Holy Roman Empire

If the Kingdom of Prussia sold the Rhineland region to Belgium, and then turned to Belgium and gave the above resources to the French, wouldn't it be a waste of time?

In terms of industrial development, the value of the resources of the Rhineland region to France is still higher than that of the Italian region.

Napoleon III won the Italian region, in addition to increasing the territory, population and market, there was almost no gain in resources, but it made the resource crisis in France more serious.

Before occupying the Italian region, the Paris government does not need to worry about the energy of the Italian region.It's different now, these problems become the French themselves.

France needs to import hundreds of thousands of tons of coal from the outside world every year, and this number will continue to rise with industrial development.

The impact on the French economy in the short term may not be obvious. If it takes ten or eight years, France's heavy industry will fall behind.

The original time and space France has become a usury empire, that is, the lack of local resources, and the need to import from the outside world has raised the cost of industrial production.

The production cost is high, and the sales price has to be increased accordingly.This has caused many French industrial and commercial products to lose their market competitiveness internationally, forcing the capitalists to transform.

For the purpose of containing the French, the countries in the Rhineland region cannot be pro-French. This is a matter of principle.

There is no doubt that the German Federal Empire has done better in this regard. Diplomatically, it has been hovering between Britain and Austria, and it is more reliable than Belgium, which is swaying between Britain and France.

Prime Minister Felix: "Let's look at Belgium's choice first! If the Belgians have ambitions and want to build a strong country and can say no to the French, then it is not impossible to give them the Rhineland.

We also need a nail to contain France, which is impossible without a certain strength.Originally Prussia was the best choice, but they developed too fast.

If we didn't need the German unification strategy as a cover, in fact, it would be a good choice to let Hanover gain the Rhineland region and integrate the German Confederation. "

If you want to get it, you must first get it. Hanover's integration of the German Confederation does not actually affect Austria's unified German region.

Because when Franz felt that the time was right and he could do it, Austria already had the strength of a world hegemon and was not afraid of being beaten by a group.

Purely from the point of view of interests, the German Federal Empire is already a chicken rib, and only after winning the Rhineland region can it be regarded as meat.

There are so many states in the German region, if they are all put in, the Imperial Parliament will be lively.It is estimated that the central government in the future will have more than half of its energy to reconcile internal relations.

However, the German region has been divided for hundreds of years, and the people have long been accustomed to state politics. Coupled with religious factors, changing the rules of the game will inevitably be countered.

This must find someone to take the blame, otherwise it will be a crisis of rule.The fact that neither of the original time-space German empires could completely solve this problem is enough to explain the problem.

Prime Minister Felix wants George I to take the blame. After he has killed many small states, Austria will jump out to pick peaches, and the hatred value can be much less.

Franz nodded: "This question can't be rushed, it's easy to make wedding dresses for others if you are too hasty.

The national policy has been formulated, so let's go step by step.It is taboo to change the plan rashly.This scene must go on, at least we have to fight for ten years.

At that time, even if it is to wear and help, we will have a general trend.Even if Britain and France want to make trouble, they have to have that strength. "

Another ten years is Franz's minimum requirement.If possible, it would be better to go on for 30 to [-] years.

By then, the French themselves will be left behind, and Prussia and Russia have successfully escalated into a feud.Even if the British want to be a demon, they will give up because they can't find a thug.

The original Time and Space London government did not go all out to suppress the Americans, but chose to fight the German Empire to the death. One of the most important reasons was that it could not find a thug.

Under Franz's butterfly effect, this time-space industrial revolution is advancing much faster.Not only did electricity become popular in advance, but even the internal combustion engine developed much faster, and the diesel engine was born.

Although it is still in the laboratory stage, there is no way to promote the application, which is also a major progress in the power system.When the power system develops to a certain extent, it is the turn of the aircraft to be born.

The air force developed, and it was time for Austria to replace British hegemony.It's not that Franz is cowardly, it's just that the Royal Navy is too strong, and it's not realistic to rely on the Navy to overtake directly.

"With one's own shortness, gain others' strengths." Isn't this tired of living?The original time and space German Empire has proved with facts that the British will not leave competitors with the opportunity to catch up with the Royal Navy.

Austria's geographical location is better than that of the German Empire, but the essence of multi-front warfare has not changed, and it does not have the geographical advantage of dominating a continent like the United States.

The birth of the Air Force is different. Franz is not at all cowardly to compete with the British in emerging fields.Deploying a circle along the Mediterranean Sea, the communication line between the African continent and the mainland is stable, and Austria is also stable.

The population of Austria has exceeded 500 million, which is almost the same as that of the Russian Empire and more than twice that of the United Kingdom. There are still more than 1000 million people in the African colonies, and the longer the delay, the more obvious the population advantage.

As an old-fashioned empire with a vested interest in itself, Austria now has no shortage of resources and markets, and no desire to urgently challenge the world order.

The task of challenging the world order should be handed over to the newborn empire.Unless there are soft persimmons to pinch, otherwise challenging the world order is a high-risk and low-return business. More than 90.00% of the results are that the spoils of war are not enough to make up for the losses of the war.

From God's point of view, the old empires are not actually the real enemies, but the new ones are the threats.

The most typical example is the three kingdoms of Britain, France and Austria. Everyone is the biggest rival of each other, and there are still many contradictions. However, not only did the three countries not break out of war, but they formed an alliance first.

The biggest problem is the lack of motivation to start a war. Everyone is a vested interest. They have a large colony under their control, and they are all overwhelmed by their own. Who has the mind to rob others?

You must know that war also has a cost. Since the First Near East War, almost all the wars that broke out directly between European countries have been at a loss.

Even if the Kingdom of Prussia, which has obtained a large tract of territory in return, wants to make a profit, it will be decades later, and it will still be a losing business in a short period of time.

From an investment point of view, the outbreak of war between major powers is a high-risk, low-return investment, and is naturally unpopular.

……

London

Countries condemned the Russian Empire's invasion of Poland, and the tsarist government, which was not afraid of scalding dead pigs, naturally did not achieve any effect.

The Russians refused to retreat, and no one in the European countries would send troops to intervene.This did not affect the continuation of the meeting, and the question of whether it was legal for William I to serve as King of Poland became a new focus.

Simply put, as long as the Kingdom of Prussia is willing to give up the Rhineland region, William I is the legitimate king of Poland, and even the merger of Prussia and Poland can be legal.

On the contrary, it goes without saying.The imperialist iron fist will tell you what legitimacy is.

Axioms and justice all came to nothing at the London Conference.Before you know it, everyone's morals have been pulled down a bit.

Chapter 144 The Power of Public Opinion

Being neighbors with the French is still very challenging these days, and you must be vigilant at all times.

The Rhineland region is an enclave with a good neighbor. The Prussian government was prepared to lose the Rhineland region a long time ago, but it did not expect to lose it in this way.

Under the diplomatic pressure exerted by Britain and Austria, the Prussian government could only choose to compromise.In the short term, abandoning the Rhineland is also a good thing for the Kingdom of Prussia.

After selling the Rhineland region, not only can it get rid of the financial crisis, but also get rid of the threat of the French, and can concentrate on fighting against the Russians.

If you insist on not selling, chances are that in the next Russian-Prussian war, the French will force it directly.After the annexation of the Italian region, the Prussian government had no confidence in the integrity of the French.

If it were not for the mutual restraint between the great powers, the Rhineland region would have been lost long ago.Don't think that the Kingdom of Prussia has won the bet in the original time and space, and think that the military strength of the Kingdom of Prussia is higher than that of France. In fact, the opposite is true.

Perhaps the current military strength of the French Empire is not necessarily much stronger than in the same period in history, but the strength on paper is very amazing.The standing army is twice that of the Kingdom of Prussia, and the comprehensive national strength is more than three times that of the Kingdom of Prussia. (including French Italy and colonies)

After owning the great enemy of the Russian Empire, it would definitely be a brain drain to face France.

After a symbolic struggle, the Prussian foreign minister, Geoffrey Friedman, reluctantly announced that the Rhineland region would be sold, and the highest bidder would go to a public auction.

There is no doubt that this is to divide the British, French and Austrian Triple Alliance.If you really want to fight for financial resources, neither Belgium nor the German Federal Empire can be an opponent of France.

Austrian Minister Hummel: "There is no problem in your country auctioning the Rhineland region, but the Rhineland is part of the German region, and the German people live there.

Taking all factors into consideration, it is better for the Rhineland region to join the German country. I suggest that the German-speaking cultural circle countries: Switzerland, Belgium, the German Federal Empire, and the New Holy Roman Empire participate in this auction.

As the proposer, we can avoid suspicion and withdraw from this auction. "

"Avoiding suspicion" is completely gilding his face and putting an enclave under the eyes of the French, who can sleep?

European countries do not want the French to expand in Central Europe, nor do they want Austria to expand in Central Europe, and even if they want to take the Rhineland, they have no chance.

"Enclave" is also relative. If you face the French, it is indeed an enclave; if you change it to the German Federal Empire, it will be a double attack.

French Foreign Minister Montero stood up angrily: "No, since it's an open auction, naturally the higher bidder wins. All European countries are eligible to participate, so how can it be narrowly restricted to German countries?"

Being able to buy the Rhineland region with money, how can you miss such a good thing?Even if the opportunity is small, Montero has to fight for it.

Hummel said tit for tat: "We are all civilized people, and we all know that to govern a place well, we cannot do without the support of the people.

The cultural traditions of your country are incompatible with the Rhineland region. How can you manage a good relationship with the local people?As a civilized country, we must respect public opinion. "

"Public opinion" was first invented by the French, and Napoleon III respected the public opinion.And it is the real elected emperor, not a conspiracy to restore.

This does not mean that European countries really respect public opinion. The ruling class often chooses to respect public opinion when it is beneficial to itself, and pretends not to see it otherwise.

In order to kick France out, Hummel did not hesitate to hold high the banner of "public opinion".This is both an interest need and a political need.

As the leader of the German region, Austria is responsible for this.Otherwise, where would Belgium and the German Federal Empire have the guts to compete with the French.

The British Foreign Secretary, Marquis Maclean, who has been watching the show, said: "Sir Hummel is right, as members of a civilized society, we must respect public opinion.

More than 90.00% of the people in the Rhineland region are of German origin, and their cultural traditions are more suitable for merging with the German state.

Now that the New Holy Roman Empire has withdrawn, the most suitable countries to participate in the auction are Belgium, the German Federal Empire and Switzerland. "

Britain and Austria have the same position, and the European countries that are still watching have participated one after another. At this moment, everyone is "respecting public opinion".

……

More than a dozen countries have the same position, and Montero can't stand the pressure.The reality is in front of us, and no one wants to see France continue to expand.The so-called "public opinion" is a fig leaf that people use to frame their own image.

If you really respect public opinion, Ireland has become independent, Scotland has become independent, and the major colonial empires have collapsed.

Facts are one thing, words are another.Everyone wants face, and it is necessary to say one thing and do another.

If you don't have a fig leaf, you can directly say that France is too strong, and everyone is worried that France will threaten their own safety when it grows. How will you get along in the future?

"Humph!"

After expressing his dissatisfaction with a cold drink, Montero chose to remain silent.There is no way, this occasion is not suitable for war with words, everyone's attitude is very firm, and there is no way to convince them.

If they want to coerce and lure, they are led by Britain and Austria, and they are also humiliating themselves. France has not yet singled out the strength of Europe.

Montero's silence was quickly praised by everyone, and all kinds of flattery came to him, such as: "taking into account the overall situation", "having a sense of international responsibility", "respecting the role model of public opinion"...

However, it fell into Montero's ears, and it all turned into irony.If the goal is not achieved, no amount of good words will bring benefits.

As a political figure, if you are praised by all parties, don't be in a hurry to be happy. It's better to calm down and reflect first.

Usually, as long as two situations will get everyone's praise.The first situation is that you are dead, and everyone is always tolerant towards the dead; the second situation is that your actions are in their interests.

Internationally, the second situation can be explained most of the time as: you did something wrong and everyone benefits.In this case, it is easiest to get praise, and there will be names before and after.

Otherwise, it's not bad if the enemy doesn't touch you, and you have to expect others to give you a good review?

Respecting an opponent means respecting an opponent who has died, or an opponent who has fallen, an opponent who is still in office, and who does not want to be defeated, but also makes a name for his opponent. What kind of spirit is this?

After appeasing the French, everyone's eyes were focused on the representatives of Switzerland, Belgium, and the German Confederation, waiting for their reply.

Swiss Minister Podolski was the first to give the answer: "Although we really wanted to buy the Rhineland, we had to give up because of financial constraints."

Looking at Podolski with a distressed expression, everyone almost believed it.The Swiss federal government is indeed poor, limited by productivity and resources, and Switzerland has not developed this year.

However, because of financial resources to give up the Rhineland region, everyone is more willing to believe that the Swiss are afraid of the French and dare not play the idea of ​​​​this enclave.

In this regard, Switzerland is completely different from Belgium and the German Confederation. The latter two directly border the mainland and can increase their own national strength.

Take the Kingdom of Belgium as an example. After gaining the Rhineland region, it will not take long for the comprehensive national strength to double.As the first country to complete industrialization on the European continent, Belgium is a world leader in many fields.

Unfortunately, due to the fact that the country is too small and has insufficient development potential, Belgium has not been able to reach the threshold of the great powers and can only exist as a small country.

With the Rhineland, they can complete the transition to a middle country, and their survivability will be greatly increased by then.

If it falls into the hands of the German Federation, the increase in strength will be even more obvious.If nothing else, it is inevitable that heavy industry will surpass Spain.

With only two buyers left, the Prussian foreign minister, Geoffrey Friedman, was not upset, as expected.

Either France and Austria will end the auction together, or the two countries will go out together under mutual restraint.Austria didn't want to stick to this trouble at this time, and chose to pull the French out with them.

The auction can't be held immediately, and everyone has not completed insider trading, how can there be a result so quickly.This is not just about having money, but also the political implications.

……

Chapter 145 Folk Response

The invention of the telegraph accelerated the spread of news, and the news that the Prussian government was going to sell the Rhineland quickly spread across the European continent.

At the Berlin Palace, William I wiped off his sweat: "Send someone to ask the Prime Minister, didn't he send someone to explain, why hasn't the crowd outside dispersed?"

This is characteristic of the era of nationalism, when the populace began to value territory.Originally, the monarchs were free to make land transactions, but now people must also consider the reaction of the people.

Don't look at the rich resources of the Rhineland region, it is not actually the core territory of the Kingdom of Prussia, and it is threatened by the French, so its status in the government's mind is even lower.

The original time and space Bismarck dared to promise the Rhineland region to the French, but actually made the worst plan.For example: in the Prussian-Austrian War, the French took advantage of the fire, and Prussia could only reluctantly give up.

Fortunately, they won the bet, and the French chose to wait and see, and did not take advantage of the situation.Otherwise, later European history will be rewritten.

Having obtained the desired benefits, Napoleon III had no motivation to launch.After the strength increased and decreased, the odds of winning the kingdom of Prussia were even lower.

Moreover, with an extra piece of land as a buffer, even if the Kingdom of Prussia dares to take risks, the French have also increased the buffer time and can mobilize more troops. Prussia can only hope for God's blessing if it wants to win the war.

Bismarck in the Rhineland dared to take risks. If he changed the area where Junkers concentrated, he would not dare to make a promise.

The empty check also needs to be highly confidential. The top government can know it, but the people below can't know it.As soon as the news spreads, a military coup d'etat will take place in minutes according to the national conditions of the Kingdom of Prussia.

In this country where the army is in charge, any actions that harm the interests of the Junkers' nobility must be considered carefully.

The farce outside William I was just upset and didn't worry about a big mess.It's not about hanging up high, and it also applies in the Kingdom of Prussia.