War Palace and Knee Pillow, Austria’s Destiny

Franz actually had no great interest in continuing to fight for the right to host the conference. It was Britain that put him in the spotlight, so he could not afford to take this tactic.

The simplest logic is not to let the enemy get what they want.

Moreover, the Austrian Empire had already made its name, so it no longer needed a peace conference to increase its popularity.

At the same time, Franz was also well aware that Nicholas I attached great importance to this conference, and the latter was very eager to show a different Russia to the world.

Rather than fighting with the Russians to the point of bloodshed and making a fool of oneself in the eyes of the British, it is better to take a step back and let the Tsar see one's sincerity to reduce future troubles.

In addition, Vienna also needs a reference for comparison to prove the beauty and prosperity of this city.

In addition, Count Piresdofu, sent by Franz, was also a conservative diplomat who would not do anything other than his mission.

It is difficult for such people to expand their achievements, but they are also not likely to cause unexpected conflicts.

That's right, Franz was just playing it safe. At this time, the technological strength of the Austrian Empire had already opened up a certain gap with other countries. As long as Franz was given another ten to twenty years, Austria's national strength would be able to completely crush all opponents.

The British had already run into a not-so-small obstacle before the conference even started, and what was even worse was that the Tsar was targeting them.

George Villiers always put a pistol under his pillow before going to bed. After all, Russia and Nicholas I had a bad reputation, and he couldn't sleep well without this thing.

But soon George Villiers became even more sleepless. Everything was normal in the first few days of the conference, and the two sides were still arguing about which side was responsible for the war.

The Austrian Empire always fought under the banner of maintaining the territory of the Holy Alliance, and later added a clause to liberate the white slaves enslaved by the Ottomans.

No one cares what the Greeks' reasons for joining the war are.

But up to this point everything was still within the acceptable range for Britain, until Nicholas I felt that the diplomats' negotiations were too slow and intervened with a stroke of the pen.

"The Ottoman Empire withdrew from Europe and its Balkan territories were divided among the Holy Alliance."

George Villiers and Orma Pasha felt so shocked that they almost fell down on the negotiating table. They had never seen a monarch who loved to meddle in other people's affairs so much.

What makes it even more difficult is that they have to deal with this guy, after all, this is Russia.

But the British will never accept this situation, George Villiers stood up and said.

"We object. Your Majesty, I think we are all working for peace, not destroying it."

Nicholas I answered very calmly.

"I am working for peace. The Ottomans invaded Europe and occupied the sacred land of our Roman Empire for hundreds of years. Now I want to take back what belongs to us Europeans.

Is there anything wrong with that? "

These words had been in Nicholas I's heart for decades. When he was a child, he was deeply fascinated by the history told by his tutor and vowed to do what his ancestors had failed to do.

"I'm sorry, I can't make the decision on this matter. I have to inform my country."

But the British did not respond at all, and George Villiers looked directly into the Tsar's eyes.

In fact, in the face of the Tsar’s willful behavior, ambassadors from other countries had no choice but to ask their own countries for help.

Franz was also helpless about Nicholas I's behavior. It was unrealistic to directly drive the Ottomans out of Europe, and it was not in the interests of the Austrian Empire.

But Franz was more afraid of Nicholas I's desire to be the one to divide the cake with a sword than Russia's capture of Constantinople.

However, from Franz's position, it was not appropriate to directly oppose Nicholas I's actions, and this was when the importance of allies became apparent.

Otto I did not refuse. In fact, he had wanted to do so for a long time. Russia had repeatedly suppressed Greece and ignored Otto I's wishes. The conflict between the two sides had become quite deep.

Of course, Otto I could not refuse Franz's request.

In principle, the Austrian Empire supported Russia's annexation of all Ottoman territories except Eastern Thrace, but the possibility of this happening was very small. After all, what could not be obtained on the battlefield would also be difficult to obtain at the negotiating table.

Let Russia and Britain worry about the rest. Anyway, Franz’s biggest goal now is peaceful development and making money.

A month later, St. Petersburg.

"The Ottoman Empire could cede Dobruja, Southern Serbia, Eastern Bosnia, and Macedonia.

At the same time, the Holy Alliance signed a ten-year armistice agreement with the Ottoman Empire.

These are our conditions and our greatest concessions.”

"No, Bulgaria must be added!"

Nicholas I slammed the table and stood up.

"Yes, we disagree."

Pilestoforo and the Greek Foreign Minister also echoed this. After all, Austria and Greece had not achieved their strategic goals, and it was impossible for them to let Britain and the Ottoman Empire go.

But George Villiers replied.

"What you can't get on the battlefield, you won't get at the negotiation table."

Nicholas I never expected the tough attitude of the British.

"That's not what you said in the tent!"

"Did I say anything? Can anyone prove anything?"

"Let's start the war! Our Holy Alliance still has more than one million troops!"

Nicholas I was so angry that his veins bulged, but George Villiers didn't even look at the Tsar and turned to speak to Pilestofo and the Greek Foreign Minister.

"The Ottoman Empire is willing to hand over the two Danube principalities to the Austrian Empire and cede Macedonia to Greece in exchange for ten years of peace."

Pilestoforo and the Greek Foreign Minister were about to speak when George Villiers spoke first.

"Your words no longer represent the country at this point. Bring my terms to your monarch and country. I hope the two countries can make the right response."

The British openly provoked the relationship between the Holy Alliance, which made Nicholas I want to drag George Villiers out and behead him immediately.

But unfortunately, Russia had invited many European celebrities for this conference. If something happened now, he would never be able to clear himself even if he jumped into the Volga River.

"Then let's fight!"

"We are waiting for your country's declaration of war."