Chapter 907

In the command center, Duke Albrecht looked at the deployment map sent by the frontline and frowned.

"General Desmet, isn't the deployment of your forces in the coastal area a little too weak?"

There was no other way. The anti-French alliance had the advantage in all aspects, but they were at a disadvantage in the navy.

The Mediterranean Sea was fine as the Fao navy was close in strength. Both countries were worried that the British would take advantage of them and didn't dare to fight at sea.

However, it was different in the North Sea. Both the Belgian navy and the German Confederation navy were weak in front of the French navy.

Even after Vittorio Emanuele III left London, the navies of both countries didn't send any warships to rescue him.

There was no other reason other than they didn't dare to. The French navy had already blocked the door, and the warships that left the port would never return.

The anti-French alliance lost control of the North Sea, and the coastal defense became a real problem that Belgium and Germany had to face.

The Belgian coastline wasn't long, only 66 kilometers, but it wasn't something that could be defended by a few guard regiments.

As far as Duke Albrecht knew, the few guard regiments that were deployed in Belgium were temporarily expanded after the war.

The structure of the army was: a small number of retired soldiers, temporarily recruited noble officers, and a group of young adults.

It was worth mentioning that most of the retired soldiers were over 50 years old, and the younger ones had joined the main force.

The officers and soldiers were also eliminated goods that had been filtered out by the main force. Even if the Belgian government was prepared, it couldn't change the fact that they lacked manpower.

Since the start of the war, the Belgian government had mobilized nearly 300,000 troops. Not to mention the quality, the ratio of mobilization and speed were the fastest among the participating countries.

"Marshal, we have deployed a large number of shore cannons along the coast. The French will have to pay a heavy price if they want to land. No commander would be so stupid as to use warships to fire at shore cannons.

Moreover, the French offensive is too fierce, and our main force has been committed to the frontline. We don't have enough troops to deploy to the coastal area. "

General Desmet was very helpless. It wasn't that he didn't realize the danger of the coastal area, but the problem was that he didn't have enough troops and had to take care of the more important battlefield first.

He could only bet that the French wouldn't use warships to fire at shore cannons. Anyway, they just had to hold on for another week before the Austrian reinforcements arrived.

Duke Albrecht shook his head, "General, this judgment might have been correct twenty years ago, but not now.

The French can use warships as bait to expose your shore cannons and then bombard them with airships.

The previous battle has already proved that your airship troop could never defeat France at all. The sky belongs to France for the time being.

Do not doubt the determination of the French government. Warships are not as valuable as you think. Every year, France drags out many warships for target practice. "

The combat effectiveness of airships had been proven, especially in fixed-point bombing, where airships could exert greater power.

Due to the emergence of anti-aircraft weapons, airships were mostly bombing at high altitudes, which had low accuracy. The problem was that the coastal area of Belgium was not so large.

Bombing two kilometers away from the coastline was about a hundred square kilometers, which was equivalent to a city. Covering such a small area with naval cannons and airships was no longer a problem.

As long as the French were willing to pay a certain price, it would not be a problem for them to land in Belgium's weakly defended coastal areas.

The most advanced warships were worth a lot of money, but old warships that were about to be decommissioned were different.

Especially for countries like the United Kingdom, which often participated in the arms race, who didn't have a bunch of warships waiting to be scrapped?

They couldn't be sold on the international market, and they didn't need that many training ships. Other than pulling them out for target practice, they could only dismantle them and sell them as scrap metal.

There was no need to feel bad about using some warships as cannon fodder.

In Duke Albrecht's view, the French didn't carry out the landing plan. Either the commander was too stupid and didn't see it, or the commander was indecisive and didn't want to sacrifice …

But these were all temporary. As long as the front line didn't achieve a breakthrough, the French would take this step sooner or later.

Even if the landing operation failed, the French could restrain a large number of the anti-French alliance's forces and create favorable conditions for the main force to fight.

In order to ensure the safety of their hometowns, the feudal vassals along the coast of the German Federation would no longer be able to send troops to participate in the war.

General Desmet nodded disapprovingly, "Don't worry, General, we will be careful.

Once the French start the landing operation, we will immediately send reinforcements. Belgium isn't big, and we can make it in time.

Right now, we are being suppressed by the French mainly because we don't have enough troops. When your country's reinforcements arrive, the situation will change. "

After more than half a month of fighting, it wasn't without help. At least the Belgian military's fear of the French was reduced a lot.

Because of the battle at home, the two sides fought back and forth on the battlefield. Being at a disadvantage was only because of the lack of troops. The difference in combat power between the two sides wasn't as great as imagined.

Looking out the window, Duke Albrecht didn't continue to intervene. The Austrian reinforcements were coming soon, but they weren't here to fight for the Belgians.

The Government of Vienna's attitude was very clear. They would first encourage Belgium and Germany to fight against the French, and when it was about time, they would fight the main force.

Don't ask why, it was a strategy made by the Emperor, and they just had to carry it out.

Under this background, the Austrian reinforcements naturally couldn't move fast.

Of course, Franz still had integrity and didn't go too far.

The Austrian troops still advanced at a speed of thirty to forty kilometers per day. The specific situation still depended on the road conditions and weather.

There was nothing much to say. In this day and age, everyone's marching speed wasn't very good. Advancing thirty to forty kilometers per day was already the standard for elites.

It wasn't that they couldn't be faster, the problem was that it was difficult to sustain. Perhaps with light vehicles, one day they could march rapidly and travel seventy to eighty kilometers in one breath.

But this speed couldn't be sustained. Soldiers were also human beings. When they were exhausted, they could not hope to fight anymore.

In fact, cases of troops collapsing because of the marching speed was not uncommon in military history.

…

In the Palace of Vienna, Franz was holding a welcome banquet for the arrival of Vittorio Emmanuel III.

In the past, the relationship between the Fao and Austria was still passable. Although Austria recognized Vittorio Emmanuel III as the King of Sardinia, it was only in private.

On the surface, the Government of Vienna and the European countries were the same. They kept their mouths shut, as if they didn't know anything.

But now it was different. Since the two countries were at war, the Fao naturally didn't need to care about the feelings of the French.

In order to build momentum for Vittorio Emmanuel III and to convince the Italian people that Austria was there to liberate them, Franz had to personally attend the welcome banquet to show the political stance of the Government of Austria in supporting the Kingdom of Sardinia to regain its independence.

Other than some meaningless words, there was no substantive content discussed at the banquet. Franz only showed up for a while and left in a hurry.

The banquet still had to continue after the emperor left. The important task of receiving Vittorio Emmanuel III fell to Wesenberg. This was his responsibility as the Foreign Minister.

Vittorio Emmanuel III asked with great concern, "Your Excellency, how is the war in the Regions of Italy going? When can I lead the Italian independence movement in the front line?"

There was no other way. Vittorio Emmanuel III had been a little stimulated recently, especially when he was under house arrest in Britannia.

There had never been such an urgent need to restore his country. If it wasn't for the fact that Franz left too quickly and didn't give him a chance to speak, he would have asked …

"Your Majesty, don't worry. This is your first time in Vienna. You should enjoy the beautiful scenery here.

Believe me, Vienna will not disappoint you. This is the most beautiful city in the world. "

After that, Wesenberg picked up a glass of red wine and took a small sip. Looking at the anxious Vittorio Emmanuel III, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

There was no free lunch in the world. If Vittorio Emmanuel III wanted Austria to help restore his country, he naturally had to pay the price.

Otherwise, why would the Government of Vienna support him when there were so many people who were qualified to restore the Kingdom of Sardinia?

Just because Vittorio Emanuele III is the rightful heir?

Unfortunately, it was the end of the 19th century, and orthodoxy had to give way for benefits.

The Bonaparte Dynasty was an example. The European countries did not send troops to interfere with the restoration of Napoleon Iii just for the sake of orthodoxy.

Of course, in the case of a small difference in benefits, the Government of Vienna was more willing to support the orthodox monarch. After all, the House of Habsburg was now promoting orthodoxy and working hard to unify the German Region.

"Your Majesty, the beauty of Vienna has long spread throughout the world. I have been fascinated by it for a long time and have long wanted to visit it.

But now the Sardinians are still suffering under the slavery of the French. As their king, I am already very ashamed that I do not have the ability to rescue them. I really do not have the face to do anything else. "

There was no pressure for Vittorio Emmanuel III to lower his status to flatter Roland.

Unlike other kings, Vittorio Emmanuel III grew up in an environment where he lived under someone else's roof. There was no way he could be arrogant.

Even though he didn't like Vittorio Emanuele III's ideas, Weissenberg still thought highly of him.

As a king, not only could he lower his status, but he also had a keen sense of judgment. After realizing that things could not be done, he decisively reduced the Regions of Italy to the Kingdom of Sardinia, hinting that he had no ambition.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. God will punish the French invaders. The Kingdom of Sardinia will eventually regain its independence.

Unlike France, Austria is a peace-loving country. We have no ambition for the territory of the Regions of Italy and will not expand in the Regions of Italy.

Supporting the independence of the Kingdom of Sardinia is our consistent political position, but we will also have to pay a very heavy price to drive out the French.

I believe you have heard that we have formed an anti-French alliance with Belgium, the German Confederation, and other countries.

In order to protect everyone's interests, we have to adopt the principle of equivalent exchange. After driving out the French, all the participating countries will distribute the spoils of war according to their contributions.

With the current situation of your country, I am afraid it will be difficult for you to contribute to this war. Logically speaking, you are not qualified to share the spoils of war.

However, considering the traditional friendship between Austria and Austria, we will still support the independence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, but in exchange, your country must share a part of the military expenses.

We will determine the specific number based on the actual expenses after the war. Of course, if you can make a certain contribution on the battlefield, then you can reduce part of the amortization accordingly. "

Hearing the words "the friendship of Austria," Vittorio Emmanuel III's expression became slightly unnatural.

He had no choice. If these words were to spread, it would be another joke of the century.

For the Kingdom of Sardinia to fall into such a state, Austria also took great credit, and it could even be said to have played a decisive role.

If Austria had not beaten them until they were half paralyzed, the French would not have been able to occupy Sardinia so easily. Perhaps it would be a different situation now.

Unfortunately, there were no ifs in history. What was even more tragic was that the Kingdom of Sardinia was the one who initiated the war. This caused Vittorio Emmanuel III's father to carry the blame to this day.

Reality was cruel. People only remembered the winners, and the losers were sinners, no matter how great their intentions were.

It was impossible to clear their names. The defeat of the Kingdom of Sardinia directly led to the Kingdom of Sardinia's inability to resist the invasion of France.

Vittorio Emmanuel II became synonymous with a fool and a megalomaniac, even though he was pushed to the battlefield by the Sardinian people.

After a short period of discomfort, Vittorio Emmanuel III immediately recovered and carefully pondered over Wesenberg's words.

What made him hesitate was not because Austria's conditions were too harsh, but because they were too generous. It was so generous that Vittorio Emmanuel III could not believe it.

Just a portion of the military expenses could be exchanged for the restoration of Sardinia. Where else could he find such a cheap thing?

After hesitating for a moment, Vittorio Emanuele III asked tentatively, "How many troops did the French army invest in the southern front?"

Other than the fact that the war was tense and the urgent need for allies, Vittorio Emmanuel III could not think of any reason for Austria to offer such generous conditions.

Wesenberg shook his head, "It's alright! The French have placed their strategic focus on the battlefield in Central Europe and are mainly on the defensive in the Regions of Italy.

Your Majesty, you should know that the terrain of the Regions of Italy is not suitable for a decisive battle.

The decisive battle in the Regions of Italy is a copy of the Anglo-Russian War in Afghanistan. As long as everyone is willing, they can continue to fight.

If it wasn't for the liberation of the Regions of Italy and helping countries get rid of the French, we wouldn't be entangled with them in the Southern Front. "

Wesenberg knew the doubts in Vittorio Emanuele III's mind, but he had no intention of explaining.

It was not that the Government of Austria wanted to give preferential treatment to the Kingdom of Sardinia, it was that they did not know what they wanted at the moment.

Territory?

Austria did not lack it at all. The best areas of Italy were in Austria's hands, and the rest were useless.

There was no value in continuing to expand other than adding more trouble.

Sicily, which seemed to be strategically important now, had no value to Austria after the war.

There was no other way. The current Kingdom of Sardinia only existed in theory. Vittorio Emanuele III had nothing but a legitimate name.

Even if he wanted to squeeze the oil, he had to wait until the Kingdom of Sardinia became independent. Vittorio Emanuele III was forced to sign a bunch of unfair treaties without even having a clue. How was he going to hold the fort in the future?

Austria needed a stable Kingdom of Sardinia to constantly cause trouble for the French, not a Kingdom of Sardinia that was constantly in need of help.

No matter if the pie was poisoned or not, Vittorio Emanuele III, who was starving, had to eat it.

…

On October 21, 1890, Vittorio Emmanuel III and Wesenberg signed the "Treaty of Austria".

The content of the treaty was naturally about the friendship between Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The original unhappiness was a deliberate conspiracy created by the French in order to annex the Kingdom of Sardinia.

Anyway, so much time had passed. Even if the older generation was still alive, there was now an even more despicable French to attract hatred. The hatred of Austria was not a problem.

With the signing of the treaty, it marked the end of the decades of enmity between Austria and Sardinia since 1847, and the relationship between the two countries entered a new height.