Struggle in Russia

While Schwarzenberg was intensively planning various conspiracies against Grand Duke Franz Karl in his heart, Duke Alexander Gorchakov was also watching him.

In fact, since Schwarzenberg made the request just now, Duke Alexander Gorchakov probably guessed what this guy wanted to do. Regarding this, the Duke naturally snorted in his heart with disdain.

[On this level, you still come out to mess with politics? Engage in diplomacy? Do you really think that diplomats from all countries are fools! Are you the one who can conspire? Innocent! 】

To be honest, in the opinion of Prince Alexander Gorchakov, all European countries are younger brothers when it comes to court intrigues. Look at how many court intrigues Russia has experienced in the past two hundred years. There are several emperors who have been killed , play this with me? It's really a trick!

It didn't take three seconds for Prince Alexander Gorchakov to guess what Schwarzenberg was going to do. The question was how could he make the other party do what he wanted! Do you really think that he befriended Princess Sophie without any special conditions because of his generosity!

Prince Alexander Gorchakov could see that the Grand Duchess was definitely a good hand in court battles. As long as she was given a taste of power, she would soon be addicted to it, and would never be able to do without this intoxicating feeling. Feel.

At that time, the Grand Duchess must have held her husband tightly in her hands. If Schwarzenberg wanted the life of Grand Duke Franz Karl, it would be tantamount to grabbing the power from Princess Sophie. Can Princess Fei spare him?

What's more, women have an inherent advantage over men when it comes to palace fighting, especially since Princess Sophie will be the queen in the future, and the palace will be her private land. How can Schwarzenberg feel better at her home court?

How naive!

Duke Alexander Gorchakov felt that Schwarzenberg's biggest mistake was that he underestimated Princess Sophie. He didn't know how important this woman's role was. To put it bluntly, the Grand Duchess was the key to victory. , Whoever can win her friendship will naturally win half of it.

And the foolish Schwarzenberg even ran to threaten and put pressure on him. Isn't this just throwing victory out of the door! And that's why Prince Alexander Gorchakov despised him - short-sightedness!

So for Schwarzenberg's request, he generously agreed: "As long as you abide by the agreement, our government will naturally have no further words... If His Majesty Ferdinand I voluntarily abdicates, then Grand Duke Franz Karl Naturally have the right to inherit the throne!"

After receiving this answer, Schwarzenberg heaved a sigh of relief. He was really worried just now that the Russians insisted on not allowing Ferdinand I to abdicate, and that would be a big problem. Although Wendisch Gretz can't be completely satisfied now, it can be regarded as an explanation, so he doesn't have any nonsense.

After sending Schwarzenberg away, Duke Alexander Gorchakov rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and then immediately ordered: "Send invitations to Grand Duke Franz Karl and Grand Duchess, I invite them today Watching the opera tonight..."

Prince Alexander Gorchakov decided to inform Princess Sophie of the good news immediately, and by the way, give the woman some medicine, so that she must taste the delicious power, otherwise the subsequent operations would be out of the question.

When Prince Alexander Gorchakov was discussing the following operations with Princess Sophie, he didn't know that two special people also arrived in Vienna that night.

One of them was named John Floys. This person is unknown, but his identity is very important, because his master's name is Nesselrode. As Nesselrode's secretary and personal representative, he traveled thousands of miles across Belarus and Poland to Vienna just to bring Schwarzenberg the latest news from St. Petersburg.

"Your Excellency, I have informed you, Your Majesty the Prime Minister, that His Majesty Nicholas I's attitude towards Austria has undergone a major change. He is extremely angry at your proposal to force His Majesty Ferdinand I to abdicate! Your Majesty the Prime Minister has specifically stated that I must tell you Proceed with caution, otherwise the Austrian-Russian alliance may be broken at once!"

In fact, this news did not need to be notified by John Floyd to Schwarzenberg.

But Nesselrode's special notice was not meaningless, at least it made him understand that Duke Alexander Gorchakov was not cheating on him, Nicholas I was really concerned and angry, and the consequences were extremely serious!

This made him heave a sigh of relief, and he smiled wryly and said to Wendisch Gretz next to him, "You heard me, everything I told you is true!"

Wendisch Gretz's face collapsed in an instant. When Schwarzenberg brought the latest news from Russia, he didn't quite believe it. He thought it was impossible for the Russians to be so rude and would really dictate Austria's internal affairs. . Thinking that Schwarzenberg was unwilling to support Grand Duke Franz Joseph, he deliberately made an excuse.

But now, everything is true, and the Russians have really intervened. He was angry and angry for a while, and his face was green and red, just like a neon light.

It took a long time to hear him standing up suddenly and scolding: "The Slavic barbarians are really deceiving people!"

Wendisch Gretz is full of anger, but the expressions of John Floys and Schwarzenberg are worth pondering. One kept silent with an indifferent expression, as if he didn't hear Wendisch Gretz's roar, while the other seemed a little relaxed with a sneer on his face.

The one who didn’t say a word was John Floys. Although he is also an Austrian, his relationship with Austria is not that great anymore. His master is now the Prime Minister of Russia, and he eats Russian food. His relationship with Russia is also very deep.

To put it bluntly, whether Austria is dead or alive has nothing to do with him. He is just executing Nesselrode's order now, so naturally he doesn't have the same empathy as Wendisch Gretz.

As for Schwarzenberg, his most angry moment has long passed. He was half-pissed off by Prince Alexander Gorchakov earlier, and now he has accepted the reality. And because of the unfavorable negotiations, he was pissed off by Wendisch Gretz before. To be honest, if the two are not relatives and the other party has military power, otherwise he would have turned his face.

With Nesselrode's endorsement at this moment, Schwarzenberg's pressure was suddenly relieved, and he was feeling relieved at the moment! Where would you be unhappy? He even sneered at Wendisch Gretz with ulterior motives: "Let's see what you do now!"