No matter how much calculations there are, the war still has to be won and lost on the battlefield. At the same time as the diplomatic game between Prussia and Russia, the Lithuanian campaign also broke out.

By this time, Moltke had found himself in an awkward position. Whether or not to fight the enemy in the Lithuanian region is a tangled question.

The Russian Navy has been stagnant for more than a decade and has long been behind the times. But this old-fashioned fleet is not comparable to the pocket-sized navy of the Pubo Federation.

Today, unlike in the past, both Prussia and Russia have made preparations for this war, and the tsarist government has hoarded a large amount of strategic materials in St. Petersburg, and there is no shortage of materials at all after a year and a half.

In this context, the superiority of sea power can be fully brought into play. Ivanov is now launching the Lithuanian campaign in order to take advantage of these advantages.

Having lost his sea power and running to the Baltic coast to fight the enemy, Moltke said that he was not crazy.

The problem is that war is not something you can do without fighting. The Russians have already launched an attack, and unless they abandon Lithuania, Latvia and other regions, they will have to bite the bullet.

It is impossible to give up, and once the Lithuanian region falls, the flames of war will again burn to the East Prussian region. All the gains made in the First Russo-Prussian War will be lost.

If it were a different enemy, Moltke might have dared to gamble and look for an opportunity to break the enemy, but unfortunately he met Ivanov, who was known for his conservatism, and it had no effect at all.

Warsaw, General Command of the Pupo Federation

"Marshal, why don't we launch an offensive from the Belarusian region, make a counterattack on Smolinsk and force the enemy to abandon the Lithuanian campaign plan?" A middle-aged officer suggested

There is no allusion to "encircling Wei to save Zhao" in Europe, but there is still no shortage of similar war templates.

Moltke shook his head: "It's useless, the enemy has deployed thirty infantry divisions, two cavalry divisions in the Belarusian region, and we don't have any chances at all." ”

If in the field, Moltke is confident that he will take out this enemy army, but this is impossible, and with Ivanov's style, these Russian troops will definitely choose to defend to the death.

If you really fight all the way, no matter whether the time is in time or not, this valuable mobile force in Moltke's hands will be consumed. When the people are gone, what are you going to do?

Looking at the deployment of Russian troops marked on the map, Moltke sighed deeply. From the outbreak of the Second Russo-Prussian War, the Prussian army fought very aggrieved.

It's not that they don't work hard, the problem is that there is simply no room to play. Although the combat effectiveness of the Prussian army is slightly stronger, this gap is still limited, and the Russian army can make up for it with numbers.

After hesitating for a moment, Moltke pointed to the map: "Order the troops on the northern front to abandon Latvia and retreat to the Lithuanian region." ”

Winning first is not winning, and the last winner is the winner. Moltke was ready for another battle of East Prussia, and it didn't matter if the losses were heavy, the most important thing was that he had to be the winner.

……

On the battlefield, Prussia and Russia fought wits and courage, and diplomatically, the two countries were also filled with gunsmoke. Vienna once again became a battlefield of confrontation between the two countries, and the Austrian Foreign Ministry was lively, as was Schönbrunn Palace.

In order to avoid trouble, Franz closed his doors. There is no way to say that there are too many guests, and the emperor is also worried, and the best thing to do is not to see guests.

Franz once again found that there were many relatives in trouble, not that these people did not understand the rules, were crooked, and interfered indiscriminately, but it would be easier to deal with it.

There are few fools who can mix their heads, and they are also skilled as lobbyists, most of them are handing over a word, or beating a side drum.

Some want the Russians to win, some want the Pop-Polish Federation to win, and some simply want to test Franz's position and judge the direction of the government's decision-making.

There is no way to do this, it is never the emperor's business alone to decide the direction of a country, and the large and small interest groups in the country are all participants.

This is part of the European political game, for example: if you want to promote a certain bill or resolution, it is not just Franz who wants to do it, and usually releases news through these channels to test the reaction of the outside world.

Or it is implied that these people propose to the government, which is equivalent to the emperor's royal mouthpiece, so as not to let the emperor personally end up in the game.

The Russo-Prussian War involved too many things, including: the future pattern of the European continent, the process of regional reunification of Germany, and a large number of political and economic interests......

The more involved, the more interest groups are involved, and the more people are concerned.

Franz didn't want to make a statement in advance, so he naturally hid. The emperor can hide, but the top of the government can't, and Prime Minister Felix's hairline has receded a lot.

……

In the Vienna Prime Minister's residence, the Minister of the Pop-Po Federation, Ferdemann, gushed endlessly: "World peace is being seriously challenged, and the European international order is being ......"

Felix frowned: "Your Excellency, don't say these unnutritious words, our time is precious, there is no need to waste it so much." ”

The impatience was shown nakedly, and it could be seen that Felix was really annoyed, and he didn't even bother to listen to diplomatic rhetoric.

Fuldman wasn't annoyed either, and something like that wasn't done once or twice. As a professional diplomat, he still knows how to restrain his emotions and does not bring personal feelings into his work.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, a strong Russian empire is not a good choice for Europe, or even for the world, and your country's interests ......"

Before Ferdeman could finish speaking, Felix interrupted directly: "Not only the Russian Empire, but also a powerful Pop-Po Federation is not good for us, you must know that rule breakers are often more annoying. ”

A staunch Great German will naturally not have a good opinion of the existence of a divided country. The existence of the Pop Confederation was, in the eyes of German nationalists, a cancer.

Chancellor Felix is the leader of Greater Germanism pushed out by Austria, and anti-Putsch is necessary, so naturally there is no need to give face.

However, anything is possible in front of politics, and as long as the interests are enough, there is nothing that cannot be discussed.

"Rule breakers" is a joke, no one is much better than the other, and Austria would not have the current foundation if it had followed the rules.

It's just that the Vienna government is the rule-maker, leaving a back door for itself early, and it doesn't look so ugly.

Slightly embarrassed, Ferderman had a flash of inspiration in his mind, and then recovered. I have already scolded in my heart, and I was almost tricked.

This is a diplomatic meeting, and Prime Minister Felix's bad attitude is not a diplomatic tool?

After this little episode, Ferderman didn't have the heart to continue going around in circles, he was afraid that his heart would not be able to stand it if he continued.

"Your Excellency the Prime Minister, we are sincere. As long as your country is willing to stop supporting the Russians, post-war Ukraine and the Russian Balkans will be yours. ”

When it came to interests, Felix's attitude softened a little, and he asked in confusion: "Sincerity, where is it?" Why didn't I see it?

It is really surprising that you have to send troops to take the territory of the Russians as sincerity, and you want us to send troops to take it ourselves! ”

Without having to do anything, the Pop-Polish Federation supported Austria's acquisition of Ukraine and the Russian Balkans, which seemed to be taking advantage, but in fact it was a hidden mystery.

The two Russo-Prussian wars have made the Berlin government completely sober, and the Russian Empire is a small power that cannot be defeated, and even if it wins this war, it will not be long before it will revivenation.

If the cycle goes on and on, they don't have to do anything. If we want to achieve an international environment for stable development, we must find people to share hatred.

The ideal ally is the Ottoman Empire, but unfortunately this mud can't hold up the wall, and it's really not a problem.

The second is the Nordic Federation, unfortunately they offended the Danes to death, and with the Danes pulling the hindrances, it is impossible for the Nordic Federation to ally with them.

Then there are the countries of Central Asia and the Far Eastern Empire, which is similar to the Ottoman Empire, all of which are not in charge, and it will not do much to win them over.

Austria was not originally among the allies of the Berlin government, but the situation forced them to win the war, and they had to get the Vienna government to give up their support for the Russians.

was exposed, and Ferdeman was not annoyed, and still smiled and said: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, you can't say that." We have inflicted heavy losses on the tsarist government in the war, and the occupation of these areas by your country is an armed march.

If your country wants to, you can also take it directly to the banks of the Volga, and we will support it. ”

Felix shook his head, opened the map and knew what the "Volga Riverside" was, was that Austria able to reach out?

"We don't have the same appetite as your country, the Russian-Austrian friendship has a long history, and we have no interest in the territory of the Russian Empire."

This is true, Felix has no interest in the territory of the Russians, and the Vienna government has no intention of peeping.

Of course, if the Russians don't want it, they insist on sending it, and everyone will not refuse.

After hesitating for a moment, it seemed that there was a fierce mental struggle, and Fudeman said slowly: "What if you add the German Confederation?"

As long as your country is willing to stop supporting the Russians, we will no longer oppose your country's annexation of the German Confederation. ”

Felix had already heard the implication. "No more opposition" means in other words: not supporting, not opposing, acquiescing in Austria's annexation of the German Confederation.

Frankly, Prime Minister Felix was moved. However, it is not revealed, and according to the current situation, the Berlin government can give such a promise to the limit.

The same thing, after the change of the tsarist government, no one prepared and directly expressed support.

There is no doubt about Alexander II's determination to win the war, any hero is a man who can bend and stretch.

For the Russian Empire, continental hegemony was a matter of the future, and for the time being, it was better to win the war first.

The same is true of the Poppo Federation, but they are too influenced by the British to do their part.

"Your Excellency's proposal is of no value, and if it had been in 1853 and your country had made such good faith, the matter would have been settled long ago.

Now, do you think your position is still important? As far as I know, none of the wounds of the last war in your country have been licked clean.

How long will your country need to recuperate after this war, twenty years, or thirty years?

If we really want to act, what can you do if you oppose it? Do you dare to fight on the battlefield? ”

It's not contempt, the reality is so cruel. Winning the war is only the beginning, and the Popo Federation still has a long way to go if it wants to regain its strength.

Can't you gamble all your money in order to interfere with Austria?

With Colombia's experience in the past, no one can guarantee that the Vienna government will change its mind and beat them up.

Chips also depend on the time when they are thrown, even if it is priceless, it is worthless if it appears at the wrong time.

Fudeman's expression changed slightly, and then he recovered: "Your Excellency, it depends on what you think. If these conditions do not tempt you, what if the Russians win the war?

Looking at the whole world, there are not many forces left to threaten your country, and the Russian Empire happens to be one of them.

How long did Alexander II reform and the Russians walked out of the last war, if they were allowed to win the war and continue to develop, would your country be at ease?

The tsarist government's greed for land was endless, and if you open the map, you can see how long the border between your country and the Russian Empire is, and friction is inevitable in the future.

Instead of leaving a hidden danger, it is better to get rid of them now. Your country can also take the opportunity to enter the Black Sea, and it is a matter of time before the Black Sea becomes an inland sea with your country's strength, and no one can stop it. ”

Ferdemann expressed the fear of the Vienna government, that the Russians had too much potential for development, and that no one knew what kind of pregnancy would be born in such a huge territory.

In contrast, the threat of the Pupo Federation is much smaller. Even if they win the war, they won't be able to eat much land with their national strength, and it will take at least a few decades to become a real power.

This is still ideal, Austria has come step by step, and the Vienna government knows better than anyone how difficult it is to integrate people.

Suffice it to say that the more the population of the Pop-Po Federation seized from the Russian Empire, the more serious the national problem in the country became.

The dual empire is not so easy to play, an active Polish nation is enough, and if you add some nationalities to it, what is the difference between it and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the original time and space?

It is not even as good as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, at least the Habsburg family has been in business for hundreds of years, and its rule has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and there are really not many people who want independence.

After a moment of silence, Felix shook his head: "Your Excellency, you are wrong. Austria has always been neutral and has never supported the Russians.

What you see is just normal commercial trade, and as a member of the free trade system, we don't interfere with the market.

If your country wants to cut off the supply of supplies to the Russians, then spend money to buy them, as long as you buy all the supplies, the Russians will naturally not be able to buy them. ”

Ferdeman's face was gloomy, he knew very well that Felix was obviously tempted just now, but he still refused, and he didn't even leave him a chance to negotiate further.