Chapter 220: transaction

The Near East War was suddenly suspended, instantly waking many people in the Austrian government. No surprise, the powers are not fools and will not let the unified German empire come out and prey on them.
This is to be expected from Franz, unlike the historical empires in history, and Austria now looks much stronger.
When deterring European countries, it is inevitable that everyone will be jealous. At this time, diplomatic means are very important, and brute force is not done by wise men.
Berlin
Metternich proposed to the Prussian government to divide the German region. There is no doubt that the Prussians are not stupid and it is difficult for the two sides to negotiate.
It is easy for Austria to annex the South German region, but it is very difficult for Prussia to annex the North German region. This is a matter of soft power.
The Prussianism of ism is only as strong as military power. Culturally, most German states can despise them.
This is also the reason why the Prussian kingdom is easy to recruit criminals. In the cultural world, they have no right to speak, and they have not been culturally recognized.
Of course, they can also learn from history, using force to force everyone to agree. But the current Frederick-William IV government counseled and was afraid to take this step.
All countries called for the suspension of German reunification, and Austria encountered unprecedented difficulties in diplomacy. If Prussia jumped out at this time, the pressure in Austria would be reduced, and they would be hard pressed.
The North German region is different from the South German region. Most of the South German countries are Austria's younger brothers. They have been influenced by Austria for a long time. This is why Franz advocates unification by political means.
The North German region also has British writing. Prussia wants to annex these regions. Hanover is a hurdle that cannot pass.
After a Danish incident, the Berlin government knew that the powers would not be provoked. Even if the British would not directly approach the city like the Russians, it would be terrible for the navy to come out and block the door.
Metternich said calmly: "Her Majesty, North Germany is the most prosperous region in Germany. Although the territory is slightly smaller, their economic strength is not weak at all."
The economic strength of North Germany is indeed not weak, and the total amount is more than half of the Kingdom of Prussia. This is where Frederick William IV dreamed of.
Frederick-William IV shook his head and said, "His Prime Minister, although the economy of the North German region is good, it is still not as good as that of the South German region. There is a huge gap between the population base and the territory.
Considering the complex situation in North Germany, it is very difficult for the Kingdom of Prussia to annex these states, which is very unfair. Prussia needs to get Saxony as compensation. "
Obviously, the Prussian government had recognized the importance of population during this period.
Metternich replied coldly: "Your Majesty, strength determines power. Once it exceeds this line, it means disaster!"
How can it be fair? Austria paid such a great price and finally gave the Kingdom of Prussia the same benefits. How stupid is the Vienna government?
...
The Prussian government did not dare to mess with the British, but hoped to receive compensation in the Central German region, which was obviously not acceptable to Austria. The final negotiations between the Austrian and Austrian parties naturally ended in dissatisfaction.
Metternich's goal has been reached. The Prussians are tempted to share a piece of meat in the mouth of the Germans. This means that they cannot work closely with Britain and France.
If according to the British and French proposal, the German region is divided into three and the states other than Prussia and Austria are merged into one country, what are the benefits of the Prussians?
In order to restrict Austria, Prussia will not use his martial arts. Once this country was established, the loss of the Kingdom of Prussia would be great.
Without the South German region, Austria is still a continental power; without the North German region, the current Prussian power status of the Kingdom of Prussia cannot be maintained.
The complete industrial system is gone, and the German Customs Union, which affects the lifeblood of the Prussian economy, no longer exists.
A kingdom of Prussia with a population of 13 million cannot support an independent economy, even in the 19th century.
The area of ​​North Germany is not large, but it has a large population. Once merged here, the population of the Kingdom of Prussia will exceed 20 million. This number has exceeded that of England, and the total economic volume will increase by 60 to 70%.
The bait was put down, and Metternich was not afraid of the Prussians being indifferent. In the end, whether the Prussians ate the meat or got into a show of anger did not matter to him.
...
In 1853, Paris still maintained a part of the medieval style. New power surged in the corner of the classical city, and a large number of immigrants flowed to Paris with a living dream.
The skyrocketing population not only brings economic development, but also piles of garbage and feces piled up on the streets.
A wide ditch divides the road into two and blocks the road on both sides. As long as a light rain, the road will be erected a rickety bridge.
The slaughterhouse is located in the center of the city, the blood flowing down the road like a stream, coagulating on the soles of the shoes, and then the leather shoes are dyed crimson.
This is Paris in Metternich's eyes. He is accustomed to the neatness of Vienna. When he sees dirty and messy Paris, he is really hard to like.
The most unacceptable is the infanticide in the stinking ditch. The cruel society is forcing the people to lose their morality. In order to survive the bottom people, they have to artificially control the birth rate. The sound disappeared.
It is a bustling international metropolis, a landmark city in Europe, and a sea of ​​sin. This is Paris in the 19th century.
Versailles Palace
Metternich and Napoleon III had a secret meeting. Interests will always be the best catalyst for state relations. Before the Great Revolution, it was the honeymoon period of France-Austria relations.
After the Great Revolution, this situation changed rapidly. After Napoleon III succeeded, the relationship between France and Austria once recovered. With the outbreak of the Near East War, the relationship between the two countries fell to the freezing point again.
Now the two can talk about laughing together, or because of interests, there is a common topic between the two countries, which are mainland countries.
There is nothing that cannot be solved by interests. If the interests cannot be solved, it must be that the interests are not big enough.
Napoleon III was not a desperate saint, so he had great expectations for the arrival of Metternich, which meant benefits.
Metternich opened the door and said: "Your Majesty, on the European continent, the two countries can cooperate with each other and get what they need.
'The confrontation between the two countries' is needed by the British's continental balance policy, which is not in the interests of our two countries.
When I visited Paris this time, I wanted to communicate with your country in depth and settle the dispute between the two countries. "
"What do you need us to do, and what can we get?" Napoleon III asked neatly.
In fact, higher-level negotiations tend to be simpler. Everyone was very busy and didn't have that much time to talk.
Usually high-level meetings are very short. To achieve results in a limited time, it is easier to reach consensus by talking directly about benefits.
Metternich directly stated the conditions: "His Majesty, Austria wishes to obtain your country's recognition of the New Holy Roman Empire, and in return Austria will support your country's expansion in the Kingdom of Sardinia and Central Europe."
Napoleon III thought for a while and said, "It seems that unifying the German region is just a cover. Your real purpose is only to annex the South German region. Now your goal has been reached?"
Metternich replied solemnly: "Yes, Your Majesty! It is too difficult to unify the German region. No one wants us to succeed, and Austria has no plan to challenge the world."
Napoleon III fell into meditation. The call for unity in the German region was very high. Austria in South Germany had already eaten it, and it was obviously not easy to spit it out.
From the standpoint of France, he naturally did not want Austria to continue to grow, but now it is very difficult to interfere.
Don't look at the temporary truce in the Near East War. Napoleon III was very clear that the conflicts between Britain, France, and Russia remained unrelenting. As long as the Russians did not give up, they could not budge.
Retreating Austria by diplomatic pressure? Napoleon III can say for sure, stop dreaming. In this era, everyone is talking about strength. Austria has shown its muscles. Do not expect them to compromise without overwhelming their strength.
He had to admit that Austria had chosen a good opportunity, taking advantage of the war between Britain, France, and Russia, and winning the South German region in one fell swoop, resulting in established facts.
Napoleon III said cautiously: "Your country must cede the land west of the Rhine to France, and your country must also withdraw from Italy.
The sphere of influence of the new Holy Roman Empire is limited to the current franchisees and must not continue to expand into the German region.
In the Near East War, your country must not continue to support the Russians. If your country can do this, we can recognize the legitimacy of the new Holy Roman Empire. "
How is it possible to agree with Napoleon III's request? At such a high price, a South German will be harvested, and Austria will not be busy.
Metternich shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, your appetite is too big, which has exceeded Austria's bottom line.
Apart from the fact that the New Holy Roman Empire did not continue to expand in the German region, we could not accept other conditions.
First of all, there is a covenant between Russia and Austria. We cannot abandon our allies. There is no need to talk about this issue.
Secondly, it is not possible to withdraw from Italy. At best, we can promise not to continue expansion in Italy.
The German land west of the Rhine can be negotiated, but not now, we must consider the feelings of the people.
In fact, we don't have many territories west of the Rhine, and the value is not very high. It may be better for your country to make up from elsewhere. "
After Metternich personally acknowledged the existence of a covenant between Russia and Austria, Napoleon III's heart sank to the bottom, which meant that intervention was no longer possible.
Don't look at all the European countries coming here for fun. In fact, most of the countries are just for the purpose of spreading their presence internationally. If they are sent out, one or two will have to retreat.
As long as the Russians supported Austria, interference in the coalition would not be organized. Unless the war in the Near East ceased immediately, Britain and France withdrew their troops from the front lines and had the power to interfere with Austria.
The British refused to do it, Napoleon III did not know, anyway, he could never do it himself. After paying such a large price, the battle was fought on this part. Without a big victory, he would not have ended.
This is about his political life. Napoleon III could not bet on his throne in order to interfere with Austria. This is not worth it.
Since there was a deal between Russia and Austria, Metternich appeared secretly in Paris, but what about London? If the Austrians persuaded the British, it wouldn't matter whether France recognized it or not.
Thinking of this, Napoleon III reluctantly found that at this time his own choice is not large, unless France does not expand in the future, otherwise the exchange of interests is the best choice.
The mineral resources in France are insufficient. The mineral resources in the German Rhine region have always been coveted by France, especially the local rich coal resources.
Most of these areas are currently under the control of the Kingdom of Prussia. This is also one of the causes of the Franco-Prussian war in history. The Prussians did not fulfill their prior commitments, and Napoleon III provoked the war.
...
Maximizing benefits is the essence of any politician, and Napoleon III is no exception. Now he needs to get a benefit in Austria to consolidate his unstable mountains.
After some bargaining, on August 6, 1853, Metternich and Napoleon III signed at the Palace of Versailles the "Outline of the Handling of the French and Austrian Issues", "The Treaty on the Division of French and Austrian Spheres of Power," and the "Secret Treaty on Mutual Aid between France and Austria".
The first two treaties just stipulated that the two countries were outside their sphere of influence and stipulated many possible disputes in the treaties.
The later secret agreement is the core of this negotiation. According to the agreement: France supports the establishment of the new Holy Roman Empire, and Austria will support the French to obtain the west of the Rhine and parts of Italy. (Including Belgium, Luxembourg, Rhineland, Kingdom of Sardinia, Sicily)
When generous with others, Franz was always generous. If the French dared to ask for them, even if they included the Netherlands and North Germany, Metternich would not refuse.
Anyway, the support for this commitment is just verbal, and there is no need to pay actual benefits.
Didn't Napoleon III know? Obviously impossible, but he has confidence in France's strength, and he thinks that winning these regions is no problem at all.
As long as the Austrians can fulfill their agreement, provide verbal support, and not interfere with other countries, they will be very successful.
An ideal is always there, what if it is realized?
An agreement was made in advance, and if an action was to be taken in the future, an opponent was excluded in advance.
Of course, Napoleon III is not stupid, and will not really believe in the commitment of the Austrian government. So many goals, even if they want to take action, cannot be achieved in one jump.
The road must be taken step by step, the meat must be eaten bite by bite, and as long as it is not greedy, these goals are likely to be achieved by the French.
In short, everything depends on strength. As long as France is strong enough, these small goals can be achieved. Conversely, if the strength is insufficient, even if the Austrians fulfill their promises, they will not have the appetite to eat.
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