Early in the morning of January 20, 1917, the Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, Baron Berchdot, went to the palace to meet Kaiser Wilhelm III.

Although, I had just woken up and was having breakfast. But Qin Tian still ate the bread in his hand, drank the milk, apologized to the queen and the children with an apologetic face, and then went to the study.

"Good morning, Your Excellency!" Qin Tian said with a smile. Although the other party was the foreign minister of the hostile country, Qin Tian did not speak ill of him. After all, war is nothing more than a continuation of politics. For these politicians, there is no such thing as absolute hatred. Everything is just for the sake of one's own national interests.

"Your Majesty the Emperor, I'm sorry to bother me so early." Baron Belhidald said expressionlessly, and he looked at Qin Tian with a hint of hatred in his eyes. After all, their country was about to be destroyed by Germany. With the Austro-Hungarian Empire already in disintegration, no one could stop Austria from being destroyed unless God came to earth.

Qin Tian waved his hand, he didn't care about it.

"Your Excellency, you have come to see me so early, I think there must have been an answer in your country, right?" Qin Tian asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, though, had collapsed. Austria's strength alone would never be able to stop Germany's iron hooves. But we won't give in. If Germany wants to occupy Austria-Hungary, then let's step on Austria-Hungary. Our army will fight to the death. Germany, it will pay a huge price for this! Baron Belchdald said with a resolute expression.

Qin Tian nodded, not surprised that Austria-Hungary would reply like this. After all, no country can be a coward. Especially in the upper echelons, there are still people who are bloody. In times of crisis, they can also fight to the end.

"Your Excellency, I can understand you, and at the same time admire that you were able to make such a decision. But, for the good of the German Empire, I will not keep my hand! Good luck to you. Qin Tian said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, Emperor, goodbye!" After Baron Belhidald finished speaking, he bowed and saluted Qin Tian, then turned around and left the palace.

This moment undoubtedly represents the complete failure of the peace effort. In the end, it is still necessary to rely on the means of war to solve the problem. It's just that, judging by the current situation, Austria-Hungary, or rather Austria, does not have any advantage at all. Even if they resist desperately, they can't hold out for long. Moreover, not all Austrians were determined to resist. Especially in the military, there are many people who are greedy for life and afraid of death. Under such circumstances, Austria's resistance will become even more difficult.

The advance of the German army continued. Despite the cold weather, icy roads or thick snow, these put up many obstacles for the troops to advance. However, none of this could stop the advance of the German troops.

While the German logistics department was trying to bring more trucks to the front, the German army was advancing faster and faster. Of course, there is a very important reason for this, and that is that the Austro-Hungarian army almost always does not resist. This made the German offensive more like a rush. Under such circumstances, it was not difficult for the Germans to reach Vienna very quickly.

"Report, the Germans have captured Amstetten!" A staff officer reported.

Archduke Friedrich, Duke of Casbah and Marshal Baron Herzendorf became more and more ugly. You know, Armsteten is less than a hundred kilometers away from Vienna.

"The Germans are advancing too fast, right? It was only the third day of the war, and they were about to advance to Vienna. At this rate, there are still three days left at most, and they will be in Vienna! Marshal Baron Herzendorf said.

"What about the defenders stationed there? I remember, there were at least five infantry divisions there! Archduke Friedrich asked.

Originally, they were counting on the defenders of Amstetten to hold out for a while. After all, it takes a lot of time to draw troops from all over the country and mobilize new ones. Without enough time, they simply could not mobilize a powerful force against the powerful German army.

"Report to Your Excellency the Grand Duke, the defenders have retreated as soon as the vanguard of the Germans has arrived in Amstetten and launched a single artillery strike." said the staff officer.

"What? Bastard, there were five infantry divisions there, nearly 100,000 people, and they were frightened by a single shelling by the vanguard of the Germans. It's just cowardly, unreasonable! Duke Casbah said angrily.

If all the armies of Austria were like this, there would have been no need for this battle to continue. Because they would not be the opponents of the Germans, and they would not even have a chance to resist.

"Arrest the commander of the garrison in Armsteten, send him to the gallows, and shock the whole army. If this is not the case, the troops will not have the slightest fighting spirit! Archduke Friedrich said.

Although, at this time, it is not appropriate to hang a high-ranking general. If it is not done well, it will put everyone in danger for the generals. In that case, the battle will be even more difficult to fight.

However, in order to deter the generals and give them the courage to continue fighting, it must also be done.

"Well, I agree!" Duke Casbah said.

Marshal Baron Herzendorf also nodded repeatedly.

"In addition, I propose that all the troops at the front be gathered in Vienna. If it is deployed to the front line, it will no longer have any effect, it will only be a fearless waste. Marshal Baron Hezendorf suggested.

Both Archduke Friedrich and Duke Casbah nodded in agreement.

The Austrians began to shrink their forces frantically, and at the same time began to prepare for the mobilization of more troops.

Unable to stop the German advance, they could only hope for the defense of Vienna. It was hoped that in this battle, the confidence and courage of the Austrian army could be aroused, and the Germans would pay a heavy price in Austria, so as to win a glimmer of life for Austria.

Although, this possibility is undoubtedly very small. However, for the sake of their country, they can only use dead horses as live horse doctors.

Without the interference of the Austrians, the German army advanced faster.

On 25 January, the German 3rd and 5th armies arrived in Vienna from the west. The 6th and 7th armies arrived in Vienna from the north.