Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Kobutsel turned his head to glance at the young diplomat, his tone noticeably displeased, "Do you know what you're saying?"

Metternich gestured for him not to get angry and continued, "If we accept Lord Hawkesburg's plan, Russia will gain all Polish territories west of the Bug River, as well as parts of the Balkan Peninsula, excluding Thrace and Macedonia. They might even march into Constantinople."

Count Stadion furrowed his brows, "God, that would be a catastrophe."

"Exactly." A cunning smile flashed in Metternich's eyes, "Not just us, but England, the Ottoman Empire, the Two Sicilies, and even France, they will all realize this is a massive 'Eastern Orthodox disaster'.

"By then, without us proposing it, they will be compelled to ask to help us expel the Russians—most likely led by the English, who are best at such things.

"The Russians absolutely cannot withstand the onslaught of so many countries, and we can take the opportunity of war to formally occupy Serbia."

Kobutsel couldn't help but stop, looking at Metternich in surprise.

One must admit, this young man made a lot of sense.

After defeating France, Russia, which controls the majority of the Balkan Peninsula, will become a threat to all of Europe.

And as Austria, being closest to the Balkans, it is bound to become the backbone of the anti-Russian alliance, not only to unite Serbia but also to expand its influence in Germany.

Metternich continued, "Moreover, before that, we can still acquire the entire Little Poland region and Tarnow. The Tarnovsk Mountain Silver Mine will provide us with ample military funds."

According to the British plan, Russia, Austria, and Prussia will each dispatch over 80,000 troops to simultaneously attack Poland from the southeast, west, and north. Defeating Poland within a month.

Afterwards, Austria will gain southwestern Poland, including Krakow, where they have longed for the silver mine.

And Prussia will get Gdansk Port and Polish territories west of the Vistula River.

Metternich bowed to the State Minister with a smile, "This could be seen as using the Russian army to help us regain Italy. His Imperial Majesty will surely agree to this plan."

...

Half a month later.

In front of the Winter Palace, Alexander I watched the carriage of the England, Prussia, and Austria diplomats gradually fade into the distance, gesturing to the nearby Minister of War, Sergei Viazmitinov, "Begin assembling the troops. General Suvorov will act as the commander, launching an attack on Minsk by the end of May."

The latter was slightly startled, "Your Majesty, according to the plan just determined, the Allied forces should simultaneously act by early May..."

Alexander I snorted softly, "Find an excuse to delay a bit. First let Prussia and Austria draw the main Polish forces to the western front. In the last war with Poland, we suffered heavy losses while they reaped the benefits. This time they have to put in the effort."

Viazmitinov hesitated, "Your Majesty, this could very well affect our voice in distributing the spoils of war."

Typically, the nation whose army contributes the most gets the largest share of the loot.

Alexander I turned to enter the Imperial Palace, a smile on his lips, "We will certainly obtain the promised lands.

"Now is a crucial moment for England, Prussia, and Austria to win us over to join the European battlefield; they dare not offend us for such a small matter."

The accompanying Foreign Minister, Count Voronzo, immediately detected the tsar's implication and hurriedly inquired, "Your Majesty, do you mean we join the Anti-French Alliance?"

Alexander I immediately waved his hand, "No, we join no one."

"Then you just..."

"We're in the most advantageous position," Alexander said, "We can either rely on marriage alliances with France or join the Anti-French Alliance through our cooperative relationship in the Polish campaign.

"Now is precisely not the time to place bets.

"When the European battlefield nearly shows a victor, then we'll join the winning side.

"And using this period, we can just advance domestic reforms. Only by implementing enlightened governance will the Empire truly grow strong."

As he spoke, he looked at Justice Minister Ladishev, "How is the administrative reform plan I asked you to draft coming along?"

"It's mostly completed and can be submitted to you today, Your Majesty."

Ladishev, following Alexander I's requirements, essentially copied the administrative systems of England, France, and Austria to design a new framework for Russia.

Influenced by the liberal Ra Alup, Alexander I strove to transform Russia into a nation of enlightened monarchy.

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Alexander I was raised by his grandmother, Catherine II, from a young age. In 1801, after his father died in a palace coup, he was enthroned as the Tsar. In the early years of his reign, he released some political prisoners, relaxed press censorship, reformed government institutions based on Western European models, and established the Council of Ministers. He also issued decrees to adjust the serfdom system. In 1808, he implemented the Speransky reforms, and after their failure turned to the repressive police state policy devised by Arakcheev, continuing the military settlement policy and allowing landlords to exile serfs to Siberia at will. In foreign affairs, he first reconciled with France and England. In 1805, he joined the Third Coalition against France, and after defeat, made peace with Napoleon. After the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812, he led the Anti-French Alliance to defeat Napoleon. He then organized the Congress of Vienna and the Holy Alliance, planning and orchestrating military interventions in the revolutions in Italy and Spain. He also annexed Georgia, Finland, Bessarabia, Azerbaijan, and the Duchy of Warsaw. [18] In the later years of his reign, he gradually neglected state affairs. He died suddenly in 1825. To rescue the declining tsarist regime, Alexander I on one hand proclaimed national prestige with sword and fire abroad, and on the other hand, used the slogans "freedom" and "welfare for the people" to win over people domestically. His historical evaluation often tends to be polarized. For his defeat of Napoleon and establishment of the Holy Alliance, he is hence called "Savior of Europe" and "Holy King". Some scholars refer to him as the "Two-faced God of Russian history," while others call him the "Sphinx of the North."

On December 23, 1777 [Russian calendar December 12], Alexander was born in Saint Petersburg. He was the eldest son of Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich (later Paul I) and the Duchess Maria Feodorovna. Alexander's birth brought immense joy to his grandmother, Catherine II. To announce the birth of the little grand prince, 101-gun salutes were fired on the outskirts of Saint Petersburg, and bells rang in celebration in all the major cathedrals. The little grand prince was immediately taken away and raised personally. On the eighth day after his birth, during his baptism ceremony, he was named "Alexander" in commemoration of the Russian national hero, Alexander Nevsky.