Chapter 225 It's Not A Fuel-Efficient Lamp

After sending Thomas away, Napoleon III called the think tank for a meeting immediately, not the ministers.

It's almost the same anyway, cronyism is the consistent employment style of Napoleon III, and the think tank also serves as a minister, and there is no cabinet.

Chancellor of the Exchequer: Count Monier (speculative financier), War Minister Arnault (little thug and part-time strategist), Minister of Police Mopa (strategist), Secretary of the Interior Pessini (the mastermind), Minister of the Navy Dicko (supporting (the owner of the big ship), the Colonial Minister is his nephew...

Don't think that this group of people are related households, in fact, their business is not bad, at least much stronger than the July Dynasty, and a lot stronger than the later Third Republic.

In addition to the failure of the Franco-Prussian War, during the reign of Napoleon III, France's economy developed rapidly, people's living standards were significantly improved, and most of the world's second colonial empires were conquered during this period.

War Secretary Arnault said vigilantly: "Your Majesty, the British are treating us as gunmen. Once their plan is successful, Russia and Austria will be our enemies, and our options in international politics will be very limited in the future.

Moreover, interfering in Austria is not so simple, and the multinational coalition is actually good in name.

Countries are located in the south and north of the country. To coordinate relations and organize coalition forces, it is impossible to keep such a big movement secret.

The Austrians are not stupid. Once they get the news, they only need to do one thing, catch the Prussians and beat them before the coalition is formed.

Without the Prussians coming to the cannon fodder, unless we do our best to intervene in this war, the rabble of coalition forces will be defeated sooner or later. "

Arno is speaking from experience. There were only four-nation coalition forces on the battlefield in the Balkans, and the command system was chaotic. Now that a nine-nation coalition force is established, who can bring so many teammates with different minds?

They are also experienced in pit teammates. When the Nine-Nation Allied Forces act together, they must not only guard against the enemy, but also guard against their eight allies, which is simply terrible.

"Catch a Prussian and beat him?"

"Arnaud, do you think the Austrians will catch the Prussians and beat them right away?" Napoleon III asked with interest

Arno replied: "Yes, Your Majesty. If the nine-nation coalition is completed, even if Austria can defeat the coalition, they will try to avoid war with the coalition in order not to be isolated.

But the Austrian government can't directly admit it, otherwise how can it explain to the people?

Franz Joseph I was at a young and vigorous age, and he certainly couldn't stand this grievance and couldn't find trouble with the British. So it's okay to catch the Prussians and bully them out of his mouth, right?

In order to avoid responsibility for the failure of this operation, the Vienna government should support this operation, just to transfer popular anger on the Prussians. By the time we get the coalition organized, the Kingdom of Prussia will be almost over.

If the Russians also took advantage of the fire, then before the arrival of the coalition, Russia and Austria might have carved up Prussia first. "

As a former younger brother and a part-time thug, Arnold usually loves to do things-mang, and now he analyzes problems with this kind of thinking.

For Arnault's analysis, Napoleon III's eyes lit up. In order to consolidate the throne, he can work with Russia, and it is normal for the people of the Vienna government to catch Prussia and beat them in order to avoid responsibility.

Traitors are always more abhorrent than enemies. If Prussia is maimed or killed, the grievances in the hearts of the people will come out.

As for the interference of the coalition forces of various countries, Austria has no way to prevent the troops from all countries. Is there no way to delay the time for everyone to send troops?

When the formation of the coalition was completed, the Prussian government also successfully received the lunch box. Avenging the Kingdom of Prussia does not exist. Who would do it if there is no benefit?

Napoleon III, at least, doesn't think anyone has that kind of international spirit. The big deal is that the Austrians have done their job in vain and withdraw from the newly occupied lands.

Pessini added: "Your Majesty, in addition to attacking the Kingdom of Prussia, Austria may also choose to strike first and attack Paris!

Our main force is not at home. The Austrian army has already reached the Bavarian border. As long as it passes through Baden, it can enter our country. With the superiority of the force and the surprise attack, it is very likely to succeed. "

A sneak attack on Paris is a high-investment, high-yield plan. Once successful, France will fall into chaos, and it will be impossible to cause trouble for Austria for at least three or five years.

The Russians can also take the opportunity to seize Constantinople and shut down the British and French forces on the Crimean Peninsula to beat dogs. The British can only hide in the British Isles. The Russo-Austrian alliance is horizontal.

Napoleon III sneered: "That is to say, the British have come up with a bad idea from beginning to end?"

Pessini analyzed: "Your Majesty, this is the plan that best serves the interests of the British. The success rate of the Austrians' surprise attack on Paris is too low. Even if Marshal Radesky personally commands, the probability will not exceed four floors.

This is still when we are not prepared. As long as we are prepared and the troops on the front line are on guard, the Austrians can only attack all the way.

The conflict between us and Austria has not yet reached the point of life and death, and the Vienna government should not risk fighting with us.

As long as Paris could not be conquered within a month, our troops on the front were withdrawn, and then it was their turn to be unlucky.

In essence, the most important thing in the British plan was to intimidate. If they could use the momentum of the Nine-Nation Allied Forces to intimidate the Austrians, their goal would be to intimidate the Austrians.

It worked.

If you can tear up the Russian-Austrian alliance, it will be even more profitable. Even if they can't do it, they are still going to leave the Kingdom of Bavaria to Austria, but in fact they don't want to force Austria to jump over the wall. "

After hesitating for a moment, Napoleon III made a decision.

"Since the British have all planned, how can we not cooperate? When necessary, we can give the Austrians a hint and encourage them to fight Prussia.

On this issue, we can all get what we need, and we can also accept the division of Prussia by the three countries, France, Austria, and Russia. "

Of course, it is acceptable. The core area of ​​the Kingdom of Prussia, right in the Rhineland region, is under the eyes of the French. Austria has crippled Prussia. They are just fishermen and get the most benefits.

ally? When did France become an ally with Prussia, as long as the interests are suitable, even an ally can betray it.

...

Leaving the Palace of Versailles, Thomas went to visit the Prussian representative Rothruf.

In addition to the French, the Kingdom of Prussia is also a key link. Without the participation of the powerful Prussians, this intervention in the coalition is a joke.

In fact, Thomas was playing the drums inside, and what happened in Bavaria was horrible. If the Prussian army was also influenced by nationalist ideology, and there was a defection or neutrality on the battlefield, then the coalition army could only cry.

Fortunately, this plan is not ready to actually start a fight, and it leaves room for Austria, and it is unlikely that a fight will start.

The two had no friendship, and went straight to the topic. After changing a set of rhetoric to explain their intentions, Rotluf fell into contemplation.

It is the national policy of the Kingdom of Prussia to take advantage of the opportunity of intervention by various countries and take the opportunity to kick Austria out of the German region.

Rotluf said dissatisfiedly: "Mr. Thomas, why don't Austria spit out the Kingdom of Bavaria? Condoning their destabilizing behavior in Europe will bring disaster to the world sooner or later."

The British proposal was exactly what he wanted, the only fly in the ointment was that Austria took the Kingdom of Bavaria away.

Without Austria, who could lead Germany except the Kingdom of Prussia? This is digging their flesh, and Rottluff naturally objected.

Thomas flickered: "Mr. Rottluff, it's not that we want to condone Austria's illegal behavior, but the Russian-Austrian alliance must be considered, and your country doesn't want Russia and Austria to continue to unite!"

In the Russian-Austrian alliance, the kingdom of Prussia should be under the greatest pressure. It may be that the Prussian government's response ability in this regard is relatively slow, or the alliance of the three northern European palaces has been a long time, making them ignore this threat.

In short, Thomas admired the performance of the Prussian government as if nothing had happened. If they were replaced, he would have been unable to sleep. The Prussian government did not make any big moves.

It's not that there is no action. Originally, they were planning to restore diplomatic relations with Russia and Austria. Unfortunately, Austria suddenly launched a war of unification, which destroyed the plan of the Prussian government.

On the surface, there was no change in Rotluf, but he was beating drums in his heart. He always felt that the British were not at ease and did not find anything wrong, so he chose to drag the word.

"Mr. Thomas, this matter is too involved. I have to report to China first and wait for the decision of the Berlin government."

Although Rotluf is an amateur diplomat, he was born in the military, and he always believed that there would be no pie in the sky, and that it was the most reliable way to seize it by force.

If you are not sure, then leave the question to the Berlin government. Although Frederick William IV is also an amateur diplomat, he is a king, isn't he?

There was no way to get a definite answer, and Thomas had to leave, not thinking that the Prussian kingdom would find out about their plans, and that the French would not be able to leak their secrets to the Prussians.

This is the inherent impression that the Kingdom of Prussia has left on the outside world for a long time. It can be said that before Bismarck, the diplomatic methods of the Kingdom of Prussia were very immature, which is an inevitable flaw of the military state.

Without further delay, Thomas still had a lot to do, and there were still so many countries waiting for him to persuade him that this diplomatic war was doomed to be difficult.

...

The activities of the British are destined not to be kept secret. Not all countries will keep it secret for them. Thomas frequently contacts representatives of various countries, and Metternich can't be idle!

Unlike the British offensive, Metternich's approach is much simpler, that is - throwing money, can't bribe the foreign ministers of various countries, can't they bribe the maids and entourages around them?

Most of what Thomas had met and said had reached Metternich's ears. It's just that diplomacy, dissemination of false information and release of smoke bombs are normal, and Metternich still dares not judge the truth.

Thomas is also a veteran in the diplomatic field. The intelligence that Metternich has collected from different channels is different, which means that Thomas’s content to the representatives of various countries is different, some of which are still contradictory, which adds to his knowledge. Difficulty judging.

Looking at the information just passed on from the Swiss delegation, Metternich sneered and encouraged Switzerland to send troops to interfere with Austria's annexation of southern Germany. Isn't this a joke?

As Austria's good neighbors, the Swiss and the Habsburg dynasty fought to the death for hundreds of years, and finally achieved peace for decades, and now they take the initiative to provoke Austria?

Anyway, Metternich would not believe that even if the British promised more, they would not be able to stop Austria from reckoning, at least for Switzerland and Austria.

Unable to judge the true purpose of the British

Yes, then we can only continue to collect information. Anyway, some people are watching the domestic reactions of various countries. If they agree to send troops to intervene, the mobilization of troops and the delivery of strategic materials will always be indispensable.

Which country joins the intervening army does not depend on their representative sitting in the position of the intervening country, but on their actual domestic actions.

Metternich is not in a hurry. With his knowledge of the British, if he doesn't do things, then there is a problem.

Now that Thomas has acted, he is even more relieved. A conspiracy on the surface is always easier to deal with than a conspiracy in the dark.