My Italy

The train is speeding along the railway line, and the clanking sound of the wheels passing over the joints of the rails is continuous and powerful, like a lullaby that induces drowsiness.

However, amidst the clanging sound, Carlo was not sleepy at all, because he was checking the results of this visit. That's right. The Italian delegation has already returned. After solving the colonial issue with Germany, nothing else will be a problem.

The clear instructions from the German government allowed Italy to quickly complete negotiations with major companies.

Sometimes I have to say that the Germans are doing a good job, because the technologies they brought back this time are very good. The barrel self-tightening technology was brought back from Krupp, the dye technology brought back from Farben Chemicals, the pharmaceutical technology brought back from Bayer, and various technologies brought by other companies.

These technologies are urgently needed for the development of Italian industry. Of course, in addition to these, there are various other technologies.

Carlo is reviewing these technologies, but what he calls a review is actually testing the results.

Carlo was very satisfied with his visit to Germany. Although Germany forced Italy to open its colonies, the Germans did not treat them badly. All technologies were needed by Italy.

Carlo looked at these documents selflessly, completely unaware of a figure appearing in front of him.

"Your Majesty, we are about to arrive in Rome!"

The voice of the captain of the guard came from beside him, asking Carlo to put down the documents in his hand.

"It's all coming home now, I almost forgot about it."

After putting down the document in his hand, Carlo turned to look at his captain of the bodyguard and rubbed his swollen eyes.

There were only a few people in the carriage where Carlo was, so he didn't act so formal.

After a while, the buildings of Rome appeared outside the window, and the speed of the train gradually slowed down.

Of course, this also reminds passengers that the station is about to arrive.

After the train stopped, the people on the platform who were responsible for greeting them immediately stepped forward, led by senior cabinet officials composed of Prime Minister Despretis and others.

"Your Majesty, you have had a hard time visiting Germany this time."

Facing the Prime Minister's greeting, Carlo immediately stepped forward to hold his hand and said. "It's nothing, it's all about working for Italy."

When Carlo said this, the Prime Minister's hesitant expression caught his attention.

"What's the matter, Prime Minister?"

"The French government sent a note hoping that our country would participate in negotiating a treaty on the Suez Canal."

"What?"

Facing the Prime Minister's words, Carlo was a little surprised because he had not received the news at all.

Well, the Prime Minister didn't know this news for long. After France failed to win over Egypt, in order to prevent the British from monopolizing the Suez Canal, it tried to unite other countries to force the British to make the Suez Canal a public canal open to other countries.

Of course, in addition to inviting Italy, France has also extended invitations to other countries. Which countries are there?

Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Spain, the Netherlands, and the Ottomans are all countries that have a need for the Suez Canal. Just look at these countries. They all have colonies or huge interests in the East.

Such a massive action is enough to illustrate the concerns of other countries about Britain's control of the Suez Canal. There is no way, this canal is too important to all countries, and no one wants this canal to be controlled by one of the countries.

Even the British Empire, which is at its peak, cannot reassure other countries.

After Carlo heard the Prime Minister's words, he thought for a moment and spoke. "Then let the Ministry of Foreign Affairs respond to France's note and tell them that we in Italy are very happy with this."

There is no way, Italy's current overseas colonies need to pass through the Suez Canal. Since France is the organizer, why doesn't Italy participate? Even if the British want to respond to this, they should look to France.

When Carlo answered, the Prime Minister and others breathed a sigh of relief. You must know that Carlo started his career as an anti-France, and being able to make him agree to this note from France also shows that the young king is not a brainless anti-France, but also has choices.

"By the way, does France have any conditions for negotiation this time?"

After leaving the train station, Carlo, who was sitting in the carriage, asked the Prime Minister who was sitting with him.

"some."

The Prime Minister took out a thick stack of documents from the briefcase he carried with him and spoke. “This is what France is proposing for the Suez Canal.”

After taking the document from the Prime Minister, Carlo began to read it. This document lists out sufficiently detailed terms.

As Article 1 states: The Suez Maritime Canal shall be freely open to all merchant ships or warships regardless of flag flying in times of war as in peacetime. The Contracting Parties therefore agree not to interfere with the free use of the Canal in time of war as in time of peace. The canal should never be subject to blockades.

This prevents the British from using the Suez Canal to threaten other countries, which is very important to all countries.

In addition, as listed in the second item. The Contracting Parties consider the Freshwater Canal to be an integral part of the Maritime Canal and note the commitment of His Highness the Governor of Egypt to the International Suez Canal Company regarding the canal on the river. The contracting parties undertake not to interfere with the safety of the canal and its tributaries, nor to hinder the use of the canal.

This is to prevent the Egyptians and the contracting parties from any sabotage activities on the canal. This is also for the benefit of all countries.

Further Article 3: The Contracting Parties undertake to respect the factories, installations, buildings and works belonging to the Maritime Canal and the River Canal.

Article 4: According to the provisions of Article 1 of this treaty, the Ocean Canal serves as a free waterway during wartime and should still be open to warships of belligerent countries. The contracting parties agree that there shall not be any act of war or hostility within the canal and its ports and within a radius of three miles of these ports, or any act aimed at obstructing the free navigation of the canal, even if the Ottoman Empire is a belligerent.

Unless there are special needs, warships of the warring parties should not load or store military supplies in the canal and its ports. The above-mentioned warships shall proceed through the canal as expeditiously as possible in accordance with the regulations in force and shall not make any stop except when necessary for official purposes.

The warship shall not stay at its anchorage in Port Said and Suez for more than twenty-four hours except in case of disaster. If you are in trouble, you must leave as soon as possible. There should be a period of twenty-four hours between the departure of a belligerent vessel from a port and the departure of an enemy vessel.

Article 5: During wartime, the warring parties are not allowed to load or unload troops, arms or military supplies in the canal and its ports. However, if a sudden obstruction occurs in the canal, troops of no more than 1,000 people in detachment units and a corresponding amount of military supplies can be loaded and unloaded.

These regulations are all to ensure the safety of the canal.

These terms were very beneficial to Italy, but the negotiation lacked the British who actually controlled the Suez Canal, which made Carlo have some concerns about it, but he kept it in his heart and did not say it out.

However, when he returned to the palace, he was interrupted by the visiting Minister of War before he was eager to reunite with his family.

"Your Majesty, the army's new rifle has been prototyped. Would you like to take a look?"

I'm in such a bad state today that I can only type one chapter. I also know that half of this chapter is filled with information. I'm sorry to all the book friends. All I can say is, I'm sorry. I'll make it up tomorrow when I get back to my normal state.

I hope everyone won’t be angry with the steamed buns.