Chapter 187 Phobic Patients
Franz's troubles, Abdul Mejid I could not understand. If he knew Austria's plan, he would not have to give up Serbia.
In fact, the territory abandoned by the Sudanese government this time is not only in Serbia, but also in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The reason is very realistic - unstoppable.
Since they knew they couldn't hold it, why would they waste their troops in vain? The Ottoman government made what it thought was the right choice and concentrated its superior forces to defend against the Russian attack.
As for Austria, after the occupation of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the front line was too long, and it was too late to stabilize the rear. How could it continue to attack?
Britain and France have made a promise to the Ottoman government: as long as the Russians are defeated, they are sure to be at the negotiating table and let Austria spit out what they eat.
With so many favorable conditions, Abdul Majid I of course had to concentrate his forces to fight the Russians.
In order to delay the speed of the Austrian army, when the Ottoman army retreated, they also damaged the roads and bridges along the way, burned the granary, and collected a large number of young soldiers to leave.
...
Constantinople
Staring at the big map on the wall, Abdul Mejid I sighed, and he was unwilling to give up his ancestral inheritance, but the reality was beyond his control.
Abdul Mejid I never fully believed in the promises of Britain and France, such as now - the reinforcements promised by the British did not arrive in full.
The promised 80,000 reinforcements only came to 20,000. Let’s talk about the rest of the troops after they expand their troops. It’s really impossible to get them now.
It's true, the British Army really can't send so many reinforcements, and the London government really didn't intend to trick teammates this time.
As for Palmerston's promise in the Paris negotiations, how could he fool the French if he didn't say that?
Didn't you see that the French army has been fooled? In order to achieve a dazzling result, Napoleon III sent all the elite troops, and did not take new recruits to make up for it.
Abdul Mejid I calmed down and asked, "Have the Allied camps been arranged?"
"Everything has been properly settled. We have evacuated the surrounding residents. We must ensure that there will be no trouble." Minister of State Bessara Mahmed replied solemnly.
The British and French troops of this era had strict military discipline when they were on the mainland. They were no different from bandits and robbers when they went abroad. Robbery was also an important business for them.
When the first batch of French reinforcements arrived, the Ottoman government suffered a loss, and now it is natural to learn its lesson.
Abdul Mejid I did not mean to despise the military discipline of the British and French troops. In fact, the military discipline of the Ottoman Empire was even worse. The Anglo-French coalition at least abides by the rules at home, and the Ottoman army is a scourge at home.
The only difference between the two sides is that the sultan of the Ottoman army can still be restrained, and he cannot command the British and French troops at all.
Abdul Mejid I continued to ask: "The British and French have not yet negotiated, who will be the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces?"
The alliance of Britain, France and the Ottomans is different from the alliance between Austria and the Russians. They have to cooperate with each other to fight, so the command of the coalition is a big problem.
On this issue, the Ottoman Empire had a right to speak, but after the defeat of the Bulgarian battle, this right to speak also disappeared.
In the face of the two bigwigs in Britain and France, the Sudanese government can't afford to offend either, and simply silence is golden.
The centuries-old feud between Britain and France, the hatred between the two peoples has accumulated, and it cannot be solved by an order from the government.
The French broke the British dream of the continent, and the British broke the French dream of hegemony. The two sides have been fighting for hundreds of years, and it is unclear what is right and what is wrong.
Now the French believe that: their own army is the world's first in combat effectiveness, and Li Yin has obtained the highest command of the coalition forces.
Napoleon III wanted to improve France's status in the world and gain political prestige for himself, so the French had to fight for the command of this coalition.
The British believe that: they are the world hegemon, and (though not yet recognized) the world's largest comprehensive national strength, the old nature of the world must have the style of the world leader, and the British cannot give up command.
The British did not want to be commanded by the French, and the French did not want to be commanded by the British. Not only at the top, but also the soldiers below.
Although everyone is an allied army, the two officers and soldiers just don't like each other. It is good to have a cold pair of eyebrows, and fights and fights that do not agree with each other also happen from time to time.
Then, Sultan Abdul Mejid I had a headache, the two bosses were arguing endlessly, but the battle was still to be fought!
The Russians stopped attacking, not because they stopped fighting, but preparing for a new campaign. While taking the time to deliver strategic materials, let the resting troops wait for reinforcements.
"No, the representatives of Britain and France are still arguing." Foreign Minister Frau Ade replied with a wry smile.
It's not that he didn't work hard. Since the Austrian government secretly stirred up public opinion in Britain and France, this issue has become sensitive, and neither of the two governments dared to make concessions easily.
In the words of The Times: Don't let the french guys ride on our heads and shit!
The French media also made similar remarks. The position of a coalition commander has now risen to the status of the dignity of the two countries.
This situation was unexpected for everyone. Had it been known that this would happen, the two governments would not have been arguing over this issue at all, giving the opposition a chance.
Austria is not so capable of manipulating public opinion in Britain and France, only their domestic forces can do it.
It is politically correct to be able to cause trouble to their political opponents, and they have no reason not to do it.
Abdul Mejid I sighed: "Alas!"
He added: "Tell the representatives of Britain and France that if they still cannot reach an agreement, they will form a joint command of the three countries, and each of our three countries will send one person to jointly command.
If it still doesn't work, then divide the troops and command their own troops, as long as they cooperate with each other! "
Apparently, Abdul Mejid I also knew these two bad ideas. But there is no way, the Ottoman government has no way to persuade Britain and France.
The war is imminent again, and the issue of command has not been resolved. Once the Russians launch an attack, they will suffer a great loss.
In any case, let's establish a coalition headquarters first. It is really impossible to divide troops to fight, and Abdul Mejid I can accept it.
Anyway, the British have 20,000 troops now. The main force of the war is the Ottoman army and the French army. The British are responsible for beating the side drums.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Ade replied
...
Turin
Since the total defeat of the Osa War, Charles-Albert, the hapless king, was abandoned by the people of Sardinia, and his son Vittorio Emmanuel II succeeded him.
Unlike history, this time Charlie Albert left behind a super mess.
Not to mention the huge foreign debts, and being visited by the Austrian army, Sardinia's domestic economy has suffered a devastating blow, and it still has not come out of the shadows.
The legendary Prime Minister Cavour entered the stage of history against this background. Unfortunately, he is a human being, not a god. Facing this super mess, he is also a headache.
develop? This problem has nothing to do with the Kingdom of Sardinia for the time being, let's restore it first! If domestic problems cannot be solved, what development is there to talk about?
"What? Prime Minister, are you going to go to war with the Russians?" Vittorio Emmanuel II roared almost to a roar
Since the Osa War, Vittorio Emmanuel II has been full of shadows on the war, and now he heard that Cavour was going to go to war with the Russians, and it broke out immediately.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" replied Prime Minister Cavour
Vittorio Emmanuel II angrily asked: "My Prime Minister, are you sure you are not joking?"
Prime Minister Cavour replied without changing his face: "Your Majesty, of course this is serious, how could I joke about this kind of thing?"
Vittorio Emmanuel II asked: "Crazy! Why are we going to war with the Russians for no reason? Do you have a grudge against the Russians?"
The Kingdom of Sardinia and the Russians had no conflict of interest, and Vittorio Emmanuel II really could not find a reason to fight the Russians.
Prime Minister Cavour explained calmly: "Your Majesty, I have no grudges with the Russians, and even if I see them unhappy, it will never rise to the level of hatred.
Now Britain, France and the Ottomans are at war with the Russians. We want to seek help from Britain and France. This is an opportunity.
Join the war and seek an opportunity to form an alliance with Britain and France. Use this war to get out of the economic crisis at home and get us out of the woods. "
Vittorio Emmanuel II seriously thought about it. Although Prime Minister Cavour's proposal is unrealistic, it may not be impossible for the Kingdom of Sardinia.
The Kingdom of Sardinia is far from Russia, so there is no need to worry about the Russian military threat. Even if you offend the Russians, you are not afraid of their revenge.
Vittorio Emmanuel II shook his head and said: "It's not enough, just getting the chance to form an alliance with Britain and France is of no value to us.
Now we have no bargaining chip with Britain and France, and we have no right to intervene in the interests of the Near East.
Using the war to get out of the economic crisis, it is difficult for my Prime Minister's current Sardinian kingdom to cobble together the equipment of an infantry division.
Do you ask Britain and France to provide us with weapons and equipment, take their weapons and equipment, that is, send the boys to the battlefield as cannon fodder. "
The reality is so cruel, the strength of the Sardinian kingdom is too weak. After the Osa War, even the army was disbanded. This was not forced by Austria, but forced out by finances.
The British are not charities. Loans and interest are not less than a penny. They must be returned on time. The Sardinian kingdom has no money to develop an army.
Anyway, the British have the protection of the national defense, they only need an armed force that can stabilize the country, and the police force is enough. Now the only army in the Kingdom of Sardinia is the King's Guard.
Prime Minister Cavour said passionately: "Your Majesty, I know that the weapons and equipment of Britain and France are not easy to obtain, and I do not want to let the young men be cannon fodder on the battlefield, but now the country needs it!
Without the support of Britain and France, the Kingdom of Sardinia would not have the opportunity to grow and develop. The blood of the Ossa war has not yet dried, and we will never be able to avenge the Austrians by our own strength.
They leave..."
Vittorio Emmanuel II said dissatisfiedly: "Stop! Prime Minister Cavour, I don't want to hear your tirade.
All day long propaganda of revenge against Austria, you are worried that the Austrians have forgotten us, and remind them to be vigilant, is there an enemy in the Italian region?
in the battle of Ossa
During the battle, the Sardinian kingdom lost 110,000 heroic soldiers, 80,000 civilians, and more than 100,000 wounded. The economic losses were even more incalculable. The entire Sardinian kingdom was crying.
War casualties combined with a deteriorating economic situation reduced the total population of the Kingdom of Sardinia by 670,000 from 1848 to the present.
Do you think we still have extra manpower to consume? Even with the support of Britain and France, we have the ability to avenge Austria? "
revenge? Vittorio Emmanuel II thought too, but reality didn't allow it. The Kingdom of Sardinia is just a small country with a territory of 70,000 square kilometers and a population of more than five million.
After a single blow, not only Vittorio Emmanuel II had no confidence at this time, but the entire Sardinian kingdom had lost confidence.
The main purpose of Prime Minister Cavour's propaganda of revenge against Austria is to use the power of hatred to inspire everyone's fighting spirit and work hard for the unification of Italy.
Cavour continued to explain: "Your Majesty, the international situation is ever-changing. Now that Britain and France are leaning against each other, and Russia and Austria are standing together again, it is a matter of time before we stand in line.
Instead of being forced to stand in line when the time comes, it is better to join in now. The Ossa War two years ago determined that we had no choice.
Now declaring war on the Russians is just an attitude. Our strength is limited, and Britain and France will not ask us to contribute much.
Now that Montenegro and Greece are on the side of the Russians, Britain and France also need someone to help shout internationally. It is just right to do this with the strength of the Kingdom of Sardinia. "
After hearing this explanation, Vittorio Emmanuel II's expression softened slightly.
There is no need to invest a lot of troops, so it can be negotiated. After losing the last war, the losses were too great. His father changed from a hero to a bear, and was finally forced to abdicate. He did not want to do it again.
Vittorio Emmanuel II said very calmly: "We also have to consider the attitude of Austria. The Russians can't help us, but they are by our side. The Vienna government ordered us to go into exile in less than a week. already."
In the face of Aophobia, Cavour was powerless. This is not only for Vittorio Emmanuel II, many people have it after the Ossa War, even himself is no exception, but his self-control is very strong and does not show it.
This sentiment is especially serious among the people. Having personally experienced a war, many people know the horror of the war, and their fear of Austria is even more serious.
This is a sequela of over-propaganda. During the Charles-Albert period, the decadence of Austria was hyped, the strength of the Sardinian kingdom was exaggerated, and the self-confidence of the Sardinian people was cultivated.
It is a pity that this kind of self-confidence was lost in the Austro War, and then the reaction force broke out. Those who have experienced this war have become patients with Aophobia.
The nationalists and second-year juniors who were not afraid of the sky and the earth in those days are no longer troubled, and the country is stable, but the plan for the reunification of Italy has also died prematurely.
After hesitating for a while, Cavour said: "Your Majesty, I will find a way to solve the Austrian problem. If they firmly oppose it, we will give up this opportunity!"
This problem cannot be avoided. If Austria makes a military threat, Cavour himself will be counseled. The current kingdom of Sardinia has no power to fight at all, and to participate in this war in the Near East, in fact, they can only wave the flag.
After listening to Cavour's answer, Vittorio Emmanuel II nodded with satisfaction, expressing his acquiescence.