Chapter 1080: Chapter 1070: The Beginning and End of the Paris Turmoil (Part 1)

Prince Monfort actually does not care whether Von Bismarck can become the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Prussia. What concerns him, at his advanced age, is only the future of the Empire.

After all, whether the Kingdom of Prussia is strong or not has nothing to do with him, but if the Empire were to suffer the same fate as the previous two dynasties, he would be in grave trouble.

Old Jerome does not want to follow the monarchs of the previous two dynasties (Charles X and Louis Philippe), being forced into exile in Britain at an approaching age.

Even in death, he hopes to die in Paris, preferably having his coffin placed beside his brother’s.

In this way, after ascending to the Celestial Kingdom, he could proudly boast to his brother that the younger brother he once looked down upon inherited his will and re-established the Bonaparte Empire in France.

(Old Jerome believes that, although this Empire was established by Jerome Bonaparte, its source was him.

If he had not relinquished the heirship of the Bonaparte Clan Leader, then the founder of the Empire would not have been Jerome Bonaparte.)

Thus, when Prince Monfort heard Jerome Bonaparte assuring that Von Bismarck would become the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Prussia, he initially felt no significant ripple in his heart.

However, the next second, Prince Monfort suddenly realized that since Jerome Bonaparte was certain that Von Bismarck must become the Prussian Prime Minister, does his command for Valerovsky to approach Von Bismarck in advance mean that the French Empire’s diplomatic strategy is shifting from previously favoring the Austrian Empire to favoring the Kingdom of Prussia.

"Shire (Jerome Bonaparte’s full name is Napoleon Jerome Charles Bonaparte)!" Prince Monfort sternly called out Jerome Bonaparte’s nickname, "Please be honest with me, what is your true purpose for having Valerovsky approach Von Bismarck?"

"Father, I just feel that the Austrian Empire’s power has unknowingly expanded to an astonishing degree!

If we don’t curb it, the Austrian Empire might dominate in the German Region!" Jerome Bonaparte said with a serious expression, using perfunctory rhetoric.

Since Jerome Bonaparte did not want too many people to know his true intentions, coupled with Prince Monfort himself being detached from politics, Jerome Bonaparte did not wish to reveal everything to Prince Monfort.

Naturally, Prince Monfort would not believe Jerome Bonaparte’s nonsense.

The reason the Austrian Empire has its current sphere of influence is all thanks to Jerome Bonaparte’s help.

Whether it’s the Kingdom of Poland or the Danube Duchy, they were all piecemeal offerings fed to the Austrian Empire by Jerome Bonaparte.

Sometimes, Prince Monfort truly suspects whether his son has a peculiar attachment to someone in the Austrian Empire, leading him to exhaustingly assist the Austrian Empire.

"My child, won’t your actions bring the relations between the French Empire and the Austrian Empire to the brink of collapse!" Prince Monfort worriedly asked Jerome Bonaparte, "Relations between the Empire and Britain have already become very delicate due to Savoy and Nice!

If we also break with the Austrian Empire, the Empire might face the risk of diplomatic isolation!"

"Father, you are overthinking it!" Jerome Bonaparte displayed a knowing expression, with a confident smile at the corner of his mouth, "There are only three countries in present-day Europe: one is the French Empire, one is the Kingdom of Britain, and the rest are other countries.

In this European Continent, only France can isolate other countries, no country dares to isolate the French Empire!

If I wish, many countries are willing to befriend the French Empire!

Alexander of the Russian Empire hopes for our recognition, and Regent King William of the Kingdom of Prussia wishes to join us!

A mere Austrian Empire is not enough to plunge the French Empire into diplomatic isolation!"

"Then hasn’t all your previous efforts been in vain!" Prince Monfort expressed bewilderment at Jerome Bonaparte’s continual strengthening of the Austrian Empire.

"Relations between the Austrian Empire and the French Empire will not become estranged due to the Empire drawing closer to the Kingdom of Prussia!

In fact, they will be tighter than before!" Jerome Bonaparte gestured confidently and replied to Prince Monfort.

"Why?" Prince Monfort asked Jerome Bonaparte in confusion.

"Because the Austrian Empire cannot afford the cost of losing the French Empire!" Jerome Bonaparte explained to Prince Monfort, "Although the Austrian Empire seems powerful now, in reality, it’s merely strong on the outside, weak on the inside.

The Habsburg’s territories have too many ethnic groups, some lean towards independence, some lean towards autonomy.

Yet, the Habsburg still enforces a high-pressure governance policy.

While this policy eliminates time wasted bickering with parliament, it also requires them to constantly allocate part of their resources and military to suppress ethnic groups opposing the Habsburg.

If a high-intensity war like the Crimea occurs, it would be difficult for the Habsburg to mobilize all their forces for battle.

This necessitates reliance on a major power!

Which country on the European Continent is stronger than the French Empire now!

Moreover, the Austrian Empire’s own diplomatic environment isn’t great; whether it’s the Kingdom of Prussia or the Russian Empire, they both dislike the Austrian Empire!

Could the Austrian Empire align itself with the Kingdom of Britain if not with the French Empire?

Moreover, even if the Austrian Empire wished to pivot elsewhere, its younger allies would prevent them!

The Kingdom of Poland and the Duchy of Lodomeria have always stood in the way of the Russian Empire’s westward expansion. Franz Joseph must consider not only himself but also his two brothers!

In the current Europe, only the French Empire is willing to help them resist the Russian Empire!"

Jerome Bonaparte paused, lifted his wine glass, and drank it all in one go. After the dryness in his throat was soothed by the Bordeaux wine, he felt revived.

After downing the wine in his glass, Jerome Bonaparte placed it back on the marble coffee table.

Sitting opposite him, Prince Monfort got up spontaneously to pour Jerome Bonaparte another glass of wine.

This scene reminded Jerome Bonaparte of a famous saying from a past life acquaintance: "Father is father, decorum is decorum. When I make it big, Father will toast to me!"

Thinking about this, Jerome Bonaparte couldn’t help but chuckle.

This left Prince Monfort puzzled, as he did not understand why Jerome was laughing.

After Prince Monfort sat back down on the sofa, Jerome Bonaparte continued in a haughty tone to address Prince Monfort, saying, "We must make the Austrian Empire acutely feel that without the French Empire’s help, they are nothing!

Only then will the Austrian Empire avoid siding between the Kingdom of Prussia in critical moments; befriending the Kingdom of Prussia is merely a trick to tether the Austrian Empire!"

Following Jerome Bonaparte’s analysis, Prince Monfort felt slightly relieved.

He let out a long breath and offered advice, "Since you have your thoughts, I won’t say much more!

However, I still hope you proceed with caution!

The Austrian Empire is different from Sardinia; though it is in decline, it still stands on par with the French Empire.

One should not treat the Austrian Empire the same way as the Sardinian Kingdom!"

"Don’t worry! I’m not that reckless!!" Jerome Bonaparte assured Prince Monfort.

Then Jerome Bonaparte inquired about the interesting occurrences in Vienna, and Prince Monfort narrated them while sipping wine.

By the time Prince Monfort finished recounting everything that happened in Vienna, it silently reached 10 o’clock.

This time was already considered late for a septuagenarian, and with Prince Monfort having drunk quite a bit of wine, his eyes started to glaze over, and his words slurred unintentionally.

Observing this, Jerome Bonaparte decided to end the conversation. He deliberately yawned in front of Prince Monfort and then waved at him, saying, "It’s getting late now, you should get some rest!"

Saying this, Jerome Bonaparte stood up to leave.

Seeing this, Prince Monfort hurriedly called out to Jerome Bonaparte, "Wait a moment! I have something to ask you!"

Upon Prince Monfort’s call, Jerome Bonaparte sat back down on the sofa.

"What’s the matter?"

"Since I left, has anything happened in Paris?" Prince Monfort inquired subtly to Jerome Bonaparte.

After contemplating for a moment, Jerome Bonaparte shook his head and replied to Prince Monfort, "Not at all! Everything in Paris is as usual!"

This reply evidently did not satisfy Prince Monfort, who, fixating on Jerome Bonaparte, said word by word, "Then why did you leave the Tuileries Palace for the Fontainebleau Palace? And what about those advisors and secretaries at Fontainebleau Palace?"

After hearing Prince Monfort’s question, Jerome Bonaparte remained silent for a long time before responding, "During your absence in Paris, there was indeed some unrest!

A small number of unemployed individuals, instigated by ill-intentioned parties, gathered en masse at Bastille Square to protest against the Empire!"

Despite Jerome Bonaparte’s increased legal penalties on strike groups and the replacement of the Red Guild with the Yellow Guild, he could not completely contain the workers.

Besides, Paris itself harbored some latent Blanquist elements, making it easy to incite the workers.

"And then?"

Prince Monfort continued to inquire, curious about how the situation was ultimately resolved.