The news of Valerovsky’s appointment as the French envoy to Berlin hit Prince Metternich like a bombshell, completely shattering the tranquility he had managed to regain.

Although Prince Metternich outwardly maintained a calm demeanor, his inner thoughts were already in turmoil.

Based on Prince Metternich’s understanding of Emperor Jerome Bonaparte of the French Empire, Valerovsky’s appointment is far from an ordinary one; it likely marks the beginning of a shift in French diplomacy.

Looking back at the diplomatic actions of the past French emperors, Prince Metternich noticed that before making major diplomatic decisions, the emperor always liked to send relatives or trusted confidants to establish connections with influential politicians in the target country and then leverage these relationships for secret diplomacy.

This diplomatic approach was termed secret diplomacy in the 19th century.

Coupled with Valerovsky’s visit to the Prussian Embassy in Vienna, Prince Metternich easily deduced that the French Emperor in Paris also favored Mr. Von Bismarck and was inclined to suggest a friendship with the Kingdom of Prussia behind Von Bismarck.

Sitting by, Von Bismarck was also a smart man, and he too realized Valerovsky’s intentions.

Unexpectedly, the French Emperor regarded me so highly!

Von Bismarck couldn’t help but smile, and a wave of satisfaction surged in his heart.

After the initial joy, Von Bismarck began to calmly analyze the benefits of the French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia drawing closer.

Quickly, Von Bismarck reached a conclusion.

The French Empire’s goodwill towards the Kingdom of Prussia is inherently uplifting for the Prussian people. Currently, the Kingdom of Prussia is quite isolated on the European continent (this scenario was deliberately crafted by Jerome Bonaparte).

The surrounding countries either have territorial disputes with Prussia (Grand Duchy of Warsaw/Kingdom of Poland) or are targets Prussia wishes to defeat (Austrian Empire), with only the Kingdom of Britain willing to accept the Kingdom of Prussia.

However, it’s evident that Britain’s so-called acceptance isn’t sincerely aimed at forming a military alliance with Prussia but rather intends to use Prussia to restrain the increasingly tight alliance between the French Empire and the Austrian Empire.

Heaven knows, the Kingdom of Prussia in 1860 wasn’t yet the fully-formed entity of 1870. Now, it wouldn’t stand a chance against the joint forces of the French Empire and the Austrian Empire, let alone against either one alone—the Kingdom of Prussia would only face defeat.

When the Kingdom of Prussia is defeated by the French-Austrian Alliance, would the Kingdom of Britain indeed send troops to aid Prussia like during the Seven Years’ War... most likely not. Any slightly rational Prussian knows the Kingdom of Britain wouldn’t engage in a risky military venture.

Once the risks outweigh the benefits, the Kingdom of Britain would immediately abandon its existing interests, just as it did when the Thirteen States of North America sought independence.

And diplomats like Von Bismarck, who have certain private connections in the Kingdom of Britain, clearly understand Britain’s domestic standing with less than 20,000 troops.

This level of army can barely manage the 50,000 Russian troops, let alone wage war against the French Empire.

Hence, neither Bismarck nor any Prussian diplomats considered Britain a reliable ally.

Now, the French Empire Emperor has unexpectedly chosen to improve relations with the Kingdom of Prussia, which surely excites Prussia.

Even though Von Bismarck is aware that the French Emperor seeks favor with Prussia largely because of unyielding interest in the Rhine Region, thus attempting to solidify ties with Prussia.

Von Bismarck even speculates that the French Emperor’s next step might be to support Prussia in wresting German rights from Austria in exchange for Prussian territories.

Similar to how he gained Britain’s acquiescence over Luxembourg.

[Previously: During the Crimean War, Jerome Bonaparte utilized Britain’s reliance on the French Army to secretly purchase sovereignty over the Luxembourg Duchy from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, quickly occupying Luxembourg.

By the time Britain realized, they could only acknowledge the French Empire’s occupation of Luxembourg.]

For ordinary diplomats, they would definitely oppose acquiring foreign support through territorial concessions.

Because such actions would provoke domestic nationalists’ hatred.

However, Von Bismarck believes outright rejection isn’t a wise strategy; it would only push the French Empire into the arms of the Austrian Empire.

After all, the Kingdom of Prussia can only offer land to the French Empire.

If this aspect can’t be satisfied, the French Empire might as well support the Austrian Empire.

Von Bismarck confidently thinks that as long as diplomatic tactics are flexible enough, he can secure a neutral stance from the French Empire without losing an inch of territory.

At the same time, he is convinced that the Kingdom of Prussia, with 25 million in Northern Germany and 35 million in German warfare rights, certainly wouldn’t lose to the French Empire.

As long as the entire German Region aligns under Prussia’s leadership against external forces, the French Empire won’t achieve even a piece of Prussian territory.

"Mr. Valleski, on behalf of the Kingdom of Prussia, I welcome you!" Von Bismarck said, gripping Valleski’s hand with extraordinary excitement, "Please believe that every Prussian in Berlin will welcome you as warmly as I do!!"

With a smile on his lips, Valleski responded kindly, "Mr. Bismarck, from your demeanor, I see the warmth and friendliness of the Kingdom of Prussia, and I believe the Kingdom of Prussia is as friendly as you are!"

Subsequently, the melancholic Prince Metternich also conveyed his blessings to Valleski.

The position of the Berlin Ambassador, though unable to compare with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is much better than that of the Constantinople Envoy.

Moreover, the authority of the French Envoy is not determined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs but rather by their standing in the mind of the Emperor of the French Empire.

An envoy like Valleski could completely bypass the Minister of Foreign Affairs, De Luy, and report directly to the Emperor.

Immediately, Valleski enthusiastically sought advice from Von Bismarck about the powerful figures in the Kingdom of Prussia. Naturally, Von Bismarck intimately introduced Valleski to the current power structure in the Kingdom of Prussia, including the then Minister of War, Albrecht von Roon, and the then Vice Chief of Staff, Helmuth Karl Bernhard von Mao Qi.

(Due to Old Mao Qi’s bloody suppression in Koblenz, the liberals strongly detest Old Mao Qi.

Under the vehement opposition of the liberals, William I had to remove Old Mao Qi from office and replace him with Carl Albert Hevas von Bittenfeld.

Although Bittenfeld served as Chief of Staff, the entire Prussian General Staff was still controlled by Old Mao Qi.

Even Bittenfeld had no objections to this!)

"I heard that the Prussian Kingdom’s Minister of War, Roon, and Chief of Staff, Mao Qi, are your friends. Is that true?" Valleski asked Von Bismarck, seemingly nonchalantly.

Von Bismarck was momentarily taken aback, then nodded in acknowledgment, "Your information is correct; Roon and Old Mao Qi are indeed my friends!

However, my relationship with them is limited to personal acquaintance!

When it comes to national matters, they and I are of the same ilk!"

"I believe with their assistance, you’ll soon be able to become Prime Minister!" Valleski complimented Von Bismarck, "I think they should be well aware of your abilities!"

"The appointment of the Prime Minister is determined by the will of the Monarch, not by the arbitrary decisions of ministers!" Bismarck replied modestly.

Immediately after, Valleski expressed to Bismarck his interest in meeting Roon and Old Mao Qi through him.

Von Bismarck gladly agreed to Valleski’s request and assured Valleski that getting to know Roon and Old Mao Qi would not be a mistake in principle.

After Von Bismarck and Valleski’s conversation came to an end, Prince Metternich then steered the topic in other directions.

Prince Metternich began reminiscing about the past, including some anecdotes about Emperor Napoleon and insights on diplomacy. Valleski and Von Bismarck, like two obedient "good students", quietly listened to Prince Metternich’s recollections, eagerly absorbing as much "nutrient" as possible from Prince Metternich’s words.

After all, as a veteran diplomat who has been maneuvering around Europe for decades, Prince Metternich’s diplomatic insights were equally beneficial to Valleski and Von Bismarck.

As Prince Metternich became increasingly engrossed in his speech, Valleski, sitting beside him, gradually overlapped with the image of Emperor Napoleon. Prince Metternich couldn’t help but exclaim, "Mr. Valleski, in you, I see the shadow of the Emperor!

If only...

At this, Prince Metternich involuntarily shook his head.

Valleski understood Prince Metternich’s meaning, knowing that as Napoleon’s illegitimate son, his lineage granted him a prominent position yet also confined him from reaching the supreme status.

"Your Highness, achieving what I have now is already very satisfying," Valleski candidly responded to Prince Metternich, "If I weren’t of Emperor Napoleon’s bloodline, I could never have reached my current stature throughout my lifetime!"

"Indeed!" Von Bismarck, equally troubled by lineage, echoed, "If I had a lineage like Your Highness and Mr. Valleski, I probably would already be sitting in the position of Prime Minister."

"Mr. Bismarck, though you don’t have noble lineage, you possess unparalleled wisdom! 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

I believe you will become Prime Minister before long!"

...

The three talked enthusiastically from morning until evening. Prince Metternich and Valleski bade farewell to Von Bismarck, who personally saw them off in their carriages.

As Valleski’s and Prince Metternich’s carriages disappeared beneath the starry night, Von Bismarck’s gaze, filled with ambition and desire, looked at the stars in the sky, and he said with particular firmness, "Alright! Let’s give it our all!!"