London
Prime Minister John Russell was nursing a headache over the Italian question. Ever since the Austro-Sardinian Battle of Venice had ended, he had known things were about to get troublesome. If this went badly, the British Empire's interests in Italy might not survive.
"Mr. Palmerston, the Austro-Sardinian War is about to end. What stance do you think we should take?" John Russell asked.
Foreign Secretary Palmerston replied unhurriedly, "Prime Minister, we still have extensive interests in the Kingdom of Sardinia. To safeguard the British Empire's interests, the Kingdom of Sardinia must be preserved.
"However, we must also take the Austrians' attitude into account. The Sardinians were the ones who started this war, so we certainly have to give them an explanation!"
The theme of the world in this era was the Anglo-Russian rivalry. The British Empire had not yet become so powerful that it could run roughshod over everyone, and the Austrian Empire was also one of the great powers. It could not be deprived of the interests it deserved.
Minister of State Henry John Temple frowned and said, "Mr. Palmerston, the problem now is that the Austrians will not let this rest. No great power can tolerate having its dignity challenged and remain unmoved.
"The Sardinians have thoroughly enraged the Austrian government this time. Austria has even compromised with the French for this. Intelligence from Paris indicates that France and Austria may already have signed a secret treaty.
"If France and Austria join forces now, then the Kingdom of Sardinia will become history. Even if we oppose them, it will be of no use!"
On the Italian question, the United Kingdom, France, and Austria held the greatest influence. Due to geopolitics, Italy had always been the focal point of Franco-Austrian contention, while the British mediated between them to