Sharing the Risk

Chapter 651: Sharing the Risk

London was still shrouded in dense fog. Setting foot in this dreamlike city once more, William I felt markedly different.

Relations between the British and Prussian royal families remained fairly good. The two sides were joined by marriage—William I's son had married Queen Victoria's daughter.

William I's visit naturally received a grand welcome from the British Royal Family. Yet despite the British enthusiasm, William I did not feel the slightest warmth.

There was no helping it. Among those receiving him, not a single senior British government official appeared. Without question, the London Government did not attach much importance to his arrival.

This was a commonly used diplomatic tactic—using such a gesture to declare one's political stance and exert pressure. Yet it remained highly effective.

Unlike the First Prusso-Russian War, when the London Government had spent both money and effort, even risking offending the Russians by blockading the Baltic Sea to rig the fight in Prussia's favor and lay the foundation for Prussia's victory.

Now, the declining Russian Empire could no longer threaten Britain's interests. In its place stood two new threats, France and Austria, and there was no longer any need to continue suppressing Russia.

Perhaps in the London Government's eyes, the Russo-Austrian Alliance had already fallen apart. Allowing the Russian Empire to retain a certain degree of strength would let it tie down part of Austria's forces from behind, preventing them from throwing themselves fully into the struggle for dominance over the European Continent, which would help preserve the continental balance.

If the Prusso-Polish Federation wanted British support in the war, with no international situation it could exploit, it could only speak through interests.

The welcoming banquet proceeded as usual. Those attending were all nobles, while senior British government officials still failed to appear.