Austria was in action, and the British were not idle either. In order to win over the Russians, British Foreign Secretary George personally visited St. Petersburg.

The most significant sign of the industrial age was speed. It usually took half a month from London to St. Petersburg in the Middle Ages, but now it only takes four or five days.

The rapid development of navigation technology has connected the human world more closely. Everything has two sides and is closely linked, and international disputes have also increased.

Stepping out of the plywood and looking at the crowd scattered in front of us, George's anger had risen.

It's so perfunctory. As the Foreign Minister of Britain, he is the most honorable guest wherever he goes. He didn't expect that the Russians would be so disrespectful.

Not to mention the members of the royal family, even the top leaders of the Tsarist government did not come. Only a few low-level officials were sent over, and the identities of the two sides were completely unequal, which could be said to be very rude.

Of course, this is the British's opinion. In the eyes of the Russians, this treatment is already very favorable.

The British-Russian War has just ended, and the hatred between the two countries is at its peak. At this time, the government sells it to the British, what do the people in the country think?

Politicians are all smart people who know how to choose the most beneficial to them. As for receiving British people, they naturally push down one after another until they can’t.

No big shots come, and there will be no welcome crowds. The fighting nation is not a fictional reputation. If a few passionate young people get involved, they will rush up to fight with the British, which will be embarrassing.

This kind of thing has happened before. When you open the history book, you will find that Russian diplomats received lunch boxes in duels in more than double digits, including the famous poet Pushkin.

Even if you are angry, things still have to be done. The current international situation is very unfavorable to Britain. If a world overlord cannot be handled well, it will be replaced.

Since the reception staff had an unequal identity, George naturally would not waste time on them. After getting off the ship, he went straight to the embassy and even refused the welcome banquet.

...

"What's going on? Why do the Russians act so cold?"

George asked seriously. Since it was an official visit, the foreign ministries of the two countries must have communicated before this. In the case, if you negotiate in advance, you have to be able to live up to your face no matter what.

Minister Richard Truly explained: "The situation is very bad. Just a month ago, the Austrians suddenly took action and set off an anti-French wave in St. Petersburg.

The Russian people's anti-French sentiment was already very strong, and the pro-Austrian faction occupied a dominant position in the Tsarist government and the ups and downs quickly broke out the national anti-French movement.

When we react and prepare to take measures, it is too late.

The influence of public opinion and the advocacy of the pro-Austrian faction, the political stance of the Tsarist government may have changed."

This was not his responsibility. Because of the British-Russian War, Britain once evacuated the Embassy in Russia. Richard Truly, the minister, actually only took office for more than a month.

With such a little time, being able to straighten out daily work can be considered smart and capable. It would be too embarrassing to destroy Austria's actions.

George waved his hand and said politely: "Forget it, it's not your responsibility. The Frenchman didn't notice it, let alone us?"

As the Foreign Minister of Britain, George is still very familiar with the political factions within the Tsarist government. At present, or in recent decades, the pro-Austrian faction has always controlled the power.

This is determined by interests. As Russia-Austrian trade continues to deepen, more and more people are tied to this chain of interests.

Not only are there many pro-Opalis in the Tsarist government, but also many pro-Russian officials in the Vienna government. This cannot be changed by personal will.

Of course, political tendencies do not necessarily mean political stance. In essence, everyone is still towards their own country.

Generally speaking, this tendency can only play a role without harming one's own interests.

Even so, Britain could not destroy the public opinion in Austria. After all, the British-Russian War had just ended, and the pro-British factions in the Tsarist government did not dare to emerge at all.

Without local tyrants, Britain would not be able to go on his own! If the British minister really stood up to speak for the French, he would probably have become a pro-war faction.

However, George did not take the change of the Tsarist government's position as a matter of fact. Only interests can be eternal between countries.

In George's view, preventing Austria from dominating the continental continent was the common interests of Britain and Russia. The indifference shown by the Tsarist government was just to raise its own value.

If he was really not interested in mediation, the Tsarist government would have long rejected his visit, so there was no need to do these small moves that could not be put on the table.

“Is the situation on the continental battlefield very bad?”

asked Minister Richard Truly.

The information in St. Petersburg is still more obstructive. Even if the news comes, it will be added with fire in the middle of the process and will have long lost its original flavor.

George nodded: "The situation in French Italy is unstable, there are many guerrillas on the peninsula, and the French's southern European defense line is in danger.

On the Sino-European battlefield, the French army seemed to be still maintaining an offensive, but in fact they were physically and mentally exhausted. The troops were very severely reduced. According to the current situation on the battlefield, France would be tortured by Austria if it lasted for one more year.

The situation on the battlefield is changing constantly, and no one knows what will happen tomorrow. It is urgent to arrange a meeting with the Russian top leaders as soon as possible and form an interference alliance."

It’s not that George couldn’t hold back and was eager to contact the Russians. The key is that they didn’t have much time left.

An interference alliance cannot be built in one or two days. Even if the alliance is established, it still needs to coordinate the relationship between all parties, and it will be impossible to deal with it in a short while.

If the internal relations were not straightened out, the European War would come to an end and Britain would be filled with fun.

...

Almost at the same time George arrived in St. Petersburg, the negotiations between Russia and Austria came to an end.

The facts prove once again that nothing can be solved by money; if so, it must be that there is not enough money.

The Vienna government naturally did not want to give it to the real money, but Franz was not under pressure for being generous to others.

After the Vienna government promised that "the Tsarist government will receive no less than 20% of the total war reparations, once it joins the war," the Tsarist government could no longer hold on.

As the third largest power in the world, France's family has a very solid foundation. The compensation that can be paid after the war is at least billions of Aegis.

According to the lowest 20%, that is also hundreds of millions, or even more than one billion ASCH, which is equivalent to the fiscal revenue of the Russian Empire for several years.

It was completely beyond the Russians' expectations that such a rich reward could be achieved by just declaring a war and without specifying combat missions.

In the eyes of the Tsarist government, this is a rare opportunity for the Austrians to be confused. If they don’t sign the treaty soon, it will be too late to react.

...

After everything was settled, Russian Foreign Minister Oscar Jimenez, in a good mood, finally remembered the British Foreign Minister who was visiting Russia.

It would be fine if they came from afar and didn't receive them warmly, but they would even keep them there for several days. It can be said that it was very rude.

However, for Oscar Jimenez, this is not a problem. British-Russian relations are just like this. A few months ago, the two countries were fighting on the battlefield, so offending them would be offended.

Improve diplomatic relations with the British?

Sorry, the Tsarist government has not given up its ambitions for India. Although the top government officials know that the British are not easy to deal with, they still cannot stop the enthusiasm of the people.

Everything is afraid of comparison. Compared with the Prussian-Russian War, the British-Russian War is much easier. In the eyes of many people, if it were not for the logistics drag, the Tsar could have held a military parade in India.

Even if the final goal was not achieved this time, it captured the Central Asian region, including three quarters of the "Eurasian Heart".

As soon as the British-Russian War ended, someone within the Tsarist government proposed to build a railway connecting Moscow and Afghanistan to prepare for the next war.

If it weren't for the lack of money in the government's pocket, the plan had been implemented. In this context, any attempt to repair the relationship between Britain and Russia was destined to be useless.

...

British Foreign Minister George asked: "Marquis Marquis, I wonder what your country has to think about what was said in the last telegram?"

Thoughts? Oscar Jimenez was a little confused. Frankly speaking, if it weren't for George's reminder just now, he would have almost forgotten the British proposed to form an interference alliance.

The reason is very simple, and I oppose the enemy's support. The British and Russian War had just ended, and the British came to me, so the Tsarist government naturally did not believe that the British would be kind.

In Oscar Jimenez's view, the British proposed to alienate the Russian-Austrian alliance. Then, the Russian Foreign Ministry handled the telegram, which seemed of great significance to the British.

Even George's visit was deliberately created by Oscar Jimenez to negotiate terms with Austria. Now that the purpose has been achieved, the actors are naturally not that important.

"Sorry, Sir George. After careful study, we feel that the situation in the continental region is moving in the right direction and there is no need to form an interference alliance."

Hearing this answer, the coffee cup in George almost fell down. It was really unexpected that the Russians were not worried about Austria becoming bigger.

George's horror expression naturally fell into Oscar Jimenez's eyes.

The Russian Empire really doesn't want to see Austria become bigger. But there is no way, identity determines the position. The Russian Empire has joined the anti-French alliance, and the situation is developing in a favorable direction, so it must be correct.

After calming down, George asked, "Your Excellency, aren't you kidding? According to the current situation, after the anti-French alliance won the war, Austria would be the dominant one.

The emergence of a giant across Asia, Europe and Africa not only endangers world peace, but also threatens your country's interests."

Oscar Jimenez shook his head and smiled slightly, "Jazz is too worried. Russia and Austria are allies, so there is no need to say such provocation and disagreement.

Everyone knows what happened to the Continental War. If the French hadn't invaded Central Europe, there would have been no such war at all.

After a bloody battle, the anti-French alliance finally gained the upper hand. At this time, we have to intervene. Aren’t we condoning the atrocities of the French?

If the invaders are not punished, then if European countries do not follow suit in the future, where can there be peace?”

Sarcasm, naked sarcasm. After finally occupying the moral high ground, Oscar Jimenez naturally would not give up this opportunity to ridicule the British.

Everyone knows that endangering world peace is a joke. Since the 18th century, more than half of the wars in the world have been credited by the British.

Oscar Jimenez naturally knew the threat that Austria might bring. But it was clear that it did not mean that he could do anything.

By joining the anti-French alliance and the Russian Empire will win by lying down, they will be able to gain a large amount of benefits without taking any risks.

If they join the British-led interference alliance, they will not even get a wave of hatred. Even if Britain and France are willing to compensate the Russian Empire, it will definitely not be as generous as Austria.

It is impossible for the Russian Empire to give up the benefits that can be obtained for the sake of the British! This spirit of self-destruction and selfless dedication is not possessed by the Tsarist government.

He was so angry that he was now ridiculed by others. George is very well-educated and couldn't help it.

"One day, you will regret what you do today! A group of short-sighted idiots! Wait, the Austrians will let you know what..."

After saying that, George turned around and left without looking back.

It is impossible to keep it. Oscar Jimenez is not a good-tempered person. George's last words were obviously provoking relations between Russia and Austria.

It seems irrelevant, but if it falls into the ears of those who are interested, I still don’t know how many storms will occur.
To be continued...