Holy Roman Empire

Who made the original owner an ascetic?Sudden changes are very likely to cause trouble.The emperor is not an ordinary person, every word and deed may affect politics.

If Franz leads a corrupt life, it is estimated that the Austrian officialdom, which has just improved, will degenerate again soon.

For the happy life of more than 3000 million Austrian people, Franz had to continue to play his role well, at most he was a little lazy.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Metternich is here." The maid's voice sounded

"Bring him here." Franz said calmly

The emperor did not have a fixed day off, and Franz was already used to being disturbed during his rest.

"Your Majesty, news just came that the Pudan War broke out again." Metternich said

After the Berlin Revolution, the Kingdom of Prussia initially reached an internal compromise. In order to divert domestic conflicts, Frederick William IV and the liberals very tacitly provoked the Pudan War in an attempt to swallow Schleswig and Holstein Two principalities.

Finally, under strong pressure from the Russians, the Kingdom of Prussia made concessions, and the two sides reached an armistice agreement.

"What's going on, did the Prussians notify us in advance?" Franz asked with concern

On the issue of the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, the Austrian government was the only supporter of the Prussians.

Although the support is only lip service, they should not give up seeking the support of Austria when European countries support Denmark one after another.

"The conditions between Pudan and Pudan are too different. The negotiations between the two sides broke down three days ago. Yesterday, the two countries declared war on each other. Only after the war broke out did Prussia inform us." Metternich replied with a frown.

Obviously, he was very dissatisfied with the Prussians' approach.Not even giving an advance notice, isn't this ignoring Austria?

Franz understands the approach of the Prussian government. Even negotiating with Austria is useless. The Austrian government will definitely not support their annexation of the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein.

It's better to create an established fact. As long as Austria does not go to war against the Kingdom of Prussia, it will have to hold its nose and admit it.

"In this case, let's contact the Russians, show our attitude, and let them do it with confidence. Austria will only support Prussia in name." Franz said with a sneer

The Kingdom of Denmark in this era has long since fallen, and it is not an opponent of the Prussians at all, but if they can't stand it, they will marry and find the Russians as their backers.

Without the full support of Austria, Prussia wants to annex Schleswig and Holstein, first ask the Russians if they agree?

Public opinion is indeed very important, but Franz doesn't mind violating public opinion once if Prussia can fight.He had thought up all the excuses, the Austrian government had no money to fight.

Anyway, the Austrian people have not cultivated the spirit of internationalism, and they will not come out to demonstrate for this matter.If anyone clamors to go to war, Franz doesn't mind using all their family property to pay for the army.

"Your Majesty, it is unlikely that the Russians will launch an attack on the Kingdom of Prussia, otherwise the Russian army would have launched an attack last year.

If we don't intervene, the Prussians are really likely to take Schleswig and Holstein, which is very bad for us. "Metternich analyzed

It is very obvious that the Russians do not want to go to war with the Kingdom of Prussia for the sake of the Danes. It is not in the interests of the Russians to start this war.

The Russians don't want to fight, let alone European countries.It's okay to shout slogans, but if you really want to send troops to fight, everyone will be scared.

Austria's nominal support has even increased the confidence of the Prussians, at least they don't have to worry about the south.

"To express our grievances to the Prussians, and at the same time to encourage the Kingdom of Prussia to fight through the German nationalists, giving them the illusion that the German people are supporting them.

Secretly contact other states in Germany. Once the Prussians occupy Schleswig and Holstein, everyone will put pressure together to force the Prussians to separate the two principalities.

If necessary, we can launch a preventive war, ceding Poland to the Russians in exchange for Russian troops. " Franz thought for a while and said

Well, this is the most ideal state. As long as the Prussians are not stupid, they will figure it out in advance. Didn't they shrink back in history?

Franz dug this pit just as a precautionary measure, in case the Kingdom of Prussia was captured, he would make a lot of money.

"Your Majesty, if the Kingdom of Prussia is to be fooled, then it is best not to have secret contacts with the German states, otherwise it will be difficult to keep secrets when there are too many countries involved." Metternich thought for a while and said

Although he didn't think Franz's plan could succeed, Metternich also didn't mind giving it a try. If it failed, the Austrian government would act in vain. If it succeeded, Austria's position as the leader of the German state would be stabilized.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can figure it out. If the Prussian government is not fooled, let the nationalists put pressure on them and try to make the Prussians last longer in the war." Franz thought for a while and said

Wars are very expensive. Every day the Pudan War is delayed, the Prussian government has to spend a considerable amount of military expenditure.

The more money spent in the war, the money that the Kingdom of Prussia can invest in domestic construction will naturally decrease.

If it is not obvious for a day or two, if it is delayed for a few months, the fiscal revenue of the Kingdom of Prussia for a year will almost be wiped out.

You must know that the revolutionary governments in Schleswig and Holstein now also need funding from the Prussians. These are pure investments and will not be rewarded in a short period of time.

Even if they win the Kingdom of Denmark, there will be no rewards. With the Russians as the backstage, the Danes neither need to cede land nor pay compensation.

Historically, under the pressure of other countries, the Kingdom of Prussia withdrew from the war in despair, and then watched helplessly as the Schleswig-Holstein revolutionary government that was supported was wiped out by the Danes.

No.17 Chapter Russia Secret Treaty

To cause trouble for Prussia, Franz just did it conveniently, and the Austrian government will not invest too much resources for it. The most important thing now is still to develop the country.

When the Putan War broke out again, the Russian-Austrian negotiations also came to an end. After nearly half a year of hard work, the two countries finally reached an agreement on their respective interests.

On March 1849, 3, Austrian Ambassador to Russia Weissenberg and Russian Foreign Minister Karl Wosselrod signed the "Russian-Austrian Trade Agreement" in St. Petersburg.

Treaty content:

1. The two countries treat each other as the most-favored-nation treatment, and the tariffs for commercial transactions shall not exceed those of the third country;

2. The two countries form a trade strategic partnership and follow the principle of free trade; (a war breaks out between one party and a third country, and the trade between the two parties continues as usual)

3,……

These sloppy commercial and trade agreements are obviously not the result of half a year of hard work by the two governments. What really deserves the attention of both parties is the secret agreement signed, including the "Russian-Austrian Military Alliance" and "Russian-Austrian Power Division".

"Russia-Austria Military Alliance" content:

1. From the date of signing the treaty, the two countries formally conclude a military alliance;

2. If one side is invaded by foreign military forces, it is deemed to have declared war on both countries;

3. When a certain country declares war on a third country, it can ask the other party to provide assistance, including material assistance and military assistance;

4,……

There is no doubt that the "Russian-Austrian Military Alliance" is a continuation of the "Berlin Convention", and it even goes a step further, except that there is no Prussia as a contracting party.

Because of the Pudan War, Nicholas I was very unimpressed with the Kingdom of Prussia. The outbreak of this war also marked the end of the era of the "Three Northern Courts".

Compared with the military alliance, the "Russia-Austria Division of Power" is the cornerstone of the alliance between the two countries. The two countries get what they need and get everything they need.

The treaty states:

1. Austria recognizes that the Russian Empire has full sovereignty over the Black Sea Strait, the Dardanelles and the coastal lands; (including Constantinople, Asia Minor Peninsula, and parts of the Balkan Peninsula)

2. Austria recognizes the rights and interests of the Russian Empire in the Far East;

3. The Austrian government recognizes the interests of the Russian Empire in Central Asia;

4. The Austrian government recognizes the rights of the Russian Empire in Persia;

5. The two countries jointly carve up the interests of the Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean Sea;

6. The Russian Empire recognizes Austria's sovereignty over South Germany;

7. The Russian Empire recognizes Austrian interests in the Danube Valley;

8. The Russian Empire recognizes Austrian interests in the Italian region;

9. The Russian Empire recognizes the interests of the overseas colonies opened up by Austria;

……

The agreement between the two parties is very clear. You support me in obtaining the area along the Black Sea, and I support you in annexing the South German states. Let us carve up the hegemony of the Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean Sea.

In addition to these core interests, as long as the interests of the two parties do not conflict, they will support each other.

Russia and Austria have reached an agreement on their respective expansions, which also means that the British-led "Straits Treaty" has been abolished. Without the support of Austria, it is already difficult for Britain and France to suppress the Russian ambitions in the Near East. .

According to the agreement between the two parties, Austria will acquire South Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, most of Serbia, most of Romania, and parts of Bulgaria.

In terms of territorial area, it is less than half of the Russians; in terms of economic development, the two sides are even more incomparable.

In this era, the Black Sea coast was a well-developed area, and the essence of the Ottoman Empire was here. However, except for the South German state, no other areas in Austria had time to develop.

Looking at the comparison of the benefits of the two sides, Franz also understood why the Russian Olympic Games turned their backs in history. The Russians took too much, and the Austrian government was jealous.

More importantly, once the ambitions of the Russians are achieved, the Austrian Empire will never sleep well again.

Originally, Franz thought that the interests of the Black Sea Strait could satisfy the appetite of the Russians, adding at most half of the Balkan Peninsula, but it turned out that he was wrong, and the Russians also encircled the Asia Minor Peninsula.

Since Mao Xiong has such a good appetite, he certainly doesn't mind pushing it. Austria recognizes that Russia has acquired the Asia Minor Peninsula, and the Russians have made concessions in the Balkans.

Franz didn't care about the sphere of influence in the Balkans agreed upon by the two parties. It would be great if he could get it, but it didn't matter if he couldn't get it, as long as he occupied Belgrade.

The current Austrian Empire does not have such a good appetite, and it can be sustained after one bite. If it weren't for the small population of the Balkan Peninsula in this era, he would not dare to touch it.

However, if Austria's appetite is too small for a full set of acting, it is estimated that the Russians will doubt whether there is a conspiracy behind it.

Franz boldly guessed that this great victory was being celebrated in the St. Petersburg court at this time.

In history, the Russians broke up the "Straits Treaty", but they sent troops to help Austria suppress the Hungarian rebellion in exchange for it.

In this time and space, the Austrian government has not been in chaos, and they have managed the rebellion by themselves. Naturally, they don't need help, and there is no way to talk about remuneration.

If the "Straits Treaty" existed, the Crimean War would not be fought later, and the Russians would not be able to single out the three countries of Britain, France and Austria.

This is also the reason why Austria was not human inside and out after it betrayed the Russians in history.From the perspective of Britain and France, if it were not for Austria's initial indulgence to the Russians, this war would not have been fought at all.

"Your Majesty, we have suffered a lot from this treaty. Once it becomes a reality, the Russians will be unstoppable!" Prime Minister Felix said with a frown

The national policy of annexing South Germany was led by his prime minister, but after seeing the price of compromising with the Russians, he regretted it.

"If the Russians don't grow bigger, do we have a chance to annex South Germany? Who in Europe wants to see Austria continue to grow?" Franz asked rhetorically

Metternich said excitedly: "Your Majesty, it is easy to let the Russians go, but it is difficult to block them back.

Besides, can we really annex the states of South Germany?

If the Russians do occupy the above-mentioned areas, and we have not eaten the South German area, then Austria will also lose its future. "

Franz said calmly: "Don't be blinded by interests. On the surface, this treaty is very beneficial to the Russians, but in fact, do you think that the Russian national strength can support this plan?

The Russians want to swallow the Ottoman Empire this time, and the Sudanese government will definitely resist desperately. Obviously, this war will not end in the short term.

The French still have a lot of interests in the Near East. It is impossible for them to let the Russians expand. If they fail to do well with the Russians' actions, they will also unite the French government to fight against foreign enemies.

Not to mention the British, for the Russians as a competitor, when did they relax their vigilance, it is inevitable to support the Ottoman Empire, and maybe they will also pull the French into battle.

Don't look at the fact that the strength of the British seems to be at sea, but they can't hold back their money. As long as the Ottomans are not dead, they can continue the war.

No matter how powerful the Russians are, they will be dragged down in the end.

Unless the tsarist government can accept it as soon as it is good, stop all military operations after occupying Constantinople, and defend it on the spot. It is not difficult to defend a fortress city with the national strength of the Russians. It will take a few years, and Britain and France will naturally give up. .

Then the Russians will gradually encroach on the Ottoman Empire. If there are no accidents, it is estimated that after three to fifty years of hard work, the goal will be almost achieved.

Such a long time is enough for us to do many things.At that time, the Austrian Empire may not be weaker than Russia. "

Speaking of the French, Franz wanted to laugh.In modern times, the Habsburg dynasty can be compared to the prodigal, and it is none other than the French.

The Ottoman Empire cannot be counted, their road to prodigal wealth has not officially started, and they are still in a large area of ​​land.

Since the 18th century, the French have begun their path of tragedy. If someone pays attention, they will find that the first French colonial empire at its peak was really rich.

Lost in the Austrian throne war, lost the Indian region; lost Canada in the Seven Years War; after supporting American independence, the anti-French war broke out in a blink of an eye, and the Louisiana region was forcibly bought by the United States. (Buy 1500 million square kilometers of land for 260 million US dollars)

This is just the beginning. If history does not change, the French will continue to lose their rights and interests in Central America, including the Panama Canal, as well as the French-dominated Egyptian region...

The French fell and directly fed the British and Americans. The latter two empires stepped on the shoulders of the French and became world empires.

Of course, the credit of the Habsburg dynasty is also indispensable here. Without their selfless dedication, the British would not have risen, and the Americans needless to say.

Franz finally persuaded the cabinet. Of course, the treaty has been signed and the deal is done, which also played a great role in promoting it.

Theoretically speaking, as long as Britain and France are willing to work hard, it is still difficult for the Russians to realize their ambitions. The weak nature of the Ottoman Empire has not been exposed, and everyone still has expectations for them.

If the Russians choose a conservative strategy and struggle slowly, then there is no need to be afraid.

Three to fifty years is enough time for the Austrian Empire to digest the South German region by the way while completing industrialization.

Chapter 18 Donation Fraud Gate

Between countries, interests are always the theme.While Franz was counting the Russians, the tsarist government was also counting Austria.

This kind of calculation has nothing to do with alliances, and everyone is doing it within the scope of the rules.Before the interests outweigh the contradictions, the alliance between the two sides is still reliable.

After the establishment of the Russian-Austrian alliance, the tsarist government relaxed its suppression of Prussia.

Obviously, after the Austrian government exposed its ambitions for southern Germany, the tsarist government worried that Austria would unify the entire German region, threatening their European hegemony, and prepared to allow the Prussians to check and balance Austria.

The most intuitive manifestation is that Russia's diplomatic pressure on the Kingdom of Prussia is not as strong as before.