Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria-Hungary. Pen, fun, and www.biquge.info

Franz, the ruler of the empire in his old age? Joseph I, leaning on his throne as emperor, closed his eyes slightly, as if he had fallen asleep. The important ministers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were reporting to him on the situation of the war and the current international situation.

Crown Prince Karl, standing respectfully to the side, listening to Franz? Teachings of Joseph I.

Immediately after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, Karl became the crown prince of Austria-Hungary. After all, as a first-class power in Europe, Austria-Hungary could not do without the crown prince. Carl is Franz? Karl, the younger brother of Joseph I? Grandson of Archduke Ludwig, in Franz? When Joseph I no longer has an heir to the throne, he can only choose Karl to inherit the crown prince and become Franz? Emperor of the Reich after the death of Joseph I. Although, Franz? Joseph I was not happy with this, but there was no way around it. Although his son is long gone?

The current international situation is very unfavorable for Austria-Hungary. Franz? Joseph I did not expect that the battle would be fought like this, which was completely different from what he had expected at the beginning. You must know that the current Austro-Hungarian Empire is definitely one of the top powers in the world.

Austria-Hungary was a traditional European power (Russia, Britain, Austria, and France) and one of the eight major powers in the world at that time (Britain, France, Germany, the United States, Russia, Austria, Italy, and Japan). Austria-Hungary was a great empire in Eastern Europe. It was the third largest country in Europe at the time, after Russia and the Ottoman Empire; The total population is large, slightly inferior to Russia and Germany, and the third largest in Europe; The prosperity of the machinery and instrument manufacturing industry and the strength of the steel and arms industry rank fourth in the world, second only to Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States; It is also the fourth largest in Europe in terms of its total reserves of resources and the largest number of mobilized troops, only less than Russia, Germany and France. The variety of agricultural products and the abundance of crude oil production surpass France, which has exquisite agriculture, and Russia, which is oriented by grain exports, and ranks first in Europe. The advanced technology of the heavy artillery weapons produced by the Skoda Arsenal is far ahead, ranking first in the world.

With the great strength of Austria-Hungary, the performance in this war should be far from so. However, the performance of the Austrian army on the battlefield made Franz? Joseph I, the great emperor, was ashamed.

On the southern front, against a small Serbia, they had already dispatched two army groups, but they still could not defeat Serbia. Even after the capture of Belgrade, Serbian resistance continues. As a result, Austria-Hungary had to continue to deploy heavy troops in Serbia, and casualties continued to increase.

Not to mention the battlefield on the Eastern Front, if the deployment of the German 8th Army Corps defeated the Russian Northwest Front, inflicted heavy losses on the Russian army, and forced the Russian army to transfer troops from the Southwestern Front, perhaps the Austrian army would have been defeated. The ferocious and savage Russians have already stormed the rich and wasteful territory of Austria-Hungary and have begun to plunder.

Now Italy has betrayed the Covenant again and has become an enemy of Austria-Hungary, and it is to be expected that soon the Italian offensive will begin. At that time, the southern front of Austria-Hungary will also face an attack by a strong enemy, which will make the situation facing Austria-Hungary even more critical.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Government has declared war on the Kingdom of Italy. The German Empire, two hours before us, had declared war on the Kingdom of Italy. "Prime Minister of the Austro-Hungarian Government, Mario? Webb said.

"Hmmm! The Kingdom of Italy betrayed the Covenant and became our enemy, and the Empire declared war on it, as it should be. But is our army, ready to fight the Italians? "Franz? Joseph I asked.

"Your Majesty, the 1st Army has returned from the Eastern Front, and they will be deployed to the Southern Front to stop the Italian attack on us. In addition, the German Empire will send three infantry divisions to assist us in defending ourselves against the Italians. We were confident that with the help of the Alpine terrain, we would be able to withstand the attack of the Italians. Said Duke Kasbah, Minister of War of Austria and Minister of War of the Central Government of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Franz? Joseph I nodded: "In that case, the Italians have nothing to worry about. Wait until we get rid of the Russians, then turn around and deal with them. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Duke Kasbah was convinced. For the Austrians, the murderous Russians were obviously a little more difficult to deal with. As for the Italians, they have never been taken seriously. The two countries had been competing in the Balkans for many years, but Austria-Hungary had almost always suppressed the Kingdom of Italy.

"After the 1st Army is transferred, what will happen to the battlefield on the Eastern Front?" Crown Prince Karl asked. The Russians on the Eastern Front are not easy to deal with. All along, the Austrian army was struggling to support on the Eastern Front and suffered heavy losses. If a main army group is transferred, won't it make the situation of the Austrian army even more difficult?

"Regarding the Eastern Front, Germany proposes to join forces with us against the Russian Southwestern Front. The German 8th Army Corps would move south to attack the Russian Southwestern Front. With the combat effectiveness of the German 8th Army, plus us, it will definitely not be difficult to defeat the Southwestern Front of the Russians. Duke Casbah smiled. Previously, he was still agonizing about the situation on the Eastern Front, but after learning that the German allies would lend a helping hand, he was greatly relieved.

"Well, Crown Prince Oscar's 8th Army, very combat-ready. In less than two months, nearly a million Russian troops have been wiped out. With their support, we will definitely be able to defeat the Russians in the Southwestern Front. "Franz? A smile appeared on Joseph I's face, which was full of age spots. This is undoubtedly one of the rare good news he has heard in the past few months.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The 8th Army Corps of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Oscar is already the most powerful of the several corps of the German Army. Grand Duke Kasbah sighed.

"Crown Prince Oscar, what a genius. The German Empire has him as the crown prince, and it is completely God who favors the German Empire! "Franz? Joseph I lamented. If Austria-Hungary had such an heir, it might not have been what it is now.

Crown Prince Karl listened to Joseph? After the approval of the first generation, he couldn't help but pout, and his heart was full of disdain for the German crown prince, who was a year younger than him. In his opinion, Qin Tian was just lucky. If he was the crown prince of the German Empire, he would definitely do better than Qin Tian.