Holy Roman Empire

Although France is one of the three major powers, it has fallen behind financially.Regardless of the fact that France's fiscal revenue is no less than that of Britain and Austria, it is because everyone's calculation methods are different.

Taking Austria as an example, the central government's finances are separate from those of the state governments. There are only a few taxes included in the fiscal revenue, and most of the fiscal revenue stays in the hands of the state government.

In Britain, too, the taxation of the London government was likewise divided.Otherwise, there would only be an annual income of 8000 to [-] million pounds, and the navy would take half of it, and the rest would not even be enough for the salaries of public officials.

Among other things, the Indian colony alone spends tens of millions of pounds in maintenance costs every year, and the colonial expenditure of the British Empire is an astronomical figure.

On the surface, France has the highest fiscal revenue, which is almost the sum of Britain and Austria. In fact, they are the poorest.

The high fiscal revenue is the result of being unified into the central financial settlement.All expenses need to be allocated by the central government. It seems that the government has a lot of money, but in fact it is just a hand.

Foreign Secretary Dumbledore replied: "The embassy in Vienna has received news that the Austrian Navy recently submitted a military expansion plan to the government, which has entered the stage of government discussion.

Perhaps stimulated by the Russo-Prussian War, the Austrians gave up their European hegemony. At this time, they proposed to limit the army's armaments, which may be a precursor to the shift of strategic focus to the sea. "

Napoleon IV was not surprised that Austria's strategic center of gravity shifted outward. In fact, some people in the Paris government also proposed to abandon the European hegemony and shift the strategic center of gravity to the sea.

"Do you think it's necessary for us to follow up?"

There is no doubt that the result of the follow-up is to agree with Austria's proposal, and everyone will limit the size of the army together and invest the saved money in the navy.

Secretary of the Navy Hamdi Halbovi replied first: "Your Majesty, the European continent is really too small, there are more than a dozen countries in a mere corner, and the most powerful countries in the world are gathered here.

It is too difficult to make a difference in continental Europe. With the same investment of resources, we can earn ten times and a hundred times overseas.

Facts have proved that the future of the world lies in the ocean, and whoever controls the sea power controls the world. "

"If your so-called benefit is territory, then I have nothing to say. The cost of expanding on the European continent is more than enough to obtain ten times the size of colonies overseas.

It's just that there are differences between land and land. Can the land of the colonies be compared with the land of the European continent? ’ retorted Army Secretary Patrice McMahon

Axiology, this is the most common view.Almost all Europeans feel that European land is more valuable.

Secretary of the Navy Hamdi Halbovi shook his head: "The overseas land is not inferior to Europe, but it has not been developed. All the resources we need can be obtained from overseas, but this is impossible in the European continent.

Even if it is impossible to develop and reduce the value of overseas colonies, quantitative changes lead to qualitative changes.With the same investment, the income obtained from overseas colonies definitely exceeds the expansion on the European continent. "

This is a fact. The investment on the European continent does not necessarily pay off, and overseas colonial expansion basically pays off.

In continental Europe, France must be cautious. If you are not careful, you will be beaten by gangs. The Paris government dare not even take a big step.

Overseas is different. France's strength overseas is sweeping, and it basically has no decent opponents. Its competitors are only a few colonial empires.

Compared with the timidity on the European continent, it can be done overseas if there is a disagreement.Anyway, there are a lot of colonial conflicts, as long as you don't have too much fun, you can't trigger a big war.

……

Chapter 294 So Much

Army armaments are limited and there is nothing to keep secret.In addition to the British people living abroad, other European countries are beneficiaries.

The Prussian-Prussian War affected not only the two belligerent countries of Prussia and Russia, but neighbors also expanded their armaments one after another, and the size of the armies of all countries expanded to varying degrees.

This is a bad start by Austria. In order to ensure its own security and have the ability to intervene in wars at any time, the Vienna government took the lead in expanding its military, which then triggered a chain reaction.

So far, the size of Austria's army has swelled to 94.7, and it is not too much to claim a million troops.

While expanding the active forces, the Vienna government also mobilized a large number of reserve forces in the name of training.

If Franz is willing, two or three million troops can be formed within a week, which is enough to deal with various emergencies.

There is no way, the trust between people no longer exists these days, so I have to prepare for the worst.

In the Prussian-Russian War, if one side easily won the war, no one can guarantee whether the other party will become inflated and do stupid things like sneak attack on Austria.

Franz didn't like to entrust his safety to others, so he naturally wanted to expand his strength.

In addition to security considerations, there is also the issue of debt.Collecting bills is not an easy job these days, who knows you if you don't have the strength?

Now that Russia and Prussia are both losing, Mao Xiong, who is the winner, has no capital to renege on his debts. The Tsarist government seems to be very peaceful, so naturally there is no need to use force to collect debts.

At the moment when anti-pacifism is prevalent, the Vienna government's proposal of disarmament at this time is completely in line with the mainstream of the times.

The only ones who are unhappy are probably the British. If everyone does not cut military expenditures, the Army spends less money, which means that the Navy can get more money.

Combined with the current international situation, if the purpose of Austria is not known, the London government does not have to mess around.

If you know it, you know, it is very difficult for the London government to destroy it at this time.Disarmament is what everyone expects and is in the interests of all parties. It is not something that can be made to give up with just a few words.

……

Downing Street Prime Minister's Residence

Foreign Secretary Edward: "The Prussian-Russian War was too tragic, European anti-pacifism was on the rise, and the European people felt extremely insecure.

The Austrians have chosen a good time. At this time, the proposal of disarmament is probably not just for the sake of disarmament. There are various signs that Austria is preparing to establish a new international order.

Disarmament is just an excuse to hold an international conference. While limiting the size of the army, they should also sign a security treaty with European countries.

Most European countries lack a sense of security. No one can reject such a treaty. The only ones who have the strength to obstruct it are the French.

It's just that European countries have always been very wary of the French, and most countries regard them as the source of turmoil in Europe. At this time, the French government may not have the courage to jump out and stop them.

According to the news from Paris, the French have agreed to Austria's disarmament plan. It is estimated that after the Prussia-Russia negotiations are over, Austria will hold an international conference to establish a new continental European balance system.

Originally, it was a good thing that the European continent had stabilized, but the situation is different now. The strategic focus of France and Austria may have shifted outward.

If our inference is correct, it won't be long before a new round of naval arms race begins, and then Britain will face the cruelest challenge. "

The hatred value of the French is too high, and it will not be able to calm down in a short time.This is doomed to the new continental balance system, they can only be participants, not leaders.

Everyone knows that after the Russo-Prussian War, the European political landscape will be reshuffled, and the London government must also be prepared.

The original plan was to woo the French to establish a new European order after the birth of the North German Empire, but they were one step too late, and Austria took the lead.

Prime Minister Benjamin nodded: "If the Austrians' plan is successful, this will be the third Vienna system.

If we mess with them now and win over the French, is there any chance of building a continental system with Britain at its core? "

Foreign Minister Edward shook his head: "This is very difficult, not to mention that we have not yet won over the French, even if we have the support of the Paris government, the success rate will not exceed one-third.

In recent years, our influence in continental Europe has declined dramatically.Especially after the Russo-Prussian War, the Kingdom of Prussia we supported was abolished, and the right to speak declined even more.

The French are even worse, their strength is not weaker than Austria, and their influence is not weaker than the Vienna government, but their influence is mostly negative.

Part of it was left by Napoleon, and the other part was the price paid for the annexation of Italy.Apart from Spain, the French could find no other ally on the European continent.

Judging from the information we have received, Franco-Spanish relations are also gradually cooling down.If a new international order is to be established, I am afraid that the Spaniards may not support them. "

Politics is very realistic. Britain's chess piece in the European continent has been abolished, and its ability to interfere in the European continent has dropped significantly. Naturally, everyone will not buy it.

The French have been drawn in, and while increasing their influence, they must also accept the negative influence brought by France.

For example: Belgium, Switzerland, and the German Federation, these countries threatened by France, can't help but stand on the opposite side.

Even if the British can barely pull them over, don't expect others to contribute.

It is useless to promise more benefits. As long as France does not give up its spying on them, the problem cannot be solved.

As for letting the French go?

Just think about it. You have not experienced social beatings, and you have successfully annexed the Italian region. It was the time when the French were at their most inflated. Why should they listen to the British?

The honeymoon period of Anglo-French relations has long since ended. The Anglo-French feud that had been covered up by time has appeared again and again in the newspapers of the two countries, which is enough to explain many problems.

It is simply impossible for the French to give up their strategy and continue to be their younger brothers.

No matter who is the emperor, the relationship between Britain and France must turn cold, otherwise the overflowing nationalism will collapse the Paris government.

After the Franco-Prussian War in the original time and space, Britain and France have fought against each other for many years. If it weren't for the successive stupid moves of the Second German Empire, Britain and France would not be able to stand together.

Now France does not feel threatened, so the relationship between Britain and France must deteriorate.When it comes to politics, interests determine everything.

After thinking about it secretly, Prime Minister Benjamin sighed helplessly: "Forget it, the establishment of an international order as soon as possible is also a good thing for Britain. If Austria wants to lead, let them lead!

With the treaty binding, our next plan for North Germany will be smoother.The international order has just been established, so the Vienna government can't slap itself in the face! "

Leading the new European order, the benefits that can be gained are not only prestige, but more importantly, selling one's own ideas.

Everyone needs packaging, and a good packaging can make it easier for people to succeed in social life, and the country is no exception.

Great power competition is all-round, and politics, economy, military, culture, and ideology are all indispensable.Leading the establishment of an international system is undoubtedly the fastest way to spread one's own influence.

The Vienna government has rich experience in this regard, and has had two successful experiences. Franz naturally wants to copy it for the third time.

……

The blood in St. Petersburg hadn't dried yet. Not long ago, there had been a big cleansing here, and thousands of big shots had fallen to the ground.

All those suspected of participating in the assassination case were thrown into prison by Aleksandrovich. Of course, the removal of dissidents was indispensable.

How the list came about is another unsolved mystery in the history of the Russian Empire.

After the arrest and further investigation, the case progressed much faster.Of course, a lot of bad things were involved. In short, everyone deserved what they deserved, and they were all taken out and killed. Basically, there was no wrongdoing.

There are too many people involved, it is definitely impossible to kill all of them.A lighter sentence is unavoidable, as long as you are not involved in the assassination case, other issues are easy to discuss.

Even if thousands of people were wiped out by Alexandrovich's order, there is no way that Alexander II was assassinated so many times, and there were more than a few participants.

Hundreds of assassination cases, if any one of them was involved, it would all be one word - death.

In addition to the revolutionaries, many capitalists and nobles were involved and were sent to see God together.

The tradition of not killing nobles does not apply here, and no one dares to intercede on this issue.

According to normal circumstances, Alexandrovich has long been notorious for massacring so many people at one time, including hundreds of nobles. This time is an exception.

Most of the mainstream European media praised his just actions.The most powerful aristocratic group in Europe lost its voice collectively.

Including nobles within the Russian Empire, it was rare to remain silent.No matter what he thought, he must not say that Alexandrovitch was doing something wrong.

Killing the king is definitely a big taboo, no matter whether it is successful or not, it is a heinous crime.At this time, if you jump out and make noise, you must first consider the reaction of your own monarch.

Even though Aleksandrovich killed a lot of people, the real culprit is still not solved.

However, the person who hindered the investigation was found out.It's a pity that these guys are not conspiring.

The main reason for hindering the investigation is that there are too many assassination cases about Alexander II. They were either actively or passively involved. They were afraid that they would be involved in the in-depth investigation.

Looking at the investigation report in his hand, Alexandrovich behaved very strangely, he didn't react at all, as if nothing happened.

The heads of thousands of people fell to the ground, which seemed to be very powerful, but in fact, very few people were really involved, and most of them were ordinary people.

Many of the involvements were not too deep, and most of them were dismissed or exiled by Crown Prince Alexandrovich. They were really killed only because they really participated in the regicide case.

If it was an ordinary assassination case, the result of the handling was obviously serious, but when it came to the "regicide case", Alexandrovich's handling was too light.

Although there is no such thing as killing the nine clans in Europe, it is definitely not too much to kill the whole family after participating in the regicide case.

Those who were implicated by relatives and friends, or unintentionally provided assistance for the assassination, even if their heads were not beheaded, their titles of nobility would still be removed.

None of them happened. Most of the more than 100 nobles who were executed planned or conspired with others and took action, and those who helped silence the investigation and hindered the investigation.

If it is true that the number of nobles wiped out by clicking is less than one-tenth of that killed by Franz during the Vienna Revolution.

Of course, this is not a concept.The impact of killing someone with a borrowed knife is definitely different from killing someone himself.

But compared to the assassination of the Tsar, it is still too light.Just like the original time and space, Crown Prince Alexandrovich just "raised high and lowered gently", and did not come to a nationwide purge.

Putting down the information in his hands, Alexandrovich said lightly: "Let's stop here, announce to the public that the Narodnaya Volya Party did it, and then just conduct a secret investigation."

……

Chapter 295

With the end of the Russo-Prussian War, Frederick's marriage was also put on the agenda, which was also a big event for Austria.

Hanover has been unable to grasp the German Federal Empire for a long time, and the Principality of Baden has made great contributions. Without them leading a group of small states to fight against the central government in the Imperial Parliament, the German Federal Empire would not be so divided.

Of course, Austria has also made great efforts here.Without the support of the Vienna government, the Principality of Baden has not been able to attract so many allies.

The marriage at this time is actually Franz's encouragement to the Principality of Baden, telling them not to be cowardly, and continue to fight against Hannover, and Austria will support it if something goes wrong.

This support is particularly important at a time when the British are messing with the North German Empire.Otherwise, after Hannover and Prussia formed a dual kingdom, those small states really couldn't stand it.

In fact, Franz is also very conflicted now.

On the one hand, he did not want to see the North German Empire being integrated, which would make unification more difficult; on the other hand, he wanted to use the hands of George I to clean up this bunch of small states, so as not to cause trouble for the future.

Supporting the Principality of Baden is also a last resort. Although there are many states in the German region, they are basically a group of small beans, each weaker than the other. Most of them are at the level of mayors, and even village heads.

The Duchy of Baden is also a tall man selected from the short ones, and its comprehensive strength is almost half that of Hannover. With the support of Austria, it can barely compete with one or two.

No matter how small the family is, it has the status of an independent state and has at least one vote in the Imperial Parliament.