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

Chapter 1798 The Theodosian Wall
As a seasoned negotiator, Palmerston naturally wouldn't follow the lead of Makarov and Lord Habescu.

Do you really think that monopolizing power is in our common interest?

I think any rational gentleman would answer 'No!'

That's right! A monopoly will only increase friction!
Friction can lead to war, disrupted trade routes, poverty, famine, and all sorts of terrible disasters.

Palmerston turned to Makarov and said.

"We raise this question not to question the military victory of the Holy Alliance."

On the contrary, it is precisely out of long-term considerations that the Holy Alliance would not want to occupy a hostile city and a mess.

Should we shoulder debt for security and reconstruction, and become enemies with the whole of Europe?

In fact, Palmerston did indeed bring in quite a few powerful allies to put pressure on the Holy Alliance, such as the Second French Empire, Prussia, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

They even brought in countries like Egypt and Persia, highlighting their sheer numbers and power.

In fact, the British were well aware that Austria and Russia were the main players, but they were not very confident at this point, since they had already tried almost all the available methods.

The Russians’ attitude appeared very firm on the surface, but that was largely due to Nicholas I’s personal reasons.

In fact, the security and reconstruction of the new territory has always been a major headache for Russia, and the British have grasped this point very accurately.

In fact, without the previous Near East wars, the Russians would not have had such a profound experience.

Every time they marched into the Balkans, they lost money. Even after conquering the land, they couldn't recover their losses and even had to increase security and reconstruction costs.

What troubles the Russian government even more is that the Balkan people are still very dissatisfied with this, and their expectations for life are much higher than those in the Caucasus region.

They are equally difficult to deal with, but there are more of them, better equipped, more experienced, and more determined.

However, Nicholas I and those Pan-Slavists who were unaware of or unwilling to know the truth saw this as nothing more than the Russian government's incompetence that had chilled the hearts of its brothers.

Well, at this point, the Russian government was quite incompetent, or rather, it was precisely because of some of their policies that things became so complicated and difficult to manage.

Of course, even if the Russian government wants to manage the Balkans well, it still needs to consult with other countries.

After all, without the support of other major powers, even the strongest Balkan people will eventually run out of blood and tears.

However, regardless of the circumstances, the Near East War was a thankless and arduous task for the Russian government at this time. They not only had to bear enormous pressure and struggle to solve the problems, but also had to bear the brunt of the blame.

For example, the campaign to recapture Constantinople may seem glorious at this time, but the Russian government has long been hollowed out and is now only maintaining itself through credibility and coercion.

Often, the Russian government had to resort to near-robbery, holding guns to the heads of merchants and demanding that they deliver goods first and lend the government money to repay loans.

It's fortunate that they won; otherwise, Russian society would have abandoned the Russian government.

As for being at odds with Europe, that's something the Russians have long been accustomed to.

Within Russia, those who opposed the Near East War were actually the majority; the main reason they couldn't become the mainstream was due to the suppression by Nicholas I.

Therefore, the Russian officials present thought that international co-management was a feasible strategy, since co-management meant that everyone would contribute money.

Otherwise, the funds for maintaining stability and rebuilding Constantinople would be extremely high, and Russia simply cannot afford that amount at this time.

But given Nicholas I's personality, he certainly won't listen to these suggestions. In that case, magnificent palaces, huge monuments, and the restoration of ancient buildings will be inevitable.

The sheer scale of this project was enough to make Russian officials wince, and as soon as someone raised the issue, an official immediately began explaining it to Makarov.

The Austrian Empire, on the other hand, seemed uninterested, but Palmerston wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.

"The Holy Alliance's attempt to forcibly annex Constantinople is not a wise move; on the contrary, it is an overdraft on the life of the entire Alliance."

"If your country wishes to annex and assimilate Constantinople, then..."

Palmerston used "your country" here because he knew that Russia wanted to monopolize Constantinople.

The reason for insisting on calling it the Holy Alliance was largely to continue sowing discord, since from the British perspective, they found it hard to believe that the Austrian Empire would give up its claim to Constantinople.

"Your country must devote all its financial, military, and energy resources to the Black Sea Straits, while its interests in the north will become extremely vulnerable and may even be exploited by others."

Forcibly annexing Constantinople is merely a momentary act of reckless courage; international co-governance is the truly wise choice.

Palmerston paused again, glancing specifically at General Makarov and then at Lord Habescu.

"Exclusivity may seem like having everything, but it can also mean losing everything."

This ambiguous statement left Makarov somewhat bewildered, while Lord Habescu, standing nearby, chuckled.

"One good thing about us Austrians is that we are never afraid of our friends getting rich."

Palmerston did not continue to argue with Lord Habescu, and he went on to say this.

"Why waste resources and become a despised villain when the Holy Alliance can gain all the substantial benefits by giving up a mere formality?"

Undoubtedly, the Russians began to hesitate, but fortunately, Lord Habescu did not have high expectations for them.

For Franz, the strategic objectives had been largely achieved, and the remaining so-called spoils were merely an add-on.

Whether it was international co-management or Russian monopoly didn't really affect the Austrian Empire, which is why Lord Haberscu always seemed indifferent.

Although Makarov was the so-called ambassador, he was somewhat hesitant under the persuasion of his accompanying officials. In fact, he was unsure whether international co-governance would be more suitable for Russia and more in line with Nicholas I's wishes.

The meeting was adjourned temporarily, and Makarov had to speak with Nicholas I in person.

On the other hand, Franz also came to Constantinople, but this time he mainly brought his eldest son, Karl Augustus, on a trip and also to meet his father-in-law.

The setting sun, like blood, spilled its light on Constantinople, a city weathered by time, and the air seemed to still carry the scent of gunpowder and blood.

The tall and majestic stone walls have stood for thousands of years, bearing the marks of Roman legions, Crusader swords, Ottoman cannon fire, and Austrian rockets.

Nicholas I placed his palm on the Theodosian Wall and slowly stroked it step by step, his movements almost like those of a pilgrim monk, for he still found it somewhat dreamlike.

His movements carried an almost religious solemnity. Then, he took a step forward and gently placed his right palm on the Theodosian wall.
Franz had to admit that the city wall before him was taller and more magnificent than any he had ever seen in his previous life, even though it was not the longest.

Although it is just some ruins, it is still not hard to imagine the former grandeur and glory of this city.

The cold, coarse-grained Roman bricks have stood for thousands of years and may even be harder than they were back then.

The sensation from his palm made Franz feel as if he could feel the warmth of that ancient, dead empire.

Beneath that coldness, there seemed to be a stirring, though it was unclear whether it originated from the depths of this land or from one's own heart.

Like countless others throughout history, Franz harbored ambitions to conquer this land when he finally arrived.

It has to be said that all of this, along with the lingering smell of blood and gunpowder in the air, was a perfect match.

So heavy
While the two emperors were still reminiscing about the past and lamenting the present, little Karl couldn't resist starting to let loose in a corner of the city wall.

"This boy."

Franz shook his head helplessly; it seemed that the court etiquette instruction was still insufficient.

Contrary to Franz's ideas, Karl Augustus received a very strict education from a young age, but precisely because of this, he longed to do something different. Young Karl had only met Franz a few times since birth, so he also wanted to attract Franz's attention.

Actually, the main reason was that only Franz, Nicholas I, and Karl the Younger were present, and the two emperors didn't pay much attention to him.

However, even if others were present, no one would have recorded that Grand Duke Karl Augustus left any marks here.

"Have the guts!"

Nicholas I, however, praised him excessively, which startled the little boy.

"Your Majesty, you'd better not speak Prussia; it's rather frightening."

Little Karl spoke in a childish French voice, the kind of harsh dialect his mother always spoke.

Nicholas I blushed slightly; this was authentic German he had learned from his wife (Alexandra, the former Prussian princess).

“My dear little Grand Duke Karl, you can even speak French.”

“I can also speak Russian, but my mother says my Russian has a Polish accent, so I must never speak it in front of you.”

Nicholas I was exasperated, glanced at Franz beside him, and sighed.

"There are still so many Polish traitors in Vienna."

Franz was slightly embarrassed. Although he shouldn't have disciplined the child in front of others, how could a member of the royal family be so rude?

"Grand Duke Karl Augustus, are you aware that the laws of our Austrian Empire prohibit urinating or defecating in the city?"
You know that nobles are punished one degree more severely for crimes.

Before Franz could finish his lecture, Karl Jr. retorted.

"This is not the Austrian Empire. Your Majesty Joseph I. And my law professor said that it is neither reasonable nor legal for nobles to be punished more severely."

Nicholas I clapped his hands and laughed.

"Good lad! Your father is no ordinary man; he's hardly ever been outdone since birth."

And you probably don't know your father well enough; your law professor is definitely gone.

However, such arrogant individuals who presume to discuss state affairs deserve to die, and those who dare to instill fallacies and heresies in members of the royal family deserve even more death.

Nicholas I couldn't help but think of his good-for-nothing eldest son and sighed.

Young Karl was somewhat bewildered. He was still very afraid of his tall and imposing maternal grandfather, and everyone in the Austrian court, except for his mother, said that he was a ruthless monster who killed without blinking an eye and ate people without spitting out the bones.

"Your grandfather was just joking. But your teacher is indeed mediocre; such trash will only pollute your mind. I'll help you find a better one."

Little Carl was somewhat reluctant; in fact, his teachers were all very capable, otherwise they wouldn't have been qualified to teach him.

"How about I send you to your grandmother's place and take you all on a trip around the world?"

Little Carl shook his head vigorously whenever he thought of Mrs. Sophie. In fact, children have very keen intuition; they can easily tell who they can mess with and who they can't.

Mrs. Sophie's aura easily triggers warning signals from children; wherever she goes, mischievous kids and playful cats and dogs always disappear.

"Then let's change the teacher."

Little Karl nodded blankly.

Nicholas I walked over again and squatted down to be at eye level with Karl.

"Young man, look!"

Nicholas I pointed to the few remaining intact buildings in the city.

"Do you see that church? When you come of age, come to the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, and I will give you a gift."

"Thank you."

"You must remember that this land beneath your feet was occupied by the Ottomans for four hundred years. Although we have fought back today, the blood feud is far from over."

"You must kill all the Ottomans; this is your mission and your glory."

Franz disliked Nicholas I's hate-mongering education at all, and he interrupted.

"Hatred will only make you lose your mind, erode your judgment, and trap you in so-called positions."

This might not matter to ordinary people, but it's absolutely unacceptable for rulers!

Nicholas I wasn't so concerned about it; he was just a little unsure.

"Did the Austrian Empire really have absolutely no interest in Constantinople?"

"Of course. You should know that I always keep my promises."

Nicholas I nodded.

"I believe you."

"There should be no major war in Europe for ten years after this war."

"Don't you want to take this opportunity to unify Germany?"

Nicholas I paused before speaking.

"With the Holy Alliance's current strength and taking advantage of Britain and France's weakness, as long as I support you, we can end this war within a year."

Franz smiled.

"No need. We need to rest and recuperate more."

Franz's statement is half true, and the other half is based on political considerations.

Leaving aside the fact that Austria has now become Russia's only rival in its westward expansion, even if Nicholas I were to wholeheartedly help Austria, what would be the cost?
Those who believe they can gain Russian support without paying any price should first go to the Gulag for a few years of advanced study.

"The British have a first-mover advantage over us, and it's time for us to expand our territory."

This time the British Navy suffered a major blow and it will take at least three to five years to recover to its original level.

We can take this opportunity to expand overseas.

"Business in the colonies can be very profitable."

Nicholas I looked troubled. He knew, of course, that colonies could make money. But Russia's colonies hadn't made any money; on the contrary, they had been losing money like crazy.

"My subjects and I are not very good at business."

Franz understood what Nicholas I meant.

"That's easy. Russia will just focus on acquiring land and providing labor, while the Austrian Empire will help provide funding and manage the business."

The Romanov family can just sit back and wait for their share of the money.