Holy Roman Empire

At the beginning, the blame was given to the Russians, just to quell the adverse effects of the defeat on the front line and avoid the outbreak of a political crisis.

Because of the geographical location, it is impossible for Britain to attack the Russians, no matter how violent the people are.

Although the old men in Congress often have headaches, they are sober about one thing, that is, they have no confidence in the British Army.

They did not take the initiative to provoke a war, and the tsarist government was not prepared for a long-term war. For verbal conflicts, the possibility of a war breaking out was almost zero, and there was no need to worry about the situation getting out of control.

According to the original plan, it is nothing more than the continued deterioration of the relationship between Britain and Russia, and the diplomacy is slowly wrangling.

However, the plan did not change quickly. The Russian minister was beaten to death in public, and the governments of Britain and Russia were cornered.

The British government couldn't give a satisfactory answer to the Russians, because of political factors, it couldn't even hand over the murderer.

From the fact that the London police defined the incident as an accident, it can be seen that those guys were influenced by public opinion and did not work hard.

The British government has difficulties, so why not the Russian government?

Originally, with the defeat of the British army in Afghanistan, the power of the main combat faction in the tsarist government expanded rapidly.

Now that this thing happened again, if there is no satisfactory answer, no one but God can prevent the outbreak of war.

After hesitating for a moment, Prime Minister Gladstone said slowly: "Order the Governor of India to prepare for war with all his strength, and the country must also prepare.

The Indian colonies alone are not the opponents of the Russians. Once the war breaks out, we will send troops to reinforce the Afghan region in the shortest possible time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to make diplomatic efforts, and if possible, this war can still be avoided. "

The Afghan region has already started. For the British government, the most important thing now is to clear the place as soon as possible and re-establish social order.Going to war with the Russians at this time is a pure loss-making business.

If they won the war, they would not be able to enter Central Asia; if they lost the war, not only would they lose the newly acquired Afghanistan, but even the Indian colonies would be threatened by the Russians at all times.

……

Although the British government tried its best to block the news, the murder of the Russian minister was passed on as if it had grown wings.

It was already the next afternoon when the news reached the Vienna Palace.Franz's first reaction when he received the news was—impossible.

"A country's minister was beaten to death in public", isn't this an international joke?

The British define it as "accident", which requires people to believe it.

Whether it was accidental injury from flying rocks, or other reasons.In short, from the very beginning, the "Minister Case" has been linked to conspiracy.

As for who is behind the scenes, this question is difficult to answer.It's not that it's hard to guess, mainly because there are too many suspects.

The behind-the-scenes black hands can be the enemies of the British, or the Russians, or even the main combatants of Britain and Russia.

If you want to delve deeper, you will find that both Britain and Russia are the kings of hatred. The combined enemies of the two countries are roughly equal to the whole world.

The more black hands, the better. For Franz, this kind of colleague who hides behind the scenes must also be more vigilant.

"From the analysis of the current international situation, who do you think is most likely to do it?"

As soon as the words fell, Franz felt that he had asked a stupid question.In terms of suspicion, Austria is definitely one of the best.

In order to provoke the Anglo-Russian war, the Vienna government could do a lot.Some of these things can't even be kept secret.

Foreign Minister Weisenberg replied: "In terms of suspicion, we and the French are the most suspected. After excluding us, the most likely is the French.

However, this inference is not very reasonable.There are many ways to provoke the Anglo-Russian war. Under normal circumstances, the French government will not attack a country's minister. "

Deep down, Franz was still a little embarrassed.Thinking back to those years...forget it, let’s not think about it, the dark history that can’t see the light makes it disappear in the long river of history.

However, Weisenberg's inference is still correct. Under normal circumstances, politicians will not choose extreme measures.

After all, this is a high-risk job. If the news is exposed, it will be a big deal.Offending Britain and Russia at the same time, that would be the end of the calf.

Even if it is necessary to do something, everyone will choose to borrow a knife to kill people, and if they want to investigate, they can only find the blame man.

Franz shook his head: "Forget it, leave this issue to the British and Russian governments to worry about!

Regardless of who is behind the scenes, in the short term, it is still in our favor.

At this juncture, this kind of thing happened, and the Anglo-Russian war was almost inevitable.

Next, we don't need to mix, leave the stage to Britain and Russia, we just watch their performances. "

The more critical the moment, the less you can stand up.If Britain and Russia are regarded as the mastermind behind the scenes, wouldn't it be wronged?

This kind of thing can only be smeared more and more black, but there is no way to prove your innocence.But if you are involved in it, don't try to wash it out.

Chapter 124 Countdown to War

In St. Petersburg, upon receiving the news that Minister White had been killed in London, Alexander III was directly blown away.

If it hadn't been for the last sliver of sanity remaining, and the idea of ​​killing the British minister as revenge, the biggest political scandal of this century would have happened.

"This is the explanation of the British, clearly treating us as fools!"

After speaking, Alexander III directly tore up the document, proving with practical actions that he was really angry.

There is no way not to be angry. According to the British, the main responsibility is that Minister White's outrageous words angered the British people, and the accident happened.

The dead can't speak, and all the parties involved are under the control of the British, so it is impossible to tell the truth of the matter.

Regardless of whether others believe it or not, Alexander III will not believe it anyway.Minister White was appointed by him himself. He may have many flaws, but he is definitely not a fool.

If it is sent to some small countries, maybe it is really possible to be arrogant.But he is the ambassador to the UK, how can White have the confidence to be arrogant?

In particular, it is nonsense to admit that the Russian army attacked the British army in Afghanistan.

Not to mention that this is a non-existent thing, even if it really happened, it is impossible for the ministers stationed abroad to admit it when the tsarist government firmly denies it.

Marshal Ivanov, the Minister of War, persuaded: "Your Majesty, calm down. There is no need to break your body for the damn British anger.

When the war in Central Asia is over, we will slowly settle with them. "

Became the leader of the main combat faction, Marshal Ivanov still did not change his usual steady style.

It is necessary to take revenge on the British, and that will have to wait until the fight is over.

Turning against the British in advance, except for shouting a few times, is essentially useless, and may even increase the difficulty of the war.

The systems of Britain and Russia are different. The tsarist government controls all state power and can carry out national war preparations at any time; however, the British government must be subject to parliament.

Before the war began, the government could not directly order a national mobilization beyond the parliament.Even if it is to prepare for battle, it can only be carried out in a small area.

If you don't take advantage of the advantages in front of you, you'd be an idiot.

After pausing for a while, Alexander III nodded: "Since the British want to fight, let them be fulfilled.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does a good job in the work of France and Austria, and cooperates with the Ministry of Finance to raise more funds as much as possible.This war will not end in a short time. "

After making a decision, Alexander III still had no idea.With the lessons of the Prussian-Prussian War, Alexander III was unwilling to go to war with any big country.

However, the general trend cannot be controlled by individual will.The repeated provocations of the British have touched the bottom line of the Russian Empire.

……

On the battlefield in Afghanistan, the turmoil from the outside world has not yet passed, and Lieutenant General Patrick did not know that a telegram he shirked his responsibility could become another turning point in the relationship between Britain and Russia.

At the moment, Lieutenant General Patrick is still worrying about the increasing number of casualties.

Especially two nights ago, after the headquarters of the Seventh Indian Colonial Division was attacked by guerrillas, there was a camp roar.

"Hester, where's that idiot, why didn't he come to the meeting?"

This meeting was supposed to be about accountability, but the person involved didn't come, so it's understandable for Lieutenant General Patrick to get mad.

A young officer nearby replied: "Your Excellency, Commander, Major General Hurst was attacked by a bomb on his way to the headquarters and is currently being rescued."

This answer made Patrick's heart cold.

During the mutiny two days ago, many high-ranking officers of the Seventh Colonial Division all went to see God. If the major general Hearst, the commander, also met God, things would be bad.

Generally speaking, the dead are not responsible.On the way to the meeting, he was attacked and met God. This is also a death in the line of duty.

All the officers who could bear the responsibility were dead, and the officers below were not qualified to bear the responsibility. This blame can only be borne by Patrick, the commander-in-chief.

You must know that in Britain's foreign wars, no officer of the major general level has been killed for many years.

Even if the officers of the Indian colonial division are one rank lower than the regular army, the major general is still a major general.

The life and death of the person involved is unknown, and Lieutenant General Patrick has no intention of continuing to be held accountable.

"Understood, read the casualty report of the Seventh Division."

The young officer holding the document behind him immediately replied: "Yes!"

“营啸发生后，第七师当场死亡786人、伤565人、失踪1218人，其中军官死亡76人、伤94人。

Another 7 material warehouses were burned by fire, and an ammunition warehouse exploded..."

Listening to the casualty report, Lieutenant General Patrick's heart felt like it was bleeding, and the enemy's shadow was not even touched, and the strength of a regiment was gone just like that.

It doesn't matter if you fail or lose. Anyway, this is a colonial division. Soldiers can be recruited again after they die. The most important thing in India is people.

The loss of officers is different, and the top leaders of the Seventh Colonial Division have almost been taken over.You must know that the middle and senior officers of the colonial division are also British, and they were lost on the battlefield, but there is no way to replenish them immediately.

Once it is reported to the country, it will be another fatal stain on Lieutenant General Patrick's military career.

As for the missing soldiers, because they were all Indians and there were so many colonies, this kind of cannon fodder was worthless and was directly ignored by Lieutenant General Patrick.

"I heard it all, what happened in the Seventh Division sounded the alarm for all of us.

No one knows better than you what kind of soldiers you bring.Give me an optimistic view of the troops, and I don't want similar things to happen again.

Now the Seventh Division has suffered heavy losses and must be withdrawn to rest.In the ensuing encirclement and suppression battles, it will be up to you to mobilize troops to fill in this part of the gap. "

Hearing that the troops were going to be divided, everyone's expressions suddenly became tense.

The area of ​​Afghanistan is not small. In this encirclement and suppression plan, the defense area of ​​each army is very large, and there will inevitably be some shortage of troops. The pressure on everyone will be even greater when the troops are divided.

An older officer persuaded: "Your Excellency, our No. 11 Division's defense area exceeds one hundred London, and if we divide the troops, it may be difficult to complete the task of encircling the guerrillas.

It is said that it is known that not only the eleventh division's defense area is large, but the situation faced by each unit is similar.

The war has erupted for so long, and everyone has not rested, and the morale of the army has dropped to the lowest point since the war began.

Now it is not suitable to continue to go into the mountains to encircle and suppress the guerrillas. It is better to withdraw the troops to rest for a period of time, and then carry out the encirclement and suppression after the reinforcements arrive. "

The facts are in front of us. Since the outbreak of the war, these troops have not had a good rest.

The battalion roar of the Seventh Colonial Division had something to do with the decline in morale and the high tension of the soldiers after several days of fighting.

"Your Excellency, Commander, Major General Winston is right. The troops really need to rest. If the fight continues like this, the troops will mutiny."

"Your Excellency, the troops really need to rest..."

……

As Lieutenant General Patrick said, only he knows what kind of soldiers he brings. It is precisely because he knows so well that everyone has no confidence in dividing troops.

The sound of persuasion in twos and threes made Lieutenant General Patrick wake up, and the troops are indeed exhausted now.

You must know that these troops are not elite divisions. Being able to fight continuously for several months is already a super-level performance.

No, using "continuous combat" seems to be a bit exaggerated.But on average, there are still combat missions once every ten days and half a month, most of which are to encircle and suppress guerrillas.

For elite troops, it might not be much different than an outing.But for the Indian colonists, this is approaching the limit.

But just giving up like this, Lieutenant General Patrick was a little unwilling.It was hard to surround the main force of the guerrillas. If we stop at this time, all the previous efforts will be in vain.

The next chance, now that the soldiers have retreated, I am afraid there will be no next chance.

The London government is already very dissatisfied with the poor performance of the British army on the battlefield. If results cannot be achieved, a change of coach will be a matter of time.

Lieutenant General Patrick didn't want to go back in a hurry, so he had to submit a passing answer sheet now to let the country recognize his ability.

"The reinforcements will arrive next week, you have worked hard for so long, I believe you don't want to return without success!

Hold on for another week, and someone will replace you.Let's work hard, I believe you can overcome the difficulties..."

After receiving the good news of the arrival of reinforcements, everyone reluctantly accepted the result.After all, the arms can't hold back the thighs, and you can't disobey orders on the battlefield!

Chapter 125

The British army in Afghanistan is still working hard, and the Central Asian battlefield has already been divided. The Russians have proved with their strength that they are still the awesome European steamrollers.

Of course, this victory was announced by the tsarist government, and the outside world still knows nothing about the specific situation.

The only thing that is certain is that the Russian army has indeed defeated the main forces of the three countries in Central Asia and has taken the initiative on the battlefield. As for whether it will fall into the vast ocean of people's war, only the Russians themselves know.

Although Franz paid close attention to the war situation in Central Asia, he did not send anyone to collect information on the spot. Most of the information in the hands of the Vienna government was released by Britain and Russia.