Chapter 708

Palace of Versailles

The British Foreign Minister, Thomas, said to Napoleon Iii, "Your Majesty, the Russo-Austrian Alliance is a great threat to us. If it weren't for the support of Austria, Russia would have been defeated by the Near East War.

Now, the opportunity had come. Austria wanted to unify the German Region, but Russia would definitely oppose it.

Judging from the current situation, the Government of Vienna made a concession. They supported Russia to get Constantinople in exchange for Russia's support to annex South Germany.

This seemed to be a win-win deal, but there was a problem in the process of operation. Russia failed to take Constantinople, while Austria swallowed South Germany.

There must be many people in the Tsarist government who didn't want Austria's plan to be realized, so their support for Austria was bound to be limited.

In the face of the diplomatic pressure of the European countries, the Government of Austria naturally couldn't withstand the pressure. Originally, they suffered a loss in this deal. If they found out that Russia didn't work hard, the Government of Vienna would definitely be dissatisfied.

At this time, we will recognize their annexation of South Germany as a condition to entice Austria to abandon the Russo-Austrian Alliance. The success rate is very high. "

The existence of the Russo-Austrian Alliance had seriously threatened the core interests of Britain and France, which involved the battle for dominance on the European continent.

From the end of the war against France to the present, the reason why Russia, who had obtained the hegemony on the European continent, couldn't expand was not only because of the restrictions of the Vienna system, but also because the Tsarist government's diplomatic means were not up to standard, and it was boycotted by everyone.

Now the situation was different. Austria and Russia came together. Britain and France could despise Russia's diplomacy, but they couldn't ignore Austria's diplomatic ability.

Metternich was also known as the "Prime Minister of Europe" in this era. His diplomatic ability was personally experienced by the British.

Austria, with its strength at the bottom of the four major powers, actually dominated the European continent's politics for 30 years, relying on diplomatic means.

"Suppressing France, expelling Britain, and blocking Russia" were the greatest achievements of the Vienna system. With the contradiction between the countries, Metternich achieved the strategic goal of suppressing the strong with the weak.

If Russia and Austria continued to cooperate, once they achieved strategic complementarity, it would have a fatal impact on the core interests of Britain and France.

Napoleon III shook his head. "Monsieur Thomas," he said, "we are all aware of the threat posed by the Russian-Austrian alliance, and I would be happy to break it up.

But the chances of that happening are too low. That old fox Metternich isn't easy to deal with. I'm afraid he won't fall for it so easily! "

Disregarding the Fao deal, to break the Russo-Austrian Alliance, was, and Metternich, to break the Russo-Austrian Alliance, the plan had had to be reliable.

They couldn't just rely on guessing that the Russians would reduce Austria's support because of jealousy, and then hastily drag Austria down in the diplomatic field.

Since, was, they Of Korea, France, and Empire, Germany, and Germany, and Empire, Germany, and Empire, and Germany, and Was, and Korea.

Thomas said calmly, "Your Majesty, the Russo-Austrian Alliance is built on the basis of benefits. Austria is not willing to give up the alliance with Russia, but that's only because the benefits are not enough.

As long as Austria is willing to give up the alliance with Russia, we can not only support them in annexing South Germany, but we can also give them the Central German Region, and even the Osman's land they are currently occupying.

If Austria is not willing to give up the Russo-Austrian Alliance, then we must prepare for the worst and directly restrict Austria's strength.

We will send 100,000 soldiers, your country will send 200,000, and Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Sardinia, and Spain will each send 50,000. In addition, the Kingdom of Prussia will send 300,000 to form an intervention force to force Austria to give up this expansion. "

It had to be said that the British were ruthless. What the Russo-Austrian Alliance could get, they could get by tearing up the alliance, and even more.

Napoleon Iii was deep in thought. From a strategic point of view, the Russo-Austrian Alliance was too big of a threat. It was no less than Austria's unification of the German Region.

For the sake of world hegemony, the British wanted to attack their biggest competitor, so they could naturally give anything at this time.

After all, after offending Russia, Austria's rear was unstable, and with the French at the front, there was no way they could dominate Europe.

But it was different for the French. Although it was important to break up the Russo-Austrian Alliance, it was also important to suppress the emergence of a new competitor.

If they managed to suppress the Russians with much difficulty, and Austria took over, wouldn't their efforts be in vain?

The British wanted balance in Europe. As long as they could maintain the balance, it didn't matter who was stronger or weaker. Austria's geographical position was absolutely impossible to challenge for sea power, and it was the smallest threat to them.

It was different for France. Napoleon Iii was also the emperor who aspired to dominate Europe, so he naturally couldn't tolerate the emergence of a giant in Southern Europe.

The difference in strength between Austria and France wasn't big. The current Austrian Empire, Napoleon Iii didn't have the confidence to suppress it, let alone a strengthened Austria.

At this time, he had already forgotten about the secret agreement with the Fao. His mind was filled with the thought that he couldn't prevent Austria from becoming stronger, and he had to take effective measures to limit their development.

After a long while, Napoleon Iii shook his head and said, "Mr. Thomas, your plan is too unreliable. If we admit Austria's expansion, what if they turn against us later?

The Russo-Austrian Alliance could be torn up, but it could also be reestablished. In the end, it was all about interests.

Your country's European Continental Balance Plan has actually suppressed Austria's future development. In order to go further, they will sooner or later join forces with Russia.

If I were Nicholas I Of Russia, as long as I could annex the Osman Empire, even if I let Austria unify the German Region, I would be willing to accept it.

When Austria unifies the German Region, the first to bear the brunt will be France. Russia can completely provoke a war with the Fao and then reap the benefits.

Your country can also watch from the sidelines and wait for the situation to change. Mr. Thomas, do you think I'm easy to fool? "

Feeling the murderous intent in Napoleon Iii's eyes, Thomas hurriedly tried to salvage the situation. "Your Majesty, you worry too much. Nicholas I Of Russia isn't as wise as you.

Moreover, we won't watch Austria grow stronger. European countries don't want a giant to appear in Central Europe.

Austria has no chance to unify the German Region, at least not in the Kingdom of Prussia.

Don't look at how strong Austria looks now. Once the war starts, as long as it's not on their own territory, the logistics of a million troops will be enough to drag them to death. "

Napoleon Iii said with certainty, "Mr. Thomas, no matter what you say, our France can't let Austria grow stronger just to break up the Russo-Austrian Alliance!"

After saying this, Napoleon Iii instantly reacted. The British didn't want to let Austria grow stronger. It was obvious that they wanted to suppress Austria's development, so they came to provoke him.

Thinking of this, Napoleon Iii looked at Thomas with obvious disgust.

Seeing the change in Napoleon Iii's expression, Thomas said nonchalantly, "Your Majesty, since your country wants to restrict Austria's development, then as an ally, we naturally have to cooperate with your country's actions.

The ambitious Austrians launched a war of aggression with the intention of annexing all the countries in the German Region. This is something that all righteous people can't tolerate.

I suggest that our two countries immediately join forces to stop the Austrians' actions and permanently break up the German Region. We'll form an independent country outside of Prussia and eliminate the source of war in Europe. "

Napoleon Iii knew that this was the real purpose of the British, but he still couldn't believe it.

John Bull was too good at diplomatic calculations. In the past, his uncle Napoleon the Great was so good that he was invincible in Europe, but he still fell under the diplomatic calculations of the British.

Austria was able to lead the establishment of the Vienna System because the British needed to expand overseas. They didn't have the energy to intervene in European affairs, so they pushed Austria to help maintain Europe's stability.

When they had time, they immediately ran back to cause trouble. The current war in the Near East and interference in the process of unification of the German Region were all carried out under the leadership of the British.

Even now, it was clearly the British who wanted to suppress Austria's growth, but it became France who wanted to suppress Austria's development, successfully passing the task of attracting hatred to him.

Refuse? Napoleon Iii really wanted to refuse in his heart, but he had no choice.

Reason told him that if France didn't come out to restrict Austria's development, the British would really let Austria grow in order to break up the Russo-Austrian Alliance.

This was an overt plot, and Napoleon Iii had no choice but to jump into it. Now that France had breached the contract and stopped Austria's expansion, what would Austria do when they expanded in the future?

It could be said that this plot not only restricted Austria's development, but also made the Fao and France restrict each other and cut off the path of alliance between the two countries. At the same time, it also forced the French to continue to rely on them in international politics.

Napoleon Iii said sarcastically, "Mr. Thomas, this is your real goal, right?

But do you think Austria is a soft persimmon? Where is the intervention coalition?

I don't think France can make the Austrians give in with a few threats before the coalition appears.

But Mr. Thomas is eloquent, why don't you go on behalf of France and make Metternich bow down! "

Was it so easy to organize the coalition? Before the plan was exposed, it wasn't a problem to trick Prussia to participate. Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sardinia had always followed the British's lead, so it wasn't difficult to get them to send troops.

Switzerland was just a neutral country. Why would they send troops to offend Austria, which was so close to them? Whether Austria grew stronger or not, it had nothing to do with the Spanish. Why would they get involved in this mess?

Napoleon Iii didn't want France to be the spendthrift in the end. If the Austrians didn't give in and war broke out, where would he go to cry?

People would die in war. Normally, Napoleon Iii wasn't afraid, but he wasn't crazy to start a war with Austria at the same time as Russia.

Thomas said confidently, "Your Majesty, please rest assured that we have solved the problem of the intervention coalition.

Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium can get part of the territory of the German Region in return, and Spain and Portugal can be rewarded for their overseas colonization.

As long as our two countries have the same position, they won't dare to refuse our goodwill.

Once the Austrians choose war, the Royal Navy will blockade the Adriatic Sea and cut off their overseas trade routes.

Considering the actual situation, I think the possibility of the Government of Austria giving in is very high. As long as we show the intention of forming a coalition, they will compromise.

Moreover, we don't want to kill them in one blow. For example, the Kingdom of Bavaria that the Austrians have already occupied can be annexed by them.

The Government of London only wants to break up the Russo-Austrian Alliance, not to make the Russo-Austrian Alliance closer. Therefore, military intervention is only the worst case scenario.

If we make a military intervention, Your Majesty, what do you think the Russians will do?

Will they take the risk of sending troops to attack the Kingdom of Prussia together with Austria, or will they confront us in the Near East and verbally support Austria? "

After listening to Thomas's explanation, Napoleon III felt like he was struck by lightning. The British had calculated too many things.

Almost all the countries in Europe were captured in one fell swoop. Except for Denmark and Sweden in Northern Europe, which were too close to the Hairy Bear and couldn't be roped in, the other countries were forced to take sides.

Even though the Russo-Austrian Alliance still existed, most of the European countries stood on the opposite side. That was how awesome it was to have sea power.

The world's number one and the world's number two naval power joined forces. The three colonial countries, Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands, had no choice.

Belgium's geographical location determined that it had to rely on the thighs of England and France. The Kingdom of Sardinia wanted to take revenge on Austria. Switzerland and the House of Habsburg had a feud. If they offended England and France, they wouldn't be able to survive.

Napoleon Iii said coldly, "Since that's the case, then this plan will be put forward by our two countries together.

Mr. Thomas will make a trip to the Russians. As long as the Russians' attitude isn't firm enough, this plan will succeed. "

Thomas said expressionlessly, "Your Majesty, don't forget that the plan to divide the German Region was proposed by the Russians. I'm sure the Austrians' expressions will be very interesting when they find out about this plan."

Napoleon Iii didn't want to be outdone and said, "The premise is that the people of Prussia don't know about our follow-up plan. Otherwise, they will choose to join forces with Austria to divide the German Region.

When that time comes, all of this plan will go up in smoke. At the same time, Austria and Prussia will grow stronger. Your country's interests in the German Region won't be guaranteed, and you will have another competitor in the future. "

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