Russian Ambassador Peter and French Foreign Minister Talleyrand are old friends.

The so-called old friends, in general, are those who have done certain things together. For example, they have read books together, or carried guns together, or flowed and released together, or shared stolen goods together.

Talleyrand was from a Catholic seminary, and Peter, an Orthodox Christian, so it was impossible for them to study together. As for carrying a gun together, although Peter had served in the army, Talleyrand had never been a soldier, and one of them was Russian and the other was French, so this was also impossible. As for flowing and releasing together, of course, it is even more impossible, so this "old friend" of the two people can only "share the spoils together".

Since they were reliable old friends who "shared the spoils together", Peter was very direct in his conversation with Talleyrand.

"My friend, I heard that your country is in Turkey helping the Turkish Sultan train troops?"

"How do you know?" "Ah, although this matter is confidential, but the Turkish side's ability to keep it secret, well, I said a long time ago, the Turkish side is a colander." ”

"Charles, we are friendly countries with France, and you are not very friendly to us for helping the Turks." Peter said.

"Ah, Peter. Nothing has changed in France's friendliness towards Russia. As for what is going on between us and Turkey, it's all business. We are friends, so I won't hide it from you, this business can make a lot of money in France. Many people in our country are counting on this transaction to make money. Moreover, I can be sure that this transaction will not have any impact on the security of your country.

You know, Turkey, although it was only allowed in the form of civil society, sent a delegation that was all Greeks, all Orthodox Christians. But Turkish officials have also made it clear that they will abide by the Olympic truce. The reason why the Turkish Sultan stepped up the training of the new army was mainly due to internal considerations, because he had offended many people by his previous reforms, and the pressure we put on him forced him to place his most elite troops away from the capital. This worried the sultan, so he asked us to help train the army. ”

"My friend, the Turkish Sultan may indeed have his own internal considerations, but if he can really solve his internal problems, it will be a danger to Christendom as a whole."

Hearing this, Talleyrand laughed: "My friend, you don't believe it yourself. The world is different now, and to be honest, in the Middle Ages, those pagans were more civilized than we were. But now, they are too far behind.

For example, what will you Russians do when you come to us? You will learn everything you can, from science to art. You will even spend a lot of money trying to get our scholars to take up positions at universities in Petersburg. But what about those Turks? How many of them are studying these in France? They just buy some weapons and go back, and then learn how to use our weapons like a black bear walks like a human. But that's all they have to offer. What threat can they pose to you from such a country?

As for saying that Turkey succeeded in reforming and then became stronger. My friend, I think that if Turkey's reforms succeed, they are in danger of perishing. Turkey is already a seriously ill patient, the means of reform are too drastic, his body bears it, and it is directly finished; If the reform is too slow, then they will be quickly disconnected in this great era of radicalism, and then they will be in danger again. Do you say? ”

Talleyrand's words did not fully convince Peter, and indeed Peter believed that even if Turkey had more new troops, it would not be able to overtake Russia in the development race, but in any case, the fact that the French helped Turkey to train its army was always not in Russia's favor.

But Peter also knew that for France, it was an opportunity to make money. Today's France, perhaps, has improved a lot elsewhere – even those who sympathize with Bourbon have to admit it; But in some virtues, it is not even as good as the Bourbon era, for example, asking for money and shamelessness. Even the allies of the French admit that the French government today will ignore nothing as soon as it hears the jingle of gold coins. So Peter also knew that it was almost impossible to get the French to abandon the deal.

But Peter must also express to the French government the displeasure of the Russian government, although this is only for the sake of making a statement. Everyone, whether it's France or Russia, doesn't care too much. However, it is still necessary to make a statement.

"Mr. Foreign Minister," said Peter, "we consider that your country's behaviour is inappropriate, that he has harmed my country's interests and that our people's feelings of friendship towards your country. We will retain the right to respond accordingly, although our commitment to the Olympic Truce will not waver. We also hope that your country will refrain from doing such things that would undermine the friendship between our two countries. ”

"I will convey your opinion to the Bonaparte consul." Talleyrand also officially returned to the Tao.

Talleyrand also understood what the Russians meant. They may make small moves on the border with Turkey, but they certainly won't escalate them into war. At least not until the Olympics.

As for after the Olympics, well, at that time, the Olympic truce had passed, and if the Russians really couldn't pull out the Turks' troops, it wouldn't be a big deal, as long as they were willing to spend money, let the French Army do it. What the? Don't have enough money? Isn't there still a bank? Well, let's not talk about money, talking about money hurts feelings, let's talk about mines and railways? Even, from the French's point of view, if the Russians could really make the Turks unable to pull out any troops, it would mean that the French could earn more, which was by no means a bad thing.

Talleyrand sent off the Russians, followed by the Austrian ambassador Metternich.

Unlike Peter, who was relatively simple, Metternich was more cunning, and his friendship with Talleyrand was deeper and more "old friends".

So, as soon as Metternich spoke, he went straight to the point.

"My old friend, I heard that you have a conspiracy with the Turks." Metternich Dao.

"I can guarantee that we and Turkey do not have any conspiracy against your country." Talleyrand replied.

"That means the conspiracy is real."

"There will always be conspiracies between nations and nations."

"Well, you have a point." "But against whom are you and the Turks plotting?" If not against us, then most likely against the Russians. However, if it is against the Russians, then the absence of our participation in this conspiracy is completely unjustified. Therefore, it is unlikely that this conspiracy is directed against Russia—ah, my old friend, you must not be fighting the idea of the Barbary pirates, right? ”

Metternich's words surprised Talleyrand, who did not expect that Metternich would even know about it. However, Talleyrand felt that Metternich should not know much, and it was probably really speculation based on certain signs. But it is also possible that the Austrians really knew something.

In fact, Talleyrand's conjecture is basically in line with the facts. Metternich's personal abilities, especially in studying the balance of power between nations, are remarkable. In its original history, after the defeat of Napoleon, Russia became the most powerful country in Europe militarily. And the military strength of Austria as a whole is equivalent to a Russian front. However, Metternich relied on very successful diplomacy to make Austria, which was not militarily prominent, the dominant power in Europe for a time. This person's sense of acuity and ability to deal with affairs are very, very outstanding.

"It's a good thing this guy isn't French, otherwise, the First Consul would have been willing to use him in place of me." For some reason, such a thought suddenly popped into Talelang's heart.

Talleyrand thought to himself. On the surface, he replied lightly: "We do have the influence of Turkey to negotiate with the Barbary pirates, demanding that they hand over the plundered French ships and crews. ”

"These Barbary pirates are just too rampant, and their actions are a serious threat to free trade. Many of our ships have also suffered huge losses as a result. It is the duty of all European countries to uphold free trade. Therefore, we also hope that we can do our part in the action to maintain free trade. ”

To say "to do what is obliged" is, of course, nonsense, because in international affairs, obligations and rights are always linked. If you have fulfilled your obligations, of course, you must share your rights. The real meaning of the Austrians is that they just want to take advantage of it.

"We're old friends now." "So, I'll tell you the truth. It is certainly a good thing that your country is willing to take on more responsibility. But I have to remind you that it also takes strength to take responsibility, and in matters involving the Barbary pirates, the forces of your navy are insufficient. ”

Austria's maritime power is not at all conspicuous among European countries, not to mention that it is not comparable to Britain and France, but it is far from Spain and the Netherlands, which are inferior to the inferior countries, and even compared with the Barbary pirates, in fact, it is far inferior.

"We certainly don't have enough boats, but we recently have an unplanned amount of money and are looking for an opportunity to make more money." Metternich said with a smile.