Chapter 646 The Door to Italy Slowly Opens

Chapter 647 The door of Italy slowly opens

Count Rheinfels seemed to have guessed what the official said to Bailly, and immediately raised his head proudly:

"I believe that the Italian countries will definitely support our proposal."

The first meeting ended in a tense atmosphere. The two sides failed to achieve any results except for giving each other a cold shoulder.

Of course, such important negotiations cannot be completed overnight, and it is normal to drag on for a month or two.

Bai came out of the Peace Hall and did not even attend the ball to entertain Austrian diplomats. He immediately rushed to report the situation here to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

The second floor of the Tuileries Palace.

Joseph frowned slightly when he heard Bailly talk about the Austrians' demands.

Francis II really deserves to be the "great man" who personally ruined the Holy Roman Empire in history. The coronation ceremony has not even been completed, and he is in a hurry to do this kind of moth.

That was an international treaty that was signed less than two years ago! Previously, Leopold II only dared to "save the country in a roundabout way" by introducing Britain, but he actually came directly to ask for a re-signing.

How could he be so shameless?

If this happened in the era of Louis XIV, he would have declared war directly for this matter.

Bai continued:

"Your Highness, the Austrians also said that if we do not accept their conditions, they will join forces with the Italian countries to impose punitive tariffs on our country. And, I just got the news that an Austrian army of 30,000 people has just arrived in Tuscany to prepare for military exercises."

Joseph wanted to laugh, thinking that the Austrians have a strong learning ability. He just held a military exercise here, and they immediately learned it.

He suddenly thought of something and looked at Bailly:

"You mean, they want to instigate Italian countries to impose trade restrictions on us?"

"Your Highness, Austria has a strong influence on Venice and Tuscany, and has marriages with Parma and the Two Sicilies. I'm afraid it can really convince them to be against our country..."

Joseph nodded with a smile: "This may not be bad news."

Italy has been a key area for France and Austria for hundreds of years, and it is also the "backyard" that France has always wanted. After Emperor Napoleon took over Italy, he gained huge economic benefits from it, which supported a small part of his military expenditure.

I had always been suffering from the reason for not intervening in the Italian region. After all, the political structure there has been stable in recent decades, and now someone has taken the initiative to send it to me.

Francis II also has his lovely side.

Of course, the Italian market must not be lost.

Joseph thought for a moment and said to Emman: "Please ask General Berthier to come to see me."

"Yes, Your Highness."

He then instructed Bailly: "Mr. Bailly, you should try to delay the Austrian Foreign Minister for a while, at least half a month. We need to increase our presence in the Apennine Peninsula."

"Please leave it to me, Your Highness."

Joseph gave Bailly another detailed instruction, and after the latter left, Fouché hurried over.

After the salute, the director of the intelligence agency took out a report:

"Your Highness, Russia has recently made unusual moves."

Joseph took the report and unfolded it, and saw that the opening sentence read "The 14th Infantry Regiment of the Russian Royal Guards was transferred to station east of Minsk."

Fouché continued: "According to the intelligence we have, more than 20,000 Russian troops have been assembled in the Ula area. There are also 14,000 troops near Kiev in the south.

"At the same time, the Russians began to build warehouses in these two places, and a large amount of food, ammunition and other supplies were transported there. "

Joseph's eyes suddenly condensed.

He has been studying in the military academy for more than three years and has participated in the war himself. He is very familiar with the war mode of this era.

If the simple troop movement may be a rotation or training, but the large gathering of logistical materials is definitely a precursor to launching a war.

And the Minsk-Kiev line is obviously only aimed at Poland.    I have done everything I can. Although the Russian army began to assemble more than half a year later than in history, what is coming has finally come.

According to Poland's national strength, Russia must mobilize at least 100,000 troops to win the war.

Therefore, the Russian army's assembly should have just begun, and Poland must make full use of this last time to prepare.

He looked at Fouche and said, "If Russia wants to invade Poland, how long do you think it will take them to complete the war preparations?"

"It depends on how large the war that the female tsar wants to launch." Fouche said, "If it is just to capture the Minsk area, it will probably take another 3 to 4 months. If it is a full-scale attack, it will take at least half a year. "

Joseph nodded and asked, "How is the preparation in Warsaw?"

"Currently, Poland has 67,000 regular soldiers and more than 10,000 local troops. The logistics are relatively good, with enough weapons and ammunition for 9 months, and more food."

Joseph exhaled: "We have to speed up."

He knew very well that Poland was facing a pincer attack from Russia and Prussia. Prussia would send out more than 50,000 troops. Even if Poland had the advantage of defense, it would not be able to stop it without 100,000 soldiers.

As the two were talking, Berthier followed Emmanuel and knocked on the door.

He bowed and saluted: "Your Highness, are you looking for me?"

Joseph gestured to the chair: "Please sit down. Let's talk about the military exercises in Italy first, and then we may have to hold a staff meeting to discuss Poland's war strategy."

"Poland?" Berthier was slightly startled, "Are the Russians unable to hold back anymore?"

Fouche continued: "It is said that before his death, Potemkin was still busy with the allocation of supplies in Minsk."

Berthier nodded and looked at Joseph again: "Your Highness, what are the exercises you are talking about?"

"Did you know that Austria is conducting large-scale military exercises in Tuscany?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I just received the news."

Joseph said: "We need to hedge against Austria's deterrence in Italy."

"Then we will hold a larger-scale exercise in Sardinia or Modena."

Joseph suddenly remembered the previous battle in Silesia, shook his head and said: "There is no need to mobilize so many troops, just give the Austrian army a little 'surprise'.

"Well, Count Segur must go to Modena as soon as possible."

…

A week later.

Central Italy.

Duchy of Modena.

Grand Duke Ercole III of Modena looked at the French envoy nervously, shook his head and said:

"Count Segur, I heard about the trade dispute between your country and Austria.

“It’s just that the day before yesterday, Venice and Tuscany announced that they would support His Majesty Francis II’s proposal, and Parma and the Two Sicilies also said they would seriously consider it.

"You are only holding military exercises now, maybe it is a little late..."