In the Middle Ages, people drew cards to be promoted to nobility.

Frankfurt, Würzburg Palace.

A closed-door meeting, limited to the emperor and cabinet members, was held quietly as the Bavarian Crown Prince Ruprecht returned from the New World.

The old emperor sitting on the throne slowly said: "Everyone, this is the agreement reached between Crown Prince Ruprecht and the Texans during his trip to the New World. What do you think?"

Everyone looked at each other in silence. The Prime Minister of the Cabinet was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, Texas is just a small border country, but the Empire is the Roman orthodoxy, the hegemon of Central Europe. The status of the two is not equal at all, and there is no prerequisite for cooperation. What's more, Your Majesty As the guardian of the Catholic Church, cooperating with a wolf country might damage your reputation?"

The Foreign Secretary also frowned and said: "The minerals in Texas are indeed in short supply for the empire, but in order to cooperate with Texas and turn against our allies, is it not worth the gain?"

"cough!"

The Minister of the Navy couldn't help but interrupt: "Colleagues, according to the observations of intelligence personnel, the warships of Britain and France have already used the most advanced magic stone power. Only we are still studying how to use the inferior power that Britain and France have long eliminated. Magic stone ore powder is used as a power source for battleships. Do you plan to let our navy use such battleships to protect the empire’s maritime borders and overseas colonies?”

The Secretary of War nodded slightly: "I agree with Gustav's view. We must not only cooperate with the Texans, but also make it a protectorate of the empire as much as possible, and move some immigrants there. In a few years, A new Germany will be born in America."

The ministers of land and sea shared the same hatred, which made everyone look at them for a while. You must know that the former is the main supporter of the "land under the sun" theory, clamoring for the expansion of the navy and overseas conquests.

The latter is a supporter of continental army doctrine, demanding that the expansion direction be focused on the Balkans and the Apennine Peninsula, and accumulating strength to prepare for war with the "Franco-Russian Entente".

The two are incompatible. After all, there is only so much military expenditure every year. If you allocate more to the other party, you will have less.

The Minister of Finance also said: "The energy crisis has become the biggest factor restricting the industrial development of the empire. Although a small amount of magic stone mines have been discovered in the Rhineland and Schleswig areas, the quantity is too small to be used by the whole country. Now, except for agricultural products and some light industrial products, the international market is almost full of British and French products. Just because we want to produce products of the same quality, the cost is higher, forcing capitalists to cut corners and lower workers’ wages.”

He paused slightly and then said: "The former makes it impossible for our industrial products to compete with Britain and France, and can only be sold locally and in the crown territories; the latter brings great security risks."

The problem of energy shortage is there, and opponents cannot open their eyes and tell lies.

Soon a group of cabinet ministers unanimously passed a resolution to cooperate with the Texans, but they were more inclined to the Secretary of War's statement and tried to turn Texas into their own colony.

The great powers of this era were not merciful. Watching the British and French expand overseas, the Germans had been jealous for a long time.

Franz said noncommittally: "Too harsh conditions may make the Texans turn to the French. France's power in Central America is far beyond what we can compare with. I actually agree with what the other leader said. "We and the Texans have different needs now," just like we and the Hungarians, we both benefit from peace."

Since the unification of Germany, Hungary has become an economic colony.

The reins around their necks were tighter, but the Hungarian nobles became more and more at ease.

The Hungarian aristocrats who once clamored for independence did not have the guts to abandon the Germans and face the "tsarist father of all Slavs" in an era of burgeoning nationalism.

After all, Hungary, the so-called Crown Territory of St. Stephen, has a large number of Croatians, Slovaks, Ruthenians and other Slavic peoples. As long as the emperor no longer protects them, Transletania will be torn apart in an instant. Torn apart.

"In this case, I have decided, Gustav, to inform the British ambassador that if they experience another defeat in Texas, we will mediate the war."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs frowned and said, "Your Majesty, if we intervene in this way, we will probably pay a lot more."

Franz shook his head and said: "Prince Eugen should talk to you about this issue. When we fought against the French, we spent 70 million florins in less than half a year. If the French hadn't paid a war indemnity, , our country is going bankrupt.”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs reminded: "But Your Majesty, we mobilized nearly one million troops in the Austrian-French War, while the British Expeditionary Force only had more than 100,000 troops."

"But we are fighting on the mainland, but the British are on a cross-sea expedition. No matter how wealthy they are, they have to consider the cost of continuing to fight."

Franz thought for a moment and then said: "If necessary, we can transfer some of our interests in the Near East to them."

"If they don't agree, ask their Majesty the Queen if she wants our young men to fight alongside them with fire sticks when the war breaks out in the future."

"That's it!"

Franz made the final decision and summarized the cabinet meeting. Although the old emperor was now very old, he had gradually transferred power to the Regency Council and Crown Prince Ferdinand.

But this wise old man still firmly grasps the rudder of this Central European Empire.

In his opinion, paying a little price to solve part of the energy crisis for the empire is enough to make money - being too greedy is not a good thing.

The news of the finalization of the cooperation was soon passed to Lothar by the "military observer" left by Crown Prince Ruprecht.

Hearing this, Giuliano, who was frowning all day because of the tragic casualties of the war, also became excited. What he was most worried about was that even if he defeated the British, the other side would not admit it and turn the war into a long-term hostility and blockade.

At that time, it would be a defeat without being defeated. Even if the price paid by the British was far greater than their own, the gap in size between the two sides was too big.

Reading the error-free version! 6=9+Shu_Bar first published this novel.

Only a squadron composed of cruisers and destroyers can block Texas's sea route in the Gulf of Mexico.

Seeing that he looked relaxed, as if a huge rock had fallen from his chest, Losa reminded him again: "Don't forget to ask the Germans for more industrial assistance. After the war, Texas will usher in a 20-year golden period of development. Only by seizing these 20 years of opportunities can Texas be qualified to gain enough benefits in the future war. Otherwise, it can only eat some leftovers under the table and watch others feast on the table."

Giuliano replied "yes" seriously, and then said with some timidity: "The 'military observation group' sent by the Habsburg emperor will arrive soon. The specific details are as follows: Don't you plan to participate in the consultation on cooperation matters? "

Losa shook his head: "Mr. Patriarch, I can see farther than you because I can travel through the long river of time. Don't underestimate yourself. You just need to remember that our cooperation with the Germans is to get what we need. Don't ask for too much, and don't give in because of their intimidation. "

He paused and said, "By the way, Mr. Patriarch, how is your contact with the French?"

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. This is the way of survival for small countries, although in the eyes of big countries, this kind of back-and-forth behavior is really abominable.

Giuliano said in a deep voice: "They are a bit arrogant and intend to use Texas as a base for rebuilding French New Orleans. They are probably sure that we will have to turn to them completely after we have fallen out with the British."

Lothar smiled and said: "It's only natural. I think it's time for you to pass on the news of our cooperation with the Germans to the French."

The French are not like the Germans, who lack magic stones and white crystals. The cooperation between the two sides is limited. For them, the biggest role of Texas is to serve as a fulcrum for threatening British North America.

Lothar intends to take advantage of the other party's idea and cooperate with them in a vague way, like a goddess hooking up with a dog.

Of course, no matter what, Texas will not really tie itself to the French chariot.

It can be seen from the map that the whole of North America is dyed with the red of Great Britain, with only a small piece of blue in Texas, lonely, like the lone star on its flag.

As for whether it will collapse, it depends on Giuliano's subsequent means.