Charles, who was deep on the continent, did not know that he had been shot again, and that he had become the target of a verbal reprimand, and that he was still dealing with the Habsburg Emperor over a matter of vital importance - or, in the words of the Mentor, a conspiracy.

With his vague hints, Emperor Franz-Joseph roughly understood that an Anglo-French military campaign against Russia might be inevitable, but he was still hesitant about the role he should play in his empire.

However, this hesitation, of course, does not come from gratitude to Russia, but from lack of confidence in one's own strength.

Charles did not intend to inject much self-confidence into him, anyway, in his opinion, it did not matter whether Austria participated in the anti-Russian alliance or not, and there was no need for him to force Austria to take a stand, but to destroy his hard-won favor.

"I am glad that you are able to respect our cherishing of peace." After a long silence, the young emperor finally spoke, "and I have great respect for you and Monsieur Bonaparte, and I am glad to see him regain his family's former prestige. I think...... Monsieur Bonaparte should not reject our good intentions, would he? ”

"Monsieur Bonaparte welcomes the goodwill of any country, and he sincerely hopes that he will be able to help each country get the benefits and respect it deserves." Charles immediately vouched for Bonaparte, though he knew it must be a lie, "and besides, it is my great pleasure to inform you that Monsieur Bonaparte will be crowned emperor at the end of the year as the rightful ruler of France, and I think Austria will welcome it, right?" ”

"Of course. We will applaud and cheer for it! Before the emperor could speak, Count von Pochaenstein spoke, "The monarchy is the greatest institution. It is also necessary to defend European civilization, and we appreciate Mr. Bonaparte's efforts and achievements in destroying a republic, but regret that he did not do it a little faster. ”

He spoke so preemptively so that he would not embarrass his emperor, after all, the emperor really disliked and looked down on Bonaparte.

Charles said that Bonaparte respected Austria, and the count said that the emperor welcomed Bonaparte as emperor, which is of course not true. But in diplomatic situations, people must also say something insincere with the utmost sincerity, and this is also a need.

However. Charles did not respond to the Count's words, and continued to look at the Emperor, waiting for him to speak.

The Emperor leaned unnaturally, obviously a little uncomfortable.

It's really an ordeal. The young emperor. I haven't developed the concentration to be unfazed. He also doesn't casually say a lot of things against his will, and it is really difficult for him to say "I admire Louis Bonaparte and wish him success from the bottom of my heart".

But Charles just wanted to embarrass the emperor, which was both a demonstration and a bad taste.

"I think Monsieur Bonaparte is indeed an ideal heir to his uncle." After a few moments, the emperor said it with a straight face, as if he were reciting a scripture. "If he wants to, we can treat him as a dear brother. But. I hope he can do better than his uncle, and not pursue such goals that are too detached from the world, but live in harmony with everyone. ”

"Thank you for your admonitions, Your Majesty, and I will convey them to Monsieur Bonaparte." Charles smiled and bowed slightly to the Emperor. "I think he'll take your admonition very seriously, too."

The emperor lowered his gaze and only glanced at him sternly, obviously still resentful of his persecution.

"We already know the manner in which Monsieur Bonaparte will appear, and in what manner he will proclaim his strength and majesty," the Count continued, "and in what manner will this declaration be manifested?" Or what do you think is the most worrying problem in Europe today? ”

This was the most direct temptation, and they wanted to find out how and where Britain and France intended to teach Russia a lesson.

"In essence, I think that there is no problem in Europe that cannot be solved now, as long as the great powers are calm, recognize each other's status, and respect their respective monarchs," said the Charles, who remained unhurried even though he knew that these men had been hooked, "and we had the best intentions to vent our anger to anyone—but, of course, if some were determined to ignore our verbal admonitions, we would have to find another way." ”

"That is, if certain countries continue to expand in the present direction, they will have to bear the wrath of France on their own?" The Count immediately heard Charles's hint. "Will France choose to confront each other head-on after some countries have clearly crossed the line?"

"I can't assert this, all I can do is a guarantee: we are on camera, as long as others don't move, we won't move, we won't engage in conspiracy." Charles spread his hands, "This principle is firm, and it is just and bright. ”

Although it seemed shameless and implausible for Trevier to utter these words, the Emperor and the Count did not mean to laugh at him.

It was already clear that both France and Great Britain were preparing for war, and that if Russia made some further transgressions, the two countries would unite to stop it by force - that is, the next Russian victory in the war with their neighbours would be its death knell.

If they don't move, then there may be room to turn around, but it should be very small.

Sure enough, the most frightening rumours in the diplomatic circles proved that war was imminent, and that it was likely to break out on Austria's doorstep, for the Russians were now focused on the Balkans, and there were signs that a new war with the Turks would break out.

If that happens, how will Austria find itself? Both of them fell into deep thought, and for a moment there was an eerie silence in the room.

Charles, on the other hand, was still very calm, picking up the cup and continuing to drink coffee.

Literally, he didn't say anything. So he doesn't need to take any responsibility for his words, everything is the Austrians themselves thinking and playing, and no one can say what he is plotting to incite anything.

And in practical terms. He has already put the threat of force on the table, not only to intimidate Russia, but also to intimidate Austria. He had long felt that it was not enough to show respect and goodwill in order to be friendly with a country, but also to show intimidation and strength - because everyone recognized it.

As for what Austria should do next, this painful decision is certainly not an easy one. He did not expect the Emperor and the Count to make any decision now, but he was sure that he had vouched for the terrible might of France and England. It scared both of them well, established France's present statehood, and at the same time established itself in the diplomatic circles.

"The decisiveness of you and Monsieur Bonaparte is truly admirable, and I sincerely wish him and you every success in their endeavors." Because he felt the pressure from Charles. The Emperor frowned slightly. "But as a friend, I must remind you that obsessing over force is a big no-no. The lessons of history must be learned, and if anyone seeks to oppress all of Europe, he will be left to his own end. ”

"On this point, I think our opinion is not quite the same as yours, Your Majesty. What a brilliant career needs is determination and action, and once we do it, we will do it seriously. And will do it to the end. Charles smiled slightly, then clenched his fist. He waved casually in the void, "We are the heirs of the emperor, the emperor is a man of action through and through, he does more and says less, he wants immediate glory and acts immediately, he does it every time, so he gets incomparably honored." ”

As soon as he said this, Charles keenly noticed that the faces of the Emperor and the Count had changed slightly, and their expressions were embarrassed and depressed, and he was solemn on the surface, but almost laughed in his heart.

After taking on the throne in a coup d'état in 1799, Emperor Napoleon marched into Italy in 1800 and then defeated Austria at the Battle of Marengo, thus consolidating his power. After he became emperor in 1804, he led his army into Austria in the autumn of 1805, which defeated Austria even more, occupied Vienna, and then forced Austria to sue for peace after the victory of the Three Emperors, which also came to a glorious peak.

Therefore, when he spoke of "immediate glory", it was tantamount to ridiculing the Austrians to their faces, and it is no wonder that they were so embarrassed at once.

With a strange sense of pleasure, he calmly drank the coffee in his cup, then suddenly stood up and extended his hand to the seated Emperor Franz-Joseph.

"Of course, Your Majesty, I could not agree more with you on the other point. So...... We do not intend to seek to oppress all of Europe, but on the contrary, we have great goodwill towards all people and all nations, and we have regarded peace and prosperity and the well-being of our people as above all else. "I hope that we can join hands with Austria and achieve this honor."

He looked down at the Emperor condescendingly, his smile warm and infectious, and under such a blazing gaze, the blonde, thin young man in front of him seemed to be overwhelmed by the pressure and looked away.

However, Charles's hand was still in front of him, and he didn't move.

Your country is no longer strong enough, and you need the help of others, so are you really willing to throw away the goodwill of a pro-Austrian faction like me?

He knows what the other party will choose.

Emperor Franz-Joseph's face flushed slightly, then he raised his hand, shook it with him reluctantly, and shook it lightly, this kind of dragonfly handshake did not show much enthusiasm, but seemed a little ridiculous - but the count next to him certainly did not laugh.

After shaking it for a moment, Charles smiled and let go of his hand.

However, although he was very calm on the surface, he was very excited inside.

For he knew that it was perhaps at this moment, after the inaction of the July Dynasty, and the tumultuous tumults of the Second Republic, that France had finally regained its original prestige by Louis Bonaparte and his efforts, and had once again made the great powers of Europe worry and fear—and although this prestige was not reliable, in fact there was a great deal of concern, but prestige was always prestige, and his words worked on the whole European stage.

And this ...... It will be just the beginning.

These kings, the emperors are nothing more than that. I laughed and talked to one of them, scared the other, and prepared to put the other one in a rat trap to die.

Come on, come on, a few come on, I can handle it. I just like the way you hate me and you can't do anything about it.

"It's getting late, I think we'd better go back, the dance is about to start." The emperor said with a helpless look. "Mr. Treville, I have heard that you are not very fond of socializing in France, and I hope that today's court ball will satisfy you."

"I will undoubtedly be satisfied, Your Majesty." Charles replied without hesitation and sincerity, "As far as I have seen, Austrian women are much cuter than Paris, and we are beautifully dressed but always a little worldly. ”

"Then you can have fun." The Emperor smiled reluctantly, and did not take his kind words seriously. (To be continued.) )