Faced with Prince Metternich's almost provocative words, Jerome Bonaparte was not angry at all, but responded to Prince Metternich in a calm but condescending tone.
"Mr. Metternich, this is no longer a few decades ago! The Second Empire is not the First Empire either, so there is no need to copy it mechanically.
Time is changing, and the relationship between countries is also changing. I admit that I do not have the superb commanding ability like my uncle, but I will not wantonly provoke a war across Europe like my uncle."
Jérôme Bonaparte paused and then said: "The French Empire just wants to regain its lost glory and status. The war between us and the Russian Empire is also to achieve peace throughout Europe. An aggressive country
The empire was a huge disaster for all of Europe.
Is the Austrian Empire now really willing to safeguard the interests of the Russian Empire as it was a few decades ago? Are the interests of the Russian Empire really consistent with the interests of the Austrian Empire? As far as I know, the Russian Empire is deliberately plotting against the Slavs in the Ottoman Empire
Resistance against the Ottoman government.
If the Russian Empire also uses this method to provoke the Ukrainians, Bohemians, and Slovaks in the Austrian Empire, then what method should the Austrian Empire use to resist them!
You are a wise man, and you probably don’t want to see the Austrian Empire gradually decline into the Ottoman Empire!”
Jérôme Bonaparte's words were like a knife that killed without blood, directly cutting open Metternich's belly and revealing Metternich's inner thoughts.
It is impossible to say that Metternich was not pro-Russian, but Metternich's pro-Russian presupposition was that the Russian Empire did not penetrate deep into the Balkans.
Once the Russian Empire's tentacles reach deep into the Balkans, the Austrian Empire will be trapped in Russia's encirclement network, and the worst outcome would be a second Ottoman Empire.
Therefore, Prince Metternich's attitude towards the Russian Empire throughout his life was to fight and fight, using Britain to contain Russia, Russia to suppress France, and then France to threaten Prussia, forcing Prussia to coordinate actions with Austria.
Under this theory, the Austrian Empire acted as a coordinator to prevent either party from becoming too powerful and threatening the Austrian Empire.
Who knew that a sudden revolution would destroy all his plans!
The threat of nationalism and the establishment of the Second Empire made this old man aware of the danger of the empire. Based on his patriot enthusiasm and desire for power, he worked tirelessly back and forth in order to give the Austrian Empire a space for mediation again.
Now it seems that the Austrian Empire may really have no chance to mediate.
Prince Metternich's face turned slightly pale, and he spoke after a while: "Your Majesty, I believe that the cornerstone of peace in Europe lies in the balance of power between the major powers. By doing this, you are destroying the order of the entire Europe!"
"No! Mr. Metternich, if protecting the European order is just doing nothing or even compromising with certain countries, then I think it is pushing the entire Europe into a bigger war!" Gérault
M. Bonaparte suddenly raised his head and said with high spirits: "Some countries will not be satisfied with temporary compromise at all, they want more! The Vienna system you designed can no longer effectively guarantee order throughout Europe.
, the cornerstone you speak of is precisely the chief culprit in destroying the European order.
We must act to protect the remaining lands of Europe! Protect them from the Russian Empire.
The Austrian Empire and the French Empire are both great Catholic countries, and we should join hands to protect the country’s faith!”
What a shameless arrogant person!
Jérôme Bonaparte's words successfully left an image of "disrespecting God" in Metternich's heart. Think about it, as a qualified political figure whose heart has long been filled with interests, how could he still leave an impression on God?
What space.
"Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Prince Metternich asked Jerome Bonaparte again.
"Now that the Vienna System has ended, it is time to establish a brand new system!" Jerome Bonaparte immediately said: "I think the French Empire has the ability and the responsibility to establish a brand new system. In this
In the system, all countries are tolerant of each other, mutually beneficial and win-win!"
"Can the Austrian Empire also join it?" Metternich asked suspiciously.
"As a big country with a long history, the Austrian Empire can certainly join it!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Metternich without hesitation: "In this system, we can coordinate with each other! As much as possible
By eliminating the differences between countries, major countries can even help each other and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results!"
Jerome Bonaparte's description of the future system was no different from the previous Vienna system led by Metternich, except that the leading country in the Vienna system was the Austrian Empire.
The leader of the new system in Jérôme Bonaparte's words was the French Empire. Just as Jérôme Bonaparte said, the French Empire was more qualified to be the leader of the system than the Austrian Empire.
The Austrian Empire, which had experienced the Second Great Revolution, had completely displayed its weak side in front of the European powers.
Not to mention the three great powers of Britain, France and Russia, even countries like Prussia look 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 line is still the face saved after the Hessian War.
How can a country like this maintain its position as the leader of the system?
"Old! Old!" Prince Metternich shook his head and sighed to himself: "The future is your world!"
"I can assure you that as long as I am 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 said
In that way, the French Empire and the Austrian Empire, as major Catholic countries, should join hands to help each other instead of working independently. As a result, the prestige of God will gradually decline..."
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 France
The Empire did not want to be an enemy of the Austrian Empire.
"The Austrian Empire is also willing to cherish its friendship with the French Empire and is willing to work hand in hand with France!" Prince Metternich also responded to Jerome Bonaparte using standard diplomatic language.
Both Richard Metternich and De Ruys knew that Jerome Bonaparte and Metternich had basically reached a consensus on the issue of the Russian Empire.
Next, there is the question of whether the Austrian Empire will join the Anglo-French Alliance and declare war on the Russian Empire.
On this issue, Prince Metternich still maintained a posture of not seeing the rabbit but not the hawk. He repeatedly refused to declare war on the Russian Empire on the grounds that the Austrian Empire could not betray the Russian Empire, and was only willing to remain neutral in this war, even if Gérault
M. Bonaparte made the condition that the two Danube principalities be classified as the territory of the Austrian Empire, but Metternich also refused.
"Mr. Metternich, your neutrality has also aroused the jealousy of Russia! Instead of doing this, it is better to join the war against Russia!" Jérôme Bonaparte said in a persuasive way.
"Your Majesty, the Austrian Empire has always adhered to the principle of peace... Our Majesty is unwilling to break with the Russian Empire..." Prince Metternich was obviously unwilling to declare war on the Russian Empire, or to declare war on the Russian Empire immediately.
If we declare war on the Russian Empire now, the Austrian Empire will inevitably suffer crazy revenge from the Russian Empire.
Only when the French Empire achieves a staged victory over the Russian Empire can the Austrian Empire issue a letter of intent to the Russian Empire.
In this case, the Austrian Empire would be able to take over the two Danube principalities without any effort.
After many attempts to no avail, Jérôme Bonaparte could only give up the idea of inducing the Austrian Empire to declare war on the Russian Empire in advance, and could not help but secretly curse an old fox.
Even though Prince Metternich is now 80 years old, his wisdom has not decreased with age, but has become more sophisticated.
He doesn't look like a guy who may face Alzheimer's disease at any time.
After the topic of declaration of war was terminated, the entire conversation moved towards small talk. Prince Metternich once again took the lead in the topic. Jerome Bonaparte and others quietly listened to Prince Metternich's talk about the Great Revolution and the Napoleonic War.
The protagonists of these stories include Emperor Napoleon, Talleyrand, the Holy King Alexander I, and now Metternich. Only through some memories of the past can we regain the style of the past.
Metternich told one story after another, and the sky gradually got later. When Metternich noticed the time again, it was already seven o'clock in the evening.
"Alas! I'm old! I'm old! All that's left now is memories!" After telling the last story, Prince Metternich shook his head gently, lamenting once again the passage of time.
Then, Prince Metternich and Richard Metternich bid farewell to De Ruys and Jérôme Bonaparte.
Jérôme Bonaparte and De Ruys personally sent Richard Metternich and Prince Metternich to the carriage, and told the coachman to deliver Metternich and his son safely to their destination.
Looking at the carriage disappearing into the question, Jerome Bonaparte also sighed slightly and said: "Metternich is old after all!"
"Yes! We may have to witness the death of a legend!" De Ruys also sighed with emotion.
