Holy Roman Empire

We can't do anything until national integration is completed.

It would be different if we merged the South German states, the people would have a strong sense of identity, and we would be able to establish effective governance within three to five years at most and turn our potential into national power.

At that time, it will be too late to turn around and expand to the Balkan Peninsula.

As for the risks, they are actually controllable.

The Kingdom of Prussia has objections, we can support them in annexing the North German states, and we can carve up Germany together.If they disagree, threaten their unification with the Russia-Austria alliance.

The French have opinions. We can cede to them all the territory west of the Rhine River. We can also make greater concessions in the Italian area, and even support them to annex Belgium.

The so-called conflicts in this world are nothing more than interests. As long as everyone gets what they need, there is nothing that cannot be resolved! "

I have to say, Felix is ​​ruthless enough.If this is really done, it will become a collective expansion of the territory of the European powers.

Pau, France and Russia began to expand at the same time. Is there a solution to this problem?Even if the remaining countries united to boycott, it would be useless, and the attitude of the British can naturally be ignored.

But how could European politicians fail to think of this issue?Why is it not implemented?

Obviously, things are not that simple. An uneven distribution of spoils is an unsolvable problem.The Russians took too much, and everyone was dissatisfied.

In addition, the size of the bear is too large, which arouses everyone's fear, worrying that if they continue to expand, no one will be able to hold it.

The British made troubles on the sidelines again, and the practicality of such a joint external expansion plan was greatly reduced.

Chapter 33 Purifying the Official Team

Line disputes exist in any country with ideals.This is an unsolvable problem, there is no such thing as right or wrong, it just depends on whether it is suitable.

At present, the claims of the Balkan faction and the South German faction have sufficient and sufficient reasons.

From the perspective of development, the land in the Balkans is more fertile and the resources are more abundant, which can speed up Austria's economic development; while the South German region has the population that Austria needs most.

Both sides are important, but considering the issue of national integration, Franz still tends to give priority to the South German region.

Once South Germany is annexed, the Austrian Empire will be stable.The government can allow various ethnic groups to live together through immigration to speed up the pace of ethnic integration.

In Franz's opinion, the best way to speed up national integration is marriage. The birth of a couple is equivalent to the recognition of two families, and can also influence the positions of a bunch of relatives and friends.

The number of marriages has increased, and the next generation will be of mixed ethnicity. These people naturally have the highest degree of recognition for the product of ethnic integration.

Metternich said slowly: "Whether to go west or south first, this question must be cautious.

The international situation is ever-changing. Even if we have made a decision now, we may still be forced to give up in the face of force majeure.

It is only possible that the Russians might attack the Ottoman Empire. What will happen in the end is unknown.

The Russian-Turkish war has been fought so many times, and the Ottoman Empire is still standing. Who can guarantee that the Russians can swallow them in one bite?I'm afraid everyone doesn't think the Russians can do it, right?

That being the case, it depends on the reaction of Britain and France.If they go to war for the Ottomans and the Russians, we have the possibility to operate whether we choose to go west or south.

If Britain and France do not participate in the war, it may be a dream for us to annex South Germany. Even if we want to gain too much benefit in the Balkans, we will be interfered by them. "

The Crimean War in history is full of coincidences. Napoleon III has just been restored and needs a foreign military victory to consolidate his position; the British hope to attack the Russians and ensure their interests in the Mediterranean.

Just at this time, the Russians attempted to control the Black Sea Strait, and at the same time harmed the economic interests of Britain and France.As soon as the London government and the Paris government discussed it, they decided to fuck.

Then the suicidal Crimean War broke out, and it has to be said that it was a worse battle.Whether it is Britain, France or Russia, more people are killed by logistics than on the battlefield.

No matter how historians cover it up, it cannot change the fact that when soldiers go to the battlefield, the biggest enemy is not the enemy army, but disease and logistics.

A suicidal war, in the end, naturally both sides suffered. The Mao Xiong lost on the Crimea battlefield, but they found their place again on the Caucasus battlefield, and the beaten Ottomans cried for their fathers and mothers.

The final result of the war was that there was no compensation, no cession of land, and the biggest loss was the victor, the Ottoman Empire, which exposed its weak nature and became a fat sheep for the next great powers to carve up.

Britain and France won a strategic victory, shut the Russians out of the Black Sea, split the "Northern Three Court Alliance", and ended Russia's European hegemony.

Franz agreed with Engels' evaluation that this was a "big comedy of misunderstandings".

Under his butterfly effect, will history change?Where will it go?

What if the Russians choose to change the battlefield?For example, put the main attack direction on the Caucasus, or send troops ahead of time to attack the Bosporus Strait, or even push across from the Balkan Peninsula.

So many ifs are possible. With the Russia-Austria alliance, Austria will not defect, and the Russians have more room for strategic choices.

If the Russians act early, Louis Napoleon Bonaparte has not yet completed his restoration, and the French government continues to be busy with infighting, it is estimated that John Bull himself will not be able to fight.

Without the Anglo-French Ottoman group fighting against Russia, Austria would have no chance to go west except to expand in the Balkan Peninsula.

"Mr. Metternich is right. The question of strategic choice is still too early. What we need to do at this time is not to prepare for expansion, but to sort out the internal problems of the government.

The first problem is that the government's implementation capacity is insufficient.From the central government to the local government, there is a phenomenon of insufficient execution, which is the biggest cancer in the current government.

What's the use of keeping officials if they can't follow through on government orders?

The Austrian government is not a place for them to retire. Officials who are not capable, restless, and trying to dawdle, let them go home and grow potatoes as soon as possible! "

The route dispute could not be resolved in a short time, Franz decisively chose to change the subject.He has long wanted to deal with internal affairs, but he never had the chance.

In 1848, the government was busy fighting the war, so it didn't care about these problems. It just sorted it out roughly and killed a few bureaucrats who were not clear-headed.

In 1849, the government had its hands full.Franz had just succeeded to the throne not long ago, and he wanted to ensure domestic stability.Compulsory education was launched again, the civil service examination system was creatively adopted, and the pillar industries of Austria were determined.

Now that the government is finally free, Franz will naturally not let the cabinet have nothing to do.There are no other things, so just purify the officialdom team.

Anti-corruption is a good weapon, but the emperor Franz can't call it out. Corrupt officials are everywhere in the Austrian government, and everyone is easy to be in danger.

In fact, since Franz succeeded to the throne, the Austrian bureaucracy has been cleaned up a lot. Facing a powerful emperor, many people consciously restrained their behavior.

If the upper levels of the government become clean, the middle and lower levels will definitely be affected.Few fools who can enter the political arena know what to do when.

During the period of Ferdinand I, the emperor was unable to handle government affairs, and power fell into the hands of the ruling council.

A group of powerful ministers are fighting with each other, and it is too late to win over the subordinates first. How can they go to war for such a small matter as corruption?

It can't be killed with a stick, so it's always possible to grasp the execution ability?Franz was not going to kill, but just drove the incompetent officials home.

If you are unlucky and you are found to be corrupt, there is no way. Austria is a country ruled by law, so you can do whatever you want.

Incompetence is more terrifying than corruption.Corrupt and incompetent, it is heinous.

It doesn't take much, just drive one percent of the incompetent people home, and then select a few unlucky ones to make an example of others, and the problem of bureaucracy in Austria will be contained.

Franz will never have the idea of ​​killing all corrupt officials.If it is in an emerging country, it is almost the same. Interest groups have long colluded with an old empire like Austria.

As the emperor, it is no problem to attack a small group of people who do not eat and behave recklessly every time. As long as the excuse is suitable, everyone will actively cooperate.

If they want to wipe out all the interest groups and are forced to rush, it is not impossible for them to change the emperor.

Bureaucratic integrity cannot be expected, as long as they do not violate the bottom line, Franz's tolerance is still very high.

Honest officials need to be used, as well as corrupt officials, and even stupid officials can keep a few, as long as they are placed in the right position, they can play an unexpected role.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Prime Minister Felix replied

He is already preparing to promote the merit test system, which is a performance appraisal system specially designed by the Austrian government to prevent the lower officials from passively slowing down their work.

This standard is not very high. As long as you can complete the work within your scope of responsibility and act in accordance with the government's rules and regulations, you are considered qualified.

If you have made achievements on this basis, then congratulations, you are ready to be promoted.

On the contrary, those who neither act in accordance with the government's rules and regulations, nor have any outstanding achievements, are incompetent people who need to be purged.

Developing the economy is a political achievement, promoting ethnic integration is a political achievement, popularizing compulsory education is a political achievement, and implementing the government's decrees is also a political achievement.

The scope involved is very wide, as long as achievements are made in a certain aspect, they are all political achievements.

What the Austrian government wants to crack down on are disobedient and incompetent officials.

The central government asked you to promote the Austrian language, and you went to promote the local dialects. If you are not finished, who will be finished?

As the target of the government's crackdown, checking your wallet is naturally indispensable.If a problem is found, it happens to be used as a typical example of killing chickens and monkeys.

Franz didn't care much about how many officials lost their hats because of this, and how many officials got promoted because of this, he only wanted the final result.

Chapter 34 Off topic

On February 1850, 2, under diplomatic pressure from Britain, France and Russia, the Prussian government and the Kingdom of Denmark signed the Treaty of Pudan-Berlin in Berlin.

The Prussian government recognized the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark over the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein, and the Pudan War officially ended.

Before the signing of the treaty, under the strong pressure of the Russians, the Prussian army had actually withdrawn from the Kingdom of Denmark, including the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein.

After the signing of the treaty, the delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany left angrily and refused to recognize the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark over the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein.

The Prussian government was cheated. This time they cheated not only the states in the German region, but also the Russians. Obviously Nicholas I was using practical actions to warn the Prussians to be more honest.

During the negotiations, the German Federation delegation supported Prussia at the beginning, and had a fierce quarrel with the Russian representatives. Under the unanimous attitude of Britain, France and Russia, the delegation soon gave up and approved the mediation of Britain, France and Russia.

It was agreed that everyone would sign the treaty together, but after the Prussian government signed the treaty, the federal delegation immediately slipped away, shifting all the responsibilities to the Prussian government.

That's right, just slipped away.The so-called leaving in anger was for the public to hear. Anyway, the Federation delegation didn't sign the treaty, so you can say whatever you want.

The Prussians thought that Britain, France and Russia would force the German Confederation to sign a treaty to resolve the issue of the Schleswig-Holstein duchies once and for all, but the Russian representatives left satisfied.

Without the Russians, Britain and France naturally don't bother to care.

Anyway, in the German Confederation, only Prussia borders on the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein. No matter how loud the slogans are, the other states can only fire empty guns.

On this question, the attitude of the German Confederation is not important.Even this international organization cannot be regarded as a country in essence. All states have free diplomatic rights, and they themselves do not have the right to sign diplomatic treaties for everyone.

Affected by the "Putan-Berlin Treaty", the prestige of the Kingdom of Prussia in the German region was greatly damaged, and it was unable to compete with Austria for the leadership of the German region.

At this time, outside the Prussian embassies in various states in the German region, people were surrounded by people demanding donations, holding up debt collection signs to protest and demonstrate, and rocks flew in from time to time.

The public opinion was successful. When the donation was raised, the newspaper published a strong statement from the Prussian government.Part of it is true, and most of it is the editor's imagination.

None of this matters, the public thinks it's true anyway.It was agreed to fight to the death with the Russians, but in the end they were discouraged after all the battles. The people who thought they had been deceived were venting their anger in this way.

The money will definitely not come back. The Prussian government is clinking poorly. Even if they are scolded ten times harder, they still can't get the money back.

In the end, the governments of various countries had to send troops to defend the Prussian embassy and provide them with living security. When everyone was shouting and beating, the staff of the Prussian embassy did not dare to go out to buy vegetables.

The friendly relations between Prussia and the states in the German region have also begun to turn cold after the pit is over.

The German states headed by Bavaria are not willing to see the unification of the German region. They are trying to balance between the two states.

These states are close to Austria. In addition to their religious and political influence, they are also related to the eating habits of the Kingdom of Prussia.

The Kingdom of Prussia was originally a small state, and it has grown to become the second largest state in the German region. Naturally, it must expand all the way.

In just a few decades, the territory of the Kingdom of Prussia has tripled in size, and the black history of territorial expansion is naturally indispensable, which arouses everyone's vigilance.

The foreign policy of the Metternich era was still valuable, at least making the German states believe that Austria has no ambition to unify the German region, ignoring that Austria's national policy has changed.

At the Frankfurt Conference not long ago, evidence of the participation of the Prussian government was revealed by Austria again.

Now that the Kingdom of Prussia has been suppressed, the position of the Kingdom of Bavaria has changed again. They don't want to see the imbalance of power in Prussia and a situation where one family dominates.

The normal combination is that the second child unites with the third child to fight against the boss. Austria can cooperate with the third child to suppress the second child, which is already a great victory in diplomacy.

Now back on track, the diplomatic attitude of the Bavarian government has once again shifted.

Affected by the 1848 Revolution, King Ludwig I of Bavaria was forced to abdicate.Before abdicating, Ludwig I issued a proclamation on March 3, promising the Bavarian government to be committed to the cause of German freedom and unification.

This planted a political bomb for his son, Maximilian I, who succeeded him on the throne.

There is no way, compared with the unification of Germany by Prussia, the national unification faction in Bavaria hopes that Austria, which has the same religious beliefs as them, can unify the German region.

In history, Maximilian stood against the people because he supported the constitution of the Frankfurt Conference and advocated the exclusion of Austria from the German region.In order to stabilize the rule, it became pro-Austrian in 1851.

No matter who it is, the highest pursuit of the Bavarian government is to establish Opba's three giants side by side model. Obviously, the strength of the Kingdom of Bavaria is too far away from Pu'ao to achieve this.

The Kingdom of Bavaria moved closer to Prussia, which the Austrian Westward Movement would like to see.The impact on allies is too bad, and the Austrian government also has to face it.

If it is not possible to deal harshly, even if Austria unifies the southern German region, these states will still exist independently, which will affect the centralization of Austria.

These states are mainly Bavaria, and other small states are weak. Without this leading brother, they dare not add chaos to the central government.

The appearance of Maximilian I, the deadly pro-Prussian king, undoubtedly provided the Austrian government with an opportunity to annex the Kingdom of Bavaria.

Now it depends on his performance, whether he can create an excuse for Austria to justifiably abolish the Bavarian royal family.

In the Austrian Prime Minister's office, Felix said in a deep voice: "The alliance between Austria and Bavaria has become an obstacle to our unification of the German region.

It is imperative to dissolve this covenant, but Austria cannot betray the alliance. It is best for the Bavarian government to take the initiative to betray.The time for rescission of this covenant must also be chosen well, neither too early nor too late. "

This degree is difficult to grasp. If the alliance relationship is terminated early, because of geopolitical relations, Austria's influence in the German Federation will be greatly affected, and the Holy Roman Alliance may also be affected.

If the two sides still maintained an ally relationship when Austria launched the unification war, maybe Maximilian I would directly announce that the Kingdom of Bavaria had changed its flag.

Anyone in Bavaria can be the leading party, but the king can't be the leading party. The cost is too high.

If this happens, the Austrian government will cry.