Chapter 671 Great Power Game (3rd update, please subscribe)
In October 1874, just as the foreign ministers of the Ming Dynasty, France, Russia and Austria-Hungary gathered in Vienna, a British-made Austin car slowly drove into Downing Street.
Although Ming Dynasty's BMW and Maxima cars began to flood into European countries two years ago, entrepreneurs from countries such as Britain, France and North Germany have successively invested in and established their own automobile companies. Austin Motor Company is one of them. Although its performance is not as good as Ming Dynasty's cars, it still occupies a certain market share.
When the car stopped in front of 11 Downing Street, Cummings got out and went straight into the Prime Minister's residence, and soon he entered the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
What was different from the past was that when the two of them were talking, there was no secretary to record the conversation. This was obviously a private conversation.
"The 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, Britain has been obtaining some intelligence about the "alliance" from various sources, but they have no idea what this alliance is discussing.
There is no way, the other party's confidentiality is too good. What is the core of secret diplomacy? Of course, confidentiality.
"Yes, Mr. Prime Minister, we have received intelligence that the French are building an alliance, a broad alliance against Britain!"
Cummins, the Italian ambassador, said directly.
"We have every reason to believe that this alliance includes France, Austria-Hungary, Russia and Ming Dynasty!"
As a country that almost became a member of the alliance, they certainly had some basic intelligence.
What!
Benjamin Disraeli looked at Tommings in surprise, his eyes full of surprise. What was he talking about?
"You mean, these four countries are forming an alliance against Britain?"
The intelligence obtained by Britain was very limited. They only knew that France was easing relations with Russia. How could it not ease relations? Now the Russian princess has married the French emperor. When this news came out last year, Benjamin Disraeli regretted it so much. He should have made every effort to promote the marriage negotiations between Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Maria Alexandrovna. Now, through marriage, France and Russia have not only eased the tense relations after the Crimean War, but also further deepened their relationship.
This is definitely not good news for Britain's continental balance policy. But they could not stop it at all. The marriage negotiations between Russia and France were conducted in secret. They had completed the marriage negotiations even before Alexander II left France last year. Although Princess Maria Alexandrovna was unwilling, she finally married into the French royal family in May this year.
France and Russia have become allies from now on!
On the day of their wedding, there were even newspapers in London declaring that this was the biggest defeat Britain had suffered since the Napoleonic Wars!
This failure refers to a diplomatic failure. The union of two continental powers was something Britain had never faced before, but now Cummings told him that the Austro-Hungarian Empire had also joined in, which was simply unbelievable.
"Yes, Austria-Hungary has joined their alliance. In fact, we have received inquiries in this regard before, Your Excellency, Prime Minister."
Cummins said, looking at the British Prime Minister.
"But you refused!"
Staring at Cummins, Benjamin directly stated the reason why the Italian chose to refuse.
"Because of the Papal States, the French will never support you in annexing the Papal States, but as for the British, we do not object to your annexation of the Papal States."
Many things between countries are essentially about interests. The reason why Italy refused was not because of friendship, but because of interests. There were fundamental differences between them and France. What did Italy want to rebuild? It was the so-called "Roman Empire", so what they dreamed of was 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 achieve the unification they dream of until now. In this case, it is certainly impossible for them to reach a certain degree of consensus with the French, which also means that they will reject certain conditions set by the French unless the French agree to their annexation of the Papal States. But France will never agree. After all, for France, the Papal States is a tool for them to interfere in Italy.
This is probably the fundamental reason why the Italians refused. The French did not offer any chips that would make Italy excited.
"So, compared to France, we prefer to believe that Britain is our friend."
Cummins smiled and said, of course, only ghosts would believe what he said, but sometimes, we speak just to deceive ghosts.
Compared with 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 conditions 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 has never been any simple friendship in this world. In essence, everyone is united because of interests!"
This is the truth!
Benjamin laughed.
"Indeed, in the end, everything is because of interests, um..."
After thinking for a while, Benjamin said.
"Whatever they used to convince the Russians, Austria-Hungary, they must have exchanged something they were interested in, in exchange..."
Turning his gaze to Cummins, Benjamin thought for a moment and then spoke seriously.
"Perhaps the reason you rejected their conditions was not just because of the Papal States. There should be other reasons, right?"
Although Britain did not receive details of the French intelligence, they were still able to analyze what kind of chips the French would offer through some signals.
“Libya!”
Benjamin spits out a map.
"Two years ago, the French wanted to get involved in Libya, but they failed due to our and your opposition. Now... they must have made this request again, and now they are working with the Russians and Austria..."
Suddenly, Benjamin's brows were locked together, and all his questions were answered at this moment, that's right!
That's it!
At this moment, Benjamin understood what bargaining chips the French used to persuade the Russians and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
"Turkey!"
Staring at Cummins, Benjamin said.
"The French are trading Turkey for all of you, right?"
There is no better bargaining chip than Turkey. The Russians have their desire for Turkey, and the Austrians also have their desire.
Only common interests can bring them together. Where can they have common interests? Only Turkey.
The French must have offered them an olive branch, using Turkey as bait. The only question is how far did they go?
"Mr. Prime Minister, your speculation is very accurate. Although we did not continue to discuss it in depth, they tried to use Libya to persuade us to give up the Papal States and encourage us to turn our attention to Turkey, to that vast land. Since they can use such conditions to induce us to make some choices, they can also use similar conditions to persuade the Russians and Austrians. After all, they all have their own desires for the land of Turkey."
Cummins looked at Benjamin and asked
"The only question now is what is the UK going to do?"
Cummins looked at the British Prime Minister, Benjamin, with a sly look, as if waiting for his answer.
I have set up a book club: 335260551. Everyone is welcome to join and discuss and deduce the plot together.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
