As an old hand at the negotiating table, Palmerston naturally had no intention of following Makarov and Lord Habescu's rhythm.
"Do you truly believe that one power standing alone at the top would serve our common interests?
I think any gentleman possessed of reason would answer, 'No!'
That is right! The dominance of a single power would only breed more friction!
And friction leads to war, blocked trade routes, poverty, famine, and every other terrible calamity."
Palmerston turned to Makarov and said, "We raise this issue not because we harbor any doubts about the Holy Alliance's military victory.
On the contrary, it is precisely out of long-term consideration. Is the Holy Alliance willing to occupy a city full of hostility, along with a complete mess of a region?
To shoulder debts for public security and reconstruction, while making enemies of all Europe?"
In fact, in order to pressure the Holy Alliance, Palmerston had indeed brought in quite a few supporters: France's Second Empire, Prussia, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and other nations.
He had even brought in countries like Egypt and Persia—the emphasis was on strength in numbers.
The British actually understood perfectly well that Austria and Russia were the leading players. But at this point, they truly had little confidence left, since they had already used nearly every method available to them.
The Russians' stance appeared extremely resolute on the surface, but that was largely due to Nicholas I's personal reasons.
In fact, public security and reconstruction in newly acquired territories had always been a tremendous headache for Russia. On this point, the British had struck with great precision.
Had there not been several Near East Wars before this, the Russians would not have understood the matter so deeply.
Every advance into the Balkans cost