Holy Roman Empire

Not surprisingly, Nobel was a scientist as well as a businessman.

Avoiding risks is an instinct, and he was not the only one who researched explosives at the same time.Before the results come out, no one knows whether the product has a market.

……

These are just scientific and technological advances with relatively large influence, and there are more small inventions.The Second Industrial Revolution had already broken out, and 1866 was only the beginning of a new era.

Chapter 1 The Expanded War

The industrial revolution did not affect the world situation, and the use of electricity has just begun.In the eyes of many people at that time, the main function was lighting.

High-power generators have just appeared, and the application of electricity in industry has not yet started.Affected by the Franz Butterfly Effect, this industrial revolution kicked off in Austria.

The protagonist of the original time and space has now become bleak.Prussia, which established the Second German Empire, is still fighting the Russians, and the awesome American Empire is licking the wounds of the civil war.

After the division of the United States, the internal market has been unable to support an industrial revolution.The heavy casualties of the war, the accompanying high pensions, and the internal conflicts among the states all restricted the development of the Federation.

In the original time and space, the economic prosperity after the American Civil War is no longer visible at all.The great powers do not do volunteer work, and the joint intervention of the four countries also benefits.

After the war, the products of Britain, France and Austria flooded the entire American continent, which was the reward for everyone in this war.

Due to internal conflicts, Spain fell behind in the industrial revolution, and they did not enjoy this benefit.

……

Moscow, since Alexander II abolished serfdom, the second largest city in Russia has ushered in a period of rapid development.

As the second largest industrial area in the Russian Empire, the number of workers in Moscow has exceeded the 50 mark, and the city's total population exceeds one million, making it the fourth most populous city in Europe.

There are naturally many contradictions in a society with a large number of people, which provides room for the development of the revolutionary party.The reform of the tsarist government was only halfway through, and there was no time to establish a complete system.

Although the newly rising bourgeoisie benefited from the reforms, they also wanted greater rights.Waiting for Alexander II to continue reforming?Unfortunately, they couldn't wait.

Moreover, Alexander II's reforms protected their interests, but did not allow them to enter the center of power.

In order to put pressure on the government, these people hooked up with the Revolutionary Party without hesitation.Of course, this is only limited to secretly providing support, and they still dare not rebel against them.

Under the tandem of the British, the leader of the Revolutionary Party, Mate Tolsky, returned home.This time they want to launch an uprising in Moscow instead of St. Petersburg because the Tsar has soldiers in his hands.

Once Alexander II changed his army, he allowed the domestic forces to settle down.Russia is not France, and the military and civilian fish and water situation is not so strong.

That being the case, it is natural to choose a place with weak strength and sufficient influence.Moscow is the best choice. This location is very good. Once the uprising is successful, Russia can be divided into two parts.

Mate Tolski's heart is very heavy. Don't look at the fact that they seem to have a lot of supporters. In fact, the chance of a successful uprising is still very low.

In the past two years, the revolutionaries have launched five or six uprisings, all of which ended in failure.The best record is to occupy a small city and then be suppressed by the tsarist army.

Now there are many people who need them to launch an uprising, the British, the French, the Prussians, the Swedes...

In addition to the international support groups, there are also domestic revolutionary groups and various power groups who are dissatisfied with the reforms, including: radical reformers and conservatives whose interests have been damaged, as well as farmers who have not obtained land...

These people hoped that they would launch an uprising, but they did not want them to actually overthrow the Tsarist government.The so-called support is limited to letting them make trouble for the tsarist government.

Mate Tolsky asked with concern: "August, have you got the weapon?"

August replied happily: "Don't worry, sir, I have already got it. I also checked it myself. All 180 rifles are imported from Austria."

Mate Tolsky nodded. Since the Near East War, the Russians have been accustomed to using Austrian equipment.

This uprising used weapons imported from Austria. In addition to being easy to use, it also meant to frame the blame.

This is a common method used by the British. If you succeed, you will make a lot of money, and it doesn't matter if you fail.The conflict between them and the Russians has been going on for a long time, and now they are in debt.

As the executor, Mate Tolsky naturally had no objections.Although he was not personally anti-Austrian, and was even a supporter of the Russian-Austrian alliance, it did not prevent him from accepting aid from the British.

Compared with before, now the London government has begun to pay attention to eating, and instead of supporting them with open flames, they have been transited through the Kingdom of Prussia.

It's not that the British have changed their ways, it's mainly a change of identity.Prior to this, Britain and Russia were fighting for hegemony in the world, and the two sides naturally did everything they could.

Now that the Russian Empire has temporarily withdrawn from the struggle for world hegemony, the British who have won must restrain themselves and maintain a good international reputation.

The hegemony of the world cannot rely entirely on force, and more needs to use diplomatic means to solve problems. During this period, the London government will naturally have to hide it.

……

Undercurrents simmered in the Russian Empire, and the British proposed that peace talks begin in London.

The negotiations were not going well. The Russian representative asked the British to lift the blockade of the Baltic Sea, but was rejected, and the negotiations came to a deadlock.

The negotiations did not affect the battlefield, and the war continued.Under the command of Moltke, the Prussian army fought and retreated, and the Polish uprising army was thrown to the Russians as cannon fodder.

Successive victories have greatly boosted the morale of the Russian army, and this war seems to be coming to an end.

Looking at the military map, Franz sighed.The Russian army, which seems to have the upper hand, is actually in danger.

While shrinking the line of defense, the number of troops in the Kingdom of Prussia is also being concentrated, and the Russian army is constantly advancing, and its forces are inevitably scattered.

The battlefield has shifted from the Belarus region to the Poland region, and the Russians' local combat advantage no longer exists.

Although Poland is still their homeland, the Poles are on the opposite side of them, which is no different from going deep into the enemy's country.

Foreign Minister Weisenberg reported: "Your Majesty, just received news that the Far East War broke out two months ago, and the Russians have added another front."

Franz was taken aback, but then returned to normal.It's a bit early, but that's normal.

On the one hand, it is the diplomatic means of the British, on the other hand, the Russians are now in their weakest state, and anyone will make trouble.

Compared with Europe and Central Asia, the Far East is the least important to the Russians, and it is also the weakest place.

Now the two battlefields in Europe and Central Asia have contained a large number of Russian troops. Even if the Tsarist government wants to reinforce the Far East, it still has more than enough energy.

This is not that Alexander II has no soldiers, nor is it that he has no money in his hands.The key is that the Central Asian region has fallen to the battlefield. To reinforce the Far East, it is necessary to detour through Siberia and send troops from Europe. It will take about a year.

And the number of troops should not be large, otherwise the logistics cannot be solved.These restrictions can almost directly declare that the failure of the Russians in the Far East has become a foregone conclusion.

Franz did not continue this topic, but instead asked: "Are the Ottomans going to do something?"

In order to let the Ottoman Empire enter the war, Britain, France and Austria are all putting pressure on them.The Sudanese government is afraid of the Russians, and it is also afraid of these three big hooligans who are watching the battle.

The British and French navies often haunted the ports of the Ottoman Empire, and the excuse was naturally to make them pay back the money.Austria is also sharpening its sword in the Sinai Peninsula, with the intention of recovering the Holy Land.

Of course, on the surface, the Vienna government never asked the Ottoman Empire to declare war on Russia, but was just conducting military exercises.

Didn't they evacuate from the Sinai Peninsula after the exercise?There is a regiment of troops stationed on the peninsula, which is enough to prove that Austria has no intention of provoking a war.

I don't know what the Sudanese government thinks. Anyway, Britain and France issued an ultimatum to them.Either fight the Russians, or fight Britain, France and Austria.

There are mostly threats in it, but the Sudanese government dare not take risks.The debts owed by the Ottoman Empire to Britain and France could not be repaid, and Austria was eyeing Jerusalem again.

Everyone kept the Ottoman Empire to keep the Russians in check. If they can't do this, the value of their existence will no longer exist.

Don't look at the fact that the Russians often renege on their debts, that's why they have the confidence to renege on their debts.Except for this one exception, who is the rest of the countries that dare to renege on their debts?

For example: In Mexico, the previous government was finished because of bad debts.In order to collect debts, the French sent troops to Mexico and supported Maximilian I as the successor.

Mexico, which is far away in the Americas, has not been able to escape, let alone the Ottoman Empire, which is close at hand. Collecting debts by force is the instinct of the great powers in this era.

Foreign Minister Weisenberg replied: "With the support of Britain and France, the Sudanese government has issued a national mobilization order.

At present, the Ottoman Empire has assembled 30 troops, but they are not planning to attack the Caucasus, but want to attack Constantinople. "

The profit makes the mind faint!

In Franz's mind, this idiom popped up involuntarily.

If it is to attack the Caucasus region, then it is possible to take advantage of the opportunity.Even if the Russians want to retaliate in the future, they still have a chance to hold on to their geographical advantage.

Constantinople is different. There are too many political interests in it. The tsarist government would rather lose Poland than give up here.

Once occupied here, Alexander II could only choose to fight to the end.Don't look at the Russians who are exhausted and have internal conflicts, but when defending Constantinople, the situation will change.

Franz sneered and said, "Since the Sudanese government wants to seek death, let them go! Just test the results of their reforms. If they fail, the Ottoman Empire will die."

The Habsburg family and the Ottoman Empire are also feuds. Franz naturally wants to inherit the fine traditions of his ancestors and unplug this hidden danger in the east.

Chapter 1: Russia-Austria Relations Are Cold

On October 1866, 10, the Sudanese government delivered an ultimatum to the Russian minister, demanding that the Russians hand over Constantinople within 7 hours, otherwise it would be war.

This war ultimatum did not wait for 48 hours. The Tsarist Russian minister who received the ultimatum directly replied: Then let’s go to war!

How could the Ottoman Empire's preparations for war be so big that it could be hidden from the Russians?As an old enemy, the Tsarist government has never relaxed its surveillance of the Ottoman Empire.

The Russian Foreign Ministry is also wooing the Ottomans, but they can't get any benefits, so the result is naturally in vain.

Seeing the mobilization of the Sudanese government, Alexander II knew that war was inevitable.

Open the map and see for sure.The Ottoman Empire didn't have many options, and there were three neighbors in total.

Geographical location determines that Persia is not easy to fight. Even if it wins, there is not much oil and water. There is no need for the Sudanese government to fight in tasteless areas.

Austria does not dare to fight, or it cannot be touched. The border is the Sinai Peninsula, which is separated by the vast desert.Taking the sea route to attack the Balkan Peninsula, there is more energy than energy, and there is no chance of landing.

Only Russia is left. The Black Sea Fleet was wiped out during the Near East War. Due to financial constraints, it has not recovered for so many years.

With the support of Britain and France, whether it is to attack the Caucasus or Constantinople.It is too easy to seal the Bosporus Strait hundreds of meters wide, and it can be done directly by landing guns.

The pretext for war that the Sudanese government painstakingly prepared has directly turned into a farce.

Constantinople has assembled 15 Russian troops, and the total Russian military strength on the Russian Balkan Peninsula has reached [-]. Relatively speaking, the Caucasus region is the weak point.

Both sides have declared war, and the war will still be fought.This time the Ottomans finally had an absolute advantage in military strength, so naturally they had to do a big job.

In St. Petersburg, upon receiving the news that the Ottomans had declared war, Alexander II frowned even tighter.There are more and more enemies, which is not a good thing.

The war potential of the Russian Empire has actually almost been launched, limited by transportation and productivity, which is already the maximum force they can use.

The 60-[-] troops in Eastern Europe are about to fight against the Puppo coalition forces, and there is no chance of winning the war. In order to prevent Sweden from taking advantage of the fire, [-] troops have also been deployed in the Nordic region.

There are also [-] to [-] troops deployed in the Far East, but because the area ruled is too wide, there are not many troops that can be put into the battlefield.

More than [-] Russian troops in Central Asia are fighting hard with the enemy, or they are being suppressed and beaten.This part of the army is basically recruited temporarily, and it is not bad to be able to stabilize the front line.

The Balkan Peninsula seems to have enough troops. In fact, 15 Russian troops can only defend Constantinople at most. Fortunately, the French sold the Balkan colonies to Austria, otherwise they would have one more potential enemy.

The Caucasus region must also increase its troops now, and no one can guarantee that the Sudanese government will not attack east and west. If the Caucasus region is lost, the enemy can fight all the way to the Volga River Basin.

The army is not enough, this is the true feeling of Alexander II.Millions of Russian troops are fighting hard on the battlefield. In order to support this war, the domestic economy has been severely affected.

Fighting a war of attrition is the most painful. It is impossible to invest more troops, and the tactics of the sea of ​​​​people cannot be used. This is really a serious challenge for the Russian army.

What's worse is that European countries have already seen clearly the reality of the Russian Empire. The so-called million Russian troops are just a joke. On any battlefield, the tsarist government cannot invest millions of troops.

These changes have also affected the relationship between Russia and Austria. The Austrians feel that the alliance is dispensable, and the Russians feel that the Austrian allies have no contribution.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Christian Val said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, after the outbreak of the war with Ottomans, the only trade partner we have left is Austria.

This year's fiscal revenue may hit the lowest record in 30 years, and it may continue to decline next year. "

Such a change made the chancellor of the exchequer really have no confidence to speak.Although the responsibility does not lie with them, the problem falls on them when there is no money.

Fortunately, a fortune was paid from the Jews before, otherwise the Tsarist government would have gone bankrupt long ago.Even so, Christan Val did not dare to relax his vigilance.

This kind of windfall cannot happen every day. According to the current situation, it won't be long before they will face financial crisis again.

Alexander II asked indifferently: "How low will it be?"

"This year's fiscal revenue will drop to about 1.5 million rubles, and if the war continues, it may drop to 1.2 million rubles next year."

Chancellor of the Exchequer Christian Wahl answered with a growing tone of voice.We must know that before the war broke out, the fiscal revenue of the tsarist government had exceeded 3 million rubles, and now it has been directly cut in half.

The reality is so cruel. The Russian Empire is now besieged on all sides. Apart from the safety of the Arctic Ocean, there are wars all the way from Eastern Europe to the Far East.

Overseas trade has shrunk sharply, and the huge profits brought by grain exports in the past no longer exist.

Compared with the small export trade, the import trade volume is growing rapidly.Russia's foreign trade was settled with gold and silver, and this change caused a large outflow of domestic gold and silver.

The consequences of the loss of wealth were quickly reflected in the economy, and deflation has become an unavoidable social problem for the Tsarist government.

"It seems that the Austrians have made a lot of money again."

Alexander II's seemingly unintentional sentence has already explained the changes in Russia-Austria relations.I am unlucky for you to get rich, even the best friendship will be alienated, and the same is true when it rises to national relations.

No one answered this sentence, and Russia-Austria friendship is still politically correct.Whether it is jealousy or jealousy, none of these can change the fact that the Tsar cannot do without Austria.

……

Alexander II was right, Austria has indeed made a lot of money recently.Because of the war, the Bosphorus was blocked, and Austria naturally monopolized trade with Russia.

Sweden in the Nordic region also made a small fortune, but their national strength is limited and there are not many commodities that can be exported.

In addition to trade with Russia, another benefit is that Austria's share in the agricultural product market has increased.Russian grain exports can only be sold to Austria first, and then sold to the international market after processing.

This has hit another wave of competitors. Enterprises that originally purchased Russian grain for refined processing now have to rush to buy it in the international market due to lack of raw materials.