Of course, Eggron could not know about the Russian Empire's grand march towards the Balkans in real time, as well as the scenes that took place in the Prime Minister's Residence in Vienna, but everything was basically within his expectation.
As the saying goes, times make heroes, he took advantage of a favorable moment in time, stirred up the storm on the European continent, and then quietly waited for his victory to come.
Combining his understanding of history, the knowledge he has learned over the years, and long-term thinking, he firmly believes that based on the current development of the situation, everything he is waiting for will definitely happen.
Of course, he is not a monster with perfect plans and cannot predict everything 100%, but he is willing to take a gamble with a chance of winning because he has no choice.
If everything turns out not to be what he wants, then he doesn't need to admit defeat to fate. Anyway, he has won enough things now.
After discussing the next step strategy with Edmond Dantès, he began to prepare his subordinates for this. At the same time, he waited for another good news about the Austrian diplomat, von Genz.
Herr Alfred von Mayrhofen, the ambassador's secretary, rushed to Messolonghion to ask for an audience with him.
He had previously deliberately asked Teresa to negotiate with the other party first and listen to the Austrian government's tone. Judging from the talks between the two people, the effect was very ideal. After that, Teresa rushed to Messolonghion to rejoin him, and
Mr. von Mayrhofen stayed in the Peloponnese Peninsula to meet with Aiglon's Greek allies and understand the situation there.
A few days later, Mr. von Mayrhofen ended his investigation and officially came to Messolonghion to seek an audience with the rightful owner in order to complete his final mission. At this time, Aiglon was also very happy to help him complete his mission.
After learning the news about him, Aigron didn't waste any time and had him directly called to his and Teresa's residence, and then met him with Teresa.
Under the guidance of the guard, the cautious diplomat came to the reception room, and then saw the boy and girl sitting upright.
After recognizing the two of them clearly, Mr. von Mayrhofen immediately took off his hat and saluted the young man.
"I am very honored to have the opportunity to meet with their Royal Highnesses, Duke Leichstadt and Princess Theresa."
"Mr. von Mayrhofen, I am also very honored to meet you." Aigron also replied in a formal manner, and at the same time he stood up with Theresa and nodded in greetings for the diplomat.
During the conversation between the two people, although von Mayrhofen lowered his head, he kept looking at the young man opposite him from the corner of his eye.
The young man's face was much more handsome than he had imagined, even with a hint of childishness, but perhaps because he was used to bossing around his subordinates, his movements exuded a sense of majesty, and his eyes were even more charming.
With a murderous spirit.
Von Mayrhofen suddenly felt a little embarrassed, because after all, he was that person's successor.
Moreover, this young man has become a legend, and his reputation is enough to make people forget his age.
"Please sit down." Aigron noticed the other person's embarrassment, so he gently asked the other person to sit down, and then the three of them sat down together.
"Excuse me, have we met before?" he then asked.
"Unfortunately, this is the first time we have met, Your Highness." Mr. von Mayrhofen replied cautiously. "However, I have seen news about you several times in the newspaper."
"Oh, this is not surprising. Although I have lived in the palace for a long time, I rarely show my face to the outside world. It is normal for you not to see me." The young man replied with a smile. "The Austrian government will not let so many people
Come see me."
There was no trace of hatred in his expression or words, but he seemed unable to hide some complaints.
"Prime Minister Metternich also has his concerns." In embarrassment, von Mayrhofen could only smile bitterly, "I admit that you may have experienced some unpleasantness before, but judging from the results, only the Austrian Empire gave you
Enough honor, and I sincerely hope that you can become a qualified and excellent prince."
"That's true. I know very well that my treatment will only be worse if I stay in other places. At least my grandfather allowed me to enjoy safety and the treatment that a member of the royal family deserves." Having said this, Aigron looked at it again.
To Teresa, "I have been given the best fiancée in the world... I am a person who knows my grudges clearly, and I will be grateful for all these."
Theresa was a little shy, but she still looked at Agron with a smile.
Von Mayrhofen laughed sheepishly.
He knew very well that the Duke was deliberately playing the emotional card and exaggerating the atmosphere of "everyone is a family", and he was happy to cooperate because his mission was to cooperate with His Highness.
"Your Highness, I am very happy that you can distinguish right from wrong. You are right. No matter how the situation changes, blood is eternal. You are the grandson of His Majesty the Emperor. This is an unchangeable fact. Although due to various unfortunate reasons
"There have been some conflicts between you and His Majesty, but His Majesty has never thought of severing the relationship with you. He sincerely believes that you are one of his best descendants and reality has proved this." He pretended to be content.
He replied affectionately, and then he also looked at Princess Teresa, "Despite all the turmoil, His Majesty the Emperor still sends his blessings to the marriage of the two His Highnesses, and he will love you forever."
"I will always love His Majesty the Emperor and pray for his health and longevity." Princess Teresa replied with a smile.
The three of them were all smiling as they drank a pot of ecstasy soup to each other. On the surface, they were having a great time, and it didn't even look like a diplomatic event.
However, Aigron himself knows that these nice words are all earned by himself and must not be taken seriously. Once he loses his use value or becomes the opposite of Austria, his grandfather will turn against him as quickly as he does now.
This was an added insult to his son-in-law Napoleon.
"We are all good at looking forward, and now is indeed the time to look forward." Aigron changed the subject and became serious, "Although I have won one victory after another and the situation is great, we are all now.
We can see that a heavy dark cloud is pressing above our heads, and it is getting closer and closer to us."
"You are right." Von Mayrhofen also nodded seriously, "Your Highness, from our point of view, the Russian Empire's march is imminent, and it may even have begun at this moment."
"This is the problem that gives us all a headache..." Aigron sighed seemingly annoyed, and then asked the other party, "So what do you have to say about this?"
"Your Highness, with your intelligence, you definitely know what we want you to do." Von Mayrhofen was not polite and got to the point directly, "We hope that you can help Greece become independent as soon as possible and exclude pro-Russian elements from it.
influence the people, and if possible, try to let this independent country maintain the stability of the entire Balkan Peninsula in a neutral and pragmatic manner."
Although the second half of this conversation was a bit confusing, Aigron continued to ask questions.
"Then tell me, how much territory do you think Greece can cut off from the Turks if it becomes independent?"
"I can't give you an accurate answer to this question at the moment. After all, Austria still needs to discuss with other important countries in detail. However, judging from the current situation, the recovery of Greece is an inevitable reality." Von Mayrhofen laughed again.
, "Before everyone comes to a conclusion, you can do whatever you want...but you must maintain the basic survival of the Turkish Empire."
Aigron understood.
"Can we only go as far as Thrace?" he muttered, "I didn't expect you to care so much about Turkey."
"Turkey..." A hint of contempt flashed across von Mayrhofen's face, "Who cares about Turkey! This weak and sick man is alive now only because Christian countries are wary of and hostile to each other. Europe needs a
The watchdogs who stayed on the strait were the reason why it was not divided up."
Austria and the Turks have been enemies for generations. They fought many wars with each other before modern times. They were the sworn enemies of the Sudan and were only later replaced by the Russian Empire. Therefore, when it comes to Turkey, von Mayrhofen certainly has nothing good to say.
Come.
However, precisely because Turkey has declined, it is safest to leave Constantinople in their hands. No Christian country can tolerate another Christian country taking it into its hands. Although it sounds ugly, this is the reality.
Aiglon thought about it silently, and to be honest, the result was not beyond his expectation. He was just pretending to be disappointed in order to raise the asking price.
"Is that okay with Ioannina?" After a moment, he asked another question. "Are you happy to see me get there?"
Von Mayrhofen was stunned for a moment, then nodded immediately, "If you are willing, this is your freedom, but I suggest you beware of the Russians, after all, they are hostile to you."
After a moment, he said with some hesitation, "In addition, Your Highness, with all due respect, since you cannot wear the crown of Greece, you'd better not let Greece become too powerful after the war. The more powerful it becomes, the more powerful it will be."
With the freedom of movement, there is no need to be grateful to you. I have seen too much betrayal in my life, and I think you'd better consider this early..."
Aigron knew that the other party's words were purely out of goodwill, so he advised him, and what he said was true. In fact, he had been guarding against this move from the beginning.
Like these diplomats, he had no illusions about human nature.
"Thank you for the reminder, but I have also considered this, sir." He couldn't help but laugh, "If I am lucky enough to capture Ioannina, I will not let it become Greek territory in the future.
It will become an independent political entity, ruled by a Grand Duke."
"So is he a member of the Bonaparte family?" Von Mayrhofen immediately became alert. "If so, I advise you to think again. After all, the current international environment is not favorable to you."
"No, you are worrying too much." Aigron shook his head, and then replied, "I intend to support a successor with charisma as the future Grand Duke."
Then he detailed his plan
When he heard Haidee at first, von Mayrhofen was slightly surprised, but after hearing it, he nodded repeatedly. "This is an interesting idea, and it is reasonable. Although I have to ask Vienna to get the answer, but I
Personally, I don’t think Prime Minister Metternich will oppose it, after all, Ioannina has already escaped from Turkish rule.”
Then, he looked at Aigron again, "Also, Your Highness, I have a suggestion."
"What's your suggestion?" Aiglon nodded immediately, "Just tell me."
"Although Ali Pasha rebelled against the Sultan, he was still a communist, and so must Miss Haidee. If you paid the price of blood to establish a communist ruler, it would be very important to you.
"I'm afraid the reputation will be bad," von Mayrhofen whispered, "so I suggest that after you get Miss Haidee, let her convert to Orthodox Christianity and write a letter to the Tsar to express her sincerity. This will allow her to win the favor of the Greeks."
Secondly, the Russian Empire will also happily welcome this, and the resistance you will face will be much smaller..."
Aiglon thought about it carefully and found that this suggestion really made sense.
Converting Haidee to Orthodox Christianity will win the favor of Russia and Greece; secondly, it will also draw a line between Haidee and the Pasha family’s original supporters of Islam, making her even more isolated and helpless, and can only rely on her own support.
.
There would be no risk in writing a letter of sincerity to the Tsar. Anyway, Haidee would be in his hands by then, and it would not be a matter of just a word to manipulate her as she wanted.
That’s right, let’s do it!
"Thank you for your advice, I will listen to it." So he smiled and nodded in agreement. "Mr. von Mayrhofen, you are indeed an excellent diplomat. I think you will have a bright future."
"Your talents are far above mine." Von Mayrhofen answered humbly with the same smile on his face.
Just as the two people were talking and laughing, the fate of a little girl was decided, and the fate of a small country in the future was also decided.
This is the world order of this era where the jungle prevails. Big countries can decide the future of small countries at will without even asking for their opinions.
While chatting and laughing, Aigron's impression of Mr. von Mayrhofen became particularly good.
He could see that whether it was the exhortation just now or the supplementary suggestions now, he provided suggestions out of goodwill and from the perspective of his own position. At least at this moment, the Austrian diplomat was indeed regarded as "myself".
people".
Of course, this kind of kindness did not come from charity, but from the capital he grabbed.
This is the first major country to express goodwill to him, and his journey still has a long way to go.
"Sir, in order to realize this plan of mine, I still have something to ask of you." Aigron said suddenly.
"What do you mean?" von Mayrhofen asked.
"I will assign a subordinate I trust to follow you back to Istanbul," Aigron replied with a smile. "Please and Mr. Ambassador help him bring back Miss Haidee."
"I didn't expect you to have such a skill." Von Mayrhofen was a little stunned, and then sighed helplessly. "Okay, Your Highness, we will be happy to provide convenience for you if we can."
However, please remember what you need to do.”
"I will always remember." Aigron replied solemnly, and then stretched out his hand to him.