Flowers, Swords and France

"You can ask me for asylum. I'd be happy to let you stay in the UK for a few more years."

Because it was not a completely formal official occasion, even if the topic had turned to the most important aspects, Minister Palmerston was not stingy with a little joke.

But of course, this was just a joke.

Not to mention that with Charles' current status, it is impossible for him to choose to abandon everything and surrender to the British. Even if he really did so, a useless Treville would not be accepted by the British with a smile.

But this kind of joke did a good job of easing the atmosphere, giving Charles a chance to breathe for a while.

When he said in a serious tone that he wanted to confront the British, the smile on Palmerston's face gradually disappeared, and then he looked at Charles with a solemn look.

"Then please speak." He spread his hands and made a gesture that Charles could speak freely.

Under the gaze of the three most influential people in the UK at this time, Charles took a deep breath and tried to maintain his composure.

"First of all, I want to make it clear that the president loves peace. He hopes more than anyone else that the nation's wounds can be healed in peace and prosperity... Therefore, he believes that France's interests are best expanded through peaceful means."

"Best" - does that mean that war is not excluded? Minister Palmerston thought to himself.

"Oh, I can understand the president's thoughts." He took a sip of wine leisurely, "Peace - this is the most precious thing in our time, what we strive for. It is to let Europe enjoy peace and tranquility. Britain is not afraid of threats, and no one can threaten it."

"You are right. No one can threaten Britain." Charles smiled and nodded in agreement with his words, as if he did not hear the implicit threat. "I believe no one would want to do this. At least, for the president, he has absolutely no intention of competing with any country for supremacy..."

"So where does Mr. Bonaparte want to get our understanding?" Palmerston decided not to beat around the bush with him, "What method can be used to satisfy him 'peacefully'?"

"As you know, the president is not keen on expanding territory, and he is also very happy to recognize the borders drawn by the Vienna Conference for European countries..." Charles stared at Palmerston and said to him word by word. "However, whether out of the dignity of a national leader or out of France's old honor, he hopes to restore a state in some areas... well... a state where France is very respected. This is the norm in the past. At all times, France, as a Catholic country, needs to maintain the prestige of the church."

Because Charles spoke very slowly, Palmerston heard it very clearly and even had time to chew.

After listening to his last sentence quietly. Palmerston translated his words to the Prime Minister again.

Then he looked at Charles again.

"Does the President want to exclude the influence of the Austrians in Italy?"

"We don't want to exclude anyone." Charles replied implicitly, "We just want to make France respected again. The Kingdom of Sardinia hopes to get close to France and seek France's protection as a generous and enthusiastic country. France cannot refuse this trust..."

Palmerston and Prime Minister Russell left Charles aside and exchanged a few words in a low voice.

It was not until a moment later that Prime Minister Russell spoke.

"Britain has no intention of interfering with the freedom of action of any country. If the Kingdom of Sardinia intends to implement a foreign policy, then it naturally has the right to implement it. Of course-all the consequences caused by this should also be borne by the country itself."

After listening to Paul-Bilot's translation. Charles nodded with relief. "This is the demeanor of a great power, which is admirable."

In fact, the British implicitly acknowledged in this way that the Kingdom of Sardinia could be a vassal of France and France's freedom of action in Italy.

"Speaking of this, I am a little surprised..." Palmerston suddenly laughed, "Mr. Treville, in your recent statement, I thought you were originally a pro-Austrian!"

After all, if France forms an alliance with the Kingdom of Sardinia, then this already ambitious country will inevitably act more recklessly, and will inevitably anger Austria, and then destroy the Franco-Austrian relationship that already lacks much trust.

From this, it can also be seen that Britain has been paying attention to France's diplomatic trends, and even Charles's personal statement was learned by them early.

"Sometimes, guns and cannons can attract more friends than flowers..." Charles replied in a low voice, neither admitting nor denying the other party's temptation.

In his opinion, Louis-Bonaparte's anti-Austrian attitude does not affect the overall situation at least for now. Let Austria suffer a certain degree of setbacks, but it can be used as an opportunity to pull them over - just as Napoleon and Bismarck did, history has proved that Austria almost never bears grudges, at least it is very able to succumb to reality.

After all, in diplomatic affairs, in addition to long-term strategies, there is inevitably a certain degree of opportunism. Even Charles did not object to letting France first gather one more vassal state.

"But there is a condition." The Prime Minister suddenly spoke, "France's restoration of its prestige in Italy cannot be at the expense of freedom of navigation and maritime peace in the Mediterranean. Otherwise, as the backbone of maintaining peace, Britain cannot stay out of it."

"We don't think so." After listening to the translation, Charles gave another assurance, "Peace in Mediterranean shipping is also very important to us."

At this moment, Britain, which controls Gibraltar, Malta and Egypt, is the well-deserved overlord of the Mediterranean. They obviously do not like others to shake this status - and France really does not have the power to do so now.

"It seems that Italy cannot satisfy Mr. Bonaparte's appetite..." Seeing Charles still looking so unhurried, Palmerston frowned again. "Could you please share his other thoughts? In a private gathering like ours, of course you can speak freely."

"In order to protect France's wealth, the president wants to expand France's colonies." Charles stated another condition.

"France has its own freedom of action - except for those places that have been assigned to or claimed by Britain, it can expand as much as it can, as long as it can do it." Palmerston's answer this time was very straightforward. .

So cunning!

It sounds nice, but now that Britain has taken away so much territory, how much is left for others? Besides, "the place claimed by Britain" is tantamount to requiring France to obtain communication and understanding from Britain before expanding its colonies.

These Englishmen are indeed as hard as rock. Ciel thought angrily in his heart.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

Forget it, this is also one of the expected results, at least it is better than the worst.

"In addition...France's interests in the Near East also need to be effectively protected." He suppressed his dissatisfaction and continued.

Palmerston's face suddenly turned ugly.

"Do you mean Egypt?" Palmerston suddenly frowned, as if thinking of something unpleasant. "With all due respect, excessive demand is probably not good for anyone. Sir, you should have an impression of some things that happened ten years ago. Just because you put forward something that is unnecessary and cannot bring anything to France." Due to the demand for benefits, poor Mr. Thiers lost the position he had fought so hard to win..."

Then, he laughed rather cruelly, "Oh, I forgot that he lost his life in M. Bonaparte and your coup not long ago. Considering his not so pleasant behavior, In the end, I think, as a new big man who can represent France, M. Bonaparte is much more sensible."

Such an arrogant attitude made Ciel feel extremely unhappy, so Ciel decided to be tough.

"Only France has the right to decide what is necessary for itself and what will benefit it, sir," he replied coldly.

This unyielding posture and challenging eyes made the elderly Palmerston shake his body somewhat uncomfortably.

In March 1840, Thiers, who had just come to power, was very high-spirited and claimed that he wanted France to implement a radical line of "making a difference". As a result, it soon triggered a reaction led by the British, who had not completely forgotten the French in the 1940s. The antipathy and vigilance of the great powers that cast a terrible shadow on Europe years ago.

At that time, Muhammad Ali, the governor of Egypt in the Ottoman Empire, rebelled against his aging empire and sought to make himself the monarch of Egypt. Thiers supported Muhammad Ali's rebellion, intending to gain benefits from it and seek to succeed in the future. Egypt expands French power.

Led by the British, the four major powers of Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia held a meeting and decided to force France to withdraw its support for Egypt. Under the joint pressure of the major powers, France finally backed down, and Thiers had to take the blame and resign. Muhammad Ali also had to surrender to the Turkish Sultan again.

The recognition of Belgium's permanent independence in 1839 and the forced withdrawal from Egypt in 1840 were two huge diplomatic failures. In a sense, they were also an important reason why Louis-Philippe's July Dynasty lost the hearts of the people.

"Sir, this is not possible, absolutely not," Palmerston replied in an unquestionably stern tone. "No British government will sit idly by and watch the French get involved in Egypt."

Although the Suez Canal has not yet been excavated, Egypt already occupies a very important position among the British rulers. Even if it is to win over France, the British will never give up Egypt to France.

Paul Bilot shrank uneasily. This sudden serious and tense atmosphere made him fearful again.

"No, I think you misunderstood." After successfully irritating Palmerston, Charles suddenly laughed again. "When we talk about the Near East, that's not what we mean."

Of course Louis Bonaparte and Charles had never had such a grand dream. (To be continued...)