Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was 1860. The first major event of the new year was Nicholas I going to meet God.
In any other European country, this would have been a minor matter. It was only a change of emperor; life would go on as usual.
But things were different in Tsarist Russia. A change of tsar also meant that Russia's foreign policy was about to change.
As the overlord of continental Europe, any shift in the Tsarist Government's foreign policy was bound to affect the international situation. The Vienna Government had to prepare its countermeasures.
Foreign Minister Wessenberg analyzed, "According to the intelligence we have gathered, Alexander II is not as forceful in character as Nicholas the Great. He is more skilled in the art of compromise.
Alexander II's political stance differs from Nicholas the Great's. He advocates more thorough social reforms and opposes blind foreign expansion.
The Foreign Ministry judges that Alexander II may compromise with the British, cease supporting the Indian rebels, and ease relations with Britain.
Without Russian support, the Indians cannot hold back the British. Before long, this rebellion will be crushed.
At most, within another two years, the British will be able to extricate themselves from India. Whether their strategic focus will then return to the European Continent or turn toward a new round of colonial expansion remains uncertain.
Against this backdrop, the French will likely accelerate their actions in the Kingdom of Sardinia.
The Paris Government has successfully persuaded Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and other countries to withdraw their troops from the Kingdom of Sardinia. Under the agreement, once the murderer is captured, we too must withdraw from the Kingdom of Sardinia.
As long as France and Russia reach an agreement and the Russians withdraw their