"How would the British possibly cooperate with our strat—"
Talleyrand had spoken only half a sentence before immediately realizing.
The British would certainly not cooperate with France's strategy, but if Austria asked them to persuade Russia to send troops, London would definitely have to do something. After all, Austria was Britain's only remaining strategic foothold in the heart of the European Continent that could be used to counter France.
If it rejected Austria's request, Britain would be bidding farewell to the European Continent for good.
Britain also had sufficient influence over Russia—the Anglo-Russian trade was still the lifeblood of the Russian economy. Russia's finances were extremely strained at the moment. If Britain threatened them with timber, oils, or furs—any one of the three—Saint Petersburg would immediately yield.
Talleyrand still had some concerns. "Your Highness, but if Russia helps Austria put down the Rebellion, the two nations will become very close, perhaps even form some kind of alliance."
He did not say the latter half: a powerful alliance arising in Eastern Europe would pose a serious check on France.
Joseph shook his head without hesitation. "You need not worry about that.
"After my dear cousin escapes his domestic predicament, he may feel grateful to the Tsar in the short term, but trust me, he will soon hate the Russians to the bone."
He was so certain because, in history, when revolution broke out in Austria and Hungary clamored for independence, it had been the Russians who sent troops to help Austria resolve the crisis.
Yet the bad habit of boundless expansion was etched into the Russians' genes.
Once they deployed their military power into Central Europe, they immediately took advantage of Austria's weakness to swiftly seize control of Wallachia, and kept stretching their hand toward the entire Balkan Peninsula.
Since the