Chapter 726

Berlin

Austria had no intention of keeping their actions a secret, and the Government of Prussia naturally received the news.

Frederick William IV Of Denmark was still hesitant to join the Allied Forces, but there was no need to think about it anymore. If they didn't think of a way to deal with it, the Kingdom of Prussia would become history before the allied forces could be established.

The Foreign Affairs Minister Andrea analyzed, "Your Majesty, Austria is trying to intimidate us. Russia, France, and Austria splitting us up is not beneficial to them. Once we're done for, Austria will be stuck between France and Russia.

The benefits they can get from dividing us will definitely not be greater than annexing South Germany, and the price they'll pay will be much greater. "

This was inevitable. After dividing Prussia, France and Russia could only use limited troops. The Russians could still send out 200,000 troops, and the French could only send out 100,000 troops at most. The main attack would definitely fall on Austria's head.

The Kingdom of Prussia's military strength wasn't weak. In a life and death situation, it was entirely possible to send out 500,000 to 600,000 troops.

If they fought, even if they couldn't beat the three countries, it wouldn't be a problem to break a few of Austria's teeth in a fight to the death.

After paying such a high price, most of the profits after the war would be taken by France and Russia. Without Prussian Poland and the Rhineland, the Kingdom of Prussia's value wouldn't be comparable to South Germany that Austria had already taken.

In addition, the difficulty of ruling was much greater. The Juncker nobles wouldn't accept Austria's offer, and the local people of South Germany would welcome the royal army.

Frederick William IV Of Denmark said with a face full of grief and indignation, "In theory, it's true, but the threat still exists. Austria dared to make it so obvious, clearly determining that we don't dare to take risks."

This wasn't a risk, it was clearly suicide. As long as Austria attacked Prussia, Russia and France would definitely take advantage of the situation.

Would Austria do this? No one knew the answer to this question. However, Frederick William IV Of Denmark could be sure that this was the easiest way for Austria to break out of the situation.

Joseph von Radowitz thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, we can throw this problem to the British. If they can't guarantee our safety, then we won't participate in the Nine Nations Intervention Coalition.

The Austrians still need us to contain the French. If we're finished, they'll have to face the French. As long as we withdraw now, they'll stop. "

This was an easy choice. The Prussian government had joined the Intervention Army for its own benefit, but it could also withdraw for its own benefit.

The nine-nation coalition looked very powerful, but in fact, the main force in it was only France and Prussia, and the rest of the countries were just to make up the numbers. As long as any of them backed down, the British plan would fail.

Andrea shook his head and said, "Prime Minister, I'm afraid the British can't solve this problem. They can convince the French, but they can't convince the Russians.

According to Austria's plan, before the Allied Forces were organized, they would start the war against us first, and the British would not be able to rescue us.

The only ones who have the power to help us are the French, but for their own benefit, I'm afraid that the French will wait for us to fail and then annex our territories west of the Rhine.

Facts have proven that their promises are unreliable most of the time. It had long been proven that their promises were unreliable most of the time.

At worst, we'll join the Russo-Austrian Alliance, rebuild the three Northern European court system, and jointly dominate the European continent. Britain and France won't be able to stop it. "

At most, they would join the Russian-Austrian alliance, rebuild the three Northern European court system, and jointly dominate the European continent. Britain and France would be powerless to stop them. "

Frederick William IV hesitated. Austria's annexation of the South German region had aroused everyone's fear, but the direct loss of benefits to each country was not great. Among the Great Powers, the one who had suffered the most was Prussia. The market had become smaller.

Historically, Prussia annexed North Germany. However, after joining the free trade system, the Kingdom of Prussia's industry had been greatly developed and wasn't afraid of British competition.

Historically, Prussia annexed North Germany. However, after joining the free trade system, the Kingdom of Prussia's industry had been greatly developed and wasn't afraid of British competition.

Now it was different. If the Government of Prussia dared to join the free trade system, the country's national industry would be stillborn.

There was no other way. In this era, the Kingdom of Prussia didn't have a strong competitive pillar industry. The industry depended on the British, or rather, the whole world was copying the British.

One of the reasons the Government of Prussia stood on the opposite side of Austria was that they were worried that after Austria controlled South Germany, they would raise the import tariff on Prussia's goods and directly use administrative means to squeeze them out of the market.

This wasn't just a possibility, it was a certainty. For the industrializing Kingdom of Prussia, it was self-evident what the lack of a sufficient market meant.

On the issue of North Germany, the Government of London couldn't give in at all. Otherwise, Prime Minister George would step down early and might even be given a ticket to heaven.

This was one of the reasons why the British wanted to divide Germany into three. The interests of the domestic capitalists prompted the Government of London to act.

As for the British having many colonies and a large market, that was bullshit. In this era, most of the colonial markets hadn't been developed, and the main market was still on the European continent.

The risk of trading at sea was much greater than trading at home. Moreover, which capitalist would complain about earning more money?

In contrast, South Germany was different. Bavaria was the textile center of the German Region. In this era, the British's biggest export was textiles. The Government of London wanted the Kingdom of Bavaria and Austria to leave, but it didn't mean to eliminate competitors.

The international politics of the mid-19th century was no longer just about politics and military. The influence of the economy was also growing, especially in countries with strong capital like Britain.

…

Austria's counterattack was both expected and unexpected by the British. Originally, the Government of London thought that Austria would threaten and tempt the Government of Prussia. They didn't expect the Government of Vienna to directly make a big move.

The effect of the big move was naturally very powerful. The Government of Prussia had already tactfully expressed its attitude — they didn't dare to play anymore.

Reality told the British that sometimes they couldn't completely look at the national interest. The personal interests of the senior government officials could also determine national politics.

After confirming the position of Napoleon Iii, the Austrians seized the loophole of the coalition and could fight back unscrupulously.

"The situation has changed. The Government of Prussia has been threatened by Austria and is ready to withdraw. If we don't find a way to stop it, I'm afraid it won't be long before the three Northern European court alliances reappear in Europe, "Prime Minister George Hamilton Gordon said seriously.

The Russo-Austrian Alliance hadn't been broken up yet. If it became the Russo-Prussian Alliance again, then there was no need to say anything. They would shrink their forces again and return to the British Isles.

Home Secretary Henry thought for a moment and said, "Prime Minister, I'm afraid the people of Prussia haven't made up their mind yet. Otherwise, they would have sent troops to annex North Germany instead of communicating with us.

We can't do anything to Russia and Austria, but we still have a way to deal with the people of Prussia. If the Royal Navy blockaded the North Sea for a month, the Kingdom of Prussia's domestic economic crisis would erupt. They couldn't ignore the consequences.

Even if the people of Prussia and Austria joined forces to divide up the German Region, it didn't mean that North Germany would belong to them. I'm afraid that many countries wouldn't give them a chance to act and would directly throw themselves into the arms of Austria.

It was impossible for the Government of Prussia not to consider this situation clearly. This kind of expansion didn't eliminate the crisis, but it just delayed it.

There was Russia in the east, France in the west, Austria in the south, and the remaining side was surrounded by the sea. The geographical position of the Kingdom of Prussia was simply terrible.

In this regard, Austria was very similar to them. They were both sandwiched between France and Russia. However, Austria could at least develop in the Regions of Italy and the Balkans, while the people of Prussia could only colonize overseas.

This was probably the reason why Frederick William IV Of Denmark didn't dare to make up his mind. Without our tacit consent, they could only be trapped at home and watch the countries continue to develop and grow. "

This was the core reason why the alliance of the three Northern European courts collapsed. The alliance couldn't bring greater benefits to the Kingdom of Prussia. If they wanted to industrialize, they couldn't do it without the overseas market. They had to deal with the relationship with the British.

George Hamilton Gordon hesitated for a moment and made a decision. "Tell Thomas that this test plan has failed. Use the second plan."

This was the most ideal plan, but it wasn't the only one. The Government of London didn't think that everyone was a fool, so they naturally prepared an emergency plan.

The reason why the British adopted this unreliable plan was very simple: the implementation cost was low, and the benefits were great!

If they succeeded, of course, everyone would be happy. If they failed, they wouldn't lose anything. Why not give it a try?

Now they really failed?

Of course not!

The British put a thorn in the Russo-Austrian Alliance and worsened the relationship between Austria and Prussia. At the same time, they also provoked the French and provoked the relationship between Austria and the European countries.

What about the British's contribution? Just the Foreign Minister was a little more diligent, and they had completed most of the strategy to balance Austria.

Affected by the deterioration of the diplomatic situation, Austria had to repair international relations for a long time in the future. After all, the annexation of South Germany had stimulated everyone's sensitive nerves.

…

Paris

The Government of Prussia withdrew from the intervention coalition, and the British's plan naturally changed. Negotiations restarted.

Thomas suggested again, "Everyone, considering the stability of the European continent, there must be a buffer between the big countries. I suggest that Baden, Hanover, Hamburg, Bremen … and other German states form a new country.

Considering the actual situation, the Kingdom of Prussia can exchange land with this new country, leaving enough buffer space between Prussia and France and Fao. "

This suggestion was much more reliable, at least in Metternich's opinion. Except for the absence of the Duchy of Baden, the British did not propose other states in South Germany.

In order to maintain a certain buffer with the French, in order to gain everyone's recognition, the price of the Duchy of Baden, in Metternich's opinion, was acceptable.

While Metternich was thinking, the French representative, Auvergne, took the lead to express his support, "Mr. Thomas's proposal is good. For the peace and stability of the European continent, it is necessary to leave a buffer between the big countries."

The reason was naturally that it was good for everyone's strategic security. The French now neither had the domineering power to conquer the world, nor did they have the strength to fight alone.

Since they couldn't swallow it, it was necessary to avoid conflict with the big countries as much as possible. As a member of the vested interests, a stable European continent was in the interest of the British and French.

If their homeland was not stable, even if they opened up colonies overseas, they would not feel at ease. Although the British had repeatedly provoked the contradictions of the European countries, in fact, they wanted Europe to be stable the most.

Of course, this stability must be built on the situation where the strength of the countries was evenly matched. It was obvious that at this time, the countries on the European continent were restraining each other. No one could be dominant, so it was necessary to stabilize.

Moreover, the new country led by the British would inevitably move closer to them politically, increasing their right to speak on the European continent.

At the same time, they could protect their market in the German Region. The government could gain a wave of capitalists' gratitude, which was simply killing two birds with one stone.

…

Carr Vossel was also a little eager, but seeing that Metternich did not express her opinion, considering that it involved the interests of Austria and that it was clearly stipulated in the alliance, he could not rashly speak up to support.

There was nothing strange about it. The current strategy of the Russians was to move south to Constantinople. They could not care about the European continent for the time being. A stable Europe was also what they needed.

Metternich thought about it and said, "This problem involves the Duchy of Baden and the Palatinate Province of Bavaria. We must carefully consider this issue."

Seeing that the Austrians did not object, the representative of Prussia, Rotruff, could not bear it anymore. He knew that if they did not fight for the interests now, they would lose a lot.

"No, the Rhineland region is the most important industrial area of the Kingdom of Prussia. We can't just give up like this!"

…