hesitating whether to join the Federal Empire organized by the British. According to the British, joining this empire would give them the greatest benefits.

"Everyone, what do you think of the British's proposal?"

After a moment of silence, Prime Minister Voltz replied, "Your Highness, if the British plan succeeds, it will naturally be more in our interests for us to join the Federal Empire.

The Kingdom of Bavaria is still under Austria's control. The possibility of them spitting it out is not high.

When the new Federal Empire is established, no one can be dominant. We, Hanover, Württemberg, Saxony, Hesse, and other countries will jointly dominate this country.

However, although the benefits are huge, the potential risks are not small.

The new Federal Empire is too weak. Whether compared to Austria or France, we are very weak. I'm afraid our development potential is not even comparable to Prussia.

If the balance in Europe is broken, we will be in big trouble. Unless the British can force Austria to voluntarily give up the new Holy Roman Empire, we will be traitors and will definitely be punished in the future. "

Not to mention the future, they might be punished now. Even if Austria stretched out a hand, they could crush the Duchy of Baden. This was the reason why they were hesitating.

Foreign Minister Nicholas thought for a moment and said, "The problem of Austria's revenge is easy to deal with. At most, we can elect an emperor from the House of Habsburg. That will be enough to appease their anger.

The problem now is whether the British can suppress Austria and Prussia. If they can't do this, this new Federal Empire will only exist in theory. "

Prince Friedrich nodded. He wanted the benefits, but he didn't want to bear the risks. If the British plan failed, the Government of Austria would be enraged and there was a 99% chance that they would abolish the Baden royal family.

Unlike other kings, Ludwig II was mentally ill. His prestige among the people was infinitely close to zero. Most of the people of Baden had no feelings for this Grand Duke.

"In that case, we will directly reply to the British. We agree with their plan, but we will not make any comments before the Paris Conference makes a final decision.

We have to pay attention to the propaganda among the people. Don't let anyone get hold of us. These ideas are spread freely by the people and can't have anything to do with the government, "Prince Friedrich said.

There was no other way. The way to survive in a small country was to be a "grass on the wall." They couldn't afford to offend the British, and they couldn't afford to offend Austria either. Trying to gain benefits from being caught between the two countries was like dancing on an egg.