The Fox of France No Chapter 347: Smearing

Chapter 347: Saring

Upon hearing this question, even tternich was almost jumping in anger. Everyone knew what kind of newspaper "The Sun" was. When did they truly care about international affairs? That was the realm of "The Scientific Truth Gazette" and "Businessman Gazette." When did it beco "The Sun's" concern? Why couldn't they focus on those Italian and Eastern European girls in the Moulin Rouge?

And how did "The Sun" get hold of such sensational news? Ridiculous! Throughout Europe, everyone knew that "The Sun's" reports were mostly unfounded, either pure fabrication or baseless rumors. They were a sham under the guise of a news outlet!

tternich was itching to point at the reporter's nose and shout, "You're peddling lies! You're a fake news outlet!" But he wasn't a sovereign, lacking the power to unleash such accusations without repercussions. Now, it seed the fake news outlet had a powerful backer.

"This rumor lacks any factual basis," tternich imdiately responded, "In the process of investigating this case, the Austrian and French governnts maintained excellent communication. It's this close cooperation that led to the early resolution of this nefarious case. In fact, your country's Ministry of Public Security previously sent a telegram expressing gratitude and seeking to further enhance cooperation in the security domain. It's evident your governnt highly values our efforts in this matter."

However, this didn't seem to sway The Sun's journalist. He seed eager to spread more rumors. tternich couldn't afford to grant this fake news peddler another chance to speak. His eyes scanned the room and settled on another reporter's raised hand. Extending his hand to that person, he asked, "Sir, do you have a question?"

This was a journalist from the "Danube Herald," an Austrian-capital newspaper with limited circulation in France but survived tenaciously thanks to support from Austria. At this mont, its value beca evident.

"Your Excellency, I wish to understand what actions Austria and France will take to enhance mutual strategic trust?" The journalist promptly posed a question prepared well in advance.

It was an excellent question, broad enough to allow tternich to ramble, make vague promises, and speak ambiguously. This tactic could consu a lot of ti, conveniently ending the press conference afterward, citing ti constraints.

tternich seized the opportunity, launching into a lengthy discourse, talking in circles, eyeing the clock. Soon, he concluded, citing ti constraints, and adjourned the conference.

After the press conference, tternich had nothing else imdiate to attend to. He tried to gauge the upper echelons of French society's attitudes. They all spoke of the Franco-Austrian friendship. Considering France's ongoing investnts in Austria, tternich assessed that the risk of war wasn't substantial.

However, apart from warfare, the French likely had various other thods at their disposal. Without authorization from his holand, tternich could only wait.

Soon, a response arrived from his country. However, it rely requested tternich to ascertain French intentions, lacking the authority to negotiate with the French. Emperor Franz II still harbored hope that this was rely a misunderstanding, aiming to preserve his crown.

Rumors circulated that the Emperor personally asked his generals about the chances of winning a war against France. Even the bravest, like Archduke Karl, admitted that such a war would pose unprecedented challenges.

Although Archduke Karl didn't explicitly state certain defeat, his pessimism regarding the prospects of war was apparent.

Given the directive from above, tternich had to continue his previous work.

Interestingly, French actions didn't comnce from their governnt but from the newspapers.

The famous purveyor of fake news, "The Sun," initiated the attack against Austria. They specialized in concocting various scandals, and this ti was no different. The Sun first reported that the Austrian Emperor had a penchant for young n. Subsequently, they spun tales of Francis II being homosexual and engaging in orgies with a large group of n.

tternich promptly protested to the French Foreign Ministry, stating this insult to the Austrian head of state was intolerable. However, Talleyrand responded, citing France's freedom of the press, washing their hands off the matter.

tternich countered, reminding Talleyrand that France didn't hold the sa stance when Austrian papers insulted the First Consul Bonaparte. He protested, "The application of such double standards is deeply distressing to friendly nations."

Talleyrand opposed the notion of double standards. He argued that when Austrian papers insulted the First Consul, they didn't rely report events but launched personal attacks. The Sun, however, rely relayed information received through certain channels. There was a clear distinction between reporting facts and personal attacks.

He further pointed out that if Emperor Francis II deed these reports false, he was free to issue a denial. Most people were capable of discerning the truth.

This was a blatant fallacy. Setting aside the difficulty of countering falsehoods, even engaging in a debate with The Sun would diminish Francis II's status as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Entangling with a tabloid would result in his loss. If he did engage in a debate, The Sun's shareholders might chuckle themselves awake. They'd gladly fund a "Golden Laurel Order" weighing a ton to present to Francis II.

"My friend," tternich realized that continuing the verbal jousting wouldn't lead anywhere. They were all vampires of centuries; what Dracula tales could one tell? So, he decided to be straightforward, hoping to elicit so genuine information.

"My friend, I understand that your First Consul probably desires further progress," tternich said. "I also know your First Consul has a keen interest in the title 'Emperor of the Romans.' These recent events probably stem from this desire, right?"

Since tternich had made things clear, Talleyrand responded candidly, "Your speculation has so truth to it. However, the First Consul has no intention of altering France's republican form of governnt. But he's averse to seeing the 'Emperor of the Romans' title on anyone else's head. In fact, neither the First Consul nor others wish to overly antagonize Austria for this."

"But the 'Emperor of the Romans' title holds significant importance for Austria, practically speaking," tternich noted.

"We are aware of this, but my friend, where does an Emperor's authority truly stem from? The crown itself doesn't hold power; otherwise, the Western Roman Empire wouldn't have fallen. What Emperor Franz truly needs is power, not just a title. A title without power is aningless, but power without a title eventually gains one."

After further conversation, tternich bid farewell. Back at the embassy, he promptly dispatched a detailed letter via carrier pigeon, explaining the insights gained from his interactions with the French and offering his suggestions to His Imperial Majesty.

The Sun's sars, or rather, yellow journalism against Emperor Francis II, persisted. However, everyone knew what The Sun was. Nobody believed these stories, not even the French themselves, though many were eager consurs of such content.

But several months later, a piece of news startled everyone: a report was filed to the Pope accusing Emperor Francis II of violating Catholic moral codes as a homosexual. Even more astonishing was the fact that the Papacy actually sent investigators to probe into the matter.