Struggle in Russia

What Schwarzenberg is most afraid of now is foreign interference, whether it is direct military intervention or indirect political interference, it makes him feel anxious. Especially so-called allies like Russia, once they officially intervene in Austria's internal affairs, they will become very troublesome.

But now he comes here for whatever he is afraid of, and Alexander Gorchakov actually had direct contact with Grand Duke Franz Karl. This signal is very bad.

Of course, Schwarzenberg didn't fully believe Princess Sophie's nonsense. This woman's mouth is completely untrustworthy, and every sentence may be false. At least Schwarzenberg did not believe that the Russians would have the guts to directly intervene in the internal affairs of the Habsburg family. He believed that the Russians would not be so domineering.

Schwarzenberg believed that the Russians had seen the dire situation in Austria and had heard some gossip about Ferdinand I's unstable throne, so he made preparations in advance to pay a courtesy visit to the crown prince, Archduke Franz Karl. .

After all, according to the rules, is this grand duke the first heir?

As for the py deal that the Russians reached with Grand Duke Franz Karl or Princess Sophie, he thinks it is unlikely that the Russians will not look so ugly, because it will not do Russia any good at all!

It's just that Schwarzenberg was wrong this time, or he was too subjective and confident. Alexander Gorchakov did come to see Archduke Franz Karl, although it would not be possible to reach any py with Princess Sophie Trading, but the intention is also very obvious, that is to cheer up and support the Grand Duke.

At least Princess Sophie received a very obvious hint from Alexander Gorchakov: Russia respects the succession of Grand Duke Franz Karl and recognizes that he is the first heir of Austria. Anyone who dares to use illegal and coercive means Threatening the Grand Duke, Russia will not even watch.

Why did Prince Alexander Gorchakov do this? The reason is very simple. Perhaps in Schwarzenberg's view, this kind of eating is ugly and not good for Russia, but his position is that Russia needs a holy alliance, and it is only right on the premise that it needs Austria as an ally.

But once Duke Alexander Gorchakov felt that Austria, an ally, was not so indispensable, or that a weak Austria was more in line with Russia's interests, then his behavior could be explained.

Whether it's Ferdinand I or Grand Duke Franz Karl. None of them are out-and-out imbeciles. Such imbecile people cannot control Austria. If they are in power, they will inevitably need the support of a bunch of others.

Like the Council of Regents. If the Regency Council is still in the hands of an old fox like Metternich, the damage to Austria will not be so great. But now Metternich has collapsed, and his family has fled to London.

It is conceivable that if Grand Duke Franz Karl succeeds to the throne, a brand new Regency Council will be needed, so who will be in this Regency Council? Wendisch Gretz and Schwarzenberg may be on the list, and Archduke Franz Joseph may also be selected, but what Alexander Gorchakov values ​​most is the possibility that Princess Sophie will also be selected.

After all, Archduke Franz Joseph was still too young, and the royal family couldn't fully trust Wendisch Gretz and Schwarzenberg, so they had to let some serious royals in to support the scene. And how many people in the Austrian royal family can do it now?

That's really old, young, stupid, stupid, that is, Princess Sophie, a shrewd woman, can still say it. And as the Grand Duchess or Empress, it is more appropriate for her to come forward to support Grand Duke Franz Karl.

Alexander Gorchakov hoped to see such a result, because he knew too well Princess Sophie's means, and she was enough to contain powerful people like Wendisch Gretz and Schwarzenberg, avoiding the royal family's true love. as in Metternich's time has become a rubber stamp again.

Moreover, Alexander Gorchakov is very clear that neither Schwarzenberg nor Wendisch Gretz is willing to support Grand Duke Franz Karl,

This is actually not consistent with Princess Sophie's ambition. Naturally, the two sides can't urinate together.

A regency council that is at odds with each other is definitely not monolithic, and it is an opportunity for Russia to take advantage of it. It is entirely possible to use the excuse of supporting Princess Sophie to interfere in Austria's internal affairs, so that Austria can serve Russia's interests more Serve.

Isn't the benefit contained in this much more than a so-called powerful ally? Anyway, Duke Alexander Gorchakov thought it would be more beneficial to do so, so naturally he contacted Princess Sophie immediately, probed the bottom and threw some bait.

In fact, Princess Sophie couldn't hide these thoughts, but for a woman who is completely disappointed in her husband and has no love at all, what can be the only thing that interests her other than wealth?

Not even power!

In the past, Princess Sophie's goal was to set her sights on the queen's throne, and she only dreamed of becoming the queen and the mother of the country one day. But the situation is completely different now. It seems that she can not only become the short mother of the country, but also has a lot of actual power, can really interfere in the court, and become one of the best strong women in Austria.

This temptation was so great that she couldn't believe it was really possible. Therefore, for Prince Alexander Gorchakov's overture, she neither agreed to it nor completely rejected it, but prevaricated it with an ambiguous attitude.

Because she also wanted to see the attitude of Wendisch Gretz and Schwarzenberg, if the conditions given by these dignitaries were not particularly bad, she felt that there was no need to be too greedy, after all, the Russians were not Good bird, cooperating with them feels like seeking skin from a tiger.

So when she heard that Schwarzenberg came to the door, Princess Sophie was very excited. She thought that the other party also came to offer conditions, and imagined that as long as the other party's conditions were not too bad, she would immediately agree.

It's just that Princess Sophie was immediately disappointed, because Schwarzenberg would not give her any favorable conditions at all. In fact, they couldn't even be called the conditions. What Schwarzenberg brought was more like exhortation. Persuading her to give up the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

"His Royal Highness, it is better to have less contact with Russians!"

This was Schwarzenberg's first sentence. Before Princess Sophie could react, he immediately said, "Even Ma'am, you'd better avoid contact with Russians! Especially that Alexander Gorchako." Duke Husband, I think he has malicious intentions!"