Struggle in Russia

In fact, it is no secret that Austria looks down on Prussia. For the Austrians, the Prussians are younger brothers or followers. They naturally feel that they are a head above Prussia. but? The Prussians didn't think so. Although they were indeed not as good as the Habsburg family back then, and they were indeed their followers and younger brothers, they had great ambitions!

Especially when Frederick the Great started, he didn't pay attention to the Habsburg family at all. When Maria Theresa had just taken over as the Archduke of Austria and Queen of the Holy Roman Empire, Frederick the Great strongly He came to the door and robbed Silesia.

From that moment on, the German brothers turned against each other directly. So even if Frederick the Great died, even if Napoleon's rise made life difficult for Prussia and Austria, they had to join hands to meet the enemy, but to be honest, it feels a bit like a different dream in the same bed.

Anyway, this pair of brothers is not always so harmonious, and this is the reason why Russia can gradually take the initiative in the Holy Alliance. Who made these two people not get along!

At this time, Duke Alexander also believed that Prussia should be wooed to deal with Schwarzenberg.

"...I believe that the Prussians should be interested in poaching Austria's corner. If we can work together, we can offset the bad influence of Schwarzenberg's visit to St. Petersburg!"

Li Xiao understands Duke Alexander's concerns very well. Whether it is Nesselrode or Nicholas I in China, they are stalking Austria. One is obsessed with poaching Russia's corners to subsidize his hometown, and the other is desperate to save face and stick to tradition. Know how to work around.

So it is very likely that Schwarzenberg went to St. Petersburg this time, and it is really possible to persuade Nicholas I. At that time, the old naughty uncle's ears softened, and he would really like Schwarzenberg and Nechero. Repeated evil.

But Duke Alexander couldn't run back to do work in person, and even if he went back, it might not make much sense, because Nicholas I still favored Austria from the bottom of his heart. The reason why he turned to Duke Alexander before was that the interests of the Balkans and the Caucasus were too tempting. And now as long as Schwarzenberg is crying miserably over there, Nicholas I will really soften his heart.

If nothing is done, it is very likely that in the next year or two Russia's foreign policy will be led astray by Schwarzenberg and Nesselrode, and the price will be too heavy.

If the Prussians can be persuaded to stab Austria in the back, it should be able to offset some of the bad influence. Even if they cooperate properly, there will be unexpected good effects. At least it will not let the "Olmitz Treaty" in history repeat itself again.

"Are you going to Berlin?" Li Xiao asked.

Duke Alexander smiled slightly: "No! I can't go to Berlin.

As long as I leave Vienna, Schwarzenberg's spies will immediately report to him, and then Nesselrode will report to His Majesty again..."

Li Xiao smiled, the greatest sorrow of Duke Alexander is here, because he can't win the full trust of Nicholas I anyway, or he can't replace Nesselrode in Nicholas I's heart no matter what status. So even if he did a good job during this time, he would be nailed to Vienna and couldn't move.

If he dared to go to Berlin secretly and let Nicholas I find out, he would definitely be furious. For him, Duke Alexander is blatantly engaging in petty tricks, and he is blatantly singing against him, which is intolerable!

So Li Xiao asked: "So you mean to let me go, right?"

Duke Alexander laughed again. He really meant that. Li Xiao went to Berlin to communicate with the Prussians on his behalf. The problem.

Don't underestimate the flexibility of diplomats. This is particularly important, especially in this era of inconvenient communication. If diplomats are not flexible and proactive enough, they will be very passive. It can almost be said that nothing can be done!

And Li Xiao had proved his flexibility and initiative some time ago, which really won very good conditions for Duke Alexander and his family. So this time Duke Alexander couldn't leave, the first thing he thought of was to let Li Xiao act as a special envoy.

Of course, the favorable conditions for Li Xiao are very prominent, but the unfavorable conditions are also very prominent. First of all, his identity was too sensitive. If Nicholas I found out that Duke Alexander ordered Li Xiao to do something secretly, the consequences would be disastrous.

However, this time Li Xiao couldn't completely hide his identity. After all, he was going to Prussia to communicate with politicians, so there was no way to keep it completely secret.

Secondly, Li Xiao not only has the issue of identity sensitivity, another problem that worries Duke Alexander is that sometimes Li Xiao is too flexible and too subjective. Look at this guy's guts, since he left St. Petersburg, he has not dared to do anything.

Dare to go to Wallachia empty-handed White Wolf, let this guy go to Berlin, maybe something will happen. Sometimes Duke Alexander is really afraid of this guy's energy and courage, so he really dares to do anything. This guy has been successful before, but who can guarantee that he can succeed every time, what if he fails?

Duke Alexander also specially told him: "Your Excellency, your trip is mainly to do a good job in contact and communication, just to convey my goodwill to Prussia. Don't act on your own, otherwise if something happens, we will Here is beyond help!"

Li Xiao was not stupid, how could he fail to understand what Duke Alexander meant. Isn't it just that I am worried that he will make troubles, but if he doesn't make troubles, how can we break the situation? What's the point of acting honestly according to Nicholas I's intentions?

However, he also knew that he must not go too far. At most, he would frantically test the left and right sides of Duke Alexander's bottom line. Things that go out of line can be done, but not too much.

Of course, he promised with all his mouth, patted his chest and assured Duke Alexander that he would act according to his wishes.

Duke Alexander sighed, obviously he also knew that Li Xiao's guarantee was unreliable, but why did he have no other more suitable candidates? Sometimes he is depressed, obviously he is an expert in diplomacy, so Leonid has not inherited any wisdom from him, and has no interest in diplomacy and government affairs at all, and instead focuses on becoming a soldier. If Leonid can inherit his father's business, why is he so entangled...