Chapter 1672 - 1578: Diplomatic Services

Chapter 1672: Chapter 1578: Diplomatic Services

Metternich’s hand holding the teacup paused in mid-air: "What made you come up with such a thought?"

Following the Regent’s "script," Saigul said, "After the war ends, someone has to take responsibility for the mess left behind.

"Right now, both Kobutsel brothers have gone to England, and among the influential figures in the Cabinet at that time, you are undoubtedly the most suitable to be put forward.

"For instance, they might say that it was your reforms that angered the people of Vienna, leading to the riots."

"This is nothing but slander!" Metternich managed to say a single sentence and then was dumbfounded.

He had indeed caused dissatisfaction with his reforms of canceling guilds and tax farming, and Earl Walterhausen was likely to make an issue of this.

Moreover, the failed intervention in the Swiss civil war was also a major factor in inciting the riots, and it was originally his proposal to send troops to Switzerland.

Count Saigul glanced at him and said, "You’ve contributed tremendously to the Empire, and it is about time for you to serve as State Minister."

The implication was that once you become State Minister, you can turn the tables against Earl Walterhausen’s faction.

But Metternich seemed somewhat despondent: "You are right. I mean, perhaps it is time for me to vacation in England."

"I can hardly believe you would give up so easily?"

"Earl Walterhausen wields great influence at court, and His Majesty the Emperor relies heavily on him. I have no chance whatsoever."

Count Saigul raised his teacup leisurely and said, "What if the parliaments of Bohemia, Slovakia, Transylvania, and even Serbia support you as State Minister?"

"That, I’m afraid, is just wishful thinking on your part."

Count Saigul smiled: "No, as long as you support immediate peace with Hungary, you will be the only State Minister they recognize."

Metternich was among the era’s top diplomatic talents, and with such a hint, he immediately grasped the underlying logic—

The greatest demand of the parliaments of Bohemia and other regions has always been to gain as much autonomy as possible.

And the ceasefire conditions proposed by the Hungarian parliament precisely embody the autonomy model yearned for by Bohemia, Slovakia, and others. With Hungary as a demonstration, they too can gradually propose similar autonomy demands.

Metternich squinted slightly: "Can you be sure of their stance?"

"Of course," Count Saigul smiled, "In fact, my people have already obtained promises from the parliaments of Bohemia and other regions."

Before he left Paris, the Foreign Ministry, under Joseph’s instructions, had already sent envoys to contact the various Austrian federations.

Joy flickered in Metternich’s eyes, but he quickly shook his head: "This is still far from enough..."

What he was saying was naturally insufficient to secure the position of State Minister.

Saigul immediately said, "These are merely external supports; you still need power from within."

Metternich sighed: "Most of Count Kobutsel’s men have sided with Earl Walterhausen, and Archduke Karl is even more of a staunch pro-war supporter."

"No matter how many politicians, none have the influence of finances," Saigul smiled, "Your relations with Baron Eskeles and Mr. Gemeiler have always been good."

He was referring to Austria’s long-standing financier families, which respectively operate the Arinstein-Eskales Bank and the Gemeiler Bank.

After the Rothschild family gradually withdrew from Austria due to losses from investing in British government bonds, these native financial giants quickly filled the market void left by Rothschild, expanding their scale severalfold within years.

Metternich looked at him and said, "I’m not sure whether they are willing to offend Earl Walterhausen for my sake."

Saigul’s smile grew brighter: "If you promise to make them the government’s ’exclusive financial agents,’ they would do anything for you."

Metternich contemplated and nodded: "Indeed, that’s a good suggestion, and it could also alleviate the military budget pressure."

Yes, Joseph was well aware that historically, Metternich had granted this privilege to the Rothschild family in exchange for their full political support, securing his position as State Minister.

The same could now be achieved by changing the target of this quid pro quo.

Count Saigul inhaled the fragrance of the tea and continued, "You know, if the war continues, the Hungarian Plain will suffer severe devastation, just like Vienna now. I believe that’s absolutely not what His Majesty the Emperor wants."

This was an exaggeration of the Hungarians’ will to fight.

In fact, historically, after the main forces of the Hungarian parliament were defeated by the Russian army, they immediately compromised with the Emperor.

However, Joseph also knew that no one on the Austrian side dared to definitively say Hungary wouldn’t fight to the end.

Upon seeing that Count Saigul had even prepared an excuse to persuade the Emperor, a grateful Metternich nodded: "You have convinced me, I will give it a try. So, what do you want?"

He certainly wouldn’t naively think that the French had come to offer their services for free.

Count Saigul smiled: "For our country to act as mediator in the war."

...

Western border of Bavaria.

A contingent of over two thousand Austrian National Guards marched in a loose formation along the west bank of the Inn River.

Behind them followed tens of thousands of citizens from Vienna, Saint Polten, or Linz. Among them, some feared retribution from the Royalist Party, while many more had already found it difficult to make a living, opting to accompany the National Assembly to try their luck in the southwestern region.

Riding at a leisurely pace in several old carriages nestled in the middle of the National Guard was Adorno, dressed in a neat dark gray overcoat, peering toward Vienna with the muscles at the corner of his eyes twitching a few times, finally letting out a long sigh.

He somewhat detested himself, carrying an enduring sense of loathing.

He originally intended to wield a gun on the battlefield to discipline those aristocratic gentlemen, just like Mr. Speaker, but at the last moment before departure, his mind involuntarily flashed with images of creamy soup and roast beef.

That was a dish he tasted at a parliamentary banquet, the likes of which he had never savored in his life.

It’s not that he couldn’t part with these delicacies, but rather that he suddenly realized that if he died in the outskirts of Vienna, Gretel might never taste such food.

As long as he remained a Member of Parliament—his term still had over three years—whether he went to the remote southwestern province or not, his son Gretel could still maintain a life that had once been beyond his wildest dreams.

So he put down the gun and chose to escape from Vienna with a few other Members of Parliament.

He had scolded himself as a coward throughout the journey, especially after hearing that Mr. Speaker might have already died under the Bohemians’ gunfire.

That young man was one of the few who, even before Adorno became a Member of Parliament, looked at him without a hint of contempt in their gaze.