No matter how many calculations there are, the war still has to be decided on the battlefield. While the diplomatic game between Prats and Russia, the Lithuanian battle also broke out.

At this time, Moltke was already in an embarrassing situation. Whether to fight the enemy in Lithuania is a tangled question.

The Russian navy has been stagnant for more than ten years and has long lagged behind the times. However, this old fleet is not comparable to the pocket-sized navy of the Popo Federation.

Today is different from the past. Both Prats and Russia have made preparations for this war. The Tsarist government hoarded a large amount of strategic materials in St. Petersburg, and after a year or two, there was no shortage of materials at all.

In this context, the advantages of maritime power can be fully utilized. Ivanov is now launching the Lithuanian battle, just to take advantage of these advantages.

Losing his maritime power and running to the Baltic Sea coast to fight the enemy to the decisive battle. When the enemy was prepared, Moltke said: He was not crazy yet.

The problem is that war is not something you can do if you don’t want to fight. The Russians have already launched an attack. Unless they give up Lithuania, Latvia and other regions, they can only bite the bullet.

Giving up is impossible. Once the Lithuanian region falls, the war will once again burn to the East Prussia region. All the results achieved in the First Prussian-Russian War will be lost.

If there were any enemy, Moltke might have dared to take a gamble and find an opportunity to defeat the enemy. Unfortunately, when he met Ivanov, who is known for his conservatism, it would have no effect at all.

Warsaw, Popo Federal Command

"Marson, why don't we launch an attack from the Belarusian region and make a counterattack against Smolinsk and force the enemy to abandon the Lithuanian battle plan?" a middle-aged officer suggested

There is no allusion in Europe that "surrounds Wei and saves Zhao", but there is still no shortage of similar war templates.

Moltke shook his head: "It's useless. The enemy has deployed thirty infantry divisions and two cavalry divisions in the Belarus region. We have no chance at all."

If Moltke was confident of killing this enemy army in the field, this would be impossible. With Ivanov's style, these Russian troops would definitely choose to defend the enemy.

If he really fought all the way, the precious mobile force in Moltke's hand would have been consumed. If there were no people, why would he have to do it?

Looking at the Russian troops deployed on the map, Moltke sighed deeply. Since the outbreak of the Second Russian-Prussian War, the Pudong army has been fighting very frustrated.

It’s not that they don’t work hard, but the problem is that there is no room for performance. Although the Prussian army has a slightly strong combat effectiveness, the gap is still limited, and the Russian army can make up for it with quantity.

After hesitating for a while, Moltke pointed at the map: "Order the troops on the Northern Line to abandon Latvia and retreat to the Lithuanian region."

Win first is not the winner, the winner is the winner. Moltke is ready to go to another battle in East Prussia. It doesn’t matter if the losses are too big, the most important thing is to become the winner.

...

On the battlefield, the Prats and Russia fought wits and courage, and in diplomacy, the two countries were filled with smoke. Vienna once again became the battlefield for the two countries to confront each other. The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was lively and the Schönbrunn Palace was also lively.

In order to avoid the trouble, Franz kept his door and thanked the guests. There was no way to lobby too many guests, and the emperor was worried. The best way was to not see the guests.

Franz once again found that there were so many relatives. It was not that these people didn't understand the rules, were quarrels and intervened randomly. If this was the case, it would be easier to deal with.

There are not many fools who can make a name for themselves. They are also skilled when they are lobbyists. Most of them are handing out words or beating the edge drum.

Some people want the Russians to win, some want the Popo Federation to win, and some just want to test Franz's position and judge the government's decision-making direction.

This is a matter of no way. It is never a matter of the emperor alone to determine the direction of a country. Interest groups of all sizes in China are participants.

This is part of the European political game, for example: if you want to promote a certain bill or resolution, it is not enough for Franz to do it himself. You usually release news through these channels first to test the reactions of the outside world.

Or it may be implied that these people propose to the government, which is equivalent to the emperor's imperial soundtrack, so as not to take the emperor's personal game.

The Prussian-Russian War was too involved, including: the future pattern of the European continent, the process of German regional unification, and a large number of political and economic interests...

The more involved, the more interest groups involved, and the more people you care about.

Franz didn't want to make a statement in advance, so he naturally hid. The emperor could hide, but the government's top officials couldn't. Prime Minister Felix's hairline retreated a lot.

...

In the Vienna Prime Minister's residence, Popo's Federal Minister Fordman said: "World peace is facing serious challenges, and the European international order is being stolen..."

Felix frowned: "Mr. Minister, don't say these unnutritional words, our time is precious, and there is no need to waste it like this."

The impatient feeling was exposed nakedly, and it could be seen that Felix was really annoyed and didn't even bother to listen to diplomatic rhetoric.

Fordman was not bothered, and there were no similar things once or twice. As a professional diplomat, he still knew how to restrain his emotions and would not bring personal feelings into his work.

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

Before Forman finished speaking, Felix interrupted directly: "Not only the Russian Empire, a powerful Popo Federation is also not good for us. You must know that rule breakers are often more annoying."

A staunch Germanic, naturally, would not have a good impression of the existence of a split country. The existence of the Popo Federation is a cancer in the eyes of German nationalists.

Prime Minister Felix is ​​a leader of Great Germanism introduced by Austria. Anti-Popularity is a must, so naturally there is no need to give face.

However, everything is possible in the face of politics. As long as there is enough benefits, there is nothing that cannot be discussed.

"Rules Breaker" is a joke. No one is much better than anyone else. If Austria abides by the rules, it will not have the current foundation.

However, the Vienna government is the rulemaker and left a back door for itself early, so it didn't look that ugly.

Fordman was a little embarrassed, and a flash of inspiration flashed in his mind and then recovered. He had already cursed in his heart and almost got tricked.

This is a diplomatic meeting. Isn’t Prime Minister Felix’s bad attitude a diplomatic method?

After experiencing this little episode, Fordman had no intention of continuing to circle around, and he was afraid that his heart would not be able to bear it if he continued.

"Your Excellency, we are very sincere. As long as your country is willing to stop supporting the Russians, Ukraine and the Russian Balkans will be your country's post-war period."

When it comes to interests, Felix's attitude eased a little, and he asked in a pretentious manner: "Where is sincerity? Why didn't I see it?

Taking the territory of the Russians as sincerity, and asking us to send troops to take it ourselves. Your country's sincerity is really amazing!"

There is nothing to do, and the Popo Federation supports Austria to obtain Ukraine and the Russian Balkans. It seems to be taking advantage, but in fact it is a secret.

The two Prussian-Russian wars have completely awakened the Berlin government. The Russian Empire is an indestructible young man. Even if he wins this war, it will soon rekindle.

If this cycle continues, they will have nothing to do. If they want to obtain an international environment for stable development, they must find someone to share the hatred.

The ideal ally is the Ottoman Empire, but unfortunately this person who can't stand the mud and really won't bear the trouble.

The second is the Nordic Federation. Unfortunately, they offended the Danes to death. If the Danes were thrusting their legs, it was impossible for the Nordic Federation to form an alliance with them.

Then there are Central Asian countries and the Far East Empire, which are similar to the Ottoman Empire, and they are not responsible for the trouble and will not play much role in attracting them.

Austria was not originally in the category of the Berlin government's allies, but the situation was forced to do so. In order to win the war, they had to make the Vienna government give up its support for the Russians.

After being exposed, Fordman was not annoyed and still smiled: "Your Excellency, you can't say that. We have severely damaged the Tsarist government in the war, and your country's occupation of these areas was an armed march.

If your country wants to, you can directly connect to the Volga River and we will support it."

Felix shook his head and opened the map to know where the "Barrica of the Volga" is. Can Austria reach out?

"We are not as good as your country's appetite. Russia-Austria's friendship has a long history, and we have no interest in the territory of the Russian Empire."

This is the truth, Felix had no interest in the Russian territory, and the Vienna government had no intention of peeping.

Of course, if the Russians don’t want to send it, no one will refuse.

After hesitating for a while, it seemed that there was a fierce psychological struggle. Fordman slowly said: "What if the German Federation is added?

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

The implication is that Felix has already heard it. "No more objection" in other words: do not support, do not object, and default to Austria annexing the German Federation.

Frankly speaking, Prime Minister Felix was moved. However, he did not reveal it. According to the current situation, it was already the limit that the Berlin government could make such a promise.

For the same thing, if the Tsarist government was replaced, the person who was not prepared directly expressed his support.

There is no need to doubt that Alexander II will win the war, and any hero is a person who can bend and stretch.

For the Russian Empire, continental hegemony is a future thing, so it is better to win the war first.

The same is true for the Popo Federation, but they were too influenced by the British and could not do that.

"Your proposal has no value. If your country had such sincerity in 1853, then the matter would have been resolved long ago.

At this point, do you think your position is still important? As far as I know, your country's wounds from the last war were not licked clean.

After this war, how long does your country need to cultivate, twenty years or thirty years?

We really want to take action, what can you do if you object? Do you dare to fight a war on the battlefield?"

This is not contempt, reality is so cruel. Winning the war is just the beginning, and the Popo Federation still has a long way to go to restore its strength.

You can’t bet on all your own assets in order to interfere in Austria?

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

The chips also depend on the time of being sold. Even if something priceless appears in the wrong time, it is worthless.

Fordman's expression changed slightly, and he immediately recovered: "Prime Minister, it depends on what you think. If these conditions cannot move you, what if the Russians won the war?

Looking around the world, there are not many people who have the power to threaten your country, and the Russian Empire happens to be one of them.

How long did Alexander II reform? 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 is endless. When you open the map, you will know how long the border between your country and the Russian Empire is, and it is inevitable that friction will occur in the future.

Instead of leaving a hidden danger, it is better to remove them now. Your country can also take the opportunity to enter the Black Sea. It is a matter of time before your country turns the Black Sea into an inland sea with your country's strength, and no one has the ability to stop it."

Fordman expressed the concerns of the Vienna government. The Russians had too great development potential, and no one knew what pregnancy would be born with such a huge territory.

In contrast, the threat of the Popo Federation is much smaller. Even if they win the war, they cannot afford much land with their national strength. It will take at least decades to become a real big country.

This is still an ideal state, and Austria has also come step by step. The Vienna government knows better than anyone else about the difficulty of national integration.

It can be said that the more population the Popo Federation seized from the Russian Empire, the more serious the national problems in the country will be.

The binary empire is not that easy to play. It is difficult for an active Polish nation. If you add some ethnic groups to the original space and time, what is the difference between it and the Austro-Hungarian Empire?

It is even worse than the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At least the Habsburg family has been in charge for hundreds of years and its rule has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. There are really not many people who are making independence.

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

What you see is normal commercial trade. As a member of the free trade system, we will not interfere with the market.

If your country wants to cut off the supplies of 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."

Fordman's face turned gloomy. He knew very well that Felix was obviously moved just now, but he refused, and he did not even leave him the opportunity for further negotiations.
Chapter completed!