The walnut rocking chair was moved by the embassy staff from Von Bismarck’s study to the reception hall, and Prince Metternich slowly leaned on the rocking chair and sat down.

Then, Von Bismarck routinely asked Prince Metternich if he needed some red wine to moisten his throat.

Prince Metternich shook his head and replied to Von Bismarck, "Please forgive an old man nearing ninety for refusing your kindness! My body no longer allows me to drink!

If time could turn back twenty years, I would definitely drink heartily with both of you!

I hope this old man does not spoil your spirits!

You are still young, with plenty of time to indulge in pleasure!

But now, I can only silently hide in a secluded corner, quietly waiting for God’s summons!

Years later, perhaps in the empire’s history books, there will appear a sycophantic clown!

That person should be me!"

Saying this, Prince Metternich looked at Von Bismarck and Valerovsky with eyes revealing envy.

With increasing age, Prince Metternich’s bodily functions also began to gradually deteriorate.

Since Prince Metternich returned to Austria, he has brushed past death several times.

However, each time he was very fortunate to temporarily withstand death relying on his body’s remaining immune capabilities.

Yet no one knows how many more attacks Metternich’s body can endure.

Perhaps next time, perhaps in a few years.

The desire for life and the fear of death made him very envious of the outstanding young diplomats.

Looking at them, it was as if he saw his younger self.

"Your Highness, you have been successful enough!" Valerovsky immediately said to Prince Metternich with great eloquence, "From 1815 when Emperor Napoleon fled to another country, to 1848 when Europe again surged into a great revolution.

In these more than thirty years, the entire order of Europe was dominated by you!

Even for someone as unreasonable as Nicholas I, it required relying on your support to traverse the European continent!

Solely for this, you have left a significant mark on the world stage!

If you are a clown, then you are the most dazzling clown on the world stage!

In future decades, or even a hundred years later, when the Austrian Empire falls into decline (Metternich showed a slight emotional change), people will once again think of you, and the scene where the Austrian Empire dominated all of Europe!

At that time, you will rise again like the Emperor.

Become the spiritual pillar of the entire Empire!

As for me, I will never have the opportunity to influence the course of history as enduringly as you have, swept away by fate, I can only go with the flow, not even knowing if I can continue to stand on this stage tomorrow!"

"Mr. Valerovsky, you are too modest!" Von Bismarck, who had been silent, suddenly interrupted Valerovsky’s speech, "Regardless of your current position, at least you once stood at the peak like His Highness!

The Vienna Congress led by His Highness dominated Europe for nearly thirty years. It has been four years since you personally chaired the Paris Peace Conference.

If nothing unexpected happens, this conference will be as far-reaching as His Highness’s Vienna Congress.

You, like His Highness, have already established achievements that will be etched in history!"

...

In his heart, Von Bismarck didn’t believe nor hope that the Paris Peace Conference would last as long as the Vienna Congress.

Because the establishment of the Kingdom of Poland has turned the Poles in Prussia into a time bomb, a slight mistake could blow the Kingdom of Prussia to pieces.

The crux was that the Kingdom of Prussia couldn’t extricate itself from the Polish shackles like the Austrian Empire could by ceding territories.

If the Kingdom of Prussia declared that the land would be returned to the Poles, the Prussian Junker living on the Polish land would run to the Berlin Royal Palace the next day and smash the Prime Minister’s office.

So the Kingdom of Prussia became the second greatest loser after the Russian Empire in the Paris Peace Conference, and as a diplomat, he must break free of the shackles imposed on them by the Paris Peace Conference within his lifetime.

Just like when Jerome Bonaparte tore apart the Holy Alliance in the past.

Of course, this was merely the long-term goal of Von Bismarck.

The realistic Von Bismarck had yet to figure out how to break free from the shackles of the Paris Peace Conference; he only wanted the chance to lead the nation’s diplomacy and power, even if that opportunity was very brief. Von Bismarck was willing to spend his entire life pursuing it.

[Historically, whether it was the King, the military, or the liberal opposition, even Von Bismarck himself did not believe he could long occupy the position of Prime Minister.

During the period of 1862–1863, Von Bismarck always kept a resignation letter ready in his office drawer, so that after William I summoned him to announce his dismissal, Von Bismarck could resign quickly.

It wasn’t until after the Prussia-Danish War in 1863 that Von Bismarck truly secured his position as Prime Minister.

In the subsequent two wars, Von Bismarck used the victories in war to successfully consolidate his power.]

Unfortunately, Regent King William seemed unwilling to give Von Bismarck this opportunity.

The hostility of the liberals (Bismarck once instigated a massacre of the liberal faction in the Berlin region) and the grievances of the Regent Princess (William I’s wife harbored a long-standing resentment against Von Bismarck for refusing to support her son as King during 1848) were always the two greatest mountains challenging Von Bismarck’s ascent to the position of Prime Minister.

Not to mention, the right-wing conservative faction now included many individuals more loyal and conservative than Von Bismarck, who severely encroached on his "niche."

One could say that Von Bismarck was at the lowest point of his life at this time.

"And I..." Von Bismarck spoke of himself, and his tone suddenly turned somber, "The current me is just going with the flow. Don’t even mention remarkable achievements; even the most basic life is barely maintained through the generosity of His Highness William (Von Bismarck spent money lavishly, and even with Bleichroder’s financial management, it was just barely enough)."

Then, with a hint of longing in his eyes, Von Bismarck said to Valerovsky, "Mr. Valerovsky, do you know?

When you were making history at the Paris Peace Conference, how much I longed in my heart!

I yearned to be able to freely pursue my ambitions like you!"

Speaking of this, Von Bismarck thought of the upcoming Third Estate Meeting of the Kingdom of Prussia.

Although now Von Bismarck had keenly realized that the key to his rise lay in the Third Estate Meeting of the Kingdom of Prussia, and he had his political "confidant"—the then Minister of War of the Kingdom of Prussia, Ron, seize the opportunity to recommend him to Regent King William, he still was unsure about the scale of this Third Estate Meeting, and whether those Prussian liberal opposition could influence Regent King William.

If the momentum of those opposition was too overwhelming, it would definitely force Regent King William back onto the path of dissolving the parliament.

Compared to the tax revenue of the Rhine Land, maintaining the stability of the Kingdom of Prussia itself was more important.

The Kingdom of Prussia’s view of the Rhine Region was still in the "tasteless as chicken ribs, yet a pity to abandon" stage.

If the opposition’s momentum was insufficient to make William I back down, then there was no need to recommend Von Bismarck at all.

Therefore, Von Bismarck was unsure if he could successfully become the trusted choice of Regent King William.

"Mr. Bismarck, I see in you the vitality and ambition of the young, as well as traits unlike those of the general Prussians!" Prince Metternich began to praise Von Bismarck.

"The general Prussians?" Von Bismarck looked at Prince Metternich in confusion.

Valerovsky also showed a confused expression and quietly waited for Prince Metternich’s explanation.

"In the bones of you Prussians, there is an innate obedience! (Von Bismarck furrowed his brows)" Prince Metternich explained to Von Bismarck and Valerovsky, "This allows every Prussian to quickly become an excellent soldier and officer after joining the army!

However, for a country, only having limbs (soldiers and officers) is obviously not enough!

It needs a mind that can command them. However, in today’s Prussian politics, there are truly too few people who are willing to use their minds. Your ministers habitually believe that all issues can be solved with fists and guns.

Therefore, people like you who are willing to think will inevitably stand out and become the one who controls the entire nation one day.

And that day will not be too far away, am I right, Mr. Bismarck!"

When Metternich said the last sentence, a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, sending a spasm through Von Bismarck’s heart.

He understood that Prince Metternich, like him, saw the opportunities under the Prussian Third Estate Meeting.

"If so, that would be wonderful!" Von Bismarck suppressed the turmoil within and said with a pretense of calm, "If I am fortunate enough to become the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Prussia, I will definitely do my utmost to maintain peace and stability in Europe!

The Kingdom of Prussia has had enough of war. Since its establishment, my country has been fighting constantly. No one understands the brutality of war better than I do. Prussia longs for peace!"

Von Bismarck’s hypocritical answer did not satisfy Valerovsky and Prince Metternich, as they had already seen his true nature before engaging with Von Bismarck.

"Mr. Bismarck, are you treating Prince Metternich and me like children?!" Valerovsky said to Von Bismarck with a slight hint of dissatisfaction in his tone, "Prussia desires peace? This is the funniest joke I’ve heard this year!"