Chapter 147: Negotiations in Geneva

Britain was highly satisfied with France's stance, regardless of whatever demands France might make. The fact that France was willing to engage in negotiations was seen as a positive beginning.

Upon receiving France's response, Britain once again intensified pressure on Austria, demanding that Austria return to the negotiating table at all costs. This put Austria under immense pressure.

Emperor Francis II of Austria, although extremely unwilling to end the war at this point, seemed to have no other choice under the dual pressure from Britain and domestically.

In response, Emperor Francis II convened a privy council to consult his ministers on the matter.

"Gentlemen, I want to know if we can defeat those despicable French and win the war if we continue fighting," Francis II asked.

Despite Austrian media claims that Austria had not lost the war, but merely temporarily retreated, everyone knew that on the Italian front, the Austrian Southern Army had almost been completely destroyed, and Austria's current military was no longer a match for the French.

"Your Majesty, unfortunately, from the current situation, it appears that we cannot defeat those despicable French. Continuous defeats have caused a low morale within our country. Furthermore, with Venice occupied by the French, our only connection to the outside world has been cut off, making it difficult for us to receive external assistance," said Prince Windischgrätz, the Austrian Minister of War, bowing his head.

Upon hearing this, Francis II's eyes flashed with anger, but he didn't erupt. He knew his ministers had done their best. The current situation was entirely due to the French's despicable and shameless tactics. They had launched a sudden attack, leaving the Austrian army no chance to react. Otherwise, victory would have surely belonged to Austria.

Unfortunately, Austria now had to temporarily bow its head.

"Your Majesty, since we cannot achieve victory in the war, then securing our interests as much as possible through peace negotiations becomes the only choice," added Prime Minister Klemens von Metternich.

Undoubtedly, these were bitter words to hear. Nevertheless, Francis II remained deeply frustrated.+

"Very well, since everyone agrees to negotiate with those Frenchmen, then let's negotiate. However, I insist that the interests of the Austrian Empire must be guaranteed. We cannot cede an inch of land to those Frenchmen, nor pay a single penny in war reparations," Francis II gritted his teeth, stating his bottom line.

Upon hearing Francis II's demands, the ministers below exchanged glances. It was clear that the French army held the advantage, and negotiating under Francis II's conditions would likely make reaching an agreement impossible.

Nevertheless, they had no choice but to nod. As for what kind of agreement could be reached, only God knew.

...

With Austria also expressing willingness to negotiate, the peace talks between France and Austria were set.

However, there was a dispute over the choice of location for the negotiations. France requested Paris, while Austria insisted on Vienna, attempting to save face.

However, this request was immediately rejected by France. Peace treaties were typically signed in the capital of the victorious nation—a longstanding rule in diplomatic history.

With the French army clearly holding the advantage on the battlefield, negotiating in Vienna was out of the question.

Regarding the choice of negotiation venue, neither France nor Austria would yield to the other, and the negotiations stalled before they even began.

In the end, it was the British who once again acted as mediators. They proposed Geneva, Switzerland, as the venue.

Switzerland was a neutral country, and choosing Geneva would cater to the prestige of both sides.

Thus, the issue of the negotiation venue was finally resolved.

...

France and Austria engaged in peace negotiations. Representing France was the Foreign Minister, Talleyrand, and representing Austria was their specially dispatched Foreign Minister from Vienna, Count von Izvolsky.

Additionally, as the mediator, Britain sent their diplomat, Sir Tom, whom both sides were familiar with.

On September 15th, under escort, the French diplomat Talleyrand arrived at the destination—a large hotel in Geneva. The entire venue had been booked by the British; it would serve as the meeting place for the negotiations between the two countries.

The Austrian arrived first and stood at the hotel's entrance, looking quite arrogant. He seemed to have forgotten that Austria was currently at a disadvantage on the battlefield. It was unclear what he was so proud of.

The negotiating venue was a restaurant on the second floor of a hotel, which had already been set up. The British sat in the main seat, with the Austrians in the second seat. As for the position of the French diplomats, it was placed at the lowest end.

This layout was as if France had suffered a defeat and was now subject to Austrian judgment. French Foreign Minister Talleyrand chuckled at this and paid it no mind. The Austrians seemed to have misunderstood something: what they couldn't achieve on the battlefield, they wouldn't achieve at the negotiating table either. The Austrian disadvantage on the battlefield couldn't be reversed with these tricks.

After all, the French had annihilated nearly 100,000 Austrian troops and occupied the entire territory of Italy and Venice. This was an ironclad fact.

"Ahem, gentlemen, let's begin the negotiations now. The British Empire sincerely hopes that peace can return to Europe. We are all civilized nations, and it is best to resolve issues through peaceful negotiations," said Sir Tom.

"The French have always been advocates of peace, and we hope for peace in Europe. Therefore, we also hope to resolve disputes peacefully," Talleyrand said with a smile.

"Damn Frenchmen. When have they ever been advocates of peace?" Izquierdo muttered through gritted teeth at Talleyrand's words.

"Well then, I announce that the negotiations between France, Austria, and Italy begin now," Sir Tom said after looking at Talleyrand and then Izquierdo.

"This war was initiated by the French against Austria. This is French aggression against Austria. Austria demands that France apologize to Austria and guarantee that such incidents will never happen again. In addition, the French army must immediately withdraw from Austrian territory, release Austrian prisoners of war, and compensate Austria with 100 million Austrian florins!" Izquierdo loudly expressed Austria's demands as soon as the negotiations began. These demands are exactly the same as those made by the refugees during the last peace talks in Tunaya.

After hearing Austria's demands, Sir Tom, the British representative, looked at Izquierdo with a hint of perplexity in his eyes.

What's going on with the Austrians? Haven't they realized the situation yet? This isn't Austria winning a victory; it's France holding absolute dominance!

"Respected Austrian diplomat, please take this negotiation seriously. Both sides come to the table with great sincerity, so I urge you not to bring up any absurd demands," Sir Tom said sternly, his face darkening.

Sir Tom's anger is understandable, because the Austrian's current behavior is completely swaying in the British face.

You must know that whether it was the last Tunaya talks or this time's Geneva talks, the British took the lead, and the last peace talks ended in failure. If this time the peace talks still fail, then the British will face It's completely unprotectable.

How will the world view Britain then? Where is the majesty of the British Empire?

What would the world think of Britain then? Where would the dignity of the British Empire lie?

"It seems the Austrian envoy is still recovering from his journey, so let's have the French representative present their conditions next!" Sir Tom ignored the Austrians and turned to the French Foreign Minister, Talleyrand, to inquire.