I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 204

< Russia's Gloom >

While Marx and Bismarck were engaged in their uniquely solemn pride battle in London,

the Austrian Empire barely managed to catch its breath from a situation that could have turned truly dire.

[Hungarian Rebels Preemptively Crushed!]

[The Glory of Austria Shall Never Fade!]

[The Glory of the Old Habsburgs Returns! A Unified Germany Under Austrian Leadership!]

By promising to revise the Vienna System [the post-Napoleonic agreement that shaped European diplomacy], implementing moderate reforms, and dividing and isolating the radical socialists, society is stabilizing remarkably quickly.

There are plenty of people dissatisfied with society, but it has been clearly demonstrated that they do not all share the same goals.

Disraeli’s words were certainly proven right.

“It’s so pleasant now that those red flag-waving fellows are gone.”

“It’s a relief, isn’t it? I was even considering advising you to resign if the situation worsened.”

“With all due respect, if the matter had become that serious, it wouldn’t have ended with just my problem.”

Metternich, the head of the Austrian cabinet, resigning would be interpreted as the government declaring a complete surrender.

If Metternich had to take all the blame, would he be crazy enough to stay in this country?

He would have packed his bags and fled to England to save his life.

Then, since the responsibility couldn’t be placed on someone in exile, it would naturally fall on the highest person in this country.

In other words, the Emperor would have to take responsibility.

Especially since the current Emperor, Ferdinand I, had suffered from speech impediments and hydrocephalus [fluid accumulation in the brain] since childhood, his mental capacity was somewhat lacking compared to ordinary people.

Therefore, there was a high possibility that the cabinet would shift the blame to the Emperor, simply dethrone him, and enthrone a new Emperor.

Of course, the current Emperor, whose intelligence was more than a world away, didn’t understand what Metternich meant and just blinked blankly.

“Anyway, it’s a relief that everything has been resolved. Can I rest assured and take a nap now?”

“Of course. We will take care of everything neatly.”

The flames of revolution that had shaken Vienna had virtually subsided, so at least for now, their position was no longer in immediate danger.

Thanks to preemptive measures against the rebels trying to rise in Hungary, things didn’t seem likely to escalate out of control.

Of course, the rebels themselves were still active, so an army was needed to suppress them, but how fortunate that France was providing support.

After finishing a brief report to the Emperor, Metternich received reports from Hungary and called the cabinet leaders to present future policies.

“I heard things are going smoothly in Hungary, but are there any changes?”

“Yes. Fortunately, the initial response was effective, and it’s not a large-scale rebellion but rather sporadic uprisings.”

“It seems that preemptively addressing their demands was effective.”

Not all Hungarian nationalists have the will to demand absolute independence or death.

If you offer them incentives and address their grievances, the cause of condemning the evil Austrian Empire and fighting for independence will inevitably lose its power.

Moreover, since liberalism in France and Austria was also moving in the direction of distancing itself from radicals, what more could be said?

“When will the French army arrive?”

“The first support troops will arrive within two months at the latest.”

“Then let’s round up the traitors all at once then. We owe France a great debt this time.”

“Still, isn’t it better than borrowing the hands of Russia?”

“That’s a given.”

If they had stood idly by and the Hungarian rebellion had grown uncontrollably, Austria would have had no choice but to turn to Russia.

Then, it was obvious how much those Russian bastards would interfere in everything, using it as an excuse.

He would rather join hands with France than see that happen.

“But aren’t the French just a little better than the Russians? If they make excessive demands after helping us this time…”

“No. That won’t happen. Right now, England is wedged between us and France.”

When Disraeli confidently said he would send support troops, he naturally thought the British Army would come.

Wasn’t this a natural prediction, not just an assumption?

But why the support troops that Great Britain said they would send are coming from France is still a question.

However, from Austria’s point of view, as long as there were allied forces to help suppress the Hungarian rebellion, it didn’t matter where they came from.

Whether it’s the British Army or the French Army, what does this side care? It’s enough if they shoot well and fire cannons well.

The problem is what will happen next.

“Then, let’s put the Hungarian issue aside and discuss something really important.”

“Yes? Something really important?”

Have they completely lost their senses to the point of not even having this much awareness, those who are supposed to be key figures in the cabinet?

Metternich clicked his tongue inwardly, but also let out a self-deprecating laugh at the fact that he had been in a similar situation until recently.

“The countries that have helped us the most this time are, without a doubt, England and France. They wouldn’t have shown us goodwill because they like us so much, so we should naturally assume they want something in return.”

Disraeli had openly hinted when they met last time that he intended to keep Russia in check and asked for cooperation later.

And if things go as expected, that time will probably not be far in the future.

“If only England were doing this, we would have thought nothing of it. But since the support troops that England said they would send are coming from France, isn’t it too obvious what this situation indicates?”

“Are you saying that France and England are working together to keep Russia in check? And that they are trying to include our Austria in that?”

“Yes. You’re finally getting your head around it.”

Russia may or may not know this fact, but the intentions of Great Britain and France are more than clear.

And since they had received so much help from them, Austria also needed to make a choice as quickly as possible.

Side with Russia, who was a member of the former Holy Alliance [a coalition of European powers aimed at suppressing liberal and revolutionary movements], or side with Great Britain, the current world superpower.

It would be great if they could avoid supporting either side, but the problem was that they had received so much help that it was difficult to back out.

Then, wouldn’t siding with the side that is more likely to become the future ruler of the world be the best way to overcome the current crisis?

“First of all, we have received a lot of help from England this time, so it wouldn’t be right to simply ignore their requests. I am going to discuss this with their Prime Minister directly and make a decision, but what do you think?”

“We also think it would be better to talk to England first than to Russia.”

“Even if it’s England versus Russia, we would lean towards England, but if it’s England and France versus Russia, then this is 당연히 [obviously]…”

They received help, and their power is greater, so the conclusion is already half-drawn.

Metternich finished the meeting, suppressing the anxiety that perhaps the current revolution might not even be a big deal.

As someone who vividly remembers the Napoleonic Wars, he could only hope that the same nightmare would not be repeated.

* * *

The Russian Empire.

The Imperial Palace in the capital, Saint Petersburg.

Aside from England, there was one other country that was free from the commotion in Europe, which was noisy with revolutions and liberalism.

The Russian Emperor Nicholas, one of those two unique countries, belatedly realized that Europe was in chaos and hurriedly called the person in charge.

“What is going on! Why were we so late in understanding that such a big mess had happened in Europe!”

“We heard that there was a noisy commotion, but it seems that we were late in recognizing the seriousness because it had no impact on our country.”

“That’s also strange. I heard that all of Europe was in chaos, so why did only we avoid the commotion?”

“From what I’ve learned, it seems that only Russia and England have not experienced this 난리통 [turmoil].”

Indeed. The Russian Emperor Nicholas began to understand the current situation.

Why would Great Britain and Russia be the only ones to avoid this commotion?

It must be because they are currently the most powerful countries in the world.

Other weak countries lack the power, so they naturally lack the ability to suppress such trivial commotions.

“Then, how about taking advantage of this commotion as much as possible? It would be nice to show favor to Prussia or Austria and increase our influence there.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. That is…”

Foreign Minister Nesselrode hesitated for a moment, then continued in a subdued voice as if he were 면목없다 [ashamed].

“I called the Austrian ambassador and made a suggestion, but they said they had already decided to receive help from England and France.”

“What? England and France? But didn’t I hear that the French were also 정신이 없다 [out of their minds] with this commotion?”

“Yes. But they quickly requested help from England and succeeded in stabilizing faster than any other European country. So they decided to send support troops to Austria…”

“Are you saying we were 밀렸다 [pushed back] even by France, not to mention England! How terrible is our intelligence!”

“I, I’m sorry!”

If they can’t take advantage of this situation, even though they weren’t affected by the commotion, wouldn’t that be putting the cart before the horse?

He felt even more frustrated when he thought that England, who was in the same situation, had succeeded in showing favor to France and Austria and expanding its influence.

The reason why Russia was not affected by the revolution was completely opposite to that of England.

England already had a semi-established liberal political system, and industrialization was progressing successfully, so there was no reason for the flames of revolution to spread in the first place.

On the other hand, the reason why Russia was not affected by the revolution was that, far from industrializing like England, it was not even at the 수준 [level] of taking its first steps like other countries.

In a social structure that was the old era itself, where serfdom had not yet been abolished, what kind of liberalism and demands for расширение избирательных прав [expansion of voting rights] would emerge?

In short, there was no reason for the 부르주а [bourgeoisie] to be dissatisfied and run wild in England, and there were no 부르주а [bourgeoisie] to be dissatisfied and run wild in Russia.

However, Nicholas was just disappointed that he had missed a 천재일우 [golden] opportunity.

“By the way, it seems that the English bastards have been 노골적으로 넘보는 [blatantly eyeing] our territory recently, but is this just my 착각 [delusion]?”

“I don’t think so. In my opinion, England is definitely 뿌리고 다니는 [spreading] its influence here and there to keep our Russia in check.”

He almost 착각할 뻔 [mistook it] when they 방관해준다고 빼앗아오는 [stood by and let us take] Primorye from 청나라 [the Qing Dynasty], but this time it seemed that England’s intention was clear.

Let’s say they had been supporting the Ottoman Turks, who have not been on good terms with Russia, from before.

But even in the east, as soon as Russia occupied Primorye, they immediately 끌어들였다 [drew] Joseon [Korea] and Japan, which are adjacent to it, into their sphere of influence.

They even bought Alaska, so Russia’s east is 포위당한 [surrounded] by Great Britain.

If they stay still like this, they may not even be able to 싸워볼 [fight] with England later.

“Minister, go back and discuss future matters with the Prussian ambassador. Austria’s entering the influence of England and France may not be a 달갑지 [welcome] situation from Prussia’s point of view.”

“I understand.”

“And… no, let’s discuss this later.”

In a state where they do not yet know Austria’s intentions, this side moving first will only 괜히 긁어 부스럼 [stir up trouble].

But if they really say they will side with England or France rather than Russia.

Before the anti-Russian encirclement is completed, this side will have no choice but to 치고 나갈 [strike out] first.