Make France Great Again

Looking at Nicholas I on the throne waving away his attendants, the ever-cooperative Carl Nesselrode hurried to Nicholas I's side and bowed slightly to greet the most distinguished Tsar of Russia before him.

"Your Majesty, there is indeed good news!" Carl Nesselrode responded to Nicholas I.

"Oh? What exactly is the news?" Nicholas I smiled, looking at Carl Nesselrode with an expression of great interest.

Nicholas I trusted that Carl Nesselrode would never disappoint him, as the only outcome for those who did was dismissal.

"Your Majesty, the news comes from France!" Carl Nesselrode cautiously responded to Nicholas I.

Carl Nesselrode knew that since 1830, France had been a "pain" to His Majesty the Tsar. One cornerstone of the principle of legitimacy collapsed there [referring to the establishment of the Orléans Dynasty], not to mention the revolution two years ago that affected all of Europe originated from there.

After two revolutionary epidemics, Tsar Nicholas I instinctively developed an aversion to revolutions and rebellions.

If it weren't for the unfavorable timing, Carl Nesselrode had every reason to believe that Tsar Nicholas I would not mind leading the soldiers of the Russian Empire into France, much like his brother Holy King Alexander wished.

However, Carl Nesselrode had always doubted whether the soldiers of the Russian Empire were currently capable of invading France again after their assistance in the Hungarian battle at the Danube.

Sure enough, upon hearing that there was "good news" from France, Nicholas I restrained his smile, and his expression turned solemn. He asked Carl Nesselrode in a serious tone: "Nesselrode, are you sure the good news you mentioned comes from France?"

"Your Majesty, I am very certain!" Carl Nesselrode confidently explained to Nicholas I the news sent by the Russian envoy in Paris: "According to Vladimir's report, President of the French Republic Jerome Bonaparte has essentially controlled the spread of the revolution in the Paris Region, and at the same time, they are actively seeking to reach some consensus with the Russian Empire."

"Jerome Bonaparte? The son of that playboy?" Nicholas I sneered with a disdainful expression on his lips.

"That's right! Your Majesty!" Carl Nesselrode responded to Nicholas I.

Nicholas I rose slowly from the throne and descended with his back to Carl Nesselrode, remaining silent for a long time before turning to ask Carl Nesselrode, "Nesselrode, does the Empire currently have the capability to launch an expedition!"

Carl Nesselrode instantly understood Nicholas I's intent, realizing that Nicholas I still couldn't let go of the French Republic.

Regarding Nicholas I's "delusion," Carl Nesselrode could only tactfully advise: "Your Majesty, our finances cannot support us in undertaking a costly expedition! Especially considering that not long ago, we lent the Austrian Empire about 8 million rubles..."

In 1850, the Russian Empire could only be described as a nation full of holes. It had a seemingly strong exterior, but its interior had long been corroded by corrupt military aristocrats and bureaucrats.

In the wave of industrialization, the Russian Empire had been left far behind.

Now, the Russian Empire found itself not only unable to compete with the fully industrialized Britain but even slightly lagging behind the fledgling industrialized Austrian Empire.

Not to mention having a Tsar prone to grandiose ambitions, the invasion of the Danube Duchy and aiding the Austrian Empire in suppressing revolutions had saddled the Russian Empire with nearly 10 million in foreign debt and 8 million in loans to Austria.

When the war machine loses its financial support, it becomes nothing more than an empty shell.

Based solely on Carl Nesselrode's understanding, the equipment rate for rifled muskets among Russia's front-line troops was less than two-thirds, with many troops still using rifles from the time they defeated Napoleon, and only a few were equipped similarly to England and France.

Carl Nesselrode was aware of these issues, as was Ivan Fedorovich Paskevich, who commanded the Russian Army to suppress the Hungarian revolution.

[Ivan Fedorovich Paskevich (1782–1856), Marshal of the Russian Army, Count Erivane, and Prince of Warsaw.]

As for whether Nicholas I knew about them, Carl Nesselrode did not know.

"Money, money, money! Where has all my money gone?" Nicholas I couldn't help but berate Carl Nesselrode: "I, as a monarch of a nation, am I to be stumped by this damnable money?"

Carl Nesselrode remained silent, bowing his head, for on this matter, he dared not speak recklessly.

If things go wrong, St. Petersburg will once again experience a bloody storm.

Nicholas I, who was venting at will, complained with his unrestrained imagination: "Can't we find a way to borrow from Britain, just like before?"

The "before" Nicholas I referred to was during the Napoleonic Wars.

To rally the European Great Powers to form an Anti-French Alliance, the Kingdom of Britain generously provided assistance to various European countries, among which the Russian Empire was the largest recipient of British aid.

"Your Majesty, the Kingdom of Britain still harbors some misunderstandings with us!" Carl Nesselrode diplomatically responded to Nicholas I: "Their subjects refuse to believe in the great Russian Empire, and their newspapers freely slander our Empire, leading their government to cater to public opinion and consequently be hostile to us!"

"Truly a group of ungrateful citizens!" Nicholas I couldn't help but curse the British citizens. Having tried to incorporate Russian imperial ideology into the British system, he couldn't understand Britain's actions: "If they were under my rule, I'd make sure they regret it. Victoria, after all, is just a little girl. If she had half the resolve as me, the Kingdom of Britain would undoubtedly flourish under her hand."

"You are correct!" Carl Nesselrode quickly agreed.

Although Carl Nesselrode understood the political system of the Kingdom of Britain, he chose not to explain to Nicholas I that it was better for the Tsar to remain unaware of certain intricacies.

Otherwise, taking it seriously might lead to another political crisis.

"Alright! Regarding your claim that France has reached an agreement with us, what exactly does this agreement entail?" Having circled back to the original topic, the Tsar asked once again.

"Your Majesty, France has agreed to support our expansion in the Near East and has promised to back our claims there!" Carl Nesselrode first reported to Nicholas I the conditions offered by Jerome Bonaparte to the Russian Empire.

"Excellent!" A smile appeared on Nicholas I's face, and he proudly said, "The progeny of the Bonaparte Clan has chosen to bow before us!"

"That is all because of Your Majesty's leadership!" Carl Nesselrode once again shamelessly praised Nicholas I, then subtly added a reminder: "However, they hope the Empire can give them a small return by supporting their expansion in the Rhine Region."

Upon hearing this, the Tsar's previously cheerful demeanor instantly vanished, as he scrutinized Carl Nesselrode with a stern gaze: "He actually dares to negotiate terms with me!!! Since when did the progeny of the Bonaparte Clan become so audacious!"

Carl Nesselrode could only whisper a reminder: "Your Majesty, he is now the President of the Republic of France!"

"President?" Nicholas I couldn't help but chuckle: "An ignoble title bestowed by commoners, yet the Bonaparte Clan cherishes it immensely."

"Your Majesty, France remains an influential nation! Even if they were once defeated by our army!" Carl Nesselrode once again addressed Nicholas I with a humble attitude.

"I understand!" Nicholas I seemed a bit impatient as he waved his hand: "Are you suggesting that for the Russian Empire to lay claim over Constantinople, we cannot do without France's help?"

"Your Majesty is indeed wise!" Carl Nesselrode's words already conveyed his stance.

"I absolutely will not satisfy my enemies with the land of our allies! Not even an inch!" Nicholas I stated decisively. In his view, although the King of Prussia had been somewhat disrespectful in 1848–1849, he remained a "loyal" ally of Nicholas I, and Nicholas I felt compelled to defend their interests.

"Your Majesty, according to reports from the British Embassy envoy, the Prussian Envoy seems to be under orders to negotiate an alliance with Britain!" Carl Nesselrode once again reported the issue concerning Prussia to Nicholas I.

Nicholas I's face changed color, for he had believed that King Frederick William IV of Prussia would show some restraint, but unexpectedly, he chose to seek assistance from Britain.

Compared to the submission of the Habsburgs, the attitude of the Hohenzollerns greatly angered Nicholas I.

He even contemplated allowing Austria to completely replace Prussia at one point.

"Nesselrode, are you trying to persuade me to agree to Jerome Bonaparte's suggestion?" Nicholas I inquired of Nesselrode.

"Your Majesty, my suggestion is that we neither agree nor oppose! If France has the capability to seize land from Prussia, then we can tacitly permit their actions!" Carl Nesselrode advised Nicholas I: "However, after that, they might become the focal point of Europe! At that time, no one will pay attention to the issue of Constantinople. People will only recall their past fears of revolution!"

Carl Nesselrode's strategy was to counter fear with fear. As long as France's antagonism was higher than that of the Russian Empire, no one would care about what the Russian Empire did in the Balkans.