Chapter 427: Chapter 421 Tactical Deception
"Mr. Richard, please have a seat!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
At Jerome Bonaparte’s invitation, Richard Metternich sat in the chair opposite Jerome Bonaparte, and between them was a mahogany desk filled with various documents.
After sitting in silence for a moment, the somewhat reserved Richard Metternich tentatively asked Jerome Bonaparte, "Your Majesty, I hear that your country is about to undertake a major operation soon?"
Jerome Bonaparte uncrossed his legs and sat upright, showing a hint of surprise on his face, "Who told you that?"
"Your Majesty, no one told me, it’s all my own speculation!" Richard Metternich "honestly" responded to Jerome Bonaparte.
"You are correct! The French Empire is indeed preparing for an operation!" Jerome Bonaparte nodded and replied to Richard Metternich.
Then, Richard Metternich asked Jerome Bonaparte if it was convenient to disclose the details of the operation.
Jerome Bonaparte informed Richard Metternich that the French Empire has requested the Russian Empire to withdraw from the Danube Duchy; if the Russian Empire refuses, then war awaits the Russian Empire.
"Will the Kingdom of Britain also join the Empire in this war?" Richard Metternich inquired again about the Kingdom of Britain’s stance to Jerome Bonaparte.
Jerome Bonaparte shrugged his shoulders, telling Richard Metternich with a helpless tone that although the Kingdom of Britain would eventually join the war, it wouldn’t be now.
Subsequently, in front of Richard Metternich, Jerome Bonaparte complained about the inefficiency of the Kingdom of Britain’s government, saying they take three months to negotiate something that could be resolved in three hours.
During these three months, each month the British government faces different obstacles; the first month is negotiations within the cabinet, which inevitably generates various opposing voices, and for party leaders to maintain balance and to co-opt some non-party ministers, they have to allocate some positions to these individuals. Once the cabinet is formed, these individuals become the Loyal Opposition. In the second month, after the cabinet reluctantly reaches a consensus and submits the proposal to the Upper House, it similarly faces opposition from some obstinate members of the Upper House, further delaying progress. In the third month, the final agreement and implementation of the policy require Queen Victoria’s approval and the learning of Britain’s fledgling civil servant system.
And the matter that takes three hours often is the Cabinet Prime Minister wanting to add a "cook" to their residence on Downing Street.
To Jerome Bonaparte’s complaints, Richard Metternich merely smiled slightly. When he accompanied his father, Prince Metternich, in residence in Britain, he also felt the "flexible and variable" characteristics of Britain’s civil service system.
Overall, it wasn’t as terrible as spoken by Jerome Bonaparte.
Considering the centuries of "love and hate" between Britain and France, Metternich expressed understanding for Jerome Bonaparte’s criticism of the British.
"Britain’s system is different from our two countries, so we need to give them some reaction time! As long as the political elites of the Kingdom of Britain haven’t been blindsided, they will soon join us! Together we will oppose the Russian Empire’s atrocities in the Danube Duchy!"
Though Jerome Bonaparte willingly mocked the British in front of Richard Metternich, he dared not underestimate the British elite politicians in his heart.
Though far from the power center of the European Continent, Britain, unlike the French Empire, relentlessly pursuing continental hegemony, can focus all its energy on building a world-class navy.
Because of Britain’s unique geographical position, its margin for error is far greater than any country on the European Continent. As long as the Royal Navy isn’t completely defeated, Britain has ample opportunity to attempt paths on the continent that others dare not try.
Should the day come when the Royal Navy cannot effectively suppress rising European states, then that marks the total decline of Britain, and this decline includes not only national power but also talent and politicians.
In a past life, Jerome Bonaparte had seen quite a few jokes made by the Kingdom of Britain.
21st century British politicians were far less competent compared to their predecessors.
The current Britain still remained at its peak, where talent and politicians were in a positive feedback phase.
Even though the efficiency of the British Government lags behind that of a despotic government, it can still act before the situation turns into a complete disaster.
Jerome Bonaparte believes that once Britain learns of the Ottoman Empire’s declaration of war on the Russian Empire and France’s invasion of Varna, they will inevitably abandon hesitation and join this battle.
Appropriately weakening the Russian Empire aligns with the interests of most major powers in Europe.
In his conversation with Richard Metternich, Jerome Bonaparte repeatedly used the word "we," which also indicated his intention to draw the Austrian Empire into the war.
The secret to politics is to make more friends, fewer opponents, and to use the majority to isolate the minority.
Upon hearing Jerome Bonaparte’s "verbal slip," Richard Metternich quickly corrected him, saying, "Your Majesty, the Austrian Empire is not yet prepared for a war with the Russian Empire!"
"Hmm?" Jerome Bonaparte’s gaze carried a hint of hostility, and his tone grew increasingly rude: "Does the Austrian Empire still hold any hope for the Russian Empire? Or is it that your Austrian Empire is willing to be surrounded by the entire Slavic nation!"
To instill a sense of urgency in the Austrian Empire where Richard Metternich was, Jerome Bonaparte deliberately exaggerated the Slavic threat: "According to the intelligence I received, the Russian Imperial Army is preparing for a large-scale Slavic uprising, which could potentially destroy the fragile balance in the Near East, leading to a series of chain reactions.
If Russia harbors ill intentions, wouldn’t the Slavic nations within the Austrian Empire also respond to their call to action? By then, even if the Austrian Empire wanted to oppose the Russian Empire, it would be powerless!"
"I believe Tsar Nicholas will carefully consider!" Richard Metternich was somewhat insecure, as he couldn’t guarantee that the Russian Empire wouldn’t act in the way Jerome Bonaparte mentioned.
"Relying on that arrogant Tsar to remain rational is undoubtedly the most ridiculous thing!" Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but scoff: "Moreover, can they really control the fanatical Slavic nations? Remember that disaster from a few years ago!"
The "disaster" Jerome Bonaparte referred to was the Great Revolution in Europe five years ago.
The surging nationalist wave almost capsized the rickety little boat of Habsburg, with displacement becoming the norm for the great nobles of the time.
No one wishes to return to that era of madness!
"I... we are not like that, it’s just..." Richard Metternich’s face turned slightly pale, and after a long pause, he stammered a response: "It’s just that, Your Majesty, your speed was indeed beyond our expectations!"
Ever since the Russian Empire advanced into the Danube River Basin, the Austrian Empire has constantly hoped to expel the Russian Empire, but due to its lack of strength, it could only rely on France, using French influence to negotiate with the Russian Empire and force them to withdraw from the Danube without bloodshed.
When Prince Metternich realized Jerome Bonaparte’s determination to defeat the Russian Empire, he had no choice but to abandon negotiations and temporarily lean towards France.
However, what surprised both Richard Metternich and Prince Metternich was that the French Empire declared war on the Russian Empire before the Kingdom of Britain was fully prepared.
"Prepare? What else needs to be prepared? While we prepare, the Russian Empire is also preparing!" Jerome Bonaparte said unceremoniously: "Do we have to wait until the Russian Imperial soldiers breach the Ottoman Empire’s defenses with the cooperation of the Slavs and march into Constantinople before we take action? I fear by that time, the Austrian Empire will have long become a puppet of the Russian Empire."
Jerome Bonaparte paused, glanced at Richard Metternich, and continued: "We cannot let the Russian Empire have any illusions; if the Austrian Empire joins us in expressing opposition to Russia’s occupation of the Danube, the Russian Empire will surely retreat!"
"But, such action would immediately put the Austrian Empire under attack from the Russian Empire!" Richard Metternich’s face turned slightly pale, his tone somewhat agitated as he spoke to Jerome Bonaparte.
"There are no rewards without sacrifice! The more the Austrian Empire gives, the more it will receive in return. You can continue to maintain a neutral stance, but I can assure you, after this war, you will not gain a single benefit!" At this moment, Jerome Bonaparte had shifted from his previous approach to directly threatening Richard Metternich.
Richard Metternich was furious, and if possible, he wished he could eliminate Jerome Bonaparte right then and there.
"Is France not afraid that Austria might join the Russian Empire’s side?"