Chapter 237 is small, and the layout is small.
Replacing France as the protectorate of the Papal State, and criticizing Italy in public opinion in the name of religion, the most important thing is to delay the process of Italian unification, which is a huge temptation for the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Although the area of the Papal States is small now, it is not other areas, but Rome, one of the most economically developed areas in Italy, and its cultural history and political status are unrivaled in Italy. The most economically developed are Venice and Lombardy, the former lands of the Austrian Empire.
Ernst only proposed a rough plan. If he wants this matter to become a reality, he needs professionals to perfect the details. If he can attract Franz's attention, it means that this matter is half done.
…
"Ernst!"
Ferdinand, who had just walked out of Schönbrunn Palace, called his future son-in-law to stop.
"Father-in-law, what's wrong?"
"Do you have any enmity with the Italians? Come up with such a bad way!"
"Hahaha, how is it possible, Italy has not offended me, and the scale of my business dealings with Italy is not small, how could I have any objections to them."
"You are a businessman. According to your old style, you will definitely be unprofitable. There must be some reason for you to cheat the Kingdom of Italy so much."
"Nonsense, where did you hear the rumors? I have always operated with integrity, and friends and businessmen are willing to cooperate with my companies, and the business they operate has always been legal and compliant. It is not comparable to those unscrupulous capitalists. You tell me the person who spread the rumors, and I will definitely give him some color!"
"Frantz said it."
"Forget it, but being an emperor shouldn't be black and white."
"What is the reason that allows you to take the initiative to dig a hole for Italy?"
"Don't think about it, the reason is very simple. East Africa needs a strong Austro-Hungarian Empire, not a strong Italy. It's that simple." Ernst interrupted Ferdinand.
"Well, that's right! It seems that I'm thinking too much. By the way, what did you mean when you said in Schönbrunn Palace that you can make a lot of money if the law is popularized?"
Compared to politics, money is not less attractive to Ferdinand. If someone else said this, Ferdinand would definitely not believe it. Ernst has a talent beyond ordinary people in this aspect.
"If you want to make a steady profit without losing money, just buy bonds issued by the Prussian government."
"You don't like France so much!"
Ernst's words are tantamount to saying that France must be defeated, or else Prussia will take the lead in repaying its debts? The military expenses spent in the previous wars have not yet been paid off.
"France also has a slightly stronger army than the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and has no obvious advantages over the Austro-Hungarian Empire in other aspects. How can it fight against Prussia?"
"Although I am an Austrian and a member of the Habsburg family, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is far behind France, and the Hungarian issue alone is very difficult."
"Do you think that France is also monolithic? Now there are three royal families in France. The Orleans and Bourbon families are all opponents of Napoleon III, and France also has the largest reactionary group—the republicans."
Ernst said that the French republicans are reactionary groups and they are all light. A big capitalist spokesperson government that colluded with enemy countries in the war and brutally suppressed the people can enter the top two most disgusting governments in France, and the other is from World War II. of the French government.
"You mean the French will backstab Napoleon III?"
"Those people's bones are soft, and it's okay to play with a tailwind. As long as Napoleon III makes a slight mistake on the front line, these idiots will definitely do bad things." Ernst said.
To be honest, Napoleon III, the emperor, was quite capable. France did develop impressively under him. In terms of national strength, France was indeed superior to Prussia. However, during the Franco-Prussian War, the operations of the French rear government called them insects and praised them.
Napoleon III is still not cruel enough, but if he is half as decisive as Napoleon, he will not be backstabbed by his subordinates.
…
Schönbrunn Palace.
"Go and call the generals from Vienna."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The main high-ranking generals of the empire in Vienna gathered at Schönbrunn Palace before dusk.
"It is definitely necessary to fight, but it is difficult to control the time."
"Suppose the Franco-Prussian War will break out in two months!"
"Your Majesty, it should be impossible!"
"You first say whether there is such a possibility."
"There is definitely a possibility. France has always been loyal to the German region, and Prussia is not good at it. The size of its army has always remained at the upper level."
"Then, suppose the Franco-Prussian War broke out suddenly, what should we do in the Austro-Hungarian Empire?" Franz asked.
"Uh, to be honest, it's better for our Austro-Hungarian Empire not to end early."
"But if we don't end early, we won't get anything. We can only sit back and watch one of the law-enforcement players enjoy exclusive spoils."
"Then what can we do? Our odds of winning will not be too high if we join the battlefield, and the risks and benefits are completely out of proportion."
Seeing the fierce quarrel among his subordinates, Franz remained silent. Austria had indeed fallen, and the attitude of the generals towards Prussia and France became blurred, in other words, they were not confident enough.
"Okay, don't discuss this matter anymore, what if we don't stand on the Franco-Prussian War, but open a new battlefield?" Franz said.
"Huh?" The Austrian general was completely confused by Franz's words!
"Just imagine, if the Franco-Prussian War broke out, would a country be ready to move."
"Your Majesty, you mean England!"
Frantz shook his head and said: "I have already said that if we don't discuss the matter of the popularization of the law, the empire will not interfere with the popularization of the law this time, but if the popularization of the law really starts to fight, Italy will not be idle."
"Italy? Could it be that His Majesty is referring to the Papal State!" A keen general immediately noticed the elements.
"Yes, if the Franco-Prussian war breaks out..." Franz explained Ernst's analysis and plan in detail.
"Do you think this plan is feasible?"
"Intervene in the Papal State to prevent Italy from unifying the Apennine Peninsula! It doesn't seem too difficult if it's just this goal."
"What's in it for us?"
"Italy's disunity is the greatest benefit to us. I think Italy's threat to the empire is much higher than that of Tsarist Russia and Prussia. A unified Italy will definitely be detrimental to us. Apart from the navy, it may also have ambitions for the Balkans." Commander Wilhelm von Tegerthof said.
The Ottoman Empire can actually be counted, but the Ottoman Empire has only paper strength, and the actual cost is not worth it.
"Well, if the operation is aimed at Italy, I think the plan is still too small. Can we take this opportunity to regain Venice?" An army general suddenly suggested.
His words instantly opened the minds of the generals of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
"That's right, this is an opportunity. If the Franco-Prussian War breaks out, then Italy will have no backing. In order to win us over, France and Prussia..."
"Wonderful! We all know the fighting power of Italy. If it weren't for the support of the French popularization in the past few times, it would have been impossible to pose a threat to us."
"Your Majesty, since we want war, we should act now. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
The military generals who were obsequious to France and Prussia just now suddenly changed their style of painting, as if the Austro-Hungarian Empire was in sight of victory, and Italy became the meat on the chopping board.
Morale is available, Franz is very satisfied, the Austro-Hungarian Empire is at the bottom of the four major powers, and it is more than enough to fight an Italy. Now it is time to send personnel and weapons to the Papal State.
As long as the French army retreats and the pope reaches an agreement with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, there will be an excuse for war. At the same time, as the generals said, Venice may not consider taking it back.
As for the risk, even if the front line is not advancing smoothly, it is impossible for Italy to counterattack into Austria, but if it succeeds, then Venice...
Venice is too attractive to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As for the population problem, if there are too many lice, it doesn't itch, and if there are too many debts, it doesn't worry. Isn't that kid Ernst going to emigrate? When you arrive, pack up the opponents and send them to him, so as to contribute to the development of Africa.
"Now, you come up with a detailed plan. This operation must not attract the attention of interested people. When the time comes, we will catch the Kingdom of Italy by surprise."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" This time everyone is the main combat faction.
(end of this chapter)