Chapter II
12 Dec. 1812
With the last French soldier retreating from Vilnius, Alexander excitedly declares to his generals, "Gentlemen, you have saved not only Russia, you have saved Europe."
Although only less than half of the Russian Army remains, the ephemeral victory still raise the morale unprecedentedly. Ivan knows this situation won't last long. Francis and his Grande armée will show up again. If they do not propel their frontier in a short time and get more reinforcement, then every sacrifice they made before will be in vain.
The allies left to them on the map of Europe are running out. Having war with France and United States of America in the same time already made Britain scarred. France's blockade of trading from Britain to anywhere in Continental Europe prevents Arthur sending a single expeditionary regiment.
Sweden's position is unclear in the meantime. On one hand Berwald wants to keep himself away from the threat of Napoleon, on the other hand he wants to bring back Finland who was taken by Russia three years ago. If Sweden choose this time to march toward St. Petersburg, Russia's defences will probably have collapsed completely.
"Saviour of Europe?" Gilbert teases, following Ivan into the tent, "He can't be serious."
"Little Alexander is always that naïve." Ivan explains, turning his head and stares at Gilbert, "He would rather restore Poland to freedom than consider our own interest because of his friendship with Czartoryski."
"And you agreed?" Gilbert asks. He is somewhat surprised.
"No. That's why he crowned himself as the king of Poland."
Ivan is silent for a while. He looked a little hesitant, offering, "But if you come with me, you can have your kingdom back."
Gilbert does not except the proposal of an alliance coming so soon, "William isn't that easy to be persuaded."
"It doesn't matter," Ivan sits on the chair behind him, picking up a contract on the table, "I can use you as a hostage."
"Then I have no choice." Gilbert shrugs and writes down his name on the paper without checking the detail.
Roderich did not feel a little bit surprised of Ivan and Gilbert signing a new covenant. As early as when the Russian won Vilnius he could expect the situation today, and sent Francis his envoy for peace treaty promptly. Unfortunately, Paris did not accept his proposal, while it seems only a matter of time that the war in the east propels to his doorstep.
He is not as eager as Gilbert to escape from the Napoleonic system. After France dissolved Holy Roman Empire in 1806, there isn't much power left for him. The only thing can unite the Austrian Empire located in the centre of conflict now is the Habsburg monarchy, and the price of one more defeat will be unimaginable.
Ferdinand's letters from Paris tell him that the ultimate reason for Francis and Napoleon refusing peace talk is a satisfactory settlement with Britain. While Metternich now in front of him, also seems aware of this point. The Austrian foreign minister has been committed to establish a stable and peaceful system of Continental Europe, and Austria can safely obtain benefits from it.
"I believe you understand the current situation for us. To remain neutral is the best choice, Your Highness." Metternich circles the location of the kingdom of Austria on the map by his finger, having no doubt to his statement.
Roderich silently nods, looking at the advancing lines of Russian army on the map, "But I cannot just let Elizaveta become a captive of Ivan."
"You should not worry too much. They have retreated to Warsaw, and Prince Schwarzenberg promised to protect her." Metternich paused for a while before continuing, "Even if there is any accident, she is also an important hostage and will be treated safely."
"The consolation sounds not so good." Roderich sighs, "I should not have let her go to the front line since the beginning."
"It's not your fault." Metternich continues to comfort him, "She just wants to protect us."
"If I still have power to resist Francis, she doesn't have to do so."
"You will have the chance. Just wait and see." Metternich looks confident.
"I don't trust Ivan, although most Europeans view the Russian as an 'unselfish' power due to the lack of understanding." With forefinger gently tapping the desktop, Roderich recalls the memory when they captured Poland in 1772, few years later Ivan and Gilbert cut him out of the deal without any discussion.
"The last thing I want to see is the French hegemony over Europe just being replaced by a Russian one."
"Or they might end up dividing Europe between them." Metternich adding, still looks at the map on the table, "I know. It feels no good when you stay in the middle of two powerful countries."
"Especially you know it clearly that you are much more vulnerable than them."
"But we still have chance. Trust me." Pointing at the lonely island on Northwest section of the map, Metternich speaks to Roderich, "France wants satisfactory settlement with Britain. So we probably should make one for them."
"God knows what the hell that stupid frog wants to do."
Arthur has lost count of how many times he rips the letters from the unofficial envoy of Austia who asks to arrange a meeting with him. He does not know what Roderich mean this time to send the envoy and he doesn't want to know. Austria is an ally of France, and because of their alliance, now he is isolated on the sea. Continental Europe under the rule of France blockade almost every trade from Britain, and the French even provokes the second war between Britain and the United States on the other side of Atlantic. Although the British navy has been viewed as the world's supreme sea power, it is unbearable to cope with two transoceanic battle fronts. Once the watery defence collapse, Britain with no land army to speak of cannot even form the slightest resistance.
All he can do for the Anti-French alliance is sending military supplies and providing money, and with the Napoleonic comprehensive blockade in trade imposed on Britain, it makes the situation more difficult than expected. The former three anti-French alliances had all failed, which made Russia completely lost patience to his allies, and in 1807 he signed the peace treaty of Tilsit in Niemen with France. The entire Continental Europe finally fell into the hands of the French.
For Britain's concern, it was fortunate that the alliance between France and Russia did not last long. They had disputed over the allocation issue about Prussia, Turkey and Poland's territory. Therefore in the early year of 1812, Napoleon started another war with Russia. Arthur again has the opportunity to shake the lock imposed on him by the French. First, he secretly resumed the trade with Russia, and then he tries to help Ivan sign peace treaties with Turkey and Sweden.
At the beginning, Berward has showed little interest in the anti-French alliance, especially after realising that Ivan has no intention to return Finland, and Bernadotte, the King of Sweden, is also a marshal of France, which makes the negotiation more difficult. Ivan even promised to help Sweden capture Norway from Denmark, an ally of France, in return for keeping Finland still, as well as the throne of France to Bernadotte.
Arthur knows that the negotiation will cause more disagreement between France and Russia. So soon after Ivan left, he suggested another negotiation with Berward in Stockholm. Castlereagh also followed him to Stockholm.
It seems that the British foreign secretary hasn't been much encouraged by the new anti-French alliance formed with Russia and Prussia. Instead, he follows behind Arthur silently, thinking about the key point to break through under present condition.
"You seem worried." Arthur says to Castlereagh, without turning his head back.
"I am." Castlereagh recovers from thinking and honestly expresses his concern, "What do you think of the new treaty between Russia and Prussia in Kalisch?"
"At least we won't fight alone with Francis."
"Yes, every British are greeted with joy of the new treaty." Castlereagh agrees, but still having lingering doubts, "But that is the point. Don't you think Russia feel he can fight alone with France without us? Besides, we don't even know about what secret clauses the treaty might contain."
"That's why we are here," Arthur explains, reaching the door in front of him, "to make every potential allies unite together, thus avoiding unnecessary conflicts which may lead us to defeat again."
Berward is waiting quietly in the room for the arrival of Arthur and his ambassador. After several days of negotiation, he and Arthur have reached a preliminary consensus. To his surprise, the terms Arthur offered are extraordinarily generous.
Britain needs to assist Sweden to get Norway and if Denmark fight against them, the military support will be adequate. The former French colony in West Indian island will be ceded to Sweden, with one million pounds of funds. What Sweden needs to do is just to gather 30,000 men against France.
"Do you really want to beat Francis so eagerly?" Berward puts down the contract, looking at Arthur with a slight doubt.
"I am isolated from the Continental Europe and forced to start a war with Alfred." Arthur says in a strange calm tone, making others unsure of him being angry or sad, "That man is unforgivable."
-TBC-