Chapter 181: War Loans
The Greeks had been brought in, but Franz did not take it seriously at all. The Russians were the protagonists of this Near East War; Austria was merely there to make up the numbers, at most tossing a few stones at the Ottoman Empire after it had fallen into a well.
Even though the two countries had declared war, both sides still had plenty of room to maneuver in practice. Austria had merely occupied two of its vassal states and then stopped. The conflict remained within controllable bounds.
The rotten Sultan's government was actually quite capable of enduring humiliation. It was only because it had previously misjudged its own strength, while Austria needed this war, that matters had reached this point.
Franz did not much care whether the Ottoman Empire was beaten to death or not. With British and French support, even at worst, the Ottoman Empire could preserve the Asia Minor Peninsula.
As for the Greeks, to be honest, Franz had not placed any expectations on them.
Their geographical position dictated that clinging to the British was their best choice; their lack of strength meant that the Ottomans needed only one hand to press them down.
If they openly joined the alliance and declared war on the Ottoman Empire, then out of political necessity, the responsible Franz and Nicholas I would certainly lend them a hand.
Even if they lost on the battlefield, they would not be allowed to suffer in the postwar negotiations.
Sneaking onto the stage like this did not count as being allies. If they won, that was fine. Franz kept his word, and the Austrian Government would certainly support their demands; the Russians would most likely honor their promises as well.
If they lost, then they could cry by themselves. It