Chapter 1059: The first chapter that determines fate (4)
Seeing that the French Empire, which was one of the countries involved, responded with silence, Prince Metternich couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart.
Diplomatic intuition over the years told Metternich that the French Empire might make some small moves on the two principalities (Schleswig-Holstein).
As the instigator, Von Bismarck also looked at Walewski with anxiety. He knew very well that Germany's national rejuvenation was inseparable from the acquiescence of the French Empire.
Even if they attack a small country like Denmark, they still need to obtain the recognition of the vast majority of countries (especially the French Empire).
Once the French Empire united with the Kingdom of Britain to intervene in the Kingdom of Prussia like it did in 1851, von Bismarck would be powerless even if he had great abilities.
Not to mention compared to the French Empire, the current Kingdom of Prussia is still far away from itself at the same time in history.
For von Bismarck, nothing was a more complete answer than Walewski's silent attitude.
If Walewski fully agreed with von Bismarck on this issue, von Bismarck would have doubted whether Walewski had ulterior motives.
"Dear Prince!" Von Bismarck first responded to Metternich respectfully.
Then the conversation changed, his expression hardened, and his tone became particularly stern, "If the Kingdom of Denmark fulfills the promise they made to German nationalism in 1851, then I don't think any country will be willing to take action against it!
In fact, King Frederick of Denmark broke the promise he made to the German nationalists and even wanted to break the sacred treaty!"
At this point, von Bismarck turned his attention to Walewski and slowed down his speech and said, "Your Excellency Walewski, I heard that you were also present when the countries signed the Treaty of London!"
After Walewski recalled for a moment, he nodded and replied to von Bismarck, "I accompanied the special envoy to London as an assistant in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and witnessed the signing of the treaty with my own eyes!"
After von Bismarck got the result he wanted, he nodded and continued to ask, "Okay! Your Excellency Nawalewski, I would like to ask whether the Treaty of London stipulates that the principalities of Schleswig and Holstein are in
The Kingdom of Denmark enjoys a special union status!”
After Walewski thought again for a few seconds, he nodded and replied, "The Treaty of London does have such a provision. Schleswig and Holstein enjoy a special union status in the Kingdom of Denmark. At the same time, the Netherlands
The Principality of Ilstein remains a member of the German Confederation!”
"Thank you for your answer!" Von Bismarck bowed to Walewski.
Then, von Bismarck turned his attention to Prince Metternich again. Through von Bismarck's eyes, Prince Metternich saw the blazing fire hidden in von Bismarck's eyes. Now he is like a
Like a fighter about to enter a duel.
Metternich understood that the real storm had just begun now!
"Your Excellency Metternich, I would like to ask if the Kingdom of Denmark has complied with the Treaty of London signed by various countries in recent years?" Von Bismarck showed his first sword to Prince Metternich.
Prince Metternich pondered for a moment and responded calmly, "Although the Kingdom of Denmark has indeed violated the treaty on some issues in recent years, they have not completely abandoned the treaty!
Denmark still faithfully implements the provisions of the treaty!"
Metternich dismissed the Kingdom of Denmark's repeated testing of the treaty's boundary as a trivial matter, while emphasizing that the Kingdom of Denmark was still fulfilling the treaty. The purpose was naturally to weaken von Bismarck's desire to use the two principalities to stir up the German nation.
The legitimacy of ideological enthusiasm.
"Your Excellency Metternich!" Von Bismarck's expression was slightly ferocious, and his tone became increasingly high-pitched. Now he no longer seemed to be debating, but as if he was entering a battle at any time, "Your wise mind and eyes
Where have they gone? Don’t you see that Denmark is planning to completely separate Schleswig and Holstein from German territory?”
Prince Metternich responded coldly to von Bismarck, "Mr. Bismarck, the Kingdom of Denmark enjoys the right to dominate Schleswig and Holstein, and this right has been recognized by the Treaty of London!"
The Kingdom of Prussia does not seem to have the right to interfere with the treaty. You have tried so hard to use Schleswig and Holstein as excuses. You just want to use these two principalities to complete the expansion of the rights of the Kingdom of Prussia!
Your method is to destroy the existing order in Germany!"
Seeing that he could not directly refute Bismarck's views, Prince Metternich directly put the label of "disruption of order" directly on von Bismarck's head.
He wanted to use this method to arouse Walewski's dislike of the Kingdom of Prussia, thereby thwarting von Bismarck's conspiracy.
The current French Empire has transformed from a fringe member of the order to a guardian of order. In Metternich's view, maintaining the existing order has far greater benefits than disadvantages for the French Empire.
Therefore, the French Empire should defeat the Prussian Kingdom's conspiracy on this issue.
Von Bismarck, who was next to Prince Metternich, was also unsure of Walewski's attitude. He quickly explained to Walewski, "Mr. Walewski, the Kingdom of Prussia has never wanted to undermine the European order.
!
I think Schleswig and Holstein can be properly resolved, which in turn can help the French Empire establish its image as a leader across Europe!"
An interesting smile appeared on Walewski's lips, and he asked von Bismarck calmly, "Mr. Bismarck, I want to know how the two principalities of Schiller and Hole helped France establish its image as a European leader!!"
Von Bismarck said eloquently, “The reason why Schleswig and Holstein stayed in Denmark was mainly because the German nationalists were oppressed by the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Britain.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! German nationalists all hate Russia and Britain for being too partial to Denmark in this matter, thereby ignoring the appeal of 35 million people in Germany!
As long as the French Empire can uphold a neutral attitude and not favor the Kingdom of Denmark, then the French Empire can gain the gratitude of 35 million people. For this, His Majesty Jérôme Bonaparte wants to establish a European Union spanning Central and Western Europe.
It definitely helps!
If the French Empire is still worried, I can guarantee that the Kingdom of Prussia will not annex the Principality of Schleswig and Holstein!
If one day German troops occupy these two principalities, I will follow the local people's ideas and choose two monarchs to be the leaders of the principalities."
Then, Von Bismarck turned to Prince Metternich again, "Your Excellency Metternich, I just want to rescue Schleswig and Holstein from the Kingdom of Denmark. I have never thought of annexing them!"
The issue of Schleswig and Holstein should be resolved by the German Confederation itself, not by the Kingdom of Denmark!
If the Kingdom of Denmark can continue to abide by the agreement it made with the German nationalists, then we are also willing to recognize Frederick VII's right to rule the two principalities.
However, we will never allow the Kingdom of Denmark to transform the king's rule over the principality into the kingdom's rule over the principality!
This does not mean that the entire Kingdom of Denmark has become a member state of Germany and enjoys the protection of the Confederacy. Our army does not have extra troops to protect them!"
Prince Metternich knew that von Bismarck was ostensibly talking about the Kingdom of Denmark, but in fact he was alluding to the Austrian Empire's Greater Germany plan.
In the Greater Germany Plan, the Austrian Empire attempted to incorporate all of its territory into the territory of the German Confederation, so that all territories except Bohemia and Austria would enjoy the protection of the Confederate war laws.
As for the German nationalism that came with the Confederation, the Austrian Empire obviously had no intention of fully accepting it, but instead spared no effort to attack it.
Because except for the Austrian Empire, any German member state in the German Confederation can arm itself with German nationalism, only the Austrian Empire cannot do this.
Because there are not only Austrians in the Austrian Empire, the Magyars, Czechs, and Croats are also part of the Austrian Empire.
Once German nationalism rises, it will inevitably trigger ethnic conflicts within the Austrian Empire. The national enthusiasm of various ethnic groups will also be ignited, and the empire will perish in the blazing flames of nationalism.
"Mr. Bismarck, what you said is indeed very inspiring, but don't forget it!
Once the war starts, it is likely that it will not stop according to the steps we planned!" Prince Metternich responded coldly to Bismarck, "Once the German national enthusiasm is ignited, they will not satisfy Schleswig and the Netherlands.
Welstein, they will set their sights on the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Belgium, and even the Principality of Luxembourg!
The burning flame of nationalism will drive us forward, and all people and countries who dare to stand in the way will fight against us!
Prince Metternich paused and pointed at his eyes, and said in a sad tone, "I have witnessed with my own eyes the violent behavior of the fanatical French nationalists in Alsace-Lorraine. They failed to reclaim the land and robbed churches.
Overthrow the existing order and build a brand new system!
I can't see any remaining rationality from the Enlightenment era in them, only the purest remarks about national supremacy!
In the end, some of the less radical nationalists were guillotined by the more radical nationalists. After those more radical nationalists were generally disgusted by the French people, they were sent to hell by Emperor Napoleon's shotguns.
Emperor Napoleon stepped onto the stage, and reason temporarily returned to the land of France!
Mr. Bismarck, are you sure you can control this flame so that it will not burn down the entire Germany?"
