Seeing the French Empire, one of the original parties involved, respond with silence, Prince Metternich couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease.

Years of diplomatic intuition told Metternich that the French Empire might be planning some maneuvers concerning the two duchies of Schleswig-Holstein.

As the instigator, Von Bismarck was also anxiously watching Valerovsky, fully aware that the German national revival could not proceed without French Empire’s tacit approval.

Even in dealing with a small country like Denmark, they needed to obtain the acknowledgment of most countries, particularly the French Empire.

If the French Empire were to intervene against the Kingdom of Prussia in alliance with the Kingdom of Britain as it did in 1851, even the great capabilities of Von Bismarck would be rendered powerless.

The current Kingdom of Prussia was not what it used to be, not even compared to its historical counterpart of the same period.

For Von Bismarck, nothing was a more complete answer than Valerovsky’s silent attitude.

If Valerovsky fully agreed with Von Bismarck’s stance on this matter, Von Bismarck would suspect Valerovsky of having ulterior motives.

"Honorable Prince!" Von Bismarck first responded to Metternich with a respectful attitude.

Then he shifted his tone, his expression becoming stern and his voice exceptionally severe, "If the Kingdom of Denmark fulfills the promises they made to German nationalism in 1851, then I believe no country would be willing to take action against it!

In fact, King Frederick of Denmark has violated his original promises to German nationalists and even wants to undermine the sacred treaty established at the time!"

At this point, Von Bismarck turned his gaze to Valerovsky and, slowing his speech, said, "Mr. Valerovsky, I heard that when the countries signed the ’London Treaty’, you were present!"

After a moment of recollection, Valerovsky nodded and replied to Von Bismarck, "At that time, I accompanied the envoy to London as an assistant at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and witnessed the signing of the treaty firsthand!"

Once Von Bismarck got the desired answer, he nodded and continued to inquire, "Good! Then, Mr. Valerovsky, may I ask if the ’London Treaty’ stipulates that the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein have a special union status within the Kingdom of Denmark?"

After pondering for a few seconds, Valerovsky nodded and replied, "The ’London Treaty’ indeed has such a provision, stating that Schleswig and Holstein have a special union status within the Kingdom of Denmark, while the Holstein Duchy retains its status as a member of the German Confederation!"

"Thank you for your answer!" Von Bismarck bowed to Valerovsky in gratitude.

Then, Von Bismarck once again turned his gaze to Prince Metternich. Through Von Bismarck’s eyes, Metternich saw the burning flames hidden within, as if he were a warrior about to step into the arena.

Metternich understood that the real storm was only beginning now!

"Mr. Metternich, may I ask if the Kingdom of Denmark has adhered to the ’London Treaty’ signed by the countries in recent years?" Von Bismarck launched his first strike at Prince Metternich.

Prince Metternich pondered for a moment and responded calmly, "Although the Kingdom of Denmark has indeed violated the treaty in certain issues in recent years, they have not completely disregarded it.

Denmark still faithfully adheres to the treaty’s provisions!"

Metternich downplayed Denmark’s repeated tests of the treaty boundaries as insignificant issues while emphasizing that the Kingdom of Denmark still upholds the treaty, naturally aiming to undermine Von Bismarck’s legitimacy in using the two duchies to stir up German nationalist fervor.

"Mr. Metternich!" Von Bismarck’s expression turned slightly grim, and his voice grew more intense, no longer appearing to engage in a debate but rather as if ready to rush into a battle at any moment, "Where have your wise mind and vision gone? Can’t you see that Denmark is planning to completely separate Schleswig and Holstein from German territory?"

Prince Metternich coldly responded to Von Bismarck, "Mr. Bismarck, the Kingdom of Denmark enjoys the dominant rights of Schleswig and Holstein, a right recognized by the ’London Treaty’!

The Kingdom of Prussia seems to have no right to interfere in the treaty, your strenuous efforts to use Schleswig and Holstein as an excuse are merely a ploy to achieve Prussia’s expansion of power!

Your approach aims to disrupt the existing order in Germany!"

Seeing the inability to directly refute Bismarck’s point, Prince Metternich directly placed the blame of "disrupting order" on Von Bismarck.

He aimed to evoke repulsion in Valerovsky towards the Kingdom of Prussia, thus thwarting Von Bismarck’s conspiracies.

The French Empire had transformed from an outsider of the original order to a guardian of order. In Metternich’s view, preserving the existing order was far more beneficial than detrimental to the interests of the French Empire.

Therefore, the French Empire should thwart the schemes of the Kingdom of Prussia on this issue.

The Prince Metternich’s companion, Von Bismarck, was equally uncertain about Valerovsky’s attitude. He hurriedly explained to Valerovsky, "Mr. Valleski, the Kingdom of Prussia has never intended to disrupt the order of Europe! 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

I believe that Schleswig and Holstein can be properly resolved, and instead, it can help the French Empire establish the image of a leader across Europe!"

Valerovsky revealed an intrigued smile at the corner of his mouth and casually asked Von Bismarck, "Mr. Bismarck, I would like to know how Schleswig and Holstein help France establish the image of a European leader!!"

Von Bismarck spoke eloquently, "Originally, Schleswig and Holstein remained with Denmark mainly because German nationalists were oppressed by the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Britain.

German nationalists were all resentful of Russia and Britain’s excessive bias towards Denmark on this matter, thereby ignoring the appeal of 35 million Germans!

As long as the French Empire can maintain a neutral stance and not favor the Kingdom of Denmark, the French Empire can gain the gratitude of 35 million people, which will definitely help His Majesty Jerome Bonaparte in establishing a European Union across Central and Western Europe!

If the French Empire is still uneasy, I can assure you that the Kingdom of Prussia will definitely not annex Schleswig and Holstein Duchy!

If one day the German army occupies these two duchies, I will follow the wishes of the locals to choose two rulers to lead the duchies."

Afterward, Von Bismarck turned again to Prince Metternich, "Your Excellency Metternich, I only want to rescue Schleswig and Holstein from the hands of the Kingdom of Denmark, and have never thought of annexing them!

The issue of Schleswig and Holstein should be resolved by the German Confederation itself, rather than letting the Kingdom of Denmark decide for us!

If the Kingdom of Denmark can continue to abide by the agreements set with German nationalists, then we are also willing to recognize Frederick VII’s rule over the two duchies.

However, we will never allow the Kingdom of Denmark to turn the king’s rule over the duchies into kingdom rule over the duchies!

This does not mean that the entire Kingdom of Denmark becomes a member of Germany enjoying the protection of the Confederation, and our army has no extra troops to protect them!"

Prince Metternich knew that Von Bismarck was ostensibly talking about the Kingdom of Denmark, but was actually insinuating the Austrian Empire’s Greater Germany scheme.

In the Greater Germany scheme, the Austrian Empire attempted to include its entire territory within the map of the German Confederation, allowing all territories except Bohemia and Austria to enjoy the protection of Confederation war law.

It was evident that the Austrian Empire did not intend to fully absorb the German nationalism included in the Confederation but instead spared no effort to suppress it.

Because except for the Austrian Empire, any German member state within the German Confederation could arm itself with German nationalism, only the Austrian Empire could not achieve this.

Because within the Austrian Empire there were not only Austrians, but also Magyars, Czechs, and Croatians, who were also part of the Austrian Empire.

Once German nationalism rises, it will inevitably trigger ethnic conflicts within the Austrian Empire, and the national fervor of all ethnic groups will likewise ignite, and the Empire will perish in the fiercely burning flames of nationalism.

"Mr. Bismarck, what you said is indeed very stirring, but do not forget!

Once war starts, it may not stop according to the steps we have set!" Prince Metternich coldly responded to Bismarck, "Once the national enthusiasm of the Germans is ignited, they will not be content with Schleswig and Holstein, they will set their sights on the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Belgium, and even the Luxembourg Duchy!

The fiercely burning flames of nationalism will drive us forward, and all those who dare to obstruct us and countries will confront us head-on!

Prince Metternich paused and pointed to his own eyes, speaking in a sorrowful tone, "I have personally witnessed the rampant behavior of fanatical French nationalists in Alsace-Lorraine, who confiscated lands, seized the Church, overturned the existing order, and then constructed an entirely new system!

From them, I saw no trace of the rationality that lingered from the Enlightenment era, only the purest form of national supremacy rhetoric!

Ultimately, some of the less radical nationalists were sent to the gallows by the more radical nationalists, and those more radical nationalists, after being widely detested by the French populace, were sent to hell by Emperor Napoleon’s canister shot.

Emperor Napoleon took the stage, and rationality temporarily returned to the land of France!

Mr. Bismarck, are you confident you can control this flame, ensuring it does not burn the entirety of Germany?"