Chapter 407: Chapter 401 France and Austria Collaborate
Facing Prince Metternich’s near-provocative words, Jerome Bonaparte was not at all angry but responded to Prince Metternich in a calm yet superior tone.
"Mr. Metternich, things are not what they were decades ago! The Second Empire is not the First Empire, so there’s no need to rigidly apply the past.
Time changes, and so do the relationships between nations. I admit I do not possess the high command ability like my uncle, but I also will not wantonly ignite wars across Europe like he did."
Jerome Bonaparte paused for a moment, then continued, "The French Empire merely seeks to reclaim the glory and status it lost. Our conflict with the Russian Empire is also aimed at achieving peace for all of Europe. An aggressively expansionist empire is a great disaster for all of Europe.
Is the Austrian Empire truly willing to safeguard the interests of the Russian Empire as it did decades ago? Do the interests of the Russian Empire really align with those of the Austrian Empire? As far as I know, the Russian Empire is scheming to incite the Slavs within the Ottoman Empire to rebel against the Ottoman government.
If the Russian Empire employs the same tactics to agitate the Ukrainians, Bohemians, and Slovaks within the Austrian Empire, then how will the Austrian Empire resist them?
You are a wise man, surely you wouldn’t want to see the Austrian Empire gradually fall into the same predicament as the Ottoman Empire!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s words were like a bloodless knife, cutting open Metternich’s stomach and laying his inner thoughts bare.
It would be impossible to say Metternich was not pro-Russia, but his pro-Russian stance was also based on the premise that the Russian Empire would not deeply penetrate the Balkans.
If the Russian Empire extends its tentacles into the Balkans, the Austrian Empire will be encircled by Russia, the worst scenario being another Ottoman Empire.
Thus, throughout his life, Prince Metternich’s attitude towards the Russian Empire was one of both engagement and confrontation, using Britain to contain Russia, Russia to suppress France, then France to threaten Prussia, compelling Prussia to coordinate with Austria.
Under this theory, the Austrian Empire served as a coordinator, preventing any single party from becoming too powerful as to threaten the Austrian Empire.
Who knew a sudden Great Revolution would break all his calculations!
The threat of nationalism and the establishment of the Second Empire made this old man aware of the empire’s peril. Out of patriotism and a thirst for power, he tirelessly shuttled back and forth, aiming to regain maneuvering space for the Austrian Empire.
Now, it seems the Austrian Empire really might have no room for maneuver.
Prince Metternich’s face turned slightly pale, and after a long silence, he opened his mouth and said, "Your Majesty, I believe the cornerstone of peace in Europe lies in the balance of power among the great powers. What you are doing is disrupting the order of Europe!"
"No! Mr. Metternich, if maintaining the order of Europe means idly doing nothing or even compromising with certain nations, then I believe it is instead steering all of Europe into a larger war!" Jerome Bonaparte suddenly raised his head, spiritedly saying, "Some countries will not be satisfied with mere temporary concessions; they want more! The Vienna System you designed can no longer effectively guarantee order across Europe, and the cornerstone you speak of is precisely the culprit undermining Europe’s order.
We must take action, protect the remaining lands of Europe! Let them be safeguarded from the Russian Empire’s encroachment.
Both the Austrian Empire and the French Empire are great Catholic powers; we should unite to defend our nations’ faith!"
What an audacious usurper!
Jerome Bonaparte’s words successfully planted an image of "disrespect for God" in Metternich’s heart. It’s imaginable, as a competent political figure, one’s heart has long been filled with interests, leaving no room for God.
"Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Prince Metternich inquired of Jerome Bonaparte once again.
"Since the Vienna System is over, it’s time to establish a new system!" Jerome Bonaparte immediately brought forth his proposition: "I believe the French Empire is capable, and equally responsible, to establish a new system. In this system, nations would tolerate, benefit, and prosper with each other!"
"The Austrian Empire can also join this?" Metternich asked suspiciously.
"As a nation with quite a long history, of course, the Austrian Empire can also join!" Jerome Bonaparte unhesitatingly told Metternich: "In this system, we can coordinate with each other! We can minimize the differences between nations, and the great powers can even mutually assist, benefiting all parties!"
Jerome Bonaparte’s description of the future system bore no difference from the Vienna System previously led by Metternich, except that the leading country of the Vienna System was the Austrian Empire.
And the leading country in Jerome Bonaparte’s new system would be the French Empire, just as Jerome Bonaparte said, the French Empire is more qualified than the Austrian Empire to be the leader of the system.
After experiencing the Second Great Revolution, the Austrian Empire has already fully exposed its weakness to the great powers of Europe.
Not to mention the three major powers of England, France, and Russia, even a country like Prussia looks down on the current Austrian Empire.
In terms of national strength, the current Austrian Empire is only slightly stronger than the Kingdom of Prussia.
This slight advantage was gained after the Hesse War, which restored some face.
How can such a country maintain the position of leader of the system!
"Old! Old!" Prince Metternich shook his head and lamented to himself: "The future is yours!"
"I can assure you, as long as I remain the supreme ruler of the French Empire, I will never take action against the Austrian Empire!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Prince Metternich, "As I just mentioned, the French Empire as a Catholic great power and the Austrian Empire should join hands to help each other, rather than acting independently, leading to the gradual decline of God’s prestige..."
Jerome Bonaparte’s speech brought a smile to Metternich’s face. Although Metternich did not know how sincere Jerome Bonaparte’s words were, at least at this stage, the French Empire did not want to be an enemy of the Austrian Empire.
"The Austrian Empire also cherishes its friendship with the French Empire and is willing to work together hand in hand!" Prince Metternich replied to Jerome Bonaparte with standard diplomatic rhetoric.
Both Richard Metternich and De Luy knew that Jerome Bonaparte and Metternich had basically reached a consensus on the Russian Empire issue.
Next, the issue is whether the Austrian Empire will join the Anglo-French Alliance in declaring war on the Russian Empire.
On this issue, Prince Metternich still maintained his cautious stance, repeatedly refusing to declare war on the Russian Empire on the grounds that the Austrian Empire could not betray the Russian Empire, and only willing to remain neutral in this war, even if Jerome Bonaparte offered the Two Danube Principalities as Austrian Empire territories as a condition, Metternich still declined.
"Mr. Metternich, your neutrality is also inciting Russia’s jealousy! Rather than this, it’s better to join the war against Russia!" Jerome Bonaparte persuasively said.
"Your Majesty, the Austrian Empire has always adhered to the principle of peace... Our Majesty does not wish to break with the Russian Empire..." It was clear that Prince Metternich did not want to declare war on the Russian Empire, or at least not immediately.
If war were to be declared on the Russian Empire now, the Austrian Empire would inevitably suffer frenzied retaliation from the Russian Empire.
Only when the French Empire achieves a phased victory against the Russian Empire can the Austrian Empire issue a diplomatic note to the Russian Empire.
In this way, the Austrian Empire could take the Two Danube Principalities without much effort.
After multiple futile attempts, Jerome Bonaparte could only abandon the idea of luring the Austrian Empire to declare war on the Russian Empire prematurely, and he couldn’t help but secretly curse the old fox.
Even though Prince Metternich is now 80 years old, his wisdom has not diminished with age, but has instead become more shrewd.
He doesn’t seem at all like someone who could face senility at any moment.
After the topic of war declarations was concluded, the entire meeting shifted towards casual conversation. Prince Metternich once again took control of the topic, and Jerome Bonaparte and others listened quietly as Prince Metternich recounted stories from the era of the Great Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, whose protagonists included Emperor Napoleon, Talleyrand, and Holy King Alexander I. Now, Metternich could only recapture his former glory through some past memories.
Metternich narrated one story after another, and the sky gradually darkened. By the time Metternich noticed the time again, it was already 7 p.m.
"Alas! Old, old! Now only memories can be spoken of!" After telling the last story, Prince Metternich shook his head lightly, once again lamenting the passing of time.
Afterward, Prince Metternich and Richard Metternich took their leave of De Luy and Jerome Bonaparte.
Jerome Bonaparte and De Luy personally escorted Richard Metternich and Prince Metternich to the carriage and instructed the coachman to ensure the Metternichs’ safe arrival at their destination.
Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Jerome Bonaparte also sighed slightly and said, "Metternich, after all, has grown old!"
"Yes! We may witness the passing of a legend!" De Luy also lamented.
"However, the future belongs to our era!"