Chapter 656： get Daying

Albert's answer made Palmerston realize that something might have happened in the German Confederation, and he asked Prince Albert euphemistically if he had heard any rumors.

Prince Albert did not answer Palmerston's question directly, but changed the subject with a smile and asked Palmerston what he thought of the current French Empire.

Although Palmerston genuinely hated Jerome Bonaparte, a monarch who made big news around the world, he had to pinch his nose and admit that, in its current form, Britain was indeed inseparable from France. .

The Crimean battle report is enough to illustrate the problem. From the beginning of the Crimean War to the present, the British Kingdom, except for the highlight moment of the Battle of Arma, has either increased its troops or is on the way to increase their troops.

Take the battle report from Britain yesterday as an example (frontline reporters in the Kingdom of Britain also sent telegrams to Britain as soon as possible), the French army annihilated 100,000 Russian troops in World War I (The Times propaganda, Palmerston will be suspicious. ), and their British kingdom was almost beaten by 40,000 Russian troops. I am afraid it will become Russian territory.

Under the self-criticism of the newspapers day and night, the entire British kingdom, from the cabinet to the people, fell into a state of distrust among all members.

[PS: Let me explain here that although The Times has been slightly restricted by Jerome Bonaparte during this period, the telegram he sent back to Britain in Sevastopol is still faster than the official newspaper, and the authenticity is Also a lot higher.

Even the cabinet ministers had to read the battle report after comparing the statement of The Times.

The political joke in "Yes, Prime Minister" that the prime minister learns about politics through TV is indeed not a joke in this period. 】

The less confident you are, the more Britain relies on the French Empire to carry.

Hence Palmerston's assessment of the French Empire: our dubious ally.

Afterwards, Albert asked Palmerston again whether he thought the French Empire could last forever!

"His Royal Highness, since the turmoil in France (the Great Revolution), the people of Paris have lost patience. In just fifty years, they have fallen three dynasties!" Palmerston euphemistically stated that he did not It was thought that the French Empire could have avoided this.

"Actually Augusta thought so too!" Prince Albert responded to Palmerston.

"You mean the Queen of France?" Palmerston was stunned for a few seconds, then said to Albert.

"That's right!" Albert nodded and responded to Palmerston: "Some time ago, she also talked about this in a letter to Victoria! She hopes to be able to stay for her unborn child. A piece of land to stand on! You should know what I mean!"

"Your Highness, you mean that Luxembourg is Queen Augusta's backroad!" Palmerston immediately understood what Prince Albert meant.

"You can say the same!" Prince Albert spread his hands and said, "Paris is like a powder keg that explodes at any time. Anyone sitting on it will be blown to pieces if they are not careful!"

"If Luxembourg is annexed by France, then Queen Augusta will get nothing." Palmerston frowned and asked.

"Why do you want to annex?" Albert asked in return, "Isn't it enough to turn Luxembourg into a private territory!"

"You mean the union?" Palmerston hurriedly asked.

"It depends on your own understanding!" Albert replied to Palmerston, "Augusta told Victoria that she was willing to pay any price to get this land!"

"I see!" Palmerston responded with a wry smile. He understood that De Ruiz was taking the Suez Canal as the tacit price for Britain.

Although Palmerston was a little unhappy with Queen Augusta's calculations, the fact that Luxembourg became a private domain did not touch the fundamental interests of the British Kingdom.

As long as there is no objection from the early bird, then Palmerston doesn't bother to pursue anything.

After all, Britain's most important target right now is the Russian Empire.

However, what made Palmerston curious was what the image Prince Albert played in this incident.

After learning of De Luiz's true purpose, Palmerston bid farewell to Albert.

Prince Albert ordered his servants to send Palmerston out of Buckingham Palace.

For the next two weeks, with the British and French troops in the Crimea at Sevastopol and Yevpatoria in succession, the Russian Empire's attempt to seize Yevpatoria was thwarted After the conspiracy, the British and French forces and the Russian Empire were in a state of sit-in battle due to the sudden drop in the temperature of Crimea.

During this period, Palmerston and De Luis conducted two more tentative negotiations, and the progress of the negotiations was improved compared with the first time.

In late September, Palmerston and De Luiz, who had tested each other's bottom line, began their final negotiations.

This time Palmerston talks with de Ruiz in the Prime Minister's Office at 10 Downing Street.

As soon as the talks started, Palmerston said straight to the point: "The Kingdom of Britain is willing to support all the actions of the French Empire in the near future!"

A look of surprise appeared on De Luiz's face. He really did not expect Palmerston to agree so quickly. He hurriedly thanked Palmerston: "Thank you to the Kingdom of Britain for your understanding and support!"

Subsequently, Palmerston expressed his hope that the French Empire would also continue to support the actions of the British Kingdom in some respects.

Although Palmerston did not refer to any aspect, De Ruiz understood that Palmerston wanted the French Empire to support his plan to dismember the Russian Empire.

De Luiz also said that the French Empire and the British Kingdom are a pair of firm allies, and France will definitely support the British Kingdom's plan unswervingly.

Then De Luiz told Palmerston that the French Empire was willing to take part of the shares of the Suez Canal (the registered capital of the Suez Canal Company is 200 million francs, and its stock composition is 70% French stock) (140 million francs), the remaining 30% is temporarily held by Said (60 million francs), and France transfers 30% of the stock to the Kingdom of Great Britain.) It is sold to the Kingdom of Great Britain, and at the same time is willing to exchange with the Kingdom of Great Britain in the aspect of ironclad ships study.

Palmerston, who had long coveted the ironclad technology held by the French Empire, naturally would not miss this opportunity, and he immediately agreed with De Luis' suggestion.

After the negotiation, De Luis and Palmerston shook hands. De Luis said with a smile: "I hope France and Britain can continue to cooperate and help each other in the future! I sincerely hope that Your Excellency the Prime Minister will lead the way. Britain is going strong!"

"I also sincerely wish you France to go further and further on the road of maintaining peace!" Palmerston also had a smile on his face.

After De Luis left, Palmerston's face became gloomy again.

He hurriedly called his secretary and ordered him to call the Earl of Clarendon, the Foreign Secretary, to No. 10 Downing Street.

Immediately after the Earl of Clarendon arrived at 10 Downing Street, Palmerston said to him: "You will deliver a message to the Kingdom of Prussia around mid-October (Palmerston expects France to do it in mid-October). , say the French Empire wants to annex Luxembourg!"

Count Clarendon cautiously reminded Palmerston that the French Empire was still their ally, and rashly backstabbing might lead to the two sides becoming enemies.

"As long as we don't come forward directly, that's fine!" Palmerston responded eloquently.

He was going to repeat the routine of the Thiers period. Palmerston relied on his superficial promise, and later regretted it, putting France in the spotlight.

Even if the Austrian Empire acquiesced to the annexation of the Principality of Luxembourg by the French Empire because of its resistance to the Russian Empire, the opposition of the Kingdom of Prussia also kept the French Empire busy for a while.

Of course, Palmerston didn't expect them to stop the actions of the French Empire when he revealed the news to Germany. He just wanted to find something for France to do.

In the end, at Palmerston's strong request, Earl Clarendon had to agree to Palmerston's request.

On the other hand, De Ruiz, who had left Britain, did not return to France directly, but followed the telegraph from Crimea and sailed to Prussia.

When De Luis arrived in the Kingdom of Prussia, he was immediately warmly welcomed by the Kingdom of Prussia. UU reading

The Prince Regent's son, Friedrich Wilhelm Nicolaus Karl, appeared at the port and shook hands with De Ruiz.

The two sides took a carriage to arrive in Berlin, and the nephew of the Prince Regent told De Ruiz that his father, William I, needed some time to prepare for the meeting with De Ruiz, and hoped that De Ruiz could wait patiently.

De Ruiz nodded and returned to live in the French embassy in Germany.

After a one-day stay in the embassy, ​​de Ruiz received an invitation from William I to go to Charlotten Palace.

De Ruiz, dressed in formal attire, had a formal meeting with William I in the hall of Charlotten Palace.

William I first greeted De Ruiz, and then condemned the Russian Empire.

De Ruiz pretended to ask if the Kingdom of Prussia was preparing to fight against the Russian Empire.

William I had to falter, the Kingdom of Prussia was not ready to fight against the Russian Empire.

However, William I still expressed his willingness to stand with Britain and France against the Russian Empire, and their conditions were very "simple", as long as France did not take action on the Rhineland and did not take any measures on the Polish issue.

"His Royal Highness Regent, please forgive my stupidity! I don't understand which side you and your kingdom are on!"

​​

https://

Genius remembers the address of this site in one second: Mobile version reading URL: