Chapter 268 “Patriot” Canned Beef and Potatoes

European public opinion was lively on September 2, because on this day French Napoleon III surrendered. The news of Napoleon's surrender directly caused a sensation throughout Europe. After the Battle of Sedan, Napoleon III ordered a halt to the fighting.

In the Battle of Sedan, the French suffered 17,000 casualties and 21,000 prisoners. The Prussian army reported 2,300 killed, 5,000 wounded, and 700 captured or missing.

Newspapers from various countries rushed to report, and a few hours later Vienna newspapers followed suit and reported the results of the war. However, compared to the news of France's defeat, the people of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were obviously more interested in the progress of their own army, and everyone was waiting anxiously. The outcome of the war in Italy.

At this time, Archduke Albrecht commanded the imperial army to approach the city of Venice on the Italian second line of defense. Italy's second line of defense was not as strong as the Isonzo River defense line. Although the Isonzo River defense line was not in a good position, Well, the terrain on the Italian side is relatively low, which provides convenience for the artillery of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but this is the border between the two countries. After Italy annexed the Venice area, it built the Isonzo River defense line, and the second line of defense was completely improvised, and there was no Any covering can be relied upon.

Facing the attack of the Austro-Hungarian army, the second line of defense was quickly broken. In order to preserve the strength of the troops, the Italian commander had to order the troops to retreat into the city of Venice. The Italian army gathered with the city of Venice relied on Venice's fortifications and Architecture resisted the Austro-Hungarian army.

…

"Tell me, why is there an Austro-Hungarian army in Rome? What does your intelligence department do? More than 10,000 people are not discovered under your noses? If this army is not in Rome but in Florence, how can we Don't you want to be wiped out by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in one fell swoop!" Emmanuel II angrily questioned his subordinates.

Just yesterday, Emmanuel II received the news that the attack on the Roman coalition had failed. At that time, Emmanuel II was stunned! Does the Papal State still have this fighting capacity? Impossible, absolutely impossible!

The good news is that the Papal State's army is still weak in combat effectiveness. The bad news is that it was the Austro-Hungarian army that defeated Italy.

The even worse news is that the Austro-Hungarian Expeditionary Force is organizing troops to head towards Florence. At the same time, the Papal State army is also attacking the Italian coastal defense forces on the east coast under the instruction of Lieutenant General Karl.

This is not difficult for the Papal State army, because the Austro-Hungarian Empire navy will cooperate with their actions, and more than 30,000 Austro-Hungarian Empire landing troops have set off from Trieste towards the east coast of Italy.

Emmanuel II asked after suppressing his anger a little. "Now we want to mobilize part of the army to go back to support Florence, is it too late?"

"This is difficult! Because the main force is now in Venice and cannot escape. However, we can think of a solution from the troops stationed on the French border, but we don't know if it will be late."

"Your Majesty, I think it is better for us to evacuate from Florence first and return to Turin is a good idea." said an old minister of the former Kingdom of Sardinia.

Before the Kingdom of Italy, the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia was Turin. After the initial unification of the Italian region with Napoleon III, the newly born Kingdom of Italy set its capital in Florence.

"Idiot! Now the newspapers have reported the news of the failure of Rome's recapture. If we withdraw from Florence to Turin, what will the people of the country think? What will the frontline soldiers think? If the capital cannot be defended, how can we resist the aggression of the Austro-Hungarian Empire? Who?" Emmanuel II angrily yelled.

Afterwards, Emmanuel II struggled for a long time and said, "Let the border troops who are on guard against France come back quickly and mobilize from Florence and surrounding areas. I don't care what methods you use to gather at least a force of 50,000 people." , the enemy from Rome must be kept out of Florence until reinforcements arrive.”

…

France, Marseille.

"The failure on the front line is not terrible. Although the emperor surrendered, we the French people will not surrender. As a patriot, I am willing to donate a batch of materials to the government for free. I hope they will not compromise with Prussia..." May Count Diener delivered his speech in front of the Marseille city hall, stating his position on defending his country.

There was warm applause from all around, and Count Medina's remarks won strong favor from the Marseille crowd.

At the same time, a reporter from Marseille Daily quietly photographed this scene from a distance. This photo will appear everywhere in France tomorrow, at least in southern France.

After performing in front of the public for so long, Count Medina could finally take a rest. He took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead. At this time, officials from the city hall gathered around.

"Count Medina, thank you for your support, but unfortunately we are in a difficult situation. After all, the emperor has surrendered. Now we still have to wait for news from the central government, so I am afraid that these materials cannot be disposed of for the time being." said the mayor of Marseille.

"It doesn't matter. I understand your difficulties, but our soldiers are still on the front line. Sending these supplies can be considered as support for them. After all, they are children of France..." Medina said.

"If it is acceptable to use labor supplies, we will deliver these supplies directly to the frontline soldiers in the name of the citizens of Marseille, not in the name of the government."

Count Medina's patriot character has been created very well, and now his opinions are fully respected by the Marseille city government. This is psychological respect.

As for supplies, it is a French "national" brand jointly owned by Germany and France, mainly food and medicine, as well as some daily necessities.

As a collaborator, Count Medina also has a share of the shares, so he has to give these products a name.

Just like "Patriot" canned beef and potatoes, do you want to know more about it?

…

In the evening, Leopold, who had completed this task of leading the team, began to report to Ernst on the situation in Hechingen.

"This time the Hechingen Brigade suffered more than 700 casualties, and the number of killed reached 132. Due to the front line, we can only cremate their bodies on the spot, and the ashes will be brought back with the troops, Your Majesty (King Wilhelm I) asked the Hechingen Brigade if they would consider participating in the upcoming war."

After two battles, the Hechingen Brigade can be regarded as a powerful force in the European War, especially the Battle of Davielet, which is considered a classic battle in the Franco-Prussian War. The Hechingen Brigade showed that it was even more powerful than the French army. Higher professional ability, (Hechingen Brigade≧French Army≧Prussia\u003eBavaria\u003eNorth German Federation\u003eWürttemberg\u003eBaden) so William I was still very interested in this small force.

"Bring them back!" Ernst only replied to Leopold in the telegram.

In the subsequent war, there was no need for the Hechingen Brigade to participate. After all, the French Emperor had surrendered, and the war was actually over.

With the Battle of Sedan as the line, the war between Germany and France changed from a just war to defend the country to a war of aggression, so Ernst did not want to participate.

Moreover, the purpose of training the Hechingen Brigade has been achieved, and there is no need for them to make unnecessary sacrifices. As for the so-called "spoils" of the Franco-Prussian War, they were actually various countries going to rich France to rob civilians. What kind of wealth did Ernst think? No, the other point is that we don’t want the Hechingen Brigade and those national troops to learn bad things. Once military discipline is broken, it will be complicated to correct it. In the future, the Heisingen Brigade will be the foundation for military transformation in East Africa.

The Bank of Hechingen had already made a fortune through war bonds. Just after the Battle of Sedan, the London bond market had been crowded, and before the war began, the Hechingen Consortium itself had taken a quarter of it at a low price.

"Tom! Is there any open space near the castle?"

"Your Highness, I'm afraid it's not easy to find. Apart from the mountains and forests, there are some flat areas in the castle area."

"Then clear an open space halfway up the mountain. I want to bury the bones of those who died this time nearby. They all sacrificed their lives for the Hohenzollern family," Ernst said.

It would be good to be buried near the Hohenzollern Castle. This place is relatively remote. Except for the lonely Hohenzollern Castle on the top of the mountain, there are no residents nearby, so there is no need to worry about anyone disturbing the deceased's rest.

Ernst brought most of them to Europe from the Far East, and the rest were basically orphans in Europe. The entire Hechingen Brigade can be said to be unaccompanied.

They did not have to participate in the Franco-Prussian War, but Ernst made his choice and they followed it, so Ernst also had to consider their funeral affairs.