C2717 Paris and London in a state of chaos (1/2)
Gladstone was a little too anxious to hear the irony in the Queen's voice.
”Useful, of course it's useful! In the face of international pressure, Prussia would definitely have the heart to negotiate. They just had such a huge advantage and have already occupied two provinces of France.
”Right now, Bismark wants to negotiate for the sake of preserving the fruits of his victory. Otherwise, with the strength of France, as long as we can take this lying down, it would be difficult for Prussian to save the situation!”
”Is this really a wasted effort? Bismark will not be so foolish! ”
The Queen didn't show any change in her mood and just smiled, ”Oh …” Prussian wants to negotiate? If the French Emperor is not willing to talk about it, what should we do? ”
”Why won't you talk about it? Right now, the situation in France is like a pile of dry firewood. Paris has already become a pot of porridge, and Napoleon III hopes to end this war as soon as possible before bringing his army back to suppress the situation! ”
”If we keep fighting, Paris will rot!”
”Of course I know that negotiations are very difficult, but no matter how difficult it is, it is still much easier than war … Your Majesty, we cannot allow Prussia's unrestrained might to continue, nor can we allow the France to completely decline! ”
The Queen nodded her head, ”Since you want to try, then go ahead and give it a try …” As for me, it's better that I don't step in. The Constitution doesn't give me the right to conduct diplomatic missions! ”
”You are the Prime Minister. You can handle these matters.” With that, the Queen got up and left.
Gladstone was stunned. The Queen had left just like that, and she still wanted him to watch? I came here hoping for the Queen's help. Why did I end up talking about the Constitution?
The Queen's words were flawless, and it was true that the British constitutional monarchy had given diplomatic power to the Prime Minister, and that the Crown could not interfere in foreign affairs.
But the law is the law, and so is the world. The law forbids the queen from meddling in the affairs of state, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have that kind of influence.
In fact, there were many things that the Queen's words were more effective than the Prime Minister's running here and there for half a year. He could easily form an alliance with the royal family in Europe to pressure Prussia and France, let alone the Queen's other relatives in Europe.
These were all unorthodox rules! If the law was truly omnipotent, then there was no need to keep the royal family. The Europeans were not stupid, they protected the British royal family, and the main reason was because the royal family's influence was too great, in a way, even exceeded the role of the army.
According to past experience, Gladstone had begged the Queen to send a message slightly out of the way, but today the Queen showed no sign of wanting to help.
Prince Edward sighed in his heart, but he could not say it directly. ”Your Majesty is indeed inconvenient to interfere. Since you have the intention of mediating, then let's do it within your authority …” If you have any difficulties, I will try my best to help you coordinate them! ”
Although he did not get the approval of the queen, getting the promise from the crown prince was still not a small gain. Once he returned to the Prime Minister's residence, Gladstone immediately summoned the people from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and began the arduous negotiations.
By this time, Prussian financial products had already tripled in financial markets!
In the summer of 1870, the whole of Europe was filled with the stench of war and the copper smell of money, mixed with human greed.
London and the Amsterdam have become the playground of global speculators, while Paris is shrouded in blood and fire.