Australian Storm 1876

   Chapter 576

  The night is over the earth

In the Italian army barracks stationed in the valley, the largest tent in the middle is brightly lit. The long table is covered with white tablecloths and exquisite tableware and flowers. The two 12-head silver candlesticks in the middle of the table illuminate the delicious food. It has to be translucent, and it is very appetizing.

Count de Santis, the Italian commander, has an upturned Italian-style beard, and his hair is combed untidy. He sits at the top of the banquet. There is no wrinkle in his stiff Major General's uniform. He is a nobleman. A gentleman of etiquette and demeanor, he loves exquisite Italian cuisine and art. As for the position in the army, he thinks it is just a sideline.

Sitting on the left and right sides of the long table were a dozen Italian officers. Next to the Count de Santis were two army colonels, one was Colonel Pellini, the commander of the third rifle of Turin, and the other It is Colonel Campella, the commander of the Florentine Grenadier Regiment.

  Stationed in the valley are two whole regiments of Italian soldiers, commanded by Major General De Santis, the governor of the Eastern District. He looks very good today, raising the crystal wine glass in his hand and shouting loudly;

"Praise God, give us a wealth of food and wine, and wish all gentlemen present a nice day in Africa. Compared with the hot and desolate Gobi deserts and deserts, I prefer the alpine pastures here. By the way... …The climate here is also good."

  "Praise God, and sincerely wish your Excellency the general victory!"

  The officers collectively raised their glasses to toast. After taking a sip, they put down the glasses and started to dine. The soldiers and waiters behind them had white towels on their arms, carrying silver plates and serving dishes like flowing water, which looked like they were attending an aristocratic dinner.

"Well, the lamb meat here is good. It tastes a bit like Sardinian black goats. The meat is delicate and delicious. It should be good with Bordeaux red wine." Count de Santis has studied food very much. The dishes made him feel happy.

Colonel Pellini swallowed the lamb in his mouth, took a sip of the white wine, and said in deep agreement; "Your Excellency, I really admire your keen sense of smell. It is indeed better with Bordeaux red wine, but it is a pity that I am transporting it. The lack of top-quality red wine and caviar in the munitions given to us is a little inadequate."

"Mr. Colonel, in fact, I personally brought enough Spanish ham, caviar and Bordeaux red wine during the expedition. Oh... By the way, there are also Cuban cigars and Australian toffee, but unfortunately the logistic system is chaotic. Sending my private collection to Asmara, 800 kilometers away, I guess it may be on the table of your commander now, and I have to face this sad reality."

  "Your Excellency, these private collections of yours have found their proper destination. It is better to stay on the table of the Commander than to fall into the cliff with the mule."

"I appreciate your humor, Colonel Pellini. Speaking of which I have to complain about this ghost place. There is no decent road. After conquering the entire Eritrea region and the indigenous kingdom of Ethiopia, our engineers have A lot of work has to be done, building roads and bridges, laying railways and clean water pipes. God, this is a huge project."

Count de Santis is already worried about the future construction. As for the small troubles in front of him, he doesn't care at all.

  The Kingdom of Italy attacked Ethiopia in Africa, and communicated privately with the United Kingdom. London had no objection to this. They were happy to see Italy balance the powerful influence of the French in Northeast Africa, and the two sides maintained a certain tacit understanding.

The relationship between European countries has never been as simple as either an enemy or a friend. It is interspersed with various strategic trade-offs and off-stage transactions. The three-nation alliance of Germany, Italy and Austria was renewed in 1887. At that time, the biggest variable was the Kingdom of Italy. Great influence.

London acquiesced to the renewal of the German-Italian-Austrian Alliance, which actually sold out the interests of France. However, Britain gained a unanimous European position on the Balkan issue, forcing Tsarist Russia to withdraw from the dispute over the candidate for the Grand Duke of Bulgaria, and let London's favorite candidate be chosen as his wish. .

Poor Tsarist Russia used war to force the Ottoman Empire to agree to Bulgaria’s independence. This cost a lot of money and sacrificed hundreds of thousands of soldiers. In the end, the Russian forces were forced to withdraw from Bulgaria. The Tsar’s face was lost. It's so "pop", that's really crazy with hate.

  Because of the renewal of the Tri-nation Alliance of Germany, Italy and Austria in May 1887, France continued to face heavy military pressure on the European continent. It had to adopt a concession attitude in the Suez Canal area and actively reduce its troops in exchange for the British support for the Franco-Russian alliance.

  London used skillful diplomacy to dance on three eggs, without a single shot, once in exchange for major political benefits, maintaining the basic strategy of the balance of power in the European continent.

   acquiesced in allowing Italy to colonize the Kingdom of Ethiopia, which is tantamount to a benefit given, and both Britain and Italy have a tacit agreement on this.

Count de Santis may not be considered an excellent military commander, but he is definitely a politician with a keen sense of smell.

"Your Excellency, although we are heavily suppressed, Australians are not aboriginal black Africans, and Xi'an-City is a famous gathering place for mercenaries. The folk customs are sturdy and unruly. Will be willing to give up the Assab and Ede areas in their hands, and the two sides can easily wipe their guns and get angry." Colonel Campela looked worried.

Count de Santis raised his eyebrows after hearing this, and put down the silver fork in his hand quite displeased, took up the white napkin and wiped his mouth, said with an elegant expression; "Mr. Campella, I want to emphasize Regardless of whether they agree or not, we will bring the Assab and Eide regions, and maybe even the Djibouti region if possible. At least Italians must be allowed to have special treatment, such as business or settlement. This is where we came. The purpose of this ghost place."

  "Your Excellency, if there is a conflict..."

   "Then destroy them, it's very simple." Count de Santis replied loudly, drew warm applause from the officers at the table.

   "Thank you gentlemen, I am proud of you." Count de Santis greeted him politely, his face was radiant and proud.

At this moment

  A lieutenant on duty quickly walked into the military tent, came to the general’s side, leaned down, whispered a few words softly, and then presented a letter with both hands.

Count de Santis opened the letter and read it, his face turned blue, and he roared loudly; "Damn Australians, this is an offense that must not be allowed, and they must pay for it."

  After speaking, he slammed the letter on the table.

The anger of General    changed the pleasant atmosphere. The officers put down their knives, forks and wine glasses one after another, their expressions became serious, and they had a bad premonition.

Colonel Campella picked up the letter and looked at it. This is a solemn warning issued in the name of the Somali Provincial Vigilantes. The wording strictly requires the Royal Italian Army to withdraw from the Ede area, abide by international conventions, and recognize the factual occupation of the area by the Vigilantes. , And shall not use any excuses to delay, buckle or stay.

  Especially annoying is that the militia restricted the Kingdom of Italy army to withdraw from the Ede area within one day, otherwise it would be regarded as an invasion.

No wonder the general's nose is crooked. It feels like a kindergarten kid standing there with his hips akimbo and saying; "Hey, you guys get out of my territory now, because the kid is about to start playing games, I'm counting down to 5 now. , Do not leave at your own risk!"

  Well, it's almost this funny feeling.

Count de Santis whipped out his luck. He was so angry with this serious warning that he could not take care of the elegant aristocratic demeanor.

Colonel Campela silently passed the letter to the officer next to him. After reading it, the officer flushed with anger, opened his mouth and was about to say something. He closed his face tightly when he saw the general's pale face. , Changed hands and continued to pass the letter down.

  After watching them one by one, they were all angry and inexplicable.

   "Go to war!"

  I don't know which aristocratic officer called out first, and then other aristocratic officers also echoed in unison. The sound of "war" came from the brightly-lit big tent, which was really exciting.

  It was all clamor for a while, and there was a uniform "war, war, war..." in the big tent.

  Military heart is available!

Count de Santis nodded approvingly, stood up, looked at the direction of Ed Town firmly, and said loudly with a firm look in his eyes;

  "It’s really a group of infidels who don’t know how to awe, uphold the will of God, let us purify them with the light of heaven, and now I order as the governor of the Eastern District;

   Tomorrow morning, the whole army will attack the town of Ede, crush all Xiao Xiao who dares to resist into powder, and dye the red flag with the blood of the enemy, demonstrating the majesty of the Kingdom of Italy. "

   "Yes, Your Excellency General."

  A group of officers responded in unison, shaking the valley.

  I have to say that Italians are indeed an optimistic and romantic nation. They have never lacked a good appetite, and they have a fascinating self-confidence. When their minds become hot, they will do incredible things.

  The original plan was to use force to suppress people, but now after being agitated, he wiped off his sleeves and went into battle shirtless.

  For these Italian aristocratic officers, honor is more important than life. If they are frightened by this gang of Somali militias and then return, it is better to wipe their necks clean, and you will not have the face to see people in the future.

In most of the feudal kingdom armies in Europe, all officers came from the children of the nobles. This was the case in Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Italy was no exception. With or without talents, you can be a natural officer, and even ordinary civilians who are pedantic, they can only be honest soldiers.

  Since this change has occurred, the dinner can no longer continue.

  Fortunately, all aristocratic officers have almost eaten them. They are enthusiastic about the battle in the big tent, and the clamorers are killing the Australians, and they are very happy first.

After receiving the order,    broke up in a rush, and each went to prepare not to mention it.

  The night is shrouded in the valley barracks, faintly revealing a different atmosphere of silence than usual, waiting for the dawn...

  (End of this chapter)