Chapter 871 The desperate bets of Britain and Austria
On the tallest tower of the Mantua Fortress, Boliu and Wilmze watched the four riders rush out of the fortress, facing the French army's shooting, and soon disappeared from their sight.
The two Austrian commanders silently drew a cross on their chests, praying that the cavalry could break out of the encirclement and send the letter of help they signed to Vienna.
Outside the fortress, French hunters holding rifled guns quickly killed three riders, and then the hunting company commander quickly pressed the gun in the hands of the soldier who was still unsatisfied: "Let him go! Hey, no fire is allowed!"
This was Napoleon's order.
Release the messenger to urge Austria to send troops to reinforce Mantua as soon as possible, while the three people killed were to enhance the sense of urgency in Vienna.
…
Vienna.
Schöbrunn Palace.
In the large gallery hall, Mainz diplomat Meyer knelt on the scarlet carpet, wiped his tears with his sleeves, and choked at Franz II: "The people of Mainz are urgently waiting for the great Emperor to save them... Every day, people escape from the west bank of Rhine, and people in Mainz flooded into Frankfurt. "There are seven or eight thousand French troops across the river, staring at Frankfurt like hyenas. Please give us an eagle flag so that we can have the courage to face their cannons..." Bavarian Crown Prince Maximilian interrupted him loudly: "His Majesty the Emperor, the French obviously do not care about North Germany.
"At present, more than 30,000 French troops are heading south, and they may cross the Rhine to launch an attack on Meminggen at any time. We are the real goal of the French.
"You know, our country has lost a large number of troops in Luxembourg and is unable to resist the French."
He glanced at Franz II, with a faint threat in his tone: "If you do not send troops to reinforce, the electorate can only compromise with the French. Once the French crosses Bavaria, they will face Linz directly."
Linz is a western province of Austria, only 150 kilometers away from Vienna.
The Foreign Minister of Cologne, who was standing beside him, also knelt down. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Franz II standing up with a pale face, turned around the chair, leaving a sentence "Baron Tugut will give you an answer", and then quickly walked out of the hall.
Meier quickly knelt down and turned around, raised his hand at his back and said, "Supreme Majesty, we have received your solemn promise, and you will make up for the losses caused to the states of this war..."
Franz II kneaded the letter in his pocket hard, which was sent by Wilmze to risk his life.
At present, there are only 20,000 soldiers left in Mantua Fortress, and 55,000 French troops are surrounded there outside, and the fortress will fall at any time.
The damn Bavarians and Mainz people are still asking him to divide his troops to reinforce.
He didn't even know where to gather the troops to reinforce Mantua!
A thought suddenly appeared in Franz II's mind, "It's better to just negotiate peace with France like this...
At this moment, the Foreign Minister Earl Rhinefield came towards him, and when he saw him, he hurriedly stroked his chest and saluted: "Your Majesty, Lord Glenville requested an audience."
"He finally came. Damn British," Franz II gritted his teeth and muttered, "It was him who said he could defeat France easily...
"Let him go to the Grand Gallery Hall...No, go directly to my living room. ”
”Yes, Your Majesty. "
After more than ten minutes, Lord Glenville appeared in front of Franz II and bowed to him.
Before the British Foreign Minister could speak, Emperor Shenluo said with anger: "The great Britain cannot even restrain his allies. Haha, the Netherlands first surrendered, and then even Prussia was scared by the French!" Please tell me how to continue this war! ”
“Confidence and persistence. "Grenville said with a calm expression, "Please believe me, France is not less difficult than us." "My country has cut off all the maritime trade in France, which will bring a devastating blow to their finances. "As long as we fight firmly, maybe next month, or next month, the French will retreat! ”
Franz II waved his hand: "Your fleet suffered a loss in the Mediterranean..." "Yes, the French used despicable tricks to plot against Lord Hood." The British said immediately, "But our country has formulated a huge shipbuilding plan. In half a year, the Mediterranean fleet will have 60 steam warships. "You know, the French rely on this kind of ship for sneak attacks.
"At that time France will lose all Mediterranean trade and control over North Africa. This will completely destroy France's finances!
"And you, the great emperor, just lead the empire to persist until that moment, the balance of victory will be back to our side. ”
"Half a year?" Franz II shook his head, "That's too long. What I need now is a way to deal with the situation in Northern Italy!"
The latest ⊥Xiao⊥小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小小�
"1.2 million pounds." Lord Grenville immediately mentioned the aid plan just passed by the British Parliament. "My country will provide you with an interest-free loan of 1.2 million pounds. I brought the Bank of England people together and can be allocated within a week."
1.2 million pounds is 30 million francs, which shows that the UK has also sacrificed its fortune this time.
The British glanced at Emperor Shenluo's expression and added: "Your Majesty, I can reveal another secret to you.
"In fact, half a month ago, just as the French army invaded Mannheim, Mr. Wilberfos discovered a huge loophole in French finance. "He was ready to launch an attack on this point soon. If it goes well, maybe there is no need to wait until half a year before France's finances collapse. ”
In this world, gold coins can indeed solve most of the problems.
1.2 million pounds obviously gave Franz II new courage.
He and Count Rheinfells looked at each other, and the latter immediately said to the British Foreign Secretary:
"Your Majesty will seriously consider your proposal. I will personally reply to you as late as tomorrow afternoon."
Two hours later, Austrian officials gathered in Schonbrunn Palace and discussed the matter of expanding the recruitment under the auspices of Franz II.
The new recruitment law was signed in the evening.
The law stipulates:
First, every 15 male serfs in all landlords in the country must send one person to the army (ages are limited to 16 to 40 years old).
Second, the Hungarian noble parliament must send 18,000 soldiers within one month, and the Galician noble parliament must send 13,000 soldiers within one month, all of which will gather in Gotz.
Third, in the name of Emperor Shenluo, call on all aristocratic men aged 16 to 45 in the country to join the sacred war.
In addition, Baron Tugut also suggested that 10,000 troops from Lignitz from Silesia be sent to Mantua.
The plan is to recruit a total of 80,000 troops, commanded by Marshal Alvinci, to regain control of Northern Italy.
(This chapter ends)