Of course, Eggron could not know the grand march of the Russian Empire towards the Balkans in real time, as well as the scenes that took place in the Prime Minister's Residence in Vienna, but everything was basically within his expectation.
As the saying goes, times make heroes, he took advantage of a favorable moment in time, stirred up the storm on the European continent, and then quietly waited for his victory to come.
Combining his understanding of history, the knowledge he has learned over the years, and long-term thinking, he firmly believes that based on the current development of the situation, everything he is waiting for will definitely happen.
Of course, he is not an infallible monster and cannot predict everything 100%, but he is willing to make a bet with a chance of winning - because he has no choice.
If everything turns out not to be what he wants, then he doesn't need to admit defeat to fate. Anyway, he has won enough things now.
After discussing the next step with Edmond Dantès, he began to prepare his subordinates for this. At the same time, he waited for another good news - the Austrian diplomat, von... Mr. Alfred von Mayrhoven, the secretary of Ambassador Genz, rushed to Messolonghion to ask for an audience with him.
He had previously deliberately asked Teresa to negotiate with the other party first and listen to the Austrian government's tone. Judging from the talks between the two people, the effect was very ideal. After that, Teresa rushed to Mesolonghion to rejoin him, while Mr. von Mayrhofen stayed in the Peloponnese to meet with Aigron's Greek allies and learn about the local situation. situation.
A few days later, Mr. von Mayrhofen ended his investigation and officially came to Messolonghion to seek an audience with the rightful owner in order to complete his final mission - and Egron was very happy to help him complete his mission at this time.
After learning the news about him, Aigron didn't waste any time and had him directly called to his and Teresa's residence, and then met him with Teresa.
Under the guidance of the guard, the cautious diplomat came to the reception room, and then saw the boy and girl sitting upright.
After recognizing the two of them, Mr. von Mayrhofen immediately took off his hat and saluted the young man.
"I am very honored to have the opportunity to meet with their Royal Highnesses, Duke Leichstadt and Princess Theresa."
"Mr. von Mayrhofen, I am also very honored to meet you." Aigron also replied in a formal manner, and at the same time he stood up with Theresa and nodded in greeting to the diplomat.
During the conversation between the two people, although von Mayrhofen lowered his head, he kept looking at the young man opposite him with the corner of his eye.
The young man's face was much more handsome than he imagined, even with a hint of childishness, but perhaps because he was used to bossing around his subordinates, his movements exuded a sense of majesty, and his eyes were even more charming. With a murderous spirit.
Von Mayrhofen suddenly felt a little embarrassed, because - after all, he was that person's successor.
Moreover, this young man has become a legend, and his reputation is enough to make people forget his age.
"Please sit down." Aigron could see the other person's embarrassment, so he gently asked him to sit down, and then the three of them sat down together.
"Excuse me, have we met before?" he then asked.
"Unfortunately, this is the first time we have met, Your Highness." Mr. von Mayrhofen answered carefully. "However, I have read about you in the newspaper a few times."
"Oh, that's not surprising. Although I lived in the palace for a long time, I rarely showed up to the public. It's normal that you don't see me -" the young man replied with a smile. "The Austrian government won't let so many people come to see me either."
You can't feel any hatred from his expression or words, but it seems that he can't hide some complaints.
"Prime Minister Metternich also has his concerns." In embarrassment, von Mayrhofen could only smile bitterly, "I admit that you may have encountered some unpleasantness before, but - judging from the results, only the Austrian Empire can give I have given you enough honors and sincerely hope that you can become a qualified and excellent prince."
"That's true. I know very well that my treatment will only be worse if I stay in other places. At least my grandfather allowed me to enjoy safety and the treatment that a member of the royal family deserves." Having said this, Aigron looked at it again To Teresa, "I have been given the best fiancée in the world...I am a person who knows my grudges clearly, and I will be grateful for all these."
Theresa was a little shy, but she still looked at Agron with a smile.
Von Mayrhofen laughed sheepishly.
He knew very well that the Duke was deliberately playing the emotional card and exaggerating the atmosphere of "everyone is a family", and he was happy to cooperate - because his mission was to cooperate with His Highness.
"Your Highness, I am very happy that you can distinguish right from wrong. You are right. No matter how the situation changes, blood is eternal. You are the grandson of His Majesty the Emperor. This is an unchangeable fact. Although due to various unfortunate reasons , there have been some conflicts between you and His Majesty, but His Majesty has never thought of severing the relationship with you. He sincerely believes that you are one of his best descendants - and reality has proved this." He Pretending to answer affectionately, he then also looked at Princess Theresa, "Despite all the turmoil, His Majesty the Emperor still sends his blessings to the marriage of the two His Highnesses. He will love you forever."
"I will always love His Majesty the Emperor and pray for his health and longevity." Princess Teresa replied with a smile.
The three of them were all smiling as they drank a pot of ecstasy soup to each other. On the surface, they were having a great time, and it didn't even look like a diplomatic event.
However, Aigron himself knew that these nice words were earned by himself and should never be taken seriously. Once he loses his use value or goes against Austria, his grandfather will turn against him as quickly as he is now - this is how he made trouble for his son-in-law Napoleon.
"We are all good at looking forward, and now is indeed the time to look forward." Aigron changed the subject and became serious, "Although I have won one victory after another and the situation is great, we are all now We can see that a heavy dark cloud is weighing on our heads, and it is getting closer and closer to us."
"You are right." Von Mayrhofen also nodded seriously, "Your Highness, from our point of view, the Russian Empire's march is imminent, and it may even have begun at this moment."
"This is the problem that gives us all a headache..." Aigron sighed seemingly annoyed, and then asked the other party, "So what do you think about this?"
"Your Highness, with your intelligence, you must know what we want you to do -" Von Mayrhofen was not polite and directly got to the point, "We hope that you can help Greece become independent as soon as possible and eliminate it. The influence of pro-Russian people, and if possible, try to let this independent country maintain the stability of the entire Balkan Peninsula in a neutral and pragmatic manner."
Although the second half of the conversation was a bit confusing, Aigron continued to ask.
"So tell me, how much territory do you think Greece could cut off from the Turks if it became independent?"
"I can't give you an accurate answer to this question at the moment - after all, Austria still needs to discuss with other important countries in detail, but judging from the current situation, the recovery of Greece is an inevitable reality." Von Mayrhofen laughed again "Before everyone comes to a conclusion, you can do whatever you want...but you must maintain the basic survival of the Turkish Empire."
Aigron understood.
"Can we only go as far as Thrace?" he muttered, "I didn't expect you to care so much about Turkey."
"Turkey..." A trace of contempt flashed across von Mayrhofen's face, "Who cares about Turkey! This weak and sick man is alive now only because Christian countries are wary of and hostile to each other. Europe needs a Watchdogs were left on the Channel, so it was not divided up.”
Austria and the Turks have been enemies for generations. They fought many wars with each other before modern times. They were the sworn enemies of the Sudan and were only later replaced by the Russian Empire. Therefore, when it comes to Turkey, von Mayrhofen certainly has nothing good to say. Come.
However, precisely because Turkey has declined, it is safest to keep Constantinople in their hands. No Christian country can tolerate another Christian country taking it into its possession - although it is unpleasant to hear, this is the reality.
Aigron thought for a moment silently. To be honest, the result was not beyond his expectation. He just pretended to be disappointed in order to increase the asking price.
"Is that okay with Ioannina?" After a moment, he asked another question. "Would you like to see me till there?"
Von Mayrhofen was stunned for a moment, and then nodded immediately, "If you are willing, this is your freedom, but I suggest you beware of the Russians, after all, they are hostile to you."
After a moment, he said with some hesitation, "In addition, Your Highness, with all due respect, since you cannot wear the crown of Greece, you'd better not let Greece become too powerful after the war - the more powerful it is, the more powerful it will be." The more freedom you have, the less need to be grateful to you. I have seen too much betrayal in my life, and I think you'd better consider this early..."
Aigron knew that the other party's words were purely out of goodwill, so he was admonishing him, and they were also true - in fact, he had been guarding against this move from the beginning.
Like these diplomats, he had no illusions about human nature.
"Thank you for the reminder, but I have also considered this, sir." He couldn't help but laugh, "If I am lucky enough to capture Ioannina, I will not let it become Greek territory in the future. It will become an independent political entity, ruled by a Grand Duke."
"So is he a member of the Bonaparte family?" Von Mayrhofen immediately became alert. "If so, I advise you to think about it again - after all, the current international environment is not good for you."
"No, you are worrying too much." Aiglon shook his head, and then replied, "I intend to support a successor with charisma as the future Grand Duke."
Then he detailed his plan——
When he heard Haidee at first, von Mayrhofen was a little surprised, but after hearing it, he nodded repeatedly. "This is an interesting idea, and it is reasonable. Although I have to ask Vienna to get the answer, I personally think that Prime Minister Metternich will not object to it. After all, Ioannina has already escaped from the rule of the Turks. .”
Then, he looked at Aigron again, "Also, Your Highness, I have a suggestion."
"What's your suggestion?" Aigron nodded immediately, "Just tell me."
"Although Ali Pasha rebelled against the Sultan, he was still a communist, and so must Miss Haidee. If you paid the price of blood to establish a communist ruler, it would be very important to you. I'm afraid the reputation will be bad -" Von Mayrhofen whispered, "So I suggest that after you get Miss Haidee, let her convert to Orthodox Christianity and write a letter to the Tsar to express her sincerity. The goodwill and support of the Greeks will be welcomed by the Russian Empire, and the resistance you will face will be much smaller..."
Aigron thought about it carefully and found that this suggestion really made sense.
Converting Haidee to Orthodox Christianity will win the favor of Russia and Greece; secondly, it will also draw a line between Haidee and the Pasha family's original anti-Japanese supporters, making her even more isolated and helpless, and can only rely on her own support. .
There would be no risk in writing a letter of sincerity to the Tsar. Anyway, Haidee would be in his hands by then, and it would not be a matter of just a word to manipulate her as she wanted.
That’s right, let’s do it!
"Thank you for your advice, I will listen to it-" So, he smiled and nodded in agreement. "Mr. von Mayrhofen, you are indeed an excellent diplomat. I think you will have a bright future."
"Your talents are far above mine." Von Mayrhofen answered humbly with the same smile on his face.
Just as the two people were talking and laughing, the fate of a little girl was decided, and the fate of a small country in the future was also decided.
This is the world order of this era where the jungle prevails. Big countries can decide the future of small countries at will without even asking for their opinions.
While chatting and laughing, Aigron's impression of Mr. von Mayrhofen became particularly good.
He could see that whether it was the exhortation just now or the supplementary suggestions now, he provided suggestions out of goodwill and from the perspective of his own position. At least at this moment, the Austrian diplomat was indeed regarded as "myself". people".
Of course, this kind of kindness did not come from charity, but from the capital he grabbed.
This was the first major country to show goodwill to him, and he still had a long way to go.
"Sir, in order to realize my plan, I still want to ask you." Aigron said suddenly.
"What do you mean?" von Mayrhofen asked.
"I will assign a subordinate I trust to follow you back to Istanbul -" Aiglon replied with a smile, "Please and Mr. Ambassador help him bring back Miss Haidee."
"I didn't expect you to have such a skill -" Von Mayrhofen was slightly stunned, and then sighed helplessly. "Okay, Your Highness, we are happy to facilitate you if we can - but please remember what you need to do."
"I will always remember it." Aiglon replied solemnly, and then stretched out his hand to him.
