War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

Russia, St. Petersburg.

Neserlov is the ultimate British bastard. Although he is the Russian Foreign Minister, he is actually a pro-British faction.

Historically, it was precisely because of his wrong judgment that not only directly destroyed Russia's advantages accumulated over decades, but even indirectly led to Russia's defeat in the Crimean War.

In fact, the Tsar himself was not very fond of Britain, especially after Queen Victoria came to the throne. He believed that the British army, which was raised under women's skirts, was not qualified to compare with his army, which was tempered in the ice and snow.

However, it was this kind of contempt that made the Tsar believe that joining Britain and France could restore the glory of the empire and even retake Constantinople.

Palmerston was invited to attend Neserlov's private banquet. After a few glasses of wine, Neserlov completely exposed Russia's bottom line.

This made Palmerston very satisfied, because the intelligence further confirmed his so-called Russian threat theory.

Of course, the current situation is that Britain really needs Russia, at least it cannot let Russia fall to the side of France.

At the same time, he also hinted to Neserlov that Britain intended to form an alliance with Russia to carve up the Ottoman Empire. However, the "Winkar-Iskelesi Treaty" was an obstacle to cooperation between the two countries. As long as Russia gave up Russia and Turkey, Alliance, everything is negotiable.

Finally, Palmerston arrived at the Russian Palace and asked Tsar Nicholas I face to face about the garrison in the Carpathian Mountains.

Nicholas I said that it was to prevent the Austrians from attacking the two Danube principalities, because the Austrian Empire suddenly increased its troops in Transylvania.

This situation is extremely unusual, and there is intelligence claiming that a large amount of weapons, ammunition and food have been sent to Transylvania. Knowing that the Austrian Empire is experiencing a famine, it may want to launch a foreign war to divert domestic conflicts.

Palmerston was not very impressed with Austria as a country, and he even scorned Metternich personally. He felt that those traditional politicians should have been buried long ago. Modern politics is about effectiveness and efficiency.

There is no need for a diplomat to spend several months understanding the other party's background, hobbies, and resume. As long as he knows what he wants and what the other party wants, it is enough.

Of course, he had to go to Austria. After all, Austria at this time was still the nominal defender of the European order.

Austria Vienna.

"Your Majesty Prime Minister, I think you should know what a bad impact the sudden appearance of the Austrian Empire's troops in Transylvania will have. This is a kind of destruction of regional peace. This is"

Prince Metternich opened the wine cabinet and did not pay attention to Palmerston's words. In fact, Metternich had kept Palmerston waiting for four days before this.

First, he did not like Palmerston's attitude.

Secondly, this was just a private act by a British diplomat, who even had the right to refuse contact with Palmerston.

Again, he needed enough time to figure out the ins and outs of the matter, and he also wanted to know what Palmerston was going to do.

"Excuse me, I have vodka and white wine here, which one do you like?"

Palmerston was very unhappy with Prince Metternich's innocuous attitude, but he could not boss the Austrian Prime Minister around like he did to the Ottoman Grand Vizier, so he could only speak patiently.

"Your Excellency, you haven't answered my question yet."

"Dear Mr. Palmerston, don't call me Prince, just call me Metternich. I didn't answer your question, but you didn't answer mine either. Let's make it even."

"But Mr. Metternich, I insist that I asked the question first."

"Does it matter?"

"This is very important. The purpose of my coming here is to know why the Austrian Empire has to deploy troops on the border?"

"But this is my home, and you are my guest."

Palmerston felt speechless for a while. He didn't expect that the other party would be like this. It seemed that he could only meet the other party's request first, but he was not interested in white wine or vodka.

"Just give me a glass of rum."

"We don't have the wine you asked for."

Although Prince Metternich spoke calmly, his intention to banish guests was already obvious.

Palmerston stood up and left angrily, and Prince Metternich looked at his leaving back and said.

"Burger, send Viscount Palmerston off for me."

Palmerston did not stop and quickly left Metternich's house. Metternich picked up the glass of white wine on the table and drank it in one gulp.

"Children play house."

Prince Metternich already understood the ins and outs of the matter. At the same time, he also knew that Palmerston only represented him personally, not the official attitude of the British government.

Regarding Palmerston's question, no matter what the answer is, combined with the subsequent actions, it will be interpreted as an attitude of the Austrian Empire. At this moment, what the Austrian Empire needs most is to maintain the status quo, so it is better not to answer.

Of course, even if it is an official visit, it is not the turn of other countries to intervene in the actions of the Austrian Empire on its own soil. This necessary toughness is a necessary means to maintain the image of Austria as a great power.

However, stationing troops in Transylvania was obviously not in line with his policy of uniting Russia to resist France, so he suggested that the military could station troops in Nordsavy.

As for the conditions for Austria's annexation of Serbia, it could be exchanged for Austria's support for Russia's annexation of the two Danube principalities. The opposition of the Ottomans was of no value to Russia and Austria, and Metternich always believed that France was the biggest enemy of the Austrian Empire.

The most important thing is that it is not time to place a bet yet for the Austrian Empire.

Palmerston was very angry. As the British Foreign Secretary, he had never been so insulted. However, no matter how angry he was, he could not start a war just because the other party refused to give him a drink.

Moreover, Austria is different from other countries in that the coastline is too short. Blocking the coastal area will not have much impact on this country. Its economy does not depend on the ocean.

If a war started on land, it would be tantamount to being an enemy of the Holy Alliance. Fortunately, he also heard that Prince Metternich had a mortal enemy.

Viscount Palmerston and Count Korolaf hit it off immediately. There is not much cognitive difference between the two. To borrow Palmerston's famous saying, "There are no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent interests."

Fighting France is the common interest of Britain and Austria, but withdrawing troops from Transylvania will affect the interests of the Austrian Empire.

People hate losses. Count Korolaf said that he had a way to get the Austrian army to leave Transylvania, but he needed Palmerston to show some sincerity.

However, Palmerston thought wrong. He thought this was a good opportunity for five kills.

Palmerston immediately expressed his willingness to support the Austrian Empire in seizing the two Danube Principalities after the war. In this way, he would first use the Holy Alliance to kill France and Egypt, and then use Ottoman lands to cause conflict between Austria and Russia. Britain would reap the benefits. Just perfect.

Count Korolaf was obviously dissatisfied. It was not that he saw the sinister calculation in it, but that he was insensitive to Palmerston's generosity. At the same time, this was not the sincerity he wanted.

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