Eagle’s Glory

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With Talleyrand looking on coldly, Aigron ended his talks with Prince Alberto, who was about to succeed the throne of the Kingdom of Sardinia.

The Prince had now left, but the secret deliberations between the Prime Minister and His Majesty the Emperor continued.

Although in front of Aiglon, Prince Alberto showed a warm gesture like a close comrade-in-arms and a brother of a different surname, Talleyrand did not trust the other party's performance at all, thinking that it was just a deliberate performance.

Of course, Aigron thought so too.

In the final analysis, for France, the fragmentation of Germany and Italy is in its own interests. Becoming a unified country in any direction may become a geopolitical disaster. He has no reason to help this historical process.

He also knows that the rise of "nationalism" is an irresistible historical trend in this century. He cannot change the entire trend alone, but even so, he can try to delay its occurrence and maintain his own interests for a long time.

In other words, if the unification craze of the Hohenzollern and Savoy families is forcibly curbed by him, it will be difficult to produce similar replacements in a short period of time.

The emperor and his ministers had weighed similar pros and cons many times in private, and they had reached a tacit understanding with each other, so Talleyrand no longer took the trouble to teach Aiglon. He was now most concerned about another issue.

In order to win over Metternich, he believed that he should first give Metternich eye drops and put him in a sense of crisis, which ultimately forced him to move closer to France.

And now, this opportunity has come.

There is no doubt that this is a two-faced approach, playing with fire, and may lead to disaster, but for Prince Talleyrand, who is experienced in this way, he is confident.

"Your Majesty, the prince's whereabouts here are quite secretive, but I will have a special channel to let Metternich know the news inadvertently." He smiled and reported to Aiglon, "However, it is too early now, let's wait first Wait, wait until the prince officially ascends the throne, and then we will leak the news to him."

Knowing that the Savoy family had surrendered to Emperor Bonaparte, Metternich would obviously feel anxious, but this anxiety did not earn him "international sympathy." After all, only Austria owns Italian territory. His allies, whether Prussia or Russia, have no interest in Lombardy or Tuscany. Even if he uses this as an attack, no one will respond to him. , and it is even less likely that the Savoy family will become an "international public enemy".

He can only try to solve the problem within his own limited framework.

Moreover, there are more difficult problems.

Since the counterattack in 1815 and the reoccupation of northern Italy, Italians have generally been very resentful of the rule of the Austrian Empire, and Austria has used extremely severe methods to suppress this dissatisfaction, arresting, detaining, and even hanging rebels everywhere, banning newspapers, and suppressing public opinion.

The forces work reciprocally. In this era of slowly awakening national consciousness, the more severe the suppression, the more resentment and resistance will be aroused. Therefore, in the Italian areas ruled by the Habsburg family, the rebels Various secret societies (such as the Carbonari) and so on were formed to further resist.

Compared with the imperial ruling machine, the power of this secret society or resistance organization is very weak after all, but if they find a spiritual leader or a strong backer, the situation will be completely different.

Historically, the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Savoy family have become such a "backup". They sponsored anti-Austrian organizations in various ways, supported nationalist elements across Italy, and finally made themselves the core of unity that everyone expected. Although It was repeatedly defeated by Austria on the battlefield, but relying on hard work and luck, it finally had the last laugh, taking away all Italian territory from the Habsburg family, and even saw the death knell of the Habsburg Empire.

It is conceivable that after receiving France's acquiescence and encouragement, once the prince inherits the throne, he will immediately start his ambitious plan, and it will soon bring unexpected pressure to Metternich.

What could Metternich do about this? Take the initiative to launch a "preventive war" against the Kingdom of Sardinia?

Historically, he has not, because Austria is no longer what it used to be. It is no longer the power that can suppress Europe in the past. It has not yet recovered from its previous trauma, and can only rely on its past size to scare people and maintain its power. As for the international status of a front-line power, no one knows the weakness of the empire better than Metternich. If a large-scale war is launched rashly, not only will there be no benefit, but the empire itself may fall apart.

Moreover, as the host of the Vienna Peace Conference and the "designer" of the contemporary international architecture, if he took the initiative to launch a war against an ancient orthodox royal family, it would be a serious violation of the "Vienna spirit" and would leave an excuse for other major powers. , he has to face huge national pressure. Prince Aiglon and Talleyrand can use "France and the Kingdom of Sardinia are bordering, and the lips are broken and the teeth are cold" as a reason to ask Austria to stop immediately, otherwise they will launch a "self-defense action." And other countries will not agree either.

Faced with such risks, Metternich knew the pros and cons better than anyone else, and of course he did not dare to act arbitrarily (just as it happened in history).

Since he was faced with such a predicament and was in a dilemma, and he could not attract any foreign aid, he could only finally try to find his old friend Talleyrand for help, so that Talleyrand could put pressure on the Savoy family to settle down, at least for a long time. Definitely sponsored by the Savoy family.

Therefore, in Prince Talleyrand's view, the Savoy family is not a reliable ally, but a bargaining chip that makes Metternich's bones stuck in his throat and he has to seek compromise. It can be used but must not be trusted, let alone be reconciled. They "joined in the great event".

Deep down, Prince Talleyrand, like Metternich, was obsessed with the so-called "balance of great powers" and hoped that the various powers could maintain a certain balance of power. He did not agree with taking big risks to break this balance, but hoped that in the present Within the international structure, strive for as many benefits as possible for France (wait until the balance of power is imbalanced, and then use your own strength to seek a more favorable balance).

"Your Majesty, when it comes to Italian issues, it is best for you to only deal with the Savoy family. Remember not to instigate and sponsor the rebels yourself. As the emperor, of course you can sponsor revolutionaries, but if they regard you as a revolutionary target , then how should you deal with yourself? Don't forget the lesson of Louis XVI." As if he was afraid that Aiglon would be too radical, Talleyrand warned Aiglon again, "You only deal with the Savoy family, they themselves privately Whatever you do, it has nothing to do with you, and it will be easy to get rid of them when the time comes... As for those rebels, let Metternich have a headache."

"I understand. Let's do what you want. I believe you can handle it." Aigron nodded, indicating that he knew the stakes involved.

In this way, with regard to the issues between the Savoy family and Italy, after Agron decided on the general direction, he handed over all implementation issues to Prince Talleyrand and his Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, and he no longer said too much. Interfering - this kind of delegation of power is also a special respect for the elders.

After Talleyrand died, no one could receive such special treatment.

After discussing this issue, Prince Talleyrand seemed to think of another thing.

"By the way, Your Majesty, I have something to ask you by the way."

"Please tell me."

"That Princess Maria has come to Fontainebleau now, right? How is she doing now?" Prince Talleyrand seemed to be holding back a smile and asked. "With her character, she shouldn't be willing to stay calm, right?"

"More than just unwilling to be calm? She simply made me miserable." When talking about this issue, Aigron couldn't help but sigh.

As soon as Maria arrived at Fontainebleau, she immediately demonstrated to Theresa. She made all kinds of cynicism and made it difficult for Theresa to get off the stage. Then she also had a tit-for-tat confrontation. On the surface, she was respectful but in fact, she was indifferent; although Aiglon still didn't know about "fans". Incident", but he could also see that Teresa had been so infuriated by her teasing, and as the person next to him, he could completely feel the uncontrollable anger.

And what made Aigron feel the most irritated was actually this: Although Teresa was furious, she did not say another word of complaint to Aigron, nor did she ask Aigron to punish Maria for daring to be so disrespectful to her. .

Is this an improvement in Teresa's "ninjutsu"? Or does she actually not want to complain to herself at all and just wants to secretly hold back some big moves?

Aigron was not sure which situation it was, and he didn't dare to ask Theresa herself, so he had to spend time with Theresa in fear, pretending that nothing happened.

"Hahahaha... It's really rare for you to look like this. You finally look like a young man." Seeing Aigron's anxious look, Talleyrand laughed happily.

Faced with Talleyrand's teasing, Aiglon was even more troubled, but he had done all these things himself, so he had nothing to say. "Instead of watching the fire from the other side, why don't you help me think of a solution, Your Excellency Prime Minister."

"If you can't do anything, what can I do?" Prince Talleyrand sighed pretending to be helpless, "Don't forget, I was the one who invited her here in name, so Her Majesty the Queen must hate me to death. Now, considering what happened before, I'm really afraid that after I die, I won't even have a burial place..."

"You don't have to worry about this. As my first prime minister and a hero of the empire, you should enjoy the honor you deserve no matter what." Aigron promised the other party sternly, "It is true that you have made many enemies. It is true that in the past you and Our family has had a lot of unpleasantness, but I will send you off with the greatest respect. Although your reputation cannot shine forever, at least I can give you a fair evaluation and will never let you be abused and slandered. , you will leave this world with dignity."

Aiglon's sincere reply made Prince Talleyrand's originally joking smile slowly disappear.

The continued decline of vitality made this old man begin to pay attention to the issue of "final conclusion" after death.

Although he was notorious for his lifelong indulgence in sensuality and courtship, as a historical figure with "great achievements" who once led the direction of Europe, he certainly did not want to be buried in the ground with a completely negative image.

The young emperor is the one who will be responsible for finalizing his coffin in the future. The promises he makes will naturally become the official historical evaluation.

That's enough.

Although he knew in his heart that after his death, his huge inheritance would definitely be "passed by" by this couple, at least he had done a decent job in terms of reputation, so he should regard it as paying "taxes" to the empire.

"Your Majesty, thank you for your support - in this case, I am relieved." Prince Talleyrand nodded slightly, "In that case, I will also help you."

"As my prime minister, you should have helped me. You don't need to say it like you were giving me a favor -" Aiglon immediately pointed out the mistake.

"That's different. As Prime Minister, I hold a public position. My duty is to solve the problems faced by your government and diplomacy. Personal favors should be counted separately..." Talleyrand smiled slightly sarcastically. Get up, "And what I'm talking about is personal. UU Read www.uukanshu.net"

"What do you mean?" Aigron suddenly became interested.

"I have told you before that I will vouch for Princess Maria." Talleyrand's tone changed from the seriousness just now and suddenly became narrow-minded. "And now, since you are worried that Queen Theresa will secretly persecute her. , then no matter what she did, I will protect Princess Maria for you...Does this count as a personal favor for you?"

If that's the case, of course it would be best...

Agron was originally worried that if Theresa really wanted to hold back some big moves and he wanted to defend Maria, he would be in a dilemma, but if Prince Talleyrand stood up to defend Maria, it would be much easier for him. .

When he thought of this, Aigron was happy at first, and then a little confused.

"You seem to be very hostile to Teresa? Why? She seems to have always been polite to you, right?"

"Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Her Majesty the Queen. On the contrary, I quite admire her. She is indeed a respectable queen, at least much better than her great-aunt." Prince Talleyrand curled his lips and smiled. "It's just that I'm getting older and want to watch more big plays for fun. Today's era is so boring. Everyone is pretentious and sanctimonious. This is really off-putting! As a person from the Louis XV era Yi Lao, I want to see the drama surrounding you. This may be the last fun in my life... As for Her Majesty the Queen... Anyway, she already hates me. It doesn't matter if she hates me a little more. She has no problem. How about digging up my body and hanging me again?"

Hearing this unexpected answer, Aigron was stunned at first, then a little sullen, and finally laughed helplessly.

"You are really... difficult to evaluate."

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