Chapter 911

The Kingdom of Sardinia still existed in theory, so the international influence of the Aussa Agreement was naturally limited.

Other than a few articles published in the newspapers of the Anti-France Alliance, the international media was very indifferent.

No, there was no need to talk about international public opinion at this time.

There were only so many European countries. Including Montenegro and Greece, which were pulled over to make up the numbers, the Anti-France Alliance accounted for half of them.

Among the remaining neutral countries, there were some that were inclined to the Anti-France Alliance. Compared to France, who was fighting alone, the Anti-France Alliance had already won without a fight in terms of political propaganda.

The public didn't care about the Aussa Agreement, mainly because the political show was too obvious, which was exactly what the intellectuals hated the most.

These people were the main force of newspaper subscriptions, and the newspaper wouldn't go against the customers. Since the customers didn't like the news, they would just filter it out.

Even if there was a mention, it was just a passing mention. Now that Central and Southern Europe were in the flames of war, everyone had news to report.

The media didn't care, but it didn't mean that the politicians didn't care. People with different identities would look at problems from completely different perspectives.

The Aussa Agreement seemed to have no substance, but it actually expressed Austria's political stance to the outside world – they would not annex the Regions of Italy.

Perhaps ordinary people would think that the war in Europe was still ongoing, and it was too early to talk about these issues. If the Anti-France Alliance lost the war, it would be a joke.

However, the politicians didn't think so. The Government of Vienna made it clear that it would not seek expansion in the Regions of Italy, which was good news for many countries.

Especially the neutral countries that were inclined to the Anti-France Alliance, they could put their worried hearts back into their stomachs and boldly drag the French down.

…

Paris

Even though he was prepared, Napoleon Iv was still stunned by the terrible international situation. The British, who had high hopes for them, didn't play their role.

After stabilizing Switzerland and Spain, the Government of the United Kingdom sat on the sidelines and waited for the Fao and France to fight.

Even the media in London was more critical of France than the Anti-France Alliance. The Government of the United Kingdom didn't help to guide the public opinion at all.

Throwing away the Treaty of Ausar in his hand, Napoleon IV roared, "Why is Vittorio Emanuele III in Vienna? What is the British trying to do?"

He couldn't help but be angry. Nearly a quarter of the French army was Italian soldiers. Vittorio Emanuele III was a ticking time bomb in Austria's hands.

One had to know that Britain and France had agreed beforehand that the British government would detain the senior members of the Italian independence organization and ensure that they would not cause trouble.

Napoleon Iv also knew that the British were unreliable and their promises were useless. But he believed that even if the Government of the United the Alliance, the United Kingdom, would be of of Europe.

If France won or gained the upper hand, then it would be normal for them to release Vittorio Emanuele III for the sake of balance in Europe.

The problem was that the European war had just begun. Although the French army was suppressing Germany and Belgium in Central Europe, Austria's reinforcements were still on the way, and France didn't have the upper hand.

In a sense, France was still at a disadvantage. The frontline couldn't make a breakthrough. When the Austrian reinforcements arrived, the Anti-France Alliance would have the advantage in military strength.

Anyone with a little military knowledge knew that France's advantage was in the combat power of its land forces. If they couldn't make a breakthrough in the early stage, the war would become a war of attrition, and it would be a copy of the Prussian War.

With the population, industry, and economy at a disadvantage, if they couldn't win in the early stage, there would be no chance in the later stages.

Of course, there was still a chance to make a comeback with another person like Napoleon.

At this time, the British released Vittorio Emanuele III to increase the strength of the Anti-France Alliance, which was completely to kill France.

If the Italian soldiers in the French army were bewitched and slacked off on the battlefield, how could they fight this war?

"Your Majesty, the Government of the United Kingdom explained that it was an accident. Vittorio Emanuele III left secretly, and they found out too late.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the British did restrict Vittorio Emanuele III from leaving the country, but the official responsible for it was dereliction of duty and let him escape. "

Karel Kadlec, the Foreign Affairs Minister, looked embarrassed when he said this. One had to know that persuading the British to restrict the Italian independence group from leaving the country was one of the achievements that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs touted.

However, the British team was not good enough and dropped the ball at the critical moment. The Italian independence group was indeed kept, but the big fish, Vittorio Emanuele III, slipped through the net.

Napoleon Iv sneered and said sarcastically, "Accident?"

"Of all the times, an accident happened at the most crucial moment. Do you still need to say what the British are planning? "

The key to maintaining an alliance was trust, which was what Britain and France lacked the most. It would be fine if there were no problems, but if there were problems, cracks would immediately appear in the alliance.

After listening to the emperor's words, Karel Kadlec's face became more and more unsightly. He looked at his colleagues for help with his eyes, but all he got was good luck.

With no other choice, Karel Kadlec could only bite the bullet and explain, "Your Majesty, the British are indeed unreliable, and we have never had any hope for them.

The current unfavorable situation, after all, is that our army has not made a breakthrough on the battlefield. As long as we defeat the anti-French alliance, everything will be reversed. "

In order not to be unlucky, Karel Kadlec decisively chose to shift the blame to others.

Faced with an unexpected disaster, the Minister of War, Luskinia, immediately glared at him and said sarcastically, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, the French Army will not think like some guy who can't do anything and only knows how to pass the buck.

We have made a perfect plan, and if it weren't for the sudden appearance of Vittorio Emanuele III, we would have started by now.

But this is only a small problem, and we can use this opportunity to clean up the disloyal guy in the army. "

Although he said it casually, in fact, Luskinia had already begun to curse in his heart.

Due to political reasons, after the annexation of the Regions of Italy, in order to show France's generosity, it was inevitable that the army would accept Italian soldiers.

It was fine at first, as the proportion of Italian soldiers was very low, and they couldn't do much.

But after the outbreak of the European War, it was different. After seeing the expansion of the anti-French alliance, France could only bite the bullet and keep up.

It couldn't be helped. After entering the 19th century, the French people lost the enthusiasm to have children, and until now, there were only about 37 million people.

Compared to the anti-French alliance, this number was less than one-third.

Austria announced an expansion of five million troops, and Belgium and Germany added up to 1.5 million troops. Together with the previous troops of each country, the total military strength was about to exceed eight million.

The classic case of ants biting an elephant to death had already happened in the last war against France. In order to avoid a repeat of that mistake, the Government of France had to use the manpower of the Regions of Italy to avoid a huge gap in military strength.

Ever since Napoleon Iv approved the plan to expand the army by five million, a large number of Italian soldiers appeared in the French army. At this time, no one could ignore the feelings of the Italians.

Vittorio Emanuele III's influence was also a mystery. He had never displayed it before, so no one knew how great it was.

However, because of the pride of a soldier, Luskinia couldn't back down now.

…

On the southern front, in order to welcome the arrival of Vittorio Emanuele III, General Morkes specially launched a winter offensive.

In terms of terrain, Austria occupied the best part of the Po River Plain, while the other parts of Italy were mostly mountains and hills.

Developing the economy in an era of peace was naturally beneficial, but in an era of war, the situation was reversed.

In the command center.

General Morkes waved his baton and pointed at the sand table, "This is the topographic map of the Regions of Italy. You've all seen it many times, so you should have an idea in your head.

We only have three ways to attack from Lombardy, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

First, we can use the Dolaripalia, Ao, and the Po River to attack Turin.

Second, we can attack the central Monferrato along the Tanaro River.

Third, we can attack Bologna and San Marino along the Secchia River and Po River.

Without a doubt, seizing Turin is the most beneficial. Once we occupy it, the Kingdom of Sardinia can be re-established, and it will be a fatal blow to France's rule in the Regions of Italy.

However, the greatest benefit comes with the greatest risk. The French have deployed a large number of troops in the Turin area, and it will be difficult for us to break through in a short period of time.

The strategic core of attacking the central region and seizing Monferrato is similar to attacking Turin from the west.

After occupying Monferrato, the next step is to liberate Genoa, divide the Regions of Italy into two, and attack the French rule in the Regions of Italy.

However, using this strategy, we not only have to defeat the enemy head-on, but also expose the two flanks to the French army's attack range, and we have to bear the greatest military risk.

Finally, the southern front, the biggest advantage is that we can get the help of the navy. The Adriatic Sea is our territory, so we don't have to worry about logistics.

The risk is the lowest, and the benefit is also the lowest. In addition to winning a battle and decorating the facade, there is basically not much military value.

If we want to expand the victory, we have to cross the Northern Apennine Mountains. Or we can advance along the peninsula, looking for a breakthrough.

This is based on the situation where the French make a mistake, or we can just grab some territory and let the outside world think that we have the upper hand. "

Although General Morkes said that the southern front strategy was of little value, in fact, everyone knew that he advocated launching the southern front strategy.

There was no other reason, just one word — stability.

Moreover, the southern front strategy was not completely worthless. Ordinary people did not care about any strategy. In many people's view, whoever occupied more territory would have the advantage.

This time, Austria sent troops under the banner of liberating Italy. The occupied land could be directly handed over to independent organizations, and there was no need to maintain local stability at all.

As long as they won a few more battles, the ethnic insurgents in the Regions of Italy would respond, and it would only be a matter of time before a national uprising broke out.

Once the Regions of Italy were in chaos, the French army would have to disperse their forces to suppress it, and it would be impossible for them to fight the anti-French alliance with all their strength.

As time passed, the anti-French alliance's advantage would grow, and eventually, they would crush the French with their strength.

There was no other reason, but the main reason was that the French army was too famous, and no one was sure that they could end the war quickly.

Vittorio Emanuele III naturally understood what Morkes meant, but one's position determined one's position. No matter what strategy it was, what he needed now was to restore his country.

"Your Excellency, please forgive me for interrupting you. Judging from the current international situation, we need a victory, a victory that can break the invincibility of the French army.

Only by winning on the battlefield can we pull in the neutral Switzerland and Spain, and strengthen the anti-French alliance.

Of course, with the strength of your country, it is not a problem to defeat the French alone. But in this way, your country is bound to pay a heavy price.

The Prussian War has proven that once the war continues, it is very terrible. And the longer it drags on, the greater the war losses that need to be borne.

If there are no accidents, after this war against France, your country will be the new overlord of Europe.

Overlords need to use war to pave the way. Many people, such as the British and Russians, will not be convinced if they only rely on their country's strength to crush the French. This will add uncertainty to the future.

The best choice is to step on the French, push the Austrian army to the altar, and dispel the unrealistic fantasies of the ambitious people.

… "

Flattery, flattery without a bottom line.

After listening to Vittorio Emanuele III's words, General Morkes blushed.

Defeating the French is as easy as killing a chicken. When did Austria become so strong, why didn't I know?

There was no other way, if these words came from the mouth of an ordinary person, General Morkes could still laugh it off, but now that it came from the mouth of a king, he could not help but feel proud.

Praise can make people lose themselves, but fortunately, General Morkes was in a high position and was used to flattery, so his consciousness did not drift.

No matter how nice Vittorio Emanuele III said it, it was nothing more than encouraging Austria to send troops to Turin to help him restore his country.

These days, the credibility of the European countries was not very good. Even Austria, which had a good reputation, Vittorio Emanuele III did not dare to believe it.

Don't think that the Fao and Austria had already started a war, the two countries might reconcile in the blink of an eye. Similar operations had happened too many times in the history of Europe.

To put it bluntly, the two countries declared war because of the conflict between China and Europe. After the war broke out, there were only a few symbolic battles, but there was no real fight.

If there was an accident, and the Fao and Austria suddenly stopped fighting, his movement to restore his country would be over.

After calming down, General Morkes said slowly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. We have sufficient troops, and we can launch a three-pronged attack at the same time. "

"Three-pronged attack", such a stupid strategy. Vittorio Emanuele III suspected that his ears were playing tricks on him.

"Sir Commander, are you preparing to launch a two-pronged attack?"

It was not impossible to launch a three-pronged attack at the same time, but the problem was that the logistics could not keep up, unless the Austrian army stayed in place and did not achieve results.

Otherwise, as the battle line advanced, the logistics would inevitably become chaotic. No amount of coordination would work. After all, there were only so many paths. Once they exceeded their carrying capacity, they would still be in a mess.

General Morkes smiled and looked at the group of people in the Italian independence group, but he did not explain.