Chapter 920: 828: Russia's Choice

Chapter 920: Chapter 828: Russia’s Choice

After Count Stroganov detailed Queen Mary’s attitude, Catherine II eagerly asked:

“What does the French political sector think of this matter?”

Such significant matters as a marriage alliance between two countries are never decided by the King or Queen alone but reflect the political will of the entire nation.

“As for this, most ministers have yet to state their position,” the Ambassador to France replied, “however, I’ve mentioned many times in previous reports that the Crown Prince is already the true holder of power at the Palace of Versailles.

“And according to the news I heard from the Countess of Debreninac, it was because the Crown Prince was deeply fond of the Princess that the Queen decided to propose the alliance.

“Hence, I judge that the core ministers of France are unlikely to oppose it.”

The Tsar laughed happily: “Ha ha, Sasha is so likable wherever she goes.”

France at this moment signaling a marriage alliance is akin to a drowning person suddenly grabbing onto driftwood for her.

To understand what Russia’s operational mode has been for hundreds of years—a relentless squeeze internally, then relieving internal pressure through overseas expansion to achieve balance.

Thus, no matter how brutal the Tsar was in Russian history, as long as he won foreign wars, his throne remained as stable as a rock. Russians would even glorify his brutality as bravery.

But once the external expansion failed, thorns would emerge from beneath the reigning Tsar’s seat.

Catherine II knew very well that ever since Russia faltered in Poland, and Cremea was thrown into disarray by Kosciuszko, the undercurrents opposing her in Saint Petersburg had begun to rise.

She herself had leveraged the military’s dissatisfaction with the former Tsar Peter III—her husband—to stage a coup, overthrowing him, thus ascending the throne.

Currently, she dislikes her son Paul and has always intended to directly pass the throne to her grandson Alexander, making it hard to assure Paul wouldn’t seize the opportunity to stage a coup of his own.

However, a marriage alliance with the French Royal Family would indeed be an unprecedented honor for Russia, greatly ameliorating her political predicament.

She had begun planning expansion towards Persia, and as long as the war went smoothly on that front, she could stabilize her throne once more.

The next day.

Several of the most influential ministers in Russian politics were summoned to Catherine II’s palace.

They had not seen the Tsar for three or four months; since the Tsar’s health declined, daily affairs were conveyed by Zubov, implying a major matter was to be discussed today.

After Catherine II moved laboriously to the chair with the assistance of two servants, she signaled to Count Stroganov: “Narrate it to them.”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

The Ambassador to France briefly explained the French desire for marriage, and before he finished, the Governor of Saint Petersburg, Feodor Rostopchin, stood up and bowed to the Tsar: “Your Majesty, everyone is aware that the shadows of France lurk behind Warsaw. The French are not worthy of our trust!”

Zubov glanced at him, speaking deliberately: “You exaggerate, Governor. France and Poland merely have normal commercial exchanges. They haven’t provided the Poles with even a single gun.

“After the outbreak of war, they cared about their investments in Polish silver mines and ports, which is a perfectly normal action.”

Indeed, this Tsar’s paramour was also a “Francophile.” Perhaps because his biggest political enemy and love rival, Potemkin leaned toward the British, he always advocated closeness with France.

The Tsar’s Chief adviser on foreign affairs, Bezborodko, nodded in agreement nearby: “To speak of it, our country has always been Britain’s largest trade partner, and the French have never been hostile towards us for this reason.”

Suvorov immediately retorted: “In fact, the Intelligence Department believes the French have considerable influence over the Polish Army.”

He lacked evidence; thus he didn’t entangle in this issue, shifting instead:

“Moreover, we should definitely consider Britain’s reaction seriously. At present, a war between Britain and France has erupted of a scale exceeding the Seven Years’ War.”

He looked at Catherine II: “Your Majesty, should we ally with France during this period, it would be perceived by Britain as choosing animosity against them.”

Bezborodko shook his head with a smile: “Marshal, you needn’t worry about that at all. On the contrary, the British would enhance their ties with us to prevent us from leaning entirely towards France.”

“Then we don’t need to offend Britain…”

Nikolai Rumyantsev, the eldest son of Marshal Rumyantsev, addressed the Tsar: “Your Majesty, I believe that both England and France are too distant from us, and Austria is what we should pay closest attention to.

“If France can severely damage Austria on the battlefield, it would be the most advantageous for our nation.”

Catherine II nodded in deep agreement.

Among the European powers, Austria was Russia’s biggest competitor. The two nations held significant interests in conflict in the Balkan Peninsula and Poland.

Once Russia defeats Poland, Austria would be Russia’s greatest obstacle facing Europe—yes, Russians have always believed they will occupy Poland, and this defeat merely delayed the process.

Rostopchin sneered: “The French are facing a siege from England, Prussia, Austria, and numerous German states. The Allied Forces outnumber the French by more than double. I think it’s France that will ultimately be severely compromised.”

Bezborodko glanced at him: “You might not have updated yourself on the western war situation in quite a while. The French Army has already controlled most of Northern Italy and is preparing to attack Mantua. On another front, their forces have taken Brussels.

“Now Sardinia has changed its stance and allied with France. Even Spain has yet to dispatch its army.”

The Ambassador to France promptly affirmed: “I swear, Governor, the French Army is extremely powerful; this I’ve seen firsthand.”

Bezborodko bowed to the Tsar: “Your Majesty, when the warring sides are still in a stalemate, extending friendliness towards France will garner the greatest gratitude from them.

“Even if France truly loses, it might not be a bad thing for our nation.

“Then France would require our influence to improve its diplomatic environment, allowing us to propose certain conditions in exchange, such as isolating the Ottoman Empire.

“I’ve heard the French Fleet miraculously expelled the British from the Mediterranean; currently, they hold absolute sway there.”

Suvorov continued to argue for a while, but although he was an exceptional military genius, he was not competent in political diplomacy compared to these civilian officials, soon quieting down.

Seeing this, Catherine II gestured to Zubov to assist her in rising, then directed to the Ambassador to France: “Count Stroganov, invite Queen Mary’s envoy to Saint Petersburg.”

Such influential diplomatic matters are typically negotiated under the table, and only afterward do the principals appear, going through the proper formalities.