Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 401: Hard Times Create Strong Men

The British intervention tilted the situation, making this war once again murky like muddied water. No one knew the answer whether the Russian government’s treasury would be emptied first or the Kingdom of Prussia would be unable to sustain support on the battlefield.

With the loss of maritime transport routes, the Russians’ plan to concentrate forces and swiftly defeat the Prussians collapsed.

Since the Russians lost control of Poland, grain prices in St. Petersburg have been continuously rising, increasing by thirty percent compared to before the war.

This was already the result of Alexander II promptly taking measures to control the prices. Otherwise, grain prices could have easily doubled.

The Russians have many granaries, the only issue is transportation. Prices will inevitably rise when transporting grain from Ukraine and Moscow to St. Petersburg.

At the military conference at the Winter Palace, Minister of War Milyutin analyzed, “Based on current transportation capabilities, the number of troops we can deploy to the front lines will not exceed four hundred thousand.

With such a small force, it is almost impossible to win this war. The original battle plan is no longer viable, and the Ministry of War has decided to change it.

We will engage in strategic defense in the Baltic Sea and Belarus while deploying our main forces to Ukraine, advancing towards Poland along the Russo-Austrian border.

This way, our troops can directly receive supplies from Austria, reducing the distance of logistical transportation.

By reclaiming the Polish region first, our forces can rely on rivers within Poland to transport supplies from Austria, ensuring logistical support for the troops.”

The operational plan looked good, solving the supply issue. However, Alexander II felt very uncomfortable in his heart, as this meant having to seek help from Austria.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Relying on Austrian support for this war would inevitably come at a cost.

Alexander II was unwilling to see the Russian army fighting desperately at the front, only for the greatest benefits to fall into someone else’s hands, even if it was an ally’s.

Finance Minister Reutern opposed, saying, “This plan looks promising, but getting Austria to cooperate won’t be easy. It’s not just a matter of money; political considerations also come into play.

The Austrian government has been in a contradictory state throughout this war. On the one hand, they want to use us to weaken the Kingdom of Prussia and create favorable conditions for unification; on the other hand, they want to preserve the territorial integrity of the German region.

Unless we are willing to pay a hefty price, they won’t fully cooperate. Without their support, even with Austria’s backing, it will be difficult to obtain sufficient supplies.”

The position of the Austrian government is no secret; they want to see both Prussia and Russia weakened. This serves Austria’s interests best, as it creates conditions for national unification while ensuring the territorial integrity of Germany.

Only when Prussian separatism faces societal backlash will it diminish, paving the way for merging with Austria.

Currently, it’s the Junker aristocracy advocating for a Greater Prussia. Once merged with Austria, the agricultural products of these landlords will inevitably suffer, making it difficult to safeguard their interests.

The more Prussia suffered in the war, the more support there would be for German unification, provided that Prussia wasn’t swallowed up by Russia.

In this context, expecting Austria to fully support their victory in the war will not come easy.

Foreign Minister Ivanov continued, “Regarding this issue, we have already communicated with the Austrians. The Austrian government’s stance is clear; they will abide by the Russo-Austrian alliance, but only within the limits specified in the treaty. To change their decision would require a significant cost, which is simply not worth it.”

When it comes to interests, even alliances need to take a back seat. Everyone present understands this; they’re not naive enough to believe that allies should unconditionally cooperate.

Speaking directly about interests is actually the best way to maintain alliances. Alliances built solely on friendship without considering interests do not last long.

Alexander II ordered, “Dispatch someone to lease warehouses along the Austrian border, storing a portion of the supplies as a transit point for trade between the two countries. The military will first recapture some bordering territories with Austria, then engage in trade nearby to save on transportation costs.”

This was playing it close to the line, pre-stocking goods at the Austrian border so the Russian army could replenish supplies nearby upon arrival.

While there are still many procedures to go through, this also saves time. Time is life on the battlefield; with ample supplies, the Russian army can withstand Prussia’s onslaught.

In this regard, they have an absolute advantage. By sacrificing a few hundred thousand more lives, Prussia will collapse. Unless Britain and France intervene personally, they will emerge victorious from this war.

Unfortunately, the Polish winter isn’t cold enough to fully leverage the Russian army’s winter combat capabilities.

……

In Vienna, Franz set aside the intelligence in his hands and assumed the role of a bystander, quietly observing the impressive performances of Prussia and Russia.

The 19th century witnessed the last glory of monarchy, where circumstances molded heroes, making this period a veritable rise of heroes.

Figures like William I of Prussia, Alexander II of Russia, Napoleon III of France, Emperor Meiji of Japan, Queen Victoria of England, and the protagonist himself — all were luminaries who burned brightly in their respective domains.

While these figures gained considerable renown, there were also lesser-known entities, such as Rama IV and Rama V of Thailand, who managed to preserve themselves amidst the chaos.

Similarly, figures like Abdulmejid I of the Ottoman Empire, who spearheaded modernization reforms, breathed new life into his empire.

This list also includes Charles XV of Sweden, Leopold II of Belgium, Nicholas I of Montenegro, and Luxembourg...

If these people were born in a different time, they could have stirred up the winds and clouds of an era. Unfortunately, they all found themselves converging in the same era.

The kings of small nations naturally had little room to make an impact. Simply surviving in the cracks between the great powers showcased ability in itself.

This demanded exceptional political mastery, something that could not be achieved by mere bystanders. For small nations, every conflict was a test.

Now it was the turn for Alexander II and William I to compete, with the victor continuing on the path of dominance while the defeated faced elimination, fading into obscurity.

The King of Sardinia had already become a sacrifice of this era, the first to be eliminated and forced into exile in London, where he sought to pass his days.

However, the leisurely days were short-lived, and would soon be shattered.

Foreign Minister Wessenberg reported, “Your Majesty, Francis II has sent a telegram asking for help, stating that the rebels led by Garibaldi have crossed the Strait of Messina and are advancing northward. The royal forces of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies have suffered another defeat in quelling the rebellion.

Currently, the domestic situation is spiraling out of control, with insurgencies popping up incessantly. There are already thirteen rebel armed groups within the territory of the Two Sicilies.

Just three days ago, Garibaldi issued a call for all rebel forces to converge on Naples for an alliance. The capital of the Two Sicilies will likely fall soon.

The most troublesome aspect is Francis II’s folly; he has simultaneously sent a plea for assistance to Napoleon III, further complicating the situation.”

Rubbing his forehead, Franz also realized the thorny nature of the problem. If Francis II had only sought assistance from Austria, then there was nothing to be said; Franz would immediately dispatch troops to help quell the rebellion.

Regardless of how the Redshirts were touted in later years, Franz dismissed them. The combat effectiveness of the army relied on the support of national strength, and the Two Sicilies was primarily an agrarian state.

With naval blockades in the ports and no ammunition replenishment, the rebel forces would turn into guerrillas in a matter of three to five months at most.

Not every country could engage in guerrilla warfare. The Two Sicilies was limited in size, bisected by a strait, and its population numbered only 8.7 million, rendering it incapable of protracted warfare.

In reality, these measures were superfluous. Simply dispatching troops to crush the rebellion would suffice. If a single Italian rebel force couldn’t be handled, then the Austrian army might as well disband.

Franz expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, “Francis II sought assistance from Napoleon III instead of the Spanish. It seems that the French have been making quite a few moves under our noses over the years.

The General Staff needs to come up with a battle plan as soon as possible. The Two Sicilies cannot fall into French hands again, or else the Mediterranean will become France’s personal backyard.”

Franz was aware of the French’s maneuvers, but he never expected Francis II to be influenced. Seeking assistance from the French now is akin to inviting the wolf into the house.

It’s easier to invite a god than to send one away. Given such a good opportunity, it would be strange if the French didn’t establish a foothold there.

Even if they wanted to keep their enemy in check, choosing the ambitious France is out of the question! Even letting the British intervene would be better than letting the French intervene.

Without Francis II’s plea for help, the French would never dare to extend their hand to Italy. Now, the situation has changed, and the Two Sicilies have delivered themselves to the French’s doorstep.

A conflict between France and Austria over Italy is about to erupt, which may be just a minor inconvenience for Franz, but for the Two Sicilies, it means life or death.

Franz can sell off the Kingdom of Sardinia, so why couldn’t he sell off the Two Sicilies? As for whether the French will expand their influence, it’s just a matter of time.

As long as the interests are suitable, many issues can be negotiated. Conversely, the French might also be willing to sacrifice the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in exchange for concessions elsewhere in Austria.

Playing tit-for-tat isn’t as enjoyable. Even if the two countries can’t agree on exchanging interests, can’t they just divide up the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies?

The integrity of the great powers is so high that they will rise to the occasion as long as their interests are sufficient. The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies is not a core interest for Austria, only considered a peripheral zone, and it’s much the same for the French.

Of course, if Napoleon III truly desires to unify the Italian region, then it’s an essential step.

At worst, dividing the Mediterranean interests between France and Austria, using Sicily as a boundary, and jointly pushing the British out.

Currently, the cooperation between the two countries is still pleasant, with the British being tightly suppressed in the Mediterranean. Their attempts to extend into Egypt have been firmly repelled by the two nations.