Chapter 285: Chapter 283: The Tsar in Action
James Rothschild’s answer inadvertently hit upon Jerome Bonaparte’s theme, and naturally Jerome Bonaparte had no need to "correct" James Rothschild’s political mistakes.
Taking the wrong path in politics could be deadly.
However, for "exemplary" entrepreneurs like James Rothschild, political incorrectness wouldn’t lead to demise but might cost a fine.
Since James Rothschild coincidentally aligned with Jerome Bonaparte’s ideas, he naturally wouldn’t rebuke James Rothschild on this matter.
Jerome Bonaparte revealed a meaningful smile, which startled James Rothschild, making him almost doubt whether he had answered the question incorrectly.
The President’s following words dispelled James Rothschild’s "wild thoughts": "You are correct! France is committed to maintaining peace in the European region! Pursuing the concept of European peaceful development and maintaining bilateral relations cooperation..."
Jerome Bonaparte expressed his ideas to James Rothschild using long-winded bureaucratic diplomatic terms.
Having dealt with diplomats regularly, James Rothschild naturally understood Jerome Bonaparte’s meaning.
"Baron, I wonder if you are interested in making some insignificant contributions to Europe’s peace!" Jerome Bonaparte laid his cards on the table.
"Of course!" James Rothschild decisively responded to Jerome Bonaparte.
As an outstanding European international banker, James Rothschild also loathed war; the Waterloo War was a permanent pain for the entire Rothschild Clan.
Since then, the Rothschild Clan transformed into ambassadors of peace committed to eradicating potential major wars.
The Greek War (1828), the July Revolution (1830), and subsequent potential frictions all saw the contributions of the Rothschild Clan.
James Rothschild himself once said, "War would leave the Rothschild Clan with nothing!"
From a later perspective, James Rothschild’s words were a completely erroneous notion.
"I hope the Rothschild Bank’s branch in Austria can slightly restrain Felix Schwarzenberg’s actions!" Jerome Bonaparte lightly pressed his temples, pretending to have a headache: "Today’s Europe is like a powder keg. If any side loses control even slightly, it will boom and blow Europe into pieces!"
Jerome Bonaparte mimicked a bomb exploding with one hand and said gloatingly, "At that time, who knows how many crowns will fall from heads! How many illustrious heads will be sent to the gallows!"
Although James Rothschild somewhat doubted that Europe would plunge into a full-blown war because of a conflict between Prussia and Austria, it did not prevent him from following Jerome Bonaparte’s vision.
"After this matter concludes, I will consider re-planning the existing railway! Then it will depend on your own abilities!" Jerome Bonaparte drew a tangible promise in front of James Rothschild.
Due to an earlier setback orchestrated by Jerome Bonaparte, a majority of the Rothschild Clan’s railway shares had been sold off, and since then Rothschild had been compelled to exit railway restructuring.
Jerome Bonaparte’s actions clearly implied that the Rothschild Clan could re-enter the railway industry, which made James Rothschild extremely delighted.
James Rothschild promptly assured Jerome Bonaparte that he would instruct the Rothschild Bank in Austria to exert pressure on Felix Schwarzenberg to expedite the conclusion of a peace treaty.
After their conversation, Jerome Bonaparte invited James Rothschild for a simple dinner at the Elysee Palace.
James Rothschild then returned to his residence by the Elysee Palace carriage.
At the residence, James Rothschild saw Alphonse Rothschild, the current president who was supposed to be at the Rothschild Bank, and asked with a slight frown, "Aren’t you supposed to be at the bank?"
"Father, I..." Alphonse Rothschild, relieved upon seeing James Rothschild return safely, immediately pledged to head back.
"Wait a moment!" James Rothschild called out to Alphonse Rothschild and informed him of what had transpired at the Elysee Palace: "You must immediately inform our Austrian branch through our secret channels and ensure their full cooperation!"
"But, will they agree?" Alphonse Rothschild asked in doubt.
You should know, the Austrian branch and the British branch were the main forces behind the "forcing" at the time!
"They will definitely cooperate!" James Rothschild confidently explained, "A Germany long embroiled in war does not align with their interests. They also have people who can stop the war between Prussia and Austria! We do not represent just ourselves, but all of France. They will definitely actively cooperate with our plans!"
"Yes," responded Alphonse Rothschild before leaving the mansion.
While Jerome Bonaparte was actively planning to dampen the Austro-Prussian War, Prussia’s Regent William also sought his own path to salvation by dissolving the Lower House.
A letter penned by Regent Prince William at Sanssouci Palace raced through a secret diplomatic channel to the desk of the Emperor of the Russian Empire, Nicholas I.
Upon receiving the letter, Nicholas I, gazing at Prince William Regent of Prussia’s nearly obsequious letter, displayed an unusually rare smile. The reproach he felt toward Prussia’s "faithlessness" diminished under the influence of this letter. Instead, he was reminded of the "long-standing" friendship between the Kingdom of Prussia and the Russian Empire. Nicholas I firmly believed that the friendship forged during the Napoleonic Wars would not fade with the passage of time.
In the letter, Prince William addressed Nicholas I as brother, first expressing that Prussia’s actions in 1848 were a betrayal of the principle of legitimacy. He explained that their actions were entirely due to being coerced by the mob, but his concessions only led to the mob brazenly demanding more unreasonable requests. Now, they have decided not to compromise any longer, to dissolve the Lower House, abolish the Prussian Constitution established in 1848, and hope for Nicholas I’s assistance.
Subsequently, Regent William conveyed to Nicholas I that his elder brother had fallen into a coma from the mental strain caused by the Prussian-Austrian war. He believed "this is God’s punishment to Prussia, urging Prussia to return to the right path"! Therefore, he, William, personally led Prussia back on track.
The whole letter did not mention mediation, but all his actions implied the hope for Nicholas I to rise and mediate.
Previously, we also mentioned that the foreign policies of other countries largely adhere to national interests as the main guide, while appropriately considering the interests of the monarch.
In Russia, the embodiment of diplomacy is the Emperor of the Russian Empire, Nicholas I, with all diplomatic actions adapting to Nicholas I’s thoughts.
No matter how much effort Carl Nesselrode and Felix Schwarzenberg exerted before, any change in Nicholas I’s mindset could render their efforts as illusory as the moon in the water or flowers in a mirror.
Now, Nicholas I’s thoughts evidently began to waver.
Nicholas I longed to acquire Constantinople but desired even more to unite the monarchic states, to make them heed the call of the Russian Empire.
Weighing the gains and losses, Nicholas I decided to breach the implied promise he had granted before and intervened in the Austro-Prussian War.
Nevertheless, before proceeding, Nicholas I had to find a "scapegoat" for "forcing" him to breach the treaty.
After contemplating extensively, Nicholas I fixed his target on the sixty-five-year-old Prince Alexander Menshikov.
[Prince Alexander Menshikov had participated in the Russo-French war of 1812, and in the war against Turkey from 1828-1829 he served as a naval general and was struck by a cannonball that took his testicle. He had participated as a naval officer in drafting the plan to blockade the Turkish Straits and became the Governor of Finland in 1831, also participating in negotiations with Persia.]
Under Nicholas I’s orders, Alexander Menshikov was summoned.
"Your Majesty!" Alexander Menshikov greeted Nicholas I with a bow.
"Alexander, I wish for you to visit Prussia on my behalf, what do you think?" Nicholas I emotionlessly said to Alexander Menshikov.
"Certainly!" Alexander Menshikov immediately responded without hesitation, then asked further, "Your Majesty, what would you like me to do?"
"You will travel to Prussia as a special envoy, to visit Frederick William IV, and mediate the conflict between Prussia and Austria, ensuring they unite under the banner of the Russian Empire!" Tsar Nicholas I told Alexander Menshikov.
"Yes!"
On November 20th, Alexander Menshikov, as the Tsar’s envoy, set sail from the docks at St. Petersburg heading towards Prussia’s Sanssouci Palace.
Meanwhile, Prince Paskievich, stationed in the Polish Region, also received a letter from Nicholas I.
The letter instructed Paskievich to prepare for the possibility of being deployed to Berlin to suppress the Berlin uprising at any time.
Upon receipt of the letter, Paskievich complained about Nicholas I’s lack of empathy for the soldiers, while starting the mobilization process.