Chapter 852 Crazy Test

While increasing the storage of weapons and equipment, Austria has also increased investment in research and development of new equipment.

For example: tanks that run as slow as turtles, planes with a range of only more than 300 kilometers, and stupid artillery, all of which need to be improved.

In fact, with the continuous development of science and technology, the factors that determine the outcome of the war are more and more inclined to weapon equipment and logistics.

Preparing for war is not just about stockpiling weapons and ammunition, but also other strategic materials.

This involves a wide range of materials. Many materials are essentially common to both military and civilians. Production is also limited to state-owned enterprises, and most of them come from private enterprises.

In order not to arouse suspicion from the outside world and expose the government's strategic plan, there is no need to think about increasing material reserves.

However, it should be the enemy who is worried about this problem.

After all, Austria's industrial chain is perfect, and the raw materials are self-sufficient. Even if the war breaks out, production will be accelerated much faster than its competitors.

Preparation is preparation, when the war will start, still no one knows.

The Vienna government began to prepare for war. In fact, it was also based on the analysis of changes in the international situation and felt that war might break out on the European continent.

Judging from the current situation, whoever fires the first shot will push the Central European countries to the opposite side.

Even though Belgium is now pro-Austria, countries like the Netherlands and Switzerland are also releasing goodwill to Austria. This is all based on the premise that the French government is aggressive.

The original time and space Napoleon III also wanted to annex Belgium and interfered in Belgium's internal affairs many times. The two stood on opposite sides.

During the World War, Belgium fell to the Allied Powers. In fact, it was forced out, but it was not as the outside world said that Britain and France had clever diplomatic tactics.

If the Second German Empire didn't attack France through Belgium, why would they join the war? Is it bad to be neutral?

The Belgians are not stupid. A small country with small bullets, running to participate in the World War is just being cannon fodder, and it can't get much benefit at all.

Maybe a Belgium is not worth mentioning, what if you add the North German Confederation?

Franz knew exactly what those small states in the German region were.

Referring to the Prussian-Austrian war in the original time and space, you can know that everyone agreed to join forces to deal with Prussia, and in the end, only Austria and Prussia were left to face off.

It should have been evenly matched, because of the paddling of these states, Austria was in an absolute disadvantaged position in the battle.

I want them to work hard, unless the enemy is coming. Otherwise, these guys can only pull out and shout slogans and make a big splash.

...

Since the destruction of the Austrian anti-French alliance, the atmosphere of the French government has changed, and everyone suddenly finds that the cloud over France no longer exists.

This sudden change has made many people uncomfortable. With the help of capital, the voice of the main war faction became louder.

Changes in the outside world also affected Napoleon IV's judgment.

"It seems that Austria is not that powerful. After losing the support of the British, the Vienna government could not pull out the anti-French siege net."

Changes in ideas will naturally affect political decision-making. When it comes to Austrian things, Napoleon IV is no longer so attentive.

Palace of Versailles

After a cursory look at the document in his hand, Napoleon IV asked uncertainly, "Are you ready to restart the international coal price negotiation?"

In order to hinder the economic development of France, Britain and Austria led the establishment of the International Coal Export Alliance to control the international coal transaction price.

Affected by this, the price of coal imported by France is at least 50% higher than that of Britain and Austria.

Energy prices are high, and industrial production costs will naturally go up. This directly caused many French industrial and commercial products to lose their competitiveness internationally.

In order to disintegrate the International Coal Export Alliance, the French government and the industrial and commercial circles have tried their best, exhausted all means, but still failed to achieve the goal.

Even because it has mastered the energy lifeline of France, the International Coal Export Federation often points fingers at French industry and commerce.

Everything has two sides, due to high energy prices, France took the lead in sounding the clarion call for energy conservation.

For steam engines and boilers of the same power, the coal consumption of French products is usually lower by several percentage points, and individual performance may be saved by 20 to 30 percent.

Not only is the coal consumption low, the French have also fiddled with many coal substitutes, such as charcoal.

In most fields, French boilers and steam engine equipment can burn charcoal, and some equipment can also directly burn wood.

Of course, black technology is not omnipotent. Substitutes are always just substitutes, and there is still a certain gap between the original and genuine products.

This has led to the fact that French industrial and commercial products are inevitably flawed in quality and can only be used as they are.

The most typical example is steel. The overall quality of French steel is the worst, even worse than that of Russians.

Economic Minister Elsa said righteously: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. For the healthy development of the domestic economy, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will definitely make every effort to reduce the international coal transaction price."

The Foreign Secretary, Karel Cadlec, echoed: "The Foreign Office will fully cooperate with the actions of the Department of Economics, and we have already started lobbying the British.

Judging from the current situation, the British Coal Export Association has shown signs of compromise. As long as the British let go, we can force a compromise between Belgium and the German Confederation.

"

The contradiction is only because of interests. If the purpose of the International Coal Export Alliance was to suppress the French economy at the beginning, then now it is simply because of interests.

In a sense, coal is also a just-needed product. No matter how hard the French try to find alternatives, they still have to import in large quantities.

In this context, suppliers naturally have to raise prices in order to make huge profits.

Getting the Brits to let their mouths go is very simple, and that is throwing money at it. As long as they can make up for what they lost in coal exports from other sources, things will be fine.

As for the coal suppliers of Belgium and the North German Confederation, they are just unlucky, who made their country weak?

Napoleon IV fell into contemplation. It seemed that it was just a coal price negotiation. In fact, this was a test for the international community.

If the plan is successful and there is no violent backlash from the international community, then the French government will not need to be so cautious in the days to come.

"Since you are all ready, let's restart the negotiation! But pay attention to the methods and means, and don't make a big mess."

It can be seen that Napoleon IV was not so relieved against these bureaucrats.

This has something to do with the French political system. The Ministry of Economy is definitely the department most affected by capital in the government. The performance of officials has been linked to capital from the very beginning.

If you don't say hello in advance, these guys will act according to the will of capital, and it is possible to provoke a war directly.

France is not ready for war, and Napoleon IV is not in the air. I don't think France's current strength can challenge the world.

...

At the headquarters of the British Coal Association in London, a group of capital tycoons are having a fierce quarrel.

A potbellied old man said excitedly: "Gentlemen, the opportunity to make a fortune is here.

The French are proposing to cut tariffs on some goods as long as we cut coal prices by a fifth, aside from the International Coal Export Federation.

This relief is not for all companies, but is limited to the industries of our coal association members, cheers everyone! "

Applause broke out, and many people were immersed in the joy of making a fortune. Being able to deliver goods to the French market at lower tariffs than their domestic counterparts means nothing could be more obvious.

Some people are proud and others are disappointed, and not everyone can benefit.

Small coal miners are the biggest victims, with limited capital and inability to enter multiple industries. On the contrary, selling high-priced coal can maximize profits.

With some tariff relief, they also have nothing to sell. On the contrary, the consortium has made huge profits and can obtain greater benefits.

As the representative of the small coal miners in the association, Mikhailovich immediately objected: "No! The French are Britain's biggest enemy, and any relaxation of the suppression of France is a crime against Britain.

The idiots of the government ran to form an alliance with the French, should we compromise with the French for trivial interests? "

The old man smiled and said, "Mikhailovich, don't forget that we are capitalists. We have no reason to not make money by sending money to the door. It is the government's business to suppress France.

Your worry is nothing more than damage to your own interests, in fact, you don't have to worry about it. Even if there is no other industry, everyone can cooperate!

I believe that those who are sitting here don’t mind helping you and filling the vacancies in your industry.

It's really not possible, you can also choose to sell the coal mine. Don't worry, everyone will pay a good price.

In short, we will not let you suffer. "

Mikhailovich's face changed greatly, this is a poor picture. Prior to this, although the profits of coal mines were good, the small mine owners were all low-quality mines, and the consortiums still looked down on them.

It is different now. Controlling coal mines will control coal exports. With these shares, you will be able to negotiate with the French, get preferential tariff treatment, and sell other industrial and commercial products.

Don't say that there is no shortage of markets for the British, which is impossible. In any industrial power, the market is not enough.

The British consortium has long been envious of the French market, but the French government knows that it can't do it, and has played with tariff barriers.

Now that a hole has finally been torn open, everyone naturally finds a way to rush in.

As for the subsequent impact of the fall in coal export prices, what does it have to do with them? As long as you can make money, who cares what the future holds?