Chapter 649: Enemies reunited
Two officers who knew Italian rushed into Keim's tent, holding newspapers in their hands. They even forgot to salute and shouted angrily: "General, these damn reporters actually..."
"We can't just let it go! General, let's go find the French to settle the score!"
These words seemed to pierce General Keim's brain, causing a huge surge of power to surge through his body. Yes, as long as you can lead your troops to surround those thousands of French troops and humiliate them, tomorrow's newspaper headlines will definitely be very exciting.
As for invading Modena, hey, isn’t this a small country where he can come and go as he pleases?
General Keim stood up abruptly, and just as he was about to say "attack with the entire army", he suddenly got stuck.
He remembered the dolphins and fleur-de-lis on the French flag he had seen yesterday, indicating that it was the French Royal Guards Corps.
He experienced the Battle of Lignitz and witnessed with his own eyes how the French Guards Corps, with less than 10,000 men, cut into the Prussian army, which was several times their size, and pinned it to the west of the Austrian defense line.
Among the 30,000 troops under his command, there were only 4,000 elite members of the Royal German Legion, and the others were the Bohemian Guard and the Hungarian Border Guard Infantry Regiment. This is why the sudden sound of artillery can plunge the Austrian army into chaos - the latter two are mobilized nearby, and their combat quality is very average.
General Keim slowly sat back in his chair.
Putting aside the risk that his impulse might trigger a war between France and Austria, even if he went to settle the score with the French, he would most likely be humiliated again by thousands of French Guards...
He waved to the two officers with a stern face: "It was just an accident. Order, no one is allowed to mention this matter from now on."
However, newspapers across Italy seemed happy to mention the matter.
In just two or three days, major newspapers from Sardinia to the Two Sicilies had reprinted the news of "Genoa Commercial News". Of course, Segur is behind this with funds.
There was talk everywhere in Italy that "the Austrian army was frightened by thousands of French troops at the border of Parma", and the rumors even became more and more sinister, and soon turned into "the Austrian army ran all the way back to Tuscany, with cannons and flintlocks." Guns were scattered all over the floor," and "people in Tersuco also picked up General Keim's carved toilet."
The military exercise, which was originally intended to showcase the powerful combat effectiveness of the Austrian army, ended up being nothing more than a joke.
……
Palace of Versailles.
At the entrance of the Peace Hall, Count Rheinfels straightened his collar and prepared to continue the "battle" with Bai Yi with high spirits.
The situation in Italy was very favorable, and he believed that the French would soon relent.
At this moment, his assistant trotted over and handed him a letter: "Sir, it was just sent by the Minister in Parma."
Count Rheinfels opened the letter, and the smile on his face suddenly froze.
The letter first briefly stated the embarrassing incident of the Cam Legion, and later mentioned that both Parma and the Two Sicilies stated that they would reconsider the proposal to adjust tariffs on France. Tuscany announced the rate of tariffs imposed on France and Canada - 18% for fur products, porcelain, etc., and only 3% for other products at most.
The Austrian Foreign Minister crumpled the letter into a ball. fur? porcelain? These items are not on France’s export list. The most important wines, textiles, furniture, etc., only add 1.5%. What is the difference between this and no addition? !
These small countries are very practical. If two giants quarrel, they will naturally not offend the one with more muscles.
The only one who insisted on raising tariffs was Venice, an Austrian vassal state.
But Count Rheinfels knew that France would never give up the huge Austrian market for a mere Venice.
He took a deep breath and stepped into the Peace Hall.
Sure enough, today, Bailly reversed its previous delays and prevarications and firmly stated that the "Rhine-Seine Treaty" must be respected and France will not consider adjusting it.
……
Half a month later. Austria, Prague.
Francis II walked out of St. Vitus Cathedral. His face did not see the solemnity and majesty that the newly crowned King of Bohemia should have. Instead, he gritted his teeth and kept muttering something.
"Volatel, this loser... the damn French..."
Volatel is the surname of Count Rheinfels.
Francis II remembered that yesterday he was talking to ministers about "unifying the Holy Roman Empire" and "making the empire the master of Europe again." However, the reality was that he could not even ask France to make trade concessions.
He suddenly turned his head and shouted to the attendant: "Tell that stupid Keim to get out of here and go to the warehouse in Malosh!"
"As you command, Your Majesty."
After Franz II lost his temper, he soon fell into deep worry.
If the current trade pattern cannot be changed, the Austrian market will definitely be gradually occupied by France, and Austria's trade revenue will continue to decline.
Even if I have grand ambitions comparable to those of Emperor Otto, if I don't have enough gold coins to support them, it will always be just a dream.
He then recalled the poor performance of the Austrian army in Italy.
It is clear that the military is in urgent need of a large-scale reform. Those kings whose names go down in history all have a strong and invincible army, and they are no exception.
Carrying out military reforms also requires large sums of money.
Money has become a towering mountain that cannot be climbed in front of him.
Franz II returned to the Prague Palace dejectedly and saw Bathurst, the British Ambassador to Austria, waiting at the door.
The latter touched his chest and saluted him, first said a lot of clichés to congratulate him on his coronation, and then continued:
"Your Majesty, there is a distinguished guest who wishes to meet with you. I believe this is very important to both of you."
Francis II asked in surprise: "Please tell me his name."
"His Majesty Wilhelm II, King of Prussia."
"What is he here for?" Franz II frowned. A year ago, Prussia and Austria fought to a bloody pulp in Silesia. Now, the King of Prussia suddenly wants to see him, which is very unreasonable.
But the British were able to pull the strings, but he had to be cautious.
Noon the next day.
A black carriage stopped in the Lage Palace Square. The attendant opened the door. William II stepped out and bowed to Emperor Shinra from a distance:
"Your Majesty the Emperor, I was originally going to attend your coronation ceremony, but as you know, the mud in Lusatia is so difficult that I just arrived now."
Franz II looked at this old Austrian enemy coldly, and then showed a standard diplomatic smile:
"Welcome to your arrival, whether it is early or late, it shows your respectful attitude as the Elector.
"Oh, please come in."
William II ignored the suppression of his identity in his words and followed him into the palace. He exchanged a few casual greetings, then coughed lightly and said:
"Ah, I heard some news. Austria's financial situation does not seem to be very optimistic recently."
(End of chapter)