Make France Great Again-Chapter 153 Planning the Boundary Issue

"Hmm? I seem to have heard some rumors. Could these rumors be true? God bless, that would be too horrible!"

Jerome Bonaparte feigned an expression of complete ignorance, his tone also carrying a hint of doubt, just like someone hearing this news for the first time.

Jerome Bonaparte’s attempt to cover up the truth made Baron Hubert even more "convinced" that this French President likely reached some clandestine agreement with the Prussian envoy.

Otherwise, the President would never adopt such a tone in speaking to him.

All signs indicated that Mr. President was deliberately concealing his deal with the damned Prussians.

Thinking of this, a trace of anxiety inevitably appeared in Baron Hubert’s heart.

For a competent diplomat, anxiety is a significant obstacle to objective analysis of matters. Once a diplomat falls into anxiety, they might give their adversary an opportunity to exploit their words, which could lead to attacks or even cause a diplomatic crisis between countries.

As a veteran Austrian diplomat deeply influenced by the Metternich era, he harbored deep hostility toward the Kingdom of Prussia, especially after witnessing the destruction of the old German Confederation firsthand in 1848.

Out of the ruins of the old German Confederation emerged a makeshift new German Confederation, or rather, they claimed to be a federation. The new German Confederation was dissolved with the joint efforts of Prussian, Austrian, and Southern German States soldiers, and before the Austrian Empire could catch its breath, the Kingdom of Prussia formed an alliance called the "Three Kings Alliance," aiming to exclude Austria from the German region to fulfill Prussia’s ambition of dominating Germany alone.

He knew well that in the foreseeable future, the Austrian Empire was bound to clash with Prussia over German issues, with small-scale conflicts potentially escalating into large-scale wars.

Support from the Russian Empire was, of course, an indispensable part.

And France was also a crucial country. Acting rashly without the consent of the French Republic would certainly put the Austrian Empire at a disadvantage.

Ambassador Baron Hubert believed that it was precisely because Prime Minister Felix Schwarzenberg saw France’s importance, just as he did, that he tried to win over France as much as possible, so that it would lean towards the Austrian Empire if war broke out between Prussia and Austria in the future.

[PS: The war referred to here is the 1851 Aumitz Agreement. By this time, Prussia and Austria could already smell the strong scent of gunpowder, and war might break out at any moment in the Hesse-Kassel Duchy.]

If France chose to support Prussia, then all the subsequent actions of the Austrian Empire would have to take France into account as a variable.

If by any chance France allied with Prussia, if Prussia declared war on Austria, if the Sardinian Dynasty rebelled again with France’s help, if... Should any of these situations occur, the Austrian Empire might face a chaotic German Confederation, a menacing challenger (Prussia), a powerful yet indifferent arbiter (French Republic), and a rebellious adversary eager for revenge (Sardinia).

Considering the reports of the Russian Imperial Army’s pacification efforts in Transylvania, the Russian Imperial Army had long been decayed and rotten. If these three forces were to attack the Austrian Empire simultaneously, Baron Hubert had every reason to believe that the Austrian Empire might suffer successive defeats like during the Napoleonic Wars.

At present, unable to confront Jerome Bonaparte directly, Baron Hubert could only rely on some concepts and intelligence he had gathered over the days in France concerning Jerome Bonaparte and play the "peace" card. He also showed a surprised expression and said, "Mr. President, we indeed had some small skirmishes with Prussia, but I believe these frictions will eventually pass. Europe will once again greet peace under your guidance, under His Majesty Nicholas I, under His Majesty Franz Joseph, and Her Majesty Victoria."

"Envoy, and also King Frederick William IV of Prussia! They are also vital in maintaining Europe’s peace!" Jerome Bonaparte "kindly" reminded. fгeewebnovёl.com

This further confirmed in Baron Hubert’s mind that Jerome Bonaparte and the Prussian envoy must have collaborated in some areas.

"Prussia?" Baron Hubert made a gesture, his expression slightly exaggerated as he said, "With their army that was defeated in two weeks? Mr. President, I believe maintaining peace in Europe is not just about words. No country will listen to a powerless nation. European peace relies on us, while Prussia can only bully a mob."

The Prussia you disdain will, in 17 years, drive you out of Germany! Besides, you can’t even defeat the civilians, what right do you have to talk about Prussia?

Jerome Bonaparte inwardly ridiculed Baron Hubert.

He knew that a competent diplomat is not afraid to exaggerate oneself and belittle others. Prince Metternich initially achieved his strategic objectives by making bold claims, forcing the Kingdom of Prussia, despite being a victorious nation, to swallow the "bitter fruit" that Prince Metternich personally prepared for them.

Of course, after the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the "bitter fruit" unexpectedly turned into sweet fruit, causing Metternich and the Habsburg Court significant regret.

"But Prussia is also a member of Europe, and we cannot simply ignore their demands!" Jerome Bonaparte said to Count Hubert, feigning a dilemma.

"Your Excellency, I believe not only should we not meet Prussia’s demands, but we also need to restrain them!" declared the Prussian Envoy with certainty. "For the 150 years since 1700, the expansion of the Kingdom of Prussia has never paused! If we let them continue to expand, they will inevitably become a disaster for all of Europe!"

"But the Russian Empire is also expanding! Does your country only see Prussia? It seems that your country has been consistently supporting the Russian Empire’s demands!" Jerome Bonaparte immediately pointed out, affirming Baron Huiber’s theory.

"This..." Baron Huiber was momentarily at a loss for how to respond to Jerome Bonaparte.

As the "traditional" ally of the Habsburgs, the Russian Empire has been relentlessly advancing towards Constantinople, which is undoubtedly the most terrifying thing for the Habsburgs, as it means they might find themselves surrounded by the Russian Empire in their lifetime, forced to become a vassal of the Russian Empire.

Enlightened individuals within the Austrian Empire (like Prince Metternich) have been trying to use diplomatic means within the framework of the Holy Alliance to halt their progress, but after a revolution, all efforts would become futile.

The Russian Empire has already successfully taken control of the Danube Duchy, and the next step is to incite the Kingdom of Greece to cooperate internally and externally to penetrate the Balkan Region and accomplish the final victory.

"Our country also does not wish to see the Russian Empire capturing cities and territories unrestrainedly. I can assure you that the Austrian Empire will not support the actions of the Russian Empire!" Hubert quickly explained to Jerome Bonaparte, and added: "Of course, these are my heartfelt words, and I only express them before leaders like you with the lineage of great men! Once I leave the Elysee Palace, I will not acknowledge these words in any manner."

Based on the subsequent series of diplomatic policies of the Austrian Empire, Jerome Bonaparte chose to believe Count Hubert’s words.

The primary task of the Austrian Empire was not to guard against France, or even Prussia.

But to guard against the greedy bear to their east.

Jerome Bonaparte nodded slightly, giving the same signal to Baron Huiber, who then played the "friendly" card to Jerome Bonaparte: "Your Excellency, France and Austria have been allies since the Bourbon Dynasty (referring to Louis XVI), through the Empire founded by your uncle, the restored Bourbon Kingdom, to the Orleans Kingdom. Our country has established good diplomatic relations with them! The Austrian Empire is also not opposed to establishing good diplomatic relations with the French Republic, and we are willing to welcome France as a member of the new order, jointly maintaining European peace!"

As expected of the heirs of opportunism! Even with Metternich long gone, your diplomatic policies are still inseparable from him.

Jerome Bonaparte silently appreciated Metternich’s pragmatic diplomatic strategy of opportunism.

"The French Republic also wishes to establish good diplomatic relations with every country in Europe. We stand under the same blue sky, breathing together, sharing a common destiny..." Jerome Bonaparte repeated the tiresome diplomatic rhetoric from his previous life, then shifted his tone: "France yearns for peace, but we also do not fear war. Regarding certain historical issues, we hope to discuss with responsible German neighbors. To replan the borders!"

At last, Jerome Bonaparte expressed his ambitions in front of Baron Huiber, the envoy.

Baron Huiber, the envoy, instantly understood Jerome Bonaparte’s implication.

Entrusted by Prime Minister Felix Schwarzenberg with full powers to handle French diplomatic affairs, Baron Huiber immediately said: "The Austrian Empire warmly supports the requests of the French Republic. Certain regions pending negotiation indeed need some redistribution."

As far as Baron Huiber was concerned, the land in the German Region wasn’t Austrian lands, and verbally selling them posed no psychological burden for him. He also believed that Felix Schwarzenberg, far away in Austria, would certainly agree with his current approach.

"If the Austrian Empire is willing to support the French Republic’s demands, then the French Republic is equally willing to establish friendly diplomatic relations with the Austrian Empire."

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