Chapter 323

The navy's ship-building plan was rejected by Franz, but the navy's budget in 1851 increased by more than one million Guilder, reaching a high of 12.681,000 Guilder.

The Government of Austria attached great importance to the navy, but no matter how much they valued it, it couldn't change the fact that Austria was a land power country.

In 1851, the army's military budget increased even faster, soaring to 61,246,200 Guilder. The Great Reserve Strategy was officially launched. According to the plan, from now on, 200,000 reserves would be increased every year.

The total military budget of the Austrian Empire in 1851 increased by nearly 20% compared to 1850. The footsteps of war were approaching.

As a neighbor, how could the actions of Russia be hidden from the Government of Austria? Not long ago, Nicholas I Of Russia used expansion as an excuse to levy a war tax.

If there was no secret treaty between Russia and Austria, everyone might still be skeptical and uncertain of Russia's war goals. The Government of Austria, who knew the truth, was 99% sure that a war between Russia and Turkey would break out again.

In this case, as an ally, the Government of Austria naturally followed suit. If there was no Russia to break the situation, how would Austria's strategy proceed?

Thanks to the big moves of Russia, the Government of Austria increased military spending without any ripples. In the eyes of the outside world, this was a normal reaction. With a neighbor like the Hairy Bear, it was normal to be vigilant.

The situation in Europe had always affected the whole situation. The arms race was also contagious. Although Russia and Austria didn't want to provoke an arms race, everyone followed suit.

Governments all over the world raised their military expenditures. The British, with the exception of the Army Race, never entered it.

Not all countries' financial situation was so good. The Kingdom of Prussia, which had financial difficulties, didn't follow suit this time.

Frederick William IV Of Denmark wasn't a fool. If the Kingdom of Prussia played an arms race with Russia and Austria, it wouldn't be able to support it. Military spending had exceeded half of the fiscal revenue. If it continued to increase, it would go bankrupt.

The French, who also had financial difficulties, followed suit. Although the Government of France didn't have money, private consortia did. They could borrow from the bank.

This was the foundation of an old empire. They had sufficient financial security. This was why France was able to become the second country to complete industrialization after the United Kingdom.

Belgium completed industrialization very close to the United Kingdom, but their industrial system wasn't perfect. Many industries didn't exist.

Although Belgium was the first to complete industrialization, its industrial strength was still not comparable to those of the major powers. It only had advantages in certain areas.

Vienna

Prime Minister Felix said, "Your Majesty, affected by the Russians' preparations for war, other than the financially strapped Kingdom of Prussia, all the European countries have begun to expand their armies for war.

Only a week before, with the support of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, the French government had passed an enlargement of the army, and the French Army had been enlarged by another fifty thousand men. When the enlargement was completed, they had a total force of 436,000 men, second only to Russia.

For our next strategy, the threat of the French has risen to the top. We must raise our vigilance and prepare countermeasures. "

France had always been Europe's traditional military power. It had fought against the Hapsburg dynasty for hundreds of years, and the French army reached its peak during the Napoleonic era.

The Government of Austria had been at war with the House of Habsburg for hundreds of years. Franz frowned. He knew it wasn't a big deal. The threat of the French couldn't be taken too seriously.

Franz frowned. He knew this was not a fuss, and the threat of the French could not be taken too seriously.

"How many troops are there in France?" Franz asked with concern.

It didn't matter if the French had a lot of troops. They had many colonies and needed to be stationed. The key was to see their troops concentrated in the mainland. This was the existence that could pose a threat to Austria.

Prime Minister Felix replied, "Before the expansion, there were 221,000 troops. After the expansion, it's still uncertain. The worst case scenario is that all 271,000 troops stay in the mainland."

Franz breathed a sigh of relief. After the Russians made their move, the United Kingdom and France would definitely help the Osman Empire. At that time, there wouldn't be so many French troops left in the mainland.

Since the reserve system was rotten, the French needed some time to expand their army to form combat power. This was an opportunity.

What worried him the most was that the Government of France would return to the reserve system and return to the Napoleonic era. The war mobilization system that could recruit millions of troops at any time was the biggest threat.

Obviously, Louis Napoleon Bonaparte wasn't very capable in terms of military affairs. Otherwise, during the Franco-Prussian War, he wouldn't have mobilized only 220,000 troops and hurriedly fought with the Prussia. He was beaten to a pulp by the enemy, who had more than twice the number of troops.

Perhaps because they lost too unjustly, the French were never convinced after the war. The British instigated it, and France and Germany became irreconcilable enemies.

Franz asked uncertainly, "If the French only use this many troops to intervene, we should be able to handle it, right?"

A professional question needed a professional answer.

Franz thought he had a certain level of military skill, which was mainly reflected in strategy. If it was specific to tactics, commanding battles below the regimental level would probably not be a problem.

The Chief of the General Staff, Marshal Radski, had more say in this kind of battle where hundreds of thousands of troops were mobilized. He had fought with the French army at its peak and had personal experience.

Marshal Radski thought for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, the French army is no longer as invincible as it was in the Napoleonic era. After so many years of wear and tear, it has long lost its invincible momentum.

Equal in strength, we can fight a decisive battle with the French.

If we wait for the Kingdom of Bavaria to build the railway before we take action, then we can reach Baden within a week and keep the French out of the country. "

Ever since he saw the Government of Austria's railway network strategy, Marshal Radski realized the huge military use of the railway.

Since the railway could be used to transport goods, it could naturally be used to transport troops. At the same time, it could also provide effective logistics support.

South Germany was not a dangerous place. Austria had been operating in these areas for many years. With the nationalists leading the way, it would be difficult for these small countries to resist.

As long as they were fast enough and did not give these small countries a chance to collude with the French, there would not be any major changes.

It might not even take too long, only two or three months. After the political leadership of each country was settled, the German army could also change and fight with the Austrian army against the French invaders.

After gaining the support of the local people, Austria would be in an invincible position. The current France was no longer in the Napoleonic era. They could sweep through everything.

The Minister of War, Prince Wendisch Grätz, said, "It's not just South Germany. If the French send troops to intervene, they may also join forces with the Kingdom of Sardinia in the Lombardy region, causing us to fight on two fronts."

Marshal Radski shook his head and said, "It doesn't matter. They fight theirs, and we fight ours.

If France dares to send their main forces to the Regions of Italy, at worst we will give up the Regions of Italy and fight directly to Paris.

In terms of distance, we will also have an advantage. I don't know if we can take Paris, but we can bet with the Government of France.

If we lose the bet, the worst that will happen is Lombardy. If we win, the French will have to pay a great price. "

Looking at the dispute between the two, everyone tacitly did not participate. This was the effect that Franz wanted. If there was no conflict between the Ministry of War and the General Staff, he would have to replace them.

It had nothing to do with trust. This was the instinct of the Emperor's Art of Balance.

If they let their subordinates collude, then they would have to deceive their superiors. In history, there were more than one or two emperors who were overthrown.

At the same time, they could not let their subordinates fight each other. Everyone was busy fighting among themselves. Who would do the work?

Prince Wendisch Grätz thought for a moment and retorted, "The French are not made of paper. How can they be conquered in a short time?

Once they can't conquer Paris, the war will be at a stalemate. The advantage of the French fighting on home soil will be shown. They will soon be able to mobilize hundreds of thousands of cannon fodder.

These cannon fodder troops have not been trained, but when it comes to defending the country, they can rely on morale to make up for the lack of training.

When the time comes, we will be limited by logistical supplies. We will still have to retreat in vain, and it will be difficult to recover the lost Italy. "

Marshal Radski said, not to be outdone, "Even if we can't conquer Paris, we can make the French suffer a great loss.

They can concentrate their forces to defend Paris, and they will not have guards in other areas. If they refuse to compromise, we will burn and loot along the way, destroying their industrial and commercial system in the northeast.

I dare not say anything else, but create millions of homeless refugees, encourage these people to rob and plunder, and spread chaos to the whole of France.

They can't even take care of themselves at home. Can they not withdraw their troops from the Regions of Italy? Does the Kingdom of Sardinia have the ability to stop us from recovering the Regions of Italy? "

Sure enough, the old guys were ruthless. If they really did this, it was estimated that the French would not be able to recover for more than ten years. Moreover, Austria and France would become mortal enemies. In the future, the mainstream of international contradictions would be the contradictions between Austria and France.

What would Franz do if he had to choose? Of course, he would do it. Anyway, they had become enemies. What was the difference between doing 50 and 100?

If they became enemies, then so be it. Who was afraid of who? At most, they would just pretend to be obedient to the British and not challenge their sea power. Austria's geographical location determined that the threat from the sea was almost zero.

After defeating the Frenchman once, the soldier's spirit was awakened. After unifying South Germany, the Austrian Empire was completely reborn.

Metternich became the peacemaker. She said with a smile, "Don't be so angry. As long as we choose the right time and create an established fact, the French are likely to acquiesce.

They are not fools. If I invest 300,000 to 400,000 troops in South Germany, they will not have the same number of troops. Why would they take the risk to send troops?

Moreover, if the French want to interfere with us, the best route to send troops is through the Rhineland. Would the Kingdom of Prussia dare to let them go?

When we do it, the Kingdom of Prussia will most likely follow. The French oppose our unification of South Germany. Are they willing to watch the Kingdom of Prussia unify North Germany?

They are covetously eyeing the land west of the Rhine River of the German Confederation. A powerful Kingdom of Prussia is not in their interest.

In the future, we and Prussia will still be allies when it comes to dealing with the French. "

After listening to Metternich's explanation, everyone looked happy. Persimmons looked for the weak to pinch. Bullying the weak and fearing the strong was the theme of this era.

What the French wanted was not in Austria's hands. Even if they intervened in the unification of the German Region, it was essentially for their own interests.

On the contrary, the Kingdom of Prussia wanted to keep the territory west of the Rhine River and had to fight the French to the death. Want to compromise? Would the nationalists in the country agree?

Franz said slowly, "Well, the problem with the French is over. The problem now is the arms race among the European countries. Our good neighbor, the Kingdom of Prussia, can no longer hold on.

It seems that the Prussian war was not fought in vain. In the short term, the Kingdom of Prussia will not be able to get out of this predicament. This is also a good thing for us.

Looking at the current situation, the time when the Russians start the war should be 1851, at the latest, no later than 1852. Should we escalate the arms race? "

There was no doubt that the only countries on the European continent that could threaten Austria were Russia, France, and Prussia. Now that the Kingdom of Prussia was in a financial crisis and could not keep up, it was time to escalate the arms race between Russia, Fao, and Prussia.

Prime Minister Felix clenched his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, we can bet that after the war started by the Russians, Britain and France will send troops to intervene and unify South Germany will appear.

Now we escalate the arms race and eliminate the Kingdom of Prussia first. With one less competitor, we have a higher chance of success.

If we lose the bet, we can just implement the Balkan strategy first. No matter what, we won't lose! "

How could they not lose? From Prime Minister Felix's point of view, not going west to Germany and dividing up the The Balkans was a losing deal to begin with.

But in order to obtain the support of the Balkans, he was willing to go all out. If the fighter planes appeared, they would unify South Germany. If not, they could only cut the grass and hit the rabbit, and go to the The Balkans to make up for their losses.

Marshal Radski said excitedly, "Your Majesty, this risk is worth taking. If we lose, it's just tens of millions of guilders. If we win, it's South Germany!"

Indeed, if they lost, it was just tens of millions of guilders in military expenses. This was not a complete waste. At least it would increase their military strength.

The Government of Austria was not an iron head. They had to bite the bullet and charge forward.

If the international situation was unfavorable and they could not advance west, they could go south to bully the Osman Empire and make up for their losses. Even if Russia really went to the Far East to eat ice, Austria would not be afraid to go alone.

Thinking of this, Franz had already made a decision.