The second more

"I really didn't expect that Gochakov would stand up so rashly, I thought Russia would choose to be silent."

Standing in the wilderness, the yellow vines rolling over his knees, Napoleon looked up at the Alps in the distance, and said blandly, "It is best for them to watch the excitement." Even if Germany's rise is unstoppable, it is not a problem that Tsarist Russia can solve. ”

Foreign Secretary Russell, who had traveled a long way from England, did not go to Berlin immediately, but made a short stop here in Paris. However, Napoleon insisted on going to Alsace and invited Russell to go with him.

Although he didn't know what the little man next to him who was once taller than the Alps, he was now thinking about what he was thinking. But Russell readily agreed, because he came with a mission that the next time the Franco-German war broke out, the British would stand firmly on the side of Paris.

"Then what did His Excellency President Napoleon ask me to go to the border? Witnessing the battle for yourself? ”

Russell squatted down, broke off a weed and held it in his hand, and said with a smile, "As long as the German army does not press the border, we will only pay lip service to political allies at best." ”

"It's enough to have a verbal ally."

Napoleon turned abruptly and said to Russell, "Even a verbal promise would give Bismarck a great headache." Because he had no idea what would lead to another rash war. ”

"You can go back and report to Prime Minister Gladstone that France has no intention of revenge, and it has no strength to take revenge."

While talking, the two left the countryside and re-embarked on the carriage.

Russell would never believe that France did not have revenge.

Russell pretended to test the other party, he said, "Although Germany's army strength ranks first in Europe, and France was broken in the Franco-Prussian War, you still maintain a considerable advantage, and it would be an exaggeration to say that you have no ability to take revenge, right?" ”

Napoleon looked at the man in front of him, and he sensed a tentative hint in the other man's tone. England was the country that did not want France to take revenge, and it was not good for him to win or lose.

Napoleon honestly admitted, "Indeed, there is no capacity for revenge." After these battles, although there was no heavy loss in strength, Germany had replaced France as the first power on the European continent. It won't be long before they will challenge the order of the continent. ”

Listening to Napoleon's words, Russell slowly fell into deep thought. He knew that the claims were not groundless, and that he could clearly sense the growing hostility of Germany.

The first thing a country that has the hostility of Europe but no colonies will have to do is to seize the colonies, and if Bismarck does not stop Britain from attacking France, then no one will stand up and speak for him next time he attacks Britain.

Russell, who suddenly came to his senses, was surprised to find that he was getting closer and closer to the German border. Although the two sides were in a state of "sit-down battle", no one dared to guarantee that a single artillery fire would not bury him in Alsace.

Russell poked his head out and found him followed by an infantry regiment armed to the teeth, and the French tricolor fluttering in the wind, escorting him to unknown territory as if in an orderly manner.

And in the tricolor, there is also the flag of Great Britain mixed in.

He was getting farther and farther away from Alsace and closer to the German border.

"Your Majesty Napoleon, where are you sending me?"

Russell turned his head uneasily and looked at Napoleon, who was sitting diagonally across from him, with a horrified expression.

However, the reply was a mysterious smile from the other party.

"Your Excellency Russell, you'll find out soon."

Prince Frederick originally thought that Bismarck would support his arbitrary claims, but he did not expect that what he was waiting for was a severe reprimand, and because of the relationship between the crown prince and cousins, he did not immediately remove Prince Frederick, but let him stay where he was, and sent another marshal to replace him. And when it comes to combat bravery, Bidian Fürth is also the best candidate, and he is more calm and experienced than the former.

The originally noisy border line calmed down under the unilateral pressure of Germany, and it no longer casually provoked the French border with artillery fire. But for Napoleon, this peace was very unpleasant.

If he did not provoke war, Napoleon would not have been able to unite other countries to suppress Germany, and Wilhelm I would not have forced Bismarck to recuperate at the Val Ching estate.

Soon, however, Prince Frederick received information from the front that a regular French army was approaching the border, as if to support the Alsatian legions, and Frederick was particularly excited to hear this, because it meant that France would really take the lead in the war, as he expected.

"Interesting, interesting, I wonder how dare these French cowards provoke a war."

Ignoring his position as commander and the dissuasion of others, he immediately went to the border of Alsace. Because the two sides were in a state of ceasefire at this time, he was not afraid that artillery would fall on his head, but it was still an excellent opportunity to observe the French army up close.

However, when he reached the border, he was a little stunned.

A French legion, very different from the Franco-Prussian War, was presented. The orderly march is like the Imperial Eagle pressing Alsace, no longer the undisciplined and unsympathetic troops of 1870. They still had in their hands the Chasebo rifles that terrified the Germans!

Advancing closer to Alsace expresses the determination of Paris that he will not cede an inch of territory to Germany!

What frightened Prince Frederick the most was not only the tricolor flag of the French, but also the distinctive red rice flag of Great Britain.

Prince Frederick's interest was dispelled at this moment.

"British?"

"Could it be that France has colluded with Britain to form an Anglo-French alliance?"

Even if Prince Frederick could ignore the French army, his arrogance was immediately suppressed in the face of a Britain that had just completed reforms and had the world's largest navy.

"Damn, it's a trap!"

Frederick threw down his hat fiercely, and he said frantically, "When will the anti-German coalition be formed?" Is this to force Berlin to death? What are you doing in a daze, hurry up and report to Berlin! ”

However, the so-called anti-German coalition was nothing more than Napoleon raising a few flags in the French army, and the British were not generous enough to use their land forces to help France defend against the invaders. Napoleon could not give them the royal title of the British Army, otherwise they would have landed on the French mainland as British volunteers to assist in the war, even if they disobeyed the order.

On second thought, Minister Russell finally understood what was happening, and the French had forced Britain to have no way out. The British could not deny that they were in alliance with France, and had to do so for the sake of their interests, so the more important question arose. How will Prime Minister Gladstone explain to Berlin that they are only political partners, not military allies? The Germans had already seen the red flag raised high, and no matter how much Russell explained it to Chancellor Bismarck, he could only get suspicious glances.

Russell sighed and said, "If Your Excellency Napoleon did this, wouldn't he be afraid that Britain would backtrack and choose to stand idly by?" ”

"No, you're not going to sit idly by."

Napoleon said, "British diplomacy is now to maintain the balance of power between France and Germany, and not to allow war to break out on either side." This is in line with your continental balance policy, because the next war will be the end of France or the collapse of Germany. Prime Minister Gladstone can't afford to make such a big bet. ”

Napoleon held the British's grip tightly, and of course he dared to say these words without fear.

Russell was speechless, and when he looked into Napoleon's eyes, it was as if he were looking at a monster.

He was horrified by the other party's analysis of the big picture, because every word he said was Gladstone's advice and the main points. Even if France provoked a conflict along the border, it would ultimately be up to Britain and Russia to settle the dispute.

"Chancellor Russell, there is the last unclosed gateway to Germany, and I will send you here. By the way, I have arranged all your entourage to enter Germany from other places. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage stopped moving, Napoleon pushed open the door, and a bridge appeared in front of Russell, and at the other end of the bridge, Germany.

Even faintly saw the German troops waiting for the other end of the river bank in the distance.

France arranged a wonderful scene for him, and the Minister Russell sighed and said, "Goodbye, Your Excellency Napoleon." ”

"Goodbye, Minister Russell."

He put on his hat and walked towards the border crossing, all the way full of hurried Germans, fleeing in the direction of Germany in a panic.

Alsace, which had not been quiet for a few days, was once again filled with gunsmoke.

This is the first time Russell has visited Germany in such a unique way.

Russell, who was speechless, could only smile bitterly and laugh at himself, then picked up his luggage and walked slowly forward along the dusty road alone.

"Minister Russell."

A voice came from behind him, and Napoleon stopped him from behind.

Russell turned his head and saw the other man waving goodbye to him.

Napoleon calmly said to Minister Russell, who was standing in front of the German line, "Beyond this line is Germany, you are the British ambassador, Frederick does not dare to do anything to you." If you meet Prince Frederick on the way, please ask him to pass on a word. ”

"The war has begun, and even if the French army dies in battle, it will never cede Alsace to Germany!"

The wind brought every word to Russell's ears, and looking at that expressionless face, he felt a chill from the depths of his heart.

"Absolutely not!"