Chapter 110
19. European Summit – 7
The small states of the Confederation of the Rhine wanted to be guaranteed safety within the fence of the ‘Union’. Mid-sized countries such as Denmark, Bavaria, and Saxony were forced to follow under French pressure. And there were other pro-France countries and satellite states of the French Empire.
The Strasbourg talks, of course, had to be led by France. It was overwhelming from the number of countries supporting it.
However, Austria and Prussia opposed it, as well as some small countries of the Confederation that appeared to have decided to join them.
They bothered French officials by persistently arguing on the main agenda. Despite the far greater number of French supporters, the atmosphere of the talks was shaking.
Perhaps the pro-French side’s solidarity was loose… but Napoleon thought that it was more due to stupidity.
“The most important thing in forming a military control network is to establish a quick and intuitive command and defense system. In the event of a war, the Union should be able to quickly deploy troops to the conflict zone.
Furthermore, I think it is necessary to simplify the procedure to share major military roads between member states and to be allowed to use defense facilities such as fortresses, ports, and simple warehouses. Of course, the price for this will have to be paid after the war is over.”
The man talking was Louis Nicolas Davout, who was given the position of military advisor to the founded union. In short, it meant that if a war broke out, the member states would receive mutual military passage rights from the beginning so that they could support each other immediately.
If the member states belonging to the Union agreed with this, then they would not need to obtain permission from each other whenever they crossed the border.
If they could use the road network and move quickly to the battlefield, that would be enough. In order to proceed smoothly with the upcoming war against Russia and Sweden, France had to secure this right to pass in advance.
“Grant military passage rights? What country allows foreign troops to cross its border without a single request!? Prussia has no intention of accepting this!”
“The marshal must know better how important speed is in military operations…”
“Speed! Of course, it’s important! However, the French officials need to think about the wise saying of King Otto the Great that urgent work cannot be an excuse for tyranny! I’ll ask you now. Is that really required?”
Blücher, Prussia’s ‘Marshal Forwards’, who always opposed France, shouted while hitting the table.
He was fiery and reckless, so if the French used this well, they could reduce Prussia’s speaking ability. However, the problem was the French side’s response.
“Then, should we stay still when allied member states are attacked? What a foolish question!”
“What? Are you done talking nonsense?”
“You don’t have to speak like a coward. I won’t tell you to fight after you return home, so don’t waste our time. All you have to do is give the way for the imperial army to move forward.”
Murat was crushing Prussia with an arrogant expression. Because of this, Blücher and other Prussian officials got angry and even pro-French countries shook their heads.
“In order for the Empire’s troops to quickly advance to the battlefields, they need the support and help of the member states. I will make sure that the requisition is as small as possible, so I approve it first…”
Jérôme Bonaparte, the King of Westphalia, said things he should not have said. In this era, local requisition was essential because it was difficult to supply the troops only with what they brought from their home country.
If war broke out with Russia, several cities and countries between France and Russia would become victims of this local requisition to supply the French army.
His brother was showing a curious talent to bring out uncomfortable truths to the struggling member states. Napoleon slightly rubbed his forehead with a tired look.
The Polish King, Józef I, and the Viceroy of the Kingdom of Italy, Eugène, had helped with proper conversation methods, but they were cut off by these two idiots who blew the talks away. How bad did they do for Carnot, who always kept a poker face, to stare at them with an annoyed gaze?
“I know this is to protect the safety of the Union and strengthen solidarity. However, if the demand is excessive, it will rather harm the sovereignty and freedom of member states. A coalition has been formed, but each member state needs time to build trust.”
It was the words of Hardenberg, Prussia’s Foreign Minister, who calmed down the heated atmosphere. He gathered support from member states by saying in a soft voice that the issue was hasty.
‘At first, strongly oppose and take the lead, provoke the other side, and then persuade the others by moderating your arguments and delaying the decision… You came up with a good strategy.’
Indeed, opinions began to diverge among pro-France member states. Even if safety and solidarity were important, did they have to do this? A voice came out in the midst of their murmurs.
“…Then we will take a little more time to think about this.”
Carnot noticed that the discussion would be disadvantageous to the French side if it continued like this, so he withdrew first and the discussion on this subject ended.
The Prussian officials were hiding their happy faces, and Blücher openly looked delighted. The faces of the Austrian officials were not dark either.
“Is there some kind of deal between the two countries?”
“I’m thinking the same. But more than that… I think we need to control our allies more than our enemies.”
It was also refreshing to see Carnot as angry as he was when Napoleon forcibly brought him in.
“Then, discussing it further won’t bring much profit.”
Of course, even in this situation, if the subject was pushed with strength and authority, France could create the picture that it wanted. No matter how much the participating countries tried to protect their own interests, they would bow in front of ‘substantial threats’.
However, if that happened, the atmosphere of the talks that had been prepared at best would fade. There would be scratches on France’s reputation.
Napoleon, whose purpose was to make Strasbourg’s talks look fair, could not impose such coercion.
‘As expected, there’s nothing like a conspiracy at times like this.’
He felt like he had become a boy who touched something forbidden because he could not resist the devil’s temptation. There was definitely no need to go a long way when he was busy.
===
“As I said before, the French Empire will be selected as the new chair country of the Union.”
It was time to rank the member countries, the event that would mark the end of today’s meeting. No one could predict how long it would take for a rank within the Union to change once it was decided.
Maybe it would stay semi-permanently. Except for a few countries, for which one could guess what grade and position they would receive, all the others were impatient to know. Upon receiving a signal from Franz I, Metternich shouted as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“First of all, please disclose the criteria for the ratings calculated by the French Empire here. Only then will the member states be convinced when they receive their ranks.”
“As I said before, it’s the role of the chair country…”
“No, that’s not what I meant. Setting standards itself is certainly the role of the chair country. But member states deserve to know at least what these standards are.”
Metternich’s words worked again this time. It was only natural. How many countries could listen to evaluations without even knowing the criteria and accept them smoothly?
It was also a matter directly related to the national interest. This was able to weave the entire conference room, including pro-France countries, into a soft consensus.
If the creation of the Union itself could not be prevented, then they should gnaw at the influence and reputation of France within the Union little by little. Under this goal, Metternich and the officials of Austria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had moved and their efforts were certainly paying off. They tried hard to hide their smiles.
As soon as the commotion was about to start again, the sound of five claps in the room calmed it down. People’s attention focused on the person sitting in the middle of the conference hall.
“The scheduled closing time has passed. Let’s finish today’s meeting here and make a new appointment in two days. It’s good to devote yourself to your country, but because you are representing your country, taking care of yourself is another form of patriotism. Let’s stay in full condition during the talks by filling up our stomachs and resting for a bit. Strasbourg talks are not over after only today.”
Napoleon Bonaparte calmed down the member states in a heavy and powerful voice, saying that there was nothing urgent and that there was plenty of time to discuss. It was the first time that the French Emperor spoke up, as he had not said much during the day except for the introduction of the talks.
At that momentary impact, Metternich stopped breathing and looked at him without even realizing it. Those short words changed the atmosphere of the conference hall at once.
‘As I thought before… He has changed a lot. Or maybe he is only revealing now his true nature.’
That was natural charisma. The blood that could dominate and rule others, or should, was flowing in Napoleon’s veins.
Metternich, who was looking at the French Emperor carefully and with a wary look, still decided to celebrate today’s achievements.
‘Blocking the granting of military passage rights is a great achievement. With it, it would be more difficult for Austria and Prussia to develop their strength in the dark.’
Metternich glanced at Prussian figures who had secretly cooperated with him, and to various countries in the Confederation of the Rhine, which had secret ties connected to France. First, he won a small victory in the Western War.
===
“…Johannes, there’s still no response?”
“Yes. It’s been a long time since the closing of the meeting, but that damn gate doesn’t seem to open.”
“Then come down from my shoulders for a second… I think my back is going to break.”
“Hold on… Crap, Zaite! Get your balance straight!”
“Come down first, and then we’ll talk!”
Numerous reporters in the square outside the Rohan Palace burst into laughter at the ridiculous appearance of a young man staggering with another young man struggling on his shoulders.
“Young people are very passionate! There was a time when I was like that, too. Of course, I’ve never had the strange idea of getting someone on top of my shoulders. Even if you try so hard, you won’t be able to get an exclusive interview or content that you can cover!”
“Hahahaha!”
At their words, Johannes and Zaite’s expressions were badly crumpled.
“What the heck… These bastards are totally laughing at us.”
“Ugh… I’m tired!…”
Johannes was a journalist working for a small newspaper in Frankfurt, and Zaite was a trainee reporter. The two, who were also old friends in the same neighborhood, came to Strasbourg on behalf of a retired reporter who suffered from a chronic illness.
Naturally, it was to cover the Strasbourg talks to which Europe was currently paying the most attention. The enthusiasm for the coverage was very hot.
As many as 700 reporters gathered and waited in the square outside the Rohan Palace alone, and it was hard to count the crowd, local residents, and students.
According to data released by the French Ministry of the Interior, the end time of the meeting was 6 p.m. However, even though it was past 7 p.m. now, the bell was not ringing to announce the closure.
That was why Johannes tried to find out what was going on in the palace over the fence.
“Because of you, we’ve become complete fools.”
“Shut up, idiot.”
Zaite’s grumbling entered one of Johannes’ ears and flowed out of the other, as he looked at the scenery of the plaza outside the quiet palace. As the door of the detached palace did not open even after the promised time had passed, the tension among reporters slightly eased.
The closer and more eye-catching they were to the object to be covered, the better they could observe their expressions and actions. If they were lucky, they might get a chance to ask questions. If they did well, they would get a good place, right?… Johannes thought so. It was then.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The bell rang. It meant that the talks had ended. As soon as he heard the bell, Johannes ran toward the gate at full speed, throwing away Zaite, the trainee reporter and his hometown friend. Other reporters rushed in, but youth was also useful for this.
“Hahaha, passion and unusual ideas make a difference! The juniors were greatly enlightened by the advice of the seniors.”
“Gasp!… Haa!… Gasp!…”
“Huh!… Damn it!…”
Johannes, who reached the front of the gate blocked by palace guards, proudly said so. The reporters who laughed at him before only spit out swear words while catching their breath. They could see the expressions of those leaving the gate through the gardens of the Rohan Palace.
Johannes, who was at the forefront of the reporters, caught people from Austria and Prussia smiling. However, it was difficult to tell who were the winner and loser because the faces of French foreign officials, who were expected to have confronted them, were also bright.
“It’s the first day of the historic Strasbourg talks. What discussions did you have there!?”
“What was the position of major countries on permanent peace and common development in Europe??”
“Did His Majesty the Emperor of France declare a complete end to the war?”
The answers of the participants in the talks answering the pouring questions from reporters were businesslike. Since it was the first day of the meeting, he thought that he should behave carefully… But not a chance. He had come all the way here! Johannes shouted loudly from the forefront of the reporters.
“It’s a meeting to achieve a noble goal, but the process of reaching it must not have been easy! That’s what I’m asking you! Have you achieved to integrate the conflicting goals of your country’s national interests and Europe’s common values?”
Unpleasant eyes poured out from the other reporters, but Johannes kept his head straight. Now, as he was ready to write down any answers he would hear, a pleased laugh was heard. The reporters who saw who was laughing held their breath.
“Hahahaha! You know how to ask a very pleasant question.”
Except under special circumstances, the giants did not deal directly with reporters. And Klemens von Metternich was definitely a giant in Europe. Then he replied directly without losing his smile.
“We have sympathized with the ideals of France in many ways, and if the process is ‘reasonable’, we are willing to work together. Protecting one’s national interests is only one of many purposes, and I guarantee that it will not play an active role as a major issue. The newly formed Union will follow the past European traditions. Please look forward to fair justice, which is not dominated by only ‘one country’.”
Johannes’ eyes shined. France lost… This was a scoop!
===
So far, Austria had been repeatedly beaten by France. It was a history of humiliation with war defeats, many territories lost, and the country constantly swayed on the French-led board.
Austria succeeded in achieving a small victory (although it was a diplomatic achievement) for the first time in decades.
Since the Emperor Franz I praised Metternich and other foreign officials in a slightly encouraging way, Austrian people who knew what this meant would feel a deep sense of pride. It was a very meaningful victory and success for Metternich himself.
How much it made him feel better. He even smiled and answered questions from unknown newspaper reporters to whom he would normally not have talked. But Metternich knew better than anyone else that this was not a complete victory.
Napoleon and France would surely launch a counterattack, and it was urgent to come up with a strategy to prepare for this. What would they argue about in the second meeting in two days? What should be prepared to respond?
Metternich, who did not show up at the party and only worked with the other Austrian officials, was secretly called by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12 hours before the second meeting. Metternich felt that the contact was unusual, and decided to meet them in person.
“What do you think they’re looking for?”
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“I’m sure they want us to behave obediently in the upcoming talks. That was to be expected. But we will take care of the national interests of the Austrian Empire as much as possible.”
“I will only trust the Foreign Minister.”
Metternich received words of encouragement and trust from Franz I, and went out to meet his opponent with his attendants with full confidence. And then, he met a person he had never even dreamed of seeing there.
“It’s been a really long time, Marquis. How have you been?”
Talleyrand-Périgord. Metternich’s face hardened as he faced his former comrade who had a soft smile. As expected, diplomacy was Austria’s strength!…