Chapter 646 Begging for mercy

The Minister of the Italian Navy, Francisco, is a balding middle-aged man. He is not from the navy. The reason why he can sit in this position is entirely because he has a good personal relationship with King Vittorio Emanuele III.

With a layman leading the navy, it's no wonder the Italian navy is abysmal.

Francisco guarded the telegraph room of the Ministry of the Navy, waiting for the results of the naval battle. He knew that both the king and the prime minister were waiting for the outcome of the naval battle. For the Kingdom of Italy, this naval battle is really crucial, and it is directly related to the fate of the Kingdom!

"Why is there no news yet? Did we lose the battle? Then what should we do!" Francisco was worried.

For this naval battle, Francisco is actually very pessimistic. Although he is not from the navy, he is also very clear about the strength of the German navy. It is precisely because of this that he does not have much hope for the United Fleet. Although the combined fleet is not weak, the German navy is even stronger! It is almost impossible for the combined fleet to defeat the German navy.

Now, many senior officials of the Kingdom of Italy are also very dissatisfied with betraying the Allies and joining the Allies to fight. Think it's totally suicidal. If the Kingdom of Italy remained in the Allies, they would be able to win the war and share the dividends of the war. It will not be like it is now, and it is about to perish.

"Your Excellency, a telegram from General Paul." The secretary reported to Francisco.

Francisco almost snatched the telegram out of the secretary's hands, and read it immediately. However, when he finished reading the telegram, his face was already pale.

"Damn it, I really lost. What happened this time?" Francisco murmured.

Unsurprisingly, the United Fleet lost the decisive battle, and caused very slight losses to the German Navy. It can be said that the German Navy once again won a complete victory in this decisive battle at sea. However, this is undoubtedly a disaster for the members of the Allied Powers.

Francisco immediately rushed to the palace to report the results of the naval battle to King Vittorio Emanuele III and Prime Minister Antonio Sarandra. Now that the naval battle has failed, they have to prepare early. Otherwise, once the German army launches a massive attack on the Kingdom of Italy, how can they resist it!

When Francisco rushed to the palace and reported the news of the navy's crushing defeat to King Vittorio Emanuele III and Prime Minister Antonio Salandra, both of them were stunned.

"It really failed, it really failed! I knew a long time ago that if we can't beat the Germans, we will definitely fail!" King Vittorio Emanuele III looked remorseful.

Prime Minister Antonio Sarandra also had a very ugly face. Since the navy failed in this battle, their current fate of the Kingdom of Italy is almost certain.

"Your Majesty, now is not the time to regret. Since the navy has already lost, then we have no chance. Now we must find a way to preserve the Kingdom of Italy as much as possible." Prime Minister Antonio Sarandra Said.

"Yes, yes, we want to preserve the Kingdom of Italy." Vittorio Emanuele III nodded repeatedly. Although the battle was lost, the Kingdom of Italy must be kept. It has only been more than forty years since the unification of the Kingdom of Italy was completed. They said nothing to let the Kingdom of Italy go to perish and split again.

"Bring in the foreign minister. If you want to negotiate peace with the Germans, the foreign minister is the best candidate." Prime Minister Antonio Sarandra said.

In this regard, Vittorio Emanuele III certainly has no objection.

Soon, Foreign Minister Paul Boselli came to the palace. When he learned that the United Fleet was completely defeated, his face was also very ugly.

"Your Majesty, since the situation of the war is already like this, the war cannot continue no matter what. If we want to keep the Kingdom of Italy, we must hold peace talks with the Germans to end this war." Paul Bossey Lee said.

"Yes, I think so too. Therefore, I have decided to appoint you to be solely responsible for peace talks with the Germans." King Vittorio Emanuele III said.

Paul Boselli nodded: "Your Majesty, it is my duty to contribute my strength to the kingdom. However, this time we are considered defeated. If we want to seek peace from the Germans, I am afraid we will have to pay a very high price. Otherwise, the Germans will never let us go."

A trace of pain flashed across King Vittorio Emanuele III's face. He also knew that this time he might bleed heavily. Although, he was a little reluctant. But he knew that if the appetite of the Germans could not be satisfied, maybe the Kingdom of Italy would really be wiped out by the Germans. Without enough strength to preserve the Kingdom of Italy, they could only beg for mercy from the Germans. Who let the simple ghosts be obsessed with betraying the Allies and joining the Allies? This is simply asking for death!

"Talk to the Germans as much as possible, and let the kingdom pay as little as possible. In this war, the kingdom has already paid a heavy price. If it is blackmailed by the Germans again, the kingdom may not be able to persist Yes," Prime Minister Antonio Sarandra said.

The Kingdom of Italy suffered a lot in this war. The army was hit hard by the German-Austrian coalition forces in the north, and even lost a lot of territory. The navy's main fleet is now completely wiped out. Such a loss is completely unimaginable for the Kingdom of Italy, which originally wanted to take advantage of the war.

"Yes, Your Majesty, Your Excellency Prime Minister, I will try my best. However, I think we still have to be prepared to be blackmailed by the Germans. The Germans have too great an advantage in this war. If they are willing, They can even destroy us directly. Therefore, it will be almost impossible to expect them to show kindness and let us go." Paul Boselli reminded.

Vittorio Emanuele III and Antonio Salandra both nodded. They also know how unfavorable the current situation is for the Kingdom of Italy. It is God's blessing to be able to ask the Germans to raise their hands and let them go. As for the rest, I am afraid that the only thing to do is to satisfy the Germans as much as possible.