Struggle in Russia

Prince Alexander Gorchakov generally agrees with Li Xiao's proposal. Even if it is because of the Holy Alliance, Russia has no reason to help Austria in vain. All thieves know that if they don't go empty, they can't do it for nothing. Why didn't Nicholas I understand this truth?

Anyway, Duke Alexander couldn't understand the brain circuit of Nicholas I at all. Didn't he understand what national interests come first? In his mind, he naively thought that the Holy Alliance was really reliable, that Austria and Prussia were brothers, and that brothers should help each other if they were in trouble. He thought that the uprising mobs all over the world were his and Russia's confidants' serious troubles.

This is simply speechless. Anyway, from the perspective of Duke Alexander, saving Austria is really meaningless. It is more beneficial for Russia to let Austria collapse. Naturally, they will not be able to continue to expand in the Balkans after Austria is finished, and it is even impossible to maintain their existence.

The vacuum left behind can naturally be taken over by Russia, and then the things that several generations of tsars have failed to do will be easily achieved.

Well, even if Nicholas I is full of rocks or water in your head, and you insist on saving Austria, you can't do it for free! The movement of the army will cost more than ten thousand gold! Austria has to pay for this money, right? Moreover, the Austrians have taken such a big advantage and must give way to Russia on the Balkan issue!

Only when these are implemented, saving Austria will not seem so tasteless, and it can barely be saved. But the problem is that Nicholas I didn't have these ideas at all, and that Nesselrode clearly wanted it, but in order to maintain his own diplomatic strategy, he strongly opposed it. He always talked about the importance of the Holy Alliance, as if it was gone. Without this half-baked alliance in Austria, Russia would perish.

This made Duke Alexander's teeth itch, but there was not much to do. Who let Nicholas I fall into the evil of Nesselrode!

He could only offer suggestions to Nicholas I very restrained and covertly: "Under the current situation, Austria is completely unable to effectively exert its influence on Turkey. There is a possibility of further deterioration."

"Once this happens, our country's long-term interests in Wallachia and Moldavia will be severely damaged, which greatly damages our country's interests. On this issue, we should put pressure on Vienna as soon as possible to force them to agree It is imperative to adopt the same tone as our country."

The subtext of these words is very clear, but it is really hard to say whether Nicholas I can understand, so Duke Alexander can only hint: "In view of the chaotic situation in Austria, the possibility of the country's complete disintegration cannot be ruled out. Urgently need our country's assistance, willing to pay all acceptable price for our country's generous assistance..."

This hint is already very blatant, almost shouting at Nicholas I: "Cut it! Cut it quickly! Don't hesitate and don't be polite!"

So what was Nicholas I's attitude? Is he still so naive?

If you want to say that Nicholas I is really a naive little childish sand sculpture,

That must be false. The reason why he cares so much about Austria and is willing to help Austrian friends regardless of return is simple:

First of all, he is very afraid of revolution and regards revolution as the number one threat. He always feels that if the revolutionary masses can overthrow the rule of the Habsburg family today, they can also overthrow the rule of the Romanov family tomorrow.

He has a kind of revolutionary persecution paranoia, so as soon as he hears about the revolution, he will recklessly put out the fire, regardless of whether it is really helpful to Russia's national interests. As long as it can stifle the revolution, he is willing to let him lose money and pawn his pants.

Secondly, he attaches great importance to the Holy Alliance, and feels that as long as the Holy Alliance exists, the provocations of Britain and France can be curbed and the long-term stability of Russia can be maintained. Since Austria is an important member of the Holy Alliance, and now it is in danger of life and death, it is natural to save it.

Otherwise, is the Holy Alliance without Austria still the Holy Alliance?

Based on these two items, Nicholas I was willing to do his best to help Austria suppress the revolution regardless of the return. But as Prince Alexander Gorchakov kept making suggestions again and again, some of the very tempting suggestions really moved him very much.

Yes, it is very realistic whether those who engage in politics are old, cunning or stupid. No one can resist the fatal temptation. For Nicholas I, there were not many fatal temptations, and there were only a few in total:

He also wanted to realize the long-cherished wish of his ancestors, drinking horses in the Mediterranean Sea and taking back Constantinople; that is, he wanted to liberate the Slavic and Orthodox brothers who were enslaved by Turkey in the Balkans and become true saints.

This is what he wants most, and he is willing to give his life. But it is not easy to realize these two items. He has tried several times. Although he has achieved certain results, he is still far from the goal.

After all these years, it has occupied a part of Bessarabia, allowing Wallachia and Moldavia a high degree of autonomy, but this land is still far from Constantinople! And after achieving all this, he will face tremendous pressure from the entire international community if he wants to take a step forward.

Britain and France strongly opposed it and began to help the Turks. Austria, a small partner of the Holy Alliance, also began to chatter. Not only did they not help, but they were delayed again and again, and they even continued to express their concern through diplomatic channels. In fact, to put it bluntly, it is also opposed!

Anyway, Nicholas I once felt that there was no hope of realizing his long-cherished wish in this life. But after such a reminder from Duke Alexander Gorchakov, it is not impossible to threaten Austria with the excuse of providing help when Faop and other powers are in chaos and have no time to care about them!

If Austria makes concessions, then it is really possible to send troops to Wallachia, truly cut it off from Turkey's territory, and even sign a garrison agreement to protect Wallachia.

Then slowly operate for a period of time, so that Wallachia and Moldavia become part of Russia like Poland and Finland. Is he familiar with this operation! Once successful, it means that Russia is much closer to Constantinople.

And on the future journey, there are similar Turkish vassals such as Bulgaria and Serbia that can operate one by one. Rolling names one by one, isn't that getting closer to Constantinople!

At this moment, Nicholas I was really tempted. He was a little excited, and immediately called the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Nesselrode, to the Imperial Study Room, and asked his opinion in detail to see if it was possible to do so. ...