Chapter 1502: Price Gouging
"How could the British possibly cooperate with our strategy—"
Talleyrand only spoke half a sentence before he realized.
The British certainly would not cooperate with France's strategy, but if Austria requested them to facilitate Russia's deployment of troops, London would definitely have to do something.
After all, Austria was practically the last strategic fulcrum Britain had left in the core of Continental Europe to counter France.
Refusing Austria's request would mean Britain completely bidding farewell to Continental Europe.
Moreover, Britain had plenty of influence over Russia—Anglo-Russian trade remained the lifeblood of the Russian economy. At present, Russia's finances were extremely tight; if Britain threatened them with any one of timber, tallow, or furs, Saint Petersburg would compromise immediately.
Talleyrand was still somewhat worried and said, "Your Highness, but if Russia helps Austria resolve the rebellion, the two nations will become very close because of this, perhaps even reaching some sort of alliance."
He did not speak the second half of his thought, which was that the emergence of a powerful alliance in Eastern Europe would act as a severe constraint on France.
Joseph shook his head without a second thought: "You can rest assured on this point.
He was so certain because historically, when a revolution broke out in Austria and Hungary clamored for independence, it was indeed the Russians who sent troops to help Austria resolve the trouble.
However, the vice of unchecked expansion was written into the Russians' DNA.
Once their military power was projected into Central Europe, they immediately took advantage of Austria's moment of weakness to quickly seize control of Wallachia, stretching their reach across the entire Balkan Peninsula.
Because the populace of the Balkan Peninsula predominantly practiced Eastern Orthodoxy, this provided great convenience for Russia's infiltration.
By the time Austria caught its breath, it found that almost the entirety of the empire's southernmost territories, stretching from Serbia to Wallachia, was out of its control. Meanwhile, Russia completely ignored Vienna's dissatisfaction and protests.
Thus, when the Crimean War broke out a few years later, Austria unhesitatingly backstabbed Russia—
Taking advantage of Russia being occupied with Britain and France in Crimea, Austria sent troops to occupy Wallachia and Moldavia, and declared its entry into the Anglo-French Alliance.
This also became the last straw that broke the camel's back for Russia. Tsar Nicholas I was forced to capitulate and committed suicide by swallowing poison.
Furthermore, once Russia entered the Balkan Peninsula, it would also squeeze the Ottoman sphere of influence there. Conflict between the two sides would be inevitable.
When that time came, France could step forward as a mediator and easily harvest influence in the Balkan Peninsula.
Seeing that the Prince Regent spoke with such certainty, Talleyrand completely set aside his concerns and began to seriously discuss the concrete steps of the diplomatic operation.
However, Joseph did not expect that half of this plan would end up being made in vain.
Just three days after Talleyrand left Paris, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arrived at the Grand Trianon and bowed to Joseph, saying, "Your Royal Highness the Prince Regent, we have just received a diplomatic note delivered by the Austrian consul. They hope their foreign minister can obtain an audience with you."
Joseph narrowed his eyes slightly. "It seems I was a bit too impatient. The situation in Austria must be even more severe than what the Security Bureau reported."
Fortunately, Talleyrand had not gone straight to Brno.
He immediately instructed the foreign ministry official: "Inform Archbishop Talleyrand of the situation here and tell him there is no need to go to Austria."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness."
At noon the following day, the Austrian Foreign Minister, Little Cobenzl, finally got his wish and met the French Prince Regent in the Hall of Peace at Versailles. Behind him followed Metternich.
After a round of routine diplomatic etiquette, Cobenzl impatiently described the internal situation of Austria—he did not even conceal the severity of the situation—before finally bowing to Joseph and saying, "His Imperial Majesty hopes that you will bear in mind the relations of the Franco-Austrian Alliance and provide our country with the necessary loans and supplies."
Joseph cast a cold glance at him. "Perhaps I must remind you that back then, I dispatched armies to participate in your country's War of the Southern Netherlands and the Silesian Wars, only to be rewarded with your country joining the Anti-French Coalition. Heh, and now you stand here speaking of the 'Franco-Austrian Alliance'—don't you find it somewhat ironic?"
Naturally, his dragging up all this history was for the sake of demanding a high price—since the Austrians had rushed to Paris burning with urgency, how could he not make them bleed a little?
Cobenzl, being the one begging for help, could only exhaust every plea, coming just short of falling to his knees and kowtowing to Joseph.
Joseph, however, refused to relent. It was only when a palace official slipped in along the wall and Joseph caught sight of the Countess of Debeninac standing outside the door that he secretly smiled in his heart: *Finally, she is here.*
Indeed, when the Austrian Emperor came to beg him, how could he not seek out Joseph's mother for assistance?
Sure enough, the palace official leaned in close to Joseph's ear and whispered, "Your Royal Highness, Her Majesty the Queen hopes that you can help Austria slightly, provided it does not harm our own country's interests."
Sensing the flash of anticipation in Cobenzl's eyes, Joseph put on an expression of helplessness. "Very well, I can help Vienna resolve its troubles, but under one condition."
Cobenzl said hurriedly, "Please, name your terms."
Joseph nodded. "The Emperor must recognize the full contents of the *Stuttgart Declaration*."
Cobenzl froze on the spot.
What was the *Stuttgart Declaration*? It was an illegal agreement wherein the German states had carved up the territory of the Holy Roman Empire without authorization!
His Imperial Majesty had never once recognized its legitimacy.
Though the terms of the *Declaration* had already been in effect for years, if it received Vienna's endorsement, it would mean the Emperor formally accepted France's control over the German region.
"If you do not plan to provide assistance, Your Highness," Cobenzl had no choice but to resort to their usual rhetoric, "our country will have to seek aid from London."
Joseph wore a playful smile. "Then I wish you the best of luck in Britain."
Cobenzl was instantly choked with anger.
The British had already made their stance clear; they could provide a loan of at most one hundred thousand pounds sterling.
It was practically like brushing off a beggar.
Steading his emotions, he was just about to resume his pleading when he saw Metternich suddenly take a few steps forward and say loudly to the French Prince Regent, "Your Highness, I must remind you that you *must* help Austria!
"What is happening in Vienna is no ordinary rebellion, but an atrocity committed by a mob of pariahs attempting to depose their monarch!
"If they are allowed to succeed in Austria, then the next to suffer misfortune might be the King of Prussia, the King of Spain, or even your own father!
"In this matter, we share a common interest. We must keep watch and help each other!"
Joseph looked at the young man before him and asked Cobenzl, "Who is this gentleman?"
"Your Highness, he is Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, Imperial Secretary and Assistant to the Foreign Minister."
.
*Metternich?* Joseph nodded slightly. So this was Austria's greatest diplomat; no wonder he was so silver-tongued.
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