The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1380 Great and Noble

If we were to ask who in the British government is the most anti-Austrian, then Viscount Stratford would be the first and no one would be second.

After all, most British politicians actually had no grudges against the Austrian Empire, and even if there were actions against the Austrian Empire, it was only out of political necessity.

Unfortunately, Viscount Stratford just received the news that Maximilian and Ludwig were in Istanbul.

As the British Consul General to the Ottoman Empire, Viscount Stratford wielded power that could almost be described as boundless.

Viscount Stratford was sitting at his desk in his office, holding a secret letter just sent from Vienna in his hand, and in front of him stood an Ottoman with an excited face.

The Ottoman in front of me is called Laost Parayev. Although he is dressed in traditional Ottoman Empire costume, he is a real graduate of Cambridge University.

“Mr. Canning, this is a golden opportunity. The Austrians should pay the price for their carelessness!
As long as two members of the Habsburg royal family die in Istanbul, the Ottoman family will have no way out!
Your great hatred will be avenged, the Ottoman Empire will be liberated, and our cause is just!"

Viscount Stratford's eyes quickly swept across the letter, and the message on it confirmed what Lost Parayev said.

There are many passionate young people like Laoster Parayev in Istanbul. It is not difficult to plan an assassination without anyone knowing, and there are as many scapegoats as needed.

Even if those guys become scapegoats, I'm afraid they will have to thank themselves in the end.

Killing two important members of the Habsburg family would definitely deal a heavy blow to the reputation and influence of the Austrian Empire, and it would also allow him to vent his anger.

But Viscount Stratford is not a madman. What will be the outcome of this assassination?
The Austrian Empire joined the war, and it became a bloody battle to the death.

If Britain had chosen to stand idly by, the Ottoman Empire would probably have suffered an irreversible and severe blow.

If Britain chooses to join the war, it will be a repeat of the anti-French war, and this time the British Empire will play the role of France.

But no matter what, the Russians will be the biggest winners, and the Austrian Empire's participation in the war will greatly reduce the pressure on the Russians.

Russian expansion will further threaten British interests in the Near East and even Central Asia.

Although the Austrian Empire was developing rapidly, it still did not have the ability to compete with Britain for world hegemony. However, Russia's expansion would directly threaten the survival of the British Empire in Egypt, the Persian Gulf, India, the Far East, and even North America.
"I already know what you said. Thank you, Mr. Lauster. I will pass the news back to the country. I believe the Prime Minister will make a wise decision.

Until then, I hope you will exercise restraint and not act on your own initiative.”

Laost Parayev was stunned for a moment. He thought his chance had come, but he was poured a bucket of cold water on his head.

But Laost Parayev was not discouraged, he still had a way
Seeing the other party's expression, Viscount Stratford could only helplessly speak in a pleading tone.

“I want to tell you as a friend that if the Ottoman Empire goes to war with Russia and Austria now, it will be a dead end.

I know you hate corrupt religion and corrupt kings, but now is not the time. Before your revolution is complete, the country will be divided up by the evil Austria and Russia.

I hope you can consider the future of your country and the freedom of your people. Believe me, the kingship brings only oppression. Only democracy can achieve true freedom. That is our true mission. If you really want to help, then keep an eye on the Russians. Russia is a barbaric country in civilized clothing. "

With tears in his eyes, but a little dejected, Laost Parayev just said "thank you" and left the room.

Viscount Stratford was quite satisfied with his strategy of killing someone with a borrowed knife, but he was worried about the other party's performance.

Viscount Stratford called his confidants to keep an eye on Lost again, and if the latter wanted to do anything that was not conducive to the British Empire.
At the same time, Viscount Stratford also sent a group of people to keep an eye on the Russians. He felt that the Russians were the biggest threat. The Russians were capable of assassination and even more despicable things.

The Russians naturally knew that Maximilian and Ludwig had arrived in Constantinople, but the Russians didn't really think much about it.

The first problem, which is also the biggest problem, is that they have no one.

The second problem is that they don't have the authority to do such a thing.

At least for the vast majority of Russians in Constantinople.
Vienna, Hofburg Palace.

Due to the repeated expansion of Schönbrunn Palace, Franz did not follow precedent and live with Olga in the Hofburg Palace, but continued to live in Schönbrunn Palace, except when working.

In fact, Franz spent much more time in the Hofburg Palace than in the Schönbrunn Palace, which inevitably made the newlywed Queen Olga feel lonely.

Normally the queen would relieve her sorrow by attending high society events, but Olga soon discovered a problem: her age of 28 made her extremely embarrassing.

Olga was even older than Franz's aunt Friedrich's wife, Princess Silene, and Franz's sister and younger brother were more like her children.

Moreover, Olga was somewhat too respectful of Madame Sophie, but there was nothing she could do about it, since the latter was famous.

Apart from this, Olga somewhat understood why Franz didn't like to attend public occasions, and her elder brother had become a deserter from social occasions. The cumbersome etiquette was really annoying.

Take a dance party as an example. She has to accept greetings from everyone at least one-third of the time, or even more, and often ends up stealing the show unintentionally.

Olga knew that this was her duty, but she wanted to do something more meaningful like Franz.

So Olga, in a rare act of willfulness, proposed to open a Queen's Room of her own next to Franz's throne room.

Franz readily agreed, and the next day he moved the Department of Charities and Public Works into the Queen's Hall.

Then Olga saw the piles of documents and petitions coming in from all directions. She suddenly thought that being a mascot would be nice.
Olga's original intention was actually to get closer to Franz, but after seeing the exaggerated workload and Franz's attitude, she gave up the idea.

Olga also began to help with some official affairs. Although she did not understand much, fortunately she had secretaries to help her. Besides, charity and public service were mainly about giving voice to disadvantaged groups, improving social welfare, and enhancing the quality of life of the people. It could be considered a job that made people feel happy.

At least in Olga's eyes, she and Franz were engaged in a great and noble cause.