Chapter 888 Where to Go?
On the Bologna front, Bolar was knocking on the table impatiently.
Because the supplies were delayed, the Italian coalition had run out of food. In addition, there was no progress in the war on the front line, and he couldn't help cursing.
In fact, Bolar had already cursed everyone he had met, but the anxiety in his heart still could not be eliminated.
The Austrians had no intention of attacking at all, and his army could not attack at all. The gap in combat effectiveness between the two sides was too large.
And as time went on, this gap became larger and larger, because Austria waited for the artillery and rockets they urgently needed.
On the other hand, Bolar did not wait for the food he needed, but waited for a huge bad news.
For some reason, Pius IX and his cardinals came to the front line and took over the military power in his hands.
This Lapoll couldn't stand it. He didn't want to go back to being a small shopkeeper who needed to please others. He wanted to be a general.
So Pius IX was ambushed as soon as he left the city. Fortunately, the Swiss Guards around him fought bravely and saved him.
However, the two bishops who were traveling with him were not so lucky. They had become two corpses on the roadside outside the city.
At this time, a team of soldiers claimed that they were sent by Marshal Bolar to escort Pius IX to the military camp, and the Pope himself felt very relieved.
"Thank God for giving us such a loyal general, and may God bless you. Amen."
Pius IX was about to get on the carriage and go with them, but was stopped by the captain of the guard, Stefan Capela.
"Your Holiness, you said that you will pray for the children in the orphanage tomorrow. Let's set off tomorrow."
Pius IX was a little surprised when he said such a thing, but he soon understood the intention of his captain of the guard.
"Well, those orphans are really pitiful. They need me. Let's set off tomorrow."
The captain who came to pick up the Pope was a little embarrassed.
"Your Holiness, Marshal Bolar is afraid of the long night, you should leave with us as soon as possible. It's not safe here. Both the Austrians and the Roman traitors may harm you."
"Don't worry, I am God's agent on earth, they can't hurt me."
Pius IX said this with great confidence, which made the captain very embarrassed. Pius IX also saw this and said.
"Don't worry, I will tell Bolar about your bravery and loyalty to duty. I will let you be the head of the regiment in the future."
No one would doubt that Pius IX had this ability, but the captain's face was not happy at all, only an embarrassed fake smile.
His subconscious behavior made Pius IX and Captain Stefan conclude that he must have a problem.
The captain insisted again and again that Pius IX should go on the road, but the only answer he got was "tomorrow".
Back to the church's hotel in Tuscany, the captain of the guard Stefan Capela expressed his judgment.
"That guy is problematic, and there is a person in his team who looks like the bandit who attacked us before."
Pius IX closed his eyes and nodded.
Captain Stefan saw that the Pope didn't say anything, so he continued.
"Your Holiness, there are only a few hundred gendarmes in Viareggio at this time. If Lapoll really wants to harm you, he can send a larger force to rush in directly.
The Tuscans will not fight for you!"
This sentence made Pius IX's cheek twitch, but there were really not many people around him who could be used, and the things that happened in Rome before were still fresh in his memory, so he just coughed.
Captain Stefan also found that his words were not appropriate, scratched his head to apologize, and then asked.
"Should we go to France or Spain?"
Pius IX thought about this question for a long time. At this time, the Orleans Dynasty in France had collapsed. If he really went to France, this diplomat of the Orleans Dynasty might not be able to protect himself, let alone him, the Pope.
If he really became a prisoner of Avignon, it would be even more shameful. Rather than ceding land and paying compensation and being imprisoned, he might as well die outside.
In history, the Papal States had experienced large-scale turmoil. Coupled with the French operation, the Holy See moved from Rome to Avignon, a city near the French border, known as the "Avignon Prisoner".
As for Spain, Pius IX could not be counted on. Not to mention that the church there levied heavy taxes under the banner of the Jesuits, but took the lead in defaulting on the tithes that should be paid to the Vatican.
The civil war and uprising that swept Spain at this time alone were unacceptable to him, and the Spanish regent Queen Christiana was famous for her moral corruption.
As soon as the Orleans Dynasty collapsed, she tore up the engagement between her daughter and Louis Philippe's son, and at the same time tore up the IOUs for loans from France over the years.
Those bankers who were indifferent when the Orleans Dynasty fell, now regretted it.
Moreover, the scandals between the Spanish royal family, the regent Queen Christiana and her lover, and her daughter and her lover at this time could already write a novel.
Brazil and Mexico were out of the question, because their ships were not suitable for intercontinental voyages.
Going to Britain was also not a good idea, because two consecutive British ambassadors had behaved inappropriately, and Pope Pius IX felt that this was an uneducated country.
Moreover, they also owed the church tithes, and some even created the Anglican Church, which was simply treasonous.
Seeing that Pope Pius IX frowned and did not speak for a long time, Captain Stefan asked anxiously.
"Your Holiness, what should we do? Please make a judgment!"
"Go to Venice!"
Pius IX opened his eyes wide and looked at his most trusted chief exorcist in disbelief.
"Archduke Franz wants to see you. He is a truly great being. He has long seen through everything in this world."
For the first time, admiration appeared on the cold face of the chief exorcist.
At this time, Franz was returning to Venice happily after negotiating a "big business", and he also brought an army with him.
It was a bit of a waste of talent for the Hainau troops stationed in Salzburg to let these arrogant soldiers continue to defend against the Bavarians in Salzburg.
After all, Bavaria could not protect itself at this time, so where would it get the courage to attack Austria.
Franz planned to use this army to suppress the rebellion in Italy in one fell swoop, and also put an end to the farce of the Italian coalition.
However, in view of Hainau's disgusting reputation in history, he set nine points of attention and twenty-one military regulations for it.
After all, Austria still needs a reputation. If this hungry wolf is left to kill without a care, Franz's plan and the old emperor's dream will be ruined.
The Italian problem must be solved quickly, because the Hungarians are pushing too hard and the Bohemians are also committing crimes against the wind.
The most important thing is not to let the British continue to delve into the Italian problem. The two sides must reconcile as soon as possible.
Although Franz had sent people to Russia to explain the pros and cons, and Olga was very willing to help persuade her father and brother, Russia's diplomacy has great uncertainty and arbitrariness.
In order to reduce risks, it is the safest choice to directly reach a peace agreement with the British.