Winter went to spring, and in a blink of an eye, 1827 passed. Although the situation in Europe was extremely tense at the end of the year, fortunately, war did not break out this year. But no one is so foolish as to believe that the crisis is over. As time goes by, the strength of various countries has accumulated more and more. Once a war breaks out, the strength will increase a lot.
At the beginning of March, the central European region was still a little cold. Due to the proximity of the ocean, the temperature in these regions will not rise as fast as the UK or western France. In Prague, the capital of the Duchy of Bohemia, which belongs to the Austrian Empire, the streets are still a little deserted, and there are few pedestrians except for groups of soldiers passing by from time to time. Due to the tense situation, the Austrian Empire deployed two legions in Bohemia at the beginning, as well as the 12th and 14th legions, but as the war got closer and closer, coupled with Bohemia's strategic location It is also very important. In February 1828, Austria sent another army to Bohemia, the Austrian 9th Army, which brought the number of Austrian troops deployed in Bohemia to 120,000. If you add the army under Bohemia's own control, this number should rise to 150,000.
In the Austrian defense line, Bohemia is on the salient, making it very important and most vulnerable to attack. To the north, it will face pressure from Poland, to the west, it will face pressure from Prussia, Saxony, and Bavaria, and to the south, it will be a new French duchy, the Duchy of Salzburg, which belongs to the fiefdom of Marshal Lanz.
At this time, in the Royal Palace of Prague, the Grand Duke of Bohemia was secretly receiving an envoy from France. This envoy was none other than the French Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Compigny. At this time, Campini was leisurely leaning on the sofa, tasting the mellow red wine, feeling indescribably comfortable and freehand. The Grand Duke of Bohemia, Frederick, had a completely different expression. At this time, he was looking at Campbell anxiously.
Couldn't help it anymore, Frederick asked: "Your Excellency, why did Francis I suddenly send an additional legion here? Could it be that our matter was discovered by them? In this case, isn't our plan Completely disrupted."
Compagni despised Frederick severely in his heart. This man with infinite power and desire but as timid as a mouse is really a complex of contradictions. Sometimes he really can't figure out why the high command would choose How about such a person as a partner? Shaking his head, he pushed the thought out of his head. Campini said: "His Excellency, don't worry. If Francis I knew about our cooperation, do you think we would still sit here so safely? I am afraid that the gendarmes who came to arrest us would have surrounded the palace long ago. So, sending additional troops is just a normal operation, and there is nothing to worry about.”
After thinking about it, this is indeed the truth, and Frederick put back the heart that had been raised in his throat. "But if this is the case, won't our plan be affected?" Frederick asked worriedly. With the safety of his life guaranteed, he was worried about the plan again, or he was worried about whether he could get the supreme power.
"It does have a little impact, but it's not big. One legion with 40,000 people can't influence the whole incident. As long as we don't make mistakes, there is no difference between one legion and two legions." Campbell said lightly.
"Oh, that's good. Your Excellency Campbell, the time has been set for five days later, that is, March 12. Do you see if there is anything that needs to be changed?" Frederick asked. He still respects Compelling very much now, although Compelling's status may not be as high as his. But he knew that if Bohemia wanted to split from the Austrian Empire and could succeed, the help of France was indispensable, and as the highest official sent by France to Bohemia, Frederick would of course have to do well. It's flattering.
"The 14th Army has been basically controlled by my people. Most of them are Bohemians, and they will definitely support us at that time. As for the 12th Army, it is all composed of Austrians and Hungarians. I am afraid that it will be difficult for us to achieve results. As for the Ninth Army, we are still working hard, and it is still unclear what effect we can achieve." Frederick replied.
"The 14th Army is stationed in the northwest of Bohemia. When the time comes, you only need to let them let go of their positions. Our French 2nd Army in Prussia can directly enter Bohemia, together with the Iberian 2nd Army stationed in Bavaria. Attack the Austrian 12th Army together. I believe that the Austrian 12th Army will not last long under the attack of 200,000 troops. But within this period of time, your troops must hold down the Austrian 9th Army. As long as your army can hold Prague until we finish off the Austrian 12th Army, then we've succeeded," Compagny said.
"Don't worry, Your Excellency Campbell. Now Prague has secretly gathered more than 20,000 people. These all belong to our Bohemian army and are absolutely loyal to my army. Although these troops may not necessarily be the Austrian 9th Army opponents, but it is relatively easy to hold Prague and not be captured by the Austrian Ninth Army." Frederick assured his chest, as if victory was at hand.
Compagnie smiled and said nothing. In his eyes, Frederick was nothing but an idiot. Even if Bohemia breaks away from the Austrian Empire, it is impossible for him to achieve true independence, because France will not allow an independent country outside France's control to appear in Central Europe. After the independence of Bohemia, its military, political and economic aspects must be directly or indirectly controlled by France. To put it bluntly, Bohemia will also be a vassal state of France in the future. Just a puppet.
Time passed quickly, and 5 days passed quickly. Fortunately, during these 5 days, no accidents happened. Except that the situation in the European continent was very tense and the various military teams stepped up their mobilization, nothing unusual happened.
On the morning of March 12, Frederick called together all the officials in Bohemia and announced his decision in the palace hall. "Ministers, as we all know, hundreds of years ago, Bohemia was a great country. But after it was occupied by the Holy Roman Empire, Bohemia became a vassal state of the Holy Roman Empire. After that, the Holy Roman Empire After the disintegration of the empire, Bohemia became part of the Austrian Empire. But, anyway, we Bohemians have been in slavery for hundreds of years. This is absolutely not allowed. Now, The time has come for Bohemia to be freed from Austrian slavery. I declare that, from now on, Bohemia will officially separate from the Austrian Empire and become an independent country, the Kingdom of Bohemia. And I, Bohemia The king of Simia, Frederick I." Frederick shouted excitedly.
At this moment ~www.mtlnovel.com~ the main hall is very quiet, so quiet that one can even hear a needle drop to the ground. Everyone stared at Frederick dumbfounded, wondering why he would say such words. Breaking away from the Austrian Empire, isn't he afraid of the revenge of the Austrian Empire? You must know that the Austrian 9th Army is currently stationed on the Elbe River 30 kilometers east of Prague, and they can reach Prague in just two hours. But then a series of orders from Frederick made them fully understand that this was not a joke, everything was true, and Bohemia was really separated from the Austrian Empire.
Under Frederick's order, the city gates on all sides of Prague were closed, and the Bohemian army with rifles on their backs began to arrest the Austrians in the city, and the defense of the entire city was also controlled by these Bohemian troops. take over. At this moment, the Austrian 14th Army stationed in the northwest of Bohemia also had a mutiny, so the Austrian officers were arrested, and the entire army swore allegiance to Frederick under the leadership of the army, and began to march towards Prague .
The French 2nd Army stationed in Prussia also crossed the border and attacked the Bohemia Mountains, preparing to attack the Austrian 12th Army with the Iberian 2nd Army.
The Austrian Ninth Army received the news of Bohemia's declaration of independence that afternoon. The head of the legion immediately sent someone to report the news to Vienna. At the same time, he began to attack Prague, preparing to arrest Frederick and others and destroy the Kingdom of Bohemia.