Make France Great Again

This kind of arrangement is a treatment that is hard for ordinary nobility to imagine. When the carriage entered St. Petersburg, passersby stopped and watched, speculating that the person sitting in this carriage must be of ducal or princely rank.

Under the escort of the cavalry team, the carriage gradually arrived at a mansion, the owner of which was none other than the Russian Empire's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Nesselrode's residence in St. Petersburg.

The grand mansion gates slowly opened, and the cavalry captain, responsible for the escort, spurred his horse to the carriage and said in fluent French to the guest inside: "Your Excellency, you have arrived at your destination! I must return to Prince Paskevich to report!"

"Mmm!" A voice full of energy came from inside the carriage, and the cavalry captain departed with his men.

The carriage slowly drove into Carl Nesselrode's residence, and under the guidance of the mansion's butler, the coachman steered the horses to the center of the courtyard and stopped.

"Your Excellency, please alight from the carriage!" The butler stationed outside the carriage said to the tightly sealed cabin.

The carriage door slowly opened, and a uniformed Felix Schwarzenberg appeared before everyone.

"Your Grace!" The butler rallied everyone in the mansion to pay their respects to the distinguished Austrian Duke/Prince who had come from afar.

Felix Schwarzenberg's expression did not change in the slightest, as if all of this was only right and proper: "Where is Count Karl now? [Nesselrode was ennobled by Nicholas I as a count, and Felix Schwarzenberg used this to show closeness]

"Our master is still in Tsarskoye Selo and might not be able to meet with Your Excellency the Prince until very late! Your Grace, please follow me!" The butler continued to courteously speak to the foreign guest.

Felix Schwarzenberg nodded slightly, and under the butler's lead, he was taken to the room prepared for him by Carl Nesselrode.

"In the coming days, please bear with us, Your Grace!" The butler said to Felix Schwarzenberg.

"I didn't come here for leisure!" Felix Schwarzenberg replied.

That afternoon, upon receiving news of Felix Schwarzenberg's arrival, Carl Nesselrode returned to the mansion to meet with Felix Schwarzenberg.

"Your Grace, welcome to St. Petersburg!" Carl Nesselrode customarily greeted Felix Schwarzenberg.

"Mr. Earl, here is a letter from the Prince for you!" Felix Schwarzenberg handed a letter to Carl Nesselrode.

A flash of surprise crossed Carl Nesselrode's eyes, surprised that this newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs had so quickly "made friends" with his senior, showing no concern at all that the veteran would take his position.

Ah, to be young!

Looking at Felix Schwarzenberg before him, Carl Nesselrode couldn't help but sigh.

If only he were twenty years younger, how different might his diplomatic policies have been.

Carl Nesselrode glanced at the letter from Prince Metternich, which detailed his various friendships with him, and officially introduced Felix Schwarzenberg.

The letter concluded with a hope from Prince Metternich that the Russian Empire and the Austrian Empire could continue their friendship.

After reading the letter, Carl Nesselrode folded it up and handed it to a servant, then invited Felix Schwarzenberg to sit down to talk.

The fireplace was lit, warmth filling the room.

Soon, servants brought in pastries, coffee, and rum.

Carl Nesselrode first asked if Felix Schwarzenberg wanted a drink, and upon receiving a refusal, he took a sip himself.

A slightly cloudy rum was poured into a glass, and after sipping it, Carl Nesselrode cut to the chase: "Your Grace, I know the purpose of your visit! You are here because of the war with Prussia, aren't you?"

"Indeed! We hope to gain the Russian Empire's permission! The actions of the Kingdom of Prussia have severely jeopardized the interests of the Austrian Empire! This is simply an infringement on the principle of legitimacy!" Felix Schwarzenberg appealed to Carl Nesselrode with righteousness.

"Then what exactly is the suggestion between your country and the French Republic? Is this also for the principle of legitimacy?"

Carl Nesselrode continued to smile at Felix Schwarzenberg, a smile that made him feel a chill down his spine.

How does he know about this? Who exactly told him!

Felix Schwarzenberg was not fearful due to Carl Nesselrode's question, only curious as to who leaked the secret.

"Mr. Earl, who exactly informed you of this?" Felix Schwarzenberg solemnly inquired.

"You don't need to worry about that!" Carl Nesselrode naturally wouldn't reveal the truth: "I just want to know how you plan to resolve these issues!"

"Mr. Earl, I don't think I need to explain!" Felix Schwarzenberg spread his hands, candidly responding to Carl Nesselrode.

"You have disrupted the entire European order!" Carl Nesselrode stated.

"No! We are forging a new order!" Felix Schwarzenberg also retorted: "The original balance of power in Europe has already been disrupted, and we should forge a new balance instead."