In October 1874, just as the foreign ministers of the Ming Dynasty, France, Russia, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire gathered in Vienna, a British-made Austin car slowly drove into Downing Street on the street.
Although Ming Dynasty's BMW and Maxima sedans began to pour into European countries two years ago, entrepreneurs from Britain, France, North Germany and other countries have successively invested in and established their own car companies. Austin Automobile Company is
One of them, although its performance is not as good as Daming's car, it still occupies a certain market.
When the car stopped in front of 11 Downing Street, Cummings got out of the car and walked directly into the Prime Minister's residence. Soon he entered the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
The difference from the past is that when the two of them were talking, there was no secretary nearby to record the content of the conversation. This was obviously a private conversation.
"French……"
Looking at Cummins in front of him, Benjamin Disraeli said directly,
"We have intelligence that they seem to be planning something. Is this related to the purpose of your trip?"
In fact, in the past two years, the British have been obtaining some information about the "alliance" from various aspects, but they have no idea what exactly this alliance is discussing.
There is no way, the other party's confidential information is too good. What is the core of secret diplomacy? Of course it is confidentiality.
"Yes, Mr. Prime Minister, we have intelligence that the French are building an alliance, a broad alliance against Britain!"
Cummins, as the Italian ambassador, said directly.
"We have every reason to believe that this alliance includes France, Austria-Hungary, Russia and the Ming Dynasty!"
As a country that almost became a member of the alliance, they certainly have some basic information.
What!
Benjamin Disraeli looked at Tommings in surprise, his eyes full of surprise. What was he talking about?
"You mean, these four countries are building an alliance against Britain?"
The intelligence obtained by the British was very limited. They only knew that France was easing its relations with Russia. Could it be that the Russian princess had married the French emperor? When the news came out last year, Benjamin Disraeli was
That regret, at that time, we should have made every effort to facilitate the marriage negotiations between Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Maria Alexandrovna. Now it is better. France and Russia not only eased the situation in Crimea through the marriage
The relationship was tense after the war, and it further deepened the relationship between the two.
This is definitely not good news for Britain's continental balancing policy. But they can't stop it at all. The marriage negotiations between Russia and France were carried out in secret. They didn't even wait for Alexander II to leave France last year.
Marriage negotiations have been completed. Although Princess Maria Alexandrovna was unwilling, the princess finally married into the French royal family in May this year.
France and Russia have since become allies!
On the day of their wedding, a newspaper in London even declared that this was the biggest defeat that Britain had suffered since the Napoleonic Wars!
This kind of failure of course refers to a diplomatic failure. The alliance of two continental powers was a situation that Britain had never faced before, but now, Cummings told him that the Austro-Hungarian Empire had also joined it.
It's just a bit unbelievable.
"Yes, Austria-Hungary has joined their alliance. In fact, we have received temptations in this regard before, Your Excellency Prime Minister."
Cummings looked at the British Prime Minister and said.
"But you refused!"
Staring at Cummins, Benjamin directly stated the reason why the Italian chose to refuse.
"Because of the Papal States, the French can never support your annexation of the Papal States, but for Britain, we have no objection to your annexation of the Papal States."
Many things between countries are essentially interests. The reason why Italy refused was not because of friendship, but essentially because of interests. There were fundamental differences between them and France. What did Italy want to rebuild? It was the so-called
The "Roman Empire", so what they dream of is Rome!
But now Rome belongs to the Papal States, and France is a supporter of the Papal States. It is precisely because of France's support that Italy has not been able to realize the unification they dreamed of until now. In this case, they certainly cannot compete with the French.
Reaching a certain degree of consensus together also means that they will reject certain conditions offered by the French unless the French approve their annexation of the Papal States. But France is absolutely impossible to agree. After all, for France,
The Papal States were their tool to interfere in Italy.
This is probably the fundamental reason why the Italians refused. The French did not offer a bargaining chip to make Italy's heart beat.
"So, compared to France, we are more willing to believe that Britain is our friend."
Cummings said with a smile, of course, only ghosts would believe his words, but sometimes he speaks just to deceive ghosts.
Compared to France, the British have no reason to favor the Papal States on the issue of the Papal States. Between the Papal States and Italy, they will definitely choose to support Italy.
"What are the terms offered by the French?"
"Mr. Prime Minister, you should ask how the French persuaded Russia and Austria-Hungary to join their alliance. After all, there is never a simple friendship in this world. In essence, everyone is united because of interests!"
This is the truth!
Benjamin smiled.
"Indeed, in the end everything is because of interests, well..."
After thinking for a while, Benjamin said.
"No matter what they used to convince the Russians and Austria-Hungary, it must be in exchange for something they were interested in, in exchange..."
Turning his attention to Cummins, Benjamin thought for a while and then said seriously.
"Maybe the reason why you rejected their conditions is not just because of the Papal State. There should be other reasons, right?"
Although the British did not receive details about the French intelligence, through some signals, they were still able to analyze what kind of chips they would offer.
"Libya!"
Benjamin spits out a map.
"Two years ago, the French wanted to get involved in Libya, but due to our and your opposition, they failed. Now... they must have made this request again, and now they and the Russians, Austria...
"
Suddenly, Benjamin's brows knitted together, and all his questions were answered at this moment, yes!
That's it!
At this moment, Benjamin understood what kind of chips the French used to persuade the Russians and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
“Turkey!”
Staring at Cummins, Benjamin said.
"The French are using Turkey to trade with all of you, right?"
There is no more suitable bargaining chip than Turkey. The Russians have their desire for Turkey, and Austria also has theirs.
Only common interests will bring them together. Where will they have common interests? It is only Turkey.
The French must have used Turkey as bait to extend an olive branch to them. The only question is which step did the French take?
"Mr. Prime Minister, your speculation is very accurate. Although we did not continue the in-depth discussion, they tried to use Libya to lobby us to abandon the Papal States and encourage us to turn our attention to Turkey and the wider land. Since they
They can use such conditions to induce us to make some choices, and they can also use similar conditions to persuade the Russians and Austrians. After all, they all have their own desires for Turkish land."
Cummins looked at Benjamin and asked
"The only question now is what is the UK going to do?"
Cummings looked at the British Prime Minister Benjamin in front of him with sly eyes. He seemed to be waiting for his answer.