Holy Roman Empire - Chapter 490

Chapter 490: Chapter 63, Intrigue – Open Plot (Extra chapter for monthly votes)
 

While adjusting the industrial structure, Franz also didn’t forget to cause trouble for the Russians, doing all he could to disrupt Alexander II’s plans.

There are no allies when it comes to interests; right or wrong, one’s identity decides their stance. Just limiting the trouble to sabotaging the Russian food exports, Franz was already showing a lot of restraint.

Completely blocking Russian food exports was unrealistic. However, setting up some obstacles was not difficult to achieve.

For example, neighboring Switzerland, after a bit of activity by the Austrian diplomatic department, decisively imposed a high tariff on the Russians.

And then there was the German Federation Empire, which at this time was still haggling over whether to accept Russian food as debt repayment. The reason was very simple, the Sub-States that hadn’t lent money to Russia were opposed.

Behind this, there was certainly the influence of Austrian diplomacy at play, but even more so, it was about dislike for the Russians. Yes, dislike for the Russians could also be a reason, and a major one at that.

The grudges involved were already too tangled to clear up. In any case, the Russians had enemies all over the European Continent, and targeting them was not at all difficult.

Subsequently, Belgium and the Netherlands were successfully lobbied by Austria and each imposed a high tariff on the Russians; Spain and Portugal were no exception.

The reason was very pragmatic—who would side with the now down-and-out Russians?

Perhaps the Russians might rise again in the future, but with Austria and Prussia blocking the way, they didn’t have to worry.

The threat of Austria was immediate. After all, who knew what kind of retaliation they might face after refusing the goodwill of the Vienna Government?

The precedent set by France annexing the Italian countries had already terrified these nations. Even if Austria might want to maintain appearances and not directly annex them, it was still possible that they might find an excuse to give them a beating.

Since the news of the alliance between England, France, and Austria, the European nations no longer believed that they could ensure their own security by relying on the balance of power among the great powers.

So, they might as well behave a little better. Maintain good relations with their neighbors, so that their neighbors would be too embarrassed to make a move.

Don’t think it’s cowardly; this is how a small country survives. It’s okay to throw a fit in normal times, but it’s vital not to stand on the wrong side during critical moments.

As for England and France, Franz couldn’t be bothered to make futile efforts anymore. Don’t be fooled by the ongoing alliance, but if you take it seriously, you’ve already lost.

From the start, this alliance was full of ulterior motives; they stood together reluctantly for the sake of interest, and when it came to interest, there was no room for discussion.

Convincing England and France wasn’t difficult, but it would mean the end of the Russian-Austrian Alliance. Frankly, Franz no longer cared about this alliance but that didn’t mean he would actively break the pact.

It was a matter of national credibility; a country that ignored alliances would not be respected internationally.

Once Austria broke the Russian-Austrian Alliance, it would no longer be able to maintain its current superior position, and would even be ostracized in the upcoming Tripartite Alliance.

The friendliness between France and Austria relied on the British, mainly because the British had such a history of betraying allies that it made others subconsciously wary.

Franz had no intention of testing those waters. If he did, Austria would no longer be considered a reliable ally.

This reputation was meticulously cultivated by the Habsburg dynasty over many years and had been maintained for a long time. From the Congress of Vienna to the present, Austria’s control over the discourse on the European Continent also played a key role.

When forming alliances, everyone subconsciously believed in the concept of reliability. Now Russia and Austria were just competing fairly; if diplomatic means were insufficient, that was their own fault, and Franz had not resorted to any methods beyond the rules.

Otherwise, a group of pirates appearing in the Aegean Sea could block the Russians’ way. The Black Sea Fleet’s few broken-down sailing ships were really no match for pirates.

The Tsarist Government had previously set a record of being wiped out by pirates; if it happened again, who knew if Alexander II could withstand it.

Bribing England and France would cost too much, and there was no need anyway; the Russians were unlikely to get their way.

Every change in the situation damaged the interests of those who had previously benefited, and these people became the most significant opponents. The Nobility and peasants within England and France were the largest resisters to cheap Russian grain.

Just stir up public opinion a little, and with the Russians’ “good” reputation, it was likely that the public would take to the streets to demonstrate and block doors again.

These tactics had not yet come to the point of being launched. When Russian grain ships arrived at port, that would be the best time. Inciting a few deluded teenagers to set a fire would be more effective than words.

Such petty tricks were not respectable and at best could only intercept for two or three years, making the Russians pay more.

In the later stages, there would always be capitalists willing to cooperate with the Russians for the sake of profit. Once the two sides hooked up, these little moves would lose their effectiveness.

The main reason Franz did not like to resort to conspiracy lay here, no matter how one schemed, it seemed insignificant in the face of interests.

It wasn’t just Austria that was acting against Russia; the Prussians were even more proactive. Compared to the Vienna Government, the Berlin Government was even more concerned about the resurgence of the Russian Empire.

Seeing Alexander II earnestly practicing internal skills, reforming domestic policies, developing the economy, and restoring national power, the Berlin Government never had a moment of ease.

The two sides were already mortal enemies, with no possibility of easing tensions. Once the Russian Empire recovered, the Prusso-Russian War would erupt once again.

The Junker aristocracy had already made the mental preparation to strike first; having tasted sweetness, they sought to gain even greater benefits from the Russians.

Without tangible efforts, it was their own lack of strength and inability to attack the Russian Empire that held them back.

Relations between Prussia and Austria had softened considerably over the past two years, with Austria secretly cheering on the Berlin Government. Many pro-Austrian Junkers, too, were among the eager vanguards against Russia.

Now, being anti-Russian was politically correct in the Kingdom of Prussia, and doing so wouldn’t strike anyone as odd. After all, with everyone around being anti-Russian, you would draw attention to yourself if you weren’t.

With the expiration of the Russian-Austrian Alliance approaching, Franz was already contemplating whether to renew the treaty with the Russians. Geopolitical relations would ensure that the two nations’ conflicting interests would continue to grow.

Franz had no confidence in the integrity of the Tsarist Government. Alexander II was also an ambitious monarch; it was just his bad luck to coincide with the Empire’s transition from prosperity to decline, forcing him to undertake social reforms.

This was a common failing among great leaders—their ambitions were often vast. If the Russians managed to deal with Poland and Prussia, it would inevitably lead to a fallout between Russia and Austria.

The French had been dragged down into the gutter, and with Napoleon III being old and running out of time to pave the way for his son, military adventurism seemed unlikely at this point.

When Napoleon IV ascended the throne and suppressed internal contradictions burst forth, with the Italians clamoring for independence and France being saved from civil war only by divine intervention, France simply wouldn’t have the capacity to stab Austria in the back.

The Prusso-Russian conflict was irreconcilable, and any dreams of their union were mere delusions. Core interest clashes would keep them at loggerheads.

International circumstances had dictated that Austria no longer needed to worry about fighting on multiple fronts. At this point, the Russian-Austrian Alliance, with its various factions, was nothing more than a rib to Austria.

As long as Austria didn’t stir up trouble on the European Continent, there was no need to fear being ganged up on. There is no hatred without cause, nor is there unprovoked aggression.

If the Russians were defeated in the next Prusso-Russian War, then this steamroller of Europe would come to its ultimate end. Without the bondage of alliances, it would be convenient for Austria to kick Russia while it was down.

Conversely, if Prussia were to be defeated, the foundationless Junker Nobility would have no choice but to compromise with Austria and join the Shinra Empire for self-preservation.

Both outcomes seemed quite favorable, and as long as Franz could prevent the French from leaping out of the Italian quagmire, he had nothing to fear.

Though this was his train of thought, Franz still did not reveal his ideas. To the outside world, Russia and Austria were still good allies, with England, France, and Austria about to become good allies as well.

Alliances between European nations typically had time limits, and thirty years was considered lengthy, as was the case with the Russian-Austrian Alliance.

Such long-term agreements were possible only when relations between the two countries were very good. But even the best of relationships could not withstand the erosion of time.

If someone other than a lofty monarch like Alexander II were in Russia, the Russo-Austrian relationship could be maintained for many more years. Unfortunately, there are no “ifs” in reality.

Faced with an ambitious Tsar, Franz could not afford to be complacent. With such a significant butterfly effect, who could guarantee that Alexander II would meet the same assasinated fate as in the original timeline?

If Alexander II were allowed to continue leading the Russian Empire, then Russia and Austria would inevitably clash over interests. No, that clash was already happening.

They hadn’t come to blows only because their conflicting interests were not significant enough yet. Franz had been maintaining the alliance out of respect for Russia’s vast market.

There were many points of contention between the two, such as strategic conflicts. The Aegean Sea was now within Austria’s sphere of influence, and whether they liked it or not, the task of guarding the gateway to the Mediterranean had fallen to Austria.

British influence in the Mediterranean had been so squeezed that it was no longer significant; allowing the Russians in would mean sharing benefits that were wholly Austrian.

Without a doubt, at this time, Franz would not provide a foothold for the Russians seeking to expand their influence in the Mediterranean.

One could say that the calculations made by Napoleon III had been successful. It was an overt strategy, and whether they liked it or not, once France backed out, Russia and Austria would directly confront each other over the Mediterranean.

That no conflict had erupted was only because of Russia’s lack of strength. The remaining ships of the outdated Black Sea Fleet, if sent to the Mediterranean to make a presence, would likely end up being completely annihilated by pirates.

Conflicts of interest were this brutal, and nothing was unthinkable. Back then, Napoleon III foresaw the strategic pressure of France controlling the Balkan Peninsula would be too great and decisively abandoned their interests there.

The Vienna Government wouldn’t refuse benefits that came knocking at its door; having accepted the French-Balkan Peninsula, the task of containing the Russians fell to Austria.

Before the British were pressured out, Austria could feign weakness since Greece was a pet maintained by John Bull, who had to step up as their patron.

Now it was different—all interests in the region were in Austrian hands, and naturally, the Vienna Government could not allow the Russians to come and snatch away those benefits.

Given the stakes involved, it’s no wonder that Alexander II remained silent. Franz couldn’t help but take this level of intrigue and calculation seriously.

Despite knowing the French machinations, the Vienna Government was still more than happy to accept them in the face of such interests; that’s the terrifying nature of an overt conspiracy.