Chapter 56: Blank Check
News of the Kingdom of Sardinia's occupation of Lombardy reached France, causing a stir within the provisional government.
The French had supported the Kingdom of Sardinia in going to war with Austria only to drive Austria out of Italy and allow Lombardy and Venice to become independent. They had never intended for the Kingdom of Sardinia to unify Italy.
Ever since receiving word that the Kingdom of Sardinia had occupied Lombardy without shedding a drop of blood, Alphonse de Lamartine, head of the provisional government, had been in a foul mood.
Austria was still one of the four great powers of the European Continent. How could it be so cowardly as to simply give up Lombardy?
The proper course had clearly been for Austria and the Sardinian army to fight each other to mutual ruin, leaving Austria unable to suppress its domestic rebellion and forced to abandon Italy, while the Kingdom of Sardinia, having suffered grievous losses in the war, lacked the strength to annex Lombardy.
The script they had painstakingly written had been altered right at the start. Worse still, these screenwriters had no right to revise it—the investors had kicked them aside long ago.
"Mr. President, Mr. Mentened, the Austrian ambassador, has arrived."
The aide-de-camp's voice sounded beside him. Alphonse came back to himself and said, "Show him in."
After a round of routine diplomatic pleasantries, Mentened guided the conversation to the main issue.
"Mr. President, what is your view on the Italian question?"
Alphonse smiled faintly. The Austrians were willing to send a representative to negotiate with them—this was an excellent opportunity to expand France's influence.
"Mr. Mentened, every nation has the right to pursue national independence. I believe allowing Lombardy to become an independent state would be a fine choice!"
Mentened was