"You can be armed neutral, but you have to take a stand, that's what we and the British say! Please accept it! Although Charles was polite in words, he stood up and looked at Emperor Franz-Joseph without flinching, and it was clear that this was not a plea, but clearly contained the meaning of "You better do this". Pen % fun % Pavilion www.biquge.info

It is precisely because of Charles's attitude that Emperor Franz-Joseph looked at Charles with an angry face, he was born a prince, and it has been several years since he became the emperor of the Austrian Empire, and it has always been others who compliment him with trembling and carefully obey his orders, where has he been treated like this?

His face turned pale with rage, and Charles believed that if he had the ability, he would have dragged himself out and hanged himself.

It is a pity that he does not have the ability to do so, on the contrary, he now has a request for himself, and Charles makes it very clear that this is the opinion of England and France, and no one in Europe or even in the world can ignore it indifferently.

Moreover, he said this on purpose, he just wanted to make His Majesty the Emperor angry to his face, give him an unforgettable memory, and let him know his energy.

Because he knows that Franz Josef is definitely not a person who is self-willed, on the contrary, he can always face reality calmly and pragmatically.

In the original history, in 1866 he was defeated by Prussia, and since then he has bid farewell to Germany, and watched Prussia become the ruler of Germany, but later, he moved closer to Prussia immediately after the end of the Franco-Prussian War, and became a staunch ally of Prussia in order to counter the Russians - the embarrassment that Charles now gives the emperor cannot be more than the Prussians have given him in history.

It can be seen from this that His Majesty the Emperor will never be unaware of flexibility, but on the contrary he will succumb to pressure, and he will choose to listen to the words of those who are more powerful, and Charles is now going to cultivate this impression in the heart of His Majesty the Emperor.

After this suffocating and embarrassing silence lasted for a long time, Charles finally smiled again, and he easily spread his hand and took the initiative to make a gesture of reconciliation, "Your Majesty, I understand your current mood very well, but for various reasons, we have to do this, and I ask for your understanding. ”

His Majesty the Emperor didn't speak, just looked at him coldly, obviously still resentful in his heart, and seemed to disdain to say more to him.

However, even His Majesty the Emperor knew that in the present situation, now that Britain and France had coordinated their actions, it would be difficult for him to change anything.

Moreover, now that he had offended the Russians anyway, even if he was very angry with the French, Bonaparte and Treville, he could only endure it for the time being, and he could not offend everyone at once.

It was really uncomfortable to be tricked once, but he could only endure it for the time being.

"Admittedly, it may feel a little abrupt for us to make such a move without telling you beforehand, but I have to tell you, it is the best move for you." Charles continued unhurriedly, "Sometimes good medicine is bitter, but we can't stop drinking it because it's bitter, you say? ”

These shameless words made His Majesty the Emperor laugh angrily.

"Mr. Treville, I have to say, you've been winning for a while, and you've done a great job. So if I were you, I would rejoice in my heart and enjoy the joy of victory. "But as a cultured nobleman, I don't think I'm going to be complacent and laugh at the embarrassment of others, because it will bring me an enemy, an enemy who will always remember all this!" ”

Although he said harsh words, Charles was very happy in his heart, because he knew that His Majesty the Emperor said this, which was tantamount to admitting that he had acquiesced to reality, and only threw down a few words - and the cruel words themselves proved that His Majesty the Emperor could not do anything about himself.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I don't think I explained it to you clearly enough, so you may have misunderstood me." Charles was still smiling, "As a member of the Treville family, I certainly know what grace and respect are, and I like to do things in moderation. ”

"It's a shame you've tarnished such a good surname." His Majesty the Emperor replied coldly.

At this time, he had completely regained his original reserved indifference, as if nothing had happened, but this kind of ridicule was inevitable.

"But this is not the time for grace! We're all thinking about the bigger picture. Charr completely ignored His Majesty's sarcasm and continued. As you have seen, England and France are determined to fight for the defence of Europe and civilization, and in such a struggle they have no regard for friendship, and we need everyone to take their own stand, so that we can figure out who should be friendly and who should be attacked, and you, as the emperor of a great power, would like to know your opinion. If, at a time when we are fighting to the death to defend Europe, you choose to hide in the dark for some personal considerations, perhaps we politicians can understand your grievances, but this will deeply hurt your image among the peoples of both countries, and they will inevitably ask - why is Austria indifferent when our children are dying defending Austria? It is a difficult question for us to answer, and if public opinion turns against Austria as a result of this anger, then even if the politicians of our two countries want to continue to be friendly with Austria, they will have a lot of concern. ”

Charles said, looking at the face of His Majesty Franz-Joseph, calm and confident, "Therefore, we think that it is the best solution for you to express your position as soon as possible, and there is no doubt that you will lose the friendship of the Russians, but you can get our respect, you can get the respect of the two peoples, you can get the friendship from England and France, this friendship is, I think, more precious than the friendship of the Russians, after all, the Russians can only give others slaughter, calamity, terror and blood, And these two countries can give you all the things you need to prosper a country. ”

It was certainly not easy to say that such a thing was done without him for his own good, but Charles had no intention of convincing the other party, he just wanted the other party to do what he wanted.

"I can tell the Russians that we will continue to maintain our original policy of neutrality and will not join the ranks of their enemies." His Majesty the Emperor replied with great firmness, but was immediately relieved, "I do, however, look forward to the friendship of the peoples of England and France, and Austria is willing to wait for peace, and to build it together with the people of any friendly country. ”

"You can say anything to the Russians, it's your right, and we absolutely can't interfere with it." Charles showed no mercy, "But, by now, you should have figured out that you can't please everyone, you have to choose a side." If you continue to stick to the old ways, then our two countries will definitely not appreciate such a move, because they are already convinced that you are on our side because of your visit, and is there any benefit in doing so? You are helping the Russians with neutrality, but the Russians will definitely be angry with your neutrality, and they will still hate you in the end, what can you gain by this neutrality? Don't you see, there is not much to go in Austria now, and I am one of the people who can help Austria the most! ”

These words were unrelenting, almost a rebuke to His Majesty's face for his vain attempts to bring things to the forefront, while Emperor Franz-Joseph frowned, depressed and bitter.

It is true that he can tell the Russians the truth and show that he has no ill will at the same time, as Charles said, but what is the point? Things have come to this point, and the Russians will never like to sit on the sidelines. And Britain and France would be angry at their own capriciousness.

In any case, it is much more comfortable to be friends with Britain and France than with the Russians, as for the goodness of the Russians who saved his empire in 1848...... If you are ungrateful, what kind of emperor should you be?

After careful consideration, His Majesty Franz-Joseph finally judged the status quo and then had to admit that he really didn't have much to do now.

However, he only didn't want to give in to this young man.

"Thank you for the reminder that Austria makes its choice in accordance with its own interests and continues to have good intentions towards each country." He said coldly to Charles.

As soon as he finished speaking, he stood up and prepared to leave, because it would make him feel uncomfortable to stay here for any more second.

"Your Majesty, please do not put aside our goodwill under any circumstances." However, just as he was about to leave, Charles spoke again, "As I have just said, the Russians can only give you terror, while the French can give you other things, especially to help you make your country prosperous." What makes a country prosperous today? Industry and commerce, of course, but the French can provide you with the capital and technology to get your country to develop industry and commerce as quickly as possible. ”

This question made His Majesty the Emperor stop.

Now that industrialization is in the ascendant throughout the European continent, European countries have seen the wealth that can be gathered by the development of industry and commerce, although the so-called industrialization is a very vague concept for Franz Joseph and even the aristocratic groups around him, but this does not prevent them from wishing to develop industry and commerce.

However, there are some things that you can't just want. To develop industry, manpower, resources, markets, capital, technology and other factors are indispensable, the first three elements can be said to be not lacking in Austria, the latter two are quite weak, although the initial industrialization process has begun, but the progress is quite slow.

Both of these elements are shared in both Britain and France.

If they are willing to generously offer some kind of help...... At least the humiliation suffered today is nothing.

His Majesty the Emperor looked at Charles in disbelief, wondering if this was his personal idea or if he was representing the Emperor of the French Empire.

"Because of my position, I know many industrialists and many French bankers, some of whom have received my favors, and some of whom appreciate you very much, so they are willing to work for the friendship between the two countries, so that you can make your country prosperous as soon as possible." Charles laughed again, but there was no snarky tone in his tone at this time, "Your Majesty, I beg you not to let our good intentions be in vain......"

His Majesty the Emperor's originally stern expression slowly relaxed, and he hesitated for a moment, as if he wanted to make a choice between face and benefit, but he quickly walked back to his original seat, and then sat back.

"Can you explain this to me in detail?"

"Of course, Your Majesty." Charles nodded.

…………………………

While Charles was receiving the thunderous wrath of His Majesty the Emperor of Austria in his own home, St. Petersburg, thousands of miles away, was experiencing the same storm.

It was already afternoon because it was a few hours ahead of Paris, and the sky in Petersburg had become very dark, and dark clouds were gloomy over the land, as if to foretell a storm to come.

In the Imperial Foreign Office in Petersburg, His Excellency Carl-Robert Niechelrodie, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire, looked at the French Ambassador, Mr. de Vière, with a gloomy expression as the weather.

Born in Germany in 1780, he was already in his seventies, already senile, with gray hair and emaciated body that made him look awe-inspiring, and the medal on his chest proclaimed his master's status at a glance.

Since the middle of the Romanov dynasty, the foreign affairs of the empire have been entrusted to these professional diplomats from Germany, who, with their skill and ruthlessness, have assisted the empire in its expansion across the European continent and the whole world.

This veteran diplomat, who had served the empire for half a century, has now become the foreign minister of the empire, that is, the chief minister, and the most relied on minister of the imperial tsar, and his majesty the tsar also made him a count, making him a real imperial nobleman.

It stands to reason that he has developed great patience and composure in his career for so many years, but at this time, his original demeanor and composure have been thrown away, and anger has crawled all over his face, making him almost irrepressible.

Because, just now, the ambassador came directly to his residence to meet him, and then handed him an ultimatum.

Aside from the myriad diplomatic rhetoric, the ultimatum was clear: it declared that the French Empire could not sit idly by while the Russian Empire undermined previous agreements and peace in Europe, and demanded that the Russians immediately cease their military operations against Turkey and withdraw as quickly as possible the troops that had invaded Romania.

The ultimatum concludes by saying that if the Russian Empire does not comply with this requirement, then the French Empire will have to defend peace in Europe by force.

"Is this your ultimatum?" After a moment of patience, His Excellency's anger finally could not be suppressed, and he yelled at the ambassador opposite, "Can you make such a shameless act? ”

"Sir, we believe that this is necessary to save peace and civilization in Europe." In contrast to the anger of His Excellency the Minister, the Ambassador was much calmer, "I regret that I may have brought you unpleasant news, but, after careful consideration by my Government, we consider it necessary to take such a decisive action in defence of French and European interests. ”

The unhurried presence of the Minister, the ambassador in formal suit, calm and personable, with that almost eternal indifference, was the signal of a rupture.

"Ridiculous!" His Excellency interrupted the Ambassador, "To confront Christians for the sake of the infidels is a betrayal of God!" You will suffer the consequences of this! ”

"For us, France is God Himself, Your Excellency." The ambassador remained calm, unmoved by the minister's rants, "According to the regulations of my government, you need to give me an answer by nine o'clock this evening. ”

"I can give you an answer now, please tell you the bandit emperor." His Excellency looked at the ambassador coldly, and then slapped the ultimatum on the table, and the demeanor of a stern diplomat of many years was now visible, "Russia will serve its national interests with a resolute attitude, and it will not succumb to the threat of any country!" I have seen the end of that Napoleonic emperor, and I can witness another end! Go get your passports, I hope I'll see you in Paris next time! ”

"Well, then, I regret it, Your Excellency. I have to announce that, starting at 9 p.m., my country and your country will enter a state of war, Your Excellency. The ambassador bowed, then exited the room.