Chapter 1133: Cavour on the Tightrope |
Just as Cavour was preparing to face Jerome Bonaparte’s storm-like tirade, the Emperor of France, who should have been angry, unexpectedly showed a different side.
Jerome Bonaparte not only generously expressed understanding (absurdly) towards the Sardinian Kingdom seeking help from the Kingdom of Britain, but also thanked Cavour for coming to Paris specifically to explain the situation.
Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s unexpected response, Cavour felt not a trace of reassurance, but rather became even more anxious.
"Your Majesty, the Sardinian Kingdom has no intention of opposing the French Empire!" Cavour said to Jerome Bonaparte with increasing humility, "We cooperated with the Kingdom of Britain solely due to rising political pressure at home!"
"Mr. Cavour!" Jerome Bonaparte frowned and complained to Cavour, "Didn’t I say so!
The Sardinian Kingdom is not a vassal state of the French Empire; you and we are two countries of equal status!
So the French Empire will not interfere in any of the Sardinian Kingdom’s diplomatic actions!"
"Thank you for your generosity!" Cavour again bowed to Jerome Bonaparte.
Cavour knew in his heart that Jerome Bonaparte’s words about "equal status between countries" were merely a pleasantry; however, since he (Jerome Bonaparte) no longer pursued the Sardinian Kingdom’s "transgression," Cavour did not need to repeatedly apologize.
Thus, Cavour quickly switched to the next topic.
Cavour first formally congratulated France on its upcoming Mediterranean military exercises, then curiously asked Jerome Bonaparte why the location for the exercises was set near Corsica Island (Cavour dared not directly say why France would aim its artillery at Sardinia).
Jerome Bonaparte, of course, wouldn’t bluntly say he originally wanted to give the Sardinian Kingdom a "lesson," instead using "testing the French Navy’s island combat capability" as an excuse to appease Cavour.
Jerome Bonaparte told Cavour that the French Navy Staff Headquarter had recently formed a new military unit called the "Marine Corps" (in fact, this unit had already been established after the French General Staff was founded, but it hadn’t been acknowledged externally), aimed at assisting the navy in landing operations.
Since this type of unit was in its initial stages, it was necessary to find a suitable island for experimentation, so Corsica Island became the best experimental site.
Although Cavour did not understand the nature of the "Marine Corps," he knew Jerome Bonaparte’s character well.
Regarding Jerome Bonaparte’s far-fetched explanation, Cavour naturally did not believe it at heart.
However, Cavour couldn’t openly refute Jerome Bonaparte’s words; instead, he gently suggested to Jerome Bonaparte that the Sardinians residing in the Sardinia region might develop a mental resistance towards the French Empire Navy due to this. He hoped the Emperor could instruct the French Empire Navy to conduct its military activities at a distance from Sardinia, considering the longstanding friendship between the Sardinian Kingdom and the French Empire.
"But...," Jerome Bonaparte deliberately showed a conflicted expression to Cavour, "a few days ago, the (Navy) Staff Headquarter already submitted their plans to me, and suddenly changing them might incur considerable expenses!"
After pondering for a moment, Cavour gritted his teeth and said to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, the entire cost of the French Navy’s military exercises this time will be covered by the Sardinian Kingdom!!"
Hearing Cavour willing to bear all the costs of this military exercise, Jerome Bonaparte showed some surprise on his face.
It’s known that although the purpose of this military exercise was to "deliver goods," nearly half of the Mediterranean Fleet was deployed.
(The main initial goal was to intimidate Sardinia; after Jerome Bonaparte’s careful thinking, he decided to let Sardinia stir the tense Italian situation, so at this stage, the French Navy mainly aimed at selling warships.)
They say when cannons fire, gold pours in.
The cost of such a grand-scale fleet exercise alone is no less than five million francs.
While this amount might be a pittance for the entire French Empire, it is a considerable expense for a middle-sized country like the Sardinian Kingdom.
"Mr. Cavour, before you made this decision, did you discuss it with my brother (Victor Emmanuel II)?" Jerome Bonaparte carefully asked Cavour.
Such a large outlay requires the King’s consent to have any legal validity.
"Before I arrived in Paris, His Majesty Victor had already given me unconditional trust!" Cavour assured Jerome Bonaparte.
"How very considerate!" Jerome Bonaparte smiled politely, and then openly said, "I will compile all the expenses before the military exercises begin and hand them to you!"
"Your Majesty, thank you very much!" Cavour said excitedly to Jerome Bonaparte.
The obstacle blocking Garibaldi’s advance southward had been "removed" by Cavour; the next step was to order Garibaldi to launch an attack on the Kingdom of Naples.
Subsequently, Jerome Bonaparte bluntly asked Cavour whether he was prepared to confront the Austrian Empire.
Cavour replied to Jerome Bonaparte with a serious expression, "Your Majesty, I have never thought of opposing the Austrian Empire!"
"Come on!" Jerome Bonaparte shrugged, and spoke to Cavour without reservation, "You don’t want to be at odds with Franz Joseph, yet Franz Joseph will not allow you to wreak havoc in Italy!
The revolution 12 years ago (1848) has already clearly shown that as long as one country in the Italian Region is in turmoil, then the other countries will inevitably experience unrest!
Mr. Cavour, be honest with me, isn’t there some ace you haven’t played yet!"
"Your Majesty, I don’t know what you’re talking about!" Cavour showed a perplexed expression, unwilling to easily reveal his cards.
"Mr. Cavour, I advise you to be a bit more candid!" Jerome Bonaparte threatened without a blink, "I may not have the skill to make a success of something, but I can surely ruin it!
To be honest with you, the reason I am willing to offer you conveniences is to weaken the control of the Austrian Empire in Italy, thereby diminishing its power.
Now the French Empire has been satisfied in the Italian Region, so I don’t wish to interfere with any Italian affairs not belonging to France.
As long as the Kingdom of Sardinia does not choose to attack the Pope State under France’s protection, then no matter what the Kingdom of Sardinia does, we will not oppose it.
But there are still certain places that bind the French Empire, and we must break these chains again!
On this issue, our directions are somewhat aligned with yours!"
Even though the latter part of Jerome Bonaparte’s words was sufficiently tactful, it was no less straightforward for a politically adept Cavour.
It’s simply that after gaining Savoy and Nice, the Emperor of France is now eyeing the lands of the Rhine Land.
However, on further reflection, it makes perfect sense as Napoleon III has always been dedicated to solidifying his position both domestically and internationally, and Rhine Land would surely be an object of his desire.
Although Cavour had already guessed Jerome Bonaparte’s actions, hearing this conjecture personally from Napoleon made Cavour feel an inexplicable joy.
As long as Napoleon III shifts his focus from the Italian Peninsula to the German Region, the success probability of the Kingdom of Sardinia’s actions will greatly increase.
Thinking about this, Cavour decided to disclose part of his plan to Jerome Bonaparte, concerned that Jerome Bonaparte might assist the Austrian Empire.
After all, Jerome Bonaparte can be exceedingly capricious at times.
"Your Majesty, to be honest with you! I have already liaised with Garibaldi and Mazzini, just awaiting Garibaldi to launch an attack on Sicily Island!
Mazzini will then instigate an uprising by the Charcoal Party in the Lombardy and Venice regions, extending to the Central Italy Region.
At that time, the Austrian Empire will undoubtedly choose to suppress Lombardy and Venice first, followed by the Central Italy Kingdom!
By the time it reaches the Kingdom of Naples, General Garibaldi will likely have taken over the entire Naples."
"If the Austrian Empire chooses to divide their forces, what will you do?" Jerome Bonaparte questioned Cavour.
Cavour was silent for a moment, then shrugged and said to Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, that depends on General Garibaldi!
I think given the current finances of the Austrian Empire, it cannot afford to mobilize a large-scale army into Italy!"
"So, your plan is based on the premise that the Austrian Empire’s monarch fears financial difficulties and dares not act on a large scale!" Jerome Bonaparte chuckled, "I didn’t expect you, who are always prudent, to implement such a frivolous plan!"
"Your Majesty, I am a Sardinian, and also an Italian!" Cavour resolutely said to Jerome Bonaparte, "The fate of Italy should be in the hands of Italians themselves!"
After hearing Cavour’s words, Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but develop a slight respect for Cavour.
Respect aside, Jerome Bonaparte still didn’t hold much hope for Cavour’s current action.
Cavour’s strategy is like walking on an endless tightrope, with the slightest misstep leading to a catastrophic fall.
However, in the absence of a major power willing to support them, Cavour’s strategy is still the most excellent one.