While increasing the storage of weapons and equipment, Austria has also increased its research and development research and development of new equipment.

For example, tanks that run as slow as turtles, planes with a range of just over 300 kilometers, and stupid and thick artillery all need to be improved.

In fact, with the continuous development of science and technology, the factors that determine the outcome of a war are more and more inclined to weaponry and logistics.

Preparing for war is not only about stockpiling weapons and ammunition, but also about other strategic materials.

This involves a wide range, many materials are essentially common to both military and civilian, and production is also limited to state-owned enterprises, and the vast majority of them come from private enterprises.

In order not to arouse suspicion from the outside world and expose the government's strategic plan, there is no need to think about increasing material reserves.

However, it should be the enemy who is worried about this problem.

After all, Austria has a well-established industrial chain, raw materials are self-sufficient, and the outbreak of war will accelerate production much faster than its competitors.

Preparations are preparations, and when the war will begin, still no one knows.

The Vienna government began to prepare for war, in fact, based on an analysis of the changes in the international situation, and felt that war might break out on the European continent.

Judging from the current situation, whoever fires the first shot will push the wall-grass countries of Central Europe to the opposite side.

Don't look at Belgium now pro-Austrian, the Netherlands and Switzerland are also showing goodwill to Austria, which is based on the premise of the French government's aggressiveness.

In the time of Napoleon III, he also wanted to annex Belgium and interfered in Belgian internal affairs many times, and the two sides stood on opposite sides.

During the World War, Belgium fell to the Entente, and in fact it was forced out, but it was not really as clever as the British and French diplomacy was said to be.

If the Second German Empire did not attack France through the passage of Belgium, why should people enter the war, is it not good to be neutral?

The Belgians are not stupid, a small country with a small projectile, running to participate in the world war is to be cannon fodder, and it will not gain much benefit at all.

Maybe a Belgium is not worth mentioning, but what if you add the North German Confederation?

Franz knew very well what that small group of states in Germany was.

Referring to the Austro-Prussian War in the original time and space, we know that everyone who said that they would join forces to deal with Prussia, but in the end, Austria and Prussia were left to fight alone.

It should have been evenly matched, because of the paddling of these states, Austria was in an absolute disadvantage in battle.

I want them to fight hard, unless the enemy comes to the door. Otherwise, these guys can only pull out and shout slogans and build momentum.

……

Since the destruction of the Austrian anti-French alliance, the atmosphere of the French government has changed, and the dark cloud that hangs over France is suddenly gone.

This sudden change has made many people uncomfortable. Fueled by capital, the voice of the main battle faction has become louder and louder.

Changes in the outside world also affected Napoleon IV's judgment.

"It seems that Austria is not so powerful, and after losing the support of the British, the Vienna government cannot pull out the anti-French encirclement net."

Naturally, changes in concepts will affect political decision-making. When it came to Austria, Napoleon IV was no longer so concerned.

Versailles

After a cursory look at the documents in his hand, Napoleon IV asked uncertainly: "Are you ready to restart the international coal price negotiations?" ”

In order to hinder the economic development of France, Britain and Austria led the establishment of the International Coal Export Alliance, which controlled the international coal trading price.

As a result, the price of coal imported by France is at least 50 percent higher than that of Britain and Austria.

When energy prices are high, the cost of industrial production will naturally go up. This has directly led to the loss of competitiveness of many French industrial and commercial products in the international arena.

In order to dismantle the international coal export alliance, the French government and the business community have tried all means and exhausted means, but they still have not achieved their goal.

Even because of its grasp of France's energy lifeline, the International Coal Export Federation often criticizes French industry and commerce.

There are two sides to everything, and France has taken the lead in sounding the clarion call for energy conservation due to the high price of energy.

For steam engines and boilers of the same power, the coal consumption of French products is usually a few percentage points lower, and some outstanding performance may save 20 or 30 percent.

Not only is coal consumption low, but the French have also come up with a number of alternatives to coal, such as charcoal.

In most fields, the French boilers and steam engine equipment can burn charcoal, and some equipment can also directly burn firewood.

Of course, black technology is not omnipotent, substitutes are always just substitutes, and there is still a certain gap from the original genuine products.

As a result, French industrial and commercial products inevitably have a trace of flaws in quality, and can only be used.

The most typical is steel, and the overall quality of steel in France is the worst, worse than that of the Russians.

The Minister of Economy, Elsa, said righteously: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. For the sake of the healthy development of the domestic economy, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will definitely do its best to bring down the international coal trading price. ”

Foreign Secretary Karel Kadlec chimed in: "The Foreign Office will fully cooperate with the actions of the Ministry of Economy, and we have already begun to lobby the British.

As things stand, there are already signs of compromise from the UK Coal Exporters. As long as the British relent, we could force Belgium and the German Confederation to compromise. ”

The contradiction is only because of interests, if the International Coal Export Union was originally established to suppress the French economy, now it is simply because of interests.

In a sense, coal is also a rigid product. No matter how hard the French try to find alternatives, they still have to import in large quantities.

Against this backdrop, it is only natural for suppliers to raise prices in order to make huge profits.

It's very simple to get the British to loosen their mouths, and that's to throw money. As long as they can make up for the lack of money they make in coal exports, things will be easy.

As for the coal suppliers of Belgium and the North German Confederation, then they can only be considered unlucky, and who makes their country weak?

Napoleon IV fell into deep thought, and what seemed to be a coal price negotiation was in fact a test for the international community.

If the plan succeeds and does not provoke a violent backlash from the international community, then the French government will not need to be so cautious in the days ahead.

"Now that you're all ready, let's restart negotiations! However, we should pay attention to the ways and means and don't make a big mess. ”

It can be seen that Napoleon IV was not so at ease with his bureaucrats.

This has something to do with the French political system, the Ministry of Economy is definitely the most heavily affected department of the government, and the performance of officials is linked to capital from the very beginning.

If you don't say hello in advance, these guys will act according to the will of capital and directly provoke a war.

France was not ready for war, and Napoleon IV was not floating, and he did not think that France would be able to challenge the world with its current strength.

……

At the headquarters of the British Coal Association in London, a group of capital tycoons are arguing fiercely.

A pot-bellied old man said excitedly: "Gentlemen, the opportunity to make a fortune has come.

The French have proposed that they reduce tariffs on some goods as long as we set aside the International Coal Export Union and reduce the price of coal by a fifth.

This reduction is not for all companies, but only for the industries that are members of our Coal Association, so cheer! ”

The applause rang out, and many people were immersed in the joy of making a fortune. What this means is nothing more evident than being able to ship goods to the French market at lower tariffs than domestic counterparts.

Some people are proud, some people are frustrated, and not everyone can get benefits.

The biggest victims are the small coal miners, who have limited capital and do not have access to multiple industries. On the contrary, it is to sell high-priced coal, which can maximize profits.

Some tariffs are waived, and they don't have any goods to sell. On the contrary, the consortium has a lot of benefits and can obtain greater benefits.

As the representative of the small coal mine owners in the association, Mikhailovich immediately objected: "No! The French were Britain's worst enemies, and any relaxation of the repression of France was a crime against Britain.

The fools of the government, stupidly running to form an alliance with the French, should we also compromise with the French for the sake of trivial interests? ”

The old man smiled and said: "Mikhailovich, don't forget that we are capitalists, and we have no reason not to earn money sent to the door, and it is the government's business to suppress France."

Your worries are nothing more than damage to your own interests, but you don't have to worry. Even if there is no other industry, everyone can cooperate!

I'm sure all of you here don't mind helping you to fill the void in your industry.

No, you can choose to sell the mine. Don't worry, everyone will come up with a good price.

In short, we will not let you suffer. ”

Mikhailovich's face changed drastically, this is a poor dagger. Prior to this, although the profits of coal mines were good, the small mine owners had some inferior mines in their hands, and the consortiums did not look down on them.

Now it is different, if you control the coal mines, you control the export of coal, and with these shares you can negotiate with the French, get preferential tariffs, and sell other industrial and commercial products.

Don't say, the British have no shortage of markets, it's impossible. For any industrial power, the market is not enough.

The British consortium has long coveted the French market, but the French government knows that it can't do it, so it plays with tariff barriers.

Now that a hole has finally been torn open, everyone naturally has to find a way to rush inside.

As for the fallback of coal export prices, what does it matter to them? As long as you can make money, who cares what the future holds?