Chapter 353 The Ambition of Catherine II (please vote)
If you don't want the interests of Austria and Prussia to converge, you must first prevent the partition of Poland.
So for Joseph, he can only suffer in Sweden first.
If King Gustaf III of Sweden knew what he was thinking, he would probably give him a thumbs up and shout, "You are amazing, you are noble!"
Of course, Joseph did not intend to condone Russia's wanton expansion. On the contrary, he was very wary of Russia's endless desire for territory.
The name "European Gendarmerie" is no joke. Once the huge Russia finds the feeling of fighting, its troops will sweep away the hinterland of the European continent. Historically, just twenty years later, in 1814, the Russian army marched into Paris surrounded by Tsar Alexander I.
The reason why Joseph pushed Russia towards Sweden's front was because he knew very well that Sweden could definitely withstand Russia's onslaught. Even if they failed to defeat the Russian army in the Battle of Svensksonde, there would definitely be a comeback victory later.
Nothing else, just because Sweden has Britain standing behind it.
Britain was also concerned about Russian expansion. They have always adhered to the policy of continental balance and did not allow the emergence of a powerful country on the European continent that could overwhelm other forces. Therefore, Sweden was the bridgehead used by the British to block Russia's westward advance.
As for Poland, the British didn't care so much. After all, even if Russia could annex Poland, the entire Germany, including Austria and Prussia, would stand in front of him, making it difficult for him to continue reaching out to the west.
Once Sweden falls and Russia roams freely throughout the Baltic Sea, Britain will most likely have to face the Russian army.
Historically, Russia won successively in the early stages of the war with Sweden, and then Britain began to intervene forcefully, uniting with Prussia to put pressure on Russia's ally Denmark.
Denmark quickly announced its withdrawal from the war after receiving some benefits. Only then was Sweden able to concentrate all its forces against Russia. Finally, with large-scale assistance from Britain, it defeated the Russians and used the Treaty of Verel to regain all the land lost in the early stages of the war.
Therefore, Joseph strongly supported Russia's attack on Sweden. On the one hand, it would give Poland more breathing room to complete the integration of the country. On the other hand, Sweden can be used to consume Britain. France, on the other hand, does not need to actually invest anything other than just talking, so it is definitely a very cost-effective deal.
However, this seemed too exciting for Queen Mary.
She waited for Russian Ambassador Stroganov to finish speaking, her eyes widened as she tried to remember whether Talleyrand had ever submitted such an important national strategic planning report to her.
Stroganov thought she acquiesced, so he moved closer to her and said in a lower voice: "Your Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor expresses his gratitude for your stance.
"Right now, Prussia and Austria are fighting fiercely in Silesia, and France has also intervened in the war there on a large scale.
"His Majesty the Emperor fully understands your claims to the Low Countries and is ready to support them at any time."
"No..." Queen Mary was still thinking about things in Sweden, and her brain was even more exhausted after hearing this. France didn't have any ideas about the Low Countries. Did the Russian Ambassador drink too much?
If Joseph were here, he would definitely be very shocked - the French army is still lingering on the border of Liege, and even Luxembourg is still legally part of Austria for the time being. Catherine II saw that he was interested in South Africa. Netherlands' thoughts.
This woman is indeed one of the most outstanding czars in modern Russia. Her strategic vision alone is enough to overwhelm all the European powers.
Of course, she used her own ambitions to speculate on France's strategy. In fact, Joseph only wanted the Wallonia region in the south. If you eat too much at one time, you will be able to hold on.
Count Stroganov continued: "But His Majesty the Emperor believes that France's strategy should not stop in the Low Countries." Queen Mary immediately shook her head: "I never think that the Low Countries..."
"Yes, I understand." The Russian ambassador thought she meant to say "The Low Countries are never the final destination," so he nodded immediately, "His Majesty the Emperor also believes that what you see is the broad Rhine River."
He raised his right hand to his chest and waved it vigorously: "But that is definitely a difficult goal to achieve. Oh, I am not questioning your power, but with the power of France facing the entire Germany, please You believe that Britain, Italian countries and even Sweden will also be hostile to France because of this. It will be a protracted war and will bring huge losses to France.
“And if France joins forces with Russia, the situation will be very different.
"As long as His Majesty the Emperor's army can cross Poland, which will of course be after our war with Sweden is over, we will be able to give you strong support from the east of Austria.
"As for the future strategy, you may have to discuss it with His Majesty the Emperor in detail before it can be determined."
His words have been made very clear - Catherine II wants to join forces with the strong women of France to carve up Europe from the east and west!
France took the west bank of the Rhine, and Russia took eastern Sweden and Poland. In the end, the two armies attacked Austria from two directions.
As for the final step to be taken, the two women will have to discuss it in detail.
After her brain shut down repeatedly, Queen Mary finally determined that the Russian ambassador had drunk too much.
What low countries? What Rhine? What faced the whole of Germany?
You wouldn’t be so drunk just by drinking wine, you must have drank a whole bottle of vodka!
After she figured this out, she immediately regained her composure and looked at Stroganov with a smile: "You are really good at joking. Maybe you need to take a rest? Debeninac, please tell someone to prepare a rest room. …”
Stroganov was a little anxious and said hurriedly: "His Majesty the Emperor asked me to convey to you that in Europe today, only France and Russia can bring a new order. Although France is currently facing some financial problems, under your rule France will eventually become stronger!"
He suddenly turned sideways and signaled to Alexandra: "Oh, you see, His Majesty the Emperor is absolutely sincere in promoting closer ties between our two countries."
Queen Mary still maintained a tolerant and polite smile towards the drunkard: "Okay, okay, I am very grateful to your Majesty for your sincerity. So, do you need to go to the lounge to eat something first?"
Stroganov was slightly startled and confirmed that he had expressed everything clearly. Then the French Queen's words meant that he needed time to think about it.
So he stroked his chest and bowed: "Then I won't disturb your appreciation of the art."
Joseph, who was far away in Luxembourg, never expected that his previous series of operations would actually inspire such huge ambitions of Catherine II.
If Queen Mary really chooses her granddaughter to be the Crown Princess, then there will definitely be a tremor throughout Europe.
(End of chapter)