Chapter 426

On the 21st of February, 1852, the Osman Empire rejected the Russian's unreasonable demands. The Constantinople's negotiations ended in failure, and the war between Russia and Turkey was inevitable.

This was within everyone's expectations. No one would agree to the demands of the Russians.

If it was just some scraps, the corrupt Osman government might be able to tolerate it. But if they wanted to swallow them whole, then there was no way to compromise.

A week later, the Government of Sudan also rejected Austria's conditions, and the war began its countdown.

From a military point of view, fighting on two fronts was very unwise.

In theory, if Austria occupied Moldavia and Wallachia, Russia and Turkey would be separated in the Balkans, and the military pressure on the Osman Empire would be reduced.

However, from a political point of view, the Government of Sudan could not compromise at all. If they showed a trace of weakness at this time, the support of Britain and France might change.

Britain and France might compromise with the Russians, and then the four great powers would come together to divide the Osman Empire. That would really be the end of it.

Although the Osman Empire was corrupt, they were still a "strong" country on the surface. Before their weak nature was exposed, Britain and France still had confidence in them.

The four great powers in Europe were divided into two groups, and the remaining countries were naturally neutral. They followed in the footsteps of their respective leaders. It was fine to participate in the war, but everyone was civilized, so how could they fight and kill?

The reputation of the Osman Empire was very bad in Europe, and of course, the reputation of the Russians was not much better. They were considered bad brothers and were not welcomed in Europe.

However, the reputation of the Osman Empire was even worse. Franz sent people to dig up the old accounts of the Osman Empire, so the support of the Russians was higher in public opinion.

The reaction of the people gave the Russians confidence. Nicholas I Of Russia regarded himself as the liberator of the Christian world, and Franz also carried this banner.

On the 27th of March, the Russian Empire officially declared war on the Osman Empire, and the Ninth Russo-Turkish War broke out.

On the 28th of March, under the command of Nicholas I Of Russia, the Russian Army launched an attack on the Osman Empire.

This time, the Tsarist government was very disciplined and operated strictly according to international practice. There was no undeclared war.

Vienna

Before the Russo-Turkish War broke out, the Russians reported to Austria according to the agreement of the alliance. Franz immediately ordered the entire army to prepare for war, and at the same time, convened an expanded military and political conference.

Marshal Radski pointed at the military map and analyzed, "Everyone, please take a look. According to the judgment of our General Staff, the Russians have three routes of attack to choose from.

First, attack from the Caucasus; second, attack from the Balkans; third, attack from the sea.

The Russians attacking from the Caucasus region has little to do with us, so we can ignore them.

If they launch an attack from the The Balkans, then they must first occupy Moldavia and Wallachia. According to the agreement, this is our sphere of influence.

Then we must take action, or else our westward strategy will be exposed. As long as the Russians leak the secret agreement, Britain, France, and Prussia will have their eyes on us.

If they launch an attack from the sea, then there are many landing points. The Osman Empire's port cities on the Black Sea are possible.

From a military point of view, these three attack routes are feasible. The Russians may choose one or two of them, or all three at the same time. "

Without Britain and France's intervention, the Russians had too many choices. The decaying Osman Empire was full of loopholes, and it was impossible to guard against them.

Once Britain and France intervened, the sea route would no longer exist. The Black Sea Fleet could bully the Osman Navy, but they would only be food when facing the British and French Navies.

For Austria, the most difficult thing was that the Russians would attack along the The Balkans. If the Russians occupied the Danube Valley, it would be difficult for them to retreat.

As for the alliance, from the moment it was signed, it was meant to be torn apart. As long as the benefits were large enough, any alliance was unreliable.

Metternich thought for a moment and said, "The westward strategy must not be exposed. If it attracts the attention of other countries, it will be difficult for us to unify South Germany."

Everyone nodded. Austria had already paid too much for the westward strategy. If it was exposed at the critical moment, it would be a great loss.

Austria wanted to unify South Germany, not destroy South Germany.

If they launched a sudden attack, with the help of the guide party, they could occupy Munich immediately and basically declare the end of the war.

In essence, the westward strategy was "thirty percent military and seventy percent political." Austria mainly used politics to lure the governments of these countries to surrender, and military attacks were only auxiliary.

If the plan was exposed, with the support of other powers, the South German States and Austria would fight to the death. Even if they won, it would not be worth it.

If there was too much bloodshed on both sides, it would be difficult to rule these places. Austria annexed South Germany to increase their national strength, not to create more trouble.

Marshal Radski thought for a moment and said, "Then we only have two choices. One is to immediately launch the westward strategy and catch them off guard.

But this way, the possibility of the French interfering is very high. We have to be prepared to fight the French first.

The other is to continue with the Balkan strategy and release a smokescreen to the outside world.

As long as we start a war in the The Balkans, even if the secret treaty is exposed, the British and French will be misled by us. "

It was obviously not in Austria's interest to make a move now. They would be taking the blame for the Russians. If Austria took on France, even with the support of the British, the Osman Empire would not be able to stop the advance of the Russians.

It was not easy to release a smokescreen. It was easy to start a war, but it was difficult to quell it. It was possible that the British and French forces would first come over to Austria before finding trouble with the Russians.

Prime Minister Felix said with a serious expression, "We have long expected this situation. Once the Russians take action, we will immediately follow up. They can attack along the The Balkans.

But we must also send troops to occupy the two duchies along the Danube River. We cannot let the Russians swallow them up.

As long as the war between Russia and Russia cannot be resolved quickly, they will not be able to do without our support. At this time, the Russians will not violate the treaty. "

Franz nodded his head in agreement. That was enough. No strategy could be guaranteed to be foolproof. As the Emperor, he naturally could not rush to the front and had to leave some room for buffer.

If something happened midway and caused the plan to fail, someone would have to take the blame, right? The Cabinet was the most suitable choice. Politics was just that cruel.

Of course, Franz was a good boss. It was fine to take the blame for him. At most, he would be chased home for a few years and could come back after the limelight had passed.

This kind of thing did not happen too many times in history. Almost every successful Emperor had played this game.

…

On March 28, 1852, after the Russians, Austria also submitted a letter of war to the Osman Empire. The Near East War expanded.

Constantinople

After receiving the letters of war from the Russians and Austrians, the Government of Sudan gave up the last hope. Abdul Mejid I also declared war on the two countries.

In terms of courage, Abdul Mejid I was still a qualified Emperor. He did not back down at this time.

In theory, Abdul Mejid I had millions of troops under his command. With the support of Britain and France, they were equipped with modern weapons. As the defensive side, they were not completely powerless.

"What did the British and French representatives say? When will they send reinforcements?" Abdul Mejid I asked with concern.

The Foreign Affairs Minister replied, "Your Majesty, the British and French representatives have expressed their support, but it will take some time to send reinforcements.

If we agree, the British and French navies can immediately enter the Black Sea and suppress the Black Sea Fleet of the Russians.

The British and French also agreed to let the instructors who helped us train the troops join the war, but they must participate as commanders. "

It was easy to invite the British and French fleets into the Black Sea, but it was difficult to let them leave.

Suppressing the Black Sea Fleet of the Russians was only one aspect. For the British and French, controlling the Black Sea could also increase their voice in the Osman Empire. This came with a lot of economic benefits.

Abdul Mejid I frowned. He knew that it was not easy to get the help from the British and French. He did not mention any conditions before. Wasn't he just waiting here?

Before the Near East War broke out, how could the Osman Empire make more concessions than after the war broke out?

Now the dagger was revealed. The military instructors sent by the British and French would participate in the war as commanders. This was to ask the Osman government for the right to command the army.

Once the Government of Sudan made a compromise, it would be difficult for the Osman Empire to get rid of the control of the British and French in the future. This was an overt plot. Even if Abdul Mejid I knew that there was a pit in front of him, he still had to jump into it.

"Tell them that as long as the British and French reinforcements can arrive in advance, I will agree!" Abdul Mejid I said while gritting his teeth.

To him, agreeing to such conditions was undoubtedly an insult to his dignity. However, the reality was that he had no other choice.

When the Near East War broke out, the Osman Empire could not do without the support of the British and French. The weapons and equipment needed to be provided by the British and French. The military expenses needed to be provided by the British and French. If they wanted to win the war, they needed the British and French reinforcements.

…

On the 28th of March, 1852, the Russian Army launched an attack in the Caucasus. On the 29th of March, the Russian Army attacked the Danube Valley. On the same day, the Austrians also sent their troops to the Danube Valley.

Facing the simultaneous attack of the Russians and Austrians, the autonomous governments of Moldavia and Wallachia surrendered very straightforwardly.

There was no such thing as fighting for the Osman Empire. The Romanians did not have the intention to sacrifice their lives for the Sultan. They had rebelled against the Osman Empire for a long time.