Such a straightforward inquiry made Charles couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

To declare in front of people like myself that France should drive the Austrians out of Italy and expand their own power is completely beyond the point of provocation, let alone diplomatic etiquette.

"Thank you, sir, for your kind advice to us, and that, like your country, France will act in accordance with what she considers to be its national interest." After a long silence, he replied a little coldly, "And she will act after careful consideration, and will not act rashly." Since the Vienna Agreement, the borders of European countries have been respected enough, which is a great achievement of Princes Talleyrand and Metternich, and we should respect the toil of these two venerable predecessors, and not dismiss it lightly, right? ”

In the field of diplomacy, such a rhetorical question is actually an unkind expression.

He made it clear that he did not intend to show any favoritism between Austria and Austria, nor did he have any plans against the Austrians, much less that the Prussians were needed against the Austrians.

"Oh, sorry...... I might ...... Maybe a little excited. Bismarck smiled apologetically, "It's just our private joke, please don't take it personally." ”

This is really just a temptation.

He believed that Louis Bonaparte was hostile to the Austrians - anyone who knew Louis Bonaparte's early years would surely be able to come to the same conclusion, and that Austria had left him with some terrible wounds, even if he was essentially a less emotional politician. I must also have a bitterness in my heart.

He asked this question to see how much Louis Bonaparte's hatred had been transmitted to his assistants, and how he intended to avenge the Austrians for the harm they had inflicted on him.

Judging by the current situation. Whatever Louis Bonaparte thought, his important assistant de Treville was not interested in dealing with the Austrians, and if someone like Treville did not nod his head, then the new French top brass did not have an internal consensus on dealing with the Austrians, and the Austrians would not have been under much pressure from the French in the future, and it would be difficult for him to take the opportunity to win over France to attack Austria.

Yes, he had already decided to stand up to the Austrians in the coming delegate to the Reichstag. He vowed to let the Austrians, whose minds were still stuck 100 years ago, understand who is more representative of the Germans now.

It's a pity that the French can't be pulled over now. However, he was not discouraged, and from what he knew about Louis Bonaparte, France would sooner or later have to have a showdown with the Austrians. There must have been an opportunity for Prussia to reap the benefits - it was just a matter of waiting for time, and he could afford to wait for it.

Once he found out what he wanted to know, he didn't ask any more questions, and leisurely picked up the coffee on the table that had gradually cooled down. Shifting the topic away without a trace.

Then. Charles also understood his intentions, and secretly regretted that his reaction was a little fierce, so that he let the other party probe the bottom.

After all, isn't diplomacy the art of non-committality?

It seems that even if they boast some talent for diplomacy, they still lack composure in the face of those seasoned diplomats, and they should indeed continue to exercise. The British foreign secretary of Palmerston kept his hand because he wanted to. But in front of Bismarck, such shortcomings were exposed.

"You are indeed a very talented diplomat." He sighed softly. Then he picked up his cup and drank his coffee, "It is precisely because of a large number of strongmen like you that Prussia will have more and more weight in Europe." ”

"It's true that our country is in a good time, but we still have a long way to go before we can grow enough to keep up with a country like France." Bismarck replied not only modestly, "Your country has gone too far at sea, and has a vast colony that we could not even imagine us, and I doubt that we will not be able to have such a large territory even in 100 years." ”

In the original history, by 1951, 100 years later, Germany did not even keep its own land, let alone colonies, the Soviet Union and the Western Allies divided and occupied Germany, and Bismarck's beloved Pomerania and East Prussia also fell into the hands of the Poles, where the Germans were driven away, and even Königsberg became the land of the Russians.

Elsewhere in East Germany, large numbers of Junker landlords were driven out or even executed, and their estates were divided by the Soviet Union and given to local peasants, including the descendants of Mr. Bismarck......

It took Charles a great deal of effort to resist the urge to tell Bismarck about it as a joke, for it was cruel and rude.

"That's right...... France has vast colonies, but isn't the European territory a hundred times more profitable and rich than the colonies? In order to make up for the defeat in the confrontation just now, he deliberately made his expression a little sharper, "You just said that your ambitions are limited, and you only seek a position in Germany-I believe in your sincerity, but isn't that already remarkable?" Even if Prussia were to turn the Customs Union into a tight-knit political entity, as you argue, it would dramatically alter the face of Europe, if not subvert it. And France, at that time, I don't think it will be able to stand alone. ”

This sudden blow made Bismarck instantly become a little stunned, his hand shook slightly, and then quickly put the coffee back on the table, but it was still some shaken out and splashed on the table.

"You...... You...... That's a bit of an exaggeration. He smiled reluctantly.

"Isn't it your consistent idea to change the Customs Union from an economic union into a political union, and then into a political entity with Prussia as the main body?" Charles asked rhetorically, looking surprised.

Damn, how did this guy know me so well? Have the French been so meticulous in their observation of Prussia and so penetrating into it? That's not good news.

Attacked from an unexpected place, Bismarck was unusually nervous. Although on the surface it is still extremely calm.

"That's my opinion, but I'm afraid you're taking it too seriously...... I just want the German states to be more closely linked. You see, this maximizes the degree of ties between the German states. Reducing the risk of war between them is also more conducive to maintaining peace in Europe......"

"You are right, your vision will certainly be conducive to the maintenance of peace in Europe." Charles nodded, "However, that kind of peace will be a peace that is not good for France......"

"How is that possible?" Bismarck was shocked again and quickly denied it.

"How could it not be?" Charles frowned, "Look. At this time, Prussia had twenty-four million people, even excluding Austria. Add to the other German states, which I may call 'your Germany', and there are already 345 million people, right? ”

"Hmm......" Bismarck tried to say something, but this time Charles raised his hand to stop him. And now. I can tell you that France has only 35 million people, which means that since the terrible tragedy of 1618, the total population of the German Confederation has historically equaled that of France. Moreover, I believe that in terms of the population growth rate of your country and that of other German states, it is only a matter of time before France surpasses that of France in the future. I don't know if you agree with me? ”

You French indulge in pleasure rather than procreation, and become weakened and decadent in indulgence. It's your own choice, so what's wrong with me? Bismarck asked rhetorically.

"I want to ...... You're right. ”

"In this case. France's economic advantage is also not very solid, because Germany is also developing, so in the case of population catch-up, as long as it increases the output of each person to a certain extent, then its economic power to catch up with France is also only a matter of time. Charles looked at the other man quietly, and there was no emotion in his tone, "And you, judging from your claims, you must want Germany to surpass France in economic power, right?" ”

It turns out that there are still such understanding people among the French?

If you're lucky, but I don't know what you'll do?

Bismarck sneered inwardly.

"Every patriot wants his country's economy to prosper more and more, and it is not our goal to catch up with and surpass whom, we just want every citizen to live a good life, just like the French." He gave a cautious answer.

"I can understand your thoughts, so I'm just going to say it casually." Charles nodded, "So you see, the Prussians are not as weak as you say, but even vigorous and soaring. In that case, will you put less pressure on us than the Austrians? No...... I think it's pretty much the same, so I can't make my own choice in Germany's internal affairs, so I can only choose to sit on the sidelines. ”

"We have a lot of goodwill towards France, and we don't have any historical grudges." Bismarck hastened to confess, "Although we were at war a few decades ago, we have full respect for His Majesty the Emperor, and we have no intention of offending the dignity of the French. ”

"I believe in the good intentions of the Prussians, but didn't you just say that? Peace cannot be built on goodwill, but on a balance of strength, and if you conceive of a Germany that surpasses France, then whether it has good intentions or not, does it not cast the same shadow and pressure on France? ”

Charles asked rhetorically.

When he used Bismarck's words just now to attack the other party, even Bismarck felt a little unbearable.

"You...... ...... you," he tried to answer several times, but couldn't figure out what to say.

Did he tell Charles that he didn't intend to make Germany as powerful as France, or even more powerful? No, it's impossible for anyone to believe either.

Besides, that was what he had planned.

He did not expect that today he would be able to meet a French dignitary who thought that Prussia was a greater threat to France than Austria, nor did he expect that this young man would know so much about himself, who was still unknown in the European diplomatic circles, so he did not have much preparation in advance.

"Oh, sorry! Look, where have I been! Seeing Bismarck's somewhat embarrassed appearance, Charles seemed to react, and smiled apologetically, "I'm a person, sometimes it's just a little divergent, and when I chat, I talk about the boundless place, sorry...... Thank you for your understanding. ”

When Charles said this, Bismarck finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"You...... You're a bit aggressive, but you're still young, and after all, I'm so often outspoken. So I was able to understand your ......"

"That would be great. As long as there is mutual understanding, I think that the goodwill between France and Prussia is not difficult to achieve. Charles looked relieved, too.

So, the two of them tacitly changed the subject and moved on to other places, and the argument just now was deliberately bridged invisibly.

After talking for a while, Bismarck said goodbye. "I'm sorry sir, I'm afraid I've delayed you enough today......"

After repeated attempts to keep him, Charles had no choice but to bid him farewell.

"Mr. Treville, you've really given me a big blow." As he was about to say goodbye, Bismarck looked at him quite seriously.

"Hopefully I'll make a good impression on you." Charles just smiled slightly.

"The impression is very good, and I now believe that you are the national dignitary that France will need for many years to come." Bismarck replied at once, "In the same way, you have convinced me that Franco-Prussian friendship is not only beneficial, but necessary. ”

"I'm the same, Mr. Bismarck. Your country is thriving now, so the blood is strong. Although it was once one step behind, it has now risen proudly and has come to the top of the European arena to compete for its own place...... I understand your country's desire to expand, so I don't want you to misunderstand me. Charles smiled rather reservedly, "Truly, I have a very good impression of Prussia, and I deeply hope that the Franco-Prussian friendship will be maintained." ”

"I assure you that I am a dedicated Francophile who wants nothing more than to preserve the peaceful coexistence between France and Prussia, and for Germany to live peacefully with France." Bismarck straightened up and stretched out his hand on his own initiative.

"I also assure you that I am a man who has a good impression of German culture and Germans," Charles likewise shook his hand. "France will do God's command and be friendly with her allies."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye." (To be continued......)