Chapter 361

After 1851, the situation in the Near East became more and more tense. Russia and Austria were eyeing the Osman Empire. The Government of Sudan invited Britain and France to mediate the conflict.

Let's not talk about the price the Ottoman Empire paid. The problem now was that the Government of France was busy fighting among themselves. The British could not scare Russia and Austria at all.

In the eyes of the British, the core of the crisis in the Near East was Russia. As long as they did not stir up trouble, it would be easy to persuade Austria.

With this judgment, the British and Russian negotiations began. There was no doubt that the British did not think that the problem could be solved at the negotiating table. The main purpose of launching this negotiation was to buy time.

The Government of London and Louis Napoleon Bonaparte had colluded together. In order to deal with the increasingly serious crisis in the Near East, the British decided to support Napoleon Iii to seize power.

The British wanted to buy time, and the Russians were not ready. The negotiations began in this situation.

Vienna

The Government of Austria was discussing the British and Russian negotiations, which affected Austria's next strategy. If the British fooled the Hairy Bear, the westward strategy would be ruined.

Metternich analyzed, "The conflict between Britain and Russia has been going on for a long time. The conflict between the two sides is very serious. From the Near East to the Far East, the focus of the conflict between the two countries is everywhere.

Unless one side can make a big concession, the conflict between the two countries is inevitable.

The current crisis in the Near East is mainly caused by the core strategy of the Russians. They have been preparing for so long. It is difficult to make them stop now. "

After the decline of the Osman Empire, there was a voice in Russia that they should swallow the old empire and inherit all their inheritance.

Because their appetite was too big, the plan of the Russians was naturally resisted by other countries. Although they were not able to swallow the empire, in the last two wars between Russia and Turkey, the Russians still got enough benefits.

Perhaps they felt that it was too difficult to swallow the Osman Empire, so the Russians set two small goals and completed the plan step by step.

The first step was to control the Black Sea, go south to the Balkans, and occupy the two straits.

The second step was to firmly grasp the protection of the Eastern Orthodox Church in the Osman Empire, and then encroach on the Osman Empire.

The core of the first strategic step was to occupy the two straits. Only by controlling this golden waterway could the Russian Empire's strategic security be guaranteed and not worry about being blockaded by the Osman Empire.

This was also the first step of the Russians into the sea. It was the core of their maritime strategy.

However, this most crucial step was cut off by the British as early as 1841 when the London Straits Convention was signed.

The Russians had worked hard for half a century for nothing, and the Tsarist government was not willing to let go of the protection of the Orthodox Church. In history, the fuse of the Crimean War was a religious conflict.

Now that Russia and Austria have formed an alliance, the European powers have joined forces to suppress Russia's diplomatic situation has changed, and the French are not in good shape. If they don't take advantage of this opportunity to occupy the Two Straits area, the Russians will never have a chance again.

Coincidentally, the crisis in the Holy Land provided the Russians with a sufficient excuse for war. The reason why they hadn't started yet was because they were preparing for war.

Did the Ottoman government not know about these problems? This was obviously impossible. As an old enemy, the Ottoman government had never let down their guard against the Russians.

It was impossible to take the initiative. The Osman government had never relaxed their vigilance against the Russians.

Taking the initiative to attack did not exist. The Russians were not ready for war, and neither was the Ottoman Empire.

The Russians were not ready for war. The Osman Empire was also not ready for war. However, he knew his own strength. The seemingly powerful Ottoman army was, in fact, just a facade.

Whether it was against the Russians or the Austrians, they were all cowards. This was not something that could be covered up by saying the government was corrupt and incompetent. The gap in national power was not something that could be made up in a short period of time.

Prime Minister Felix thought for a moment and said, "The Russians are bound to make a move. What we are not sure now is whether they will make a move in the second half of this year or delay until 1852.

Not only was it uncertain when the war would break out, but it was also unknown how long this war, which was destined to be of a large scale, would last.

The most worrying thing is whether Britain and France will participate in the war. Even if they do, how much strength will they bring?

Until these questions are confirmed, any action we take will be risky. Now we have to think of a way to control the risk. "

This was the difference between a big country and a small country. Small countries did not need to think about the aftermath. If they won, everything would be fine. If they lost, it would be over.

Austria was different. As long as they did not act blindly, even if they failed once, there was a second chance. It was essential to control the risk in advance.

Marshal Radski shook his head and said, "If we want to control the risk, then after the Russian-Turkish war breaks out, we can only wait for the war to escalate. We cannot move before the French send troops.

What if the French do not join the war? Do we have to give up this plan? "

Prime Minister Felix said with certainty, "This depends on the determination of the British. As long as they are willing, they will definitely have a way to pull the French along."

This conclusion was the same as Franz's. After all, Louis Napoleon Bonaparte relied on the British to rise to power.

In history, he was a serious Anglophobe and often agreed with the British. During his time in power, the Government of France and the British were almost never seen going against each other.

Franz thought for a moment and said, "The key to the success of this strategy is secrecy. We will launch a surprise attack on each country, create an established fact, and force Britain and France to admit it.

As long as the plan is not exposed, the initiative is in our hands. When to make a move, whether to make a move or not is up to us.

After the Russian-Turkish war breaks out, whether Britain and France will join the war is not something we can control. But I think the Osman is more anxious.

Roping in Britain and France to join the war is their only choice to get out of this crisis. When necessary, we can let the Osman Empire know that our target is only the Danube Valley. "

Franz did not have any psychological pressure in deceiving the Osman Empire. If he told them that the Government of Austria was not interested in them this time, the Government of Sudan would not believe him no matter what he said.

It was better to expose false information and let the Osman Empire believe it. Compared to the Russians who wanted to swallow them, the Austrians' appetite was undoubtedly much smaller.

After clearly distinguishing between the main enemy and the secondary enemy, the Osman Empire did not have many choices. If they were bitten by the Austrians, it would be nothing more than psoriasis. If they were bitten by the Russians, even if they did not die, they would be half crippled.

…

Minister of Finance Carr suggested, "Your Majesty, in order to deal with the upcoming war, the Ministry of Finance proposes to implement a tobacco and alcohol monopoly system to raise more war funds."

Austria had a war fund. It was enough to unify South Germany, but it was not certain to face the interference of other countries.

The Austrian Empire was also a large country, and it had long passed the stage of taking risks. Franz also did not like to take risks. It was impossible to foolishly run to start a war with only a few months of war funds.

Therefore, from the beginning, the strategic plan had taken into account the intervention of the great powers. The worst case scenario was to start a war with Britain, France, and Prussia at the same time.

Of course, this was based on the situation where Russia and Austria joined forces. If it was a one-on-one fight, Franz was not that reckless, and the Government of Austria did not have that confidence.

The side with more soldiers would always have an advantage in war, especially when there might be a two-front war, or even a three-front war.

With more soldiers, the military expenditure would naturally be higher. It was necessary to raise as much war funds as possible.

The most direct way was to collect war taxes. Unless the war had already broken out, Franz would not do it. He was a person who abided by the rules.

"After the implementation of the tobacco and alcohol monopoly system, how much income can be increased?" Franz asked with concern.

Carr thought for a moment and replied, "Based on the current economic development in the country, after the implementation of the tobacco and alcohol monopoly system, it can increase income by at least 35 million duns per year."

In the case of the original financial tax, it could increase income by 35 million duns. The profits of the tobacco and alcohol monopoly could be imagined.

"Prime Minister, what do you think?" Franz asked.

35 million duns was enough to move Franz. Deep in his heart, he had already agreed. Now that he was asking for the prime minister's opinion, he needed the cabinet to be responsible for implementing this plan.

Prime Minister Felix replied without hesitation, "Your Majesty, special circumstances can be treated differently. The government will do some ideological work for the capitalists. I think they will understand."

Obviously, everyone's bottom line was so high. In order to increase the financial income by 35 million duns, everyone did not mind sacrificing the interests of some people.

It was no longer important whether the capitalists, whose interests were damaged, could think it through. Anyway, they had no say in politics.

Historically, the Government of Austria implemented the monopoly of salt and tobacco. However, the principled Franz had long listed salt and food as necessities in the People's Livelihood Act.

In order to ensure that the people could fill their stomachs and not rebel, the government strictly controlled the prices of these necessities.

Under the circumstances that the price could not be raised, including salt in the monopoly system would not increase the income by much. Naturally, the Ministry of Finance chose another item with higher profits, alcohol.

These two items were not necessities. It did not matter even if the price was a little higher. Smoking and drinking less was also good for one's health.

This was Franz's true opinion. Even though he smoked and drank, it did not prevent him from guiding the people to cultivate a correct lifestyle.

Franz thought for a moment and said, "In that case, the government should pass a law to implement the tobacco and alcohol monopoly as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Prime Minister Felix replied.