Chapter 732

While increasing the storage of weapons and equipment, Austria also increased investment in the research and development of new equipment.

For example, tanks that ran as slow as a tortoise, planes with a range of only 300 kilometers, and stupid artillery. These all needed to be improved.

In fact, with the continuous development of technology, the factors that determined the outcome of a war were more and more weapons, equipment, and logistics.

Preparing for war wasn't just about storing weapons and ammunition. Other strategic materials also needed to keep up.

This involved a wide range. Many materials were actually common to both the military and the military. Production was not limited to state-owned enterprises. Most of them came from private enterprises.

In order not to arouse suspicion from the outside world and expose the government's strategic plan, increasing the material reserves was out of the question.

However, the enemy should be the one worrying about this problem.

After all, Austria's industrial chain was complete, and the raw materials were self-sufficient. Even if the war accelerated production, they would be much faster than their competitors.

Preparation was preparation. No one knew when the war would start.

The Government of Vienna began to prepare for war. In fact, based on the analysis of the international situation, they felt that war was likely to break out in Europe.

From the current situation, whoever fired the first shot would push the Central European countries to the opposite side.

Although Belgium was now pro-Austrian, countries such as the Netherlands and Switzerland were also showing goodwill to Austria. This was based on the premise of the aggressive Government of France.

In the original universe, Napoleon Iii also wanted to annex Belgium and repeatedly interfered with Belgium's internal affairs. The two stood on opposite sides.

During the World War II, Belgium sided with the Allies. In reality, they were forced to do so. It was not as the diplomatic tactics of Britain and France were said to be brilliant.

If the German and German Empires didn't attack France through Belgium, why would they participate in the war?

The Belgians weren't stupid. A small country participating in the World War would be cannon fodder. There wouldn't be many benefits at all.

Perhaps Belgium wasn't worth mentioning. What if the Northern German Confederation was added?

Franz knew what kind of small countries in the German Region were.

Referring to the Prussia War in the original universe, everyone agreed to join forces to deal with Prussia. In the end, only Austria and Prussia were left to fight.

They should have been evenly matched. Because of these countries' slacking, Austria was at an absolute disadvantage in terms of military strength in the battle.

If they wanted to fight with their lives on the line, the enemy would have to come to their door. Otherwise, these guys could only come out and shout slogans to boost their morale.

…

Since the destruction of the Austrian alliance against France, a change had taken place in the atmosphere of the French Government, and it was suddenly found that the cloud which had hung over France was no more.

Many people were not used to this sudden change. With the capital adding fuel to the fire, the voice of the pro-war faction became louder and louder.

The voice of the pro-war faction became louder and louder.

"It seems that Austria is not that powerful. After losing the support of the British, the Vienna government could not set up an anti-French siege."

"Austria" would naturally affect the political decisions. Napoleon IV was no longer so interested in Austria.

Versailles Palace

After roughly looking through the document in his hand, Napoleon IV asked with uncertainty, "Are you ready to restart the international coal price negotiations?"

In order to hinder the economic development of France, Britain and Austria led the establishment of the International Coal Export Alliance to control the international coal trading price.

As a result, the price of coal imported by France was at least 50% higher than that of Britain and Austria.

The higher the price of energy, the cost of industrial production naturally went up. This directly caused many of France's industrial and commercial products to lose their competitiveness in the international market.

In order to disintegrate the International Coal Export Alliance, the Government of France and the industrial and commercial industry tried all means, but they still failed.

Even because they controlled France's energy lifeline, the International Coal Export Alliance often criticized France's industrial and commercial industries.

There were two sides to everything. Due to the high price of energy, France took the lead in energy conservation.

The same power of steam engines and boilers, the French products usually consumed a few percent less coal, and some with outstanding performance could even save 20 to 30 percent.

Not only did they consume less coal, but the French also invented many coal substitutes, such as charcoal.

In most fields, the French boilers and steam engines could burn charcoal, and some equipment could even burn firewood.

Of course, black technology wasn't omnipotent. Substitutes were always substitutes, and there was still a gap between them and the original product.

This caused the French industrial and commercial products to inevitably have some flaws in quality, and they could only be used.

The most typical example was steel. The overall quality of French steel was the worst, even worse than that of Russia.

The Minister of Economy, Elsa, said righteously, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. For the healthy development of the domestic economy, the Ministry of Economy will do its best to fight down the international coal trade price. "

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karel Kadlec, echoed, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will fully cooperate with the Ministry of Economy. We have already begun to lobby the British.

Judging from the current situation, the British Coal Export Association is already showing signs of compromise. As long as the British give in, we can force Belgium and the German Confederation to compromise. "

The conflict was only because of interests. If the International Coal Export Alliance's original purpose was to suppress the French economy, then it was purely because of interests now.

In a sense, coal was also a product that was urgently needed. No matter how hard the French tried to find substitutes, they still had to import large amounts of coal.

Under such circumstances, the suppliers naturally had to raise the price to seek huge profits.

It was very easy to get the British to give in, and that was to throw money at them. As long as they could make up for the less money they earned from the coal export industry in other ways, things would be easy.

As for the coal suppliers of Belgium and the North German Confederation, they could only blame it on their bad luck. Who asked their countries to be so weak?

Napoleon Iv was lost in thought. It seemed like it was just a coal price negotiation, but in fact, it was more of a test to the international community.

If the plan succeeded and did not cause a violent backlash from the international community, then the Government of France would not need to be so cautious in the future.

"Since you are all ready, then let's restart the negotiation! But pay attention to the methods and don't make a big mess. "

It was obvious that Napoleon Iv was not so assured with the bureaucrats under him.

This had something to do with the French political system. The Ministry of Economy was definitely the department in the government that was most heavily influenced by capital. The achievements of officials were linked to capital from the very beginning.

If they did not inform in advance, these guys would act according to the will of the capital and directly start a war.

France was not ready for war. Napoleon Iv did not think that France could challenge the world with its current strength.

…

At the headquarters of the British Coal Association in London, a group of capital tycoons were arguing fiercely.

A pot-bellied old man said excitedly, "Gentlemen, the opportunity to make a fortune is here.

The French proposed that as long as we ignore the International Coal Export Union and reduce the price of coal by one-fifth, they will reduce the tariff on some goods.

This reduction is not for all companies, but is limited to the industries of the members of the Coal Association. Everyone, cheers! "

Applause rang out. Many people were immersed in the joy of making a fortune. It was obvious what it meant to be able to transport goods to the French market with lower tariffs than their domestic counterparts.

Some people were happy and some people were disappointed. Not everyone could benefit.

The small coal mine owners were the biggest victims. They had limited capital and could not enter multiple industries. On the contrary, selling coal at a high price could maximize their profits.

They had no goods to sell even if the tariff was reduced. On the contrary, the consortiums had more profits and could obtain greater benefits.

As the representative of the small coal mine owners in the association, Mihailovich immediately objected, "No! The French are Britannia's biggest enemy. Any relaxation of the suppression of France is a crime against Britannia.

Those idiots in the government foolishly ran to form an alliance with the French. Are we also going to compromise with the French for insignificant benefits? "

The old man smiled and said, "Mihailovich, don't forget that we are capitalists. We have no reason not to take the money that comes to us. Suppressing France is the government's business.

Your worry is nothing more than the loss of your own interests. In fact, you don't have to worry. Even if there are no other industries, we can still cooperate!

I believe that everyone here would not mind providing you with help to fill the vacancies in your industries.

If it doesn't work, you can also choose to sell the coal mine. Don't worry, everyone will offer a good price.

In short, we will not let you suffer losses. "

Mihailovich's face changed. This was the end of the line. Before this, although the profits from the coal mine were good, the small mine owners only had low quality mines. The consortiums were not interested in them.

Now, it was different. Controlling the coal mine meant controlling the export of coal. With these shares, they could negotiate with the French and obtain preferential tariff treatment to sell other industrial and commercial products.

Don't say that the British did not lack the market. This was impossible. The market was not enough for any industrial power.

The British consortiums had been eyeing the French market for a long time. However, the Government of France knew that they could not compete with the British and resorted to tariff barriers.

Now that they had finally managed to tear an opening, everyone naturally had to find a way to rush in.

As for the subsequent impact of the fall in coal export prices, what did it have to do with them? As long as they could make money, who cared about the future?