Chapter 529 Opponent
During the Russo-Japanese War, Japan sold national debt in Europe, and France’s subscription amount was more than 20 times the amount issued. Whether Nicholas remembered this debt or not, George always remembered it.
When Moltke visited St. Petersburg, he had in-depth exchanges with George.
When leaving St. Petersburg, Moltke invited George to visit Berlin this winter, and George readily accepted.
The French certainly don’t want to see the close relationship between St. Petersburg and Berlin.
But Anne is German, George is the son-in-law of a German, and she is related to William II. Isn’t it normal for relatives to have a close relationship?
George would not abandon his alliance with France and switch to the German-Austrian Alliance.
But through Berlin and Paris, George was not only willing, but also very proactive.
"Take me to greet William and invite him to visit St. Petersburg at an appropriate time."
Nicholas did not refuse to contact the Germans, and his relationship with William II was still very good. .
This is another example of my heart illuminating the moon, but the bright moon illuminates the ditch.
Through the marriage of Nicholas and Alex, it is not difficult to see the malice of William II.
William II knew clearly that Alex carried the hemophilia gene, but he also tried his best to promote the marriage between Nicholas and Alex. This was obviously to make Nicholas annihilate his children.
George pretended not to know and arrived in Berlin on the last day of 1909 to begin his visit to Berlin.
William II took it very seriously and personally hosted George's reception and held a welcome dinner for George at the Berlin City Palace.
"George, the Balkan Alliance led by you has deeply worried Vienna, which will cause a serious deterioration of the situation in the Balkans."
William II is outspoken and has always been known in Europe for his straightforward character.
To put it mildly, it’s straightforward.
To put it bluntly, it is reckless.
Nicholas was so happy about his success that he made a lot of jokes.
Wilhelm II made just as many jokes as Nicholas.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me, if you want to deal with Vienna, there is no need to go to such trouble."
George's performance was as arrogant as the rumors outside.
George's reputation is not much better than that of William II and Nicholas.
There are too many idle people in Europe with nothing to do. Gossips about the royal families of various countries are flying all over the sky. The suicide of the crown prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire can all be blamed on the Russian Empire. What else can't be done?
In 1889, Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary and his mistress Baroness Marie Vechera committed suicide together in Mayerling hunting lodge.
This incident originally had nothing to do with the Russian Empire, but various legends that the Russian Empire murdered Rudolf are still circulating in Vienna.
For the same reason, in St. Petersburg, there are more than a dozen versions of Rudolf's suicide, each one more absurd than the last.
Most of George’s negative news in Europe focuses on George’s origins. After all, when George was born, Yaer and Ekaterina had not yet consummated their marriage, which added more problems to George. legendary color.
The down-and-out prince came back to life——
Wrong, it should be the illegitimate son who counterattacked all the way, turned the tide, and saved the empire from the fire. Only this kind of story will be talked about.
"Grand Duke, based on the close relationship between St. Petersburg and Berlin, the Russian Empire should join the German-Austrian Alliance, join forces to overthrow the old order, and win a broader living space for the Russian Empire and the German Empire."
When Moltke was in St. Petersburg, he tried his best to persuade the Russian Empire to join the German-Austrian Alliance.
George did not refuse directly, but left a little room for imagination for the Germans, which allowed the Germans to see the possibility of winning over George.
William II was well aware of George's influence on Nicholas.
As long as George can be persuaded, the possibility of the Russian Empire joining the German-Austrian Alliance will be greatly increased. "If you abolish the alliance with Vienna, St. Petersburg and Berlin can establish a new alliance."
George left the choice to Wilhelm II.
If the Germans really abandoned the Austrians, then George would not mind forming an alliance with Germany.
William II had an ugly expression, glared at George for a long time, and walked away.
Before George could feel embarrassed, Little Moltke took the initiative to explain.
"Your Majesty is also in a dilemma. The Russian Empire is Germany's most important partner, and Vienna is Berlin's brother. Your Majesty cannot abandon either party."
This explanation is better than no explanation.
The next day, Moltke invited George to visit the German General Staff.
George met the architect of the "Schlieffen Plan" and the former German Chief of General Staff Alfred von Schlieffen at the General Staff Headquarters.
Although Moltke had a distinguished family background, Schlieffen was the spiritual leader of the German army. He was 75 years old and retired in 1907. In 1893, he led Germany's military reform.
The core of Schlieffen's plan is to hold back the Russian Empire on the eastern front, concentrate forces to attack France by bypassing Belgium, defeat France before the mobilization of the Russian Empire is completed, and then turn around and attack Russia.
Although Schlieffen died in 1913, during World War II, the German army still fought according to Schlieffen's plan. If it were not for the fact that the war potential of the Russian Empire far exceeded Schlieffen's estimate, Schlieffen might have become Europe's leader. The greatest strategist.
Schlieffen was full of curiosity about George.
Especially George's performance in the Russo-Japanese War completely refreshed Schlieffen's evaluation of the Russian Empire.
"Strategy and tactics are important, but the overall strength of the country is the fundamental reason for victory. Even without me, the Russian Empire will win the final victory, and Japan has no possibility of winning."
George hopes Schlieffen can Understand that he is still far from a top strategist.
Schlieffen's tactical literacy is undoubted, but in terms of strategy, Schlieffen has great flaws. Germany currently does not have the strength to challenge British hegemony.
Don't look at George advocating the British threat theory. If the Russian Empire targets Britain, George will be the first to oppose it.
George definitely wanted to break the British hegemony.
But the current Russian Empire does not have this strength.
So George was very happy to see Germany taking the initiative to provoke an arms race with Britain. The Germans were at the front, and if the sky fell, the Germans would carry it.
"Grand Duke, without your permission, I have written your command in the Russo-Japanese War into my book. I hope you don't mind."
After Schlieffen retired He writes books behind closed doors at home without paying attention to worldly affairs. The book he is currently writing is called "The Commander in Chief".
“Of course not, I would be honored——”
George was curious about what Schlieffen would think of his performance in the Russo-Japanese War.
Other than George's early negativity, overall it shouldn't be too bad.
Schlieffen is now retired.
What really alarmed George was Hindenburg who accompanied Schlieffen to see George.
Paul von Hindenburg was promoted to general in 1903. After the outbreak of World War I, Hindenburg was responsible for commanding the German troops on the Eastern Front to fight against Russia.
If nothing else, Hindenburg will be George's main opponent in the future.
(End of this chapter)