"Oh?"

Bismarck was somewhat surprised that he was on a par with someone like Richard von Metternich, the future prince who was destined to become a prominent figure in Austrian diplomacy, and much less so himself.

Either way, Treville's words are uplifting.

As an old-fashioned Prussian, he was hostile to Austria and was bent on excluding German influence, so he kept writing to his king asking his king not to agree to the Austrians' proposal to include Austria in the Customs Union. After Prince Schwarzenberg signed the Treaty of Olmitz with Prussia in a threatening manner, he was also very afraid of the resurgence of Austria's prestige in the German states.

He was well aware that, in the foreseeable future, Prussia would have to enter into a serious conflict with Austria for its interests in Germany, and that it might even be difficult to avoid a war.

France was a country of great importance, and if someone like de Treville had a good opinion of Austria, it would have been a great blow to Prussia's interests.

So, after hearing the young man's hint that "I treat Prussians and Austrians equally and will not be particularly partial", he was secretly relieved.

However, did the young man really understand his own hints? Or is it just a casual remark? He was a little worried.

"I thank you very much for the importance you have taken of me, and I ask you to believe that the Prussians have always been warm, that they cherish every friend, and that they are happy to associate with them. If France wants to integrate into the European family. Then the Prussians would have welcomed the guest with open arms, and assisted her in her journey to prosperity and strength, of course. I am convinced that Austrians will be just as enthusiastic, and as long as you are committed to the common good in Europe, you will not lack friends. ”

"Of course, France takes her prestige very seriously, so she is happy to associate with any friend on an equal footing, as long as that friend has good intentions." Charles was quick to give him the same hint, "Prussians, Austrians, I will treat them with equal enthusiasm and respect." ”

If so, so good. Bismarck secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"We, Prussian diplomats. Most of you have read your past statements and will be able to understand your positive pacifist advocacy. "Because it felt like a good beginning, Bismarck began to lead the topic from the depths." Many people have objected to you because of your speech, but in fact, I think they have misunderstood you by claiming that as long as France's position of power is recognized, she will actively maintain the existing European order. This is precisely what a patriot should say. If France is not respected in Europe, then what incentive is there to maintain it? Personally, I am very supportive of France's restoration of its position. ”

"If I had known that my speech would be going to be circulated in Europe, I would have been more cautious...... The journalists at the time misunderstood me, so much so that my words were mistaken as full of gunpowder, which was contrary to my original intention. Charles smiled sheepishly, "Thank you for understanding what I mean." Personally, I am a peace-loving person, and I just want France to be more respected. ”

When two diplomats get together and talk about peace and prosperity, either they are about to say goodbye. Either they are ready to go deeper, and this time is no exception.

"I agree with your understanding of peace. At the same time, I think. Peace in Europe is, in the final analysis, peace in Germany, and if Germany is not at peace, then the turmoil in Europe will continue forever. Europe has suffered since 1618. "And now, thanks to God's grace, Germany is finally able to emerge from the quagmire of chaos and war, and we value this peace more than anyone else, and at the same time want to preserve it at all costs." It was with this desire that our benevolent King struck a compromise with the Austrians last year at all costs and kept the peace. ”

The Peace of Olmetz wasn't signed because your king loved peace, did he?

Charles finally held back and didn't ask the rhetorical question.

"His Majesty Franz-Joseph gave the same zeal for peace." In the end, he only gave a much softer cross-examination.

"His Majesty Franz-Joseph was a benevolent, wise, passionate, and calm monarch, and he was the most suitable emperor that the Austrian Empire could find in a hundred years." Unswayed by Charles's words, Bismarck replied quite solemnly, "I am convinced that under his leadership Austria will lead to a glorious future, to usher in the best of its own time." ”

There is no doubt that Franz-Joseph was a very diligent monarch, who got up before dawn every day, had a gentle disposition, and had no personal luxuries, but ...... Can such a monarch lead a country to the best times? Not necessarily.

However, neither of them had any intention of exploring this.

Therefore, because of this characteristic, Prussia had great respect for the power and prestige of France, and she hoped that France would play a more important role in the troubled Europe, and become some kind of arbiter of continental disputes. At the same time, as a neighbor of France, Prussia also particularly wanted France to maintain its prosperity because she could benefit from it. Bismarck seemed to be very sincere, "and yet - a special and sincere friend like ours is not easy to find in Europe, and many people are full of suspicion about France." ”

"I'm afraid ......," Charles sensed something was wrong.

"Mr. Treville, I hope that you will not misunderstand me and take my words as mere provocation, but in fact I have no ill will towards any country, and I sincerely hope that every country will join hands towards peace." Bismarck made a gesture and continued, "But, although we all have very good intentions for mankind and Europe, we must admit that peace needs to be backed by force, and that contradictions between the great powers will inevitably exist -- no foreign policy can be pursued without the guarantee of strength." ”

"I think you're absolutely right." Charles approvingly agreed with him.

It's a straightforward statement, but it makes a lot of sense.

"Not only do we need strength as a guarantee, but we also need alliances between major powers to maintain it, and the balance created by the elaborate power structure is the real peace, and empty slogans will not solve the problem." Seeing Charles listening very carefully to his explanation, Bismarck's heart also relaxed a lot, "If France or any great power cannot be satisfied with its position, then peace is dangerous and unreliable, and in this sense, it is natural for France to restore its rightful place, and it is necessary for Europe." ”

"I can't even find a word against it!" Charles pretended to be excited, and shouted, "I hope every foreign dignitary can understand things as well as you do!" ”

"So, I think you should rely more on countries that have more goodwill towards France than on countries that are in constant conflict with France. It is by bringing together well-intentioned nations that they can deter those who do not, but France can restore her glory without taking the greatest risk. Bismarck finally revealed his final opinion. And I can assure you that Prussia is a more reliable friend than Austria in this matter. ”

On the German question, France sided with Prussia and added real benefits to Prussia, and then France went to get the false name given by Prussia?

Well, Napoleon III did this in history, but he didn't seem to end well......

"I can understand your love for Prussia and for peace in Europe, but France may not gain much prestige by interfering with the peace of Germany—" Charles hesitated, not convinced by Bismarck, "Besides, isn't your country very friendly with Russia?" If you want to come to your country, you don't need to rely too much on France. ”

"It is true that our country is very friendly with Russia, but it does not exclude friendship with other European powers, such as France." Bismarck replied without hesitation, "though it hurts a little, but I must admit that Prussia can be ranked among the great powers of Europe, but it is also quite lacking in strength compared to such great powers as France and Russia, so it does not want to exclude anyone, nor does it reject anyone's goodwill—it only wants to get its rightful place in Germany, just as France wants to get its rightful place in Europe." It is for this reason that I consider Prussia to be a more friendly friend to your country, because we do not have conflicts over other places, where, as far as I know, the other European powers, and France, always have all sorts of discord. ”

The former sentence may make sense, but the latter sentence ...... Look, it's not so right. Prussia is the most rising and at the same time the most ambitious power of the day, although few foreigners know this. After they eliminated the other enemies, wasn't France the first to bear the brunt in the end?

Besides, after Prussia had been given its "rightful place in Germany", did France have any "rightful place in Europe" to speak of?

So many people have been fooled in history, and I am not so easy to fool, Charles thought to himself.

Napoleon III may have had some contempt for Bismarck, but he would never dare to have it, because he knew what had happened in the original history.

"I think you're being very frank and right." Charles pondered for a moment, then nodded convincingly, "It's admirable that the Prussians don't ask as much as other countries. ”

"You see, the Austrians' clinging to their obsolete heritage in Italy is indeed very impatient for Monsieur Bonaparte." Bismarck looked up at him, ready to guess from all his reactions the thoughts of the new and unpredictable master of France. "Isn't it?" (To be continued......)