Make France Great Again-Chapter 140 Grand Duke Albert

Before the secretary could respond, Felix Schwarzenberg shook his head and spoke to himself.

"No, they won’t!"

Although Felix Schwarzenberg, as a combination of military officer and politician, looked down on the now London-exiled Prince Metternich and his policies, he habitually thought about the diplomatic policy of the entire European Continent using the orthodox continuity principles established by Metternich at the Vienna Congress.

Felix Schwarzenberg crumpled the telegram sent by Baron Hubner from France into a ball and tossed it to the ground, a disdainful expression on his face as he resolutely declared, "The Bonaparte pups will surely trample the territorial demarcations set during the Vienna Congress! If they acknowledge the territorial boundaries of the Vienna Congress, it would mean abandoning the legitimacy of the Bonaparte Clan. Once they refuse to recognize the 1815 territorial delineation, we then have a reason to unite with the Kingdom of Britain and the Russian Empire to jointly intervene in the French Republic."

In Prime Minister Felix Schwarzenberg’s view, acknowledging the Vienna Congress is the baseline for all European Monarchies.

If the French Republic refuses to acknowledge the 1815 territorial divisions of the Vienna Congress, it signifies that the French Republic aims to initiate a second revolution.

At that time, he could leverage the Great Powers’ fear of revolution to draw in the former Anti-French Alliance member states to isolate France, thereby alienating France.

Moreover, Felix Schwarzenberg held an important card against France—a pawn that uniquely targeted the French: the orthodox heir, Count of Chambord (Henry V).

Once the Anti-French Alliance Army is assembled, they will advance into French territory at the fastest speed, simultaneously presenting Count Chambord, the most crucial piece, to dissolve the Royalist Party within the army, persuading them to abandon their positions. Then, just as they had supported Louis XVIII to become the King of France over thirty years ago, they would support the pedantic Henry V to become the King of France.

In Felix Schwarzenberg’s plan, the revolutionary torch will be extinguished under the Tsar’s blades, and the orthodox principle will continue to exist in Europe for millennia.

As long as the German Confederation declares war on France, he can justifiably bring the control of the German army under the Austrian Empire’s command. After defeating the French Republic, possessing Prussia will no longer make the Austrian Empire an opponent with vast prestige.

However, in Prime Minister Felix Schwarzenberg’s meticulously planned isolation of France, there’s a significant flaw, which is Britain’s view on the Holy Alliance.

Felix Schwarzenberg was unaware that more than thirty years of the Holy Alliance era had already stirred thoughts within the Kingdom of Britain about dismantling the Holy Alliance.

For the balance-focused Kingdom of Britain on the European Continent, the continent doesn’t require an organization capable of uniting the European Great Powers.

Not to mention, the barbaric Slavs from the East have gradually infiltrated the Balkans by diminishing the Holy Alliance’s influence, now ready to extend their bear paws towards the Bosphorus Strait, nearing the realization of Peter the Great’s original seafaring dream.

Once Russia’s fleet enters the Mediterranean, the entire Mediterranean will fall into crisis, as the Slavs’ greed is insatiable.

Felix Schwarzenberg was unaware that the issues between the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Britain had elevated to the primary contradiction, and that the contradictions between the Kingdom of Britain and the French Republic had shifted to secondary.

Without Britain’s involvement, the Anti-French Alliance Army would lack a financial backer to exploit at any turn, and if it falls into a drawn-out fight, defeat would become inevitable.

Now Felix Schwarzenberg vaguely felt that things wouldn’t proceed in the direction he hoped for.

"Your Excellency, what should we do now?" the secretary inquired again of Felix Schwarzenberg.

Felix Schwarzenberg did not immediately answer the secretary’s question. Rising from his pearl-encrusted seat, he went to the balcony and quietly gazed at the open stumps and bare earth in front of Mei Quan Palace. Before the European Great Revolution, it used to be a grove of sycamore trees, with lush lawns beneath them.

When Windischgrätz dispatched cannons to attack Vienna’s opposition, to quickly deal with the rebels, the cannons engaged in indiscriminate attacks and accidentally hit the sycamore grove outside Mei Quan Palace. Many sycamore trees fell and blocked the road. To ensure horse-drawn carriages could enter Mei Quan Palace smoothly, Windischgrätz ordered the soldiers to clear the fallen sycamore grove entirely, making it appear as it does today, much like the now-recovering Vienna.

Nevertheless, Felix is determined to establish a revitalized Austrian Empire.

"Mr. Gentz!" Felix Schwarzenberg called.

"Your Excellency!" Secretary Von Gentz quickly responded to Felix Schwarzenberg’s call.

"Replant that sycamore grove! As for the policy matter, I’ll discuss it with His Majesty before informing you," Felix Schwarzenberg commanded Von Gentz, pointing to the sycamore grove that only had stumps left.

Von Gentz paused for a moment, intending to say something, but ultimately didn’t, only responding with a "Yes."

"Go ahead!" Felix Schwarzenberg gestured for Von Gentz to handle the "important business."

Von Gentz could only hide all his doubts in his gut, bow to Felix Schwarzenberg, and depart.

After Von Gentz left the Prime Minister’s office, Felix Schwarzenberg also left the office.

Walking through the corridors of Mei Quan Palace, Felix Schwarzenberg received many greetings. Most were nobles from the Habsburg Clan residing in Mei Quan Palace, showing a more loyal attitude towards this military prime minister who helped the Habsburgs return to Vienna than during Prince Metternich’s reign.

Felix Schwarzenberg also smiled back at these Habsburg nobles, but deep down, he felt nothing but deep disdain for these useless people.

Just as Felix Schwarzenberg was about to reach his destination, he encountered someone unexpected.

The soldier, dressed in the same light blue uniform and wearing two Grand Cross Medals on his chest, greeted Prime Minister Felix Schwarzenberg first: "Prime Minister Felix, long time no see, you still look radiant!"

Schwarzenberg showed a hint of surprise on his face and said: "Grand Duke Albert, aren’t you supposed to be in Lombardy right now?"

The unexpected visitor for Schwarzenberg was indeed Albrecht, the son of Grand Duke Carl, who was supposed to be serving on the Italian battlefield.

Since the death of Grand Duke Carl in 1846, Albrecht had inherited the title of Grand Duke Carl and was also known as Grand Duke Albert.

Having been forged by the baptism of the Great Revolution, Grand Duke Albert appeared much more composed. He replied calmly.

"By the grace of His Majesty, I was summoned back from Lombardy!"

"How is the marshal doing?" Felix Schwarzenberg inquired about the health of Marshal Radetzky.

Although Felix Schwarzenberg had only worked as a staff officer beside Radetzky for less than two months, he greatly admired Radetzky’s loyalty and ability.

If the Austrian Empire didn’t currently need a highly esteemed marshal to hold the position, he would definitely let Marshal Radetzky retire in peace.

[Marshal Radetzky, who once served as the Allied Chief of Staff, was already 83 years old.]

"The marshal’s health is still robust. He is currently following your instructions to exert pressure on the Kingdom of Sardinia!" Albrecht replied leisurely to Felix Schwarzenberg.

"That’s good!" Felix Schwarzenberg nodded.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister! If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. The marshal still needs me!" Albrecht said to Felix Schwarzenberg.

"Go! And please send my regards to the marshal!" Felix Schwarzenberg responded to Albrecht.

Albrecht nodded and walked past Felix Schwarzenberg.

Just as Albrecht was about to pass Felix Schwarzenberg, Prime Minister Felix Schwarzenberg suddenly called out: "Wait a moment!"

Albrecht stopped and looked at Felix Schwarzenberg with a puzzled gaze.

Felix Schwarzenberg thought for a moment but ultimately chose not to speak, only saying lightly, "Stay safe."

Watching Albrecht’s departing figure, Felix Schwarzenberg decided to wait until Bach’s plans were completed before asking Albrecht if he would be willing to serve as the Governor of Hungary.

Even the provincialized Hungary still needed a governor to oversee it.

Felix Schwarzenberg continued in the direction Albrecht had come from and soon arrived at a door.

Behind the walnut-made grand door was the office of Emperor Franz Joseph, nominally the highest ruler of the entire Habsburg.

At just 18 years old, Joseph Franz, rather than being a decision-maker, was still a learner.

His primary task was to study knowledge, and then to follow Felix Schwarzenberg to learn how to handle state affairs.

Of course, even though Joseph Franz was still in the learning phase, Felix Schwarzenberg did not dare to overshadow this emperor and had to report everything to him.

Behind the emperor, there was the Empress Dowager Sophie, who was rumored to have had a romance with the King of Rome.

Having witnessed the political prowess of Empress Dowager Sophie, Felix Schwarzenberg dared not conceal anything.

The Prime Minister Felix Schwarzenberg, who was staying at the door, knocked gently.

The door slowly opened, and a military attendant in a gray-black uniform appeared before Felix Schwarzenberg.

Felix Schwarzenberg nodded with a smile to the military attendant in front of him.

The military attendant turned and reported to Joseph Franz: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Felix seeks an audience!"

"Let the Prime Minister in!" Franz Joseph’s voice came from inside the room.

The military attendant quickly made way for Felix Schwarzenberg to enter, and once the Prime Minister stepped in, the door closed again.

Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on freew(𝒆)bnov𝒆l.(c)om