"What, the Austrians want to annex the Ottomans?"

Alexander III, who had just been crowned as emperor, received this bad news before he could celebrate.

Foreign Minister Osier Rivera replied: "Yes, Your Majesty. We applied for a loan from the Vienna government not long ago, and they made this request."

Alexander III shook his head and replied with affirmative answer: "No, this is absolutely not possible!

Once the Austrians annexed the Ottomans, their power went deep into Central Asia, and no one could guarantee that they would not become our competitors.

Central Asia falls into the hands of the indigenous Khanate, and we can get it back; if it falls into the hands of Austria, it is almost impossible to get it.

Now our vitality is severely damaged and we have no ability to compete with them.

The Austrians wanted to control our lifeline. After they took down Central Asia, they had the ability to divide the Russian Empire into two.

With the Dardanelles that he has controlled, the future Russian Empire will act according to their expressions."

The reason is very good, but Osiele Rivera does not agree with it. It is too big to be controlled by others.

It is not just a problem with the Dardanelles Strait. The Russian Empire is subject to Austria in many aspects. Arms, finance, economy, and the three core lifelines are inseparable from Austria.

After hesitating for a while, Osiele Rivera reminded: "Your Majesty, it is not difficult to solve the problem of the Dardanelles.

We had contact with the Austrians many years ago, and the Vienna government agreed that we would pay for redemption or carry out territorial replacement.

Due to some special reason, the transaction was not reached in the end. This also shows that the Vienna government does not attach importance to the Dardanelles Strait, and it is not difficult to get it here."

Alexander III had just succeeded to the throne, and no one knew his temper yet. Osiele Rivera, who was cautious, chose to attack from the side.

The Austrian threat does exist, but now is not the time to consider this issue. What the Tsarist government needs most at this time is money, and other issues can be suppressed.

In this regard, the Tsarist government is confident. The Russian Empire is placed here, so there is no need to worry about foreign invasion.

Austria's threat was based on the premise that the two countries did not turn against each other. If they really parted ways, these problems could be overcome.

After hesitating for a while, Alexander III nodded helplessly: "Then let's talk to the Austrians first. No matter what, you can't let the Ottomans be taken over."

Alexander III's diplomatic talent far exceeded his ancestors, and soon discovered the key to the problem: Once Austria made up its mind to attack the Ottomans, they could not stop it at all.

With the support of the Russian Empire, things will be easier; without their support, Austria can still start wars.

The aftermath of the Prussian-Russian War has not yet dissipated, and the European world is still immersed in the anti-war wave. It is impossible for Britain and France to start a war for the Ottoman Empire and Austria.

Russia seems to have a strong say, but they are still licking their wounds and the government has no money in their pockets. In addition, Russia and Turkey have a feud, so Alexander III really can't find a reason to save the Ottoman.

Alexander III was rational, just like stopping the domestic purge. When he found that he could not stop Austria, he decided to make a decisive choice in exchange for benefits.

...

Foreign Minister Osier Rivera added: "Your Majesty, in addition to this issue, we must also consider the Finnish issue.

Before the war, in order to stabilize the Nordic Federation and raise funds for the war, there were still secret agreements in the mortgage loans we signed with the Swedes.

The above clearly agreed that after the war, Finland would be sold to the Nordic Federation. If we default, we must pay a penalty in addition to repaying the debt. The Vienna government is the guarantor."

This is another huge pit. Before the outbreak of the Prussian-Russian War, in order to reduce an enemy, the Tsarist government had to sign such a treaty.

Now, this has become a difficult problem. It is just a worry of happiness, a worry that only happens after winning the war.

During the reign of Alexander II, the plan prepared was to take down the two principalities of Shileswig, Holstein, and hand over the Nordic Federation to repay the debt.

Unfortunately, halfway through the plan, Alexander II met God. Alexander III was not as strong as his father's ability to withstand pressure, and his prestige was not enough.

In addition, the domestic situation did not allow him to continue the war. After being strongly opposed by European countries, he quickly chose to compromise.

Alexander III frowned and shook his head: "The Finnish region has great strategic significance and cannot be handed over, at least it cannot be handed over.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will first contact the Nordic Federation to see if they can accept the sale of some Finnish areas.

After all, this debt is guaranteed by Austria. It is absolutely necessary to do so, and no threat is done by force."

Weak countries have no diplomacy, so we are never a ruler. They are better at using cannons than solving problems at the negotiating table.

Alexander III was considered a peace faction among the Tsars, and he was able to take out some of the Finnish regions to fulfill their contracts. If he had changed his father, Alexander II, it would not be so easy to speak.

Of course, Austria's guarantee also plays an important role. The "Debt Guarantee Contract" is not just about providing a security guarantee, but also has clear punishment clauses.

Compared to buying Austria with interests and silenced the Vienna government, Alexander III felt that it would be easier to reach the goal if he talked with the Nordic Federation.

Foreign Minister Osier Rivera laughed and said, "Don't worry, as long as we can take out part of the Finnish region to fulfill the contract, the Nordic Federation will not reject our kindness."

...

Since the end of the Russian-Prussian War, this bustling metropolis has suddenly become silent.

Despite the sale of territory and recovering some of the funds, the Berlin government still had a hard time.

The heavy debts have increased the burden on the shoulders of the Prussian people. More importantly, the despair brought by the failure of the war has caused many people to lose confidence in the future.

In order to give an explanation to the people in the country, William I had announced his abdication and Prussia entered the era of Frederick III.

This is a bad guy. He just succeeded to the throne for a few days, and met God. He has the nickname "Hundred Days Emperor" and his actual reign lasted for 99 days.

After barely waking up with his father and having a great time getting the emperor, he passed away in a hurry.

Under the butterfly effect, Frederick III has now ascended the throne early, and has not yet made any good choices and has taken over a mess.

The only benefit is probably that William I abdicated and forced a group of Junker nobles to resign, without so many annoying people.

Compared to the mess now, perhaps Frederick III is more willing to accept a group of Junker nobles.

The king is the biggest Junker in his position. Everyone's class interests are still the same, and the only thing they are fighting for is power.

Looking at the map hanging on the wall, Frederick III sighed deeply.

He did nothing, and the territory of the Prussian Kingdom was mostly reduced. If a country wants to revive, it cannot be separated from population and resources.

With the failure of the Prussian War, the Prussian Kingdom lost a large amount of territory, a large amount of population and resources.

Regardless of whether it is recognized or not, the Kingdom of Prussia has become a small country.
Chapter completed!