Chapter 537 Prologue
Any large-scale strategy requires long-term preparation and cannot be completed overnight. Austria's primary strategy now is to promote the second industrial revolution and develop the African continent.
The Middle East can only be ranked second. As for other strategies, they all belong to fishing for grass and rabbits. It’s good to succeed, but it’s okay to fail.
After a few more decades, the overall situation has been set. This is to learn from Americans. In any case, the experience of successful people always has merit.
It is not easy to fool countries into the trap. Now is the age of heroes, and there are too many smart people.
In recent years, the French have been keeping a low profile and digesting the results of the war. Napoleon III has had problems with his body. At this time, he is busy paving the way for Napoleon IV.
In this context, the French obviously won't take the risk of the world and run out to do things. If you want to calculate them, there is no way to do it.
Franz estimates that not only will Napoleon III adopt a conservative strategy in his final days, but that France will still adopt a conservative strategy for a long time after Napoleon IV succeeds to the throne.
All European countries, including Austria, were supporting the Italian independence movement, but it didn't help. France at its peak easily suppressed these small disturbances.
Don't think that France is vulnerable when Prussia won the bet in the original time and space. In fact, the combat effectiveness of the French army is still the top level in the world. If it wasn't for Napoleon III to go to the blind command, the final outcome is still unknown.
The overall national strength of the French is only after the British and Austrians, far exceeding that of European countries. If all factors are considered together, the Russian Empire, which is next, has less than half of France's national strength.
In modern warfare, it is all about logistics. The advantage of industrial countries over agricultural countries is too great, and it cannot be compensated by the number of people.
In order to complete the plan smoothly, the Vienna government conspired with the Russians to deal with the Ottoman Empire, and at the same time engaged in activities within Prussia.
...
In a manor outside Berlin, Prussian radicals are engaged in a conspiracy.
The host of the meeting, Count Marcel Janssen, the leader of the Junker nobles of the Young Zhuang faction: "Everyone, we just received a news through secret channels that the Russians are wooing Austria to plot the Ottoman Empire."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense. Although everyone did not like the Ottoman Empire, many people even wanted to see the Ottoman Empire end.
But definitely not now, the Ottoman Empire is still an ally of Prussia when it comes to confronting the great enemy of the Russians.
The last Prussian-Russian war proved the role of the Ottoman Empire. At a critical moment in the Prussian-Russian war, the Ottoman Empire stabbed the Russians in the back, speeding up the time for the tsarist government to admit defeat.
A young officer asked nervously, "Your Excellency, has the Vienna government agreed?"
Allies are allies, but Prussia and the Ottomans are separated by Austria, and in the event of a change, they are beyond their reach.
In the face of the alliance between Russia and Austria, the Ottoman Empire at its peak may not be cowardly, and now they are not able to cope with any one.
Marcel Jansen shook his head: "I don't know. Even in Austria and Russia, there are no more than ten people who know this level of information, and it is impossible to leak it out. If it wasn't for chance, we and them Messages from secret contacts will not be received.
However, with the grievances between the Habsburg Dynasty and the Ottoman Empire, it is a matter of time before Austria will attack the Ottoman Empire. "
This is tantamount to disguised confirmation, no wonder they came to this conclusion. Open the history book and know that the Habsburg Dynasty and the Ottoman Empire have been entangled for hundreds of years.
The Habsburg dynasty's continental hegemony, or most of the world's hegemony, was overturned by the "blasphemy alliance" formed by the Ottoman Empire and France. The Habsburg dynasty almost lost Vienna at a time of crisis.
France is strong and powerful, and it is too difficult to seek revenge for them. Now that Fao's conflict of interests is not large, the possibility of both sides fighting is very low.
The Ottoman Empire is different, not only has a hatred with Austria, but more importantly, the Ottomans have declined.
If you fall behind, you will be beaten. This is the nature of the world.
If Austria attacks other countries, it may also consider the pressure of European public opinion, as well as domestic public opinion. But if you attack the Ottoman Empire, you don't have to think about anything, just do it directly.
The Ottoman Empire is so hated, European governments may object for their own interests, but the people will never mind the Ottoman Empire being beaten.
Young officer Mao Qi: "What can we do? If Austria and the Russians join forces, the Ottomans will definitely not be able to stop it. Even if we want to intervene, it will be of no avail."
"Yeah, with Austria still in the middle, we can't even support them if we want to."
"Should we start the Prussian war in advance?"
"No, that would drag Austria into the water."
...
Looking at everyone talking, Marcel Jensen waved his hand to be quiet.
"It's not so bad for you guys, it's also an opportunity for us to have the Austrians and the Russians attack the Ottoman Empire.
Countless evidence shows that allies are unreliable, and they still have to rely on their own strength at critical moments.
If we could annex Poland while the Russians and Austrias were pinned down, things would be completely different. "
Having said this, Marcel Jensen stopped and left time for everyone to digest these contents.
The annexation of Poland is not news. King of Prussia
There has always been such a voice within the country, and Prussia, the Kingdom of Poland, is almost invincible.
After the merger of Pubo, although the comprehensive strength still lags behind Russia, the strength that can be put into the battlefield will definitely not be much worse than that of the Russians.
Poland's water transportation is developed, and a few railways are built to make up for it, and the traffic problem will be solved. And the tsarist government wants to solve the traffic problem, and it can't do it without decades.
Even if preparations are made in advance, the Russian army will not be short of food, but strategic materials are still a big problem. Not all materials can be stored in advance, and many things cannot be stored for a long time.
These advantages may not be enough for Prussia to win the war, but it can still be done to keep the family business.
There are many Russians, but there are also quite a few people after the merger of Pubo, nearly half of the Russians. It is very difficult for the tsarist government to win the war with the tactics of the sea.
Little Maoqi: "Your Excellency Count, I'm afraid this is difficult to do. The Ottoman Empire is no longer the Ottoman Empire two hundred years ago, and they have no ability to contain Russia and Austria at the same time.
Moreover, if we want to annex Poland, it is impossible for European countries to agree, and even Britain and France will probably oppose it. "
This is the crux of the problem. If it wasn't for everyone's opposition, Prussia would have annexed Poland as soon as the Russian-Prussian War ended.
Marcel Jansen smiled leisurely: "This is going to test your skills, when Austria established the new Shinra Empire, everyone will be familiar with it!
What Metternich relied on to get European countries to compromise, we can follow suit. Establish the established facts first, and then give up part of the benefits according to the actual situation in exchange for the recognition of various countries.
Mainly to convince Britain, France and Austria that the Russians are already enemies, and their position is not important.
We must believe in the capability of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it is not impossible to persuade the three countries. For example: support Austria's annexation of the German Confederation, I do not believe that the Vienna government is not interested. The Austrians have taken this step, can Britain and France still take care of us? "
In order to further the Kingdom of Prussia, Marcel Jensen did not mind making concessions. If he hadn't considered that there were more "second-year teenagers" among the people present, he would have said that the Rhineland was ceded to France.
The fact that France and Austria have been settled has actually created an established fact. Even if the British are dissatisfied, they will not care about them.
Anyone with a heart has already guessed Marcel Jensen's plan, but for their own sake, no one has pierced this layer of window paper.
If you look closely, you will find that the participants in this meeting are basically military Junkers, or "agricultural Junkers", and their interests are mostly in the land. For them, the good land in Poland is comparable to the bad land in the north. Much more important.
A young officer objected: "No, Your Excellency. If you give up the German Federal Empire, no one can control Austria. Even if we annex Poland, it is not their opponent."
Austria's strength is already very strong. European countries have tacitly suppressed Austria's unified German region, and the Kingdom of Prussia is also one of them.
Marcel Jansen shook his head: "Reis, you are still too young. Who is most anxious for Austria to annex the German Confederation?
Our current enemy is the Russians, and it is not our task to contain Austria, and Britain and France will not watch them expand. "
This willfulness was not created by Marcel Janssen, he learned it from Austria.
On the surface, it seems that the Vienna government has more than enough power, and it seems that every time it wants to curb its competitors, it is a step slower to respond.
In fact, looking at the map changes of Austria, you know that there is something tricky here.
Where is it that France and Russia are allowed to expand, they are clearly making deals in the dark, and everyone is expanding together. This makes Marcel Jensen heartbroken, Austria can do this, why can't Prussia follow suit?
...
The seeds have been planted, just waiting to take root.
After the secret meeting, the next day, Marcel Jensen appeared in the palace in a light car. He also served as the equestrian teacher of Little William. It was normal to enter the palace.
On the royal racecourse, several princes were training in riding, and William I did not know when he had come to the field.
"How did they react?"
Marcel Jansen: "Everyone was very supportive of annexing Poland. Only a limited number of people opposed the abandonment of the German Confederation, but I was persuaded."
William I nodded: "Well, then secretly start to push, don't be in a hurry before the war in the Near East starts again."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
...
If anyone heard the conversation between the two, they would be surprised that the radical behind the scenes was William I.
This is not surprising when you think about it carefully. As a monarch, it is normal to place a few cronies into various organizations. If an extremist organization such as a radical group is not included in his own hands, the monarch will not feel at ease!
The king's strength depends on his strength. If he has nothing in his hand, what else would he want other than being a rubber stamp?
At this moment, William I's heart is also not at peace. This suggestion was put forward by his staff, and he very much suspects that it was secretly instigated by Austria or France.
However, for the sake of profit, William I decided to pretend to be confused. Let Austria annex the German Confederation and cede the Rhineland to France. Do you really think he is a fool and don't know what political consequences this will bring?
At that point, the nationalists in the country will riot. While accepting this plan, William I had
Prepared to respond.
Poland is to be annexed, but the German Confederation must also be kept, and the Rhineland cannot be ceded to France.
Just waiting for a suitable opportunity to stab the news to the British and let them take action to sabotage the plan of the mastermind behind the scenes, Prussia will get the greatest benefit.