Chapter 431: Benefits First
In Norway, when the special envoy sent by France arrived in Oslo, the capital of Norway, he was immediately arrested by the Norwegian Ministry of the Interior and locked up for a full week. None of the Norwegian king or senior government officials came to see them. A week later, the Norwegian side still released the French envoy and sent troops to send him out of the country. Seeing this situation, the French envoy knew that his mission to Norway had failed. Fortunately, he saved his life. In fact, he doesn't have to worry so much at all. Although it is in a state of hostility with France, it is still impossible for Norway to kill the envoy sent by France. If that is the case, there will be an indissoluble hatred between Norway and France. And now, although they are on the side of Sweden, if they are really defeated, only the ruling class of Norway will be implicated, and it has nothing to do with the common people.
Norway has always been the closest country to Sweden in the Kalmar Union. The relationship between the two countries is very good, and they are still in-laws. Under such circumstances, knowing that France is very powerful, Norway still insists on following Sweden and confronting France. In order to gain a chance of victory, Norway even issued an emergency conscription order, expanding the size of the army again by 100,000 people. Of course, Sweden has also carried out a corresponding military expansion. After the expansion, the total force reached 450,000.
As winter slowly passes, spring slowly comes, and the real footsteps are getting closer and closer. Both sides are making arrangements in full swing. In order to effectively resist the attack of the French army, Sweden proposed in early February 1830 that it was going to send 150,000 troops into Denmark, and Norway would also send 100,000 troops to assist Denmark in resisting the French army's attack. But what they didn't expect was that Denmark actually rejected their offer. It is said that the Danes can protect the territory of Denmark, even if they fight to the death, they will not let the French army enter Denmark. Seeing that Denmark is so persistent, Sweden and Norway have no choice but to give up this idea. In fact, Denmark can compete with France, which is what they are very willing to see. Although Denmark and the two countries belong to the Kalmar Union, the relationship between them is not as harmonious as imagined. Denmark does not need their support, and they can just put their limited forces on other fronts.
At the end of February, in order to boost the morale of the army, Xiao Jie went to Hamburg in person and delivered an impassioned speech to the officers and soldiers of the French 89th Army Corps and officers from other countries. Suddenly, the morale of the French army was stimulated to an unimaginable height. There were even rumors that Xiao Jie would fight in person. Because this rumor was very useful in improving the morale of the French army, Xiao Jie did not stop it. Similarly, this rumor also caused panic in Sweden and its allies. Only now did they know that they seemed to have underestimated the determination of the French emperor.
In early March, more than 1.1 million troops of the French army were finally assembled. All military supplies will also arrive in the middle of the month. The French Atlantic Fleet also dispatched more than 20 warships to leave the Channel Islands where it was temporarily stationed, preparing to enter the North Sea, bypass the Jutland Peninsula, and destroy the navy of the Kalmar Alliance. On the other hand, Sweden and Norway are also actively dispatching troops to prepare to resist the attack of the French army. Denmark, on the other hand, has also assembled its national forces at the southern tip of the Jutland peninsula. Put on a posture of fighting to the death with the French army. Only a few senior generals know that as soon as the war starts, the Danish army will take the initiative to open a gap in the defense line, let the French army pass, and announce its withdrawal from the Kalmar Union and remain neutral. In this case, the cloud of war is getting thicker and thicker over Northern Europe.
"Your Majesty, it seems that France is determined to destroy our country this time. Otherwise, they would not have assembled so many troops. The French emperor even went to Hamburg in person last week." Swedish Prime Minister Guthrie said with some concern.
Gustav IV's face became more and more gloomy. The recent bad news has been one after another. At the beginning, because the United States was driven out of the Eastern Atlantic region, their aid to Sweden was greatly affected. Now, the United States only dares to benefit from routes close to the Arctic Circle and transport supplies to Sweden on a small scale, which greatly affects Sweden's war preparations. Then, France advocated European countries to form a European coalition. As expected, other countries were afraid of France and joined the French-led European coalition. In a short period of time, more than 1 million people were gathered. And the European countries that previously had secret agreements with Sweden are also vacillating.
"Your Excellency Prime Minister, you are too worried. Although we are at a disadvantage now, we are not without opportunities." Foreign Secretary Aubrey said.
"France's massive attack is just around the corner, I really don't see where our chances lie?" Guthrie said angrily. If it weren't for these guys to instigate it, perhaps Sweden would not be at this point at all.
"Although France has assembled more than 1.1 million troops, the total strength of our Kalmar Alliance has reached 900,000. Moreover, we are fighting on the ground, and with the addition of troops from other countries except France's own army, it is impossible to They are all rabble. If we really want to fight, we may not lose." Secretary of War Alfred said.
"According to the information we got, the French Navy only transferred more than 20 warships from the Atlantic Fleet. Although their warships are much more advanced than ours, our Kalmar Alliance navy has more than 200 warships, large and small. It is 10 times that of the enemy. If a war breaks out, our navy will definitely be able to ensure the safety of our sea area and prevent the enemy from landing." Secretary of the Navy Alves also said. Both of them are the main combat faction, and they strongly promote the war between Sweden and France in an attempt to make Sweden the new hegemon of Europe.
"Your Majesty, I request to send special envoys to the three Eastern European countries as well as Prussia and Austria to lobby. I believe that they are also very aware of the current situation. France clearly wants to consume their strength. I think they will definitely make the right choice ’” Aubrey said again.
Gustav nodded. He knew that the key to Sweden's victory was whether it could make other European countries rebel against France. "Do as you want. However, no matter how much it costs, we must try our best to bring as many countries to our side." Gustav said firmly.
Therefore, Sweden sent a report to the personnel lurking in European countries, asking them to use various means, including money, beauty, etc., to buy as many high-level officials from various countries as possible, so as to create conditions for Sweden and their alliance.
March 7, 1830. Inside a secluded estate in Elektrostaly, a city east of Moscow. The guards are very strict, and there are soldiers patrolling with guns everywhere. In the basement of the manor, four bearded men sit around a table. If there were others, they would be horrified to find that the leaders of the three Eastern European countries who had been fighting openly and secretly for so many years would actually sit together amicably, as close as old friends they haven't seen for many years.
That's right, these four people are the President of the Russian Federation Leonid, the President of the Russian Democratic Republic Anatoly, and the King of the Russian Kingdom Valentin. The other person is the Swedish Foreign Minister Aubrey.
"Three, your Majesty's meaning is very clear. Our four countries unite to deal with France. After defeating France, our four countries will share the benefits equally. I don't know what you think?" Aubrey said calmly . In fact, he was very anxious in his heart, but his years of diplomatic career allowed him to hide that anxiety well.
Leonid and the other three glanced at each other, and then Leonid said: "Your Excellency Aubrey, the conditions you proposed are indeed very attractive, and we really want to break away from the control of France. However, France is really It is too powerful, and the risk we take is too great. If we fail, then we will die."
"Your Excellency Leonid. The so-called high risk brings high rewards~www.mtlnovel.com~ Have you ever thought that if we successfully defeat France, you will become the real rulers of Eastern Europe and even Europe, instead of being like It's also subject to France now," Aubrey continued.
All three were silent. Getting rid of the control of France is indeed what they have been pursuing. But compared with life and freedom, they still choose life and continue to be puppets, which is better than death.
"Your Excellency Aubrey, it is a pity that France is too powerful, and our strengths are so disparate. Therefore, we cannot cooperate with your country." Anatoly said helplessly.
"That's right. France is very powerful. But don't forget, we are not the only enemy of France. In the Atlantic Ocean, there are also the powerful United States and Canada who are fighting fiercely with France. Therefore, France cannot use all its strength Deal with us. Otherwise, France would not gather the forces of other European countries instead of using its own forces to deal with our country. Of course, there is also the purpose of consuming the strength of all countries." Aubrey continued to work hard.
The three of Leonid also understood very well that France is now using the opportunity to attack Sweden to consume their strength. After they no longer have the strength to threaten France, it is not a matter of how France will fight them for the first time. . To be honest, at this time, all they care about is their own interests, and they must choose a path that can safeguard their interests.