Holy Roman Empire

Another example: the French were squeezed out of the Nanyang region by the three countries of England, Austria and the Netherlands, leaving only a few isolated islands struggling to support them.

There is also the Australian region. Austria just stretched out its tentacles, but was blocked by the British.

……

Similar things happened too much.Here we are still allies, but in another place we become enemies again.

This era is an era of cooperation and confrontation. As long as there is no real knife and gun to tear the face, anyone can become an ally.

Allies with the same real interests only exist in theory.In reality, as long as the covenant can be fulfilled, they are good allies.

Napoleon III was not surprised by the actions of the Vienna government. Everyone started from their own interests.

Austria's annexation of the German Federal Empire is completely different from their annexation of the Italian region. The former has a popular base and does not need to take risks at all.

The Vienna government's choice to proceed step by step is actually the best choice.The consequences of actively merging in and merging together by force are completely different.

If possible, Napoleon III also wanted the Italians to take the initiative to join France, which is obviously impossible.

Therefore, he can only adopt the oldest method. The first generation of monarchs used force to unify, and the second generation of monarchs took gentle measures to buy people's hearts. This is the most effective ruling method in the era of feudal dynasties.

With the credit for governing the world, the throne will be stable.By the third generation, the foundation is solid and the orthodox position has been established, as long as they don't die.

In order to pave the way for his son, Napoleon III also broke his heart.

The biggest victim of the French strategic contraction overseas was Maximilian I.As the reforms progressed, Mexican rebels emerged in endlessly.

If the business of suppressing the rebels had not been contracted to the French army, Maximilian I would have been overthrown by the rebels long ago.

You must know that this contract has pitted the French. In order to wipe out the Mexican rebels, the French army has paid at least 8000 casualties in the past few years.

In return, most of Mexico's minerals and tariffs fell under the control of the French. Unfortunately, due to the civil war, they still couldn't make up for it in the end.

Before it knew it, the Mexican government owed the French more than one billion francs, the British 860 million pounds, and Spain more than 3000 million pesos.

Notarized, Maximilian I's reforms have some positive significance for the country, hitting conservative forces and promoting Mexico's modernization process.

The price paid is also very obvious. The emperor has become a lonely family. Except for a group of like-minded idealists, the original royalists have almost turned into revolutionaries.

Now the French are conducting strategic contraction overseas to concentrate their efforts on dealing with possible changes in the European continent, which means that Mexico is about to lose its biggest backer.

Even if Napoleon III had a good face and did not give up on Mexico, the French army in Mexico alone could not deter the ready-to-move Americans.

No one likes the emperor who shouts to take back his homeland. Both the United States of America and the Confederate States of America want to overthrow the rule of Maximilian I.

With the support of the French in front, Britain, France, and Occidental maintain the principle of unification of the great powers on the American issue, so the Americans naturally dare not act rashly.

It is different now, the French cannot protect themselves, the crown prince established by Maximilian I has fallen out with the Habsburg dynasty, and the possibility of Austrian intervention is very small.

Such a good opportunity, if the Americans don't know how to take advantage of it, they don't have the wealth they have now.As word spread of the French decision to withdraw strategically, both the United States and the Confederate States began to move.

With the support of external forces, the Mexican rebels became active again.Multiple uprisings broke out in Mexico, and the reign of Maximilian I was once again in jeopardy.

……

Chapter 45 Dilemma

Inside the headquarters of the French French Army in Mexico, Lieutenant General Schidel was staring at the map in a daze.Recently, the rebels seemed to have taken a stimulant, and suddenly became active again.

The more than 2 French troops stationed in Mexico have suppressed more than a dozen rebellions in the past month.However, there was no effect. The rebellion in one area was suppressed, and the rebels in another area emerged.

Just like Filipino vegetables, once a crop is cut, another crop will come again.Without uprooting, it can always be restored.The rebels in Mexico are always being wiped out, and Lieutenant General Schidel is also considering the reason.

In the end, he attributed the culprit to two points: the reform of Maximilian I and the intervention of foreign forces.

Deep down in his heart, he had already scolded his predecessor who had signed a treaty with Maximilian I.

There is still a contract to exterminate the rebels?Well, he admitted that the conditions offered by Maximilian I were indeed very generous, but no matter how good the conditions were, they couldn't stop the endless emergence of rebels!

The predecessor watched the signing of the treaty and gained a lot of credit for France. Now he has been transferred back to the mainland to enjoy the blessings, and all the troubles are left to his successor.

For the reputation of France, the treaty must still be fulfilled.The Great French Empire has just been established. Abandoning Mexico at this time is too demoralizing and politically unbearable.

It is easy to abandon Maximilian I. Once this step is taken, it will be difficult to find a collaborator in the future.

After Napoleon III abandoned Mexico in the original time and space, many younger brothers were chilled. This is also the reason for being isolated during the Franco-Prussian War.

The situation in France is much better now. Although it is shrinking strategically, the Great French Empire does not seem to be easy to mess with, and its external deterrence is much stronger than before.

When the Americans do things, they hide themselves as much as possible, and they have never supported the rebels on the surface.

With the intervention of international forces, Lieutenant General Scheidel could do nothing.France, which is undergoing strategic contraction, is not suitable to seek bad luck from the Americans at this time.

This account can only be remembered first, and then look for an opportunity to settle the account later.

Without hesitating for a long time, Lieutenant General Schidel decided to have a showdown with Maximilian I.If this toss continues, even if France can stand it, he, the governor of Mexico, can't stand it.

It doesn't matter whether the reform is right or wrong. The key is that France now needs a stable Mexico.

Taking advantage of the chaos and continuing to expand its interests, Lieutenant General Schidel seems to be at ease.The most valuable industries in Mexico have basically fallen into their hands, and if they continue to toss, the gains will outweigh the losses.

In the palace, Maximilian I was still busy dealing with government affairs, which was his daily work.Compared with most emperors, he can be regarded as a model of diligence.

The white hair on the head and the wrinkles on the forehead are proofs.In just a few years of his career as emperor, Maximilian I seemed to have aged 20 years.

Seeing the ultimatum of Lieutenant General Schiedel, Maximilian I was heartbroken, and only at this moment did he understand what politics is.

No right or wrong, only interests.

From the perspective of long-term development, Maximilian I's reforms in Mexico are obviously positive.

This has no value, and those whose interests have been harmed in the reform cannot see this.Even if they see it clearly, they still want to rebel for their own benefit.

Now the French are also standing on the opposite side of him, just because France needs a stable Mexico, and the reforms of Maximilian I are the source of instability in this country.

Let's put it this way, as long as he stops social reforms and introduces a few laws to protect the interests of conservatives, 80.00% of the Mexican rebels will disappear immediately.

Maximilian I stared at Lieutenant General Skidler, and said solemnly: "General, please pay attention to your identity, you have exceeded your authority now."

For the French, Maximilian I also did not like it.In his view, this is a monster attached to Mexico and sucking nutrients.

If it is not impossible, he still needs the support of the French, and the two sides have already turned their faces.

Disgust between the two is their way of getting along.The French didn't take him seriously as the emperor either. Except for the necessary etiquette on the surface, they never gave Maximilian I face in private.

Lieutenant General Schidel pointedly said: "Your Majesty, I am also aware of this. But what you have done is really unconvincing. Please stop messing around, the Mexican people really can't stand a noisy emperor."

The two understatement completely negated all the reforms of Maximilian I, and directly defined it as: "tossing around".

The angry Maximilian I was furious, he was also a top second generation, who ever gave him such anger since he was a child.

Things had changed since he became emperor of Mexico, and the special status he had had no longer existed.

It is not only the French who annoy him, but also the ministers of various European countries.A weak country has no dignity, this is the reality of this era.

He obviously became the emperor, but his status seems to be not as high as when he was the grand duke in Austria.

At least back then, no one dared to come up to him and point fingers, and he could do whatever he wanted without being angry here.

After several years of training, Maximilian I still grew up.If it was a few years ago, he would have drawn his gun in anger and had a noble-style duel, but now he can suppress his anger and continue talking.

"This is Mexico's internal affairs and has nothing to do with your country. And Lieutenant General Schidl, don't forget that you are a soldier and politics is not your concern."

A faint threat is the only thing Maximilian I can do.Military interference in politics can cause an uproar in France if it spreads.

No way, the French people like to be lively so much.Napoleon III, who relied on the army to take power, also forbade soldiers from intervening in politics.

Lieutenant General Schidel said very calmly: "This is Mexico, besides, this is just my personal suggestion, and it does not amount to interference in French politics.

Your Majesty, you can listen to it or not.However, all the consequences caused by this must be borne by yourself. I just want to inform you.

From now on, every time our army dispatches your country, we must first pay the departure fee, otherwise we can refuse to accept the counter-insurgency mission. "

After finishing speaking, Lieutenant General Skidle left without looking back.Obviously, the conversation ended badly.

Lieutenant General Schidel attempted to use the suppression of the rebellion as a threat to force Maximilian I to compromise, stop social reforms and ease relations with conservatives.

The sound of falling things sounded, and Maximilian I was stimulated.The dignity of the emperor disappeared at this moment, and the compromise was not without price.

Once concessions were made, the emperor became a rubber stamp.The reformists, who were already fragile, would also disappear due to the failure of reforms, and the emperor would become a real loner.

Maximilian I is really in a dilemma now, making any choice will not have any good results.

Forbearance, looking for opportunities to make a comeback, these words do not exist in the dictionary of the second-year teenagers.

……

Vienna, this time Franz did not reply to Maximilian I.Thinking in another way, in the position of Maximilian I, he didn't know what to do.

Is it all the fault of the reform that we have come to this point?I am afraid that is not the case. The colonial plunder of the French is also one of the reasons for exacerbating social conflicts in Mexico.

Don't look at the French government losing money in Mexico, but the French capitalists have made money. These profits are not so simple, and many of them are covered with blood.

If, from the very beginning, Maximilian I wins over the conservatives, carries out limited social reforms, and eases social conflicts, then there is still a chance.

It's too late now, the reformists have not yet grown up, and the rebels have grown up first.Using the power of the French to suppress the rebels is only a temporary solution, not the root cause.

Limited by financial resources, Maximilian I did not build an army that was only loyal to himself. At this critical moment, it was impossible to overturn the table.

Taking a step back is not necessarily a vast sea and sky, but more likely a cliff.After the failure of the reform, Maximilian I is destined to be completely empty, and there is no possibility of taking power again.

Under the rule of the conservatives, Mexico will be colonized and plundered by the French. Such an empire obviously cannot last long.

The empire is finished, and the rubber stamp emperor doesn't want to have good fruit to eat.If he hadn't come from a high enough background and was afraid of causing the Habsburg dynasty to be held accountable, someone might send Maximilian I to God right now.

There are not a few monarchs who died because of reforms in history, and the counterattacks of interest groups have always been bloody.

Multiple choice questions with no correct answer, no matter what you choose.The best way in Franz is to pass on the throne directly to the crown prince, and to abdicate and return to Europe.

Anyway, he's not his own son, and he doesn't have much affection, so if he cheats, he cheats.

For conservatives, setting up a young emperor as a rubber stamp is easier to control than an adult emperor, and everyone gets what they need.

This answer does not need to be mentioned by Franz, Maximilian I can think of it himself.At this time, the only one who can make the right choice is Maximilian I himself.

……

Chapter 46 Fickney the Manner

The setting sun was like blood, and the afterglow of the setting sun swayed on the earth, reflecting the wreckage all over the ground, and the air was filled with blood and gunpowder smoke.

From time to time, there are still dark browns, still in the middle of the night, and there is a new badger tomb.

Soldiers who are busy cleaning the battlefield have no reason to have so many.Having just gone through a great battle, everyone was a little physically and mentally exhausted. They just wanted to quickly collect the corpses of their comrades-in-arms and send them back to the embrace of God.

As for the corpses of the enemy, they don't need to bother, they will be handed over to the recruited Zulu people, and they will just dig a hole and bury them.

There is no way, there are always various accidents on the battlefield, for example: you fainted in an accident, or you were unconscious after being shot and injured. If this situation is handed over to the unreliable Zulus, they can all be buried alive.

If the enemy doesn't care, he will be buried if he is buried. If his comrades are treated like this, it will be a tragedy.

Therefore, when cleaning the battlefield, the soldiers of the "Boer Republic" led the Zulu laborers. The former was responsible for the inspection and command, and the latter was responsible for carrying the single frame.

Not far away, a "Boer" officer came over with a few soldiers. He was a middle-aged man about 50 to [-] years old. He was slender and slightly thin, with blond hair and To the eyes, it looks extraordinarily vigorous and powerful.

The person who came was Viscount Fickney, who was patrolling the battlefield. He had to do a full set of acting, and all the people participating in the battle were dressed in the uniform of the Boer Republic.

This batch of military uniforms was made in a hurry. Due to the tight schedule, many of the military uniforms were dyed with ordinary clothes, so they were just enough to make do with it.

Don't underestimate this change. The bright military uniforms on the battlefield are easy targets. Although the yellow-green military uniforms of the Boer Republic are not very attractive, they are more practical.

Climb on the ground casually, and it looks similar to the local color from a distance, making it easier to hide.

In contrast, the British army on the opposite side is very flamboyant, and the red military uniform is beautiful.It's a pity that they are incompatible with the local environment, and they are living targets.

For Viscount Fickney, who has been in the African continent all year round, what is beautiful, can it be eaten?

As a pragmatist, Viscount Fickney never cared about the beauty of military uniforms.

Even in life, except for attending banquets or certain events, he only wears a formal dress, and the rest of the time he wears a military uniform, and it is also a camouflage uniform suitable for the jungle in Africa.

This is the experience summed up from years of living in Africa. The closer the clothes are to the natural environment, the easier it is to survive.

In fact, the military uniforms of Austria during this period also had many styles, and the colors of the garrison uniforms in different regions were different.For example, the troops in Libya and the Sinai Peninsula are in khaki uniforms, while the troops stationed in the Congo region are in camouflage uniforms of various colors.

Fighting in South Africa, the yellow-green military uniform of the Boer Republic is more suitable.Ugly is a little ugly, but it is practical, so there is no need to be unconventional.

The weakness of the British military uniform being too dazzling was also taken advantage of by Viscount Ficney, who ambushed them many times in the jungle.

After several battles, the British have now learned to be indifferent, actively shrinking the front line and only fighting them on the frontal battlefield.

Viscount Fickney knew that this was just the beginning, and the British might not even come out to fight before long.

This is determined by the exchange ratio between the two warring parties on the battlefield. On the frontal battlefield, it is usually seven to one or eight to one, and in the jungle more than ten to one is common.