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Chapter 828: Russia's Choice

After Count Stroganov finished recounting Queen Mary's attitude in detail, Catherine II asked with palpable impatience: "And what of the French political circles? What are their views on this matter?"

A marriage alliance between two great powers was never a decision for a King or Queen to make in isolation; it was an expression of a nation's collective political will.

"Regarding that, most ministers have yet to state their positions officially," the Ambassador to France replied. "However, as I have mentioned in my previous reports, the French Crown Prince is already the true wielder of power within the Palace of Versailles."

He paused briefly before continuing. "According to what I've gathered from the Countess of Debeninac, it was precisely because the Crown Prince is so enamored with Her Highness the Princess that the Queen decided to propose this alliance. Therefore, I judge that the core ministers of France are unlikely to raise any objections."

The Empress chuckled with delight. "Ho ho, Sasha has always been such a charming girl, no matter where she goes."

The signal for an alliance from France at this moment was, for her, like a drowning person suddenly grasping a sturdy branch.

It was important to understand that the Russian Empire's operational model for centuries had been consistent: exploit the internal population to the limit, then use external expansion to release that internal pressure and maintain balance.

Thus, in Russian history, no matter how tyrannical a Tsar might be, as long as they were victorious in foreign wars, their throne remained as stable as a mountain. The Russian people would even praise their brutality as martial prowess.

Conversely, once external expansion failed, the reigning Tsar would soon find their seat becoming painfully uncomfortable.

Catherine II was well aware that ever since Russia had been humiliated in Poland and Crimea had been thrown into chaos by Kościuszko, undercurrents of opposition had begun to surge in Saint Petersburg.

She herself had ascended the throne by taking advantage of military dissatisfaction with the former Tsar, Peter III—her own husband—to launch the coup that overthrew him.

Now, her relationship with her son Paul was strained, and she had long desired to pass the throne directly to her grandson Alexander. There was no guarantee that Paul wouldn't seize the opportunity to orchestrate a coup of his own.

But if she could secure a marriage alliance with the French royal family, it would bring an unprecedented level of prestige to Russia, significantly easing her current political predicament.

She was already planning expansion toward Persia. As long as the military campaign there went smoothly, she could once again stabilize her rule.

The following day.

The most influential figures in Russian politics were summoned to Catherine II's private chambers.

Some of them had not seen the Empress in three or four months. Since her health began to decline, daily governmental affairs had been communicated through Zubov. Their presence here today signaled that a matter of grave importance was on the table.

With the assistance of two servants, Catherine II moved laboriously toward her chair. Once seated, she gestured to Count Stroganov. "Tell them."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Ambassador to France gave a brief introduction regarding France's desire for a marriage alliance. Before he could even finish, Fyodor Rostopchin, the Governor of Saint Petersburg, stood up and bowed to the Empress. "Your Majesty, everyone knows that France's shadow looms behind Warsaw. The French are not to be trusted!"

Zubov glanced at him and remarked casually, "You are being far too alarmist, Governor. France and Poland share nothing more than standard commercial ties. They haven't provided the Poles with so much as a single musket."

He continued smoothly, "After the war broke out, they naturally showed concern for the silver mines and ports they invested in within Poland. These are perfectly normal actions."

Indeed, this favorite of the Empress was a staunch Francophile. Perhaps because his greatest former political rival and romantic competitor, Potemkin, had leaned toward Britain, Zubov had always advocated for closer ties with France.

Bezborodko, the chief advisor on foreign affairs, nodded in agreement. "In fact, our nation has always been Britain's largest trading partner, yet the French have never shown us hostility because of it."

Suvorov immediately interjected, "Actually, our intelligence services believe the French possess significant influence over the Polish army."

He had no hard evidence, so he did not dwell on the point, instead pivoting his argument. "Furthermore, we must seriously consider the British reaction. Currently, a massive war has erupted between Britain and France, on a scale that even exceeds the Seven Years' War."

He looked directly at Catherine II. "Your Majesty, if we enter into a marriage alliance with France at this time, Britain will view it as us choosing to stand against them."

Bezborodko shook his head with a faint smile. "Marshal, there is no need for such concern. Quite the opposite—the British will likely strengthen their ties with us to prevent us from tilting completely toward France."

"Still, there is no need for us to offend Britain..."

Nikolai Rumyantsev, the eldest son of Marshal Rumyantsev, addressed the Empress. "Your Majesty, I believe both Britain and France are too far removed from us. Austria is the power we should be most concerned with."

He leaned forward slightly. "If France can deal a heavy blow to Austria on the battlefield, that would be the most beneficial outcome for our empire."

Catherine II nodded, finding much wisdom in his words.

Among the great European powers, Austria was Russia's primary competitor. The two nations had significant conflicting interests in the Balkan Peninsula and Poland.

Once Russia defeated Poland, Austria would become the greatest obstacle to Russia's expansion into Europe—and the Russians firmly believed they would eventually occupy Poland; the recent setback was merely a delay in the inevitable.

Rostopchin sneered. "The French are currently facing an onslaught from Britain, Prussia, Austria, and numerous German states. The Coalition forces are more than twice the size of the French army. I suspect it is France that will be dealt the heavy blow."

Bezborodko shot him a look. "Perhaps you haven't checked the reports from the west in some time. The French military has already secured most of Northern Italy and is preparing to march on Mantua. On the other front, their armies have captured Brussels."

He added pointedly, "Sardinia has already switched sides to ally with France, and Spain hasn't even committed its main forces yet."

The Ambassador to France immediately backed him up. "I swear, Governor, the French army is incredibly formidable. I have seen it with my own eyes."

Bezborodko bowed to the Empress. "Your Majesty, extending a hand to France while the conflict is still in a deadlock will earn us the greatest measure of their gratitude."

"Even if France were to lose," he reasoned, "it would not necessarily be a bad thing for us."

"At that point, France would need our influence to improve their diplomatic standing, and we could demand certain conditions in exchange—for instance, the isolation of the Ottoman Empire. I have heard that the French fleet has miraculously driven the British out of the Mediterranean Sea; they currently hold the absolute final word in those waters."

Suvorov argued for a while longer, but while he was a military genius, he was no match for these civil officials in the arena of politics and diplomacy. He soon fell into a brooding silence.

Seeing this, Catherine II signaled for Zubov to help her stand. She turned to the Ambassador to France. "Count Stroganov, invite the French Queen's special envoy to Saint Petersburg."

Such monumental diplomatic matters were usually settled behind closed doors first; only then would the primary figures emerge to perform the necessary formalities.