Eagle’s Glory

Of course, Aigron couldn't know in real time about the grand march of the Russian Empire towards the Balkans and what happened in the prime minister's residence in Vienna, but all of this was basically what he expected.

The so-called situation makes a hero, he used a favorable time point to stir up the situation on the European continent, and then quietly waited for his victory to come.

Combining his knowledge of history, the knowledge he has learned over the years, and long-term thinking, he firmly believes that based on the current development of the situation, everything he has been waiting for will definitely happen.

Of course, he's not a ruthless evildoer who can't predict everything 100%, but he's willing to play a gamble with a chance -- because he doesn't have a choice.

If everything turns out to be not what he wanted, then he doesn't need to admit defeat to fate, anyway, he has already won enough things now.

After discussing the next step with Edmund Dantès, he began to let his subordinates prepare for this, and at the same time, he waited for another good news-the Austrian diplomat, Feng- Ambassador Genz's secretary, Mr. Alfred von Mayrhofen, had come to Methoronghion to see him.

He deliberately asked Teresa to negotiate with the other party first to listen to the Austrian government. Judging from the talks between the two, the effect was very satisfactory. After that, Teresa first went to Methorongion to rejoin him, while Mr. von Mayrhofen remained in the Peloponnese to meet with Aegron's Greek allies and learn about the local area. situation.

A few days later, Mr. von Mayrhofen ended his investigation and officially came to Methorongi to see the Lord in order to complete his final mission - and Aigron was very willing to help him complete his mission at this time.

After learning about him, Aigron did not delay, and directly asked him to be called to his and Teresa's residence, and then received him with Teresa.

Under the guidance of the guards, the cautious diplomat came to the guest room, and then saw the boy and girl seated.

After recognizing the two of them, Mr. von Mayrhofen immediately took off his hat and paid tribute to the young man.

"Her Royal Highnesses Duke Reichstedt and Princess Teresa, I am very honored to have this opportunity to be interviewed."

"Mr. von Mayrhofen, I am also very honored to meet you." Aegron also replied formulaically, and at the same time stood up with Teresa and nodded to the diplomat.

While the two of them were talking, von Mayrhofen kept his head down, but kept looking at the young man opposite him from the corner of his eye.

The young man's face was much more handsome than he imagined, and even had a hint of childishness, but perhaps because he was used to commanding his subordinates, he had already exuded a majesty in his gestures, and his eyes were even more dignified. With a murderous courage.

Von Mayrhofen felt a little uneasy for a while, because—after all, he was that person's successor.

Moreover, this young man has become a legend, and his majesty is enough to make people forget his age.

"Please sit down." Aigron saw the other party's embarrassment, so he gently asked the other party to take a seat, and then the three sat down together.

"Excuse me, have we met before?" he asked again.

"Unfortunately, this is the first time we have met, Your Highness." Mr. von Mayrhofen replied cautiously. "However, I have read about you in the newspapers several times."

"Oh, it's not surprising, although I lived in the palace for a long time, but after all, I rarely show up to the outside world, it's normal for you not to see me——" The young man replied with a smile. "The Austrian government wouldn't let so many people come to see me."

He couldn't feel any hatred from his expression and words, but he couldn't seem to hide any complaints.

"Prime Minister Metternich also has his concerns." Under the embarrassment, von Mayrhofen could only smile bitterly, "I admit that you may have encountered some unpleasant things before, but—as far as the result is concerned, only the Austrian Empire gives I have given you enough honors, and sincerely hope that you can become a qualified and excellent prince."

"That's true. I know very well that my treatment in other places will only be worse. At least my grandfather has given me the safety and the treatment that the royal family deserves." Having said this, Aigron looked again. To Teresa, "I have given me the best fiancee in the world... I am a person with clear grievances, and I will be grateful for these."

Teresa was a little shy, but still smiled at Aegron.

Von Mayrhofen, on the other hand, laughed embarrassedly.

He knew very well in his heart that the duke was deliberately playing emotional cards to exaggerate the atmosphere of "everyone is a family", and he was happy to cooperate—because his task was to cooperate with His Royal Highness.

"His Royal Highness, I am glad that you are so discerning between right and wrong. You are right, no matter how the situation changes, blood is eternal, and you are the grandson of His Majesty the Emperor. This is an iron and unchangeable fact. Although due to various unfortunate reasons , you and His Majesty had some conflicts, but His Majesty never thought of severing kinship with you, and in his heart he considered you one of his best descendants - and reality has proved it." He He pretended to answer with affection, and then he also looked at Princess Teresa, "Despite all the turmoil, His Majesty the Emperor still wishes for the marriage of the two His Royal Highnesses, and he will always love you both."

"I will always love His Majesty the Emperor and pray for his health and longevity." Princess Teresa replied with a smile.

A pass of ecstasy was poured into each other, and the three of them were all smiles. On the surface, they were already enjoying themselves, and it didn't even look like a diplomatic event.

However, Aigron himself knew that these nice words were earned by himself and must not be taken seriously. Once he loses his use value, or goes to the opposite side of Austria, his grandfather will turn his face ruthlessly as fast as he is now - that's how he got down on his son-in-law Napoleon back then.

"We are all very good at looking forward, and now is indeed the time to look forward." Aigron turned serious and became serious, "Although I have won time and time again, the situation is very good, but we are all now We can see that a heavy cloud is over our heads, and it is getting closer and closer."

"You are right." Von Mayrhofen also nodded solemnly, "Your Highness, from our point of view, the advance of the Russian Empire is imminent, and it may even start at this moment."

"This is the problem that gives us all a headache..." Aigron sighed seemingly annoyed, and then asked the other party, "So what do you think about this?"

"His Royal Highness, with your ingenuity, you must know what we want you to do—" Von Mayrhofen was not polite, and directly pointed to the point, "We hope you can help Greece become independent as soon as possible, and exclude it from it. Pro-Russian influence, and if possible, try to make this independent country maintain the stability of the entire Balkans in a neutral and pragmatic posture.”

Although the second half of the speech was a bit cloudy and foggy, Aegron continued to ask.

"Then tell me how much you think Greece could cut out of the Turks if it were independent?"

"I can't give you an accurate answer to this question at present - after all, Austria still needs to discuss with other important countries, but from the current situation, the recovery of Greece is an inevitable reality." Von Mayrhofen laughed again He stood up, "Until everyone comes to a conclusion, you can play as much as you can... but you must maintain the basic survival of the Turkish Empire."

Aigron understood.

"Only as far as Thrace?" he grumbled. "I didn't expect you to care so much about Turkey."

"Turkey..." A look of contempt flashed on von Mayrhofen's face, "Who cares about Turkey! This sick man is alive now only because Christian countries are wary of each other and hate each other, Europe needs a way The watchdog left on the strait, so it wasn't divided up."

Austria and the Turks have been enemies for generations. They have fought many wars between them before modern times. They are the sworn enemies of the Sudan, but they were only later replaced by the Russian Empire. Therefore, when it comes to Turkey, of course von Mayrhofen can't say anything good Come.

It's just that, precisely because Turkey has declined, it is safest to keep Constantinople in their hands, and no Christian country can tolerate another Christian country to take it in their pockets - it's hard to hear but the reality is.

Aegron pondered silently for a moment. To be honest, the result did not surprise him, and he just deliberately pretended to be disappointed in order to raise the asking price.

"Is Ioannina okay then?" After a moment, he threw another question. "Would you like to see me get there?"

Von Mayrhofen froze for a moment, then nodded immediately, "If you like, this is your freedom, but I suggest you better beware of the Russians, after all, they are hostile to you."

After a while, he hesitated again and said, "Also, Your Highness, with all due respect, since you can't wear the Greek crown, you'd better not let Greece become too powerful after the war - the more powerful it is, the better. The more freedom of action you have, the less need to be grateful to you, I have seen too many perfidy in my life, I think you better think about it sooner..."

Aegron knew that the other party's words were purely out of kindness to persuade him, and it was also true-in fact, he was guarding against it from the beginning.

Like these diplomats, he has no illusions about human nature.

"Thank you for your reminder, but I also took that into consideration, sir." He couldn't help laughing, "If I'm lucky enough to shoot Ioannina, I won't let it become Greek territory in the future, it It will be an independent political entity, ruled by a grand duke."

"So is he a member of the Bonaparte family?" von Mayrhofen immediately became alert. "If so, I advise you to think again - after all, the current international environment is not in your favor."

"No, you are overthinking it." Aegron shook his head, then replied, "I plan to adopt a charismatic successor as the future Grand Duke."

Then, he details his plan—

Von Mayrhofen was a little surprised when he heard Haide at first, but he nodded again and again after hearing it. "It's an interesting idea and it makes sense, although I have to ask Vienna to get an answer, but I personally don't think Prime Minister Metternich would object to it, after all Ioannina was already out of Turk rule ."

Then, he looked at Aegron again, "Also, Your Highness, I have a suggestion."

"What advice?" Aegron nodded immediately, "Just say it."

"Although Ali Pasha rebelled against the sultan, he was still a gangster, and so must Miss Haide. If you paid the price of blood and established a gangster ruler, it would be very important to you. I'm afraid my reputation will be bad—" von Mayrhofen whispered, "so I suggest that after you get that Miss Heide, let her convert to the Orthodox Church and write to the Tsar to lose her sincerity, so that she can get The favor and support of the Greeks, and secondly, the Russian Empire will also welcome this, the resistance you will face will be much less..."

Aigron thought about it carefully and found that this suggestion really makes sense.

Converting Haidai to the Orthodox Church will firstly win the favor of Russia and Greece; secondly, it will also draw a line between Haidai and the original supporters of the Pasha family, making her even more isolated and helpless, and can only rely on her own support .

Writing a letter to the tsar and losing your sincerity will not bring any risk. Anyway, when the time comes, Haide will be in his hands. How to manipulate it is not a matter of words?

Good, just do it!

"Thank you for your suggestion, I'll listen to it—" So he nodded in agreement with a smile. "Mr. von Mayrhofen, you are indeed an excellent diplomat, and I think you will have a bright future."

"Your talent is far superior to mine," von Mayrhofen replied humbly with the same smile on his face.

Just as the two were chatting and laughing, the fate of a little girl was decided, and the fate of a small country in the future was also decided.

Such is the world order in this era of the jungle, where big countries can arbitrarily decide the future of small countries without even asking them for their opinions.

While chatting and laughing, Aigron's impression of Mr. von Mayrhofen also became particularly good.

He could see that whether it was the exhortation just now or the supplementary suggestion now, he gave advice out of goodwill and from his own standpoint. At least at this moment, the Austrian diplomat was indeed regarded as "his own". people".

Of course, this kind of goodwill did not come from charity, but from the capital he grabbed.

This is the first big country to show goodwill to him, and he still has a long way to go.

"Sir, in order to realize this plan of mine, I still ask you." Aigron said suddenly.

"What do you mean?" von Mayrhofen asked rhetorically.

"I will assign a subordinate I trust to accompany you back to Istanbul—" Aigron replied with a smile, "Please help him and Mr. Ambassador to help him bring that Miss Haide back."

"I didn't expect you to have this hand—" Von Mayrhofen was slightly stunned, then sighed helplessly. "Okay, Your Highness, if we can, we'd be happy to help you—but please remember what you need to do."

"I'll always remember." Aegron replied solemnly, and then extended his hand to him.