Nicholas I began to nod again, seemingly convinced by Neserrodie. This made the old prime minister breathe a sigh of relief, as if he had overcome some major crisis.
But he expressed his words too early, because Chernyshev, who was sitting below him, suddenly interrupted: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister, according to the latest news we have received, a rebellion broke out in Prague, and the garrison commander
The officer Alfred Candidus Ferdinand was forced to withdraw from the city..."
This was a bit of a slap in the face, because just after Neserrodie said that the Austrian army was still reliable, Prague was lost on this end.
Of course, Nesserrodie resolutely refused to admit that his words were wrong and immediately countered: "Your Excellency, this does not mean that Austria's counter-insurgency operations have failed. This is just General Alfred Candidus Ferdinand.
It’s just gathering strength to prepare for counterattack, I believe..."
But Nesserrodie was interrupted again by Menshikov: "Your Excellency Prime Minister, it seems that a rebellion has also occurred in Vienna. The Austrian capital is now in chaos, and the rebels in Budapest are also growing. The situation seems to be
It’s very bad!”
Neserrodie really wanted to roar: I know that the situation is very bad, so I hope that you Qiuba people will rush to rescue Austria!
"This is only temporary!" Neserrode retorted with force, "I believe that His Majesty Ferdinand I will be able to regain his strength soon. He is not as free and strong as Frederick William IV.
He will soon be able to regroup and defeat the rebels in Vienna!"
Neserrodie's forced explanation was laughed at by Chernyshev and Menshikov. They represented the interests of the military and had long been dissatisfied with Neserrodie's behavior:
"Really? Your Excellency, Prime Minister, how soon does it mean soon? In addition, since Austria can regain its strength soon, it seems that there is no need to send too many troops to rescue them. After all, they can solve the problem themselves soon! And our finances
I’m also quite nervous, so I can save a little bit!”
Neserrodie almost vomited blood because he was now in a dilemma. He had to tell Nicholas I that Austria was a key ally and must be rescued with all his strength, but he also had to tell him that Austria was still very reliable and its combat effectiveness was guaranteed and could help him.
Went to Russia a lot.
But the problem is that these two points are contradictory. If all-out rescue is necessary, it means that the situation in Austria is very bad and I am afraid that it is no match for the rebels. Naturally, the combat effectiveness of the Austrian regular army is just that, and naturally it cannot be said to be very reliable.
.
Nicholas I was naturally aware of the contradictions, so he convened a royal meeting to discuss the future of Austria. Of course, this did not mean that he had given up or was disappointed with Austria. It was his creed to rescue Austria and safeguard the Holy Alliance.
It was impossible to change. His real intention in holding the meeting was to gain more benefits for Russia while aiding Austria.
Nicholas I, who had tasted the sweetness from Wallachia, was no longer satisfied with receiving verbal thanks from the Austrians. If the situation of these guys was so bad that it was imminent, could he get more benefits?
In a sense, the purpose of Duke Alexander's letter has been achieved. He successfully aroused the greed of Nicholas I.
Nicholas I, who was dominated by greed, could not be easily fooled by Neserrodie. If the prime minister did not give a reasonable explanation, he would not be able to pass this level.
Of course, Neserrode was not just a cat or a dog, he still had real abilities. At least he knew what Nicholas I was most afraid of, so he immediately used his trump card:
"Rescuing Austria is not a matter of money, it is related to the overall situation of Europe. If we do not assist Austria's allies and sit back and watch the rebels develop and grow, it will be an outright disaster!"
This blow was so beautiful that it not only touched the heart of Nicholas I, but even Chernyshev and Menshikov had to admit that aiding Austria was tantamount to attacking the revolutionary party. This was politically correct.
This was the glorious mission of Russia under Nicholas I!
Suddenly, the two of them were speechless, which naturally made Neserroddie a little proud. The old man couldn't help but snorted in his heart: "You are a bunch of scum, if you have the guts, keep beeping!"
But this pride did not last long, because immediately Duke Ordorff spoke: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, didn't you say that Austria will soon regroup and eliminate the rebels? If so, it means that they don't need too much.
More help! Since they can handle the rebels themselves, how can these people cause the disaster you mentioned?"
Neserrodie stared at Duke Ordorf with all his might. If his eyes could turn into sharp blades, Duke Ordorf would have been cut into eight pieces by him.
But the problem is that fierce eyes can't solve any practical problems, at least Neserrodie can't justify himself. Although his rhythm just now was good, he could fool Menshikov and Chernyshev into shutting up, but he couldn't hide it.
Shrewd Ordorff.
"This...this..."
Neserrodie was a little at a loss for words, especially when Nicholas I once again looked at him with attention, and this cunning old fox was also a little panicked.
It's just that when Nicholas I found that the old man was a little short of words, he did not choose to pursue him fiercely. Instead, he excused Neserrodie: "Duke, rescuing Austria is an established national policy, and there is no need to continue discussing it...
… Regardless of whether Austria can quickly rely on its own strength to eliminate the rebels, I have decided to provide assistance. This does not need to be discussed again!"
Neserrodie breathed a sigh of relief at these words, and he was a little touched by Nicholas I's timely rain. However, this touch came and went quickly, because Nicholas I said next:
"But how to rescue Austria, how to assist Austria at the minimum cost, and how to better safeguard our country's interests while completing the rescue work, this needs to be discussed again!"
Neserrodie suddenly turned into a bitter face. He finally understood what Nicholas I meant. There was no doubt that it was possible to rescue Austria, but Austria had to pay a corresponding price, and Russia could not work in vain.
.
And this is not what Neserrodie wants to see. He really wants Russia to be given a free vote by Austria, and he can maintain Austria's German authority by sacrificing Russia.
So he immediately said: "Your Majesty, isn't it too philistine to do this? It would not look good if the royal families of various countries knew about it!"