Eagle’s Glory

The next day, the Russian ambassador, Count Litvinsky, was summoned by Prime Minister Metternich and came to his official residence.

The ambassador, tall and aggressive, was as imposing as the Russian Empire behind him.

For this Prime Minister Metternich, the Russians have always been friendly and vigilant.

During the Vienna Peace Conference, Metternich and Emperor Franz, while rhetoric to the Tsar, secretly united with Britain and the newly restored Bourbon family in France, ready to take a joint stand against the ambitions of the Russian Empire , lest Russia quickly become big in Europe.

However, on March 1, 1815, when the Congress of Vienna was still in full swing, Napoleon suddenly landed in France from the exile of Elba Island, and quickly marched into Paris to regain the throne.

Napoleon, who returned to the throne, knew that he was bound to face another anti-French alliance. In order to buy time and alienate the enemy, he deliberately sent the secret letters between Austria and Bourbon France to the tsar.

However, although he was very angry when he learned that his rhetoric allies were secretly preparing to deal with him, Tsar Alexander I did not forget what was the most important goal, so he burned the secret letter in front of Metternich, Then tell him that he can let go of the past, as long as everyone can give up their previous grudges and go to destroy Bonaparte together, then they can still be friends in the future.

And Metternich also walked down the steps, and immediately became a loyal ally of Russia, and followed the allies to destroy Napoleon, and the previous conspiracy was left unresolved.

Although more than ten years have passed since the incident, the Russian ambassador, as one of the witnesses at the time, naturally remembered all this.

After the two exchanged politely and politely in accordance with diplomatic etiquette, Count Litvinsky asked directly.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, what is the announcement that you have specially summoned me here?"

"I heard some rumors recently. I called you just to clarify my doubts for me." Metternich didn't detour, but immediately got to the point.

"What is the rumor?" The ambassador's face was not surprised, as if he had expected him to say so.

"It is said that the army of His Majesty the Tsar is gathering in Ukraine and the Caucasus, preparing to march into Turkey. Is this nonsense? Or is it true?" serious concerns.

"It's true that the army is assembled, but the main purpose of our government is to prevent unexpected situations." The ambassador was well prepared and immediately replied to him, "Currently there is serious turmoil in Turkey, and our country must respond appropriately."

"This is a surprising response!" Metternich raised his brows slightly sarcastically, "According to the normal logic I know, if a person's enemy is struggling, it should be a blessing for him A good thing, because it means that the pressure of the enemy on you will be lessened - how can it be completely reversed to you? Is a weak Turkey more worthy of His Majesty's worries than a strong Turkey?"

Metternich's sarcasm caused a flash of embarrassment on the ambassador's face, but as a seasoned diplomat, he certainly wouldn't be stumped by such a small problem.

"In a sense, that's true—" he replied with a smile, "when the Turkish Empire is in chaos, the sultan's monarchs will fall into panic, and panic will exacerbate their already brutal rule, and they will be **** The butcher's knife to deal with the Orthodox Christians who rebelled - I'm not talking about a conjecture, sir, but a reality that has already happened."

"So, can I think that His Majesty the Tsar gathered the army not for the safety of his own country, but for the safety of foreigners?" Metternich went straight to the point.

The question was equally acute, but the ambassador parried.

"Though those Christians who rose up against tyranny were not citizens of the Russian Empire, they shared our beliefs, our spiritual bond was unbreakable, and our hearts beat with them—"

Interesting, your heart is not beating for the oppressed serfs in your country, but suddenly beating for the Greeks you have never seen in the distance - Metternich mocked in his heart.

Of course, this kind of remark is too sharp, and he will not say it.

Obviously, the so-called "protection of Orthodox Christians" is just an excuse for the tsar, but since it is said, it is true.

One side is interests, the other side is righteousness, and strong countries always want both, no matter how hypocritical they are.

Metternich himself has played with similar methods countless times, so he is naturally not surprised.

"I understand the tsar's insistence on faith, and I also sympathize with the suffering of those Christians in the Balkans." He softened his tone a little, and then continued to ask, "Since you said so, then I am willing to believe that the tsar assembled his army. It's just to deter the Turks, so that they don't go too far, and have no intention of starting a war; but I have a question - if you can't intimidate the Sudan, what are you going to do next? Continue the confrontation or withdraw the troops?"

The ambassador hesitated.

"Sir, both of our countries are members of the Holy Alliance, and both share the same determination to maintain Europe's most precious orthodoxy. Because of this, we should treat each other with openness and honesty." Metternich asked again. He said, "I have not concealed our actions, so if your country does plan to act in the future, then I think I should also know about it. This is basic respect for allies, isn't it?"

The ambassador remained silent.

If he really decides to keep his mouth shut, then no matter how Metternich asks, he can answer with a 'no comment'.

However, he had received domestic instructions before, and the tsar believed that in the current situation, it was necessary to take the opportunity to test Austria's attitude.

Of course, neither the tsar nor him will believe a word of Metternich's rhetoric, but in any case, the arrow is on the line, and it is time to gradually reveal the true intentions.

"If the sultan continues to go his own way and treat the suffering Christians with **** butchery knives, then it is reasonable for His Majesty the Tsar to sit idly by." So he finally decided to relax a little, "Under certain circumstances, the imperial government really cannot The possibility of taking further steps is ruled out."

Metternich was stunned.

The ambassador's words are tantamount to acknowledging that the Russian Empire is going to solve problems by means of war.

And the war was so imminent that they didn't even bother to hide it.

Although he was very unhappy in his heart, the years of experience had already made him develop a habit of not showing emotions and anger, and his expression had not changed in any way, as if he had long expected the ambassador to answer this way.

"If that's the case, then I can only say I'm very sorry." In the end, he made an indifferent evaluation.

"Please understand that it was Sudan, not us, that made the situation worse to this point." The ambassador immediately defended his country's position, "Since the outbreak of the war, we have given him a lot of time and opportunities, even if he is now If you are willing to change course, it is not too late, the tsar only regards military means as a last resort - since you are a devout believer, and since Austria is the guardian of Christendom, then you should understand the mood of our country."

"Oh! Christian, of course I am full of sympathy!" Metternich spread his hands, "but mere sympathy cannot be higher than our responsibility to the whole age - none of us have forgotten, and no one can forget. , The era that just passed, what kind of **** storm it was, and how much blood and price we paid to finally quell the endless fighting.

How did those fights come about? It is because of the endless ambition of France, because of someone who thinks he is equal to God, to shake the whole of Europe with power and an iron fist! We have seen all the tragedies, so we all know that in order to prevent the recurrence of the tragic phenomenon, we should guard against the slightest and restrain our ambitions from the very beginning. "

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, you actually compare His Majesty the Tsar with that lawless invader! This is too rude." The ambassador stood up and protested loudly to Metternich, "His Majesty the Tsar has nothing but devotion to God and devotion to Christ. It's just a disciple's mercy, he has no ambitions."

"Ambition is not reflected in words, but in actions. I use actions to evaluate facts." Metternich was unmoved by the ambassador's protest, "And, please make it clear, I'm not blaming anyone, Instead, advise from the standpoint of allies and friends - I think you should pass it on for me, and let the Tsar listen to the advice of an old guy like me."

Before waiting for the ambassador to answer, he continued to speak.

"Compared to the era that was blasted away by shells, today's era is like a silk wrap, delicate and beautiful, worthy of careful care by each of us." Metternich smiled slightly, as if it was between friends "I am not saying this from my personal or Austrian standpoint, for all Europe, including your great Russia, the peace made in Vienna in 1815 is the most precious treasure - so , anyone who tries to break this peace may eventually find himself a victim. History has shown us that before.”

The ambassador frowned, indignant.

He has found that Metternich is constantly blaming Russia for "breaking the status quo", and implicitly accusing the tsar of trying to break the status quo because of his own ambitions.

"Don't forget, there is a man who is currently in Greece with his ambitions, and if anyone is breaking the peace, he is the one who started it." After a while, the ambassador asked Metternich, "Why are you so obvious about it? They turn a blind eye to their wanton recklessness, yet accuse our country indiscriminately?"

"Do you mean Duke Reichstedt?" Metternich still smiled. "He is supporting Christians in his own name, so what can we do? Since you keep saying that you sympathize with those Greek Christians, Then you should applaud his courage now."

"You caused all this!" The ambassador retorted angrily. "If we all stand on the sidelines and watch the Bonaparte family make trouble, sooner or later the whole of Europe will be overshadowed. Is there any problem with the czar trying to quell the trouble?"

"If I remember correctly, your government has never issued any document requiring our country to treat Duke Leichstedt as a criminal; likewise, your tsar has not given me similar instructions, so I There is every reason to conclude that your government has never regarded him as a criminal or a dangerous person before." Metternich replied unhurriedly, "So, with regard to his legal status and legal actions, your country does not. What is the reason for making a big move? Could it be that he did something that you agreed with, but instead he has to take responsibility for your reckless actions?"

Although this was obviously a rhetoric, the ambassador was unable to refute it at once.

"I remind you, and your majesty the tsar. There is no point in deceiving, threatening, or intimidating in front of me, because I have seen so many things." Metternich with a pride that borders on indifference , said to the ambassador, "Please don't forget that I was in Dresden, watching Napoleon go wild for hours, and then stood in front of Napoleon and told him that he was done. I am no weaker than anyone in the position of the Bonaparte family. But I know that everything is the same, and you can't use a hot-blooded young man as a shield, can you?"

The ambassador only felt angry, and he knew that Metternich's position was very clear - he was firmly opposed to the tsar's march into Turkey, and did not welcome the empire to break the status quo.

"I regret that you treat the allies in this manner." He shook his head regretfully, "but I can only tell you that maybe you are not happy, but our government must act in accordance with its own interests. "

"Then I can only tell you that our government must act in accordance with its own interests." Metternich replied in the same words.

Although the two of them were still polite up to this point, in essence, they were already fighting each other.

The ambassador said no more, got up and saluted His Excellency the Prime Minister, then turned to leave.

After the hurried departure of the Russian ambassador, the Prime Minister's secretary and right-hand man, Mr. Friedrich Genz, entered Prime Minister Metternich's office.

As soon as he entered, he found that the Prime Minister's expression was frighteningly gloomy, so he cautiously asked.

"Your Excellency, are you having trouble with the Russian ambassador?"

"It's not going well? It's simply unpleasant." Prime Minister Metternich sneered, "It seems that the young Tsar has made up his mind to show his prestige in front of his subjects—"

Friedrich Genz was speechless.

Since the complete destruction of Napoleon in 1815, Europe has finally entered a rare peaceful time. Although there have been occasional conflicts, the major powers have never launched wars on their own initiative. Instead, they have resolved their conflicts of interest through international coordination.

This time, the Russian Empire took the initiative to launch a war against Turkey. Even though the division is famous, it has definitely set a precedent.

If it's just Russia teaching Turkey, it doesn't matter, but what's next? If a delicate balance is disturbed, it takes countless efforts to correct it again.

"He will pay for his folly, if not now, but in the future." Friedrich Genz sighed. "Then what are you going to do? Stand with Britain and France to support Turkey?"

"No, in what name do we support Turkey? Praise the sultan for slaughtering Christians? Or resolutely honor their **** rule? If we do, it will be tantamount to actively pushing public opinion on the side of the tsar, who is the most The result I want to see." Metternich shook his head.

Then, he looked at Mr. Gentz ​​again.

"Go to Turkey. I want to appoint you as ambassador to Istanbul."

Mr. Gentz ​​was again surprised.

"What task will you give me?" Then he asked.

"Full responsibility for Eastern affairs." The Prime Minister replied immediately. "No matter what, we want to prevent the worst from happening, and the Tsar's fleet must not pass through the strait."

Then he added in a low voice, "—if necessary, we may have to find the lovely Duke Reichstedt."

Mr. Gentz ​​finally understood the meaning of His Excellency the Prime Minister.

If Austria can't play in person, then Duke Reichstedt is an excellent agent.

Although the duke's waywardness greatly angered His Majesty the Emperor and Metternich himself, none of them were self-willed people, and the current situation made him not care about the previous things.

What's more, Princess Teresa is by his side now. In any case, Princess Teresa is definitely willing to befriend her mother country - since the situation has evolved to such a point, it might as well take advantage of it.

After thinking about this, Mr. Gentz ​​no longer hesitated.

"Okay, I understand, I'll pack up immediately and take office immediately."

The Prime Minister made a gesture, and Mr. Gentz ​​graciously left.

After his confidant left, Metternich still frowned and thought.

"Is this all you expected? Is this all you expected?" he whispered to himself after a moment.

Obviously, what Duke Reichstedt did was definitely not a whim, but a move after careful thought—in terms of the current results, he also happened to hit the most important drumbeat.

Therefore, this young man living in a secluded palace, in addition to his usual pastime, has actually carried out such in-depth thinking, and has the courage to execute it without hesitation.

Assuming it wasn't the party involved, he was willing to applaud the achievements of his students.

He watched this young man grow up.

His feelings for this young man are also extremely complicated - except for the surname Bonaparte, this young man is almost the most ideal member of the royal family in his mind.

What a good result it would be if he would stay in Vienna... In the end, he could only sigh regretfully.