Chapter 701

Franz was also very interested in opening up a colony. However, his view was different from others. It wasn't just to plunder wealth from overseas.

The House of Habsburg had existed for too long. An ancient empire meant conservatism and rigidity. Even if there was a reshuffle because of this rebellion, the path of ascension was still narrow.

As a member of the vested interests, Franz definitely couldn't choose to start over. Then he could only make the cake bigger. With a bigger plate, there would naturally be more opportunities.

It was too difficult to expand in Europe. Even if it was successful, the consequences would not be small. Overseas colonization was different. With Austria's strength, there was no problem at all.

They could obtain a colony several times the size of the mainland without spending too much money. Then, they could slowly migrate from the German Region. The main force of European immigration was the German Region, so there was no need to worry about manpower.

If the colonization plan was successful, Austria's internal problems would also be solved. A group of second-generation nobles would also have a place to use their skills. They wouldn't have to stay here and wait to die.

Don't think that nobles were all rich. In fact, this was pure nonsense. Just look at the church. Many of the missionaries and nuns were born nobles. The reason was very cruel — they were poor.

The impoverished nobles could no longer afford the expenses of their second son's marriage. They couldn't afford the dowry of a woman's marriage. For the pitiful dignity of the nobles, they had to do this.

These people were not easy to deal with. They had all received good education. Many of them were unwilling to be arranged by fate. They were the main force of the European colonization movement.

The missionaries who wandered overseas in the 19th century basically wanted another identity — colonists.

It was too early to discuss this question, so Franz decided to put it off a little longer.

"We will discuss this issue later. The British Foreign Minister Palmerston has entered Austria and will arrive in Vienna soon.

Palmerston's purpose this time is most likely related to the war in Sardinia. What do you think we should do with Sardinia? "

Everyone was angry at the mention of Sardinia. The great powers all had dignity. They had to punish those who challenged them.

Foreign Minister Metternich said, "Your Highness, I just received news that a workers' uprising broke out in Paris on June 23rd. It's said that the French workers opposed the government's support of us and Russia in suppressing the Polish revolution.

If that's the case, the French government will probably give up on dividing the Kingdom of Sardinia with us in order to maintain domestic stability. "

Hearing this, everyone was stunned. Who would have thought that the main reason for the June Revolution in Paris was to support the Polish revolution?

It was a joke, but Franz knew that it was true. The Parisians of this age had acquired the spirit of internationalism.

Of course, just because they supported the Polish revolution did not mean that they would support the Italian revolution. The French still had their eyes on the Italian region.

However, after this uprising, the French would be in chaos for a while. Don't even think about sending troops before their leadership stabilizes.

"This is an opportunity. Russia and Prussia are holding each other back because of the Prussian war, so they won't be an obstacle for us. The French can't take care of themselves. As long as we can withstand the pressure from the British, we can annex Sardinia!" Grand Duke Louis said excitedly.

Austria hadn't expanded in a long time, and everyone had been stifled. Now that the opportunity had come, Sardinia was courting death and had come at a good time.

Metternich shook her head and said, "I'm afraid it's not that simple. If the French join forces with us, then it will be an established fact, and the other countries will probably accept it.

If we annex Sardinia, even if the Russians don't object, we won't get their support. Prussia is busy with the war with Denmark and probably won't have time to care about us.

We can withstand the pressure from the British, but what about after annexing Sardinia?

When the French solve their internal conflicts, the conflict between Russia and Prussia will come to an end. At that time, the British and French will interfere, or even the British, French, Prussia, and Russia will interfere and ask us to leave Sardinia. What should we do then? "

Obviously, Metternich's diplomatic judgment was still very accurate, and she easily figured out the relationship between the great powers.

Not interfering now did not mean not interfering in the future. Austria's annexation of Sardinia would not be recognized by the great powers.

Once everyone had their hands free, they could settle the score later. In history, Austria took advantage of the Crimean War to send troops to occupy the Danube River valley, but didn't they spit it out in the end?

Prime Minister Felix nodded and said, "Mr. Metternich is right. It's not difficult to annex Sardinia. The key is the attitude of the other countries.

If we make diplomatic efforts, it's not difficult to make Prussia and Russia neutral, but if we want to get their support, we have to pay a huge price, and it might not even be worth it.

Everyone knows the French's attitude. They will never tolerate us annexing Sardinia. When they stabilize their country, they will join forces with the British to interfere.

This will take two to three years at most, and a few months at least. Do we have the confidence to annex Sardinia and digest it in such a short period of time?

If we can't do it, there will be strong enemies on the outside and guerrillas on the inside. We won't be able to defend the newly occupied territory at all. "

After a pause, Minister of Finance Carr suggested, "If we can't annex Sardinia, how about extorting a sum of war reparations or ceding some territory?"

Metternich said confidently, "This depends on the attitude of the British. Whether it's asking for war reparations or ceding territory, Sardinia must pay the price it deserves.

If we can't make up for our losses in the war, then this war will not end. I believe the British will give us an explanation. "

This confidence came from strength. There was also a set of rules between the great powers, and usually no one would overturn the table.

The advantage of the British was that they were isolated overseas and had a navy that dominated the world, which made their position in Europe very superior.

This was also their weakness. As an island country, they focused on developing sea power and naturally gave up land power. To implement the strategy of balance in Europe, they needed to cooperate with the European powers.

Among the many European powers, the most suitable ally for the British was undoubtedly Austria. To be exact, Austria in this era had the basis to form an alliance with any European power.

It had a certain amount of strength and could cooperate with its allies, but it was limited by internal problems and did not have the strength to compete for world hegemony.

For the three countries that were ambitious for world hegemony, Austria was the best ally as long as it did not unify the German Region.