Austria was on the move, and the British were not idle. In order to win over the Russians, British Foreign Secretary George personally visited St. Petersburg.

The most striking sign of the industrial age is speed. In the Middle Ages, it usually took half a month to travel from London to St. Petersburg, but now it only takes four or five days.

The rapid development of seafaring technology has brought the human world closer together. There are two sides to everything, and as they become more connected, international disputes increase.

Stepping out of the splint and looking at the sparse crowd of greetings in front of him, George's anger had risen.

It's too perfunctory, as the foreign secretary of Great Britain, he is the most honored guest everywhere he goes, and he didn't expect the Russians to be so faceless.

Not to mention the members of the royal family, even the top of the tsarist government did not come. Only a few low-level officials were sent over, and the identities of the two sides were completely unequal, which can be said to be very rude.

This, of course, is the opinion of the British. In the eyes of the Russians, this treatment is already very face-saving.

The Anglo-Russian war had just ended, and the hatred between the two countries was at its peak. At this time, the government sold well to the British, so what did the people at home think?

Politicians are smart people who know what is best for them. Such a thankless task as receiving the British, everyone naturally pushed it down one level at a time, until it was impossible to push it out.

If the big guys don't come, there won't be a welcoming crowd. The fighting nation is not in vain, and it would be embarrassing if a few hot-blooded youths were mixed in, and they wanted to rush up to a duel with the British.

This kind of thing has not happened before, and if you open the history books, you will find that Russian diplomats have received more than double digits of boxed lunches because of duels, including the famous poet Pushkin.

Anger is anger, things still have to be done. The current international situation is very unfavorable to Britain, and a world hegemon who cannot handle it well will have to be replaced.

Since the identities of the reception staff are not equal, George naturally does not waste time on them. After getting off the boat, I went straight to the embassy, and even refused the welcome banquet.

……

"What's going on, why are the Russians behaving so coldly?"

George asked solemnly. Since this is an official visit, the foreign ministries of the two countries must have communicated before this. In the right case, this kind of pre-negotiated situation will be face-saving no matter how it is.

Minister Richard Trulli explained: "The situation is very bad, just a month ago the Austrians suddenly intervened and launched a wave of anti-French in St. Petersburg.

The anti-French sentiment in Russia was already very strong, and the pro-Austrian faction occupied a dominant position in the tsarist government, and the upper and lower pushers soon broke out into a national anti-French movement.

By the time we reacted and were ready to take action, it was too late.

The influence of public opinion, coupled with the advocacy of the pro-Austrian faction, may have changed the political position of the tsarist government. ”

This was not his responsibility, because of the Anglo-Russian war, Britain once evacuated the embassy in Russia. Richard Trulli, the minister, has actually only been in office for more than a month.

With such a little time, being able to sort out the daily work is already considered shrewd and capable. It would be too embarrassing to want to disrupt Austria's actions.

George waved his hand and said very considerately: "Forget it, it's not your responsibility. The French didn't even find out, let alone us? ”

As Britain's foreign secretary, George was well aware of the political factions within the Tsarist government, and at present or in recent decades, pro-Austrians have always held power.

This is determined by interests, and with the deepening of Russian-Austrian trade, more and more people are tied to this chain of interests.

There were many pro-Austrian officials not only in the Tsarist government, but also in the Vienna government, and this was not something that could be changed by personal will.

Of course, political inclination does not necessarily equate to political stance, and in essence, everyone is still oriented towards their own country.

Generally speaking, this tendency can only work if it does not harm one's own interests.

Even so, Britain had no way of undermining the Austrian public opinion campaign. After all, just after the end of the Anglo-Russian war, the pro-British faction in the tsarist government did not dare to come forward at all.

Without the cooperation of the head snake, Britain would not be able to go on its own! If the British minister really stood up to speak for the French, it is estimated that the original anti-war faction would become the main war faction.

However, George did not take the change in the position of the tsarist government seriously. Between countries, only interests can be eternal.

In George's view, it was in the common interest of Britain and Russia to prevent Austria from dominating the continent. The indifference shown by the tsarist government was nothing more than a self-proclaimed one.

If he really had no interest in mediation, the tsarist government would have rejected his visit a long time ago, and there was no need to engage in such petty actions that could not be put on the table.

"Isn't the situation on the European battlefield bad?"

Minister Richard Trulli asked.

The information in St. Petersburg is still a little closed to the bottom, and even if the news comes, it will be added to the fire halfway, and it has long lost its original flavor.

George nodded: "The situation in French Italy is unstable, there are many guerrillas on the peninsula, and the French defense line in southern Europe is in danger.

In the Central European theater, the French army seemed to be still on the offensive, but in fact it was physically and mentally exhausted. The attrition of the troops is very serious, and according to the current situation on the battlefield, France will hold out for another year at most, and it will be worn to death by Austria.

The situation on the battlefield is ever-changing, and no one knows what will happen tomorrow. It is imperative to arrange a meeting between me and the Russian top leadership as soon as possible, and to form an intervention alliance. ”

It's not that George can't hold his breath and is in a hurry to make contact with the Russians, the point is that there is not much time left for them.

Intervention coalitions are not built in a day or two. Even if the alliance is established, it will be impossible to coordinate the relationship between all parties for a while.

If the internal relations had not been straightened out, the European War would have ended, and Britain would have had a lot of fun.

……

Almost at the same time as George's arrival in St. Petersburg, negotiations between Russia and Austria also came to an end.

Once again, it turns out that there's nothing money can't do; If there is, it must be that there is not enough money.

The Vienna government was naturally reluctant to give real money, but Franz was not under pressure to be generous to others.

After the Vienna government promised that "once the tsarist government enters the war, it will receive a share of not less than twenty percent of the total war reparations", the tsarist government could no longer hold on.

As the third largest power in the world, France has a very solid background. The reparations that can be paid after the war are at least billions of Aegis.

According to the lowest 20 percent, that is also hundreds of millions, or even billions, of Aegis, equivalent to the financial revenue of the Russian Empire for several years.

It was completely unexpected by the Russians that they could obtain such a rich reward by simply declaring war and not specifying a combat mission.

In the eyes of the tsarist government, this was a rare mistake on the part of the Austrians, and if they did not sign the treaty quickly, it would be too late for them to react.

……

After the dust settled, Russian Foreign Secretary Oscar Jimenez, who was in a good mood, finally remembered the British Foreign Secretary who was visiting Russia.

People come from afar, and if they don't receive them warmly, they will be cold there for several days, which can be said to be very rude.

However, for Oscar Jimenez, none of this is a problem. Anglo-Russian relations are like this, a few months ago the two countries were still fighting on the battlefield, and offending is offended.

Improving diplomatic relations with the British?

Sorry, but the tsarist government has not yet abandoned its ambitions for India. Although the top of the government knew that the British were difficult to deal with, they could not stop the enthusiasm of the people.

Everything is afraid of comparison, compared with the Russo-Prussian War, the Anglo-Russian War is much easier. In the eyes of many, if it weren't for the logistical drag, the tsar would have been able to conduct a military parade in India.

Even if it failed to achieve its ultimate goal this time, it seized Central Asia, which also included three-quarters of the "Eurasian heart".

Immediately after the end of the Anglo-Russian War, there was an offer within the tsarist government to build a railway connecting Moscow and Afghanistan in preparation for the next war.

If it weren't for the fact that the government had no money in its pocket, the plan would have been implemented. Against this background, any attempt to repair Anglo-Russian relations is doomed to be futile.

……

British Foreign Secretary George asked: "Your Excellency, what was said in the last telegram, I wonder what your country thinks?" ”

Idea? Oscar Jimenez was a little confused. Frankly, if it hadn't been for George's reminder, he would have almost forgotten about the British's proposal to form an intervention alliance.

The reason is very simple, I oppose everything that the enemy supports. As soon as the Anglo-Russian war ended, the British came to the door, and the tsarist government naturally did not believe that the British would be well.

In Oscar Jimenez's view, the British's proposal was an attempt to drive a wedge between the Russian-Austrian alliance. Then, this telegram, which seemed significant to the British, was handled by the Russian Foreign Ministry on its own.

Even George's visit was deliberately made up by Oscar Jimenez in order to negotiate terms with Austria. Now that the goal has been achieved, the actor is naturally not so important.

"I'm sorry, Sir George. After careful study, we feel that the situation on the European continent is moving in the right direction, and there is no need to form an intervention alliance. ”

Hearing this answer, the coffee cup in George's hand almost fell. It was so unexpected that the Russians were not worried about Austria becoming bigger.

George's horrified expression naturally fell into the eyes of Oscar Jimenez.

The Russian Empire really did not want to see Austria grow. But there is no way, identity determines the position, the Russian Empire has already joined the anti-French coalition, and the situation is developing in favor of the alliance, so it must be correct.

After calming down, George asked, "Your Excellency, you're not kidding, are you?" According to the current development of the situation, after the anti-French alliance won the war, Austria would become the dominant one.

The emergence of a giant spanning Asia, Europe and Africa not only endangers world peace, but also threatens the interests of your country. ”

Oscar Jimenez shook his head and said with a slight smile: "Sir is too worried, Russia and Austria are allies, so there is no need to say this kind of sowing discord."

Everyone knows what the European War was all about, and if it weren't for the French invasion of Central Europe, there would have been no war at all.

The anti-French alliance finally gained the upper hand after a bloody battle, and to intervene at this time is not to condone the atrocities of the French?

If the aggressors are not punished, then if the countries of Europe do not follow suit in the future, where is there any peace? ”

Sarcasm, naked sarcasm. Having finally occupied the moral high ground, Oscar Jimenez naturally did not give up this opportunity to mock the British.

Everyone knows that endangering world peace is a joke. Since the 18th century, more than half of the world's wars have been attributed to the British.

The threat posed by Austria's enlargement, Oscar Jimenez was well aware. But being clear doesn't mean he can do anything.

Joining the anti-French alliance, the Russian Empire will be able to gain large profits without taking any risks.

If they join the British-led interference alliance, they won't even get a hair other than a wave of hatred. Even if Britain and France were willing to compensate the Russian Empire, it would never be as generous as Austria's.

The Russian Empire must not be allowed to give up the interests that are easily available for the sake of the general interests of the British! This kind of selfless dedication at the expense of oneself and others was not possessed by the tsarist government.

I was angry when I first came, and now I am being ridiculed again, and George's self-cultivation is very high, and I can't help it.

"Someday, you'll regret what you did today! A bunch of rat-eyed idiots! Wait, the Austrians will let you know something......"

After saying that, George turned around and left without looking back.

It is impossible to keep it, Oscar Jimenez is not a good-natured master, and George's last words are clearly provoking Russian-Austrian relations.

It seems to be insignificant, but if it falls into the ears of someone with a heart, I don't know how much turmoil it will cause.

didn't rush up and beat people, it was already a manifestation of cultivation, and he naturally wouldn't admit defeat: "It's not a matter of bothering Your Excellency, you better take care of yourself first!"

The Russian-Austrian alliance has been going on for decades and has withstood the wind and rain. Relations between the two countries cannot be provoked by your Excellency's words.

On the contrary, if your country is jumping up and down like this, it will definitely be liquidated after the war, so let's think about how to gain a foothold in Europe after the war! ”

Oscar Jimenez's voice was so loud that many people heard it, and he directly angered George, who was not far away.

However, it is also true. With the role played by the British in this war, Anglo-Austrian relations were doomed.

Being able to become the Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire, Oscar Jimenez was naturally not a reckless man. Taking the initiative to turn the other cheek with the British is naturally done for Austria to see.

The tsarist government has decided to declare no war for the time being. In this context, it is natural for them to do something to prove their worth.

Otherwise, if they just take advantage and do nothing, what qualifications do they have to share the spoils after the war? Is it just a treaty? That's too simple, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Now that it has turned against the British, the tsarist government can announce to the outside world that it has smashed the conspiracy of the British to pick peaches and has made outstanding contributions to the anti-French cause.

As for picking out the Anglo-Austrian contradictions, it can only be regarded as incidental. Russia and Austria were allies, and the tsarist government was destined to be unable to accomplish the heavy task of limiting Austria, so it could only be carried by the British.

From the standpoint of the Russian Empire, it would have been perfect if the British could have dragged the British into the quagmire of the European continental war.

……