Chapter 165 Accident (Part 2)

"Are you crazy!?" Count Korolov roared immediately.

"Once the Duchess gives up the title of Duke, Parma will be handed over to the Bourbon family!"

"That's why we need the Apennine Customs Union to protect our country's interests. As long as the Central Italian region is incorporated into the Austrian economic system. Even if the Bourbon family wants to break away from our influence, those civilians and merchants will not agree. Besides, who would have trouble with money?" Metternich said very calmly.

Count Korolov was not a fool. He knew that Metternich was right. The previous idea of ​​trying to control the states with consultants was simply a fantasy.

Those officials who were sent abroad almost cut off their ties with their own countries after arriving in the states, and were no longer bound by their own laws. Without exception, they either became officials of their states or directly became cancer.

"What about the attitudes of Britain and France?"

"Shouldn't Britain and France look at our attitude now?" Metternich asked back.

"What about the Papal States?" Count Korolov asked.

"The Pope still needs our country to help him maintain his rule. If the Papal States is willing to join us, that would be the best. If not, it doesn't matter to us."

Count Korolav could hear that Metternich was full of confidence in his words. Although he was very unhappy, the huge benefits that the German Customs Union brought to the Austrian Empire were obvious to all.

And Count Korolav always believed that he was different from those corrupt officials who betrayed the Austrian Empire. He was just serving the Austrian Empire and satisfying his personal needs by the way.

So he didn't get entangled with Metternich on this matter.

"Okay, I agree with Prince Metternich's opinion."

Archduke Franz Karl and Archduke Louis looked at each other. To be honest, they didn't understand.

So, it was still the old rules, no approval, no opposition.

In fact, when the Apennine Customs Union was first established, it was only considered a game for the Habsburg family to entertain themselves.

Because the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Papal States, and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies all refused to join.

King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies wanted to pull the Pope to establish the South Apennines Customs Union to counter the influence of Austria, but was rejected by the latter.

At this time, Pope Gregory XVI was very conservative. He hated many things, but he only liked money.

He developed a large financial industry in the Vatican, successively established financial institutions such as the Discount Bank, the Bank of Rome, the Holy Spirit Bank and the Savings Bank, but he himself lacked business talent, so he lost everything.

Later, the Pope established the Holy Water Company. Unlike the Holy Water Company in Austria, which was selling dog meat under sheep's clothing, it did not sell bleaching powder and medical alcohol, but real "holy water".

Although Gregory XVI had to rely on Austria to maintain his rule, he did not want the Austrians or the Two Sicilies to make money from him.

France strongly protested against Austria's behavior and repeatedly reiterated that France would protect the independence of the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Papal States.

The British attitude was ambiguous. They hoped that Austria and France could fight a war in Italy.

If France and Austria could go to war in Italy, then Muhammad Ali of Egypt would undoubtedly be unable to hold out alone, and Britain would be able to easily achieve its goal, and the only remaining enemy would be Russia.

Of course, the French would not let the British succeed, so the French protests against Austria were always verbal.

The most anxious one was the Kingdom of Sardinia, because its main source of income was as a middleman between France and Italy.

Once Austria's Apennine Customs Union included the Papal States and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, the Kingdom of Sardinia would have to choose sides.

For Carlo Alberto, a monarch who wanted to unify Italy, this was more painful than killing him.

However, Austria at this time was an invincible behemoth for Alberto, but he believed that one day he would find that opportunity.

Ottoman Empire, Istanbul.

The news that the Austrian Empire's army withdrew from Transylvania soon reached Istanbul.

Palmerston heaved a sigh of relief. If Count Korolov took his money but did not do anything, he would be really angry.

Palmerston never thought that one day he would bribe officials outside of Britain. Anyway, the Austrians have finally withdrawn their troops from Transylvania.

Now Mahmud II finally has no reason to continue to delay. For the sake of Britain's eternal cause, Russia must be restricted.

Another war to block Russia in Central Asia is underway. This is also the first invasion of Afghanistan by Western powers.

In Palmerston's plan, he will use three victories to completely block Russia's exit in Asia and force it to compete with Austria and Prussia for Germany. All Britain has to do is to maintain the balance of power on the continent.

In this way, Britain can be in a position of eternal glory and independence. No country can compete with Britain for world hegemony. For this, he will do whatever it takes.

In the Great Sarakyrio Palace, Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II is looking at the report with satisfaction.

The total strength of the Egyptians was only 230,000, while the Ottoman Empire's army was as high as 350,000. The strength comparison in Syria was even 3 to 1, and there seemed to be unrest in Egypt. The original 70,000 Syrian legion was now only 30,000.

Coupled with the news that Palmerston had just sent that the Austrians had withdrawn from Transylvania, the Ottoman Empire could mobilize 300,000 troops to completely wipe out Egypt and avenge its previous humiliation.

However, Instructor Moltke poured cold water on Mahmud II.

"Your army training has not yet been completed, and it is not even at the level of a third-rate European army at this time. I still need time to turn them into real warriors."

Moltke's words made Mahmud II very unhappy, because Moltke had a very low opinion of his army, and the former seemed to always have the kind of pride that was unique to Europeans at this time.

"How many years have you led my army?" Mahmud II asked.

"Three years." Moltke replied.

"You haven't trained a qualified new army in three years. You are fired, sir." Mahmud II's tone was unquestionable.

"You will lose miserably!" Moltke left the palace without looking back after saying this.

Mahmud II really wanted someone to chop off this damn European, but he didn't have the courage, the courage to conflict with European countries.

Now Mahmud II only wanted to hang the head of the traitor Muhammad Ali on the minaret of the Great Sarakyrio Palace.

In a hidden base on the Syrian border.

"Abdul, if the Ottomans don't come within a month, I will shave your beard and tie you to a tree to dry you." Ali's eldest son, Ibrahim, said to Prime Minister Abdul.

On April 1, 1839, the Ottoman army crossed the Euphrates River and marched towards Syria.

On March 15 of the same year, the Austrian Empire army left Transylvania, and Mahmud II transferred the main force of the northern line to Syria.

On April 20, the Austrian army arrived in Novi Sad. The Bosnian Governor summoned militia to build fortifications and sent people to report to the Ottoman Sultan.