Holy Roman Empire

Now that the situation in Europe is out of control, we must resolve the Cape Town issue as soon as possible, and we can abandon the Boer Republic if necessary. "

There was no doubt that Benjamin had tied the war to Louis.If the war is lost, the Colonial Secretary can be replaced.

……

Chapter 43 Napoleon III's Thoughts

After the news of the establishment of the Great French Empire spread, the whole of France was boiling.At this moment, Napoleon III's prestige reached its peak, and he meant to overtake his uncle Napoleon.

From now on, Napoleon III is no longer the second generation who relied on his uncle's bequest, but the hero of France.

However, the "hero" is not in a very good mood now, and the reactions of European countries are more intense than Napoleon III imagined.The Italy that has just been eaten may not be able to digest it.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already laid down many people. Although they have worked very hard, the news that came back is still not optimistic.

So far, no country in Europe has recognized the legitimacy of the "Great French Empire".

Napoleon III really couldn't find the jurisprudence.When the Bonaparte family was in Italy, they were ordinary nobles, and they made a fortune quickly because of their uncle Napoleon.

It doesn't matter if you can't find the legitimacy of the throne, you can also use elections to make up for it, and you can make do with it.There is no legitimacy of the empire either, yes it is not that the legal principles are insufficient, but it is completely absent.

Turning to the history books, Italy and France used to be one country in the Roman era. No matter how shameless, Napoleon III was ashamed to say that he was the heir to the Roman Empire.

Later, the powerful Frankish Kingdom once unified most of the two countries, and even included parts of Germany.

However, this empire was established by the Germans, and France has another name: the Kingdom of West Frank, but now the French don't buy it very much.

In 843 AD, the "Verdun Agreement" legally separated France, Italy, and Germany.The only connection between France and Italy is probably that both languages ​​belong to the Latin family.

This has no effect. Napoleon III dare not raise the banner of the Carolingian Empire, which means that Austria will immediately turn against them.

Moreover, this banner is useless, and most people probably don't remember this empire.People who know history will question the legitimacy of the emperor. Napoleon III has no right of succession.

Originally, Europe recognized legal principles, and now it involves interests, so naturally it will not easily recognize the "Great French Empire".

Belgium and Switzerland, which were originally attracted by the French, are now involuntarily approaching Austria, obviously frightened by Napoleon III's eating.

No way, it's different from place to place.The popularity of the Italian region is too high, and the influence caused by the occupation here will naturally not be small.

Looking at Austria's expansion to the Balkan Peninsula, the reaction of the countries is much smaller, mainly because everyone thinks that the Balkan Peninsula is a small rural place, while the Italian region is a bustling metropolis.

This impression is not wrong. The Balkan Peninsula was indeed a small rural place more than ten years ago, and the local production level stayed at the middle ages.

Wealthy areas are all concentrated in the Constantinople generation.Since the economy is backward and it was taken from the hands of heretics, it cannot be regarded as aggression.

In this regard, the European people have a good view of the overall situation. Fighting the hateful Ottoman Empire is also politically correct.

When expanding to the German region, the result is completely opposite.If it weren't for the fierce war in the Near East, Franz would have stopped decisively after taking over the South German region, and Austria would not have passed the border so easily.

If there is a choice, Napoleon III also wants to take it step by step and reduce the pressure from the outside world.

However, unlike Franz, who can afford to wait when he is young, and the years make people grow old, Napoleon III, who was born in 1808, is now 62 years old.

In later generations, this age may be the golden age for politicians, but in this era when the average life expectancy in France hovers around 40 years old, it is already considered a long life.

Seeing his health getting worse day by day, Napoleon III had to consider paving the way for the next generation.He had many illegitimate children, but only one legal son, who was born in 1856 and is now 14 years old.

At this age, it is obviously impossible to control such a big empire. The French chariot has already run far away, and it can't be pulled if it wants to.

Napoleon III thought he could manage it, but his young son had no choice.

Naturally, Napoleon III was well aware of the hidden dangers of forcibly annexing Italy, but he still did it.

The French people's desire for a great power is pushing the chariot forward, and it will be a matter of time before they continue to expand to the Italian region. From the moment they annexed the Kingdom of Sardinia, the chariot could not stop.

In particular, there are two successful examples in Austria and Prussia, which stimulated the ambitions of the French, and Napoleon III was barely able to hold the chariot.

I'm not sure how long my body can last. Once something happens, my young son obviously won't be able to control the empire.

Rather than passively expand at that time, it is better to make a move now, at least with him personally operating the market, the success rate is even higher.

It’s definitely not enough to take it slowly. If you really learn from Franz and focus on stability, you may not be able to annex Italy in 20 years. Napoleon III doesn’t have that much time.

The Italian region is not so easy to digest, and it is even more difficult to forcibly annex and digest it now. In the future, France will focus on digesting the Italian region.

During this period, there will definitely be a lot of trouble, but with the strength of France, it can still be suppressed.After experiencing setbacks, even radicals will gradually calm down and think, and will no longer blindly provoke wars.

As long as France does not take the initiative to provoke war on the European continent, there will be no danger. Napoleon III is still very convinced of this.

The only country in continental Europe that has the strength to threaten France is Austria. However, the geographical environment determines that whoever initiates the war between France and Austria will suffer.

Now that Austria has given up the Italian region, their strategic focus on the European continent will not be here.

As for Central Europe, Napoleon III had abandoned his original plans.After eating the Italian region, go to Belgium, the Rhineland and other regions to pay attention, I am afraid that they will be besieged again.

In any case, the Italians do not have a powerful country, and it is easier to rule than the Germanic people in Central Europe.

Moreover, occupying the Italian region can also strengthen the right to speak in the Mediterranean and consolidate France's rule over North Africa.

There are advantages and disadvantages, and the price is to fill up the hatred value of European countries.For a long time to come, France will be the most unpopular existence in the European world.

If the operation is not good, there may be an anti-French alliance.In order to avoid the worst situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is naturally very busy.

As soon as Foreign Minister Montero came over, Napoleon III asked with concern: "How about it, are the Austrians willing to help hold the British?"

Winning over Austria is the most important part of French diplomacy now. Without this main thug, the remaining European countries are nothing to worry about.

Headache roller, now busy farming.After experiencing a failure, the tsarist government seemed to have become a transparent person, hardly involved in European affairs.

Of course, there are too many creditors who dare not face it, which is also a factor.The tsarist government's face is still not thick enough, and at this time it is trying to reduce its sense of existence so as not to be chased for debts.

Originally, Spain's position was also very important, but they were pinched by their own people, and their brains were beaten into pigs' brains, and they didn't care about the Italian region at all.

The remaining major European countries are Prussia, Poland, and the Nordic Federation.These three countries have certain strengths, but no one takes the lead, and they dare not come to make troubles.

Now Napoleon III is trying to win over Austria to contain the British, in order to make the European countries leaderless, so as to avoid the emergence of an anti-French alliance.

Foreign Minister Montero replied happily: "The Vienna government agreed to contain the British to a limited extent, but we want us to support their actions in the Middle East, and they intend to take back the Holy Land.

Considering the importance of this event, our Minister in Vienna has agreed to the terms of the Austrians. "

The sphere of influence of the French has also spread to the Middle East, and Napoleon III also intends to send troops to take back the Holy Land to gain political prestige.It's just that I was too busy and didn't have time to do it.

Napoleon III said decisively: "Good job, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has found a way to encourage the Vienna government to go to war against the Ottoman Empire.

If necessary, you can give them a promise that everyone will join forces for the interests of the Mediterranean. The eastern Mediterranean region, including the Ottoman Empire, will belong to them, and the western Mediterranean region will belong to us. Let the British eat shit!

They also sent people to donate money to the German Unity Organization to encourage these nationalists to come out and make trouble, put pressure on the Vienna government, and lure them to attack the German Federation. "

Anyone can write a bad check, and Napoleon III was no exception.Winning over Austria to contain the British was just a trial, and he didn't expect Austria to really help contain the British.

Even if they promise to help now, maybe the Vienna government will change its mind in two days and want to join forces with the United Kingdom to do things.In the face of interests, all promises are unreliable.

Dividing up the interests of the Mediterranean has actually created an established fact since the French occupied the Italian region. It is nothing more than an extra Ottoman Empire.

However, the Ottoman Empire still needs Austria to fight it by itself, and only if it wins can it be eligible to share the spoils.

No matter how much benefit Austria can get, as long as it goes to war against the Ottoman Empire or annexes the German Federation, Napoleon III will be relieved.

He didn't know that Franz had made up his mind to go to the theater, otherwise he wouldn't worry about it.Since you don't know, the best way is to find something for Austria to do, so as not to focus on them.

Montero nodded, this is not the best choice, but it is the safest choice.As long as the Austrians move, the crisis in France will no longer exist.

Chapter 44 Strategic Contraction

Watching the diplomatic activities of the French jumping up and down, Franz just laughed it off.Obviously, Napoleon III did not make sufficient preparations for this sudden action in advance.

Otherwise, as early as a few years ago, the bargaining chips should have been prepared in advance, and at this time they have been used to exchange benefits.

In international politics, there is no problem that cannot be solved by relying on interests. If there is any problem, it must be that the benefits given are not large enough.

The benefits offered by the French this time are really inconspicuous, for example: promising Austria to annex the Ottoman Empire, it is difficult to tempt Franz.

It's not that this piece of meat is not attractive, the key is that it is not easy to digest after eating it.There are more than 1000 million people in the Ottoman Empire, how can it be so easy to solve?

Even if they can be expelled to Central Asia, the political impact of the demise of the Ottoman Empire will push Austria to the forefront again.

Even the German Federal Empire, which is close at hand, Franz can put down first, let alone the Ottoman Empire.

It was hard for the French to stand up to the thunder, and now they jumped out to share the pressure for them. How could Franz do this kind of loss-making business?

As long as the flag of the Great French Empire is flying on the European continent, Austria can develop with confidence without worrying about becoming the target of public criticism.

Unless the French can really assimilate Italy, the empire is not a threat.No matter how you try to buy people's hearts, it's useless. There are too many Italians, more people than any other nation in France.

There is also a long cultural heritage, which is no worse than the French.Except for Greece, no European country can compare with the Italians in history.

As the birthplace of the Renaissance and the enlightenment of modern thought, Italians still have their own pride, which is not so easy to shatter.

Colonial Secretary Stephen analyzed: "Your Majesty, the French are carrying out strategic contraction overseas, and our pressure may increase.

Especially in the U.S. and Asia regions, our local strength is weak, and it is very difficult to compete with the British. Next, we will also shrink in these regions. "

This is one of the disadvantages. Without the French to share the pressure, Austria does not have enough confidence to face the British in the US and Asia regions.

Asia is relatively better. The good neighbors of the Austrian colonies are the Dutch, and the threat is relatively small.Even if there is a conflict, it can still threaten their European mainland.

The Americas are different, and the Alaska region is the worst, without any ability to resist risks at all.If the British are shameless, they can pretend to be pirates and seize this place.

Patagonia in Austrian South America is also very low in anti-risk ability. Both Argentina and Chile are a threat.

A few years ago, the two countries proposed to Austria to buy this colony. At that time, the Vienna government quoted a sky-high price of [-] million Aegis, which frightened them away.

Shocked by the strength of Austria, under normal circumstances, they dare not be presumptuous.If John Bull got involved, the situation might change.

The Central American colony looks strong, but it also faces the greatest challenge. The Confederate States of America are eyeing this place, and have made tentative purchase requests to Austria many times.

The interest of these plantation owners in the land is beyond imagination. Most of the land in the United States was laid down during the Democratic administration, and the main force is the plantation owners.

It is not that they are peaceful now, mainly because they lost too much in the American Civil War, and European countries oppose their expansion.

The Austrian Central American region is not a wild land. After the original immigrants and the original residents, the number of white people in the area now exceeds 100 million.

Coupled with Indians and a large number of mixed races, the total local population is as high as 350 million, which is not weaker than a country in Central and South America.

However, it is limited to this. The possibility of developing Central and South America is very small. If there is no support from Austria, it will not be able to reach the current stage.

If you want to go further, unless you annex Colombia in South America, or Mexico in North America.This is not so easy to do, whether it is the United States of America or the Confederate States of America are obstacles.

Unless Austria puts its strategic focus on the Americas and devotes all its power to it, it will be almost impossible to do so.

In fact, the Austrian Central American region has not expanded abroad in recent years.Even for the Panama region, it is only infiltration.

Franz smiled slightly and said very calmly: "It's okay, the more colonies the better. Today, the areas that can be colonized have almost been divided up, and it's time to stop our expansion.

Not only us, but the British have actually reached the limit of expansion, but they haven't noticed it yet.

Now that the good places have been allocated, the remaining areas are either hard bones, or rotten land that is tasteless and a pity to discard.

Next, let's start the construction of the Colonial Department. As long as the African continent is localized, we are enough to deal with any challenge. "

With enough advantages, Franz naturally sat still.He didn't even mean to ask about the ongoing South African War.

Strength is confidence, and the Boers in the original time and space can make the British exhausted.Now Austria's power on the African continent is equivalent to one hundred and eighty Boer republics, so there is nothing to worry about.

The nobles who were able to gain a foothold in the African continent were not just sacks. The real waste had already died on the way, and everyone in it was killed in the flames of war.

Even Franz suspected that their military quality surpassed that of the regular army, at least the regular army had moral integrity, and they could do anything to win.

Humanity and the bottom line do not exist, colonists are equal to executioners, this is not a joke.If the crime is investigated, every colonist in the world counts as one, and they can be pulled out to shoot targets.

Maybe there are occasional wrongdoings, but it's just that they haven't had time to commit crimes.

The crows in the world are generally black, and the major European colonial empires are not like this. Naturally, no one will lift the lid.

Not doing anything to the Ottoman Empire now does not mean never doing anything to the Ottoman Empire. The last wishes of the Habsburg kings still have to be fulfilled.

Moreover, Franz is also very interested in regaining the Holy Land to gain political prestige.

Franz still took the olive branch thrown by the French, and then there was no more.With the promise of the Paris government, Austria will have an advantage when the Middle East issue is wrangling in the future.

As for the British, it can be ignored. The establishment of the Great French Empire has divided the Mediterranean into two, and it will be a matter of time before John Bull's power is squeezed out of the Mediterranean.

Even if it occupies Malta, the heart of the Mediterranean, so what?

The surrounding areas are the spheres of influence of France and Austria, sandwiched between the two big countries, the British need to invest too much power to ensure their influence.

In case everyone turned their faces one day, it would be impossible to hold on to this isolated archipelago.The more resources invested, the greater the future losses.

The fact that the Royal Navy is number one in the world does not mean that it is number one in the world in every region. It is normal for other countries to have regional maritime hegemony.

Austria was not tempted by the French, but it still contributed to the issue of containing the United Kingdom. France and Austria had a very tacit understanding of crowding out the British in the Mediterranean.

This kind of conflict is staged almost every day around the world. For example, Austria was squeezed out of the Far East by Britain and France, and even its interests in Japan were not preserved.