Chapter 752: Empire House of Cards (Fourth update, please subscribe)

"Austria-Hungary!"

After spitting out these words, Benjamin said.

"In this alliance, the two with the biggest differences are Austria and Russia. In order to justify its foreign aggression and expansion, Russia often uses the Slavs as an excuse, often instigating and inciting the Slavs in the Ottoman Empire and Eastern Europe to cause trouble, and then taking the opportunity to send troops to expand in the name of "liberating the Slavs" and "protecting Orthodox Christians."

Holding the cigar, Benjamin sneered.

"However, half of the people in the Austrian Empire were Slavs, and the ruling groups were Germans and Hungarians, who recklessly excluded and suppressed the Slavs. Under such circumstances, Austria, including the Austro-Hungarian Empire that was later formed, had to be more cautious against Russia. They were worried that Russia would use the excuse of protecting the Slavic independence movement to break into Central Europe and overthrow the empire. If so, the whole of Europe might belong to Russia. The conflict between Russia and Austria over the Slavs continued to intensify, and the relationship continued to deteriorate. This is also the fundamental reason why Austria stood on our side in the Crimean War."

The reason why the UK has been able to implement its balancing policy in Europe is that it has used the contradictions between European countries to serve its real European policy. The contradictions and conflicts between European countries have existed for a long time and are even irreconcilable.

Is this also the fundamental reason why even if European countries understand Britain’s conspiracy, they are willing to be driven by it?

"So, do we need to intensify the conflict between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Russian Empire?"

"Yes, only by making full use of the contradictions between European countries and putting aside their differences can we create a divided Europe."

"That's the Balkans! Although Austria's desire for invasion and expansion in the Balkans is far less than Russia's, the reorganized Austro-Hungarian Empire has begun to turn its attention back to the Balkans in order to regain its status as a great power. And Russia has long coveted the Balkans."

Stanley thought for a moment, then spoke.

"We can incite conflict between the two countries over the Balkan issue. Perhaps, we can support Austria in occupying the Balkans. Once it occupies the Balkans, the conflict between Austria and Russia will be intensified. This will be our chance to disintegrate the 'Four Emperors' Alliance'."

Benjamin nodded and said.

"A Balkan region could not only trigger a war between Russia and Austria, but the large number of Slavs in the Balkans would only increase divisions within Austria. Even if Austria wins the war with our support, it will not be able to rise and threaten our interests in the Mediterranean. After all, internal chaos will restrict Austria's development."

It must be said that Benjamin, as the Prime Minister of the British Empire, was definitely an extremely outstanding politician. He had a sharp vision. He could not only see that the Balkans could pry open the relationship between Austria and Russia, but also that the Balkans were a poison to Austria! Not only would it not strengthen his power, it would even drag him down.

"And Turkey?"

Alexander, as Minister of the Navy, asked: after all, the Balkans belonged to Türkiye.

"Turkey is just Turkey."

In the political games of big countries, small countries are always betrayed. Of course, they are also sacrificed. No big country will care about their interests. Even if they say they are friendly, they will betray each other at any time when needed.

"If successful, the 'Four Emperors' Alliance' will become the 'Two Emperors' Alliance', and France and Ming... will be nothing more than threats!"

Benjamin finally smiled, smoking his cigar with some pride. How could he not be proud? Because at this moment, the most difficult problem faced by the British Empire in recent decades was solved.

"But all this takes time. We still have to solve the problem in Tokyo."

Stanley got back to the point again.

"Your Excellency, Prime Minister, we have received a diplomatic note from the Ming Empire. The Ming Empire has decided to file a complaint with the International Court of Justice regarding the massive casualties of Japanese civilians caused by the invasion of its vassal states by Britain and the United States."

The law of nations is not as good as a number of cannons. Such accusations are certainly meaningless, but what the great powers need is not only the threat of force, they also need support from public opinion.

"International Court?"

Benjamin's brows immediately frowned, and then he spoke.

"Did we kill the Japanese empress?"

Over the past period of time, newspapers in many European countries have reported the tragic death of the Japanese empress, including British newspapers. Perhaps few people really care about Japan, but the death of the empress has indeed caused the Royal Navy and the British government to suffer unprecedented accusations. After all, such humiliating killing is simply a test of human moral bottom line.

Moreover, they claim to be a civilized world.

What kind of atrocities did the armies of the civilized world commit in Japan?

It was killing women, killing babies, and arbitrary massacres of the people. It is even conceivable that in the near future, when the Japanese issue is submitted to the International Court of Justice for discussion, all British newspapers will publish the atrocities committed by the British army in Japan.

By then, the gentlemen in Parliament will certainly accuse him of more - accusing him of connivance leading to the massacre, and the opposition will of course accuse and attack him under the high-sounding reason of the basic morality of the civilized world.

"Only God knows. I have not received any response from the Royal Navy that anyone should be held accountable for this."

Alexander was not trying to protect his subordinates, but because... the British troops closest to the scene of the incident were a full mile away.

"This is really a trouble, but it's just a trouble, um..."

After thinking for a while, Benjamin said.

"To some extent, Japan's value to Britain is almost meaningless, and the British Parliament will definitely not agree, because Japan and the Ming Empire are in direct conflict. Well, the essence of diplomacy is compromise. It is through compromise and negotiation that the two sides finally reach a consensus. We can resolve the Tokyo issue with the Ming Empire through negotiations. There is no need to discuss in Europe for an insignificant Asian country."

Benjamin made this decision because he did not want the "Tokyo Crisis" to become a weapon in the mouths of politicians. Instead of making a fuss in the International Court of Justice in Europe over the cause of death of the Japanese Empress and the massacre of civilians, which would damage his personal reputation, it would be better to resolve it directly through negotiations.

In fact, Britain did not have any more choices. After all, when the "Quadruple Alliance" showed their strength, Britain, which was weak and alone, would turn against the Ming Dynasty or even declare war on the four countries.

"I think the fleet's mission has been accomplished!"

Just as Benjamin finished speaking, there was a knock on the office door, and then his secretary hurried in with a telegram.

"Sir, the Governor-General of India has sent an urgent message."

After taking the telegram and reading it, Benjamin shouted.

"Fuck... Damn Ming Empire, do they want to go to war with Britain?"

(End of this chapter)