With a "whew", Borone stood up and said sharply: "Your Highness! I repeat: the government of the French Empire upholds absolute neutrality in the dispute between Prussia and Austria, and there is absolutely no situation where Zài takes sides over one side or the other! When you say that, you are ...... to the French Empire"

Before he finished speaking, there was a "click" sound, Guan Zhuofan held his right hand weakly, and knocked it heavily on the table with the knuckles of his index finger and middle finger, and said: "Mr. Acting Minister Counselor!" Please check your movements and tone! Don't forget who you are, don't forget who you're talking to! ”

Hearing such a strange title as "Mr. Acting Minister Counselor", Borone's face suddenly turned purple, and he couldn't bear it, so he was about to brush his sleeves away.

It took a lot of effort for him to finally control his impulse, his chest rose and fell, he let out a long breath, and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, I apologize for my gaffe, but—"

After a pause, he exhaled again: "I hope that the Chinese government can reconsider its statement on the Austro-Prussian dispute......"

Guan Zhuofan waved his hand and said in a loud voice: "This is impossible-your envoy is too whimsical!" In addition, I would like to send you a sentence from the ancient Chinese sage Mencius - 'There is much help for the righteous, but little help for the unjust'! Prussia and Austria rivaled, and in Europe, Italy and Prussia were allied; In Asia, China supported Prussia - I can't think of any country other than the German Confederation that was openly supporting Austria? ”

The words "show the carriage and horses" were an allusion to France's favor for Austria, but it could not be made public, Borone naturally heard it, and he said with a gloomy face: "I'm afraid Italy won't be able to help Prussia - it's good not to help!" The Francisco-Austro-Prussian controversy. The final winner. It must be Austria! Your Highness. When the time comes, China will lose face, and you should plan well for your country. ”

"The soldiers are in danger," Guan Zhuofan said coldly, "Who will say who will win or lose?" I don't know which one will lose face when I get it! I would like to send you another Chinese proverb - 'ride a donkey to read the record book, and see as you walk'! ”

*

*

The next day, the military aircraft department "called". The meeting between Borone and Guan Zhuofan naturally became the focus of discussion among the monarchs and ministers.

"This matter," Cixi frowned slightly, "why are the French so energetic?" Jumping up and down, they all have ideas that don't care about the system! ”

"Back to the Queen Mother," Guan Zhuofan said, "there are roughly two reasons here. The first, Austria and Prussia, although both Germans, were also continental powers. But Austria was declining, and Prussia was in the ascendant. France is the largest country in Europe. In the minds of the French monarchs, Austria has long been not worried, but no matter how big Prussia is, it is possible to compete with France for the short and long, so if Prussia and Austria compete, France will support Austria and Austria. ”

Cixi nodded and said, "That's the reason. Well, what about the second reason? ”

"Back to the Queen Mother, this second reason is quite related to Italy."

"Not long ago, Italy was still divided, and now the whole country is barely pinched together, but the two most important places in the country are still in the hands of others. One is Venice, which is now in the hands of Austria ......"

Speaking of this, Ci'an let out an "ah" and interjected: "No wonder! I mean...... Italy, why help Prussia and fight that Austria! ”

Guan Zhuofan smiled slightly and said, "Queen Mother Shengming! Italy thought that if it had defeated Austria, it would be able to take back Venice. ”

After a pause, he continued: "Another place, called Rome, is in the hands of the French. ”

The queen mother of the two palaces, involuntarily, said softly "huh" together, which was quite unexpected.

"Rome," said Guan Zhuofan, "is a 'state within a state', and has always been under the rule of the pope......

"'The Pope'?" It was Cixi who interrupted Guan Zhuofan this time, "Is it the head of the missionaries?" ”

"Exactly."

Cixi nodded: "Go on." ”

"Yes. When Italy was torn apart, there was no way to take the pope, and now the country is unified, and Rome is still in the hands of others, but I can't stand it! If it was just the Pope's family, the Italians would have taken Rome back long ago, but the French supported the Pope and had a large army stationed in Rome, and the Italians were helpless for a while. ”

"I understand," said Cixi, "that if Austria loses, Venice will naturally be taken back by Italy, and this 'Rome' will certainly be implicated!" When the time comes, it is difficult to say whether the French will be able to keep Rome for the 'pope'! Therefore, the French were single-minded, hoping that Austria would win and Prussia would lose. ”

"Queen Mother Shengming, I understand the painting!"

Cixi was proud, suddenly remembered something, and said: "I remember, as you said before, Catholicism in China, if there is any conflict with us, all the negotiations will be handled by the French Legation, right?" ”

"Yes."

"I say, how can a Catholic wear a pair of pants with a Frenchman? -- The roots were originally in Rome, Italy! ”

The associational power of the royal sister, Guan Zhuofan can't help but admire it.

"Yes, Queen Mother Shengming!"

Cixi thought for a moment and asked, "What is the geographical location of Prussia, Austria, and Italy?" ”

"Back to the Queen Mother, Austria is in the middle, Prussia is in the north of Austria, and Italy is in the south of Austria."

"Ah, that's the situation of the north-south attack."

As soon as Cixi's voice fell, Ci'an said happily: "It's two to one again, and it's the north and south again, I think, Austria has lost, Prussia and Italy have won!" ”

"After returning to the queen mother," said Kwan Zhuofan, "Prussia can win, Italy—well, it's hard to say." ”

Ci'an was stunned: "Why is that?" ”

Guan Zhuofan smiled slightly bitterly and said: "Italians are casual by nature, and they can't fight any tough battles. In this respect, the Italians were far inferior to the Prussians, and even the Austrians, who were not as strong as before, but were still Germans! Therefore, the minister thought that the winner of the war between Austria and Italy would probably be Austria, not Italy. ”

"Huh?"

Ci'an Ying's lips opened slightly, and she froze for a moment before she said, "That'...... Didn't that Boronnet say yes, uh, what's 'Italy probably won't be able to help Prussia - it's good not to help'? ”

"Yes, although Borone is domineering, he agrees with his views on Italy."

"What if...... Italy is really useless," Cixi frowned slightly, "then, the battle between Prussia and Austria ......"

"Please rest assured that the Queen Mother of the Two Palaces," Guan Zhuofan said, "The battle between Pu and Austria will focus on the northern front, not on the southern front. Italy wins or loses, it doesn't matter. Besides, even if Italy lost, it would be able to contain a little Austrian troops, and it would be of some help to Prussia. ”

After a pause, he said in a very positive voice: "This battle between Prussia, Italy, and Austria must be resolved quickly and will not be delayed for long. Italy was no match for Austria, and Austria was no match for Prussia, and this situation will soon become clear. In this battle, the ministers dare to pack tickets, and the final winner must be Prussia! ”

The brows of the two royal sisters furrowed.

"As for Italy, even if it loses to Austria on the battlefield, but Austria is defeated by Prussia, Italy borrows the light of Prussia's defeat, and Venice will probably be able to recover it! Even Rome, when the time comes, the shape is stronger than the people, and the French may not be able to keep the Pope for long - it would be nice to keep half of it! ”

*(To be continued......)