I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 829 Russia's Choice
After Count Stroganov explained Queen Mary's attitude in detail, Catherine II asked impatiently:
"What do French politicians think about this?"

Such a major event as marriage between two countries is never something that can be decided by the king or queen alone, but is a reflection of the political will of the entire country.

"Most ministers have not yet expressed their views on this," said the ambassador to France, "but I have mentioned to you many times in previous reports that the French prince is the real holder of the power of the Palace of Versailles.

“And according to what I heard from Countess de Berninac, it was because the French Dauphin was in love with Your Highness that the Queen decided to propose a marriage.

"So, I think the key French officials will not raise any objections."

The Tsar laughed happily: "Wow, Sasha is so likable wherever she goes."

France's signal of marriage at this time was like a drowning man suddenly grabbing a piece of driftwood to her.

You know, Russia's operating model for hundreds of years has been to exploit the internal situation desperately, and then release internal pressure through external expansion to achieve balance.

Therefore, no matter how cruel the tsar was in Russian history, as long as he won the foreign war, his throne would be as stable as Mount Tai. Even the Russians would praise his brutality as bravery.

If external expansion fails, the incumbent Tsar will face difficulties.

Catherine II was well aware that since Russia suffered a setback in Poland and Crimea was messed up by Kosciuszko, an undercurrent of opposition to her had begun to surge in St. Petersburg.

She herself was able to ascend the throne by taking advantage of the military's dissatisfaction with the previous Tsar Peter III, her husband, and launching a coup to overthrow him.

Now she doesn't like her son Paul and has always wanted to pass the throne directly to her grandson Alexander. There is no guarantee that Paul will not take the opportunity to stage a coup or something.

But if Russia could marry into the French royal family, it would be an unprecedented honor and would greatly improve its political predicament.

She was already planning to expand towards Persia, and as long as the war there went smoothly, she would be able to regain her throne.

The next day.

Several of the most influential officials in Russian politics were summoned to the bedroom of Catherine II.

They had not seen the Tsar for three or four months. Ever since the Tsar's health deteriorated, Zubov had been the one to communicate daily government affairs. It was obvious that there was something important to discuss today.

After Catherine II, with the help of two servants, moved to the chair with great effort, she waved her hand to Count Troganov: "Talk to them."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The ambassador to France briefly introduced France's desire for a marriage alliance. Before he finished speaking, the Governor-General of St. Petersburg, Fyodor Rostopchin, stood up and bowed to the Tsar, saying, "Your Majesty, everyone knows that France is behind Warsaw. The French are not worthy of our trust!"

Zubov glanced at him and said slowly, "You are exaggerating, Governor General. France and Poland are just doing normal business. They have never provided even one gun to the Poles.

"After the war broke out, it was normal for them to care about the silver mines and ports they had invested in Poland."

Yes, the Tsar’s lover was also a “French expert.” Perhaps because his former biggest political and romantic rival, Potemkin, leaned toward Britain, he always advocated getting closer to France.

Bezborodko, the Tsar's chief foreign affairs adviser, nodded and agreed: "In fact, our country has always been Britain's largest trading partner, and the French have never been hostile to us because of this." Suvorov immediately added: "In fact, the intelligence department believes that the French have a considerable influence on the Polish army."

He had no evidence, so he didn't dwell on this issue and said:

"And we should really consider the British response. There is a war going on between Britain and France right now, and it's even bigger than the Seven Years' War."

He looked at Catherine II and said, "Your Majesty, if we marry France at this time, it will be seen by Britain as us choosing to be their enemy."

Bezborodko smiled and shook his head: "Your Excellency Marshal, you don't have to worry about this at all. On the contrary, the British will strengthen their ties with our country in order to prevent us from completely turning to France."

"Then there is no need for us to offend Britain..."

Nikolai Rumyantsev, the eldest son of Marshal Rumyantsev, said to the Tsar: "Your Majesty, I think that Britain and France are too far away from our country, and Austria is the country we should care about most.

"If France can inflict heavy damage on Austria on the battlefield, this will be the most beneficial thing for our country."

Catherine II nodded in agreement.

Among the major European powers, Austria was Russia's greatest rival, and the two countries had major conflicts of interest in the Balkans and Poland.

When Russia defeats Poland, Austria will be the biggest obstacle for Russia towards Europe - yes, the Russians have always believed that they will occupy Poland, and this defeat has only delayed this process.

Rostopchin sneered and said, "The French are facing siege from Britain, Prussia, Austria, and many German states. The coalition forces have more than twice the strength of France. I think it will be France that will be hit hard in the end."

Bezborodko glanced at him and said, "You may not have known the war situation in the west for a long time. The French army has controlled most of northern Italy and is preparing to attack Mantua. On the other side, their army has captured Brussels.

"Now Sardinia has switched sides and allied itself with France. And Spain hasn't even sent its troops yet."

The ambassador to France immediately echoed: "I swear, Your Excellency the Governor, the French army is very powerful. I have seen it with my own eyes."

Bezborodko bowed to the Tsar and said: "Your Majesty, if you show goodwill to France while the warring parties are still deadlocked, you will gain the greatest gratitude from them.

“Even if France is really defeated, it may not be a bad thing for our country.

"When France needs to borrow our influence to improve its diplomatic environment, we can propose some conditions in exchange, such as isolating the Ottoman Empire.

"I heard that the French fleet miraculously drove the British out of the Mediterranean, and now they have absolute say in the Mediterranean."

Suvorov argued for a while, but although he was a military genius, he was no match for these civil servants in the political and diplomatic fields, and he soon fell silent.

Seeing this, Catherine II motioned Zubov to help her up, and then said to the ambassador to France: "Count Stroganov, please invite the French Queen's envoy to St. Petersburg."

Diplomatic matters of this magnitude are usually discussed under the table first, and only then will the principals show up and go through the proper procedures.

(End of this chapter)