Chapter 236 The

Speaking of the Italian issue, Franz's face also darkened. After the Austro-Prussian War, Italy took away Venice. Before that, Italy also used the same method to take away Lombardy and a number of Italian vassals of the Austro-Hungarian Empire with the support of the French. In terms of power, Italy is indeed the biggest enemy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire outside its borders.

Prussia had never won the leadership of the German region. However, Italy, a novice, was too good at taking sides, and it also took away the territory of the Austrian Empire. As a result, Austria now only has the fragile port of Trieste left. Navy, this is indeed the greatest humiliation Austria has suffered in these years.

Franz greeted Italy, Prussia and rebel Hungary in his heart. Internal and external troubles were coming one after another.

"Do you have any idea?" Franz asked.

The French are now protecting the Papal States. Nazian can be said to be the biggest promoter of Italian unification. During his early years of exile in Italy, he also joined the Italian "Carbonari" party. After Napoleon III proclaimed himself emperor in 1851, he clearly stated the "principle of nationalism" and supported the unification of Italy. In 1856, the Crimean War broke out. At the end of the war, the Kingdom of Sardinia took advantage of the rift between Britain and France to stand with the French and win the trust of Napoleon III. In order to win over France, the Kingdom of Sardinia used Savoy and Nice as rewards. With the help of France, it defeated its powerful enemy Austria, seized the Lombardy region controlled by Austria, and at the same time annexed Tuscany, which was under Austria's sphere of influence. , Parma, Modena and other small states initially unified Italy.

Looking at it this way, the geopolitical environment between Prussia, France, Italy, Hungary, Austria (Sman), and Tsarist Russia, which has a messed up relationship, is really extremely bad.

Ernst said: "The question now is whether France will lose on the European battlefield, leading to its withdrawal from Rome to support France itself."

Franz and Ferdinand looked at each other in disbelief: "You mean that Prussia can pose a huge threat to France?"

It's not that I look down on Prussia, but France is recognized as the largest power in Europe. Even the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which is also a member of the great powers, must admit this.

The impression given by France has always been that it is very powerful, especially during the Napoleonic era, when it singled out all the heroes. After Napoleon's restoration, the French army's power is still strong. It regained its position in Crimea from Tsarist Russia, and even more so in recent years. Let Austria suffer a lot in Italy.

"To put it bluntly, you yourself also fought against Prussia. At that time, Prussia single-handedly defeated the Austrian Empire at that time."

"That's different. Prussia had Italy as an ally, and the situation in the empire was not very good at that time..." Franz retorted.

"I haven't fought before, I just haven't fought before, and everyone knows the level of Italy. To be honest, the level of the Italian army in Africa may not be able to successfully win the Abyssinian Empire in northern East Africa."

"hehe……"

Franz and Ferdinand obviously didn't believe that the level of the indigenous people could be compared with that of Europe. It would be almost the same if the opponent was East Africa.

"It's okay if you don't believe it. There's no need to be weird. Just admit how inferior Italy's military is compared to yours!"

There are cases from the last war out there, and it is true that the case cannot be overturned.

"Besides, Prussia was just Prussia before, but now it is the entire North German Federation, and it is obvious to all how fast the Prussian army has grown over the years. From a rookie during the anti-French war, to a draw with Denmark, and later revenge Successful, it turned the Austrian Empire into the Austro-Hungarian Empire a few years ago, and at the same time gained leadership in Germany. Now four years have passed, the Prussian army should have reached a new height."

"You are exaggerating..."

"Am I bragging? In my opinion, I still have some say. If nothing else, the equipment quality of the Prussian army has improved a lot in recent years. After all, I am also chasing the dividends of the Second Schleswig War. Even the Austro-Prussian War brought my business to a higher level, and then the Franco-Prussian War made me a huge fortune," Ernst said confidently.

Prussia declared war on France. If nothing else, with so many troops, military expenditures must be raised. A lot of war bonds will definitely be issued, and the Hechingen Bank is now just big enough to do some business. The five billion war reparations are indispensable for itself. a portion.

"The last time Prussia fought with you, it mobilized more than 500,000 troops in a short period of time. If Prussia attacks France this time, it will probably have an army of one million troops!"

Franz and Ferdinand did not refute this time. Prussia, which integrated the North German region, did have this ability. Prussia's mobilization ability during the Austro-Prussian War was terrifying, but it was not Prussia's limit because there were many Austrian allies at the time. In Prussian territory, the Prussian railway system could not use its full strength.

In addition to the last war, the states that the North German Federation merged into were all densely populated and economically developed areas. Their population should have been close to 30 million in recent years, while the population of France was about 38 million. There was a huge gap between the two sides. Not too big, because the South German region is not included. The strength of several southern German states is not bad. The last Austro-Prussian War established Prussia’s leadership position in the German region, so several southern German states will also support it. Prussia and Bavaria alone could make up for the population gap between the two blocs.

The total population of the Little Germany region exceeds 40 million, and South Germany can contain some of France's forces without using all its strength.

"Prussia must have a battle plan against you. Although this battle will definitely not be fought, it is certain to be wary of you siding with France." Ernst teased unkindly.

I do think so! Franz said in his heart that it was actually impossible for the Austro-Hungarian Empire to participate in the war. As his foreign minister said: "The Austro-Hungarian Empire is no longer a 'defensive country' that cannot engage in territorial expansion. This country is already 'overweight' and cannot Bring anything else, earth or gold, and he will capsize.”

"If the Franco-Prussian war breaks out, I'm afraid it will be a very tragic war. The French are not terrible, because Napoleon III is not Napoleon the Great. No matter whether he wins or loses, France and Prussia will do their best from the beginning, and the Roman garrison closest to France will probably also We are going back to China to support you!" Ernst sighed: "What do you think Italy will do at this time?"

"Take the opportunity to annex the Papal States!"

"That's right, so this is the last chance for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is difficult for the Austro-Hungarian Empire to expand, but it can still cause trouble for its enemies."

"But how can we interfere in Italy, especially the Papal States? It is on the west coast of Italy. Even if we want to mobilize the army to intervene, it will be very difficult! And the French have not left yet, so we have no reason to interfere in the affairs of the Papal States." Franz asked.

"So, arrange the army there first!"

"How to arrange it? This is impossible!"

"The army does not have to wear military uniforms, nor does it have to carry weapons. You say it is an army, but no matter how I look at it, it looks like a devout believer on a pilgrimage to a holy place."

"You mean to disguise yourself as a believer and enter the Papal State! There must be a lot of people who want to interfere in the affairs of the Papal State!"

"So these two months can be arranged slowly first. The number of people must be at least 5,000 before they are safe. They can enter the Papal State in batches. As long as they can hold back Italy, the empire will almost succeed in threatening Italy from Venice."

"How to deal with weapons!"

"Of course it will be transported by merchant ships. At the same time, a special diplomat should be set up. When the French army is preparing to withdraw, they can contact the Pope in time and invite Austria to send troops. This will achieve great justice."

Franz fell into deep thought. This plan is still feasible, but the specific implementation is relatively difficult. If there is a mistake in any link, the success may fall short. This is like gambling, making Franz, the stability-maintaining emperor, hesitant.

Ernst continued to encourage: "I missed this opportunity, but I don't even have any regrets. I don't need to tell you that the countries Italy hates the most are nothing more than France and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. According to the persimmons, pick the weak ones. Based on this principle, Italy will only be more tit-for-tat against the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the future. The hatred has long been forged, and southern Austria and even the eastern Balkan Peninsula are the homelands that Italy will never forget."

"Okay, I will consider this matter, but this plan is too risky. I still have to consider it carefully. Military and national affairs are not trivial. I need to discuss the feasibility of the plan with the army first before making a decision."