Chapter 647 The door to Italy slowly opened
Count Rheinfels seemed to have guessed what the official said to Bai Yi, and immediately raised his head proudly:
"I believe that Italian countries will definitely support our proposal."
The first meeting ended in a tense atmosphere. The two sides failed to achieve any results other than throwing insults at each other.
Of course, this kind of important negotiation cannot be accomplished overnight. Sometimes it is normal to argue for a month or two.
When Bai came out of the Peace Hall, he didn't even attend the ball for the Austrian diplomats. He immediately rushed to report the situation here to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Second floor of the Tuileries Palace.
Joseph couldn't help but frown slightly when he heard what Bai said about the Austrian requirements.
Franz II is truly worthy of being the "great man" in history who personally ruined the HRE Empire. The coronation ceremony has not even been completed yet, and he is rushing to do this kind of thing.
That is an international treaty that was signed just two years ago! Previously, Leopold II only dared to "save the country" by introducing Britain into the country. Fortunately, he came directly to ask for a re-signing.
Why is your face so big?
If this had been the case when Louis XIV was in power, war would have been declared directly over this matter.
Bai continued:
“Your Highness, the Austrians also said that if they do not accept their conditions, they will unite the Italian countries to impose punitive tariffs on our country. And, I just got According to the news, an Austrian army of 30,000 people has just arrived in Tuscany and is preparing to conduct military exercises."
Joseph wanted to laugh a little, thinking that the Austrians were quite capable of learning, and he had just done it here. After a military exercise, they immediately went to learn.
He suddenly thought of something and looked at Bai Yi:
“You mean, they want to instigate the Italian country to impose trade restrictions on us?”
“Your Highness, Austria’s restrictions on Venice and Tosca Na has a strong influence, and has marriage alliances with Parma and the Two Sicilies. I am afraid it can really persuade them to support our country..."
Joseph nodded with a smile: "This may not be bad news. . ”
Italy has been a key area of contention between France and Austria for hundreds of years, and it is also the “back garden” that France cherishes. After the emperor captured Italy that year, he obtained huge economic benefits from there, which supported less than half of his military expenditures.
I had been struggling with the reason for not getting involved in Italy before. After all, the political situation there had stabilized in recent decades, but now someone actually took the initiative to send it.
Franz II also has his cute side.
Of course, the Italian market must not be lost.
Joseph thought for a moment and said to Emman: "Please let General Berthier come to see me."
"Yes, Your Highness."
He then ordered Baiyi: "Mr. Baiyi, you should try to delay the Austrian Foreign Minister for a period of time, at least about half a month. We need to increase our presence in the Apennine Peninsula."
"Please hand it over. Me, Your Highness."
Joseph gave Bai Yi some further instructions, and when the latter took the order to leave, Fouche hurried over.
After saluting, the director of the Intelligence Bureau took out a report:
"Your Highness, Russia has been acting unusually recently."
Joseph took the report and unfolded it, and saw at the beginning that it read, "The 14th Infantry Regiment of the Russian Royal Guards was transferred to the east of Minsk."
Fouche continued: "According to the intelligence we have, more than 20,000 Russian troops have been gathered in the Ula area. There are also 14,000 troops near Kiev in the south.
"With At the same time, the Russians began to build warehouses in these two places and shipped a large amount of grain, ammunition and other materials there. "
Joseph's eyes suddenly narrowed.
He studied in the military academy for more than three years and participated in the war personally. He is already very familiar with the war patterns of this era.
If the simple movement of troops may be for defense changes or training, but the large gathering of logistics supplies is definitely a precursor to launching a war.
The Minsk-Kiev front line must obviously only target Poland. I have done everything I can. Although the Russian army began to gather more than half a year later than in history, what was supposed to come finally came.
According to Poland's national strength, Russia would have to mobilize at least 100,000 troops to win the war.
Therefore, the build-up of the Russian army should have just begun, and Poland must be allowed to make full use of this last time to prepare.
He looked at Fouche and said: "If Russia wants to invade Poland, how long do you think it will take them to complete preparations for war?"
"It depends on how large-scale the war will be launched by the tsarina," Fouche said. "If we only capture the Minsk area, it will probably take another 3 to 4 months. If we launch a full-scale attack, it will take at least half a year. "
Joseph nodded and asked: "What is the preparation situation in Warsaw?"
"Currently? , Poland’s standing army has 67,000 soldiers, and there are more than 10,000 local troops. The logistics are relatively good, with enough weapons and ammunition for 9 months, and more abundant food.”
Joseph. He exhaled: "We have to speed up."
He knew very well that Poland had to face a pincer attack from Russia and Prussia. Prussia will dispatch more than 50,000 troops. Even if Poland had the advantage on the defensive side, it would be impossible to stop it without 100,000 soldiers.
While the two were talking, Berthier followed Emman and knocked on the door.
He bowed and saluted: "Your Highness, are you looking for me?"
Joseph gestured to the chair: "Please sit down. Let's talk about the military exercises in Italy first, and then we may Convene a staff meeting to discuss Poland's War strategy."
"Poland?" Berthier was slightly startled, "Are the Russians unable to hold back anymore?"
Fouche continued: "It is said that Potemkin was dying. , still busy with material allocation in Minsk.”
Berthier nodded and looked at Joseph again: "Your Highness, what are the exercises you are talking about?"
"Do you know that Austria is conducting large-scale military exercises in Tuscany?"
"Yes, Your Highness, I just received the news."
Joseph said: "We need to hedge against Austria's deterrence in Italy."
"Then we will hold the meeting in Sardinia or Modena A larger exercise”
Joseph suddenly remembered the previous battle in Silesia, shook his head and said: "There is no need to mobilize so many troops, just give the Austrian army a little 'surprise'."
"Well, Count Segur must go as soon as possible A trip to Modena. ”
…
A week later.
Central Italy.
Duchy of Modena.
The Grand Duke Ercole III of Modena looked at the French envoy nervously, shook his head and said:
“Count Segur, I heard about the trade dispute between your country and Austria.
“It’s just that Venice and Tuscany announced the day before yesterday that they would support His Majesty Francis II’s proposal, and Parma and the Two Sicilies also said they would seriously consider it.
"You are only holding military exercises now, maybe it is a little late..."
(End of this chapter)