"How can the British cooperate with our strategy..."

Talleyrand only finished half a sentence before he immediately realized.

The British will certainly not cooperate with France’s strategy, but if Austria requests them to facilitate Russian intervention, then London must do something.

After all, Austria is considered Britain’s last strategic foothold in the core area of the European Continent to counter France.

Refusing Austria’s request would mean that Britain would completely say goodbye to the European Continent.

And Britain also has enough influence over Russia—Britain-Russia trade remains the lifeline of Russia’s economy, and given Russia’s currently tight finances, any threat from Britain involving timber, oil, or fur would immediately make Saint Petersburg compromise.

Talleyrand was still somewhat worried and said, "Your Highness, but if Russia helps Austria deal with the rebellion, the two countries will become very close, maybe even forming some kind of alliance."

He left unsaid that a powerful alliance emerging in Eastern Europe would significantly restrain France.

Joseph shook his head without hesitation, "You can rest easy on this point.

"Once my cousin overcomes his domestic troubles, he might be grateful to the Tsar in the short term, but trust me, he will soon be bitterly resentful towards the Russians."

He was so certain because historically, during the revolution in Austria and Hungary’s independence turmoil, it was the Russians who sent troops to assist Austria in resolving the problem.

However, the Russians’ habit of excessive expansion is ingrained in their genes.

After their military forces were deployed to Central Europe, they immediately took advantage of Austria’s weakness, quickly controlling Wallachia, and continually reached towards the entire Balkan Peninsula.

The widespread Eastern Orthodox faith among the Balkan Peninsula populace provided Russia great convenience for its infiltration.

By the time Austria caught a breath, they found that the Empire’s southernmost territory from Serbia to Wallachia was nearly completely out of control, while Russia completely ignored Vienna’s dissatisfaction and protests.

Thus, when the Crimean War broke out several years later, Austria did not hesitate to backstab Russia—while Russia was busy dealing with the British and French in Crimea, Austria sent troops to occupy Wallachia and Moldavia and declared joining the England and France alliance.

This also became the last straw that broke Russia, leading to Tsar Nicolas I’s surrender and his suicide by poison.

Besides, Russia’s entry into the Balkan Peninsula would also squeeze the Ottoman Empire’s influence in this region, inevitably leading to conflict.

At that time, if France, acting as a mediator, steps in, it could easily gain influence in the Balkan Peninsula.

Seeing the Regent King speak with such certainty, Talleyrand dropped his worries completely and began to seriously discuss specific steps for diplomatic actions.

Only half of Joseph’s plan went to waste from this point on.

Just three days after Talleyrand left Paris, a Foreign Ministry official came to the Grand Trianon Palace, greeting Joseph, "Your Highness, the Regent King, just received a note delivered by the Austrian consulate, hoping their Foreign Minister could be granted an audience with you."

Joseph couldn’t help but narrow his eyes, "Seems like I was a bit hasty. Austria’s situation may be worse than what the Security Bureau reported."

Thankfully, Talleyrand didn’t go directly to Vienna.

He then instructed the Foreign Ministry official, "Inform Archbishop Talleyrand of the situation here, and tell him he doesn’t need to go to Austria."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The next day at noon, the Austrian Foreign Minister, Little Kobutsel, finally met the Regent of France in the Peace Hall at the Palace of Versailles, with Metternich following behind him.

After the usual diplomatic courtesies, Kobutsel couldn’t wait to explain the situation in Austria—he didn’t even hide the seriousness of the situation—finally bowing to Joseph, "His Majesty the Emperor hopes you can consider the Franco-Austrian marital alliance and provide necessary loans and material aid to our country."

Joseph glanced coldly at him, "Perhaps I should remind you, I sent troops to participate in your country’s Southern Netherlands War and the Silesian War, yet all I got was your joining the Anti-French Alliance. Now you talk about the ’Franco-Austrian marital alliance’, don’t you think it’s a bit ironic?"

Hmm, he said so much obviously to raise the price—since the Austrians rushed anxiously to Paris, how could he let them off without paying dearly?

With nowhere else to turn, Kobutsel gave his best effort to praise, almost kneeling before Joseph.

Joseph, however, remained unyielding until a court official sidled into the room, and he glimpsed the figure of the Countess of Debeninac standing outside the door, causing him to chuckle internally: She finally arrived.

Yes, if the Austrian Emperor came to him, how could he not think of seeking help from his mother?

Sure enough, that court official whispered into Joseph’s ear, "Your Highness, the Regent King, Her Majesty the Queen hopes you could assist Austria slightly without harming our national interest."

Joseph noticed the hopeful spark in Kobutsel’s eyes and displayed a helpless expression, "Alright, I can help Vienna solve their problems, but there’s one condition."

Kobutsel quickly said, "Whatever you command."

Joseph nodded, "His Majesty the Emperor needs to recognize all contents of the Stuttgart Declaration."

Kobutsel was stunned on the spot.

What is the Stuttgart Declaration? It’s an illegal agreement regarding the partitioning of Holy Roman Empire territories by the German states!

His Majesty the Emperor has never acknowledged its legitimacy.

Although the contents of the Declaration have been in effect for years, if recognized by Vienna, it would mean the Emperor accepted France’s control over the Germanic Region.

"If you’re not planning to provide assistance, Your Highness," Kobutsel had no choice but to resort to the usual rhetoric, "Our country will have no choice but to seek help from London."

Joseph displayed a playful smile, "Wishing you all the best in England."

Kobutsel was instantly exasperated.

The British had long stated they could only offer a loan of one hundred thousand British Pounds, which was tantamount to giving alms.

He steadied his emotions, preparing to continue pleading, when Metternich suddenly stepped forward and declared to the Regent of France, "Your Highness, I must remind you, you must assist Austria!

"What happened in Vienna is not an ordinary rebellion, but an atrocity where a group of lowly individuals attempt to depose their monarch.

"If they succeed in Austria, the next to face catastrophe could be the King of Prussia, the King of Spain, or perhaps your father!

"In this matter, we share common interests and must watch out for each other!"

Joseph looked at the young man before him and asked Kobutsel, "Who is this gentleman?"

"Your Highness, he is Clemens Wenzel von Metternich, the royal secretary and Assistant Foreign Minister."

Joseph nodded; no wonder he was so eloquent—it was Austria’s most formidable diplomat.